Does the Cuisinart DGB-550BK Grind-and-Brew work?

Most coffee lovers insist upon their coffee tasting as fresh as absolutely possible. This has led many people who enjoy this beverage to debate the issue of whether or not there is any real advantage to grinding your own beans versus brewing a pot of joe with pre-ground beans.

To grind or not to grind? The debate will no doubt continue for years to come as both sides have very strong opinions on the issue, however, there are a few basic rules of thumb to remember to make great tasting coffee; and ensuring the last cup in the pot tastes as great as the first.

The first thing that every home brewer should be aware of is that coffee is in fact best stored in whole bean form. Coffee begins to lose some of its flavor and its oil after it has been ground. Storing the beans whole, and grinding just prior to brewing helps to keep the coffee from going stale and keeps the natural oils and fire roasted taste (from the shell) well preserved.

Next, direct light, especially sun light, is not a friend to coffee. This is quite an easy issue to remedy, however. Always keep coffee, whole beans or ground, out of direct light, in a cool, dry location, between fifty and seventy degrees Fahrenheit. An ideal location is a pantry or a cupboard. Never place your coffee in the refrigerator as it is quite porous and can actually absorb odors, resulting in a foul taste.

Coffee, whether in whole bean form or pre-ground, should always be stored in an air-tight container. Air can drastically alter the taste and freshness of the coffee, and can cause the product to taste sour or bitter. Some great container options are zipper storage bags, glass jars with rubber gaskets, or tightly sealing plastic containers.

Finally, time is quite possibly coffee's number one enemy. Again, whether whole bean or pre-ground, coffee should only be kept for a short period of time. Many coffee experts recommend only keeping a one week supply on hand. Continually purchasing fresh batches of coffee will help to keep the taste at optimal levels, as well as keep the coffee as fresh as possible.

While many people insist that grinding beans fresh for every pot of coffee brewed is the only way to get the best possible taste, the choice is really up to you. To find out your personal preference, experiment a bit with different types of whole beans, grades of roasting, grinders, and pre-ground options. You may be quite surprised by the results of your personal taste test.

It seems as though there is a constant debate surrounding coffee, and if it is beneficial or detrimental to your health. It is thought that the debate stems back to two main studies that were completed at approximately the same time. The studies focused mostly on heart disease issues amongst coffee drinkers, and the end results only caused people to feel more confused than ever before.

The first of the two studies claimed to find that there is no harm to one's health when drinking coffee on a regular basis. Over one hundred and twenty eight thousand people were studied, providing a very large and very sound test base. Tracking this high number of people allowed for very conclusive numbers, regardless of errors with the test.

The second of the two studies followed only four thousand people, and claimed that coffee was a factor for developing heart disease. Compared to the first study, this test base was extremely small, and was considered flawed due to the fact that with a low number of people, a truly accurate assessment cannot truly be made.

So, how do we know which study is really correct and what data should be believed? There is no definitive way to tell. What we do know for sure is that coffee falls into the category of foods that should be consumed in moderation. This does not mean that coffee is bad for you, however it does not mean it is as nutritious as other beverages such as juice. Coffee is also sometimes packed with extra fat and calories that you may not even be aware of. For example, if you add milk, cream, sugar, or even whipped cream you can add as much as one thousand extra calories to your day. This can make the drink quite unhealthy.

Coffee is also acidic and can cause your body to become more acidic when consumed regularly. Normally, your body is balanced properly between acidic and alkaline levels. Adding acidic foods or beverages to your diet in high amounts can cause issues.

The main key to remember is that when consumed in moderation (a cup or two a day) coffee should not cause any problems. Not only should you limit your daily number of cups, you should also be aware of what you are adding to your cup of joe and control extra amounts of sugar and fat. Overall, coffee is a tasty beverage that warms you up, gives you a good burst of energy, and helps you get ready to take on your day!