More Than Just A Coffee Maker: Review of Tassimo’s Hot Beverage System
The Tassimo Hot Beverage System (average price $170) makes good on a promise to make “a perfect cup every time.” 
The machine is good looking machine that is as user-friendly as it is stylish. It is also incredibly versatile as it allows users to choose from 13 different hot beverage brands. The machine uses packages called T-Discs which allow for the creation of coffees, cappuccinos, expressos, real milk lattes, hot chocolate, and even teas.
Once the T-Disc is inserted into the machine, a simple push of two buttons will allow the user to brew a cup at just the right drink strength. The machine handles the rest of the process. Using patented bar code technology, Tassimo’s system will adjust itself to ensure the right amount of water is chosen as well as the brewing time (approximately one minute) and the temperature for the beverage you have chosen to create.
Tassimo also has an inverse filitration system that literally raises hot water into the T-Discs. This process will allow all of the coffee grounds to be easily soaked each time, without any pressure mechanism. The machine also has a flow-through heating technology and a water filtration system that provides a brewing system that is quick yet still produces perfect beverages at just the right temperature with each and every use. The water filtration system allows for a better tasting beverage. The machine comes with two cartridges and a built-in warning system that alerts when it is time to change the filter.
The Tassimo is also very versatile for the user in that it has an adjustable and removable cup stand. The machine will fit most cups and mugs, including the travel kinds. Since the actual brewing process takes place in the T-Discs, it is simple to make successive drinks without losing flavor from one cup to the next.
Stylish and simple, the machine was also created to save counter space and comes with a store area for the cord as well as a space for the T-Discs. The machine parts are removable and diswasher safe. The machine parts that must be manually cleaned are accompanied by a cleaning and descaling program, helping to keep the machine low maintenance for any user. The machine is also energy-conscious as it goes into stand-by mode after each use.
Coffee Maker Review: Mr. Coffee JWX27
Mr. Coffee’s JWX27 is a 12-cup coffee maker that offers really nice features for a low price. This coffee maker model is programmable and has a pause feature, brew-strength selector, a built-on water filter, and a storage space for the cord. There is a see-through water reservoir to help with filling accuracy and the water filtration reduces up to 97% of the chlorine in the water for a better tasting pot of coffee. The programmable machine allows you to set and forget the coffee until you want it. The machine will beep when coffee is ready. The machine also offers an automatic shut-off after two hours.
The carafe of the Mr. Coffee JWX27 is glass while the housing unit is made mostly of plastic. While the machine is mostly plastic, it is nice-looking with a contemporary style consisting of brushed chrome accents on black. The brew basket is removable for easy cleaning and preparation. The machine also offers a special Cleaning Cycle that makes cleaning your coffee machine easy and fast.
The cost of the Mr. Coffee JWX27 is under $40. There have been some consumer complaints about the carafe having issues with spillage and dribbling when pouring coffee but overall reviews of the machine are positive. Consumers report that the coffee does brew at a hot temperature and the coffee stays hot while the machine is on. Additional reports state that the unit is quiet and the function buttons are easy to use but there is no backlight for the machine’s clock feature, which makes it hard to read.
If you are looking for an economical coffee maker, the Mr. Coffee JWX27 does appear to be stylish and consumer-friendly. It makes a hot cup of coffee and can be programmed to brew when you want it to be ready. This model can be found at most major retail outlets including Walmart or in online stores.
Lattes, Espressos, Cappuccinos – Oh My!
Coffee products are certainly growing in popularity among all demographics. It seems that will many people claim to 
love all different coffee-type drinks, not all have a good understanding of the differences between the products, namely lattes, expresso, cafe au lait, and cappuccino. Here we will outline the basics of each.
Latte
A latte is a drink made from espresso and steamed milk. The majority of the ingredients is the milk. For a 16 ounce latte, only about 3 ounces of espresso are added. When made properly, lattes can be a delicious drink. The latte is a popular drink in America for adults but in Europe is is considered to be more a children’s drink.
Cappuccino
Many confuse cappuccinos and lattes. While they contain the same ingredients for the most part, the ratios are different. Typically, a cappuccino is made in thirds. Combining 1/3 of espresso and 1/3 of steamed milk, 1/3 of frothed milk is added to the top of the drink. However, depending on the maker, a cappuccino can be made in several different ways.
Espresso
Espresso is a fine, grounded coffee that is made using an espresso machine. The water is heated to 190 and the coffee is added into a portofilter. When the water flows into the portafilter, it is pressurized and produces around 2 ounces of espresso.
Cafe Au Lait
Cafe Au Lait is a simple drink made up of half dark coffee and half steamed milk. The important part of making a Cafe Au Lait is ensuring you have a good tasting coffee and fresh steamed milk.
While the drinks are all similar in ingredients, the major difference in the drinks will be the experience of the barista making them. The way the ingredients are incorporated as well as the freshness of the ingredients (ie. always using good, cold milk and not leftovers from previous drinks) will have an impact on the taste of the drink. The choice of coffee as well as any additional flavorings or syrups that are added to the mix can make or break the quality of the drinks. There are many knock-off drinks, found at many convenience stores that claim to be any of the above drinks but the majority of them are made from powdered mixes. To get the true taste of a quality coffee drink, visit a coffeehouse and do a taste test to see which of the drinks you really prefer.
French Press Coffee Makers A Favorite
A French press coffee maker, also known as a “press pot”, is often noted as a favorite among true coffee connoisseurs. 
The reasoning behind this is because the full flavor of the coffee bean oils are preserved, making for a consistently delicious cup of coffee. The French press coffee maker is typically a tall glass that is fitted with a piston-like pump that moves within a cylinder and a filter. The brewing process takes only a few minutes as ground coffee and boiling water is combined in the tall glass and then pressed down. The coffee at the top is ready for you to drink. The benefit of using this type of coffee maker is that you can set the temperature of the water and vary brewing times to cater to your individual tastes. The French press method uses steeping which is said to extract the coffee bean oils and keep the most natural flavor of the coffee beans.
French press machines generally use a conical grinder, especially the higher end machines. The conical grinder rotates at lower speeds than other, resulting in a lower temperature that keeps the true flavor of the coffee bean oils. You also want to grind beans into large, uniform pieces so as not to drift through the filter. Cheaper grinders will likely not give you what you need. Conical grinders can give you a coarse grind that works well in a French press machine. While you can use any type of coffee in a French press machine, coffee experts generally prefer to use dark roast coffees that have a full body flavor. Coffees with low acidity is also preferred.
Making coffee with a French press coffee maker is not as difficult as it may at first seem. Here is a simple how-to for brewing coffee from a French press coffee maker:
- Boil six ounces of water
- Add two tablespoons of coarsely ground coffee into the coffee maker
- Pour the boiling water over the coffee grounds in the machine.
- Wait 2-4 minutes for the brew to steep.
- Press down on the plunger and pour the remaining coffee into your cup and it’s ready to drink.
French press coffee makers are widely available and vary in size, including 4, 8, and 12 cups. With the French press style of coffee makers, grinders are a critical accessory that can make or break the coffee machine. Frequent users suggest splurging on a high-end grinder to ensure the beans are ground to perfection before being used in a French press machine.
What Is Organic Coffee?
Coffee is considered organic when the methods and materials for producing the coffee has a low impact on the 
environment. In order for the coffee to be certified as organic, it must be produced within the organic production standards and certified by the US Department of Agriculture. One such standard requires that the farming of the coffee bean can not be done with synthetic pesticides. Since coffee is a crop that typically hires heavy spraying, organic is an alternative for those who prefer to avoid pesticides and other toxins. The majority of organic coffee grown in the United States occurs in Hawaii but is common in 40 other countries including Columbia, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam, and Venezula..
Organic coffee can be purchased in many grocery stores, whole food stores, online, and in specialty coffee stores. The variety is increasing and organic coffee is now available in regular, decaffeinated, flavored, and instant. There are also coffee-flavored organic products that are growing in popularity including, ice cream, soda, yogurt, and chocolate-covered coffee beans. To ensure you are getting authentic organic coffee products, you need to look carefully at the labels. The USDA can issue the organic seal on any coffee product that contains at least 95% of organic ingredients and certified by the certification department of the USDA. The labels will typically state “100% organic”, or simply “organic”.
There are many more companies that are selling certified organic coffee. Here is an overview of some of the coffee retailers where you can find certified organic coffee:
Don Francisco’s
Don Francisco’s is a retail brand of F. Gavino and Sons, which is a 130 year old company and one of the largest coffee businesses in the western United States. The coffee products they offer, such as their Organic French Roast or the Organic Mayan Blend, are 100% organic.
Green Mountain
Green Mountain is a large specialty coffee company which sells a big variety of certified organic coffees as well as non-organic coffees. Green Mountain also co-brands with other companies and sells products like Newman’s Own Organic Blend that supports the non-profit organization founded by Paul Newman and Green Mountain’s Organic House Blend.
Jim’s Organic Coffee
Jim’s Organic Coffee is a 100% organic coffee company that imports coffee directly from small farmers. They have been purchasing organic coffee this way for more than seventeen years. In fact, Jim’s was the first retail company to deal exclusively with certified organic coffees. Many reviews agree that Jim’s offers the best choices in organic coffees and sells products like JoJo Java’s ™ and Blend X ™ .
Best Flavors – In the Beans or the Extras?
Flavored coffee is incredibly popular these days. There are so many new flavors of coffee, it is almost impossible to 
keep up with the latest taste trends. While some flavors may sound a little off the wall (blueberry cheesecake coffee anyone?) the more traditional flavors like vanilla and hazelnut are still going strong.
Bean or Syrup Debate
There are many whole coffee beans that have been infused with flavor that allows you to grind the beans for a tasteful cup of coffee. With the assortment of at-home grinder machines and grind-enabled coffee brewers, it is easy to get a fresh brewed cup of flavored coffee in the convenience of your own kitchen. The downside to buying a whole bag is that you are essentially stuck with one flavor until the beans are gone. Because coffee beans can be on the expensive side depending on the brand you select, you may not be at liberty to have several flavors at your disposal at one time.
The alternative to buying and grinding your own flavored beans is to invest in coffee syrups that allow you to brew regular coffee and add a dollop of flavored syrup for a new taste each day. There are different syrup makers and different prices but on average a 20 plus ounce bottle will run around $8. Since you only need a small amount of syrup to flavor your coffee, one bottle can last you a while. There are many different flavors of coffee syrup to choose from so you potentially risk losing money by purchasing a flavor with which you are unfamiliar. Flavored syrups range from the classic caramel flavors to the more interesting huckleberry. There is even syrups available if you are keen on toasted marshmallow or peanut butter flavored coffee.
Alternatives to Beans and Syrups
In your local grocery store, you will find an alternative to both beans and syrups for adding a bit of flavoring to your cup of joe. There are several brands of liquid and powdered flavored creamer. These are relatively inexpensive and can flavor your daily cup of coffee if you are not into the expense of beans, grinding your own coffee, or purchasing syrups.
A tip for adding any kind of flavors to your coffee: remember to use natural flavors, especially with syrups, so that your coffee is loaded down with artificial sweeteners and additives. You can purchase sugar-free syrups and creamers also if sugar is a concern with your diet. Expect to pay a little bit more however for many sugar-free brands.
Stop Burning Your Brew: Newco OCS-8 Review
The Newco OSC-8 is rated as one of the best values for consumers who is looking for a thermal carafe coffeemaker. The thermal carafe keeps your coffee hot for hours without the subsequent burnt taste from sitting on the warmer. The thermal carafe is similar to the coffee carafes that hotels and other professional services use to make and serve coffee. The unit is made out of high-quality plastic and is said to be durable and sturdy. If you like to have your coffee stay warm for hours at a time, the Newco OCS-8 may be a good choice for you.
The Good Stuff
The coffee machine brews at 200 degrees Fahrenheit so the flavor is at its peak. Users have said that the brewing temperature consistently produces flavorful and smooth-tasting coffee. The carafe holds eight cups of fresh coffee at a time. The coffee maker does have an automatic shut-off feature and you can pause the brewing cycle to snag an early cup of coffee before brewing is complete. There is a built-in water filter but no coffee bean grinder. The filter basket is easily accessible as it swings open for filling. There is an automatic beep when the coffee brewing is complete and also when the coffee maker shuts itself off.
The Bad Stuff
The Newco OCS-8 may be difficult to find outside of specialty stores but you can order it straight from the manufacturer. It is priced a bit higher (estimated price $120-$150) than regular coffee makers but is not as high as other thermal carafe-style coffee makers. The cons of the Newco OCS-8 include no clock or time ability. Currently, the Newco OCS-8 is only available in black. Consumers who purchased the Newco OCS-8 seem genuinely pleased with the coffee maker itself and have noted only minor issues such as a slow-pouring carafe.
The manufacturer, Newco, is known in the coffee business. The OCS-8 is one of only a few personal coffee brewers made by the company. Newco specializes in manufacturing coffee making devices for industrial, office, and catering use. The company sells other products including hot and cold beverage dispensers. The also supply accessories including stands and coffee warmers to compliment their coffee brewing systems.
To order a Newco OCS-8, you can contact the company directly or find the model in specialty stores such as CrateandBarrel.com.
Looking for a Small 2 Cup Coffee Maker That Uses Pods?
If you’re tired of grinding coffee for your morning cuppa joe, then we suggest using pods. Pods have been around a while and are essentially a quick and easy replacement for making grounds from your beans. Using pods has become very popular for single-serve and 2 cup coffee makers.
Senseo coffee machines are generally though of as being single cup coffee makers, but they make a two cup machine that brews under pressure while using convenient pods. Some of its other positives aside from the fact that it uses pods are that it also has a fast brewing time. The only negative is that it may be a bit loud.
The Senseo Two Cup
Senseo is manufactured by Phillips and their two cup pod machine has a deeper filter that holds two pods for two cups. It comes in white, blue and black. It features a sleek modern look. Instead of being a drip coffee maker the Senseo uses light pressure and thus the brewing process is faster. You can produce a single cup within two minutes or less. It is quite simple to use as well. Just flip open the top and slip in a pod then close. The water compartment holds enough to last for several cups before having to refill it, so you have the option to brew one or two cups at a time.
Be sure to keep a supply of pods because this machine only operates with them. You cannot use regular loose ground coffee. When the brew is finished there will be a nice foamy layer on top which has a sort of luxurious effect.
The Senseo Supreme is a step up above the older model. It has a higher water tank capacity and adjustable brew amount. It also features a LED display and shiny chrome finish. Basically this newer version adds to the usability of the coffee machine.
You can still brew two cups at a time but with the new model you have control over the amount of coffee brewed per cup. This can be handy if the mugs you use change from time to time. The spout is adjustable as well which is helpful for taller mugs. The new LED display helps operation and alerts you when the water needs to be refilled.
Another 2 cupper: the Bunn Black My Cafe Pod
Bunn Black My Cafe Pod is another coffee machine that uses pods. This machine can also make tea. It’s quick, brewing four to twelve ounces of coffee in thirty seconds and tea in fifty. It has the same type of operation as the Senseo plus uses tea pods. The control panel offers different tea and coffee brewing options with a lever to select the strength of the brew.
The water inside the reservoir is kept at two hundred degrees so you can instantly have a hot beverage. This can also come in handy when you need hot water for drinks such as hot chocolate or for foods such as soup. This machine features a pulse brew that simulates steeping which suits well for making tea.
How to Clean a Slow Coffee Maker
If you are getting frustrated about how long it takes before your coffee is brewed in the morning, you should consider cleaning your slow coffee maker. Most coffee makers designed not to wear out overtime. If the machine is not yet totally a mess and is still functional, you could just clean it out instead of getting a new one.
What Causes a Slow Coffeemaker?
Coffee granules, as you know, have oils that are extracted by the time water gets through them. Water itself has lime and calcium. Those substances, on the other hand, accumulate and form deposits, blocking the coffee making machine’s lines. Thus, it would be harder to heat the water when you are brewing your coffee. Cleaning slow coffee maker involves cleaning those deposits, primarily.
Cleaning Procedure:
- Dissolve an ounce of white vinegar or citric acid in about four cups hot water. Put another four cups, this time of cold water that can come from the faucet. Take the coffee filter out.
- Put four cups of the solution to the coffee pot and let the solution run through your pot after turning the machine on.
- Turn off the coffee pot and let the solution settle for 20 minutes. Pour out and do the same steps with the remaining four cups of water. The second run should be able to remove all remaining residue in the coffee maker.
- Damp out any residue and remaining drops of the solution from the coffee maker carafe. When cleaning slow coffee maker, remember that the process could never be finished without making sure any residue has been taken out already.
After you’ve finished these steps, test how effective and fast the coffee maker by running a pot of water through with NO coffee. If the speed is still slow, repeat the procedure until it gets faster. Cleaning slow coffee maker is at times all about patience and perseverance.
It’s recommended that cleaning a slow coffee maker should be done around once a month or at most once every two months, if you make coffee daily.
Related Products that will help in cleaning your coffee maker:
Buying Tips for Single Serve Pod Coffee Makers
Single Serve or Single Cup Coffee Makers are growing by leaps and bounds in popularity, mainly because they are clean, efficient, and very easy to use. Unlike traditional drip coffee makers, they use little self-contained units of grounds, called pods, K-Cups, or T-discs. Manufacturers like Senseo, Keurig and Tassimo make great single cup coffee machines.
But before you jump on the single serve bandwagon and buy a single serve (1 or 2 cup) coffee maker that uses pods, consider the following tips:
- Check if the 1 to 2 cup coffee maker that uses pods has the special and functional pod compatibility to accept a variety or several other brands of pods other than what are produced and provided by the coffee maker manufacturer. Compatible ones would be more advantageous because you could use just any pod from the brands you really love.
- If you love tea as well, you might prefer to buy tea-brewing compatible single serve coffee maker.
- Choose units with spacious and practical water reservoirs, or simply check the capacity. There might be such coffee makers that promise to brew more than 3 cups. That is not economical and useful since usages of pods in such appliances are usually limited to just one or two at a time.
- Does the 1- to 2-cup coffee maker that uses pods also include a hot water dispenser? If it does, then, the unit would be highly useful. You can even use the appliance for hot chocolate preparation or whatever other beverages.
- Check is the spout would fit for your favorite mug. Some units of 1 to 2 cup pod coffee maker come with their own designated mugs or cups. If you love your own mug of cup, go for those with no prescribed or specially allocated mug accessories.
- A good 1 to 2 cup coffee maker that uses pods is easily cleanable. With that, the machine’s components should be conveniently removable so that cleaning will be a lot better and easier. Such units would also be dishwasher safe.