Family Cooking

Ever since Achille Gaggia invented a new coffee machine in 1948 which extracted natural coffee oils and deposited a tasty foamy layer, which he termed Crema, it became the benchmark for good coffee. Soon the Crema was a distinct feature of espresso coffee.

Preparing a cup of coffee with Aeropress

Ever since its invention Aeropress has become a quick answer to the coffee lovers' needs. It has managed to form fan groups and has inspired experimentation with this little device among coffee enthusiasts.

It employs the application of manual pressure to brew a cup of coffee. It is a highly portable and instantly usable piece of equipment that uses no electric power.

Now theoretically it is pretty hard to get any crema from an Aeropress as the pressure which can be exerted manually is just not enough to get that. But there is nothing you cannot achieve with the right strategy and planned tweaks. Of course, don't expect to get as rich crema as from a professional espresso machine but the results will be satisfying. In fact, most famous baristas do not focus on getting crema with the AeroPress, like this AeroPress Brewing Guide. I just think that it's a nice touch, and if I can have my beautiful foamy layer on top of my coffee, why not?

Getting the Right ingredients

This starts with obtaining the right ingredients for your espresso from Aeropress. Although this you will have to find out yourself as there is no fixed recipe and the same things don't work for all.

But there are a few pointers which should be kept in mind that will certainly help.

1. As we have already stated above the coffee beans should be freshly roast. Even otherwise also you cannot expect to achieve great coffee from stale coffee beans.
2. Brew your coffee as soon as you grind it. A good thing to keep in mind is that you grind only the necessary amount of coffee. If necessary, store in an airtight package for a couple of days.
3. You will have to be creative with respect to choosing the coffee beans. Don't hesitate to ask around about the bean variant that is producing the right results. And, there is always the hit and trial method you can adopt until you hit the sweet spot.
4. The water you will use should be adequately hot but not boiling. The right temperature of the water is 94-96 C for the best results.
5. Use a metal filter. This provides tw. - first it is able to withstand more pressure and second, it does not absorb the Crema which you have produced with great effort.

Now preparing the cup of espresso

When you have all the right ingredients set up your Aeropress for inverted operation. It is done because the oils and air are lighter and have a high concentration over your mix. When you use your Aeropress normally this portion is processed last and is usually absorbed in the filter and the coffee ground. The inverted operation will give you crema first which you should collect in the cup and then just continue with the normal operation.

Here are a few key points to remember:

• Use a generous amount of scoop full grind. It should be extra fine so as to not let the water pass through it too quickly.
• Add the just before-boil water and stir. You should wait around 20 seconds after stirring to start brewing.
• And last but the most important, press as hard as you can, keeping in mind the limitation of your equipment and the coffee cup. With fine grind, the resistance will be high and you will have to exert a little more at the end.

If you did everything right, in the end you will have a marvelous cup of coffee with that bespoke crema on the top.

So what is Crema?

Let’s start this by first understanding what crema actually is. crema is coffee oils suspended in carbon dioxide filled air produced during the roasting. It should not be confused with the foam which you may achieve incidentally or otherwise while making a cup of coffee. Such generated foam does not add any taste to the coffee but Crema adds to the richness and enhances the taste of the coffee.

Breaking it apart

So two essential attributes stem from this understanding,- first that coffee beans should be nicely roasted and second that the pressure should be enough to produce an amalgamation of the oil and air mix.

If the coffee beans that are being used are not freshly roasted, it is likely that the roast does not have any suspended air. It is highly unlikely that you will get a satisfying amount of crema with the stale coffee.

Similarly, preparation of a good espresso cup demands the presence of a good amount of pressure.

There are times when we can't help but go beyond milk and sugar. A lot of coffee lovers and coffee drinkers alike enjoy a spiced up cup of coffee, whether it's brewed or just the ordinary instant coffee mix. Here are the best spices that you can add to your coffee anytime anywhere.

SALT
Seriously YES! A dash of natural saltnever go for the typical iodized table saltlike rock salt, sea salt or Himalayan salt with your coffee grounds for a cold brew is a perfect way of balancing the bitterness of the coffee.

CARDAMOM
Sprinkling a pinch of cardamom seeds can really give you a unique coffee taste. This popular mix in the Middle East, that you sure will love. Especially for health nuts out there, you will not only enjoy a great tasting cup of brewed coffee but also improved blood circulation and a great supply of fiber to your drink.

PAPRIKA
This spice is a great way of adding a kick to your cup of bitterness. Paprika adds a pang of taste that's lovable and hard to forget. A dash of paprika will surely give your taste buds the delightful spicy smoothness to your drink.

COCONUT MILK
It may be an unusual alternative to cream, milk or coffee creamer but coconut milk has a distinct taste that really goes well with a cup of coffee. Adding a stick of vanilla or a drop of vanilla extract is surely a great way of enjoying your non-dairy cup of coffee.

My favorite recipe is coconut milk latte, and you can make that without an espresso machine. So please, don't use the excuse that you don't own one. You have everything you need.

ICE CREAM
Who knew?! We've loved soda with vanilla ice cream floating on top, who wouldn't love coffee with ice cream? Ice cream is in a sense cold milk but the unique taste and creaminess that ice cream offers really add a great creamy texture to your iced cup of coffee.

EGG
Sounds unusual? Not in Scandinavia. Egg gives a more creamy flavor and it really pulls the taste of coffee together. It creates a smoothness to it that's pretty unique to the taste.

GINGER
A teaspoon or two of ginger powder or a slice of ginger would bring a kick of spice to our cup of coffee. It's a more exotic touch to a coffee that really does offer a great kick to our cup of coffee.

NUTMEG
A touch of nutmeg would add a gentle earthy taste to your cup of coffee. Personally, it's a great flavor as compared to a dark roast. A medium roast cup of coffee plus a dash of nutmeg will surely give you a more flavorful touch that a charcoally dark roast flavor.

STAR ANISE
Star Anise has a unique earthy flavor and aroma, but be careful. It's a pretty strong spice so dropping just a small cut of star anise in your cup of coffee would do the trick.

NUT OIL
Nutty flavors practically go well everything, don't you think? Almond oil, hazelnut oil, and other nutty flavors are a wonderful touch to your coffee especially if you're craving for other tastes.

PEPPERMINT
To be honest, a minty coffee is a really addicting kick of flavor to add to your coffee. Having a cup of coffee with peppermint or spearmint really gives coffee a more unique and heightened flavor of coffee that you'll love to have from time to time.

The espresso machine will help you have a hot cup of espresso when you need it. With these machines becoming extremely popular in homes, offices, and commercial areas, the market for them is becoming stronger. Are you looking to purchase your own espresso maker? There are many variations of this machine available on the market. Picking the right one can help make sure that you get the most value for your money. This article will help you get to know the different types of espresso machines.

Manual Espresso Machines

The manual espresso maker is the espresso machine in its most basic form. As the name would suggest, operating these machines is a 100% manual process. There are 2 main advantages with getting a manual espresso machine. They are the most affordable machines out there, and you can get exactly the quality of espresso that you like. Of course, the disadvantage is that you got to do everything manually, and it takes time to master the right way of preparing espresso.

Semi-automatic

The semi-automatic espresso maker automates some of the steps involved in creating espresso. However, some of the steps have to be done manually, like the frothing of the milk. These machines are ideally placed in homes and small offices where coffee is prepared at a regular basis. The downside is that semi-automatic espresso machines are generally unable to create exceptionally high quality of espresso.

Automatic

This espresso machine fully automates the espresso making process. All you have to do is press a button, and the machine will do the rest. Such machines are ideal for households and offices where occupants either don't have much time to prepare espresso, or they don't have the necessary skills to make good-quality espresso. Of course, people who know high-quality espresso might not end up very satisfied with the results these machines are capable of.

Commercial

The commercial espresso machine is mainly designed for commercial purposes. Such machines are ideal for high-traffic coffee shops or for large offices. These machines operate in fully automatic fashion, generally produce great-quality espresso, and are capable of quickly preparing large batches of espresso. However, there are 2 downsides in owning this machine: they are very expensive and require their own plumbing.

These are your available options if you are shopping for an espresso machine. Select the one that best fits your needs, your budget, and tastes. I suggest you read some reviews of popular espresso machines, a good starting point is this page on coffee-brewing-methods.com. If you already have an idea of what you want, just go on Amazon, and read the customer reviews, they should give you an idea. As a last thought, when I bought my espresso machine, I chose a commercial model, because they are more reliable. (It was two times more expensive than a domestic espresso maker, but is totally worth it every penny.)

Getting set for a workout? Well, you need energy to take you through the whole exercise. This cannot be achieved any better than through a good nutrition before getting into the gym. Some whole grain, vegetables and a good source of protein can be a good start.

Whole Wheat Toast with Sliced Banana and Cinnamon

When it comes to gearing up for workout, carbs are your gym BFF. The key is to have a mixed bag of complex and simple ones so that the release of energy during your workout is slow and steady throughout your routine. Whole-wheat toast with fruit gives you both types of carbs with the bonus of being super easy to digest. Complex carbs will keep your motor humming, while the fruit adds an extra kick of energy.

Grilled Chicken and Mixed Vegetables

Your body is in recovery mode, so you need a nutrient dense dish. The lean protein and carbohydrates in chicken will fill you up without feeling overly bloated. Add some veggies in olive oil to keep your ticker in tip top shape.

Veggie Omelet with Avocado

You already know eggs are a great source of protein and help aid in muscle recovery and growth. Switch it up from the usual scramble and make a veggie-packed omelet. Garnish with a few slices of avocado for fiber and monosaturated fats (the good kind!). Similar to olive oil, avocados can help your body better absorb fat soluble nutrients that your veggies have like vitamins A, D, E and K. These vitamins are stocked with antioxidants, the best boost for your body, inside and out.

Sourced from: http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/nutrition/best-workout-foods/?page=4

Drinks are fundamental for your body, and when it comes to exercise, they are an important necessity that you cannot afford to do without. These not only hydrate your body and save you from dehydration out of sweating and all that, they can also be essential for additional energy during your work out.

As much as 60% of your body is made up of water and when you work out, you can lose quite a bit.

The American College of Sports Medicine notes that drinking water helps functioning of the joints and body tissues, the regulation of body temperature, and the transportation of nutrients.

“If you’re an average person, then water after a workout is just fine,” says Clark. But if your workout is more intense and you spend more than three hours at a time doing it, then Clark recommends chocolate milk. "It’s got sodium and calcium, which we lose when we sweat. It’s also got carbs to refuel and give energy, and the protein also helps to repair any damage.”

If milk or water isn’t your thing, sports drinks, coconut water, or other beverages are fine. Don't worry too much about electrolytes; Clark says food can provide those lost in sweat.

Sourced From: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20610016,00.html

You need food for some energy during your workout, right? Give it a second thought, because not every type of food will do. There are some foods you should stay away from when heading for a workout. Some of these foods can adversely slow you down during exercise or distract you completely.

Flaxseeds

While they are great for your body (and weight loss), flaxseeds are full of fiber, which could impede your workout efforts by causing gas and/or bloating, says Stella Metsovas, a clinical nutritionist and diet expert in Los Angeles, Calif.

Hummus

Don't get us wrong, we love healthy hummus just as much as you do, but you may want to stay away from it right before a workout.

"Bean-based foods (such as hummus) are high in indigestible carbohydrates that may cause uncomfortable gas and bloating," says Mary Hartley, a registered dietitian in New York City.

High Sodium Foods (Roasted Nuts)

Even though nuts are a great snack (and can help with weight loss) most roasted nuts are also salted, and salty foods can disrupt the delicate fluid-balance required for optimal workouts, Metsovas says.

"I'd avoid [high sodium foods] at all costs. Using a little bit of salt in your meals is OK, but stay away from the following foods: beef jerky, salted and roasted nuts, lunch meats, and processed snack foods like chips (you shouldn't be consuming these foods anyway)."

Sourced From: http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/20-foods-can-ruin-your-workout

All kinds of fresh fruits and veggies as well as spices and herbs can be used in fresh juice. Juicing also gives you far more benefits than any juice that's bottled or canned, even the best organic brands. Fresh juice makes a tasty and healthy treat.

Add a little cucumber to dark leafy greens. Many of the leafy greens don't taste very good. Cucumber can mask the taste and add a refreshing element to your juice. Purchasing a good juicing recipes book can help you get started with delicious tasting recipes.

The healthiest vegetables for juicing are greens such as chard, spinach and kale. The healthiest juice consists of fifty to seventy percent greens, with other elements added for flavor. Juices made entirely of fruits would tend to be too sugary and might cause a blood sugar spike.

Use the different colors of fruits and vegetables to vary the nutritional content of your juices and smoothies. In particular, greens and yellows translate to a variety of healthy vitamins and minerals. Using different colored produce will give you a full range of nutrients and many exciting tastes.

Juicing vegetables is a great way for you to get healthy foods into a child who won't eat them whole. Many children do not like vegetables. You can combine fruits and vegetables into one beverage that has a great taste, and the kids won't know they're eating vegetables.

Always keep your juicer visible and ready for action. You will actually use it more often if you keep it withn constant view and easy reach.

Each fruit and vegetable contains different minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients. Certain fruits and vegetables can be combined to powerfully fight certain diseases.

You can get ride of pulp in juice by using a coffee filter, but this is very slow. Your best option is a juice machine which separates the juice from the pulp automatically. For those who want more fiber simply add a bit of pulp back into your fresh juice.

Keeping juice in the refrigerator can be handy, but waiting to drink any fresh juice or smoothie will result in changed color and taste, and loss of nutrients.

If the assembly, cleaning and reassembling of a juicer takes more than a minute consider another brand. New models take no time to assemble and clean. And assembly should not require any special tools since they only get misplaced. Clean the juicer right after using it to reduce the time you have to spend cleaning dried pulp which sticks to the appliance.

If you have hypoglycemia or diabetes, try juicing vegetables as opposed to fruits until you talk to your physician. Drinking juice with a large fruit content will raise your blood sugar. You need to be careful about the amount of fruit you use in your juices. Vegetables can supply you with the nutrients without throwing your blood sugar out of whack.

Ginger has been proven by study after study to be as effective for the treatment of gastrointestinal distress as any medication and without side effects except ginger tasting burps! Ginger has many anti-inflammatory properties that can help with stomach ulcers, acid reflux and even nausea.

If you're starting to feel old and tired, adding juice to your life can return the spring to your step! Juicing is a good way to get the nutrients you need to get rid of joint pains, ease muscle pain and slow the aging process.

To ensure that the juice you are drinking is as healthy as possible, it's important to drink it right away. The longer you wait the more nutrients are lost even if you refrigerate it. Therefore, to ensure that you receive the most nutrients, and the most benefit, drink fresh juices and smoothies as soon after you make them as possible.

To reduce the bitterness of cranberries, combine them with sweet fruits like berries. A great recipe for a delicious juice is a mixture of cranberries, cherries, strawberries and blueberries. Be creative and blend your own great-tasting juice ingredients.

Masticating juice machines are ideal for making wonderful fruit juices. These juicers allow you also to mill, grind, puree and even create frozen deserts. These added features will increase the variety of ingredients you can include in your juice recipes such as nuts and seeds.

Don't make your juice sit for long before serving it. It has a much better taste if it is consumed immediately after making it.

As you have discovered by now through reading this article, there are numerous ways to incorporate juicing into your diet. Juicing works well as a quick snack or a complete meal. There are plenty of positive aspects of juicing, helping you to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Start juicing for better nutrition today.