Mike Breach creates beautiful coffee art while working as a New York City barista

Check out Baristart images on tumblr

Thanks kickstandglobal.com and happytoserveyou.com for the Infographic

The information shared on the Hawaiian Energy Sports website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult a physician with medical concerns.

Step By Step AeroPress Instructions (as outlined on the video):

1. Wet the rubber piston and insert it into the brewing chamber about 1/4 inch
2. Stand the brewer upside down (look at the numbers)
3. Place the black funnel over the opening
4. Pour the ground coffee into the funnel
5. Remove the funnel, start the timer, and slowly add the hot water
6. Pour the water in a circular motion, ensuring that all of the coffee is saturated
7. Fill to the top of the circle around the number “1″
8. Slowly stir for about 10 seconds (Stir slowly to reduce the drop in brewing temperature)
9. Place the filter disk onto the top of the brewer and secure with black filter cover by turning clockwise
10. Wait until the timer reads “1:00″
11. Carefully, with two hands, flip the brewer upright, and rest it on the top of your mug
12. Apply slow, steady pressure on the piston (Like a giant coffee syringe)  Be sure you are pushing straight down, no angling
13. When you get close to the bottom, you will begin to hear a hissing noise.  Remove the brewer from your mug when this starts.
14. Use second container to finish pressing out the rest of the air and liquid.  Press very firmly.
15. Remove the filter cover and filter disk
16. Eject the spent coffee grounds into the second container or compost pile/bucket 
17. Rinse the rubber piston with water before pulling it back through the brewer
18. Enjoy!

Mahalo, Coffee Nate!  

Who knew that AeroPress is from Aerobie, the makers of "high performance toys"?

"Coffee Lovers" Gift Basket

Have fun with gathering up items to include in your gift.  Anything from gourmet whole bean coffee to Biscotti to Espresso Candy will fit perfectly in the coffee-themed gift.

Red French Press Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker

Red is the perfect color for Valentines...why not buy your coffee lover a red french press.  Much more affordable than an espresso machine, the french press does not filter out the essential oils and sediment, delivering an intense, flavorful cup of coffee.  

Handmade Chocolate Covered Beans 

Want to make your Valentine something?  Using two ingredients - coffee beans and chocolate - you can make your own chocolate covered beans.  

Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans

• Good coffee beans (you can use flavored beans)
• Chocoate - a richer chocolate, such as Dove's Bliss or Ghiardelli, balances out the bean. You can also use "regular" chocolate.

Using approximately 4 ounces of chocolate for every 1 cup of coffee beans, melt the chocolate in a double broiler until creamy.  Add the coffee beans and stir until completely coated.  Remove with a slotted spoon, allowing excess chocolate to drip off, then lay the beans on wax paper to set.  Once the coffee beans have cooled sufficiently, but while the chocolate is still soft, roll the beans in your hand to form round balls.  You can skip rolling the chocolate covered beans into balls if you prefer the "coffee bean" shape.  Harden the chocolate covered beans by freezing for 30 minutes or refrigerating for 1 day.  

Variations - add a splash of liquer to the chocolate, roll the chocolate covered beans in cocoa powder (once the coffee beans have cooled sufficiently, but while the chocolate is still soft - after you have rolled the beans to form balls) or experiment with the chocolate you use...milk, dark or white chocolate.

You can also roast the beans in the oven prior to dipping in chocolate if you prefer a "crisper" coffee bean.  Simply preheat the oven to 350 degrees, place the coffee beans on a baking sheet and roast for 8 - 10 minutes.  

Be creative with the packaging - a nice container or cellophane bag (used for candy making) tied with a nice ribbon. 

Do you have any "caffeinated" Valentines ideas? 

Coffee...

A good source of Antioxidants

Coffee has been shown to have more antioxidant properties than green tea and cocoa. Scientists have identified approximately 1,000 antioxidants in unprocessed coffee beans with hundreds more developing during the roasting process. Antioxidants fight inflammation, an underlying cause of many chronic conditions, including arthritis, atherosclerosis and many types of cancer. Antioxidants also neutralize free radicals, which occur naturally as a part of everyday metabolic functions, which can cause oxidative stress that leads to chronic disease. In simpler terms, antioxidants help keep us healthy at the micro-level by protecting our cells from damage. 

May help keep your Mind Healthy

Regular coffee consumption may help prevent cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. In one recent study, researchers found that drinking three to five cups of coffee daily was associated with a 65 percent decreased risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. According to studies published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, caffeine is a cognitive stimulant that boosts brain functioning.

Good for your Heart

Coffee may protect against heart disease. A recent Dutch study found that moderate coffee drinkers (two to four cups daily) had a 20 percent lower risk of heart disease as compared to heavy coffee drinkers,  light coffee drinkers and nondrinkers. Coffee is full of flavonoids, a powerful antioxidant, which help to prevent LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol).  Chlorogenic acid, an important antioxidant found almost exclusively in coffee, is also thought to help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Helps Exercise Performance

We often hear that caffeine is dehydrating, however moderate consumption (3 to 4 cups daily) doesn’t dehydrate enough to interfere with your workout. Caffeine is a performance and endurance enhancer; not only does it fight fatigue, it also strengthens muscle contraction, reduces the exerciser’s perception of pain and increases fatty acids in the blood which supports endurance.

May decrease your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes

Scientific research suggests an association between coffee drinking and a reduced risk of diabetes. The antioxidants in coffee help prevent tissue damage to the body. Coffee also contains minerals that helps the body use insulin effectively.

Good for your Liver

Coffee consumption has been linked to a lower incidence of cirrhosis, especially alcoholic cirrhosis. A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine demonstrated an inverse correlation between increased coffee consumption and a decreased risk of cirrhosis - a 20 percent reduction for each cup consumed (up to four cups).  Scientists found an inverse relationship between coffee drinking and blood levels of liver enzymes. Elevated levels of liver enzymes typically reflect inflammation and damage to the liver. The more coffee subjects drank, the lower their levels of enzymes.

 Good for your Teeth

Did you know that a recent study found that people who drink coffee are less likely to have cavities?  Roasted coffee beans have antibacterial effects against the microorganisms which cause tooth decay.

Curbs Depression

Multiple studies have linked coffee drinking to lower rates of depression in both men and women.  The science evidence is not sure how coffee helps with depression, but it is known that caffeine activates neurotransmitters that control mood, including dopamine and serotonin.

Reduces risk of Strokes

Studies have shown women who drank four or more cups of coffee a day had a 20 percent lower risk of stroke, compared to those who had less than one cup a month. As with heart disease, the antioxidants in coffee may offer protection by improving blood vessel function. 

May help curb certain Cancers

Men who drink coffee may be at a lower risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. In addition, new research from the Harvard School of Public Health suggests that drinking four or more cups of coffee daily decreased the risk of endometrial cancer in women by 25 percent as compared to women who drank less than one cup a day. Researchers have also found ties between regular coffee drinking and lower rates of liver, colon, breast, and rectal cancers.  Polyphenols, antioxidant phytochemicals found in coffee, have demonstrated anticarcinogenic properties in several studies and are thought to help reduce the inflammation that could be responsible for some tumors.

Thanks to Find Me Coffee and One Medical for compiling the list of Top 10 Health Benefits of Coffee.  

Information provided on this website is for entertainment and information purpose and not intended to diagnose or give medical advice. Consult a physician with your medical concerns.  

A few we have already covered and few too good to pass up

1. Hot Rod Heated Travel Mug – $25

2. minibru Coffee Mug – $25

3. Plug Mug – $18

4. Coffee Joulies – $50

5. AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker – $26

6. The Kug – Link

7. Handi Sleeve – $6

8. Chemex Wood Collar Glass Coffee Maker – $35

9. Presso – Link

10. Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder – $85

11. Handpresso Car Espresso Machine – $194

12. The Floating Mug – Link

13. Kapu Coffee Scoop and Bag Closer – $26

14. Grower’s Cup – Link

Thanks Cool Material for the additional finds.

Thanks Online MBA Programs for the creation of this inforgraphic

Thermos Stainless King 16-ounce Leak-Proof Travel Mug

Thermos is well known as the quality and performance leader in insulated food and beverage products. The Stainless King series creates a new chapter in Thermos' history with a modern line that blends the newest technology with a dash of the past. We have all experienced the "dreaded dribble" down the front of us with travel mugs.  This ultra-durable travel mug (for hot and cold beverages) features a leak-proof Drinklock sealing lid.  The unbreakable stainless steel interior and exterior stays cool to the touch with hot liquids and is condensation-free with cold liquids.  This travel mug also features TherMax double wall vacuum insulation for maximum temperature retention, hot or cold.  The blue travel mug is currently available on Amazon for $20.60.  (Also available in "cranberry" for $27.99)

For the Sports Fan

From mugs to travel mugs, you can find a mug to help any sports fan "sport" their favorite team.  Check out the MLB and NFL mugs available on Amazon.  College Fan?  No problem, you can find a mug for your favorite university.  (prices vary)

For the Coffee Addict - Prescription Coffee Mug

For the coffee lover or addict, this mug says it all.  This mug looks like a prescription bottle with hilarious puns about coffee that any "Java Joe Espresso" will enjoy.  Available on Amazon for $10.60.  This novelty mug is among many noveltyies offered by Big Mouth Toys.

World's Largest Coffee Mug

For the coffee lover that can't seem to have enough coffee (or trying to keep their coffee consumption to 1 cup per day).  This novelty mug will symbolize their love of coffee.  The 6.5" (15.9 cm) tall, 10" (25.4 cm) in diameter real porcelain cup will hold 20 cups of coffee.  Available on Amazon for $59.95.  

Chalk Talk Mug

Another wonderful novelty mug for the person that likes to "doodle" or is constantly making notes on post-its.  No need for paper or post-it notes - they can now use the included chalk write directly their coffee mug.  You can write on the mug like a chalkboard then erase when you are done.  This 12-ounce mug is made of highly durable porcelain.  Available on Amazon for $18.43.  This mug is offered by Konitz - at Konitz everything revolves around mugs.  Check out the assortment of mugs, including other novelty mugs.  

Coffee Joulies

In a previous article, Go-Go-Gadget, we featured Coffee Joulies which deserves another mention as a perfect pairing with coffee mugs.  Coffee Joulies are engineered beans that cool coffee to the right temperature faster and then keep it there longer. Made in USA from 85% recycled stainless steel using hydro power from Niagara Falls.  Coffee Joulies will bring your coffee to a drinkable temperature sooner and keep it hot longer.  

Do you have gift suggestions for the coffee lover?  We would love to hear from you.

Thanks Daily Shot of Coffee for the list and reviews.  

Blade Grinder - Mr. Coffee Electric Coffee Grinder

This is a great "entry level" coffee grinder.  3 grind settings and a chamber maid cleaning system, including a bowl scraper to dislodge coffee from grinding area. Wide upper collar and a flip-top lid for mess-free filling and emptying.  Easy to clean with a removable, dishwasher-safe grinding chamber.  Available in black, white or red from Amazon ($19.99 for black grinder). 

Burr Grinder - Krups GVX Burr Grinder

Considered by Mike Crimmins (Daily Shot Coffee) as "one of the best" in the fifty dollar price range.  Anti-static bean container holds up to 8 ounces of ground coffee.  Quantity selector for 2 - 12 cups and a fineness selector of 17 settings.  The burr milling process produces consistently ground beans while preserving the coffee's natural aroma. Auto shut-off feature.   Quality construction, available in black or black/brushed stainless steel.  Available from Amazon for less than $60.

"Premium Level" Burr Grinder - Encore Coffee Grinder by Baratza

For the "serious" coffee drinker.  This grinder will not only get the job done, it will do so with precision - producing even grinds that are key to great coffee. The "new and improved" Encore coffee grinder is the perfect grinder for those who love drip-coffee, manual brews and espresso - with accurate coarse grind for manuals brew methods (pour-over, Aeropress, French Press, Siphon and Chemex) and the specially designed burrs give a precise grind with minimal fines for a flavorful, balanced extraction for making espresso. The upgraded burrs give a great grind, featuring a completely new redesigned gearbox and Swiss-made grinding wheels. The efficient DC motor keep the coffee beans cool, even during extended grind times. The combination of electric and great speed reducers, which slow the burr to 450 RPM, ensures a smooth bean feed and reducing noise, heat and static buildup. Automatic & Manual Operation with 40 grind settings.  Easy to clean with removable burrs with no tolls.  Available on Amazon for $129.

"High-End" Burr Grinder - Breville BCG800XL Smart Grinder

Considered one of the best grinders for home, the Breville BCG800XL Smart Grinder has 25 grind settings for french press, drip, percolator and espresso coffee.  Perfect coffee starts with the precise amount of freshly ground beans and this grinder features Dosing IQ™ which automatically calibrates each dose every time the grind settings are adjusted, depositing the ground coffee into Portafilter, grinds container or drip filter baskets.  The bean hopper has an air tight lid and locking system for easy removal, storage and transfer of coffee beans.  Black LCD Screen clearly shows grind setting, number of cups or shots and the customized grind amount.  Available on Amazon for $199.95.

For more information on grinding your own coffee, check out Get Into the Grind.  Thanks Daily Shot of Coffee, for the list and reviews.  

What's your favorite grinder?  What's on your wish list?

AeroPress

A new way of brewing your coffee. The AeroPress brews delicious coffee, 1- 4 cups per pressing, American or Espresso style.  The use of ideal water temperature and faster brewing yields rich flavor with lower acidity without bitterness.  The total-immersion system of the AeroPress permits extraction at a moderate temperature and a short brew time, a rapid yet robust extraction of flavor. Water and grounds are mixed together for 10 seconds then gentle air pressure pushes the mix through a micro-filter in just 20 seconds, avoiding the bitterness of long brewing processes such as drip brewing. The air pressure also gently squeezes the last bit of goodness from the grounds, further enriching the flavor. The total brewing time is only 30 seconds and results in an exceptionally smooth brew. The micro-filtered coffee is pure and particle free so it can be stored for days as a concentrate.  The chamber of the AeroPress is nearly self-cleaning, requiring only a 10-second rinse of the plunger.  Compact and perfect for travel. The AeroPress includes 1 press, 1 funnel, 1 scoop, 1 stirrer and filters.  This is a very affordable brewing option - available for less than $30 at Amazon, and that is with 350 bonus micro filters - enough to last 2 years.  Replacement filters and a stainless steel filter are also available through Amazon. 

Chemex

A manual method of brewing, similar to drip coffee, producing a better tasting and smoother coffee.  The Chemex filter drip method eliminates bitterness and the slow brewing allows full flavor from the bean.  The conical shape concentrates the grounds at the bottom of the filter, allowing for a flavorful coffee without sediment.  Chemex has been around for 40 years and remains one of the purest methods of brewing coffee.  Elegant, eco-friendly and simple to use, and you choose the strength of your coffee.  How simple is this process?  Place the grounds in the cone-shaped filter and pour hot water over them.  Why the wood collar?  It serves as an insulated handle.   A classic style that would be appreciated by any coffee purist.  Available for less than $40 at Amazon.  The Chemex coffee filters are also available through Amazon.

French Press

French Press coffee has a faithful following - many coffee lovers and geeks alike LOVE French Press coffee.  Easy to use - add coarsely ground coffee (the "rule of thumb" is 1 rounded Tablesppon per 4 ounces of water), pour in hot water, wait a few minutes (for brewing) then slowly press down the plunger.  Easy process with a rich, aromatic result.  Pressed coffee extracts the perfect amount of essential oils and acids from the coffee bean, maximizing the flavor of the coffee, and the 3-part stainless steel filter helps in this extraction.  This Bodum French press has a 8-cup (34 ounce) capacity, serving 2-3 people.  Also less than $40, available at Amazon.  

While looking at the classic Bodum on Amazon, The Bodum Eileen, a tribute to Eileen Gray (furniture designer, architect and pioneer of the Modern Movement in architecture), caught my eye.  Classic Bodum with a beautifully detailed stainless steel frame to protect the glass carafe. Built to withstand the rigors and crowds of a cafe in Paris - the city that Gray loved most.  

Zojirushi Fresh Brew

In the words of Daily Shot of Coffee blogger Mike Crimmins, "For a lot of reasons most drip coffee makers produce lackluster coffee. This is one of the few that I can actually recommend without any reservations."  Sleek and stylish with a 1.5-liter stainless-steel, thermal carafe that will keep coffee hot for hours.  Electronic clock/timer with preset function, auto shut-off for safety and a "pause-and-serve" funtion that stops the flow of brewing coffee for 30 seconds if you find yourself unable to wait for the entire pot to finish brewing.  The "brew-and-serve" lid is a clever design allowing the carafes's lid to be on during brewing with a small cap to help keep the heat in the carafe after the coffee is ready.  Available for less than $90 at Amazon.

Technivorm Moccamaster

This is one of the few auto-drip coffee makers certified by the Specialty Coffee Association of America to brew at optimal temperatures.  Constructed in Holland, it is one of the most durable and best quality coffee brewers available.  Aluminum housing and stainless steel thermal jug - the thermal container (1.25 L capacity) will keep brewed coffee at the optimal temperature.   Available at Amazon for $299.   

Thanks to Daily Shot of Coffee for the list and reviews.  

What's your favorite coffee maker or brewing device?