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The Senseo 7810 coffeemaker is supposed to give you a great cup of coffee without the fuss. Manufactured by Philips in cooperation with Douwe Egberts, this machine gives you the perfect cup of pure and smooth tasting coffee. This is what Philips promises all soon-to-be owners of the Senseo 7810.

Is this machine really what the manufacturers promise it to be?

Let us take a look:

Pros

If there is one thing everybody agrees about the 7810, it’s its price. The product is quite affordable at around $100, and easy to use.

It also allows the formation of a frothy layer on top of your coffee, giving it an instant gourmet feel. The Senseo 7810 features a wide enough tray that can fit two small cups. It also brews water quickly, allowing you to enjoy a cup in approximately ninety seconds.

But the bad sides seem to outnumber the good sides.

Cons

Some users complained of a plastic like taste in their coffee while using the product, while others said that the product tended to leak. It also doesn’t seem to make the water hot enough in order to make a stronger brew, that’s why the use of two coffee pods is sometimes required.

It has a fixed spout, that’s why taller cups can’t be used.

In addition, it was one of the product types that Philips had to voluntarily recall last year because of a problem that posed as a serious hazard to the consumers.

Another thing is, unlike its later counterparts, the Senseo 7810 can only boil water at altitudes higher than 1500 meters above sea level. Lastly, like all Senseo brands, in order to achieve full satisfaction, coffee pods made especially for Senseo by Douwe Egberts are what are highly recommended.

The Senseo 7810 is a good enough model that will probably work for you, but definitely not a great one.

- This was a guest review for Kamikaze Cookery by Hope Jael Perez

Coffee, coffee, coffee… oh how much I love thee!

Coffee is the most perfect beverage ever conceived by the human mind. (Don’t beat about the bush, Hope, tell us how you really feel :) – Hugh) Here’s a bit of trivia for you: did you know that coffee was said to be first discovered by goats? That is, a goatherd named Kaldi saw his goats prancing wildly and excitedly whenever they grazed on a certain red bean; he followed his goats and tried some of the bean for himself. He experienced the same heightening sensation and thus coffee was born!

Coffee comes from either one of two coffee plants: Arabica and Robusta. Coffee Arabica, or those that come from the Coffea Arabica plant which is indigenous to Ethiopia, has a more flavourful and smooth taste and are grown near the equator, at high altitudes. They cost more too since Arabica coffee beans require a little more care when growing. Coffee Arabica makes around 70% of the world’s coffee. On the other hand, coffee Robusta contains twice the caffeine found in Arabica and makes a much stronger brew. It’s much cheaper though because coffee beans from the Robusta plant require less care when growing. Around 65 countries (all found in the equator) grow coffee. Although being the world’s largest consumer of coffee, coffee is not grown anywhere in the US except in Puerto Rico and Hawaii, which lie near the equator.

Coffee is also a certified fair trade product. In fact, fair trade started as a response to the drop of the price of coffee in the world market. It started in the Netherlands during the 1980’s.

Fair trade coffee simply means that the coffee was grown, manufactured and purchased under terms that are fair to the producer, the consumer and the environment. The producers or farmers are expected to be paid at least $1.26 per pound of raw coffee beans which is far from the world market average of $0.60, allowing the producers to lead a life far from poverty.

In the early 2000’s, Starbucks started introducing a line of certified fair trade products. Since then, they have become the largest buyer of fair trade coffee in North America. This movement helped raised mass awareness on fair trade.

In the UK and Ireland, Starbucks espressos are certified to be made from 100% fair trade ingredients.

Coffee is majorly produced in Asia, Africa and Latin America. However, the wages farmers receive aren’t fair enough since they receive less than what they shell out. Importantly, some coffee buyers and producers question the value of the Fair Trade brand, rather than the principles behind it – see Has Bean’s article on the subject+. However, the problem is well-recognised, and Fair Trade is generally reckoned to be at least part of the solution.

According to the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand, coffee is the most purchased fair trade product in Australia and New Zealand making up 76% of the total fair trade retail sales. It even surpassed that of fair trade chocolates and tea.

By the way – if you care about Fair Trade coffee, you should care about Fair Trade chocolate even more. Horrible things happen in the chocolate industry – read our article on fair trade chocolate facts for more info.

- This was a guest post for Kamikaze Cookery by Hope Jael Perez

First thing in the morning you need your fix. Any coffee will do. The less trouble and time it takes, the better. So what if it could be easier to brew and taste better? Welcome the chrome cafetiere.

Why chrome? Well, it’s a personal opinion, but I’d say that chrome cafetieres from manufacturers like Bodum just look better. They don’t have the kitsch feeling of a gold cafetiere, nor the excessively sterile look of stainless steel.

Convenience and coffee essence come together

Afficionados reminisce about the subtle overtones of flavour and aroma that poured from old percolators. Sadly, those required intensive labour to prepare and clean. It is no wonder they became extinct. Newer drip coffee machines require less fuss. The parts remove easily for a thorough cleanup. The filter simply goes in the garbage.

Speed may be of the essence, but other essences separate good from better coffee. Essential oils lend subtle highlights of taste and smell. Unfortunately, paper filters absorb some of these, so drip machines lose a little richness.

A cafetiere eliminates the filter. The grounds actually sit in hot water for a few minutes. No dripping or seeping happens here, so the process has time to extract more oils. You will find it especially easy to make stronger coffee if you like it that way.

The caffeine ritual

The process requires a coarse grind, rather than a finer grind used for something like espresso or a mocha pot. You may enjoy the little ritual involved. First, boil the water in a kettle. Toss the ground coffee in the bottom of the chrome cafetiere, add not-quite-boiling water and stir. Insert the lid with the plunger raised. After allowing a few minutes to brew, push the plunger and pour your cup.

Afterward, it cleans easily by hand or in the dishwasher. Grounds can go in the trash or wash easily down the drain. The carafe is compact, more portable than a drip machine, and easy to stow away.

A taste not for everyone

The chrome cafetiere has some drawbacks. If you crave the familiar drip taste, this might be too much of a change. Caffeine addicts might not appreciate needing two tools: a kettle and a carafe. (Pro tip – a silent kettle , or at least a mostly-silent one, will make the process less annoying for everyone in your household.) The drip machine performs all in one. You will also find the mesh filter less effective. Some grounds will make their way into the bottom of your mug. Still, it is a small price to pay for good flavour.

So where to get a chrome one?

Bodum Danish kitchenware made the cafetiere popular across Europe. The company remains a leading manufacturer. Americans call it a French press. In South Africa, Australia and New Zealand it is known less poetically as a coffee plunger.

The chrome cafetiere line from Bodum comes in a range of sizes for whatever team you might serve. The borosilicate glass is heat resistant. Stainless steel detailing makes an attractive and elegant vessel, not that anyone will notice as they hurry on their way.

It’s easy to forget just why electric kettles, and particularly electric orange kettles are so damn awesome.

(Wrong colour? No worries. You can read about finding a pink kettle and a yellow kettle on this site too – Hugh)

This wonderful energy savings appliance can boil water to the perfect tea temperature in 2 to 5 minutes. This will even turn itself off automatically when the liquid inside has reached the desired temperature.

Boiling water twice as fast as a pot placed on a stove, an electric kettle saves money. According to The Energy Savings Blog at www.energy.gs, the electric kettle they tested produced a full kettle of hot water for about two pence or .16 kWh while a cup of water only cost .04 pence and uses .03 kWh. Heating only what is needed saves money. These costs vary depending on the cost of electricity.

(They’re quieter than stovetop kettles too – although we have yet to find a truly silent kettle.)

Why orange? Well, the unique color reminiscent of the 1970s promotes continual good health and abundant energy, symbolizes the warmth of a glowing fire in the hearth and brings about positive change in the life of its owner. Orange might not be the ideal choice for a cool, modern kitchen, but if you want a quick dose of vibrancy and colour in your day, Colour Theory suggests that orange will make you think of youth, energy and life. Go go orange electric kettle – bring some life to your kitchen.

If you’re really looking for an exclusive kettle, the Bugatti Vera orange kettle is for you. At a frankly heartstopping price of £184 ($270 approx), this one’s definitely a kettle for someone with money to splash – but on the other hand, many reviews are ecstatic about the darn thing. It’s apparently a design sensation – although other commenters suggest it’s a design sensation that stops working rather quickly! You pays your money and you takes your choice, but personally I’d go for…

The Bodum range of orange kettles – pretty much the entire Bodum kettle range is available in orange – would be my choice if I decide to head up the colour spectrum. None of them are the design miracle that the Bugatti is, but from reports they work far better, and are pretty likely to still heat water as well as looking pretty in three years. The IBIS range comes in for particular praise, mostly collecting five-star reviews on Amazon. None of the other orange options from other manufacturers attract anything like the same sort of enthusiasm.

So. Want warm colours and hot water, together at last? Grab a Bodum orange kettle.

So, when I agreed to write this article for Kamikaze Cookery, I was told that I should use “British English”.

Cor blimey, guv’nor, apples and pears. Coffee.

Okay, so I am not British. I will not try to fake it. However, there is no denying that we Americans also love coffee, and the faster we can get our hands on it the better. In fact, we may or may not think the direct entrance to Heaven lies in one of our (insert embarrassingly high number) Starbucks locations.

Naturally, all these new machines that use little single-serve pods and cups and such are ultra tempting. The pods, however, seem to be generally expensive per cup compared to the trusty old-fashioned brewing method. Not to mention that they tend to produce only a decent quality cup at best. So, why not make your own coffee pods?

Pods are great for those satisfied with just one cup for the day, as well as for environments like offices and entertaining guests where varying tastes and preferences may be difficult, if not impossible, to meet in a single pot. Sure, it may sound like taking the easy way out, but making your own single-serve pods is not only potentially cheaper than buying them, but it also allows you to stick with your favorite brands, flavors, brew strengths, etc. as opposed to being limited to only those offered by pod manufacturers.

So, here’s an easy way to make your own coffee pods.

Find a measuring cup that fits as close to perfect as possible down into the pod compartment of your machine.

Take a small, 4-cup basket-style coffee filter and press the bottom down into the measuring cup. Put however much ground coffee you like for one cup; probably about 2 teaspoons give or take, but this part may take a little experimenting to get it just right. (My personal Mr. Coffee/Keurig machine tends to take a walk on the mild side this way, so I have to use a little more than I would have in my old pot and filter style maker.)

(You’re looking for 5 to 7 grams of coffee per 100ml. Volumetric measures are unreliable, so use weight if possible. – Hugh)

Once you have filled the filter, fold the sides down to cover the grinds completely. Feel free to cut some off if there is too much material; just make sure the grinds are well covered. Now take a small bottle of some sort, or anything hard that will fit into the measuring cup, and press down firmly to help securely fasten the composition into a pod. Pop the packet out of the measuring cup, place it smooth side down into the pod compartment, and you are good to go.

Just as a side note, something to look into before you purchase one of these machines is that some of them have reusable filter attachments that can be purchased separately so you can use your regular grinds right in the machine, no pod necessary.

You might have run across the term “shade grown coffee” on coffee-lover sites. It’s not a super-common term, but it’s trending more and more in the 2010s. So, here’s your shady cheat-sheet.

See what I did there?

Shade grown coffee means that the coffee has been grown under the shade of bushes, trees or any sort of canopy to protect it from the direct heat of the sun since coffee beans cannot take the direct heat. A lot of people seems to think that shade grown coffee is automatically considered as organic. But that is not always the case. For something to be called organic, it must be grown and produced without the use of any chemical help like artificial fertilizers and the like – if something’s “shade-grown”, it just means it’s been, yes, grown under shade!

(See our article on fair trade chocolate facts for more info on similar shenanigans with chocolate. )

Usually, shade grown coffee have a much richer taste. The reason for this much better taste is because growing coffee under a shade is like growing coffee at high altitudes. The coffee beans grow slowly, allowing it to mature fully. Shade grown coffee has all the necessary sugars and chemicals responsible for all the good benefits one could get from coffee, including the famous antioxidants and its amazing taste.

Shade grown coffee may be produced in the following ways:

Reduced Shade Method

In this method, a single shade or canopy is used in order to cover the coffee beans.

Unshaded Monoculture Method

Well, this one isn’t shaded, technically, but it is the most common. Here, coffee is grown without shade of any sort. This method is used most often since production of coffee is higher. But because the coffee beans are prone to direct sunlight, a lot of chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides are used in order to protect the coffee.

Rustic Method

This method allows existing forests to be used as a “natural shade” for the coffee. No forests are destroyed and the natural habitats of plants and animals alike are preserved. The birds that live on trees are the most beneficial creatures in this method.

Traditional Polyculture

In traditional polyculture, coffee is planted together with other plants such as fruits and vegetables. This allows for a much wider selection of crops to be produced and is beneficial to farmers who have limited space.

Commercial Polyculture

This method works the same way as traditional polyculture although here, the coffee greatly outnumbers the other crops. Since pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilizers are also used by this method, it is clear that commercially polycultured shade grown coffee can’t be considered organic anymore.

- Guest post by Hope Jael Perez, edited by Hugh.

No one could have predicted a yellow crescent shaped fruit would incite controversy and debate (Unless you’ve been following our other articles on Fair Trade chocolate, for example – Hugh).

The battle between organizations promoting fair trade bananas and large corporations is an epic battle with its share of tragedy. The public has little knowledge of the global banana wars and the battles fought every day. According to the United Nations, over 6.4 billion pounds are consumed in the United States each year. The United States is not the only banana nation. Europeans love their bananas as well.

We want our bananas and it does not seem to matter how we get them. The United States produces very few bananas and must import nearly all 6.4 billion pounds. The bananas are imported from several countries and this is where the battle is fought. On one side are Fair Trade organizations and the other side are major food corporations. According to Green America, the Dole and Chiquita corporations control 50 percent of the bananan market.

The heart of this issue is not the bananas; it is the people that work hard every day to supply the world with bananas. The problem is the large corporations set the price for the bananas not the people that grow them. The price that is set benefits the bottom line of the corporations. The wages for workers in the banana trade are typically less than half of what is needed to make a decent living. For example, to meet basic needs in Ecuador a worker must make at least $9.60 per day. According to TransFair USA, most workers are paid as little as $3.00 per day.

(The stuff that happens around the chocolate industry is even worse, by the way. You should really, really learn about fair trade chocolate facts .)

The goal of fair trade groups is to provide at least the minimum amount of for workers to meet basic needs. In Ecuador, this would equate to $9.60 per day. In addition, fair trade also pushes for health care benefits for workers. Many argue that fair trade bananas will increase the price of bananas making them less affordable for consumers. There are many fair trade products on the market such as coffee. The price is higher than conventional coffee, however, millions of consumers choose to support fair trade products.

Regardless of where one stands on this issue, consumers should have the right to choose fair trade bananas over conventional bananas. While consumers prefer cheap bananas, many consumers prefer to be conscientious about the products they purchase. Given the choice, millions of Americans would prefer to buy fair trade bananas, while millions more just want cheap bananas. This issue is complex and both sides will continue to fight over one of the world’s favorite fruits.

Organic instant coffee is popular among the health crowd. We all know what’s going on here – there are claims, backed up by some evidence, that conventional farming methods result in chemical residues in food. And that’s potentially harmful.

(We are SO not going into that argument here. See Wikipedia for a place to start.- Hugh)

The problem is that there are a lot of companies who make organic instant coffee, so finding the best one is a challenge. To make it easier, here is one you should consider:

Mount Hagen Organic Freeze Dried Instant Decaffeinated Coffee

If you are interested in healthy coffee, this is the first company you should consider. They make their coffee is made from 100% Arabica coffee beans (Which isn’t necessarily good, but is certainly better than 100% Robusta – Hugh). An interesting fact is that this is actually the first organic freeze dried coffee on the planet, as it has been declared 100% organic by EcoCert.

However, those are the technical details. What everyone wants to know about is the flavor. Does it taste good, or is it the typical crappy low quality flavor you have come to expect from instant coffee?

When compared with most other instant brands, Mount Hagen is towards the top of the list. Arabica beans are notorious for not being as strong as other beans, but they are still rich enough that they are far from plain. If you like sweeter coffee, this would be the one for you.

Aside from the coffee itself, one relatively unique feature about Mount Hagen is that you can get their coffee in individual packets or whole boxes. These are much easier to take with you then the whole jars of instant coffee that many companies sell (although you can get whole jars with Mount Hagen as well). For this reason, these are widely used by people who make their coffee at work. They are even used by backpackers out in the wilderness.

The final advantage of Mount Hagen organic instant coffee is that it is cheap. Unlike other brands of organic coffee, you do not have to take out a second mortgage if you are a regular drinker. You can get a single packet for $1, and if you buy a box, per packet cost is reduced to $.20. When buying it, one place to check out is [www.vitacost.com]. This site sometimes offers lower prices than Amazon and most other online retailers, and therefore you should start here.

Coffee snobs, rejoice! (I resemble this comment – Hugh) While there are some individuals who will drink any cup of coffee that is handed to them, others prefer specific flavors and blends and will not have it any other way. If you are an avid coffee drinker, it is important to invest in quality products that will keep your coffee beans fresh and brew each bean at the perfect temperature for the most enjoyable beverage.

The steel cafetiere is a contemporary version of glass models that are also referred to as the French press. Glass cafetieres date back to 1929 when Milanese designer Calimani patented the first coffee press. While the idea of the French press remains the same, modern versions now include a cylindrical beaker and a plunger for more consistent brewing.

Most steel cafetieres are double-walled, which provided a huge benefit over glass models. Double-walled presses ensure there is consistent heat throughout the brewing process so that every nook and cranny is evenly brewed. In addition to this, the double-walled models are not hot to the touch, so if you have ever picked up a steel single-walled model and burned your hand, you need not fret. For the clumsy folks or those who are simply flighty in the morning before they drink their coffee, this is a huge benefit.

Steel cafetieres can be purchased at local home goods stores and online. While retailers will have a limited selection, many prefer the vast options online that will invest in a cafetiere for a significantly discounted price. Be sure to consider the cup capacity of the cafetiere and the quality of manufacturing.

While La Cafetiere models are rather expensive, some prefer the gaudy design when they are pouring a cup of Joe. La Cafetiere seem to rather go in for style over substance – see our comments on their pink kettle. If you are plain Jane, there is nothing wrong with investing in a more affordable Kitchen Craft model that holds 8-cups for maximum pleasure.

(I’ve got a Kitchen Craft model, and it’s ace. You might also want to check out our other cafetiere tips – Hugh)

Do you drink coffee for the taste, for the caffine, or both? There are many ways to get a boost, with espresso being the common choice. However, stopping at a coffee shop every day for a shot is pretty damn expensive.

The obvious solution is to get a home espresso machine, but then you’re looking at complicated, messy espresso preparation. The convenience of an at-home espresso maker can be boosted if it is one that uses ESE coffee pods.

(Does the taste suffer? Frankly, yes. But how much you will care will depend on your level of coffee-snobbery. See our main article on coffee pods for the scoop. – Hugh)

ESE stands for Easy Serving Espresso. These small cups can be placed in most types of single service hot drink machine that is suitable for pod-type brewing.

ESE pods are individual servings of the ingredients needed to brew a potent cup of espresso in minutes. The cup is simply placed in the designated area of the machine, no unwrapping, measuring, or other tasks required. The brewing machines used with pods are usually very fast.

One simply needs to place their cup under the receiving end of the unit. There is no pot that one has to clean and no leftovers to deal with.

One problem with ESE pods is that they do not work in all types of machines. When purchasing the pods, one should double check to make sure it will work in the type of machine that they own or have access to.

Though many companies such as Keurig do not offer pure espresso, the do have strong coffee drinks that may suit one’s taste or need for a jolt (And can taste pretty good too – Hugh). If one wants real espresso, they should examine the product to make sure that it is such a product. If the pods come with instructions for use in an espresso machine, one can be sure that it is a legitimate espresso drink.

As with any purchase, it is important to read the label when buying these products, so that the consumer does not feel screwed over when they get home and realize they are drinking fake espresso. No one wants to see a caffeine addict without their fix!

ESE coffee pods won’t match a brilliantly-prepared barrista shot, but if you need a caffine fix, they’re a pretty good option!

The last thing someone thinks of when they are enjoying their sinfully delicious chocolate bar is: “Am I exploiting others by devouring this Valentine’s Day present.” While you may be worrying about your figure, how your snack may add to your waistline and love handles, few really ponder that fact that some chocolate brands are made from slave labor no matter how good it tastes going down. While slavery no longer exists in the United States, international locations still use slave labor to produce products and distribute these products to foreign countries.

Fortunately, there are an increasing number of fair-trade chocolate brands. Refer to the slave-free chocolate brands below and dodge a bullet straight to your morals.

African countries are the world’s largest producer of cocoa as stated by Wikipedia. While many chocolate brands invest in cocoa from Africa, studies from the US State Department have reported that over 284,000 children are forced to work on cocoa farms and are denied an education. This makes the purchasing of chocolate bars bitter sweet and hard for some to swallow.

While some manufacturers in the US claim they are not responsible for the conditions on plantations because they do not own the plantations, others are taking a stand and only purchasing slave-free products for their chocolate bars and candies. The fact that any non-Fair Trade US chocolate manufacturer would state they have nothing to do with slave labor is blatantly ridiculous. (I don’t know the UK situation, but I doubt it’s much better – Hugh)

Several manufacturers are choosing to sell candy with a conscience. These eco-friendly and socially conscious companies include: Alter Eco America, Angell Bars, Chocolate alchemy, Coco-Zen, Whole Foods Market, Shaman Chocolates, and Peterson Farms just to name a few. For a full list of fair trade chocolate brands, visit official website of the certifier of fair trade products at: [http://www.transfairusa.org/products-partners/cocoa].

(In the UK, Cadbury of all people do a Fair Trade brand, and Desire and the famous Green and Blacks are also excellent Fair Traders – Hugh)

While there are local Whole Foods markets that sell Fair Trade brands, and an increasing number of supermarkets, the most convenient place to purchase these products is online through the vendor’s official website. Each company produces everything from chocolate bars to chocolate chip cookies depending on what they specialize in. Buy fair trade and give small farmers and families a chance to survive in today’s economy.

The best blue electric kettle is up for debate today. Obviously electric machines are very popular, and to meet the demand there are tons of companies that make them. In other words, finding the right one is not that easy. If you are stuck as to which one to buy, here is one to consider:

Alessi MG32

I’ll warn you now – this isn’t a cheap kettle. In fact, it’s a pretty amazingly expensive one. However, it’s worth it.

First, it looks great. It’s designed by architect Michael Graves, and it’s been a favourite design for more than 25 years now. The earlier versions were not electric, but the newer electric models share the same style as the older ones. The outside is stainless steel, and is surrounded by a bright blue bottom and handle. It is topped off by an interesting bird spout, which is pretty much unique on the market.

In other words, this one is not for the faint of heart, and is definitely for the more daring homeowner.

The other reason it is one of the best is that it is actually quite functional. In other words, it does not sacrifice functionality for style. First it is made with quality stainless steel, which is a marked upgrade over the cheaper plastic material many models use.

Plastic not only does not last as long, but also many owners have trouble adjusting to the foul smell the material gives off. For both these reasons, stainless steel is superior. Another great thing about this model is that it boils a maximum load, 1.4 liters of water, within 4 minutes – pretty swift.

The one negative about this model is the price. Due mostly to the unique styling, it sells for $300 at most sites, which is 200-300% as much as other models. Obviously the functionality is good, but it really is not that much superior in quality to other models.

In other words, you are paying for the design – make no mistake about it. It’s a premium price, but f you are looking for a way to spruce up your kitchen, then you simply cannot beat this model.

The bottom line is, the Alessi MG32 is one of the, if not the top blue electric kettle on the market. It is expensive. However, check [http://www.eBay.com]. Here you can occasionally find it for as low as $240 in some instances.

Definitely wanting a cheaper blue kettle? Well, you won’t find anything this nice. However, the Morphy Richards “Accents” pyramid kettle has a similar vibe – it’s stainless steel, it’s quite traditional in appearance, and importantly it gets stellar reviews from users. Not a designer kettle, maybe, but a good alternative.