No Time for Coffee Messes! November 05 2019

How Coffee Drinkers can Save Time and Money

Everybody is busy!  It takes less time and money to brew your own coffee at home or at the office.   Unless an overflow occurs, this can take away time cleaning up, and cause costly damage.  Time is money, and money takes time, in other words, time is valuable. The Justin Case Deck will help solve this issue.

We all have experienced occasions when our efficiency (aka rush around, corner cutting, etc.) backfires on us.  Thankfully there is a solution to combat the backfire issues and save us from potentially wasting valuable time and money!  It is the Justin Case Deck.  Listed below are ways we try to be efficient in brewing coffee and how the Justin Case Deck can increase efficiency by resolving potential time and money zappers when our shortcuts fail.

• The automatic brew button is great for starting the brew before you get up, or get to the office, though it does come with the risk of malfunctioning and spilling coffee all over the place leaving a huge mess, and potential water damage. This also can happen when you start it manually and walk away. You can see how this could zap both time and money, not to mention attitude!  The Justin Case Deck captures the mess and only takes a few minutes to clean up now or save the cleanup for a more convenient time. 
• Filling the coffee makers reservoir with a pitcher of water, or gallon water bottle instead of using the coffee carafe. The reason is the water pours easier and faster out of a pitcher or bottle than it does from the carafe, some carafes pour so poorly it spills water all over the place. Though, if you over fill the reservoir, water will leak out a hole in the back of the unit, which is designed to keep from over filling. These are smaller spills that occur from time to time are also captured by the Justin Case Deck, saving time moving things and wiping up the mess.
• Distractions occur and the coffee carafe doesn’t get completely emptied. Often the left over coffee in the carafe is missed because the background behind the carafe is black so it is not obvious there is still coffee in it. This does cause an overflow of coffee and not the best tasting coffee at that!  Thank goodness the Justin Case Deck captures the mess!
• When rushing around so much there are times the coffee grounds basket is not properly snapped into position and this also will cause an overflow issue. Again, thank goodness for the Justin Case Deck!
• Gremlins!!! That’s right, there are times that cannot be explained or we don’t have the time to explore what has caused an overflow, but again the Justin Case Deck comes to the rescue!

What are your reasons for Coffee Maker overflows? Do you have a need for a Justin Case Deck?  Here is how it works.  Want a 15% discount?? Use code NO TIME at checkout.

 

Should you Freeze your Coffee? December 01 2017

There are many different suggested ways to store coffee in order to maintain freshness. One of the suggested methods is to put your ground coffee or coffee beans in the freezer. Is storing coffee in the freezer a good way to maintain freshness? Let’s look at the pros and cons.

Freezing has been used for centuries as a way to extend the life of many foods. A diverse selection of foods can be frozen. Bread, meat, fruits, vegetables and even butter can be successfully stored in your freezer. Freezing even maintains many of the vitamins and nutritional value of a wide variety of foods. Coffee, however, isn’t as likely a candidate for storage in the freezer.

Coffee has four main enemies against freshness: air, heat, light and moisture. At first, freezing doesn’t seem to contain many of the offending enemies. However, appearances can be deceiving.

Coffee beans have been roasted in order to enhance flavor. The beans are also porous. Unfortunately a freezer can contain many other foods which have odors. The porous beans can absorb the flavors of many other frozen foods. Flavored coffees can be pleasant, but no one wants to drink seafood or garlic flavored coffee.

Moisture can also be absorbed by the coffee beans. Moisture can cause deterioration and loss of flavor. The more often you take coffee out of the freezer and put it back in, the more moisture absorption takes place into the bean. If you absolutely need to freeze some coffee because you have a large excess you’d like to keep, only freeze it once. The more you take it in and out of the freezer, the more damage you do.

Freezing also breaks down the oils in the beans. The oils contribute to the flavor of the coffee. Breaking down the oils means taking away flavor, and let’s face it, a large part of a good cup of coffee is the flavor.

When it comes down to it, freezing is not the best way to store your coffee. Keep coffee stored in a cool, dry, airtight container away from light. Freezing coffee is possible, and is best if you only freeze it once. The resulting loss of flavor and quality from repetitive freezing makes it a method of storage to stay away from. Your best bet is to purchase only enough beans or ground coffee to supply you for 1-2 weeks. Enjoy the coffee at its freshest! 

Another helpful hint for a great stress free cup of coffee is the Justin Case Deck.  It captures overflow messes that may occur when using an automatic coffee maker. This is a great gift for the holiday season.

Coffee Five Ways! November 15 2017

"Turkish" or "Greek" Coffee

Turkish coffee or kahve, the traditional name, is made in small containers directly on the flame.  The water and finely ground kahve comes to a boil. Often times it is brewed up with sugar already introduced. In some traditions they will pour off a little into each cup and then bring it to a second boil, pouring the rest into each cup insuring an even distribution of grounds. In some regions they serve the kahve with added spice which is usually cardamom. The coffee is not filtered from the liquid which leaves a thick pungent and muddy brew. The mud settles to the bottom of the tiny demitasse cups the coffee is served in. In many countries they read the coffee mud after you have drank your coffee and tell you your future.

Concentrate Brewing

Concentrate brewing is very popular in Latin America and other parts of the world. It is beginning to make a comeback in the U.S.. Concentrate brewing takes large amounts of coffee that is brewed with small amounts of water to brew a concentrate. To make a cup of coffee you mix some of the concentrate with hot water. The concentrate is brewed either hot or cold. When it is brewed cold you must let the coffee sit for at least a day. This method creates a mild light-bodied coffee with little aroma and a little acidity with a muted flavor.

Percolating

This procedure involves a continuous brewing of the coffee grounds using boiling water which then turns to boiling coffee liquor brewing over the grounds. This method is practical but is an insult to the coffee bean. Brewing with boiling water is bad enough, then boiling the liquid is asking for a thin, bitter and tarry coffee.

Though this produces an awful cup of coffee many people still prefer percolation. If it’s for you then more power to you!

Auto drip

This is the most popular way to brew coffee in the U.S.A. Pouring hot water over grounds in a filter and letting the brew drip out the bottom, simple. Drip brewing can produce an excellent cup of coffee. One of the biggest issues with auto drip machines is they can malfunction from time to time and cause an overflow of coffee over the counter top and onto the floor. The Justin Case Deck at JustinCaseDeck.com is a great accessory to have for capturing the liquid before it makes a mess (for a 15% discount, use the code BLOG15). If you have an auto drip brewing machine then the next hurdle to tackle is the filter. Paper filters can deposit a flavor in the coffee and also do not allow a lot of the coffee oils and organic compounds through. A gold-plated reusable filter is the perfect option for drip brewing. It will not deposit a taste in the coffee and doesn't trap as much of the coffee's essence as paper filters do.

French Press or Press Pot

French Press brewing is more labor intensive than auto. Coarsely ground coffee is placed in a glass carafe. The hot water is then poured over the grounds. When the brewing is complete the top is placed on and a plunger that consists of a metal mesh plate is pressed down pushing the grounds to the bottom. The coffee liquid is on top ready to be poured off. The mesh filter allows the oils and fine coffee particles through without a problem. Also because a coarser grind is required a longer brewing time is required. A general rule of thumb is four minutes for a French press. This direct contact of the grounds to water allows a more complete, controllable, and even extraction. Even with the coarse ground coffee, it will still produce some fine particles, thus it will have sediment on the bottom of the cup. A cup of French-pressed coffee will be fuller, more body, and more flavorful.

 

 

Good Quality Specialty Coffee and Tea November 01 2017

 

Coffee and tea has long been a traded commodity in the orient.  It has been considered as a drink only for royalties and kings.  These two commodities are processed in almost the same manner for it to become a soothing and relaxing drink.

Knowing Good Quality Specialty Coffee and Tea

Specialty coffee and tea should be made from the best coffee beans and tea leaves in the market.  Coffee and tea experts believe that the best brews come from homegrown and handpicked batches.  But this handpicking process can just be a myth since it really does not affect how the taste and texture comes out.  The one thing that could affect the flavor and texture of coffee and tea is the climate since this can affect the humidity and moisture of the raw products. 

It is important to know the quality of specialty coffee and tea since top quality produce are prized at a bigger rate than that of mediocre quality ones.  Having to know the difference can give you the edge in the specialty coffee and tea market by going to specialty coffee and tea shops that are willing to give you the right value for your money.

A good hint to detect a medium or a mediocre type of specialty coffee and tea commodity is the smell of burnt beans from roasting.  These kinds of produce are intentionally burnt because it gives out a good flavor if it is in this state. 

Adding Flavor to Your Specialty Coffee and Tea

In the past decade the specialty coffee and tea business has exponentially grown.  Many specialty coffee and tea shops have been sprouting and eating up each other’s neighborhood market shares; each of them brewing and concocting their own original flavors and mixes.  

The way coffee and tea is consumed has drastically changed over the years.  Before coffee and tea was only taken hot and straight out of the coffee maker or from an instant foil pack.  Now, specialty coffee and tea drinks are made hot or cold depending on the consumer’s preference.  Vast variety of flavors and other ingredients such as grounded spices and whip creams are added to the drink to have that perfect specialty coffee and tea concoction.

But these are just flavors and ingredients to enhance the specialty coffee and tea experience.  A good flavored specialty coffee and tea should not be overpowered by the taste of its other ingredients.  The aroma, texture and flavor of the original coffee and tea must still be present to give coffee and tea drinkers the full experience.

Have fun experimenting with your home brew.  The Justin Case Deck is a quality coffee maker stand that captures spills or overflows that occur.  It is a sturdy and tough product made in the USA out of Terpolymer.  It makes a great addition to your Coffee Station in your kitchen or place of business.

Brewing a Great Cup of Coffee October 16 2017

Brewing a great cup of coffee depends on a number of things such as the quality of the coffee bean, the quality of the water being used, the type of brewing being done, and the grind of the coffee. Now quality of bean and water is something you can easily take care. Just use good quality beans and pure

water. However the relationship between the grind of the coffee and the type of brewing being done is more detailed and could use a little explanation. Now we all know that we make coffee by passing hot water over crushed coffee beans. However for it to really work well we need to understand just how long the water should be passing over the beans. The purpose of this article is to help you understand how to match your coffee's grind to the type of brewing you are doing in order to make the best coffee possible.

Generally speaking, the 'soaking' time relates directly to how coarse the coffee is ground. This means that smaller coffee grinds need less contact with the water, and coarser grinds need longer contact. Espresso coffee is only exposed to water for 20-40 seconds and as a result is made using extremely fine grind coffee. A French press coffee maker can take as much as 4 minutes and uses an extremely coarse grind. If coffee is left contacting water for too long for its grind size, unwanted extracts emerge and make the coffee taste bitter. Of course if the grind is too large and the water passes very quickly (like using french press grind in an espresso maker), very little of the caffeine and flavors extracted and will have poor flavor.

Of course filters play an important role in managing the balance between over and under brewing your coffee. Not only do they keep the grind out of your cup, but they also control how fast the water passes over the grinds. Paper filters are the most common, but many people are also using metal varieties. Paper filters are quite good. However they can absorb some of the coffee flavor, and some people claim they can taste the paper in the final coffee. Metal filters are normally made from stainless steel or gold plated mesh. They have very fine weave and filter out the coffee grinds very well. They also do not alter the taste of the coffee at all. Metal filters are also more environmentally friendly than the paper alternative.

              

Whichever you choose, be sure to buy decent quality. Cheap filters often clog or not allow the coffee to brew properly. A decent quality metal filter will last years and save money in the end.

Brewing a cup of coffee is not that hard. Brewing a great cup takes a little more understanding, but isn't any harder. Start with fresh beans and good clean water and then match your brewing style to the proper grind and then mess around with the exact proportions and pretty soon your be brewing killer coffee every time.

When you have an overflow issue with your coffee maker you will be happy to know there is a simple solution for easy cleanup, check out the Justin Case Deck.

 

About Organic Coffee October 01 2017

Coffee drinkers everywhere now have the option of forgoing their ordinary cup of coffee and going “organic”.  Coffee made from organic coffee beans has advantages and is healthier for you than its traditional counterpart. 

Organic coffee is created using beans that have been cultivated and harvested without the use of chemical or synthetic pesticides or herbicides, which can be harmful to both growers and consumers.  Because the yield of organic coffee is less than with traditional coffee, this type of coffee tends to be more expensive than regular coffee.  In

growing organic coffee, emphasis is made on recycling, fair trade purchasing, composting, and soil health, as well as on a healthy environment.

Coffee is certified organic using a third party certification organization; most commonly, organic growers use the Organic Crop Improvement Association.  There is a cost involved, cutting into the profits of the small producers that often make this type of coffee.  In addition, organic coffee is “shade grown”, which reduces yield and also adds to the cost of this type of coffee.

Most organic coffee is also considered “fair trade coffee” and a special certification is required for that status.  Fair trade coffee is traded in such a way as to bypass the coffee trader, allowing better profits to the producer, in general. The third party certification organization that certifies fair trade coffee is called Fair Trade USA.

Organic coffee traded using fair trade methods involves an agreement by coffee importers and small farmers that says the importers will purchase their organic coffee from smaller farmers listed in the International Fair Trade Coffee Register. 

Organic growers are guaranteed a minimum “fair trade price” for their coffee and importers provide a certain amount of credit to growers against future sales, keeping farmers out of debt.  The middle man is cut out of this process. 

It is also important in organic coffee farming that the farming be sustainable.  While the definition of “sustainable” varies, it basically means that the growth of the organic coffee is healthy for the environment and the people who grow and buy it.  Sustainable organic farming doesn’t destroy the land the product is grown on and uses very little external energy in the production of the organic product.

A sustainable organic farm is designed to give back to the land as much as it receives from it.  Non-renewable resources are avoided and pollution in the farming process is minimized as much as possible.  Sustainable organic farming thinks of the health and welfare of the employees as well.  One example of using sustainable

farming is to reuse the organic coffee husks as heating fuel rather than using petroleum or natural gas heating.  New trees are grown to make up for those used in heating.

Sustainable organic coffee growing takes steps to avoid excess energy added to the system.  For example, a solar coffee drying system is used instead of commercial coffee bean dryers.  Water consumption is minimized in sustainable organic coffee growing and the water used is kept clean.  Water from the coffee fermentation tanks is never dumped in rivers or lakes but is filtered naturally through the earth before being used for irrigation. 

Sustainable organic farms will spread organic fertilizer like composted coffee pulp under and between the coffee trees. Yields are increased and the mineral content in the soil is maximized.  All in all, organic coffee farming is safe, healthy and good for the environment.  Consumers can buy these products in cooperatives, health food stores and some supermarkets.

Get yourself a Justin Case Deck for your coffee maker. For easy cleanup when your coffee maker malfunctions and spills coffee all over, you will be happy that you have the Justin Case Deck.

The Importance of an Office Break Room September 15 2017

 

The coffee break is normally one of the American traditions of taking a break during office hours. It actually started in the early 20th century, and until now, most Americans are still practicing it. Drinking a cup of coffee is a small daily pleasure which is part of each one of us, synonymous with relaxation is the best excuse to take a moment to pause.

 

Happy employees are essential for a company.  Whether your company is an office or industrial shop, it is very important to make sure that you have an area for your employees to take a break.  It should have a comfortable environment with a coffee station.  Coffee is a great break for a majority of people and they often feel a mental relief when they slow down for a moment to sip it.  In office situations, it is often sipped all day long while working at a desk.  A coffee break provides the employee with both a physical and mental break to help reduce the stress of a normal day and keep their production up.

By providing the proper environment with all the fixings for a good brew of coffee you will help the employees feel that you care about them.  It can create a team atmosphere by offering a homey area for them to strike up conversations.             Having coffee available for customers, clients and guests in your work place is also a real plus.  It provides the comfort to sit and talk over important information, or if they need to wait a few minutes before the meeting it gives them something to do without getting antsy.

 

            The break room should be kept clean and up to date with all the supplies.  A Justin Case Deck is a great accessory to include in your coffee station.  It sits under the coffee maker to capture any overflow mess from the coffee maker which may occur in the event of the coffee maker malfunctioning or normal drips and spills.  The Justin Case Deck not only captures the mess preventing a huge mess, it is also a safety feature and a time saver if there is a spill.

Coffee Maker September 01 2017

A majority of people wake up in the morning and the first thing they do is fire up the old coffee maker. Most models today are very easy to use, all you need is a filter, some coffee, and running water. Hit the button and you can have a pot of steaming hot coffee in just a few minutes. Today, almost every home has a coffee maker in the kitchen.

The fact is, the coffee maker has become a must-have for the kitchen. There are many variations on the coffee maker. The basic model is nothing special, it brews you a cup of coffee and that’s it.

 

However, some advanced models offer much more. Many brands of coffee makers offer automatic shutoff mechanisms. That means that if you leave your coffee maker on for an extended period of time, or forget to turn it off before you leave the house, the machine will shut off automatically after a while. This automatic shutoff mechanism is designed to prevent the coffee maker from starting a fire if left for too long.

 

Then, there are the more advanced versions of the coffee maker that offer more features. Some advanced models sport timers, which are great for ensuring that you have a pot of steaming coffee before you even wake up in the morning. Set the timer the night before, prepare all of the ingredients, and when you wake up your coffee will already be made. You can save ten to fifteen minutes off your morning just by having a timer on your coffee maker. People can now enjoy all the coffee they want in the comfort of their own homes. Most people probably thought that with more and more coffee shops opening up, coffee makers at home would probably disappear.  However, even though coffee

shops are springing up everywhere and are more popular than ever, it will probably be a long time before people throw out their coffee makers.

 

It has been my experience that there are times when the coffee maker malfunctioned and hot coffee has spilled out of the coffee maker.  It has created a terrible mess!  I had it run down my wood cabinets, and inside of them, over my hardwood floor!  I felt very lucky to catch it in time before it ruined my cabinets and floor.  It still was a bear to clean up and I was not a happy camper!  I now have the Justin Case Deck under my coffee maker and now when I have an issue with my coffee maker it does not flow all over everything and it is easy to clean up.  I am no longer afraid to brew a pot of coffee.

Check out the Justin Case Deck yourself!

7 Steps for World Class Gourmet Coffee August 15 2017

7 Steps for World Class Gourmet Coffee

 

For a change, a good cup of coffee would be nice. It does take some time and some energy to find a great cup of gourmet coffee these days. If you do know of a perfect coffee shop, you are one of the lucky ones. But, did you know that you can basically make a nice cup of coffee on your own from home?

Here are 7 simple steps that you can take to produce the perfect cup of coffee every time.

1) Start with quality:  One of the most critical aspects of coffee drinking is the grade of the coffee that you start off with. If you have a favorite flavor, then purchase whole beans in that flavor. If you can do this, it will allow you to get the freshest coffee accessible.

2) Grind away:
Purchase a quality coffee grinder. Some of the best grinders available today are easy to use and easy to clean up. By grinding your own coffee beans, you’ll be able to only grind what you need, meaning that you will have complete freshness in your coffee.

3) Store It Right And Tight:
It is very fundamental to store your coffee tightly. Air oxidizes the coffee and can make it to get bitter quickly. Metal canisters can also enable a metal taste to get into the coffee, making it taste bad.

The top solution is for a plastic or ceramic air tight container for your coffee and coffee beans. Also, store it at room temperature because the moisture in the fridge or freezer can make it go bad faster.

 

Now, Getting To the Coffee

4) The Maker:

The coffee maker that you use is also critical. No matter what style that you go with, you can get a good cup of coffee out of it if you take the essential steps to keeping it fresh.

For example, you should insure that the coffee maker is kept clean after each use. In fact, you’ll need to make sure that you detail clean it, with the assistance of vinegar, every so often as well. Check your owner’s manual for the coffee maker, some machines may not recommend the use of vinegar. Your preferences will ultimately determine which style of coffee maker you will use. Make sure that it uses a permanent filter in it.

5) Even In The Water:

Even the water that you use is central to the quality of the coffee you will get from it. It is essential that you use water that is free from chlorine and minerals.

Often, using bottled water rather than tap water will augment the quality of the coffee. Also, keep the water nice and hot. A good temperature for the water is about 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

6) Supply The Right Amount:

It is also central for you to use the right quantity of coffee beans and coffee grounds in the maker. Too many and you will have a very strong cup of coffee and too few will make it to be too weak. Follow the directions provided by the coffee producer for the best cup of coffee.

7) Most Vital:

Lastly and probably the most vital aspect of getting a great cup of gourmet coffee is to make sure to enjoy your coffee when it is hot and fresh. Most restaurants are told to keep coffee for less than thirty minutes, but at home, the best coffee is the coffee that hasn’t sat for more than twenty minutes.

Note: If your coffee maker overflows on occasion, the Justin Case Deck is a great solution for easy, stress free cleanup.

 

Coffee, Anyone? July 25 2017

Coffee, Anyone? Coffee is something that we drink to enjoy the quiet moments of our day. It is also something we drink to jolt our systems when our system is falling asleep and we still need to work. These are contrasting reasons to drink this brew yet both are accurate. Coffee is a complex drink that is drunk at any time during the day. It is enjoyed by many millions of people yet not necessarily appreciated by these very same people. There are so many varieties and blends that it can be bewildering. In fact, as the character of Tom Hanks in “You’ve Got Mail” puts it, it can be a challenge for those who have difficulties making decisions to choose when going into a Starbucks shop because suddenly you are asked to make six, all in one go. It is always great to learn new things and try out new tastes. It also helps if you can learn about what blends may match your taste without your having to waste money on a cup that you will find absolutely unappealing after the first sip. Coffee is grown in many places all over the world. Each area produces coffee that is unique to the soil it grew in. Though it is acknowledged that the first coffee plants came from Ethiopia, by no means has Africa cornered the coffee market. Thanks to the varying tastes of people, many delicious blends have resulted. Coffee is like wine. To truly appreciate it you need to use all your senses and savor not only the taste of each brew but its aroma as well. The scent alone of coffee is enough for some individuals to relax. For them, coffee reminds them of home or a place to just hang out, kick back and relax even if they are sitting in the middle of a crowded café.  Of course, some may prefer to learn how to make great coffee at home instead of always buying from the local café. Finding practical tips on how to make coffee is invaluable. Various recipes using coffee, be it brew or food flavored with this delicious ingredient are also favorites for coffee lovers. It is always nice to work with recipes that other people have already found to be successful. There is much to experience about coffee and many people to enjoy it with. Each cup of coffee is a connection with that community. The beans and the brew spark off that common interest. Dinner parties at your home are a great time for brewing coffee. Keep a Justin Case Deck under your coffee machine in case it malfunctions to alleviate any undue stress from messes.  The Justin Case Deck will capture the mess and the cleanup is a breeze.