Archive for October, 2009

Which Espresso Maker Is Right For You?

Espresso has become very popular in the last 10 years or so. Almost every city has one or more Starbucks or similar stores where you can buy an espresso on your way to work. May gas stations also feature the European coffee. However, the cost of buying exclusive coffee every day quickly adds up, and you may find it makes sense to buy your own espresso coffee maker so you can make your own cup of espresso at home. Below, we are going to tell you about a wonderful coffee maker that will be worth waking up to each morning...

There are two types of home espresso makers. The cheaper coffee machines are steam driven, while the fancier makers are pump driven.

In any case, there are several factors to consider when deciding upon an espresso maker. First, think about how much space you have in your kitchen to devote to such a maker.

Many kitchens are short on space because of the sheer number of appliances in the kitchen. This leaves you shuffling appliances every time you need to do something in your kitchen.

A small coffee machine that can be easily put away might be your best bet if you are facing this situation. You also want to think about how easy the coffee machine is to clean, whether it has a programmable timer, and so on.

Of course, when evaluating espresso makers, the most important thing is the taste of the finished coffee. You can't try out an espresso coffee machine in the store, so make sure to taste homemade espresso from your friends' coffee machines before making your decision.

Before buying an espresso machine, it is vital to do some research and testing if possible. Any Italian espresso maker can vary greatly in price and quality from manufacturer to manufacturer.

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October 28 2009 | espresso | No Comments »

Starbucks Coffee vs. Dunkin’ Donuts

One of the most preferred drinks in the world is coffee. People love the taste, and even more so the physical boost it provides. Giving energy to both the body and mind, people have come to depend on it for work, not to mention the social benefits of it too.

Two of the most popular brands in the nation are Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. In bigger cities, you can't go a few blocks without seeing one of the two and there are branches of each present in both towns as well.

There are those who claim that Dunkin Donuts is better, and they're fiercely loyal to the brand. Others feel just the same way about Starbucks. Which is the better option of the two? Let's have a look.

We're going to look at Starbucks first here. They say that Starbucks could one day outnumber McDonald's in terms of locations, which goes to show the strength of the brand. Aside from their coffee, they've branched out to various foods and other drinks.

While people generally approve of the food, in no way does it compare to the coffee. Though they definitely enjoy the taste of the coffee, many people love the caffeine that one cup packs in. Starbucks offers up some of the strongest coffee out there.

There may be less caffeine in Dunkin Donuts drinks, but many coffee drinkers have no problem with this. They don't feel that they need the caffeine kick that comes with a Starbucks coffee. They also appreciate the generous servings at Dunkin Donuts. For the same price, you can generally get a few more ounces to drink.

Dunkin Donuts clearly wins the value war between the two brands, and they also win the flavor battle. The coffee menu at Dunkin Donuts is a bit more varied, and those who like flavored coffee may prefer this.

Now that we've looked at the facts, you may be wondering which company offers better coffee? In taste tests, you might be interested to know that more people prefer Dunkin Donuts. However, you're looking for caffeine and something a bit more gourmet, Starbucks might be your answer.

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October 27 2009 | coffee | No Comments »

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