Perfect Cup: A Coffee Lover's Guide to Buying, Brewing and Tasting
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 May, 1991)
list price: $16.95 -- our price: $11.53
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Reviews (4)

This is a good solid book on Coffee
I'm a coffee freak.I roast my own espresso and grind it with great care and pump it through a two group computer controlled professional Italian espresso machine. My wife thinks I'm obsessive about it. With that in mind, Perfect Cup provides a lot of excellent information that most people probably don't know, about how to make a great cup of coffee. It also talks about the characteristics of different kinds of coffee.If A&P 8:00 is your cup of tea...coffee, you might not give a damn, but if you really are curious...interested, passionate about coffee, you will probably enjoy reading this book.

Very helpful book
I highly recommend this book.I bought it as someone just getting into enjoying the coffee experience.I wanted a book that would help me learn more about brewing coffee, tasting, and what to expect from beans grown in the different areas of the world.It gave me the info. I was looking for.I also really enjoyed the section in which several coffee roasters across the US were interviewed about their roasting philosophies and what to them helped create that elusive perfect cup of coffee.

the perfect coffee book
years ago(before Starbucks bought the world) Boston had a local chain called the Coffee Connection.Their blends were perfect, their roasts were done by an old central american master and all of their employees were coffee lovers who could tell you details on any bean (once again, pre starbucks and the "we'll hire anyone" policy).I once asked how they knew so much and was told that employees were required to read this book.Somehow I lost my original copy ... so glad to see Amazon making it available again. ... Read more

Isbn: 0201570483
Sales Rank: 13759
Subjects:  1. Beverages - Coffee & Tea    2. Beverages - Non-Alcoholic    3. Coffee    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Wine   

Coffee : A Guide to Buying, Brewing, and Enjoying, Fifth Edition
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (04 May, 2001)
list price: $15.95 -- our price: $10.85
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Reviews (5)

Exitantia: Coffea Arabica
For anyone who imbibes coffee on a ritualistic basis, and worships their coffee-pot, Kenneth David's book is your bible.Originally written in 1976 (I have the 1979 third printing which I found for $1 used!), and apparently now on its fifth printing, "Coffee: A Guide to Buying, Brewing and Enjoying" has become quite popular.Previous reviewers have commented on its being slightly out of date, and one even complained about the brown ink print on tan paper!First off, with regards to modern equipment such as high quality grinders and coffee makers, and some information on where to buy coffee, David's guide may be in need of updating (I can't tell you what's in the newer editions).However, none of the important information in the book will ever be obsolete, and in any event, you can satisfy all your modern coffee equipment needs right here on Amazon.com -how convenient!Secondly, I have to say that the brown ink on off-white paper is ideally suited for the topic and quite pleasing to the eye.Since the 1970's gourmet coffee has swept the USA, and every shopping mall, city, and town has at least two or three gourmet coffee shops nearby (often within the same block), and so finding good quality coffee shouldn't be a problem at all.For mail order or retail outlets, I highly recommend Peets Coffee - www.peets.com - which in my opinion is by far the best gourmet coffee available on the market.

Coffee culture is timeless and I think you'll be pleased with the quality of information contained in this book.Each chapter is a "how to" guide on such subjects as the history, purchasing, tasting, roasting, grinding, brewing, serving, and growing of coffee.There is also a section about caffeine, and if you're looking for more in-depth reading about coffee as a "drug", than I suggest finding a copy of Dale Pendell's incredible poetical discourse on "Stimulating Plants, Potions & Herbcraft" entitled, "Pharmako/Dynamis" (Mercury House, 2002).For general reference, or historical curiosity, "Coffee" is both delightful and useful to have laying out on your coffee table, its soon to be tattered and stained pages faithfully awaiting your next coffee ceremony.

Coffee is Brown
Coffee is a brown beautiful color.Ink is black set to a white back ground in books for a very good reason.If I had known the printing in this book was a light brown color that is hard to read I would not have wasted my time or money.This may be a very good book but I will never know.Keep the color in the coffee and your hands off the ink.I have the fifth edition.

A great guide, slightly out of date
Through his three books and informative website (...), Ken Davids is a leading expert on coffees of the world. He is also the green bean guru to home coffee roasters everywhere and it is primarily for them this book was designed. For anyone exploring the many pleasures of roasting their own beans, Davids is the only comprehensive guide available, which makes it particularly maddening that the book hasn't been updated in five years. When Davids wrote the book in 1996, home coffee roasting was beginning its rebirth. Today, the sorts of inexpensive, easy-to-use home roasters he long for in the book are finally available but not covered. A quick update could correct information on roaster availability (it's easier than you think, and easier than he says), and sources for unroasted beans (some of his are out of date, and some good ones aren't noted at all). Still, if you want to get started with home roasting, this remains the best book to own. And if you just love coffee, it's a fine second or third book to put on the shelf. But if you love coffee enough to buy a book about it, you really should explore roasting your own beans -- the flavors and fun of it are incomparable. ... Read more

Isbn: 031224665X
Sales Rank: 29532
Subjects:  1. Beverages - Coffee & Tea    2. Coffee    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Cooking / Coffee & Tea   

Coffee Basics : A Quick and Easy Guide
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (October, 1996)
list price: $17.95 -- our price: $12.21
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Reviews (5)

Great coffee book
This book gives a good basic understanding of what coffee is all about.I especially like the specificity of information about coffees from different areas in the Regional Character chapter.For example, discussing Costa Rica's two best growing areas and how the coffees differ.I also found the opinions of which coffees are worthy of their price helpful.I read the Perfect Cup first and am glad I did because it was a good coffee overview for me.Coffee Basics was a great second book for me because I was looking for more specific information about coffees of each area.If I hadn't read Perfect Cup first I think the break down of info. on each type of coffee/regional character would have been information overload for me.If you are new or relatively new to the coffee world and are excited about learning more and more about the subtlties and nuiances present in that cup, I highly recommend you read this book.

Covers a lot in very few words...
This is not exactly a great book, but then again, not exactly a bad book.It covers much about the industry of coffee and goes over the different regions that produce coffee.It describes what is and how to brew a perfect cup of coffee.

But I get a feeling of being rushed from one tidbit of information to the next.Just while I am almost within grasp of a certain concept or am about to form a picture of what it is trying to say it ends there without further detail.But it does repeat key information more than once throughout the book so you do walk away with greater knowledge than before.

If learning about coffee was compared to eating out, this book is best suited as either an appetizer or a desert.Appetizer to whet and get your brain ready to learn more about coffee, or as a desert, to catch up on and review over learned knowledge.

I guess that's why it is called "Coffee Basics" after all.

"A Perfect Cup" is a better selection in that it contains more information and better elaboration although that book is slightly dated being published in 1994.But coffee has been around way before 1994 so does it really matter?

great book for beginners
Great introduction to coffee - how to brew a great cup, a little bit about the industry, the different growing regions, how to buy good coffee, how to taste coffee, information about how coffee is processed. Not too complicated, easy and interesting reading. I definitely recommend this one if you're looking to learn the basics. ... Read more

Isbn: 0471136174
Sales Rank: 39359
Subjects:  1. Beverages - Coffee & Tea    2. Coffee    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Cooking / Coffee & Tea    6. Non-alcoholic beverages   

Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How It Transformed Our World
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (25 April, 2000)
list price: $19.00 -- our price: $12.92
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Editorial Review

Since its discovery in an Ethiopian rainforest centuries ago, coffee has brewed up a rich and troubled history, according to Uncommon Grounds, a sweeping book by business writer Mark Pendergrast. Over the years, the beverage has fomented revolution, spurred deforestation, enriched a few while impoverishing the many, and addicted millions with its psychoactive caffeine. Coffee is now the world's second most valuable legal commodity, behind oil, according to Pendergrast, who is also author ofFor God, Country, and Coca-Cola.

"A good cup of coffee can turn the worst day tolerable, can provide an all-important moment of contemplation, can rekindle a romance," he writes. "And yet, poetic as its taste may be, coffee's history is rife with controversy and politics." For example, coffee bankrolled Idi Amin's genocidal regime in Uganda and the Sandinistas' revolution in Nicaragua. Uncommon Grounds provides some fascinating tidbits. Did you know that coffeehouses helped spawn the French and American revolutions? Or that coffee supplanted alcohol as a favorite breakfast drink in Britain in the late 1600s, and later became a patriotic American beverage after the Boston Tea Party? Pendergrast also details the rise and fall of regional coffee brands in the United States, the role of advertising in the industry, the global economic impact of coffee prices, and the recent emergence of specialty-coffee retailers--Starbucks, for example. Finally, he explores the social and environmental ramifications of coffee and highlights recent attempts to encourage a livable wage and environmental protection in coffee-producing nations such as Brazil. Pendergrast also includes an appendix on "how to brew the perfect cup." This wide-ranging book is a good read for those curious about the history and context behind that morning cup of coffee, as well as for those strictly interested in the business side of the industry. --Dan Ring ... Read more

Reviews (36)

now it is 3 degrees of separation not 6
Everything we do, everything we buy has an impact far around the world.This is an excellent study of these links through an in depth review of the coffee industry.Pendergrast has researched the significant political, business, and economic history of the industry and its role in the US relationship with Latin American, African and Asian coffee producing countries.The information is academic quality but throughoughly readible.

Pendergrast certainly would not ask us to give up this amazing drink, but the book does help to lift the veil of ignorance surrounding the impact our decision has and our role and responsibility in the economic process called the "invisible hand" of capitalism.

The book is a bit heavy on the marketing history of the industry, but to business people or economists this is a one of its strongest aspects.It is also important to understand the history of coffee consumption in the US (and has implications for other products we buy.)Quite simply, Americans bought crappy coffee just because of the advertising and brand strategy.It is amazing to me how much longer it took Americans to realize the potential for much better tasting coffee.It does give hope to all entrepreneurs, because this seems so obvious to us post-Starbucks, but it is only very recently that gourmet coffee companies figured out that we might want something with flavor.

If there are broader lessons from this book, it is to re-examine what we buy.What do we buy that is just good marketing and yet is an inferior product in some way.I like to believe that most Americans would not want to buy products that are made with slave or child labor or with environmental practices that are killing people in another country.Obviously the real world is not so black and white, but I think the same principle applies to everything we buy.Ideally, we will continue to evolve as a society and consider these factors when we choose our coffee.It is the beauty and potential of our economic system that we CAN push Starbucks and other companies in that direction just buy what we choose at the coffee cart or in the grocery aisle.

Like Instant Coffee - Dry and Flavorless
The subtitle of this book is: The History of Coffee and How it Transformed Our World.I thought I was getting into a book about the role of coffee in the waves and trends of world history.

However, Prendergast almost entirely ignores the rest of the world (while repeatedly remarking how Europeans drink more coffee than Americans) and writes, instead a literature review of coffee industry publications, going into tedious detail of the advertising wars between coffee companies in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Occasionally, the author finds himself remarking about how coffee consumption in the industrialized world helped institutionalize atrocious poverty in coffee-growing countries, but then eschews considered analysis in order to get back to the oh-so-enthralling decades-long battle between Maxwell House and Hills Brothers for market share.

Prendergast repeatedly refers to how Americans' taste for coffee is, objectively, poor - one feels he does this as compensation for what he knows is a weak narrative.

If you are looking for a book which considers the 'world' as 95% America and chapters full of quotes from fin de siecle coffee advertisements, you've found the right one.If you are looking for a careful anaylsis of how coffee has changed the world, you'll need to keep looking.

Decent book
This book is about coffee.Obvious, right?

Yet, it is also about the larger world out there.Our kind author isn't just using coffee as a metaphor, but instead uses Coffee as the proverbial "tip of the iceberg" as a way to talk about larger historical, political and social issues in a way that is palatable to the average reader.Coffee has had a major impact on the United States, from our very beginnings in the Boston Tea Party to our present day position in the land of 24-hour a day television, which of course really means 24 hours a day of advertising.

How has this affected our place in the world?Americans drink a lot of coffee to get a quick pick me up. And that mood enhancing aspect is also included in similar products... those similar products include Cola, Tea, and all sorts of tricked out street drugs designed to make us feel better about who or what we are.Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing really isn't important to the discussion at this level, just that we are aware of it.

Coffee has also affected our political dealing with the rest of the world, be it our weird love-hate relationship with South and Central America as a source of coffee, and more currently various illegal drugs.If we weren't buying it they wouldn't be selling it to us.It has also entered into all kinds of health topics and considerations.

Coffee has had a major social and political impact on the Untied States.We use it, and similar products and drugs for various reasons.We threaten political and military consequenences to those who have provided us those things. The "pick me up" aspect makes possible a longer workday for workers in modern society... and this can have productivity increases for companies and people. The advertising methods, those in many ways were invented to "push" coffee are everywhere in our social framework.

And we haven't gotten to coffee's health affects. Is coffee good for you?A simple question that doctors is still trying to properly answer. It has some kind of health impact on our people, but what and how and why are still, in many ways, to be answered.

There is a lot to be said, and my rambling review gives an idea of the many topics this most excellent book covers.

But most importantly, the author tells one how to brew a good cup of coffee. ... Read more

Isbn: 0465054676
Subjects:  1. Beverages - Coffee & Tea    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Coffee    4. Coffee industry    5. Commerce    6. Commodities    7. History    8. Sociology    9. World - General   

Braun WK200 Electric Water Kettle
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $59.99 -- our price: $44.88
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Featuring an ergonomic handle and smooth lines, Braun's1,500-watt electric water kettle handily sits on a separate heatingelement. When water boils--one cup takes only 70 seconds--it's a reliefto pick up the kettle and pour without worrying about the plug draggingbehind. Once the kettle is removed from the base, it automaticallyturns off for safety. This good-sized kettle heats up to six cups ofwater, making it ideal for small meetings at the office or to quicklyheat up water (and water only, please) at home. It has ananti-calcification filter to help keep the water tasting clear andclean. --Dana Van Nest ... Read more

Features

• Measures 9-1/5 by 7-5/9 by 11-2/5 inches
• 1,500-watt electric kettle quickly heats up to 6 cups of water
• Separate heating element and ergonomic handle provide easy pouring
• Anti-calcification filter ensures better tasting water
• Automatic shutoff for added safety

Reviews (105)

Another 5 star review...
What can I say?This thing is absolutely wonderful.Boils water in about 4-5 minutes, works like a charm, automatically shuts itself off as soon as the water comes to a boil, and it works on any surface.Just wanted to add my 5 star rating...

And for those of you wondering - yes - you can use this on ANY surface.The base of it does not get hot at all.I keep it on a wooden desk in my office and have never had any problems.

Indispensible kitchen appliance
This beautifully-designed water kettle is a real joy to have.It is very fast, always stays cool to the touch, turns off automatically or when lifted from the base, and looks great on the countertop.I use it every day!

excellent with lots of little advantages
We drink several cups of tea a day and are a heavy user of our kettle. Main reasons that we like it:
- Fast
-Detachable from base letting you bring it easily to your cup
-Automatic turn or when you lift it off the base (a safety issue in case of earthquakes, or simply animals that might knock it over)
-Auto turn off when it boils; we had ruined stove top kettles in the past by forgetting about them
-the clear panel (on both sides) lets you fill it for only a single cup of tea; saving a great deal of time (and some electricity I suppose).This is a huge benefit.
-Rotates on the base for either left or right hand use.
-Plastic keeps the water quite warm for a while HOWEVER, the biggest negative is that it not very visually attractive.
... Read more

Asin: B00004S9H7
Subjects:  1. Teakettles    2. Hot Pots    3. (Tea Kettles)    4. Electric    5. Drip Coffee Machines    6. Coffee Makers    7. (Coffeemakers)   

Capresso 565.04 Infinity Burr Grinder, Brushed Chrome
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $190.00 -- our price: $139.99
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Editorial Review

For grinding larger quantities of coffee beans for a coffee-drinking crowd, Capresso’s commercial-grade Infinity grinder handles 8-1/2 ounces of beans at a time. Sixteen different settings--four each in the four categories of extra fine, fine, regular, and coarse--let you adjust the grind to the specific blend of coffee and method of brewing. The finest setting is ideal for preparing Turkish coffee, which is a rare feature to find in a grinder. A built-in timer sets the grind for anywhere between 5 and 60 seconds so you can walk away without having to constantly press a button to continue the grinding process. The Infinity has an advanced conical burr design made of steel that is usually only found on commercial grinders. This burr design slows down the gears and reduces the amount of friction and heat to preserve coffee’s flavor and aroma. The coffee container holds up to 4 ounces of grounds and remains sealed during grinding. For safety, the bean container also needs to be locked into place for the Infinity to operate. Also, fo easy cleaning, the bean container and upper burr lift off so you can clean the grinding chamber with the included brush and wipe down the and heavy-duty zinc die-cast housing. Capresso covers this burr grinder under a one-year limited warranty. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Features

• Measures 5-3/8 by 7-11/16 by 10-13/16 inches; 1-year limited warranty
• 16 grind settings, Turkish fine to French press coarse
• Commercial-grade conical burrs provide maximum coffee flavor and aroma
• Heavy-duty zinc die-cast housing; easy to clean
• Bean container holds 8-1/2 ounces; ground container holds 4 ounces

Reviews (12)

Good grind, quiet, easy cleaning, a bit of static
All in all, I am quite pleased with this grinder, having owned it for about three months now. It's a solid unit with a good design, and I appreciate the ease with which you can clean it (though the exit chute is a bit of a challenge to get to). It's significantly quieter than my previous (medium quality Braun) burr grinder, so I don't cringe on those rare occasions where I'm the first one up in the house. My only nit with this grinder is that they haven't solved the problem of static in the grounds. Sometimes there's no static problem, other times it's particularly bad (likely related to the humidity of the air). Hopefully somebody will find a design that ameliorates this, but for now I believe that all grinders suffer from this problem. Still it's better in this regard than my prior grinder also. Since nobody else has this problem solved, I give this grinder a five out of five.

Works great!
This grinder is so much better than the blade grinder we used to own.It is very easy to use and produces a nice even grind no matter the setting.Also, with a little tapping before removing the coffee bin -- no big mess!We are totally happy with this grinder and use it twice daily.One other really nice feature is the list of parts that you can order to replace those that wear out or break (like the grinding or plastic parts).Replacement costs are extremely reasonable to downright cheap.

The BMW of Coffee Grinders
If you appreciate machinery that is close to perfection in form, function and feel this machine is for you.

If you use fine and very fine grinds it may border on necessary for you. The fine grinds are neither overheated nor is a lot of filter clogging powder created. Whirl-a-gig grinders can't do it and neither can most burr grinders.

Several reviewers have complained that the indexed timer switch operation is not properly detailed. It would be pretty hard to do so as there are many variables involved. Basically, the timer switch is merely to keep one from overheating the grinding heads by accidentally leaving it running for an extended period.

The timer setting is variable by grind, amount of coffee being ground and, believe it or not, the type of coffee bean being ground. My first grinding was 1.6 oz of beans. I felt quite smug when I selected a timer index of "5" which was dead perfect.

When I finished with the first pound of coffee I bought something quite different from Africa and soon found that for it an index of "7" was required to grind 1.6 oz. Why? Because the beans are much lighter and take a greater volume to make 1.6 oz.

Here's how you use the timer. Pick an index number. If it doesn't finish grinding, give it a bit more time. If it continues running after grinding is finished, give it less time next time. Hey Capresso, you could add that line to your instructions and save some folks heart burn.
... Read more

Asin: B0000AR7TC
Subjects:  1. Accessories    2. Drip Coffee Machines    3. Coffee Makers    4. (Coffeemakers)    5. Coffee Grinders   

Zojirushi EC-BD15 Fresh Brew Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $99.99 -- our price: $69.00
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Editorial Review

Lots of folks dislike the burnt flavor that coffee gets when it sits in a glass pot over a heating element. To avoid this, coffee shops often brew right into large thermal pots to keep the coffee warm without it becoming overcooked. The Zojirushi Fresh Brew does that, too, but in home-sized batches. It looks great, too, with a glossy black body and stainless steel carafe and brew basket.

To brew, lift the lid and swing the water outlet spout to one side while the filter is being loaded; the spout will return to its proper position when the lid is closed. A small red ball in the water gauge makes it extra simple to read. And an electronic clock module also serves as a timer that will start the brewer at a specified time. The carafe's lid is designed to be on during brewing, with a small cap to help keep the heat in after it's ready. The Fresh Brew also has a pause-and-serve function that stops the flow for 30 seconds while a cup of coffee is served.

To clean the brewer unit, use a solution of white vinegar and water, following the instructions in the accompanying booklet. The unit is not immersible. The exterior can be wiped with a damp soft rag; do not use abrasives or scouring pads. The filter reservoir is removable; clean with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. The coffee brewer measures 15 by 12 by 9 inches (includes carafe handle when unit is completely assembled), and it uses #3 cone-shaped disposable paper filters. The Fresh Brew comes with a detailed instruction booklet. Zojirushi guarantees its products with a one-year limited warranty. --Garland Withers ... Read more

Features

• Measures 15 by 12 by 9 inches; 1-year warranty
• Stylish automatic coffee brewer with 1.5-liter thermal carafe
• Stainless-steel carafe keeps coffee hot for hours
• 1025 watts; electronic clock/timer with preset function; auto shut-off for safety
• Clever brew-and-serve lid design; easy-to-read water gauge

Reviews (66)

HOT Coffee!
Finally a drip coffe maker that makes coffee that is actually _hot_! This is the only coffee maker of the many, many I've used that makes coffee that is genuinely hot, not just mediocre warm. And the thermal carafe on this machine keep the coffee hot for hours. A benefit to hotter water in the cooking process is the coffee it makes tastes better, noticably, notably better, than the last coffee maker I tried. I'm very pleased with this coffee maker so far.

Overall good, some flaws in the design
I've had this coffee maker for a couple of weeks now. I like the thermal carafe system a lot; it does keep the coffee warm longer than a hot plate (which gives a nasty burned taste to coffee after a bit). It's also easier to clean than a hot plate.

On the downside, the way the carafe fits under the basket is somewhat faulty. All coffee makers have some sort of mechanism to stop the coffee drip when the carafe is not present, and to enable the drip when you insert the carafe. The mechanism on this particular coffee maker is not well designed. You will have drips, which means you have to wipe the bottom of the carafe often. Also, I found that the basket always retain a small amount of coffee, so when you replace a freshly rinsed carafe, bingo, a little bit of old cold coffee drips...

Now if you can live with these minor annoyances, I still recommend the thermal carafe coffee maker over a hotplate based coffee maker, any time.

Great Machine, But the Filter Issues Haven't Been Fixed
I love my Zojirushi machine--I've had it for a few months now and it makes great coffee that stays hot all day long, and it's easy to clean. My main issue with it are the filters. Everyone's reviews say that #4 permanent gold filters fit theirs. I've tried 4 different brands of gold filters, and none have fit so far. I know some people, in their reviews, have said that the filter issue has been resolved, but mine still has the weird sized basket.I emailed Zojirushi to ask them directly if there's a specific brand that fits their coffee maker. This is the letter I got back from them: "Thank you for your inquiry regarding the the filters for the EC-BD15 thermal coffee maker. At this time there is no permanent filter for our unit. We reccomend using regular #2 or #4 filters even though they are not a perfect fit. Please visit our website for further developments and we apologize for any inconvenince this might have caused." I've been cutting a half-inch off of normal #4 disposable filters, which is kind of a pain.If I don't do this, the lid won't close. ... Read more

Asin: B0000X7CMQ
Subjects:  1. Drip Coffee Machines    2. Coffee Makers    3. (Coffeemakers)   

Bodum 3000-10USAA Electric Santos 12-Cup Coffeemaker With Timer, Clear
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen (05 August, 2001)
list price: $175.00 -- our price: $129.95
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Many products are touted for their uniqueness, or how they're revolutionizing this or that, but few live up the hype. Bodum's Santos coffeemaker is different, as it really is unlike other coffeemakers on the market. First off, it uses an electric vacuum brewing process, and secondly it lets you watch the whole thing. Fill the jug with cold filtered water, and place it on the power base. Then twist the funnel onto the jug. Next, add fresh coffee (a handy scoop is included) to the funnel and press the start button. As the water heats up to boiling, the vacuum created between the two parts moves water up the funnel, where the hot water and coffee mix together. Once the correct brewing time has elapsed, the heat turns off and the coffee drains back into the carafe through a nylon filter (nylon doesn't affect the taste of the coffee like paper filters).

In this system, coffee and hot water mingle for the optimum time, providing the best-tasting coffee possible. The process takes around 11 minutes for up to 12 cups of coffee (the minimum amount of coffee you can brew is four cups). The jug and the funnel are both made of sturdy polycarbonate, and the funnel is dishwasher-safe. (Clean the jug by hand, as it's not submersible.) Other features include a 40-ounce capacity, a 24-hour timer, a slide-out funnel holder, a keep-warm feature, and an automatic shutoff feature. Neither the bottom of the jug nor the top of the power base gets hot during brewing, because the heating element is in the middle of the jug's base.

There are a couple of things to remember when using the electric Santos. Always use fresh coffee, ground medium, for best results (stay away from using coffee from a can or powdered coffee), and use one level scoop of ground coffee per cup. So, for a full 12-cup pot, you'll use 12 scoops. After testing, if the coffee is too strong, begin tapering off the number of scoops. Also, remember that there will always be a small amount of water left in the coffee pot during the brewing process. This is a normal safety feature.

When cleaning the Santos, don't scrub the nylon filter clean--it should be rinsed under warm water. The coffee grounds from the upper section can be scooped out into the garbage can or compost using a common kitchen spatula.Then, simply wash the top section with dish soap and warm water. Also rinse the coffee pot with warm water as soon as you are finished drinking coffee.After rinsing, leave the lid open and let the coffee pot air dry. Every so often, clean the pot with a basic de-liming agent.

The Santos also recently won a prestigious gold Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA) in the consumer products division. Award-winners are selected by the Industrial Designers Society of America. There were 1,260 entries from around the world in the contest, and only 44 gold awards were given. --A.J. Rathbun ... Read more

Features

• Measures 12-3/4 by 8-1/2 by 8-1/2 inches
• Unique electric-vacuum brewing process; coffee and hot water mingle for optimum time
• Built-in nylon filter provides better tasting coffee; slide-out funnel holder
• 40-ounce capacity; 24-hour timer; keep-warm feature; automatic shut-off
• Takes 11 minutes for up to 12 cups of coffee

Reviews (178)

Absolutely amazing!
I used the rest of some mexican coffee beans that I didn't like with my old drip maker to make the first pot of coffee with this Bodum.

I was blown away by the flavor.There are nuances of good flavor without the bitterness.I taste subtle notes of cinnamon, etc.

This is the best coffee I've ever made, and possibly ever had.Again, I ground the beans right before the brew and just used the scoop included with the Bodum per cup as recommended and brewed an 8 cup pot.

Delicious.If you're a coffee snob or just like an absolutely delicious cup of coffee, then you will be pleasantly surprised.I will never go back to drip.Can't make me.

Great coffee but quality concerns to be aware of
The following begins with our review ofthe smaller Bodum but goes on with updates to the larger one we now own:


I regret that my first online review must be negative, but . . .

Pros:
> Great cup of coffee. We found that changing the filter every month, even if not broken, keeps the flavor at its best. No matter how you clean the filter, a new one, for some reason, clearly improves the taste.
> Quick and relatively easy to use. Clean up is more work than a traditional machine, but the coffee flavor makes it worth it.

Cons:
> Unfortunately, the quality does not yield longevity. We bought ours in April 2004. Since then:
a) The lid tabs broke so if you forget and simply poor a cup, you have coffee everywhere as the lid pops off.
b) By January 05, there is coffee leaking around the bottom of the pot. Clearly the plastic body is failing and it looks like we will need to replace this unit soon.

For the record, we have used this almost daily as our primary coffee machine but everything has been cleaned by hand (no dishwasher cleaning which is not recommended). So we are sure that we have used it as intended, but the construction quality simply was not up to the daily usage in our experience.

Now for the hard part: Finding a replacement that brews as good a cup as this, but one that will last!

ADDENDUM: (Or Addendumb?) Okay, so it is roughly one week later and now the handle to the coffee pot has broken off entirely. A third problem in less than a year! I plan to contact Bocdum so we will see what they say, but it wouldn't seem too unreasonable to expect a coffee maker to work once daily for more than 9 months, right? And to make matters worse, not having found a suitible replacement based upon all my research, we are now awaiting delivery on our new 12 cup Bodum Santos! God help us!

Update #2: You can read the info below and see my concerns. You will also note that we replaced the smaller unit with the larger one, even with the quality concerns. So as a quick update on the larger one, the same seems to be the case - great coffee, but questionable build quality. We have used the unit now for about 5 months and we do use it daily. The tabs on the lid have broken as they did on the small one. So far, that is the only thing, but it is one of those frustrations that can result in coffee everywhere if someone does not know it and fails to keep a finger on the top when pouring! Perhaps the other issues will not surface, but a quick failure of a simple thing like the lid, twice in two units, does not inspire confidence. (I need another cup of coffee!)

Great coffee a small pain to clean
I have used this coffee maker for well over a year. I have two. One at the house(clear) and one for the employees at a store we own(orange). So, they get used everyday and one of them several times a day. Out of all the coffee makers I have owned in the last fifteen years this one makes the best coffee. Neither coffee maker has had one problem. I think most of the problems in the reviews are probably failure to follow directions. Two things to remember 1) do not make less than the recommended amount of coffee 2)Rinse the pot out after you finish using the coffee maker. The only draw back to this coffee maker is the potential mess you make cleaning the grounds out. This coffee maker gets a 5 for coffee, but I gave it a 4 because of the difficulty in cleaning the top. If you are in a rush, have a hard time operating simple devices, or like a burnt taste in your coffee do not get this coffee maker. If you are willing to follow simple directions and put in a small amount of effort to get great coffee this maker is the one. ... Read more

Asin: B00005M1V0
Subjects:  1. Vacuum Coffeemakers    2. Drip Coffee Machines    3. Coffee Makers    4. (Coffeemakers)   

Bodum Chambord 8-Cup Coffee Press
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $29.99 -- our price: $24.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Bodum's French press makes it easy: coffee, water, wait, enjoy.Simply measure out one rounded tablespoon of coarsely ground coffee per4-ounce cup, pour in the hot water, wait a few minutes for it to brew,and slowly press down the plunger. Next comes the best part, as you getto enjoy a cup of rich and aromatic coffee. Because of its 8-cupcapacity and elegant design, this French press is great for dinnerparties, where you can now brew your guests' coffee right at the table.Bodum has been in the coffee business for decades, and the companycontinues to produce stylish, affordable, and reliable products.--Maile Rehbock ... Read more

Features

• All parts are dishwasher-safe
• Brews 32 ounces of coffee; retains beans' oils for rich, complex flavor
• Sturdy, chrome-plated brass frame; easy-to-clean glass carafe
• Stainless-steel press mechanism; replacement parts available
• Turn lid to close spout; not for stovetop use

Reviews (36)

Coffee Heaven
As I'm writing this I'm nibbling on a homemade chocolate chip cookie and drinking a delicous cup of coffee made in my new Bodum Chambord 8-cup Coffee Press.

I had recently enjoyed coffee prepared this way at an italian restaurant and was inpired by the quality of the taste to purchase a french press for my own.I am glad I did!

The preparation was a little more involved than my usual drip coffee process but the difference in taste is certainly worth it.Gone is the sharp bitterness I experienced with my drip maker!I can honestly lose the creamer now due to the smooth/bold flavor resulting from my new Bodum Coffee Press.

A great cup of Coffee
I have used a Bodum coffee press for about 10 years. I recently bought the 32 oz because I wanted a bigger pot. This has always made excellent coffee. Cleanup is easy and the filters seem to last forever.The only thing I like less about the larger pot is the dome lid which I find cumbersome and difficult to pour from. I use 6 scoops of coffee grounds in the 32oz pot and it makes great coffee. I read the review on having to use a separate pot to heat water! Well it's not a big deal and it's worth the difference in taste.

Great Pressed Coffee
First, if you want convenience, pressed coffee is not the way to go. You have to boil water, you have to clean the pot, you have to stir, etc... But if you want a great few cups of coffee this is the way to go. I took a trip to Europe a few years ago and was first introduced to the pleasures of pressed coffee. Upon returning I immediately bought a cheaper Bodum press. Big mistake! I then bought a slightly more expensive Bodum press, another mistake. Finally I did some research and found out that you need to buy a Bodum Chambord press to get a good one, and a good one it is. Bottom-line this little pot makes great pressed coffee and has great build quality. DO NOT buy the cheaper Bodum presses they simply do not work. And oh yeah, spend some bucks on a decent grinder so you can grind your coffee fresh, it makes a difference. ... Read more

Asin: B00005LM0S
Subjects:  1. Drip Coffee Machines    2. Coffee Makers    3. (Coffeemakers)    4. French Presses    5. Coffee Presses    6. Kitchen    7. Small Appliances    8. Coffeemakers    9. Accessories   

Brita 42412 2-Quart Atlantis Water Filtration Pitcher
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $21.99 -- our price: $21.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

This pitcher combines Brita's reliable filtering with a very convenient narrow shape and flip-top lid for easy refills. To operate, simply flip the lid and fill the water reservoir, then wait a couple of minutes for it to filter through. The filter used with this system has been certified by NSF International, a testing authority for water filtration products, and reduces copper and eliminates 99% of lead in tap water. Using activated carbon as well as an ion exchange resin, it also reduces chlorine, bad tastes, odors, and sediment--making it a lot easier to drinkthe recommended eight glasses of water a day. It comes with one filter, lasting approximately two months, and the pitcher is clear with a white top. --Maria Dolan ... Read more

Features

• 2 quart capacity
• Eliminates 98% of lead
• Reduces chlorine, bad taste, odor, sediment, and water hardness
• Contemporary, stylish design with flip top lid for easy refilling
• Space efficient, fits refrigerator door

Reviews (7)

nifty
This is such a cool gadget! You just fill the top with water, and it does the rest for you. The water isn't quite superior to bottled water, but even the nastiest tap water is transformed when filtered this way, and you do eventually become accustomed to the taste.

Considering how much money this will save you on bottled water, it's definitely worth the small splurge. Even though I got mine at a thrift store for three bucks, but still.

I LOVE BRITA!
I am a water FANATIC.. and I have to have water that tastes good since it is the main liquid I drink. Brita is way less expensive than buying bottled water, and as another reviewer said.. the plastic bottles can sometime contaminate the water they hold. BRITA filters out some of those contaminates. Besides all that, BRITA water tastes great. I give it 5 stars, and hope that you like it as much as I do.It does fill slow, and when its gone, you have to fill it up, and wait for it to get cold.. and that can take forever. I have one room-mate, and between he and I the pitcher was always empty. So if you are going to get one, get one that holds alot of water.. you will not be sorry. And if you are worried about cost, think about how much you spend onfor bottled water. I was drinking about 4 a week and then some.

Good alternative
This is a good alternative but has its drawbacks.I think a britta sink/faucet model would be more convenient but my faucet is not set up for one.The water from this pitcher tastes very good and I use it for my coffee which allows me to not buy filters for the pot...however....a full pitcher is just under a full pot of coffee and the refilling of the britta is very slow. (The re-fill rate seems to decrease as the filter gets older) Something to consider if you will be bringing the pitcher to the dinner table for a family...You really cant pour it till its done filtering.The filters are fairly expensive but less than buying bottled water.I also findthe pitcher to be a bit heavy and the lid delicate. altho it has not broken i can see that that might be a problem...This is a good alternative to a faucet model or bottled water but it isnt without its drawbacks. ... Read more

Asin: B00004SU15
Subjects:  1. Water Filtration    2. Water Purifiers    3. Home Safety