Contigo Tumbler: “I’m completely impressed
and absolutely love the cup…”

This article about Travel Coffee Mugs is a guest post by Brian Martinowich. Learn more about how you can guest post for Daily Shot Of Coffee. This post was originally published in March, 2012. It has been updated on May 8th, 2013.

If you like to travel with coffee or tea and are tired of cleaning up spills, it’s time to invest in a REAL travel mug.

We have searched all over to bring you what we consider to be the 5 best coffee mugs on the market.

But before we share our findings with you, take a look at some options you should take into account when choosing the best mug for you.

Steel or plastic?

Some of the best travel mugs are made from stainless steel and are vacuum insulated. They also feature sealed lids that resist leaks and spills.

Steel mugs resist breakage and maintain beverage temperature for several hours, but one of the drawbacks of steel is that it can’t be microwaved.

If you think you may want to warm your beverage in a microwave, look for a plastic mug. Health experts recommend plastic mugs that are made from BPA-free polypropylene (no. 5) plastic.

How will you carry it?

Before investing in a mug, it pays to do some research. First, consider how you’ll be using it.

If you want to put it in a cup holder in your car, you’ll need to make sure the base of the mug and the handle will fit in your holder (whether or not your mug has a handle is a matter of preference).

If you plan to use your mug for walking or biking, you may want to look for one with a clip that attaches to a belt or backpack.

How to avoid spills

Another important thing to consider is the type of spout: A good spout closes securely to avoid spills but is still easy to open and drink from while you’re on the go.

5 Travel Coffee Mugs To Choose From

We’ve investigated travel mugs that have been tested and reviewed by Good Housekeeping, Amazon and other websites, and have come up with this list of five of the best travel mugs around.

#1 Thermos Sipp Vacuum-Insulated Travel Tumbler

Thermos is one of the top names in vacuum-insulated containers, so it’s not surprising that they make some of the best travel mugs.

The double-wall design of the Travel Tumbler keeps liquids hot for five hours and cold for up to nine. The BPA-free plastic lid is push-button operated and features a built-in hook for tea bags or a tea infuser.

This travel mug holds 16 ounces and is dishwasher safe. It’s available with or without handle.

By far, our #1 pick… It might just be the last coffee mug you will ever buy!

PRICE $25

414 out of 617 rated this mug 5-Star on Amazon (Click for more reviews)

“This Thermos brand promised it would keep liquids hot for 5 hours. I filled this cup with hot coffee at 7:30am and it was still hot after 1:30 pm!”

– Tia (Indian Harbour Beach, Florida)

#2 Contigo AUTOSEAL Stainless Steel 16-Ounce Vacuum Insulated Tumbler, Blue, Set of 2

This handle-free tumbler features a double-walled steel body that keeps drinks hot for more than four hours and cold for 12.

It holds 16 ounces and is a good fit for most cup holders.

The BPA-free plastic lid has a leak-proof auto-sealing design that’s opened with the push of a button.

The downside of this mug is a steel body that must be washed by hand.

PRICE $20

68 out of 80 rated this mug 5-Star on Amazon (Click for more reviews)

“I immediately had to see if the claim that you could hold it upside down and it wouldn’t leak was true–and it was! I’m completely impressed and absolutely love the cup…”

– Laurel L. Maloy “Laurel” (Rural OK)

#3 Thermos Nissan 12-Ounce Stainless-Steel Tea Tumbler with Infuser

This Thermos travel mug is customized for tea, with an infuser that allows you to brew loose-leaf tea built into the lid.

In addition to a lid for sipping, the mug comes with a travel lid that prevents leaks and spills.

Drinks are kept warm for up to six hours.

On the negative side, the Tea Tumbler is not dishwasher-safe and must be washed by hand. The infuser is also a bit small, especially for some larger leaf teas and infusions.

Not recommended for coffee drinker, although it could to both if you like tea and the occasional coffee.

The mug holds 12 ounces of liquid.

PRICE $18

225 of of 340 rated this mug 5-Star on Amazon (Click for more reviews)

“Unlike so many poorly designed products, you know this one was designed by designers and engineers who love tea and coffee.”

– Ryuji Suzuki (Boston, MA USA)

#4 OXO Good Grips LiquiSeal Travel Mug, Stainless Steel

OXO is always cited as one of the top brands when it comes to well designed mugs. This double-walled insulated stainless steel tumbler is one of the best rated, as it keeps 14 ounces of liquid hot or cold for up to seven hours.

The lid features three silicone seals to prevent leaks and a push button that opens and closes the drinking seal.

The brushed steel body requires hand washing, and the complex seals make it hard to remove residues. Some may find that its wide shape makes it difficult to hold, especially if you have smaller hands.

PRICE $20

223 out of 430 rated this mug 5-Star on Amazon (Click for more reviews)

“I took this on an extended road trip and used it for both hot and cold drinks, most of the time it ended up rolling back and forth on the passenger comparment floor. At the last stop I filled it with cold water and threw it into the trunk while getting my car cleaned inside and out.

Well, frankly, I forgot about it and it bounced around my car trunk for a couple of months and when I went to salvage it and drain the water out, I observed that not one drop had leaked out.

Not only did the seal hold the liquid in and keep the crud out, but when I was actively using it the beverages stayed hot or cold for most of the day.”

–  Food Prep Fanatic “Foodie” (Port Madison, WA)

#5 Steelworks Metro Mug

This 12 ounce BPA-free thermos plastic mug is light, yet it has all the qualities a coffee mug should have. It doesn’t leak, is dishwasher safe and its insulation will keep the coffee warm for hours. A word of caution though, the manufacturer says it will keep liquids warm for 6 to 8 hours, but if this is a key characteristic for you, aim more for 5 hours instead.

What makes this mug stand out is it’s simple design à la Apple, especially in pearl white or black (it comes in 6 different colors).

It has no handle, it fits well in car cup holders and it holds well even in smaller hands. The main drawback, according to some Baristas, is the plastic interior. They argue that, over time, it affects the taste of coffee. On the other hand, the fact that its made of a single material makes it recyclable.

PRICE $22

This is what you need to do before you buy a travel mug

There are a few things you should do before you make your purchase decision:

1. Make sure you do need a new mug!
   How many mugs do you already own? If you answer more than 3, then ask yourself why you are not satisfied with the mugs you have.If they are crappy, poorly design and cheaply built mugs, then don’t feel guilty: give them away or recycle them and invest in a mug that is both functional and well designed that will last!
2. Try them out!
   If you are to really spend some dough on a mug, make sure it fits your needs. We’ve outlined some of the questions you should ask yourself at the beginning of the post. Don’t hesitate to return it if it doesn’t meet your expectations.
3. Do your research
   We’ve posted only partial reviews here. Go to Amazon and find out for yourself all the pros and cons from other reviewers.

If you’ve enjoyed our travel mug review, sign up below to receive our newsletter filled with more great coffee equipment reviews, coffee reviews, exclusive tips, freebies and more.

We value your trust, so we promise to only send you some of the best content there is about coffee online, all for free.

Before you go, I’d like to know what you think is the best travel coffee mug is? Leave a comment either about a mug we haven’t covered here and you think should be on the list or to let us know what is your feedback about one of the mugs above.

—

Brian Martinowich is a freelance writer for EarnMBADegree.com, a comprehensive resource guide for individuals who are interested in an mba degree. As the Community Manager of the global social good campaign, Tweet Drive, Brian enjoys helping others through his experiences and expertise with social media.

—

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• Chemex How To And Review
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The 5 Best Travel Coffee Mugs is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee Blog

Perhaps that’s a fact best reserved for the instant fans and capsule fiends amongst us, because if you brew the wrong coffee in the wrong machine, you’d know about it. Lumpy, disgusting goo would be how I describe a few of my earliest attempts at doing something nice for my housemates – hashtag epic fail!

Now of course, I can’t help but laugh at my failures although I’m still embarrassed to talk about the time I tried to brew coffee beans. (Yes! Actual beans that hadn’t been grinned… I was young OK?)

A Beginner’s Guide to Brewing Coffee

Anyway, my near misses and catastrophic caffeine moments have made me who I am today and I’m here to hopefully share my wisdom from the mistakes I’ve made.

Let’s begin. Here are 5 tips to help you brew coffee like a pro.

1. Beans as they are

When you buy a bag of coffee beans, they’re in their original form, as they come after being roasted, before they turn into delicious brown dust.

This is the most exciting part of the journey because you choose your preferred consistency and, ultimately, your favourite brewing method.

2. Size matters

As a general rule, I follow this guideline: the finer the grind the shorter the brew cycle.

This is because a larger consistency of coffee can handle a longer level of water exposure without resulting in an over-extracted burnt taste that I’ve unfortunately experienced a few too many times on my quest for a perfect cuppa.

So, let’s talk you through the most popular choices of brewing up and what consistency best matches what.

3. Convenience in a cafetiere

If you’re all about quick and easy coffee, then you may use a cafetiere, also known as a french press.

It gives you great results and brews enough for a good few cups of Joe. For those who can’t get enough of this pain-free method, you’re best off grinding your beans to a slightly coarse size so that the granules can cope with the water contact without giving away too much of their flavour all at once.

If you aren’t sure what size exactly suits this option, you can always go for the ‘here’s one I made earlier’ approach and just buy pre-prepared cafetiere coffee. This means it’s already in the right size and will deliver fantastic coffee without having to worry about over-extracting.

Beware though how you store ground coffee, otherwise it can become stale in minutes.

4. Filter fun

An office favourite, a filter coffee machine is kind of similar to a cafetiere in that you get a good few rounds of coffee in one go, but the process the grounds go through is slightly different so we have to compensate that by using the right size.

As a general rule of thumb, most medium grinds tend to work quite well with a filter machine. However all systems are different so if you’re struggling to achieve decent results, it may be that you’ve got the wrong grind.

Experiment with a finer size until your coffee is good enough for Goldie Locks – just right!

5. Espresso yourself

For me, it’s all about my espresso machine at the weekend. Nothing beats waking up on a Sunday morning, brewing fresh coffee and reading the paper (how old do I sound!).

For this, I use an extra fine grind because the water exposure level of this method is super-fast and only lasts about 25 seconds at the most. This means you can get away with a smaller grind and still get a powerhouse of espresso which I then transform into a milky coffee. Perfection!

What’s exciting to see more and more of these days are brands catering not only to our flavour and variety needs, but also considering our busy routines and actually giving us coffee in a bag that suits our lifestyle. Espresso fine coffee ready to brew? Yes please. Fuss free filter fine coffee? Sign me up!

As we fuel the need for supply and demand and our caffeine cravings get more and more extravagant, I’m actually quite glad to see brands take note and offer us something more exciting than a medium grind.

When it comes to coffee, I do appreciate convenience especially as it means more of us can enjoy our favourite beverage.

In summary, if it’s easy to make and tastes great then I’m on board!

—-

This was a guest post by Laura. Learn more about how you can guest post for Daily Shot Of Coffee.

Whilst studying Public Relations at university, Laura became a passionate writer and social media enthusiast. A huge fan of crime novels, she loves specialist coffee and trying new blends. At CuppaCo, Laura deals with new and returning customers, making great recommendations and offering helpful product advice.

What’s your favorite brewing method?

That’s what I’d like to know from you. Plus, if you grind your own coffee, can you share any tips on how to do it really well? Just post your comment below and share your wisdom with other readers.

And if you liked this article, make sure to sign up to our FREE newsletter for all updates and more.

—

More articles on brewing coffee:

• 22 Methods To Make Coffee: How Many Different Ways Have You Brewed Coffee?
• Essential Equipment (And More) For Brewing Awesome Coffee
• 10 Ways to Make Coffee

Brewing Coffee for Dummies is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee Blog

I awoke on a bench in the middle of Alhambra in Granada, Spain, craving nothing more than a good old fashioned American muffin. Specifically, one with hulking crystals of sugar dusted across the entirety of its fat top, which I would have ideally caught part-way as it spilled over its chunky bottom. It would of course be accompanied by a mouthful of American coffee to wash it down, laden with a sugar substitute that would be low on glycemic impact, high on cancer-causing potential.

Before you get all judgmental, let’s get a few things straight. I’m not the kind of person who eats at McDonald’s when she travels abroad, or feels the need to tell every backpacker she meets, “See, in ‘Merica, we have these things called baked goods.” In fact, it had only been the night before that I was desperately trying to shove tapas down my inflamed throat, realizing only as I collapsed catatonic on a barstool that I was very, very ill. I had tried so hard to eat local, only to be immediately punished with the worst case of flu that has ever infiltrated my immune system.

That’s when the cravings hit.

You see, something happens to me when I’m sick, be it in New York or across the great wide sea. I crave things — bad things. And that muffin and mouthful of coffee were just about the two worst things I could have craved. Why? Because there was only one place to buy them in that quaint little Spanish town: at a coffee shop we’ll call, Mainstream Coffee, Co., “Where we burn our beans beyond comprehension for your pleasure!” And, ermh, due to a major incident, I was currently personally banned from ever setting foot in any one of Mainstream Coffee, Co.’s (“We scorch our beans, for that extra burning taste!”) many locations worldwide.

The Back Story

It all started several months back when I was finishing up a research assistantship in London before embarking on a worldwide backpacking trip. On a particularly sweaty summer day, I had stopped by Mainstream Coffee, Co. (“We torch ‘em, you drink ‘em!”) and ordered the same drink I did every day: a skim blended iced latte (with Splenda!).

To my surprise, the barista leaned over his machine, looked me up and down, and said, “No madame, I cannot do that. Doing so would degrade the quality of our coffee. If you want a blended drink, I suggest our [sugary, fat-filled proprietary blended drink available at three times the price of your normal drink].”

Degrade the quality of coffee? I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This was a scam! A travesty! An assault on my civil rights! Naturally, I did what any other entitled yuppie would do. I argued with the barista until the line became obscene, bought my drink at a competing store instead, and contacted corporate customer service with the kind of obnoxious email only someone who is very overeducated and very bored can write.

To my surprise — My shock! My horror! — I soon received this response in my inbox:

Dear Ms. Kaminsky,

Thank you for taking the time to contact Mainstream Coffee, Co., where our motto is, “If it don’t burn, it ain’t coffee!”***
It is company policy to offer [Sugary, fat-filled, expensive proprietary blended drinks available at three times the price] as our only blended beverages as we believe that the quality of other coffee based beverages is adversely affected when blended. This has been a cause of some confusion in the past with some store managers using their discretion and offering this option.

Sincerely,
[It Doesn’t Matter. I’m sure she’s a middle manager by now anyway and driving a very nice car].
***No, they didn’t actually say this part.

Again, I responded in the only natural way: by asking the customer service representative what she would have done if I had diabetes and couldn’t have their sugary drink. Should I then be denied the experience of a blended drink? I was going on strike, I declared. I was going to ban myself from the chain for the rest of my life and I was going to get all of my friends and family to join me.

Revolution!

Of course, no one did. But I grew up in the hippie haven of Ithaca, NY, where my parents thought it was amusing when I corralled my younger brother into an anti-dishes labor protest, complete with sudsy signs attached to yardsticks, and if I didn’t back down on dishes, I wasn’t going to back down on coffee. I can make that coffee on my own but better! All I’d need was a good coffee maker from any of a number of stores and a blender.

Oh! If only I had known then that, burn their beans as they may (for our benefit!), Mainstream Coffee, Co. is the only American chain you can find just about anywhere. If only I had known this wouldn’t matter a single bit to me when I was healthy in France and Germany and Italy and Portugal, but that when I was sick in Spain without the utensils to make the coffee on my own, it would be the only thing that mattered at all.

For, later that day, as I peered out from beneath layer upon layer of jackets and hoods into the 70ºF weather, as I stopped one Spanish local after another to ask, “Dov’é la farmacia?” which means “Where is the pharmacy?” in Italian, there was one type of store I passed in my delirium again and again. One store with a window stocked with muffin stumps struggling to rein back their sumptuous sugary tops. One store with its door propped wide open, the smell of burnt beans wafting out over the sunlit square.

A little taste of corporate America. A little taste of failure. A little taste of home. Mainstream Coffee, Co..

But I didn’t give in that day. Instead, I eventually found a pharmacy in a department store, and when I was done grumbling at the pharmacist, who wouldn’t give me flu medication without a prescription (screw you, surprisingly restrictive Spanish medical laws!), I wandered over to the grocery section and knocked every baked good at waist level into a shopping cart before retiring to the hostel to watch the Simpsons dubbed in Spanish and cry myself into a fevered sleep. The mythical sound of lattes aerating the soundtrack to my fever dreams.

No, it was a full year before I gave in for good. I had returned for grad school in Seattle, where the independent coffee shops were plentiful and delicious and better decorated and equipped with free Wi-Fi. But one day, as happens in the Pacific Northwest, I found myself caught in the rain, skinny jeans and ballet flats soaked instantly to the bone. I looked up from the frigid puddle in which I was mired and saw, yes, Mainstream Coffee, Co., (“Your Go To Source for Beans That Forgot Their Sunblock!”) gleaming through the cold. So warm. So inviting. So wrong.

Did Mainstream Coffee, Co. even know about my protest? Did anyone care, or take me seriously? No, I had long since made the whole thing into a self-deprecating joke. It was time to stop punishing myself. It was time to go inside and drink my cup of burning.

Because, say what you will about Mainstream Coffee, Co.. They sure do have a lot of locations.

—

Besides being a terrible coffee addict, Leah Kaminsky writes blogposts, web copy and white papers for marketing companies and small businesses. She is also the founder and head writing consultant at Just Start Applications, a company that helps college and graduate school applicants tell their unique stories. Her fiction writing and terribly drawn comics are available on her blog.

Photo by  Christian Cable.

A Coffee Addict’s Tale of Woe is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee Blog

Chances are good that over the next few weeks, more than a few of you will hit the gym for the first time in a while. Exercise is a natural stimulant that, when combined with a healthy diet, leaves you feeling energetic and fulfilled afterward– if you can find the energy in the first place. Those who are not a go-and-get-em mood at 5:30 AM will be happy to know that a cup of coffee before exercise will help you continue your New Years resolution well past Easter. Not only does coffee  you awake, research shows that it boosts athletic performance.

Caffeine boosts fatty acid levels in the bloodstream, giving your body extra fuel for workouts. A cup of coffee before a swim or job allows your body to work longer and harder. According to the New York Times, caffeine is the most widely-used drug in professional sports, especially among triathletes, cyclists and rowers. A few cups of coffee may not have been enough for Lance Armstrong, but it should give Average Joe a significant boost in his cardio workout.

A small study conducted by Coventry University researchers shows that caffeine is also beneficial to weight lifters. Participants who consumed energy drinks an hour prior to performing resistance exercises reported feeling less exertion than the caffeine-deprived control group. Coffee will of course also make you feel more alert and focused, which could help in tennis or other sports that require concentration.

Just how much coffee should you drink? Experts have different opinions. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, 3-6 mg of caffeine per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight is the ideal amount for endurance sports. Thus a 175-pound athlete should consume 240- 480 mg of caffeine per the criteria. That’s about 3- 6 cups of coffee!

Sounds like a bit much? Keep in mind that this is the recommended amount for well-trained athletes. No research has been done on average individuals, but it’s fair to say that a cup or two would also be beneficial to an inexperienced athlete. The benefits are greater for longer sessions, so triathletes and long distance cyclers have a great excuse to invest in a new coffee maker. Unfortunately, some regulatory bodies consider excessive caffeine levels doping, but modest caffeine intake shouldn’t be an issue.

Also note that research is generally done with pure caffeine, not coffee, however. The ACSM states that this heavy caffeine intake did not affect urine volume or sweat levels, though it may increase the risk of heart attack in some individuals. This is generally not a problem with athletes. Keep this in mind if you’ve been a couch potato for the last several years and are just starting an exercise regime, however. The stress of caffeine intake on your heart with the added fatigue from exercise could make a heart attack more likely for those with cardiovascular conditions. If in doubt, talk to your doctor.

For me personally, a cup of coffee before I hit the treadmill or pool in the morning gets me going. The idea of trudging to the gym on a cold winter morning makes me want to stay in bed, but freshly ground coffee from my Aeropress gets me there. What’s a better time than now to get up and get fit with a cup of coffee?

—

Daniel is the owner and founder of Coffee Krave, an up-and-coming blog covering the latest coffee gear, gadgets and more. Keep up to date with us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/Coffee_Krave) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/CoffeeKrave).

Coffee: The Perfect Drink for Getting Fit in the New Year is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee Blog

It makes perfect sense to me! Coffee and cartoons, goes together like Sunday morning!

Without any further delay, here’s the first installment of Java Juice…

Click Cartoon For Full Size

Cartoonist, Michele Johnson, brings us the humorous side of our coffee addiction. To learn more about Java Juice and the inspiration behind the humor look for a link to Michele’s new web site soon.

New Coffee Cartoon: Java Juice By Michele Johnson is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee Blog

Imagine this scene: You walk into the office kitchen, excited for the start of your day. You go to grab a cup of coffee but, alas, the pot is empty. You get the coffee maker brewing again, patiently waiting the 10 minutes to grab a fresh serving of caffeine. Then you go to add creamer, but powdered non-dairy is the only option in sight.

Sure, the scenario is a sad one, but it is also something many employees go through everyday. Whether you’re the CEO or the office secretary, it’s time to take a stand for the company coffee situation!

The only problem is, where do you go from there? You may have started an office revolution, but now you need to put your nose to the grindstone and take a serious look at your options. Or you could just read this article, because we want you to have great coffee, too!

So Many Machines, So Little Time

The Saeco Royal One Touch Cappuccino (I know, the name is a mouthful!) is an excellent espresso option. With large capacities to accommodate the needs of an office environment and automatic milk frothing capabilities, there’s not a single employee that could Debbie Downer this decision! You’re not just stuck with espresso either, as you can use the coffee dosage options and volumetric programming to produce a coffee-strength brew.

If you’re on a budget, or just want a no-fuss coffee station, consider a Bunn Airpot Coffee Brewer. Made for commercial use, they pump out 7.5 gallons of coffee per hour, ensuring that you have round-the-clock access to a fresh cup.

For a smaller office, Technivorm is a tried and true brand. How do we know? Because that’s what we use in our offices! Brewing coffee at the optimal temperature, Technivorm brewers provide great coffee with a small footprint and none of the potentially confusing bells and whistles.

Ultimately, there are plenty of espresso machine and coffee maker setups that suit an office setting. The biggest considerations are budget, space, and ease of use. So take some time, look around at your options, and suggest something that makes the most sense for your company.

—

Kaylie Kipe works for Seattle Coffee Gear, which is dedicated to helping people find the perfect equipment for their caffeine fix. From the best espresso machines to coffee makers, and pretty much everything in between, SCG has your java needs covered!

Photo by  Michael Lokner.

Coffee Options For The Office is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee Blog

Caffeine for all it’s wonders comes complete with quite a few nasty side effects. And while many are well known, there are quite a few that are a little less so. Should you find yourself drinking five cups of the stuff per day, it’s probably a pretty good idea to get acquainted with the less than sunny side of coffee. Here are seven side effects of caffeine.

It Can Raise Your Blood Pressure

Though most people are aware of the fact that caffeine can make you a little jumpy, most are surprised to learn that it can literally increase your blood pressure. Caffeine is capable of temporarily raising your blood pressure by a full ten points. For those who are particularly sensitive to caffeine, the change can happen within as little as thirty minutes.

It Can Reduce Your Calcium Intake

Caffeine also messes with your body’s ability to absorb calcium. For every cup of coffee you drink, you can expect to lose as much as six milligrams of the stuff. Though six milligrams isn’t a lot, it can certainly add up if you’re drinking multiple cups each day. Combine high caffeine consumption with low calcium consumption and you can find yourself at serious risk of osteoporosis.

It Speeds Up the Aging Process

Caffeine can make you look older faster in not one, but two ways. For a start, it reduces the rate at which you produce certain hormones such as melatonin and DHEA. Such hormones are vital in the battle against visible aging. And secondly, caffeine dehydrates you. And as your skins cells lose water, your skin becomes far more prone to both wrinkling and sagging.

It Interferes with Healthy Sleep Patterns

As anyone who drinks a lot of coffee can attest to, excess caffeine consumption can make it very difficult for you to fall asleep at night. This often leads to mild sleep deprivation which in turn leads to people having to drink even more coffee to stay alert. For many coffee addicts, this is a vicious cycle that they find very difficult to get out of.

It Makes People Tense

Drink enough coffee each day and you can find yourself on constant high alert. Put simply, excess caffeine makes people tense. Many serious coffee drinkers don’t even realise how tense it makes them until they spend a few days without it. Both tension and stress have been linked to a whole range of health problems. Such emotions are not just unpleasant, they’re bad for you.

It Can Cause Mood Swings

Another downside of excess caffeine consumption is that it tends to lead to mood swings. Though it’s incredibly effective at getting people moving in the morning, when that increased energy wears off, it’s pretty common for people to feel both mentally slow and mildly depressed. Those with existing mood disorders therefore generally find that caffeine makes their mood even more unstable.

It’s Highly Addictive

Finally, caffeine is incredibly addictive. If you’re a big coffee drinker and you doubt this claim, try going without it for a day or two. The most common symptom of caffeine withdrawal is a headache but there are many others. They include fatigue, general irritability, depression and difficulty concentrating. Because of these symptoms, those looking to kick caffeine are generally recommended to do so slowly.

Barbara Woodberry is a health specialist and a guest blogger. She works as an Editor for an online magazine store. Looking for great deal on magazines? Visit www.magazinesubscriptions.com

Seven Surprising Side Effects of Caffeine is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee Blog

You hear people reference them or discuss them at length on forums, but what are dual boiler espresso machines and why would you want one?

As the name implies, dual boiler espresso machines have two boilers: One for steam and one for espresso. This means you can steam your milk and pull shots at the same time, speeding up your morning latte prep!

There are many dual boilers on the market, each matching different budgets and preferences. I’ve highlighted a few below to get your search started.

Breville Dual Boiler

The Breville features a digital interface, programmable pre-infusion, and volumetric programming for a very wallet-friendly price.

Quick Mill QM67 Dual Boiler

Looking for an E-61 commercial brew group (provides consistent heat from the boiler through to extraction) and precise control over your shot via a PID? The QM67 provides all of the above without breaking the bank.

Rocket R58 Dual Boiler

The R58 packs commercial grade components and functionality into a consumer espresso machine. It has the classic Rocket looks combined with dual PID temperature control, a quiet rotary pump, and a convertible water source.

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Kaylie Kipe works for Seattle Coffee Gear, which is dedicated to helping people find the perfect equipment for their caffeine fix. From the best espresso machinesto coffee makers, and pretty much everything in between, SCG has your java needs covered!

Dual Boiler Espresso Machines And Why You Want One is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee Blog

If you are looking for the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life, you should know that you have plenty of options.
There are lots of great gifts out there for those who love to drink coffee, and you can find a great gift that is sure to fit into
any budget.

Coffee Maker

Even if the coffee lover on your list already has a coffee maker, you might want to consider taking a look at all of the
impressive coffee makers that are out there. If you know they already have a high-quality machine, consider purchasing
an espresso maker instead.

Coffee Grinder

Most coffee lovers know that drinking coffee made from freshly ground coffee beans is a special treat. If you purchase your
loved one a nice coffee grinder, he or she will be able to enjoy this special treat every morning.

Unique Coffee Mugs and Saucers

A true coffee lover can really never have too many coffee mugs and other items. You should consider one of the many
options that are out there, such as those listed below.

• Quality custom coffee mugs
• Coffee mug with an interesting design
• Matching saucers
• Unique coffee stirring spoon
• Cream and sugar servers

Coffee of the Month Club

Companies like iGourmet.com offer “Coffee of the Month Clubs” for those who are serious about coffee. This is a gift that
will keep on giving year-round, because your loved one will receive the monthly coffee selection every month.

Exotic Coffee Beans

Although purchasing a tin of coffee from a mass market retail store might not seem like a very thoughtful gift, you can
consider purchasing gourmet coffee beans for your loved one from a specialty shop.

Luxurious Coffee Creamers

Your loved one probably has a favorite coffee creamer already, but you might want to consider purchasing a specialty,
luxurious creamer for a special treat.

Coffee-Related Gifts

There are tons of coffee-related gifts out there for those who love to appreciate coffee. For instance, you could look for
coffee-related kitchenware, clocks and other decor.

Coffee Gift Cards

Purchasing a gift card from somewhere like Starbucks will give your loved one the opportunity to pick up fresh-ground
coffee beans or a pre-made cup of coffee whenever he or she wishes.

Coffee Accompaniments

Many people enjoy eating a muffin, cookie or other sweet treat while enjoying their coffee, and there are lots of gourmet
options for you to consider.

Coffee Gift Basket

Combining a few of these items and a few others that you pick out can make an excellent gift basket. Consider packaging
things in a big coffee pot or another coffee-related item in order to keep up with the theme.

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Jeanie is a writer and a stay at home mom of two boys. In her spare time she loves to decorate and travel.

Ten Gifts for Coffee Lovers is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee Blog

A grinder is arguably the most important part of both coffee and espresso preparation. You could have an awesome machine, a perfect methodology, and fresh beans but if you don’t have a grinder that’s right for the job, you’re missing out on getting the best caffeinated beverage possible.

You don’t have to spend a lot to get that great grinder, either. For example, the Baratza Encore is a multi-purpose grinder that’s suitable for press, drip, pour over, and even espresso for entry-level machines. Coming in at under $130, it’s like the Swiss army knife of grinders.

Looking to up the ante a bit? The Rancilio Rocky Doserless Grinder packs commercial quality build and functionality into a home grinder. With 55 grind settings, you can go from an ultra-fine grind for espresso to a coarse French press grind in seconds. Keep in mind, however, that the great functionality comes at the expense of size. It’s certainly not a commercial sized grinder, but it’s probably larger than a casual coffee drinker would want in their kitchen.

If you love precise control or go through coffee like a mad man, you might even consider opting for a truly commercial machine like the Mazzer Mini Electronic Grinder. Its stepless controls give you ultimate precision. There is, of course, a drawback: If you want to use it for multiple preparation methods you can have a hard time getting it back and forth between your perfectly dialed in grind settings.

There’s a wide range of grinders out there and probably more than one that will meet your needs. Take the time to read reviews, watch videos of it in action, and really think about what you’ll be using it for. Doing so will ensure you get a grinder you’re happy with!

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Kaylie Kipe works for Seattle Coffee Gear, which is dedicated to helping people find the perfect equipment for their caffeine fix. From the best espresso machines to coffee makers, and pretty much everything in between, SCG has your java needs covered!

Coffee Grinders: Entry Level To Pro is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee Blog