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Paradise Roasters Sumatra

in Coffee Guides

If you want to try coffee from Indonesia, the Paradise Roasters Sumatra is a good place to start. Paradise Roasters has a remarkable reputation and are listed in National Geographic’s book, “The 10 Best of Everything” as one of the world’s ten best coffee roasters.

They have earned more 94+ ratings from CoffeeReview than any other roaster and is listed as one of the top ten boutique coffee roasters in the U.S. by Food & Wine magazine.

The Sumatra, Danau Toba of Paradise Roasters is a creation born to honor the strength and complexity of a great Sumatran while producing a consistently defect free cup. It is a coffee that represents the island well with a heavy body, low acidity, and deep, earthy flavors.

It is extremely well processed and sorted to a degree far surpassing all other coffees of the region. The traditional Sumatra coffee of the type, usually called Mandheling or Lintong, originates from the classic growing regions of Lintong and Mandeling, for which they are named after, near Lake Toba.

The massive Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world, is located in northern Sumatra that is popular with tourists because of its spectacular natural beauty. This regional type of coffee’s unorthodox character has a hint of earth, low-acid fruit, and a dense mouthfeel.

The words “heavy”, “complex” and “rich” come to mind when we think of a delicious Sumatra. The medium roasted Sumatra from Paradise Roasters adds a powerful sweetness and complexity to the coffee’s traditional profile. It has a lavish, sweetly pungent fruit and earth notes throughout the profile.

Its crisp, grapefruit like aroma in the cup is rich with moist leaf or pipe tobacco and deeper fruit notes like cherry, banana, blackberry, and butterscotch is carried from aroma to cup to finish. It has a richly resonant acidity, dense body, and a continued great sweetness while having intense pungency in the cup. Leanish but with a silky mouthfeel, the finish is very slightly astringent but resonantly flavor-saturated that is almost sugary.

If you wish to discover how to make coffee that is filled with a rich range of undertones, have a go with the exotic Sumatra from Paradise Roasters. The Paradise Roasters Sumatra is the kind of coffee that you can just stop whatever you are doing, close your eyes, savor the aroma, and enjoy over and over again.

For additional resources on coffee, please see Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker.

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Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker

in Coffee Makers

One of the things coffee lovers appreciate most about a thermal carafe coffee maker is the ability to keep coffee hot for longer without having to continuously heat the coffee. Most coffee makers have hot plates to keep a full pot of java hot for a longer time. Continuous heating evaporates the water away, and when this happens coffee tends to get that unpleasant burnt flavor while getting stronger and bitterer.

Experts say brewed coffee can develop an unsavory taste after as little as 15 minutes on a hot plate. With a good thermal carafe, this does not happen. A good thermal carafe that has insulated walls uses its own heat to keep your pot of Joe hot for longer so heating the coffee constantly is not necessary.

Thermal carafes are made of metal and many good thermal carafes are usually insulated. They also come with a tightly fitting lid that prevents both heat loss and evaporation. Since they are made of metal, there is no issue about breakage so while a thermal carafe coffee brewer is more expensive initially, it actually lasts longer and saves more money in the long run.

Most experts say that the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT741 is one of the finest thermal carafe coffee brewer and does just about everything right. It uses an independent energy efficient heat exchanger that brews directly into the stainless steel lined ThermoJug server. That means that the coffee maintains an optimal temperature between 194F-204F.

It heats water rapidly and brews a full pot in 5-6 minutes, which makes up for its lack of programmable timer. Hand-built in the Netherlands, it does a superb job in producing rich and flavorful coffee with exceptional balance.

For those wishing to find out how to make coffee with a thermal carafe brewer that is lower priced, you might also want to take a look at the Zojirushi EC-BD15BA Fresh Brew Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker.

When planning to buy a thermal carafe coffee maker, find one with an impressive thermal heating system and choose those with double insulated walls so your brewed java stays hot for as longer period of time.

For additional resources on coffee, please see Speedster Espresso Machine Review.

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Speedster Espresso Machine Review

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Although “best” is a subjective opinion, every Speedster Espresso Machine review hints that this beautiful and intriguing machine may be the best espresso machine there is. Keeping the general look of the initial Speedster, a second new machine was created with a totally new technical set-up. The new Speedster was introduced at the 2008 Copenhagen W.B.C. fair.

The new Speedster is clean and flawless in its construction of stainless steel, including the frame and the black powder-coated parts. In fact, the all-new double boiler system and the completely new designed group with high neck are also in stainless steel. Even the group solenoid valve is also in stainless steel.

The heating element provides a powerful 1800Watt that is divided over two elements of 900Watts each, mounted on one flange. The electronic temperature controllers drive solid-state relays on both boilers, PID on coffee boiler, and have no moving parts. 

The 3.5 liter steam boiler is equipped with a heat-exchanger to pre-heat the water going into the coffee boiler. The coffee boiler system, including the heat-exchanger, is equipped with an expansion valve that is factory-adjusted at 11-12 bars.

The easily-removable diffuser is in POM plastic does not get dirty as quickly and is easy to clean. It does not affect the water temperature on its last path towards the coffee. There is no screw to hold the group screen, yet the screen and rubber gasket are easily removable through openings in the bottom plate of the group to reach the sides of the rubber gasket ring.

The Speedster has a 0.6mm jet and a self-bleeding group. It has a progressive pre-infusion cylinder and the spring loaded chromed piston shaft actually moves up through the body panel during extraction. It is equipped with an external commercial-grade rotation pump with motor and two different temperatures of hot water can be supplied by one toggle switch.

Learning how to make coffee with the new Speedster is easy with its small lever with shift gate that activates the group in off, infuse, or brew mode. It has a strong and long lasting steam power and the steam tip comes with four holes in a fan shape, each with a diameter of 1.2mm. The filter holders are coated on the inside with Teflon while the drain tray is adjustable in height.  

Designed by Kees van der Westen, the new Speedster is quite an exclusive machine. For many coffee experts and connoisseurs who has done a Speedster Espresso Machine review, the Speedster is simply an impeccable piece of equipment.

For additional resources on coffee, please see Starbucks Espresso Machine.

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Starbucks Espresso Machine

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If you are one who enjoys a Starbucks coffee, having a Starbucks espresso machine at home is not really such a bad idea. Starbucks have teamed up with some quality brands to come up with great home espresso machines that will deliver café-quality espresso and other espresso-based beverages right in the comfort of your own home.

The Starbucks Sirena Espresso Machine is the result of a two-year collaboration between Saeco, BMW Designworks USA, and Starbucks, the Sirena’s distributor. Starbucks did a lot of things right in making Sirena.

The Sirena’s exterior is silver powder-coated die-cast steel which is easy to clean and does not show fingerprints. It weighs 21lbs. dry, hefty enough to lock the portafilter without having to grip the casing. Its 13”W x 15”H x 12”D measurements fit most kitchens.

The Sirena is a 15-bar pump-driven espresso machine with dual brewing spouts, a stainless steel boiler, a commercial quality portafilter that retains heat easily, and features a patented back pressure adapter to ensure great espresso extraction that guarantees crema even without barista skills.

The included steam wand is mounted on a ball-joint and is very maneuverable, and the chrome Pannarello adapter lets you easily froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos. It has a ground coffee filter that lets you make single or double shots, or use the included pod filter which accommodates E.S.E. coffee pods.

The machine has easy-to-read status lights that show when the machine is ready to brew or steam. The Rapid Steam boiler gives continuous, powerful steam and allows for quickly switching from brewing to frothing. The clear plastic water tank holds 57.5-oz and removes easily for cleaning and refilling, while a blue LED light indicates when the water tank is empty.

Additional features include an adjustable and removable drip tray, a cup-warming surface, programmable brew settings, a temperature gauge, and an automatic shut-off safety feature after 90 minutes of inactivity.

In a week’s time, anyone can learn how to make coffee that is so great you will not need to set foot in a Starbucks café again. This Starbucks espresso machine is engineered to be simple, designed to be timeless, and created to produce the perfect shot of espresso at home.

For additional resources on coffee, please see Saeco Aroma Espresso Machine Guide.

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Saeco Aroma Espresso Machine Guide

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Referring to a Saeco Aroma Espresso Machine guide will help you in understanding what the machine is about and what it can do. Made in Italy, the 950-watt Saeco Aroma is a traditional electric espresso maker that is designed for those that seriously enjoy coffee at home but want the process to be simple yet reliable.

A pressurized style portafilter makes the Aroma a great starter machine, reducing the amount of control the user needs to have over the grind setting and tamp pressure. There is a small spring-loaded valve under the filter basket that will not open until the pressure in the portafilter has built up.

A few seconds after the pump is turned on, the pressures in the portafilter is great enough to push open the valve and release the coffee. The pressurized portafilter is also adaptable to accept ESE type coffee pods.

The Aroma has a food-safe stainless steel boiler and heating element, which resists corrosion and ensures a longer life span. It also has a powerful 15-bar pump for producing excellent café-quality espresso, cappuccino, and lattes.

The Aroma contains three rocker arm switches and one steam knob. One switch activates the boiler, the brew switch operates the pump, and the third button is used for the steaming process. To release the steam, you simply open the steam knob located on the right side of the machine.

The included steam and hot-water wand with the exclusive Pannarello frothing device dispenses steam in three different directions, making it easy to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes, and dispenses hot water for tea, hot chocolate, Americano, or instant soups. It is also completely removable for easy cleaning.

Able to hold up to five espresso cups, the Aroma’s cup warming surface is passively heated from the residual heat of the boiler. Other highlights of this machine include a large 85-ounce removable water tank, a removable stainless steel drip tray, and a plastic drip pan, all housed in a well-constructed, scratch-resistant black anodized steel. Also available is the Saeco Aroma Stainless Steel.

If you want a great starter machine to learn how to make coffee that is great, a Saeco Aroma Espresso Machine guide such as this might help you make an educated decision.

For additional resources on coffee, please see Best Espresso Machines for Restaurants.

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Best Espresso Machines for Restaurants

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The best espresso machines for restaurants actually depend on an establishment’s particular circumstances and clientele. Many of these restaurants, however, do not have a gourmet coffee chef and is necessary to find a restaurant espresso machine that is easy to use. The coffee needs to be consistently good regardless of who is working the morning shift each day.

In general, commercial establishments use semi-automatic machines with several group heads. They are much larger and are able to quickly produce espresso shots. Semi-automatic machines provide the operator more control with the shot quality, which is often adjusted with every shot.

Though many commercial machines can function in an automatic mode, semi-automatic machines are often preferred for those with smaller customer flows, and the automatic machines for establishments that have a high customer volume.

The espresso machine needs to have a steamer that can steam and froth the milk for the beverages simultaneously while brewing espresso. Choose a model that has several different brewing stations so you can have more than one drink being made at the same time. There are models that have four or more brewing stations that let you make up to 8 cups of espresso at a time.

Espresso machines with a built-in grinder usually just drive up the price but not the quality of the coffee. It is best to get a separate good-quality burr grinder. This way, you can have more than one barista making drinks without one hogging the machine for the entire time it takes to make a drink.

There are a number of espresso machine manufacturers around the world that make superior machines for restaurant or commercial use. La Pavoni make quality machines designed for quality brew that can handle a high customer volume.

Cellini has one of the best small commercial espresso machines on the market. They tend to have one or two pour stations with all the built-in steamers you will need. Breville provides very affordable and durable espresso machines for the smaller establishment. Pasquini has affordable semi-automatic models for those just starting out in their business. 

 It goes without saying, for those who know how to make coffee, great coffee always starts with good quality coffee beans that are ground fresh. This is the heart and soul of a great espresso from the best espresso machines for restaurants.

For additional resources on coffee, please see Buying a Commercial Espresso Machine.

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Buying a Commercial Espresso Machine

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Before buying a commercial espresso machine, you need to understand that there are different types of commercial espresso machines on the market. You will need to determine your purpose for the machine so you can choose the unit that will match your needs exactly. Espresso machines that have pumps, sensors, valves, and grinders to automate the brewing process are generally referred to as “automatic”.

The “semi-automatic” uses a pump rather than manual forces to deliver water. The remaining brew pressure in the basket is released via a three-way valve.

The “automatic” machines also automate the brewed volume, and indirectly the brew time. They do this by adding an in-line flowmeter to the grouphead. When the programmed amount of water has passed through the meter, the pump turns off. Grinding coffee beans and tamping the coffee grinds are still done manually.

The “Super-automatic” machines automatically grind the coffee, tamp it, and extract the espresso shot. The operator only has to fill the bean hopper and add water to a reservoir, if the machine is not connected to a water line. Some models contain an automated milk frothing and dispensing device. However, Super-automatic machines take away the ability to manually tamp and grind the coffee, which may affect the quality of the coffee. Super-automatic espresso machines make very little counter mess and are more compact than a machine with a separate grinder.

However, most super-automatic machines cannot handle a high volume, require more maintenance, and generally considered to produce inferior quality espresso to a trained barista, which make them unpopular for commercial applications.

Commercial establishments, in general, use semi-automatic machines with several group heads. These are much larger than consumer models and able to produce espresso shots more quickly. Many commercial machines can function in an automatic mode. Semi-automatic machines offer more control of shot quality. Because when cutting the shot or brew time is a critical variable, which is often adjusted shot by shot, semi-automatic machines are often preferred over automatics, though some high-quality machines are automatic.

Learning how to make coffee that will be consistently great using any one of these machines will take some time to master. Shop around for the features you will need before buying a commercial espresso machine.

For additional resources on coffee, please see Thermos Nissan Ultimate Review.

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Thermos Nissan Ultimate Review

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While one will never find a Thermos Nissan ultimate review that has stellar opinions about all of Thermos Nissan products, it is a fact that this company consistently delivers an impressive lineup of products. Thermos Nissan has proven over time that they continue to come up with superior products that they have always been known for.

If you want a thermal travel mug with excellent heat retention, the Thermos Nissan JMQ400C does the job well. It holds roughly 14oz of liquid and is designed to be leak-proof. It incorporates a curved lip on the upper part of the mug and a twist cap that has a “drink here” embossed text. When cap is turned 180 degrees, you are ready to drink.

The cap and top portion of the container are designed to facilitate either left or right handed drinking and the cap appears to add to its superior heat retention. Situated in a certain way, the mug will fit most drink holders in vehicles. There is a metal ring on the upper corner on the bend of the handle to allow hanging from a backpack or shoulder bag.

The Thermos Nissan Stainless Steel NSF Carafe TGS1000 may be the ultimate carafe that can be bought today. It uses Thermax which makes it lighter, thinner, and smaller for the same capacities as other carafes and most importantly, it also insulates extremely well.

It has a one touch operation with a well-designed single touch lid system. Optional brew through lids are available for direct use in commercial coffee brewers of up to a 1.9 liter size. It is NSF certified and can hold properly made coffee at 73C even after eight hours.

Having the proper equipment, such as the abovementioned, to hold your favorite java is just as important as learning how to make coffee that you can enjoy drinking even after an hour.

While most of the Thermos Nissan products are impressive, there are some that truly stand out from this product line. For this Thermos Nissan ultimate review, other Nissan products considered ultimate in their respective categories are the Leakproof BackPack Bottle JMW350 or JMW500, the Double Expresso Mug JMJ185, the JMI400 Tumbler, and the TiBottle.

 For additional resources on coffee, please see Rancilio Silvia Espresso Makers.

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Rancilio Silvia Espresso Makers

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The Rancilio Silvia Espresso Makers are one of the more well-known traditional espresso machines that have been recently redesigned. With the Rancilio Silvia, you can make café quality espresso in the convenience of your own home so you will have fewer trips to your nearest coffee shop to get your caffeine fix.

Rancilio espresso machines carry the pedigree of true espresso royalty. Founded in 1927 by Roberto Rancilio, he brought the first espresso machine to the market. It was the golden age of espresso innovation.

The Rancilio Silvia is a legend among kitchen appliances. It is the one unit that everyone, knowledgeable or not, recognizes for its quality, longevity, visual appeal, and for its unfailing ability to take a handful of ground coffee beans and produce café quality espresso time and time again.

The Rancilio Silvia packs more commercial grade components into a home espresso brewer than any other manufacturer of home coffee appliance: the 58MM portafilter, brew group, 3-way solenoid, shower-screen, switches and thermostats are all interchangeable with the commercial line at Rancilio. It is the most solidly built espresso machine in its class. Everything is machined in corrosion resistant steel.

The Silvia has a marine grade brass boiler. Because of this, a few users have issues with the wait time for it to heat up. Although it might be slightly slower to heat up, but it is also reluctant to give up its heat quickly and it does not corrode, nor add anything to the flavor of the coffee like aluminum or steel does.

The design of the Silvia looks very modern with its iron frame and stainless steel control panel and body. It certainly lends a million-dollar-look on any kind of kitchen countertop.

Making coffee with the Silvia is as easy as a push of a button once you have mastered the learning curve. It is the best espresso machine for under $1000 and is built and assembled to last a lifetime.

There are sites online that offer tutorials on how to use it effectively so you can learn how to make coffee with Rancilio Silvia Espresso Makers and create a lot of café quality coffee-based beverages, cup after cup.

For additional resources on coffee, please see La Pavoni Espresso Machines Review.

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La Pavoni Espresso Machines Review

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There is a La Pavoni Espresso Machines review that you can find on the internet about a specific La Pavoni Espresso Machine. Since 1905, La Pavoni has matched unique old-world beauty with the highest quality parts available for which they have been originally famous for and their customers still enjoy these benefits to this day.

The La Pavoni Professional Lever Espresso Machine makes all of your favorite cappuccinos or lattes with an old-world elegance. The large capacity boiler holds up to 38 oz of water and is capable of making 16 2-ounce cups of espresso. The inside of the boiler is nickel-plated for long life and safety. The boiler temperature is actually controlled with a pressure controller for quick and accurate response.

The boiler will cycle on and off consistently and is set to maintain boiler pressure between 0.7 bar and 1.0 bar of pressure. Since it is a lever machine, it does take a great deal of time to master the learning curve.

Women users and those with a shorter stature tend to have a more difficult time using it mostly because of the angle of the lever. However, if you are a person ready and willing to roll up your sleeves, and hone your barista skills, you’ll love owning this machine because it provides perfect café quality espresso.

The La Pavoni Napolitana is a semi-automatic machine (you start and stop the flow of coffee via the button) that is built to last. Though it does not have a cup warmer and has no 3-way solenoid, it does make up for what it lacks. The entire body is made of 18/8 stainless steel, polished to a gloss finish.

Built in Italy, it features a built-in conical grinder that works at low RPM to prevent beans from burning, stainless steel filter baskets, coffee press, a good-sized water tank, and large drip trays. The super quiet Ulka pimp produces 16 bars of pressure guaranteeing creamy espresso every time. Many users of the Napolitana, over time, learn how to make coffee blog that they rave about after they master the learning curve.

With any La Pavoni Espresso Machines review you will encounter, it will be noted that despite some minor misgivings, each is capable of delivering great café-quality espresso.

For additional resources on coffee, please see What Is Coffee Cupping.

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