Cream and sugar are standard fare for some when it comes to coffee, but could your java benefit from a little salt? A good cook will tell you that salt can inhibit bitterness as well as underscore sweetness in certain foods. Think salt on a grapefruit. Now, apply this philosophy to coffee; most coffee drinkers note that bitterness is an undesirable quality and an impediment to great brews. If salt works with food; why not a cup of Joe?

Believe it or not, salt is commonly used in traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremonies. But, it's a more modern interpretation of salted coffee that's making waves. Taiwan-based chain 85C Bakery Café has created the recipe for an unusual drink--sea salt coffee. The company's best-selling beverage, this drink is made with hot coffee, chilled cream, a layer of foam, and a pinch of sea salt on top. Before you dismiss this concoction, perhaps I should mention that 85C Bakery Café has trumped Starbucks to become the biggest coffee chain in Taiwan, thanks in part to its tasty and creative menu items. The franchise also has locations in China, Australia, as well as a storefront in Irvine, CA.

I'm certainly intrigued. What are your thoughts on salt coffee? And, what is the most exotic ingredient you've added to a cup of Joe?

Tho
Writing Department

I often get asked to recommend a quality espresso machine that won’t break the average budget. So, I thought I’d share my experiences with one machine, in particular, that performs well and has an affordable price tag to boot.

The Gaggia New Baby semi-automatic espresso machine, in black, has a few things going for it that sets it apart from the rest. It is made of a nice, glossy ABS Plastic, with a polished stainless-steel faceplate and a stainless steel drip grate. The New Baby also has an easy-to-use interface, thanks to push-button controls. But, the design of the brewing system is really the highlight of this machine. 

The New Baby has almost all of the same internal components as the famed Gaggia Classic. Let me break this down…First, as a given, all Gaggia semi-automatic machines come with full, commercial-sized 58mm portafitlers, made of chrome-plated brass. In this instance, the New Baby also features a chrome-plated brass brew group and heating elements that are embedded into the boiler and are not in the water. Isolating the heating elements this way helps preserve boiler performance, in the long run. Best of all, the Gaggia New Baby has a three-way solenoid valve. The valve empties directly into the drip tray and relieves the portafilter of excess water pressure. This, in turn, prevents the pressure from being built up in the portafilter, when you remove the handle—drying out the spent ground and making it easier to knock out the puck.  More importantly, the three-way valve helps to prevent water leaks in brew group; which means better steam pressure and increased machine longevity. 

The three-way valve is usually found on high-end commercial machines. Luckily, for the consumer, Gaggia has included this feature in the New Baby. The three-way valve, along with an affordable price tag, is why the Gaggia New Baby gets my vote for “Best Value on a Budget.”

Do you have a question about the New Baby or any other Gaggia machine? Leave me a message; I’m a happy to assist.

Todd
Diagnostics

A lot of people consider the Cafe Americano to be a substitute to drip coffee, not so! With an Americano, you’re adding hot water to a single or double shot of espresso. Sure, it may look like drip coffee, but in my opinion, the end result is drastically different.

I like a nice cup of drip coffee every now and then, particularly when I’m having decaf. It’s simple and convenient; I can make a full pot to share and enjoy at my leisure. But, for the most part, I’m on the Americano bandwagon. For me, grinding, tamping, and extracting a fresh shot of espresso gives the resulting Americano a little something extra. It’s a subtle, and some may argue, a psychological difference. But, I prefer adding hot water to a double shot over pouring a drink from the coffee pot.

However, our commercial sales rep, Mark Jackson, makes a great case for drip coffee. He is of the mindset that since drip coffee is ground and formulated for its unique brewing process; it is essentially made for its purpose—producing a great cup of Joe. An Americano on the other hand, according to Mark, is diluted espresso…since espresso is created to produce…well, espresso, diluting it with water means that you may not get “optimal” results. “While some people think you get better flavor and aroma with an Americano, this is not always the case. Quality drip coffee, in certain instances, is the way to go,” Mark insists.

Drip coffee and Americano fans, chime in! Where do you stand on this drink off?

Tho
Writing Department

I have to admit, I enjoy my coffee black; I usually drink it that way. When I make my coffee at home, I always drink it black because I am sure of what I am drinking. I know how strong it is and how much I am going to enjoy it.

When I am driving, or out to eat, and I feel like having a cup of coffee, I will almost always add creamer to the brew. I am guilty of thinking that, at most places, I am not going to get a good cup of coffee…so, I resort to putting creamer in it. I even have friends that really like drinking instant coffee. Needless to say, when I’m having coffee at their houses, I don’t drink it black. In my defense, I will always try the coffee first, if and only if, it is not good will I then add creamer. 

I guess this makes me a part-time-creamer user. I’m curious; do you add or do anything to your coffee, if it is not up to par?

Mark
Commercial Sales

Five years ago, I had a group of neighbors over for an evening happy hour. As usual, everyone congregated in the kitchen. Suddenly, a dead silence fell over the room as my then 10-year-old daughter, Jordan, walked in, popped a K-Cup into the Keurig machine, and brewed herself a cup of coffee.

I always thought that my street was pretty liberal and open-minded; but based on the faces and reactions, you would think that she had just opened the liquor cabinet and poured herself a double.

The fact of the matter is, despite the preconceived ideas that my friends might have had, the benefits of coffee, in moderation, for children are proven. Research by Dr. Tomas DePaulis at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee Studies has actually shown that children who drink coffee are much more alert; show a marked boost in concentration, and may do better on school tests. Studies have also shown that coffee has helped children with Attention Deficit Disorder stay more focused and on-task.

Dr. DePaulis shared his research and discussed childhood depression with WebMD. In the interview he said, "There recently was a study from Brazil finding that children who drink coffee with milk each day are less likely to have depression than other children, in fact, no studies show that coffee in reasonable amounts is, in any way, harmful to children."

Just as an end note, Jordan has never missed being on the Honor Roll and she is as happy as a 15-year-girl could be…I’ve made up my mind about kids and coffee; what about you? What are your thoughts on the subject?

Eric
Sales Department