Easy Steps to make Cappuccino at Home

There’s nothing quite like a freshly made cappuccino to go with breakfast. However, buying one from a commercial coffee shop is not the same as creating an authentic cup at home. You can make authentic

Italian-style cappuccino at home in three easy steps.

Coffee has come such a long way since the days of instant granules, and the cappuccino you enjoyed on your last vacation to Italy is much more achievable at home. You can purchase a fancy cappuccino machine for several hundred dollars if you’d like, however, it isn’t necessary. You can make a great-tasting cappuccino with a few inexpensive items. Let’s take a look.

Step 1: coffee percolator

A coffee percolator, or stove top brewer as it’s sometimes called, is essential if you want Italian-style coffee. Available in one-cup to 10-cup sizes, it's usually made from hard aluminum or stainless steel and is suitable for use on any stovetop. To use, unscrew the top and bottom. Fill the bottom with water to just below the valve. Add freshly ground espresso beans to the filter. Replace the top and place the percolator over medium heat. As the water comes to a boil the steam pressure forces the water through the filter and into the top. Remove from the heat when the gurgling noise stops and the top is full. Don't let the coffee boil or it may taste burnt. if you check  percolator page 

Step 2: Heat the milk while the coffee is brewing

Heat the milk while the coffee is brewing. You can do this in a couple of different ways. The fastest way, of course, is in a microwave on Medium 45-60 seconds for every 1/4 cup. However, for best results, you’ll want to warm it in a small saucepan over medium heat until the milk is nearly boiling. If you have a thermometer, remove the pan from the heat when the needle reaches 149 degrees. Pre-heat each cup with hot water from the kettle. Next, pour freshly brewed coffee into a coffee cup and top with hot milk. Reserve one-quarter cup of hot milk per cup you plan to make so that you can make froth.

get more info for this Microwave 

Step 3: milk frother

For this step, you'll need a milk frother. Available from home ware stores, these range from plungers to hand-held manual or battery-operated 1-cup frothers (around $10). To make froth with a manual 1-cup milk frother, pour the reserved hot milk into a warmed cup. Place the frother in the cup and pump up and down for 15-20 seconds or until milk is thick and frothy. Spoon froth over the cappuccinos and dust with chocolate to serve.

get this milk frother it is the best   

Conclusion

Best Tips for make Cappuccino

After use, rinse your stovetop coffee brewer with hot water and use a non-abrasive scourer to remove any coffee residue.

You can also brew some really strong coffee to use instead of espresso, if you don't have a machine. Warm your milk and then pour into a small jar. Shake the jar for about one minute. Pour the milk into your waiting mug of hot coffee. Spoon out the foam and top with cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa, etc. You're good to go!!

health benefits of coffee Infographics

health benefits of coffee Infographics

Top 6 best Health Benefits of Coffee

Let's face it. Most of us are bleary eyed, stumbling about with feet dragging when we first wake up in the morning. Yet, when that delightfully rich, and oh so tantalizing coffee aroma tickles our nostrils we schlep, yawning and stretching in its direction. Not only is the smell of coffee a great eye opener, recent studies show that consuming up to three 8-ounce cups of coffee a day has proven health benefits.  Let’s take a look at a few.

1. Helps fight disease. Caffeine may help protect our brain cells from damage that causes Parkinson's, dementia, and Alzheimer's. Also the antioxidants in coffee could, actually, help prevent liver disease.

2. Gives the brain a boost.  Coffee keeps you alert when you may otherwise feel drowsy. Try drinking a cup before an exam or if you have a long drive to sharpen your memory and to stay alert.

3. Helps you lose weight. Caffeine consumption can speed up metabolism and the fat-burning process, which also helps lower the risk of obesity. It is also one of the lowest calorie drinks you can choose.

4. Lowers risk of diabetes. Drinking just one cup of coffee a day - caffeinated or decaf - can decrease the risk of developing diabetes by 13%. But at 12 cups a day, the risk of getting diabetes is slashed by 67%. While these are staggering results, you should consult your doctor before taking the 12-cup a day challenge and always consume caffeine in moderation.

Some of the facts coffee , myths, and trivia about coffee!

Coffee! For those who love it, it's not something easily given up. Perhaps because this beverage is so popular, facts, myths, and trivia surround it. Some are true, some aren't, and some are just fun facts. 

So let's take a look at some of the facts, myths, and trivia about coffee!

1. Coffee Houses and Shops

You may think that coffee houses and coffee shops are a modern invention, but actually, King Charles II of England proclaimed a ban on coffee houses way back in 1675! The reason for the ban? King Charles II feared that his enemies were meeting in these coffee houses to plot against him.

2. Mocha = Chocolate?

When you hear "mocha," you probably think of a beverage that's a chocolate-coffee combination. But actually, "Mocha" is the name of a port in Yemen, and it is here that coffee beans from Africa are transported. So "Mocha" has to do with the origin of the coffee bean you're drinking, not whether or not it contains chocolate.

3. How Much?

The US is the top coffee consuming nation in the world, with 400 million cups consumed daily. 

Top 4 tips for Coffee-Grinding Tips and Facts

The debate over whole beans versus ground beans will probably never be resolved; there are some tips and facts about various kinds of grinds and the best use of each. And there are some pros and cons to using whole beans and using ground coffee.

So here are some coffee-grinding tips and facts.

1. Whole Beans - Pros and Cons

Whole coffee beans hold their flavor longer, because the essential oils within the bean are not exposed to air. Grinding it yourself for each cup or pot results in a fresher, more flavorful cup of coffee. Whole beans also have a much longer shelf life, about ten times longer than pre-ground coffee, possibly making whole beans more economical.

Another advantage to whole beans is that you can choose the coarseness of the grind yourself, depending on the results you're aiming for. You will have to purchase a coffee grinder, though, and it will increase your preparation time.

2. Ground Coffee - Pros and Cons

As soon as coffee beans are ground, their essential oils (where the flavor and aroma are) become airborne. (That's why it smells so good!) So naturally, those essential oils floating around in the air are not making it into your cup. Consequently, pre-ground coffee tends to be less fresh and flavorful. If you tend to consume coffee quickly, however, pre-ground may work for you - sources say you have about nine days for ground coffee to retain its freshness after it's opened. And of course, pre-ground coffee is faster to make and more convenient.

Top 3 tips to Clean Your Coffee and Espresso Machines

You should Keeping your coffee maker clean is important in preventing clogs, bad-tasting coffee, and or breakage of the machine.

To keep your coffee maker running well and your coffee tasting great, here are some top tips on how to clean your coffee and espresso machines. 

1. Daily Cleaning

Keeping up with a brief cleaning routine daily can help extend the life of your coffee machine.

Espresso Machine:

* After you're finished with it, dump the coffee grounds (they are great for compost, sources say).

* Rinse the portafilter.

* Scrub the portafilter with a dish brush.

* If you use soap, make sure it's an unscented variety that won't impart flavors to your coffee.

* Allow all parts to air dry before reassembling.

* Wipe the exterior of the machine.

Drip Coffee Maker:

* Remove the filter and grounds.

* Rinse the basket of the coffee maker.

* Scrub the basket with a dish brush (again, use unscented soap).

* Wash the drip coffee maker's carafe with hot water and unscented soap.

* Allow basket and carafe to air-dry before reassembling.

* Wipe the coffee maker's exterior.

What is the best Cappuccino or Latte

Do you ever find yourself standing at the counter at your local coffee house pondering the difference between cappuccino and latte? Ever wondered how this hugely popular specialty coffee industry got started? Let’s take a look. 

The terms caffè and latte were first used in 1847 and later in 1867 they appeared in William Dean Howells essay "Italian Journeys". Latte means milk in Italian and the caffè version of this drink is an American invention. Caffè latte originated in Caffè Mediterraneum, a café in Berkeley, California and was brewed in its current form by Lino Meiorin for the first time. He added more milk to this otherwise strong cappuccino and called this new drink "caffè latte".

Cappuccino, in commercial form, was introduced at the beginning of 20th Century when the patented espresso machines were introduced by Luigi Bezzera of Milan in 1901. These machines made the cappuccino very popular in cafes and restaurants and the current form developed by the 1950s.

What, exactly, is a cappuccino? A cappuccino consists of 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk and 1/3 foamed milk. The name, cappuccino, derives from the Italian word, Capuchin, which means “small cap.” It is traditionally served in Italy as a breakfast drink, but coffee aficionados now drink it any time of day. A cappuccino should also traditionally be no more than 6 fluid ounces. Coffee houses such as Starbucks serve “cappuccinos” in much larger sizes, however. Often times these larger drinks simply contain more milk instead of additional coffee, so that super grande may not be such a bargain after all. Variations of the cappuccino include an iced version with no foamed milk called Cappuccino Freddo and babyccino, a cappuccino with no coffee intended for small children. Chocolate is often added.

Best Tips for Making Great Iced Coffee

In The beginning of summer  all one need to get iced coffee and I will gave you best tips to making great iced coffee you can get it for now

Start with fresh coffee beans

A great iced coffee was never made using stale beans so avoid buying your beans on sale. If you don’t drink iced coffee often, consider buying fresh beans at a coffee shop where you can buy only the amount you need for the occasion.            

Test the taste.

Hot coffee tastes different than cold coffee. So to get an idea of how your coffee will taste cold let a hot cup cool to room temperature. This little test will help you decide what tastes perfect to you.

Use fresh ice.

 Ice has a tendency to get a stale if it sits in the freezer unused for too long.  If you’re wondering whether your ice is helping of hurting your iced coffee, it’s easy to test: let a few cubes melt and come to room temperature, then taste the resulting water.  If it’s water you would want to drink by the glassful, you’re in good shape.  If not, toss out the old ice and make fresh. If it still tastes stale, buy a bag of ice, the cost is worth the boost in flavor.

Brew it strong.

Brew your coffee on the strong side as it will be weakened by the ice. To keep from diluting your drink, try turning your leftover coffee into ice cubes. Use these in the place of regular ice cubes to keep your drink chilled.

How To Make A Great Coffee

Now to make a great coffee

Choose the right coffee: At first, start preparing a best tasting coffee in your home. So that, you don't have to waste lot of money for a good coffee.a lot of types of coffee to preparation it and find a lot of Benefits of coffee here and get  INFO  for Natural coffee here

Use the best coffee maker: Nowadays, most of the modern percolators use the same amount of time as a drip machine. Some are even faster, where the 12 cups in about 7 minutes. They also have automatic shut-off and warming features.make a great coffee

Use good water : The water used for coffee brewing determines the flavor and taste. If your water contains more amount of chlorine and other chemicals then your coffee taste will be awful. Then install a Reverse-Osmosis system for purifying the water. Thus you can get a pure drinking water which is free from the other unwanted flavors and chemicals.make a great coffee

Use coffee filter : To make your coffee more tastier, use the good quality filters for filtering the grounds, unwanted sediments. Even in a percolator, you can use a coffee filter. Some s people use another filter on top and in the bottom like a sandwich.make a great coffee

Italian Coffee Brands

Famous Italian Coffee Brands

The history of coffee in Italy goes back to the 17th century, when the Italian merchants got it from the Muslim countries like Middle East, the northern part of Africa, Persia and Turkey. Although the Italian coffee is very famous, the Italians do not grow the beans themselves. Most of it is exported from countries like India, Belgium, Russia, Germany and Spain. If you want one of the best coffee in the world, then what you can do is use the Italian coffee brands. Here is a list of Italian coffee brands that you can try out.

Lavazza
The Luigi Lavazza S.p.A., an Italian coffee products manufacturer, was founded in the later 19th century by Luigi Lavazza. What started off as a small grocery store, now exports coffee nearly all over the world. The Lavazza company gets the coffee beans from various parts of the world where coffee is grown, such as from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Uganda. This Italian coffee brand is famous all over the country and as well as the world and is popularly known as "Italy's favorite coffee". This company also looks after the agricultural program to ensure that the growers can grow good quality beans. The company has spread over countries like Spain, France, United Kingdom, Austria, India and Portugal.

Illy
The next brand among the Italian coffee drinks, is the Illy. This company was founded in the region of Trieste, by Francesco Illy (who invented the first automatic coffee machine in 1935), in the later 20th century. At present, his grandson, Andrea Illy and his siblings, Riccardo Illy and Anna Illy, are running the company. This brand is famous for one blend of coffee in three roast variations; the dark, the normal roasted and the decaffeinated. The beans used by this company are mainly from Arabia, the Arabica beans, which are low in caffeine content.

Segafredo Zanetti

good Gifts Ideas for boss Coffee Basket

good Gifts Ideas for boss Coffee Basket


Coffee Lovers Basket: Office and coffee are interrelated to each other! There must be hardly any boss who does not need a hot cup of coffee to start his day with. If your boss is a coffee lover, gift him a coffee gift basket. There are many things that you can add to it, but of course you should not overcrowd it. So add only a few things like a nice coffee mug (stick to the classic colors!), different types of coffee sachets and a small box of cookies. A optional thing that can be added is a coffee gift certificate.

"Gourmet Coffee Gift Ideas"

Gourmet Coffee Gift Ideas

Everyone enjoys a cup of tea or a cup of coffee and you will rarely come across anyone who doesn't enjoy it. Therefore, gourmet coffee gifts are ideal for all adults, and for every occasion: be it a birthday, an anniversary, Christmas, wedding, etc. At the same time, it can be given to a partner, a friend, parent, sibling, employee or even to a person whom you are meeting for the first time. You must be wondering what are the different options available in coffee gifts that one can consider? Well, there are more than you must have thought. The following are some of the best ideas for gourmet coffee gifts.

• Coffee of course, is definitely the most obvious option and the first choice when talking of coffee gifts. There are more than hundred varieties of coffee found in the world and hence, you have ample options to choose from. Roasted (light to deep roasted ones), flavored coffee, decaf coffee, organic coffee, dark blends, etc. are some of the coffee varieties that you can choose from.
  

"best coffee mug"

Bodum Bistro Double-Wall Insulated Glass Café Latte Mug, Set of 2

 Description
Bring a unique and trend-forward look to the table with this set of two 15-ounce glass mugs. Handcrafted of borosilicate glass--the same material used to make scientific lab equipment--the pair of mugs provides exceptionally durable, temperature-safe use that holds both hot and cold drinks at their optimal temperature longer. The walls of each vessel sport two layers of clear glass, creating a dramatic optical illusion of liquid suspended within. The two-layer design also resists heat and prevents condensation, leaving the mugs comfortable to hold and safe for placement on any tabletop or counter. Even more, the handsome mugs feature a smooth, slightly flared design with a generously sized handle--perfect for sipping hot lattes and cappuccinos, cider or tea in the winter, cold drinks in the summer, and everyday favorites in between. Winner of the prestigious European IF Design Award, the mugs offer cloud-resistant, dishwasher- and microwave-safe use. A one-year limited warranty covers the set.

best review user

Bodum Bistro Double-Wall Insulated Glass Café Latte Mug, Set of 2 (Kitchen)
We loved using these cups. Great feel. The outside stays cool to touch while the inside stays hot. Very pleasant to drink from them. It's just way too costly for something that breaks so easily. The first cup broke within days. We were so careful with the 2nd cup, washing it promptly by hand, setting it down carefully, and storing it in a special cabinet; however, it didn't last much longer. We thought about ordering more, but it just doesn't make sense if they're this fragile. Perhaps if you want to lock them up for rare occasions. Sorry, we need something we can actually use. We have fine glassware and crystal that we've had for years that is not this fragile. It's a shame, since they're such a pleasure to use.

Order here

How to Make Latte Art?

How to Make Latte Art

Mastering latte art needs years of practice. You can still try out your inner coffee making skills to make latte art on the top of espresso with these latte art tips.
For one cup, pour enough milk in a steam pitcher or bowl. Turn the steam on and raise the steam wand near the top of milk. There should not be any bubbles and the milk should not stretch too much. Make the milk smooth and velvety instead of vigorous foam.
Raise the temperature to 80° F. Now place the steam wand aside but deep into the milk. The position must be laid, such that it can spin counter-clock wise.
While in motion, raise the temperature further to 150° F-160° F. Now remove the steam wand from the milk.
Now let the milk settle for few seconds, then swirl the milk vigorously. In case you observe any bubbles, just pound the pitcher to remove the bubbles to get a velvety texture.
Continue swirling for 20 - 30 seconds, even if while pouring the espresso.
Now start pouring the milk into the espresso to create different patterns, like flowers, hearts, ferns, etc. Try with simple flower designs by pouring milk to the bottom of the pitcher, leaving 2 - 3 cms away from the bottom.
Shake the pitcher back and forth to get the designs when the cup is half filled. When you do this, the flower will move forward and fill the top of the cup. Shake the cup gently with your wrist.
Once the foam reaches the top of the cup, start pouring the milk to get a white flower etched on the foam. Avoid sinking of the foam and design.
You can embellish the designs as per your choice, using stencils, milk foam and milk powder.


Latte Art Tools

Calories in Latte

What is Latte?
The modern caffe latte that we call only latte, originated in the San Francisco Bay Area. The credit of the innovation is given to Barista, Lino Meiorin. The cappuccinos made by Lino were so strong and powerful for the customers, that Lino decided to come up with a recipe of his own in order to dilute the strength of his cappuccinos. Lino introduced a new item to the menu by mixing warm steamed milk to the cappuccino, thereby reducing the strength of coffee and making the drink mild and enjoyable. This pleasurable drink that we today call the latte, was promoted and made famous by Caffe Mediterraneum, a very popular cafe in Berkeley, California.

Today, the original recipe of latte that was made by Lino Meiorin has undergone many innovations and changes, and the concept of diluting a strong beverage with milk has been used in other types of drinks. Many variants of latte have also originated in the recent past, however, the conventional latte is still enjoyed by many people across the world. The majority of latte calories are derived from the milk and sugar that is added to the drink.

Calories in Latte

"Drinking Coffee Before Working Out"

Coffee and Workout: The Relation
The truth is, a caffeine kick is capable of delaying the post-workout sleepiness you experience by keeping you fit and fine. Not only does it combat fatigue, it also makes you efficient, energetic, and focused all throughout your workout. You tend to exercise for longer than usual, and that is how you lose more weight. Many people experienced less problems associated with sleep, heart, and blood pressure, after just a few weeks of practicing this addition to their exercise routine. Well, thanks to caffeine that sends your brain an alert of pleasure, energy, and adrenaline!

How Does Drinking Coffee Before Workout Help
When you have been continuously working out for more than an hour, the body starts metabolizing fat, and thus, results in calorie burning. But if you have consumed a cup of coffee before working out, the caffeine in it triggers the muscles to bring into use more and more fat for burning so that you lose more weight than you would've, had you not consumed caffeine. During a workout, the body brings into use glycogen, a carbohydrate that burns during the time you workout. However, drinking coffee will activate the muscles to burn your actual fat instead of the carbohydrates. What's more, caffeine is said to trigger the central nervous

"Health Benefits of Green Coffee Bean "

Health Benefits of Green Coffee Bean Extract

Green coffee bean extract is touted for its anti-oxidant, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity properties. Let's have a look at the different ways in which this green coffee extract benefits the human body.

Anti-aging Benefits
The chlorogenic acids present in the green coffee bean is an antioxidant, which means it destroys the free radicals formed in the body, as a result of metabolism. These free radicals if left as they are, destroy cell membranes and conduce to symptoms of aging. By destroying these harmful free radicals, green coffee bean extract actually slows down the onset of aging. Test results also show that green coffee extract has double the rate of oxygen radicals absorbing capacity, as compared to grape seed or green tea extract. Read more on antioxidants in coffee.

Reduce Blood Pressure
Animal research reveals that chlorogenic acids present in the extract also help alleviate high blood pressure levels. Based on this finding, further research was conducted on humans. The one month experiment done on people with mild hypertension showed that consumption of green coffee extract supplements were seen to have their high blood pressure levels lowered. When taken at a dose of 185 mg, the extract was most effective in treating hypertension. Thus, this extract is helpful in treating hypertension.

Promotes Weight Loss
Scientist Hiroshi Shimoda and his team from Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical Company (Japan) in their research on green coffee bean extract found that green coffee bean extract promotes weight loss. This weight loss is due to two chemical compounds naturally present in the green coffee beans. Because these coffee beans are unroasted, they have not lost their natural chemicals, which are otherwise lost after roasting.

These natural chemicals are caffeine and chlorogenic acid, which together conduce to weight loss. The caffeine from the coffee releases fatty acids from stored body fat, while the chlorogenic acid assists the liver in processing the fatty acids more efficiently, thereby resulting in weight loss. Shimoda continues to state that; "If a human consumes one kilogram per day of food (2.2 pounds) containing 10 grams (.35 ounce) of green coffee bean extract for 14 days, the increase in body weight may be suppressed by 35 percent."

Boosts Metabolism

How to Clean a Coffee Maker With Bleach?

How to Clean a Coffee Maker With Bleach?

Discard any contents from the carafe and fill it with hot water. Leave some space for the bleach to come in. Pour ½ cup bleach into the hot water and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Turn the coffee maker on and allow it to run through. Allow this solution to stand here for another 30 minutes, before discarding the solution. Fill the carafe with fresh hot water and turn on the apparatus to let it run a cycle. Carry out this procedure with more fresh hot water to get rid of all bleach residues.

How to Clean a Coffee Maker With Lemon Juice?

How to Clean a Coffee Maker With Lemon Juice?

If you don't have vinegar at home and are wondering how to clean a coffee maker without vinegar, then you can try using citric acid instead. After ensuring the coffee basket is empty, run some cold water through the coffee maker. Throw away this water. Next, take equal amounts of concentrated lemon juice and water and pour this mixture into the rinsed coffee pot. Allow this solution to sit in the apparatus for 15 minutes before turning on the coffee maker. Turn on and allow the lemon solution to work through the apparatus. Then turn it off and allow the lemon solution inside to cool for 15 minutes before turning it on again. Discard this citric acid solution after second rinse and rinse the apparatus twice with cold water. Soak the coffee pot and filter basket in the sink filled with dish washing liquid solution and wash well.

How to Clean a Coffee Maker With Baking Soda?

How to Clean a Coffee Maker With Baking Soda?

Cleaning the coffee maker with baking soda is recommended to be carried out once every week. To clean, try and remove the carafe's plastic lid if its possible and allow it to soak in a solution of dish washing liquid. Meanwhile to get the filter basket clean, fill the sink with tepid water (halfway). Into this water add 5-8 tablespoons of baking soda. Mix well and use this solution to clean the filter basket. This can be done by wiping the basket clean with a dishcloth dunked in the baking soda. After a thorough wiping session rinse the apparatus with water. While rinsing make sure you have the part of the coffee maker from which the water drips down over the filter rinsed well as this is one area where coffee oils tend to build up.