Here is a little coffee place down under that does things a little different than in the states.  This place looks like its in someone’s kitchen, I’m not really sure what’s going on here but I would definitely check it out next time I’m in Melbourne.  Visit the Link for more…..

Technorati Tags: bar, coffee, vacuum coffee maker

I have been getting a lot of requests for information about the best vacuum coffee maker for the beginner.  If you haven’t already, please take the time to visit the vacuum coffee maker buyers guide for a description and some of the pro’s and con’s of three of the most popular vacuum coffee makers. 

As a beginner, I highly recommend the Bodum Santos.  This recommendation is the result of the fact that the Bodum vacuum brewer is readily available here in the United States; its glass is durable and negotiates changes in temperature well, its easy to clean and simple to operate. 

Simplicity is the last reason I really like the Bodum.  What I mean is the Bodum is a stovetop vacuum coffee maker.  This means no need for spirit lamps or butane burners; you can use the stove you already have. 

If you looking for a quality vacuum coffee maker, that functions well without a lot of fuss, that’s durable and easy to clean then be sure to order a Bodum Santos.

ORDER The Bodum Santos HERE

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The Boston Globe issued a story I thought many readers would be interested in.  Heck, you might be drinking a cup of vacuum brewed coffee as we speak (I know I am).  Now you don’t have to feel so guilty for being a vacuum coffee brewing - java guzzling - coffee addict!

According to this article, early coffee consumer health studies were skewed, because the majority of the test subjects were also smokers!  It seems many of the things that were attributed to drinking coffee were actually symptoms derived from smoking?!

This newer study points out coffee can actually be beneficial to your health, and is now thought to prevent diabetes, liver cancer, cirrhosis, and Parkinson’s disease.  How about that!  Read the full story here http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2009/05/11/good_to_the_last_drop/

Technorati Tags: coffee, health benefits, vacuum coffee brewing

I found this SILEX Vacuum Coffee Maker ad interesting and thought I would share, I love this old stuff. 

Silex coffee makers were first produced in 1915 and were made from Coming’s heat tempered class known as Pyrex. 

I especially got a kick out of the following:  SILEX is actually an acronym, anyone care to guess?…..anyone?…………Silex actually stands for “Sanitary and Interesting method of making Luscious coffee.  It is Easy to operate on the account of its being X-ray transparent.”  I’m dead serious here, you can’t make this stuff up!

I was also interested to know that the spring clip that holds the filter in place on vacuum brewers like the Bodum Santos were first invented for use in the Silex vacuum brewers way back in the 1920’s.  Good stuff

Technorati Tags: silex, vacuum brewers, vacuum coffee maker

When I first starting using a vacuum coffee maker I found I was making one fatal mistake and not even realizing it.  It wasn’t the coffee it self; I had fresh beans, ground with a quality bur grinder.  I was also using clean water I had filtered with my Brita Water Pitcher, so it wasn’t the water. 

Actually it sorta was the water, but specifically the temperature of the water I was brewing the coffee with.  You see the issue with a brewing coffee in a vacuum coffee maker is if not done correctly your water will be too cold for optimum extraction of flavor from the ground beans.  Earlier I talked about he importance of using clean filtered water for brewing in your siphon coffee maker; but that’s not enough.  If you want to achieve the best results possible its important to get your water temperature right, from the very moment it makes contact with the beans.  

How does this happen you ask?  By sealing the top container with the coffee to the bottom container with the water before it has had a chance to heat to 198 degrees.  If you make the seal before this, water will be pushed up at lower temperature points, around 175 degrees or so (coincidentally this is the temperature your typical drip coffee maker brews at).  Brewing your coffee with cooler water results in bitterness.  The whole reason we like using vacuum coffee makers is to avoid bitterness and brew at the optimal 198-degree temperature also know as “just prior to boiling”.  Doing it at colder temperatures defeats the purpose and the coffee may as well be brewed with a drip coffee maker because that’s what it will taste like. 

How do I determine the temperature of my water?  Well you could use a thermometer, and I would actually suggest you do until you get a handle on how the water acts at the correct temperature.  With my setup I already know by watching the water when the correct temperature is, remember it is just before the water starts boiling.  When the water reaches 198 degrees I seal the top to the bottom and the water will quickly rise to the top as the brewing begins.  Temperature is important.  Keep your temperature in mind and your vacuum coffee is just going to be that much better.

Technorati Tags: drip coffee maker, optimum, temperature, vacuum coffee maker, vacuum coffee makers, water

Yet another Japanese video where they are brewing vacuum coffee with a halogen bulb.  I believe these can be found in the US by Hario but they seem pretty hard to come by.  Most places that offer them online are sold-out or have limited quantities of these Hario Siphon Halogen heaters.  This may be something that changes as they become more popular, more are sure to be imported.  They are pricey though, in the neighborhood of $400 from what I’m seeing.  Many will argue they aren’t necessary, true, but they do have the “cool” factor that appeals to many.  I like the idea of being able to use them at your work since you would not need a stove or an open flame to heat your vacuum coffee maker.

Technorati Tags: halogen, hario, import, siphon coffee maker, vacuum coffee maker

If you want to get the best results from your glass vacuum coffee maker you cannot ignore the main ingredient that goes into the coffee, that ingredient is water.  Water actually makes up 98 percent of any cup of freshly brewed coffee.  As coffee lovers, we often fuss about this roast, that roast, or French roast; beans from Sumatra versus beans from Guatemala, but when it comes to water we use the stuff right out of the tap.  Tap water is fine as long as you like the taste of it. 

The alkaline in hard water or phosphates in soft water have a significant effect in how your coffee will taste.  The alkaline found in many tap waters actually works against your coffee, dissolving an neutralizing the acids in the coffee that provide that wonderful taste we all try to achieve with our vacuum coffee.  Soft water is also detrimental to your brewing results.  Phosphates will react with the coffee acids to produce a unpleasant soapy taste….yuck.

If your tap water tastes like it came from the lake luckily there is a solution.  You may already have one, but If not you need to get yourself a filter.  Now I’ve tried both the type that screw onto your faucet and the filtration pitchers.  Both work fine but my favorite is a Brita Filtration Pitcher because I can keep it in the refrigerator where the water stays cold. 

This cold water is key.  The starting water temperature is actually more important to your vacuum coffee brewing than many realize.  This is because cold water contains more dissolved oxygen.  This dissolved oxygen is the same reason oxygen loving trout prefer clear cold mountain streams.  Some argue that coffee brewed from a cold starting temperature produces a much more animated and refreshing cup of coffee. 

If you’re like me, you use a glass vacuum coffee maker to get the best possible extraction from the most delicious coffee beans.  Just remember those beans only make up 2 percent of the process, please don’t ignore the most important part, please don’t ignore the water.

Technorati Tags: cold, filter, filtered, french roast, glass vacuum coffee maker, guatemala, sumatra, tap, vacuum brewing, water

Photo from Flickr

The Blue Bottle Coffee Co. is a local favorite in San Francisco.  Recently, Blue Bottle Coffee Co. has opened its splendid cafe, opening up on an alley at Mission and 5th.  The new cafe’s soaring high ceilings and tall and tall windows create a delightfully airy feel as one waits in line not only for coffee but for a whole host of delicious breakfast and lunch sandwiches, soups, and pastries.

At first, you coffee options might feel a little overwhelming here.  Besides your standards, you can get something called an SG-120, which is basically a latte but comes in a glass tumbler.  But the real attraction to the Blue Bottle Coffee Co is its one of a kind state of the art vacuum coffee bar.

When you choose the vacuum coffee, you also get to choose from one of three types of beans being offered at the moment.  Your chosen beans are then measured, ground, and poured into the top globe of a vacuum coffee maker.  Unlike traditional vacuum coffee makers that use an alcohol flame, this vacuum coffee bar uses special halogen lamps to heat the water to a boil.  Once boiling, the water is pushed up into the ground coffee beans for a few moments, before taken away from the heat where the coffee filters back down in the form of freshly brewed coffee.  Your coffee is then brought out to your table and poured directly from the vacuum coffee maker into your waiting cup.

If you have never visited Blue Bottle Coffee Co. and its vacuum coffee bar then you’re really missing out.  If you’re serious about great coffee, or just enjoy really good food in unique atmosphere Blue Bottle Coffee Co. is a must visit.

Technorati Tags: blue bottle coffee co, halogen, san francisco, vacuum coffee bar, vacuum coffee maker

New article from HAARETZ.COM, an Isreali News site about the rapidly growing coffee consumption market there in Israel.  This certainly gives a different perspective for many of us westerners.  While there’s no mention of a siphon coffee maker, after reading this article I wouldn’t be the least surprised that there were more than a few vacuum coffee makers in Isareal.  Plus, you’re not going to believe what kind of coffee these guys drink!  I don’t want to ruin the surprise, you’ll have to read for yourself

Technorati Tags: coffee, israel, middle east, siphon coffee maker, vacuum coffee maker