Coffee lovers also love espresso and giving the gift of an espresso machine is a great way to give a lasting gift that they’re sure to love and use for a long time to come! In the spirit of the season, here are the Top 5 espresso machines on the market today:

Krups XP5080

This is a programmable espresso machine that allows for preselection of size and strength of the brewing batch, as well as an internal thermostat to make sure every cup is the perfect temperature.

• Illuminated Controls
• Large cushioned selector for espresso or steam
• Programmable volumes for custom batches
• Electronic thermostat for the perfect temperature
• Accepts ground coffee and pods
• Removable oversized water tank
• Cup warming tray
• 1200 Watts of power
• Incredible construction for a lifetime of use

Krups 872

Created for latte lovers and coffee lovers alike, the Krups 872 brews up to four shots of espresso at a time. It comes with a four-cup glass carafe and an adaptor that allows brewing directly into two separate cups. Ideal for the latte or espresso lover that has to have it quick or craves that second cup of warm goodness.

• Lightweight construction, ideal for everything
• Perfect Froth attachment for cappuccino
• Instantly switch between espresso and frothing action
• Four cup glass carafe

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Now that there are so many different types of energy drinks available, many people wonder whether they are better chugging down an energy drink or sipping a steaming cup of coffee. When comparing the two different drinks it is important to take into consideration that they are vastly different, even though both can provide you with an energy boost. The primary difference between coffee and energy drinks lie in caffeine levels, health benefits and the enjoyment that is related to drinking each.

Caffeine Levels

When comparing coffee and energy drinks it must not be overlooked that energy drinks contain far larger amounts of caffeine than coffee. If you check the serving size of an energy drink you will find that you will typically receive far more caffeine in a single serving energy drink that you will receive in a cup of coffee. While caffeine can provide numerous health benefits when consumed in moderation, it is not a good idea to consume massive amounts of caffeine. When drank in large amounts, caffeine can dehydrate, increase your heart rate, raise your blood pressure and prevent your brain from receiving a sufficient amount of oxygen.

Health Benefits

Studies have shown that coffee contains a number of health benefits, including the ability to provide protection from such diseases as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and certain types of cancer. This is due to the antioxidants that are contained in coffee. The only benefit that energy drinks provide is a heart pounding energy rush that quickly subsides.  (more…)

People around the world love to begin their mornings with coffee as well as enjoy an afternoon boost with a good cup of java. For many years, there have been concerns regarding the health risks associated with drinking excess coffee. There has also been research conducted which indicate that there might actually be health benefits associated with drinking coffee as well. Before you toss out your coffeemaker, consider for a moment that a steaming cup of coffee or espresso may be able to reduce your risk of cancer, aide your digestion, assist with asthma and give your workout a kick start.

Antioxidant Benefits of Coffee

Although they may not be aware of it, millions of people around the world receive mega doses of antioxidants from their coffee than from any other source. While many people think of fruits and vegetables as being high in antioxidants, coffee has been shown to provide an excellent source of antioxidant levels as well. High antioxidant levels have been linked to numerous health benefits, including providing protection from type 2 diabetes, colon and liver cancer, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.

Asthma Benefits of Coffee

Coffee is also known to help individuals who suffer from asthma better control their breathing and asthma symptoms. The caffeine in coffee is able to reduce the constriction of airways in individuals who suffer from asthma. This is the reason that strong black coffee is often relied upon as a rapid first-aid measure to treat an asthma attack when traditional medication and medical assistance are not readily available.  (more…)

Over the last decade or so, gourmet coffees have become increasingly popular. Buying a gourmet drink from a local barista is a purchase most everyone makes every day. In the last few years, single cup coffee makers have been purchased by hundreds of thousands of individuals eager to enjoy a good cup of coffee in the comfort of their home, at a reasonable price.

A Large Selection of flavors

As an alternative to brewing 10 to 12 cups of coffee at a time, coffee makers that produce a single cup allow connoisseurs and casual coffee drinkers the ability to choose their own flavor every time. Coffee manufacturers offer a large variety of flavors and other gourmet drinks. Every coffee lover enjoys the idea of never drinking stale coffee again.

A Quick Brewing Cycle

Single cup coffee makers use capsules, pods or small containers filled with a large assortment of coffee flavors and other gourmet beverages. Every user can select the kind of coffee they desire, and have it instantly brewed in just a minute or two. The device always produces a beverage that is piping hot, and quickly brewed to perfection. (more…)

As a way to help the environment, and save money, avid coffee drinkers are seeing the benefits of using a reusable K-cup filter. This effective filter allows coffee connoisseurs to choose from a larger selection of beans to provide a variety of tastes while saving money. Designed to brew one cup of coffee at a time, the K-cup filter allows the coffee drinker the option of using their favorite gourmet coffee bean brand, in their brewer.

As a way to select from a huge array of choices and selections, the K-cup filter provides options that were not previously available. Producing less waste than the traditional disposable plastic containers, this new eco-friendly filter reduces its environmental impact and helps the planet. This minimal investment in convenience pays off huge by providing exceptional quality and flavor.

Coffee without the Mess

The durable and reusable filter system uses no messy paper filters or plastic cups. For the environmentally concerned individual, it truly produces a “green” cup of coffee. Once the coffee is brewed, the durable filter cleans easily with a simple rinse and is available for reuse. This saves both your time and the environment. (more…)

For us coffee enthusiasts, caffeine has been a large part of our lives whether we want it to or not. With that in mind, it’s prudent we know as much as we can about it. That’s why today we put all those myths to rest with facts.

By now, you probably know that caffeine has been credited as the active stimulant in coffee. So where exactly does it come from? Caffeine is naturally produced by plants such as coffee beans, guarana, cacao beans, tea among others. It serves to protect the plant from insects by paralyzing or killing them. Luckily on us, the effect is totally different. Caffeine is responsible for lack of sleep that comes after taking a big cup of coffee. On top of that, caffeine in moderate amounts is known to improve mental ability, memory, reaction times as well as sharpen reasoning skills. Caffeine has also been known to reduce the risk of type II diabetes.

How does Caffeine work?

Let’s start off by looking at how our brain our works. The human brain is made of millions of neurons that transmit pulses which are then relayed as information. As your neurons work through the day, a neurochemical called adenosine builds up in the body as a byproduct. This chemical is closely monitored by your nervous system via receptors. As adenosine passes through the receptors throughout the day, the nervous system starts slowing down cell activity thus inducing sleep in a bid to avoid toxic levels of the chemical in the body. (more…)