Thursday, July 16, 2009

Coffee addiction

Drinking coffee is not an addiction, it is a way of life. But making more money along the way is not bad.

Johnny Ray

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Coffee Lovers love coffee made with a Moka Pot

How to make coffee using a Moka Pot

Since I have been asked many times how I like my coffee, I thought this article would explain the fine art of making coffee the way I like it--very dark and very strong. If you consider yourself a true coffee lover you should try this.
Johnny Ray
www.sirjohn.org/bloglist

What is moka pot?

Author: Albert T. Wolf

Moka pot is steam based coffee maker that brews dark and very strong coffee. Many people also call it stovetop espresso pot, however, this beverage is not exactly the same as espresso, because the pressure of the water going through the grounds is not high enough. Occasionally you might come across the names like ‘macchianetta’ or ‘caffettiera’ - these are both just different ways to call moka pot.



Moka pots are three chambered devices: lower chamber is for water, middle is filter funnel where the coffee grounds go and the top chamber is where the coffee ends up. Additionally there is a filter plate that goes in front of central column in top chamber and rubber seal which ensures that hot liquid doesn’t leak from between the lower and the top chamber.



How does it work?



When heated up, some of the water evaporates creating the steam which reaches the pressure high enough to force the water from lower chamber up the filter funnel and through the coffee grounds to the top chamber where it is collected. Finally when the lower chamber is nearly empty steam bubbles mix with upstreaming water creating gurgling sound, which indicates that coffee is ready.



How to make coffee with moka pot?



* Fill the lower container with water so its level is lower than the safety valve. Don’t put in more water than that. It is very important that water level is below safety valve, because it provides release if pressure should get too high. If the safety valve is blocked by too much water and pressure gets too high your moka pot can actually explode.



You can use either hot or cold water, it really is a matter of taste and you can do some experimenting here to find the best option for yourself. However it is recommended to use hot water, since it lessens the time that grounds are exposed to heat, which makes the brew less bitter.



*Fill the filter funnel with the coffee grounds. Use bit coarser grind that you would for the regular espresso machine, because if the grounds are too fine they might block the holes in the filter and the water can’t get through anymore. Also, do not tamp the coffee grounds, since if the coffee is pressed too tight it also may block the water flow. Tamping is also not necessary, because grounds will expand with the heat and create its own tamp. Instead lightly knock the filter downwards, which helps to distribute the grounds evenly.



* Screw on the top chamber and place the moka pot on the stove. Use medium level heat, since too high temperature might create the steam too fast. Keep the pot on stove until you hear a gurgle. It means that the water in the lower tank has been exhausted. Take the pot off the heat. Note that the metal handles and surfaces get very hot, so be careful when handling the pot. Your coffee is ready.



Enjoy!

About the Author:

Albert T. Wolf has found his fascination in coffee and all that's related to it. Go to his blog at http://blog.wakeupvibes.com and find out more about interesting world of coffee.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - What is moka pot?

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Romantic coffee shop

Coffee lovers internationally love their coffee shops

This is a great video to watch and relax. There is always that one special coffee shop we all remember. I think all coffee drinkers can relate to this.

Johnny Ray
www.sirjohn.org/bloglist


Monday, June 22, 2009

Kahwa coffee shop

Drinking coffee at Kahwa

Yes, life is good with the coffee hot and weather fantastic. You have to love a place that serves coffee and concentrates on it and nothing else. This is a long coffee bar with tables inside and out. You can feel comfortable staying for hours or rush in for a quick fix. The wifi is free and no hassle to connect to.

You can also find many patrons at this shop that speak french. If you need to keep your french knowledge intact this can be a good thing. The french also demand a certain way of making coffee and this place tries to please.

Located in St. Petersburg, Florida the shop has many competitors. Yes, this city has 2 or 3 coffee shops per block. Now, you know why I like it here. I know many people love coffee internationally and all are good, but the best cup of coffee is always the one you hold in you hand and is ready to be tasted and smelled. Funny how it works like that.

Johnny Ray
www.sirjohn.org/bloglist

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Just one more cup of coffee.

Another cup--Why not.

I think drinking coffee is kind of like a cigarette chain smoker. It just feels like it needs to be next to you,always ready when you are. And in the case of a cup of coffee, you have to drink it before it goes cold.

There are others times however when you really want to stop and enjoy coffee slowly. These are those special moments. This, in my case is my espresso moments or moments to try something totally different. A time to experiment and see if there is anything better. I think you will never know until you try them all.

But there is more to coffee than just great taste. The whole culture of coffee has always been interesting to me. Therefore, I often read about coffee as well. The total experience is what makes me what i am--a true coffee lover.

Johnny Ray
www.sirjohn.org/bloglist

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