Food and Entertaining

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Making The Perfect Cup Of Coffee

Posted in Coffee | November 24th, 2011

Not everyone in the UK falls into that western stereotype of being tea drinkers, instead many prefer a hot cup of coffee to get their morning caffeine fix. There are many different ways to get a caffeine hit, from instant to gourmet blends at the local café. Coffee makers can be found in many homes, allowing the caffeine drinker to enjoy a warm cup of refreshment without having to go through the bother of getting dressed and going outside. A coffee machine will help turn your home into your own mini gourmet café, without having to deal with the attitude of the employee behind the counter.

One of the best things about coffee machines is the ability to have your caffeine hit made exactly how you want it. After all, why should you have to choose from the selections of someone else. You know what you like best. Purchase your favourite blend and take it home to be prepared in your coffee machine at home. Coffee machines can even be programmed to have your favourite morning beverage ready for you in the morning as soon as you wake up. Having that cup of caffeine ready in your own home, without having to fight inclement weather on your way to the café will make you appreciate the convenience of your coffee maker.

Coffee machines come in many different varieties. Other coffee makers are designed for those with variations in tastes. Some of these machines will allow you to brew a single cup in one flavour, and then less than a minute later brew another cup in a completely different flavour. This is great if you enjoy sampling the many different flavours which are available, or you share a house with other caffeine lovers that can’t agree on a type, meaning you can’t make a large pot for everyone in the house to share.

Afternoon tea is not the only hot drink that hits the spot in the UK on those chilly rainy afternoons. Perk up your afternoon by trying a hot cup of coffee from your own personal coffee maker. Try a blend flavoured with rich chocolate to sip and relax with after that long day of work, or to prepare you for your last couple of hours in the office. Don’t give in to the stereotype, put away that tea bag and replace it with a stimulating cup made with your very own coffee machine.

Krups Twin Blade Coffee Mill

£18.52

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Kenco Really Rich Refill Coffee 150 g (Pack of 4)

£14.40

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Nescafè Original Coffee Granules 1 kg

£18.00

Nescafe Original Coffee Jar (1kg)…

Strangeland (Super Deluxe)

£24.07

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Dreamboats & Petticoats 5 – Coffee Bars and Candy

£7.93

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Tags: coffee machine, coffee machines, coffee makers

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Which Coffee Machine?

Posted in Coffee | February 27th, 2012

Coffee Machine

Once upon a time we used to make do with a simple kettle and a jar of instant coffee. These days it’s not uncommon for one to have a dedicated coffee maker in their kitchen too, to ensure the coffee you drink and serve to your guests is a good as you can expect from a high street shop. However with so many different types of coffee makers available, which is the best choice for you? Well unfortunately there is no simple answer to this question as it depends on a variety of factors.

For example, pod coffee machines use individual capsules which not only allow a plethora of different flavours to be made, they also make preparation a quick and easy task, even when serving different types of coffee. Although the capsules, or pods as they are sometimes known can be more expensive in the long run when compared to ground coffee or coffee beans, they do offer ease of use and versatility which is unsurpassed.

Some self proclaimed coffee aficionados look down their noses as pod or capsule coffee machines, seeing them as sub-standard to proper coffee. However this is not the case as the coffee is simply stored in a different way, being in a capsule rather than a bulk packet. It’s the quality of the coffee and the quality of the machine that counts, not the pod or capsule itself. If you want quick and easy coffee that tastes great, then a pod machine is for you.

If you like like your coffee stronger than usual and don’t mind putting a little time and effort into the perfect cuppa, then a traditional espresso machine is possibly a good choice for you. These coffee makers have been around for donkey’s years and for good reason; they simply work. A good quality espresso machine should last you for years and years. However as with all coffee machines, you only get good coffee if you use good quality coffee. For hard wearing machines and especially for coffee shops you will need a commercial coffee machine.

Of course the true aficionados will most likely turn their nose up at an espresso machine too, before muttering a few choice comments about only a bean to cup machine making the perfect cup. Bean to cup coffee makers, as the name suggests, do not use capsules or grounds, instead you pour whole coffee beans in to the machine, which will grind up the fresh beans before forcing the hot water through the grinds. These machines do make the perfect cup of coffee, but are noisier and take more cleaning than both pod and espresso machines.

If you enjoy good coffee, don’t think you must have a bean to cup machine, as espresso and even pod machines do an excellent job. It’s just a case of deciding how easily and quickly you want it. If you want it frequent and quick, then the pod or capsule machines are for you. If you enjoy the ritual, then have a look at the espresso or bean to cup machines. Which ever you choose, you’ll get a better drink than any kettle and jar of freeze dried coffee granules can provide.

By Carl Liver and Barry Summers

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Starting your own catering business

Posted in Catering Supplies | April 30th, 2012

Cutlery Storage

If you have been known to cook up amazing dishes and you want to get into the catering business, you will need to understand that there are a few things that you must consider. Most people tend to think that entering the catering business is very easy but it is quite the hassle. However, if you prepare properly, you will be able to really enjoy the profit in the catering world.

Have The Right Catering Equipment

It is crucial that you have all the equipment needed to be able to run a catering business. You will need to learn how to keep everything clean and to focus on being able to have the top equipment. This means that you will need the right bar equipment, cutlery storage and everything else that you might need to start.

Have Amazing Food

There is nothing better than being able to serve your customers food that they will never forget. Too many catering business owners will forget about giving good food and they end up running out of customers. The key is to focus on being able to give customers food that they will come back for.

Good Customer Service

The last thing to focus on is making sure that you have nice employees. Customers want to be treated well and so you need to screen your employees and make sure you only get the best of the best. The process of finding a good employee can take a while but it will be worth it in the end. If you are serious about running a catering business, this should be on top of your priority list.

Starting your own catering business will take a while but if you stay patient and work on providing top quality service, you will be able to truly make a lot of money.

By Carl Liver

Tags: Catering Equipment, Cutlery Storage, Equipment