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Original Ideas for Coffee Filter Usage

An environmental journalist, Lori Bongiorno, has drawn up a list of twelve alternative uses for coffee filters from ground coffee. Having never really considered that they might hold any potential outside their traditional usage, the writer has come across some rather unique ideas for these filters.

Given their practicality and relatively low cost compared with other products, Bongiorno’s catalogue of alternative modes of employment gives a good reason to have a box of coffee filters in the house.

Firstly, given coffee filters’ lint-free credentials, they make the ideal window cleaner, as they don’t leave behind any residue. Secondly and along similar lines, they also make light work of smudges on glasses, mirrors, monitors and camera lenses, as well as doubling up as a diffuser for cameras if placed over the flash to soften its brightness.

Other possible uses include a wine filter substitute for situations where the cork might be broken, convenient tea bags for loose tea leaves when secured with string¸ a great way of tying up herbs to create a bouquet garni for cooking and – in the same vein – an ideal way of making any type of sachet, be it lavender bags or otherwise.

Continuing through Bongiorno’s list, other food for thought revolves around the use of coffee filters as flower pot liners, for placing between crockery to protect individual pieces from any potential damage associated by direct contact, keeping microwaves free from splatters by placing a coffee filter over the top of a plate or bowl, backing for embroidery or sewing projects and lastly, for storage purposes – wrapping around infrequently used items to protect them.

Remember to clean your coffee machine

Any business that serves food and beverages to the public should understand its legal obligations to adhere to hygiene regulations. The maintenance and cleaning of coffee machines is no exception and as a business can you afford to turn away customers put off by a coffee machine caked in old milk and coffee residue? Aside from the visual appeal of a clean coffee machine, it also improves the taste of the coffee produced, making a happy customer a repeat customer.

Steam wands on espresso machines should be cleaned after every use before the milk dries and hardens. The build up after a few hours will be harbouring bacteria which will infect the fresh milk used to make subsequent coffees every time. Be sure to use the proper materials to clean the steam wand, as if an abrasive cloth or pad is used it will wear away the steel coating and expose the copper underneath (in some, but not all machines).

Ingestion of copper in itself poses another health risk. The easiest way to clean a steam wand is to use a dedicated cloth after every use and to ensure the holes are open and clean. Do not use this cloth for any other purpose, soak the cloth at the end of every day in a suitable cleaning solution and change it regularly.

The baskets should be cleaned after every use with a dedicated cloth to remove the old grinds, this would otherwise result in a rancid espresso. At night give them a thorough scrub using espresso cleaner and back flush the group head at the same time. This routine should be followed with at least five rinsing cycles. Machine cleaning is just as important as the beans you use, with the improvement in taste being noticeable after cleaning a coffee machine.

We will be providing some cleaning videos for those who need a recap in the near future.

Smoothie Summer

Smoothies are a great way to set up a profitable low cost business or boost the profits on your existing food and drink business as the days get longer and brighter. Consumers start to crave fresh, healthy and delicious foods and fruit smoothies are a great way to fulfil customer demand for summery beverages and increase footfall through your door, or to your beverage bar. Smoothies and juices are not going out of fashion – health conscious consumers looking for a nutritious and healthy product are increasing all the time.

Domestic blenders will not be suitable for commercial use as they are not durable enough to be used so intensely. Some of the best are Blendtec blenders as they are durable and can withstand use hundreds of times per day and they operate at a good speed, meaning your customer gets served quickly and you can serve more people per hour as a result. The Blendtec Xpress Blender although compact is a high powered and efficient blender, coping admirably with hard ice cream, ice cubes and frozen fruit. It is ideal for businesses with lower customer turnover.

The Blendtec Q Series Blender is designed for noise reduction, dampening the sound created by the powerful motors, ideal for heavy use in an enclosed area so as not to disturb your other customers. Another option is the smoothie and juice dispenser where you can dispense pre made top quality smoothies from a purpose built machine. A long shelf life and less waste translate into higher profits. Investing in a smoothie machine makes real business sense and your customers will love it!

Click the following link to see our juice machines and blenders

How to make a cappuccino – Barista Tips

How to make a cappuccino

The cappuccino is a difficult coffee to make, it’s not unattainable by the home coffee maker, and beginner baristas need not be scared by the difficulty-level of the cappuccino.

It is true that the cappuccino is a delicate coffee, but we will help you to master the steam wand and make the best espresso cappuccino possible.

We’re confident that with our tips and video instructions, that you will be making top-class cappuccinos in no time.

…continue reading How to make a cappuccino – Barista Tips

How to make a latte – Barista Tips

how to make a latte

The latte has become synonymous with speciality coffee, the popularity and complexity of latte art has helped the latte to become one of the most popular coffee based drinks available.

But how on each do you go about making a high quality milk-based coffee such as this?

Well we’ve enlisted the help of a top class Barista to show you how to make a latte.

…continue reading How to make a latte – Barista Tips

How to make espresso – Video Barista Tips

how to make an espresso

You’re here because you want to learn how to make espresso like the Barista’s in your local or favourite coffee shop!

Never underestimate the importance of the humble espresso, which in most cases forms the basis for almost all speciality coffee drinks that you are likely to encounter in any cafe throughout the world.

Get espresso wrong and all of your coffee will suffer, therefore it’s so important to make sure you nail the basis for all your drinks, because no matter how well you foam your milk, it won’t make up for poor espresso.

Our video star, Paul Meikle-Janney, who is the Head Judge for the World Latte Art Championship, explains all of the intricacies and nuances of making the finest espresso possible.

Paul will cover coffee tamping, teaching you how to correctly tamp your ground coffee, explain what the correct timing structure required for perfect coffee extraction is. Whilst giving you detailed instructions and guidance.

Whilst this video covers the basics, we still believe that this is the perfect training video for beginners, intermediate coffee-makers and even fully-qualified barista’s seeking to enhance their knowledge levels and also learn from one of the industries finest baristas.

Check out our full Barista tips series for more essential guides to making the best possible coffee, without being confusing, daunting or hard to replicate.

If you would like to learn how to make a latte please click here. We cover the basics of foaming milk, and the importance of the high quality espresso base.

How about learning how to make a classy cappuccino? Then look no further.

As with all our tips, we encourage that you practice, whilst Paul is an exceptional coach and teacher, years and years of honing his skill enable him to create world class coffee drinks.

Ensuring that you have the confidence to execute the most intricate of speciality coffee drinks is something that will also come with time and effort.