​The origins of coffee can be traced back to the Ethiopian plateau, where the coffee plant is believed to have first been discovered in the 9th century. According to legend, a goat herder named Kaldi noticed that his goats became more energetic after eating the berries of a certain plant. He tried the berries himself and experienced a similar burst of energy. From there, the practice of roasting and brewing coffee spread throughout the Arab world and eventually Europe, becoming a popular beverage around the world.
 
The first coffee grinder was invented in the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century. The grinder consisted of a simple wooden box with a hand-cranked grinding mechanism inside. As coffee became more popular, the design of the grinder evolved, and by the 19th century, more complex mechanical grinders had been developed.
 
There are several types of coffee grinders available on the market, each with its own advantages and disadvantag

1. Blade grinders: Blade grinders use a rotating blade to chop the coffee beans into small pieces. They are typically less expensive than other types of grinders but can produce an inconsistent grind, which can affect the flavor of the coffee.
2. Burr grinders: Burr grinders use two revolving abrasive surfaces to crush the coffee beans. They are more expensive than blade grinders but produce a more consistent grind, which results in better-tasting coffee.
3. Manual grinders: Manual grinders are operated by hand and are typically less expensive than electric grinders. They are portable and can be used anywhere, but they require more effort to use than electric grinders.
4. Electric grinders: Electric grinders are powered by electricity and are the most convenient type of grinder to use. They are typically more expensive than manual grinders but require less effort to use and produce a more consistent grind.\

​
The least expensive way to have the best coffee grinder for having great coffee is to purchase a manual burr grinder. These grinders can be found for less than $50 and provide a consistent grind that rivals more expensive electric grinders. While manual grinders require more effort to use, the quality of the grind and resulting coffee is often worth the extra effort. Additionally, manual grinders are portable and can be used anywhere, making them a great option for coffee lovers on the go.
​  

Burr grinders are considered the best type of coffee grinders because they produce a consistent grind size, which is essential for brewing high-quality coffee. Unlike blade grinders that chop coffee beans irregularly, burr grinders crush the beans between two rotating abrasive surfaces, resulting in uniformly sized particles.
  
Keeping a burr grinder clean is crucial for maintaining its performance and prolonging its lifespan. Regularly cleaning the hopper, burrs, and grind chamber with a brush and a dry cloth can prevent the accumulation of coffee oil and residue, which can cause clogging, uneven grinding, and stale-tasting coffee.
​    
Sharpening burr grinders is not a recommended practice since it can damage the burrs and affect their precision. Instead, burr grinders require periodic maintenance, such as cleaning, calibration, and replacement of worn-out parts, to ensure their optimal performance.
  
The coffee grinder market is continually evolving and improving, driven by consumer demand for more advanced features, automation, and customization options. Some of the recent trends in coffee grinders include:
  

• Smart grinders that connect to mobile devices and offer personalized brewing recipes and tracking capabilities.
• High-end grinders that feature advanced burr designs, faster grinding speeds, and noise reduction technologies.
• Portable grinders that are compact and battery-powered, ideal for outdoor and on-the-go coffee brewing.
• Sustainable grinders that use eco-friendly materials, reduce waste, and have a low carbon footprint.

Overall, the coffee grinder market will likely continue to evolve and improve to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of coffee enthusiasts worldwide.
​ 

Here are some of the best burr grinders based on expert reviews and consumer feedback.  NOTE: these are not affiliate links; we are not being paid, for any of the devices mention here,
 

1. Baratza Virtuoso+: This high-end grinder features 40mm conical burrs, a digital timer, and 40 grind settings. It offers consistent grinding, low noise, and easy maintenance.
2. Breville Smart Grinder Pro: This versatile grinder has 60 precise grind settings, a digital display, and a programmable dosing feature. It also has a built-in portafilter cradle for espresso brewing.
3. OXO BREW Conical Burr Coffee Grinder: This affordable grinder has stainless steel conical burrs, 15 grind settings, and a one-touch timer. It also has a user-friendly design and an easy-to-clean hopper.
4. Rancilio Rocky Espresso Coffee Grinder: This durable grinder has commercial-grade 50mm flat burrs, 55 grind settings, and a powerful motor. It's suitable for espresso and other brewing methods.
5. Baratza Encore: This entry-level grinder has 40mm conical burrs, 40 grind settings, and a simple on/off switch. It's a reliable and affordable option for home brewing.

​
It's important to note that the "best" burr grinder for you depends on your brewing preferences, budget, and other factors. Therefore, it's recommended to research and compare different models before making a purchase.

Breville BES870XLSome of its features include: A full 15 bars of pressure; a conical burr-grinder for the optimal grind for espresso; automatically adjusts water temperate for both steaming, and brewing; large 2L water tank; fresh grind your beans just prior to brewing; and achieves a very consistent brew.  Low pressure pre-infusion helps achieve the perfect shot.  Temperature and dosing are precise, and you can pull that first shot in less than a minute.

Quality Espresso brewing in the home is now possible.  It is both an art, and a science.  Even beginners can produce a perfect sho with this machine.  Experienced brewers can try out different grinds, amounts of coffee, and how much pressure you use when tapping.    You will impress your friends!  

The Breville BES870XL is also called, the Barista Express.  You can buy it on Amazon, for under $600.   There are less expensive machines (which might not have the same bars of pressure, might be stream-driven which is less reliable, or less consistent) and there are certainly more expensive machines (which may not produce better Espresso!).   This machine is in the sweet spot of espresso machines, the best value out there!  It is available in Stainless, red, or Black Sesame.

You can buy one right for, for under $600, on Amazon.

We like the drip coffee produced by the Aeropress a lot.  And it can brew either drip coffee or Espresso!

To order one right now, just click here.  We found a great deal on Amazon for the press, and 350 filters included!

There are also coffee brewing competitions held all over the country, and they usually use the Aeropress.  There are so many ways to brew coffee - so do not be satisfied with your morning brew if its not delicious.  Take some time, get the brewer that works well for you, and get that perfect cup every morning!

Consumers can do several things.  First, read and learn about Sustainability.  Donate to organizations that you like.  But also, when you shop, let your dollars vote - if you buy only coffees that are certified as being farmed sustainably, it will have a strong effect on the market.

You can find out more about Earth Day here, and more generally you can visit ManMadeClimateChange.com.

If we all work together, we can make this world a better place - for ourselves, and for future generations.
  

NOTE: Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen so do not use them around flowering plants or tomatoes; you will get more plant and fewer blooms.  If you add coffee grounds to the mulch around a plant's base, coffee should be at most  25% of the mulch; you don't wan t to over do it!   And if you are overrun with Azalea's, and low on coffee you can also add acid to the soil with tea, vinegar, and saw dust.  Some people mix coffee grounds when growing carrots and radishes, claiming it reduces bug and maggots.   They also help Hydrangeas.  And adding them to seed mixtures can help young plants grow, because of the added nitrogen.
 

  
Do you have ants indoors? Snails and slugs outdoors?  Coffee grounds can repel them!  And its natural; no pesticides needed. Coffee grounds can also help 'steer' cats away from areas of the garden.

Some people try to use coffee grounds to reduce the visibility of scratches in furniture.  You steep the used grounds again, in a pot with a little bit of water.    Then use that water to stain the scratch, making it disappear.  Test this on a hidden part of the furniture item to gauge how well it works for that particular wood and finish.  You can also use the liquid to dye fabric, Easter Eggs, and paper.

When you clean your fireplace ashes, sprinkle some coffee grounds first on the ashes - it helps hold them together, and reduces the amount of dust created.

Coffee grounds are gritty so they can be used to augment cleaning and scrubbing like with dishes and pots and pans; wrap some grounds in a thin towel to create your scrubber.   You can also use coffee grounds on your hands (instead of wasting a lemon) to remove odors like cooking odors; and the can exfoliate the skin on the hand.

Some women use coffee grounds as a conditioner; which is another way to save money.  After shampooing, you rub the coffee grounds on the ends of the hair and they should benefit, soft and shiny.  Rinse well.  You can also add coffee grounds to your body-wash liquid, to gently exfoliate your more calloused areas.  Don't be too vigorous - take it slowly at first and monitor the results.  There are also ways to add coffee grounds when doing a home-made facial.

Instead of buying Baking Soda or other products, a bowl of used coffee grounds in the fridge can absorb odors.  Or in any closet or closed room or space that is musky smelling, a bowl or satchel of coffee grounds will absorb odors.  You will have a slight coffee odor but that is more pleasant than a mold type of smell.

You can get a lot of coffee grounds, if you have a big garden, from coffee shops. They often just throw away their old grounds.  You could also them to compost their old grounds.  It helps the world, and everyone benefits!

Finally, after you shampoo your pet, if you rub coffee grounds throughout their fur, some people have found it can repel fleas!  And its all natural; so that is good for your pets health.

If you know of other uses, please Contact Us!

Here is an interesting film, about living with coffee.  There are millions of coffee farmers in the world, and many of them make very little money.  Coffee is their whole life, and it affects everything they do.

Click Here to see the video.

You can help these farmers by buying ethically sourced coffees.  Fair Trade Coffee is the most common form.  There are other groups working in this area including Direct Trade coffee.  It is possible that Direct Trade results in a higher wage than Fair Trade.  There are also issues of sustainability, for how we treat the environment.  

Farmers that are willing to use better practices should be rewarded for their efforts.  Large coffee companies that abuse labels like "Fair Trade" or "Ethically Sourced" should not benefit - so pay attention to how the labels are used.  If a company sources only a small percentage of its beans ethically, then do not support that company.

Each dollar in your pocket has names attached to it; the names of the farmer that grew those beans.  How you spend those dollars an make a big difference in the lives of others.

One of our favorite coffee mugs has a lip that curves slightly outward, so it feels good as you sip your coffee.  You can also buy coffee mugs that can help the world when you support ethical organizations; e.g. checkout the mugs in the store at Equal Exchange.
 
And of course there are a large variety of insulated mugs, plastic or stainless.

To buy an elegant coffee mug, just click here.

Do you love exotic and unusual coffees?  Do you like to have coffee in the evening, in cocktails?  Do you want to be able to create coffees for guests that are tantalizing that everyone asks for more?

We have started our recipe page.  It is located at: http://www.coffees.com/recipes.html.  We are looking for the most exotic, delicious coffee recipes in the world.  Please send one in!

A basic recipe for a coffee cocktail is equal parts Coffee (or Espresso), alcohol (Vodka, Whiskey, Bourbon, or?), and a third element such as cream, or a flavored sugar syrup (or even coffee-flavored syrup).  Cocktails can be served in a martini glass for added effect, or be served hot in a thick, handcrafted mug.

The right coffee drink can add to the ambience of a romantic evening.  Try it!

Over half of the adults in the USA drink coffee.  And no wonder - coffee is delicious.

It is also an experience.  A good cup of coffee is a great way to start your day, and can give you a chance to reflect on the things that are important to you.  Coffee is the "liquid form" of Yoga.

Coffee has more antioxidants than most foods, and that is healthy for you. 

The aroma of coffee has a calming effect, especially during the first 30 minutes of fresh-brewed coffee.

Coffee consumption may reduce the change of illness.  There are indications that regular coffee drinking can reduce the chance of Parkinsons Disease, Colon Cancer, Diabetes, Alzheimers, and others.  Another study found that regular coffee drinking reduced the change of liver alcoholic cirrhosis, especially cirrhosis caused by excessive alcohol consumption. This might be due to the antioxidants.  The more coffee consumed, the more protective the effect, it seems.  Of course, there are limits to anything!

Coffee also can reduce depression in some people; more than other caffeinated drinks (like soft drinks).  It can reduce the chance of suicide, and in women can reduce the change of skin cancer.

Coffee can supercharge your workouts.  It gives you energy, so you can workout harder.  It seems good for both cardio workouts and for weightlifting.  The antioxidants in coffee may reduce the visible signs of aging in some people.

Coffee drinking is on the rise in the US - both the number of people who enjoy a cup ,and how much they drink.  Over 8 in 10 adults drink coffee on a regular basis.  This is from all sources - drip Latte, Espresso, Iced, and so on.

The US is the world's largest single market for coffee, and business is up over 5%, according to data from the NCA (National Coffee Association). 

The biggest increase comes for the gourmet segment that includes Latte's, Cappuccinos, and the like.  Over one-third of adults in the US drink these gourmet, fancier types of coffees.

Many coffee shops and chains will all claim to make the best Latte's. We have done a lot of research, and it appears that it is highly dependent on the individual Barista; perhaps more than anything. 

If you want the perfect Latte, visit a series of coffee shops in your city, that either roast or get their beans daily from a local roaster.  Order a Latte or two from each coffee shop until the find that one Barista that makes the perfect Latte.  And tip that Barista well, so they will stay at that job!

Do you have what it takes to be a great Barista?  If you are looking for a job as a Barista, or any job in a coffee shop, click here; we have 100's of Barista jobs!