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The Coffee Machine Through The Ages

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Coffee machines are an interesting machine with an interesting history. In this article you can learn about its history which goes back further than you might imagine.

Obviously, coffee making stretches back way before the coffee machine was invented, although back in the day this didn’t involve coffee granules and a kettle, as is common place nowadays. In the 1800s coffee was made through grinding the coffee itself up and putting that into a pan of boiling water, which admittedly is quite similar in principle but at the same time there’s much less chance of burning the coffee the way we make it now!

The evolution of the coffee machine is very much a French thing and they can lay claim to two of the very first methods, drip brewing and perculating, both of which have had a big influence on what was to come. The general idea of both is that water is gradually added to the coffee to maximise the flavour.

Throughout the rest of the 19th century vacuum brewing became the most popular method and coffee machine production and development began to go global, with America becoming one of the leading nations. With the dawning of the 20th century the French idea of perculator coffee was perfected in the US by Hanson Goodrich and his design is still used today.

Over the years as technology has advanced and commercialisation has grown, coffee machines have got better but in most cases the principles of the original methods are the same. From the 1960’s onwards electric drip machines were introduced, making the process a lot easier and the results much better.

The more recent history of coffee machines has basically seen an overall perfecting of the machine and what it can do. Most machines now allow for more than cup to be prepared at the same time, some even allow for different types of coffee to be used, such as ESE pods and coffee beans. As well as this, practically all are now able to make cappuccinos using the steam that is produced by the machine. They can be quite tricky to master but well worth it when you do!

Hope you’ve enjoyed this article, the history of the coffee machine is quite an interesting one that stretches back over 200 years and has lead to the kind of coffee we can make at home or get in Starbucks today. Another significant chapter in the history of human invention, and one that has produced some very tasty results!

Gourmet Coffee Market Trends

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The gourmet coffee industry has grown dramatically, especially because of America’s love for espresso and specialty coffee drinks. It is quite apparent that coffee houses like Starbucks can be found in every area of major cities, so who is behind these coffee industry trends?

Senior Citizens

A recent study has shown that coffee drinkers of the ages of 25 to 29 have increased their coffee drinking outside of their homes from 42% to 66%. In the 30 to 59 age bracket, coffee consumption has increased from 33% to 46%, but the biggest boom came from the seniors. That group increased their gourmet coffee drinking from 9% to 14%. What gives? Specialty coffee shops are prevalent, and many seniors are drawn to these locations because of comfort and affordable prices so that they can socialize with friends. A gourmet coffee drink is often cheap, so it is a good choice for seniors on a fixed income.

Hispanic Coffee Drinkers

Another booming coffee market is in the Latino community, who are opening coffee shops at rising rates. This offers the general public numerous authentic coffee beverages from native regions. In fact, this may be one of the biggest trends to watch out for in specialty Latin coffee houses that offer unique coffee and espresso beverages that you may not be able to find elsewhere.

Summer Coffee Drinks

Specialty coffees include iced coffee and blended Frappuccinos, which have recently exploded in sales. Americans actually enjoy these coffee drinks throughout the year, not only in the summer. Most consumers enjoy an iced coffee or frappe in the colder months since there are many different flavors, combinations, and styles available.

Authentic Espresso

Espresso in itself has solidified the gourmet coffee industry by creating a number of espresso-based beverages that may be unique to each coffee house location. Popular espresso drinks have risen from 4% to 7% of total sales, meaning that it is a popular option for regular coffee drinkers.

If you are a fan of specialty coffee, you can enjoy many different fine roasts from local coffee shops in your area. Still, if you want to save money and find out more about coffee, it may be wise to invest in a coffee maker or home espresso machine so that you can brew at home. If you’re interested in brewing at home, it is best to purchase fresh gourmet coffee beans, and use them within 10 to 14 days after roasting. This will ensure that you have first-rate freshness in your coffee drink by avoiding beans that are stale altogether.

The point of the matter is that we cannot deny that the United States loves coffee! Luckily, many of the drinks that are popular in the US are inspired by other coffee cultures, like Italy, France, and even Latin America, to give us all a well-rounded choice in our daily cup of Joe.

How to Start Coffee Shop Businesses and Facing the Challenges of Starting a Coffee Shop

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How to start coffee shop businesses is the first question which pops up when you plan to do so. Starting a coffee store is not as easy as others may think because there is a great deal of investment and planning required for the business to succeed.

About 52% of Americans drink coffee everyday and 15% of them buy at least one cup of coffee from shops daily. The average shop sells about $550K every year. This makes this type of store one of the new business ideas for young businesspeople. In the US, there are well over 15,000 coffee stores, and that does not include kiosks.

To start this business, you may consider getting a franchise. The most obvious advantage of franchising is the pre-built advertising and publicity campaign. Starting coffee shop businesses by buying a franchise can give you the expertise and support from the franchise owner. Plus, you will enjoy worry-free management of inventories, seating plans, floor plans, menus and furnishings.

However, to start coffee shop businesses thru franchising is most likely expensive. You know Tim Hortons and Starbucks? The average cost is $100K-300K. Another 10K-20K USD a year for training and plus 6%-11% of your gross sales a year.

If you want to start a coffee sstore of your own, that’s a different story then. This type of store provides a community gathering to the enjoyment for its owners – business meetings, college students and a dating couple. You can run this business if you enjoy being around people, love coffee and can survive in a multi-tasking environment. Running this business is not only a fulfilling experience but a profitable endeavor as well. There are many things you should consider though:

Location is topmost. Review where you will place your business in a local uptown, a mall, near a college campus or where there is a lot of foot traffic with provisions of drive thru.

Estimate a breakeven. Expect expenses and not so much of income at the early stage. Plus operating expenses for lease, insurance, utilities, employee salary, marketing/advertising, Internet services, etc. Then build a plan. Know how much money to invest and how much income you will get. Then start coffee shop businesses by gathering your funds and start negotiating for the lease, researching and acquiring equipment, installing paints, bars, chairs, counters and refrigeration. Starting a coffee store means you also start hiring your staff and advertising your business.

Many have long for the bustle and hustle of a shop that they own. The whirl of the milk steamer, the smell of roasted beans, the squirt of whipped cream on a just mixed mocha; what can be better than a business you most love to indulge in the first place?