Viking Professional 12 Cup Thermal Coffee Maker VCCM12

The much anticipated entry into the world of high end home coffee makers from Viking Range is now available and shipping. The the Viking Professional 12 Cup Thermal Coffee Maker VCCM12 is a premium home coffee maker in every sense, from looks to performance.

The VCCM12 is packed with features that make a difference, like the removable water reservoir and brew basket, 12 cup thermal stainless steel carafe with a ergonomically pleasing handle, programmable clock for convenient times brewing, and Cup Select feature for the flexibility to brew 4 to 12 cups. The Viking SureTemp heating system ensures the proper brewing temperatures for delicious gourmet coffee every time. See why the Viking coffee maker is one of the most exciting home drip coffee makers to hit the market in years.

Visit our site to leave or read Viking coffee maker reviews.

After many, many months the popular Hearthware i-Roast 2 home coffee roaster is finally back in stock. Limited quantities are available so act fast if you have been waiting for these to return. The i Roast has been our most popular home coffee roaster. Hearthware told us that because of the limited supply, they will reserve a good number of the quantity received to service warranty customers as well as those customers that need parts.

Also, preset 1 and 2 roast profiles have been changed.  They were redesigned to ensure that customers have a roast profile for beans that create little and more chaff.  Preset 1 is for beans that have more chaff such as Central and South American.  Preset 2 is for beans that have medium to light chaff such as Arabic, African, Indonesian and decaffeinated.      

 Preset Coffee Roast Profile 1:

1. 4 minutes and 30 seconds, Temp: 375 F
2. 1 minute and 45 seconds, Temp: 420 F
3. 1 minute and 0 seconds, Temp: 400 F
4. 3 minutes and 30 seconds, Temp: 335 F
5. 1 minute and 0 seconds, Temp: 385 F

 Preset Coffee Roast Profile 2:

1.  4 minutes and 30 seconds, Temp: 385 F
2. 2 minutes and 20 seconds, Temp: 425 F
3. 1 minute and 0 seconds, Temp: 405 F
4. 3 minutes and 30 seconds, Temp: 345 F
5. 1 minute and 0 seconds, Temp 400 F

We offer the iRoast 2 coffee roaster or the iRoast 2 with 4 pounds of green coffee beans.

With the economy top of mind these days, we are all trying to protect our investments. Our investments in coffee makers and espresso machinesare no different. As with most pieces of equipment, proper maintenance and cleaning can go a long way in extending their service life . One of the most common causes of issues with coffee makers and espresso machines are mineral deposits left behind from the heated water. If you have ever left a pot of boiling water to boil dry, you have probably seen these deposits on the bottom of the pot. Deposits can coat the water lines, pumps, heating elements & boilers. The effects can range from a decrease in performance to catastrophic failure. Deposits in a boiler or on a heating element can mean longer times for your espresso machine to heat up, coffee makers that don’t reach the designed brewing temperature and thermostats that do not read properly. Too many deposits in water lines, pumps and just about any part can result in restricted water flow or even failure. One of the most effective products we have found to combat these deposits is Durgol Swiss Espresso Machine Decalcifier. I first saw a Demo of Durgol in action several years back at the Chicago Home and Housewares show. I was so impressed with the demo that I asked Frieling, the US importer to send me a demo kit so we could video tape it for our customers. Check out the YouTube video above comparing Durgol to vinegar and citric acid cleaners. The calcium deposits dissolve much more rapidly in the Durgol solution.  For our full line of Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine Cleaners, including decalcifying tablets and cleaners specifically designed for Jura and Miele machines, visit our site. With good care, you can enjoy brewing coffee or espresso with your current machine for a long time!

Jura Capresso Impressa Z5

We were pleased to find an article on TheStreet.com highlighting the popular Jura-Capresso Impressa Z5 Superautomatic espresso machine and coffee center in their article Buy Buy, Baby: the $3,000 Coffee Maker. We were even more pleased to find that they referenced Zaccardi’s on page 2 for our innovative Cappuccino Calculator that shows how much money you could save by brewing your cappuccinos at home. Thank you to TheStreet.com for mentioning us (although we are actually Westchester N.Y. based and not Long Island based – but close enough )

TheStreet.com gives the Z5 high praise at the $3,000 price point but if you want to save even more, consider a factory refurbished espresso machine - we carry many models including the Capresso Z5 and Z6 when available. We have found these units usually are gently used and many times difficult to distinguish from brand new machines.  They also carry a full warranty from Capresso and save you a bundle of money.

According to the National Coffee Association’s 2009 Coffee Drinking Trends survey, 5 percent more of us are brewing beans at home this year — resulting in the highest level since 2003. So what does this mean for frequent coffee drinkers? Well, with a bit of know how and the right tools, you can still get your favorite cafe java drinks at home. This summer, as you get the taste for iced coffees, try out these alternatives to taking a trip to the coffee shop:

Iced Coffee

At the Cafe: $3

At Home: First pour 1 pound ground coffee into a non-reactive container. Then slowly add 10 cups of cold water. Cover and let steep at room temp for about 10 hours. Strain well. Store coffee concentrate in the fridge and use gradually as you need. Serve over ice; add milk or sugar if wanted.

Iced Latte

At the Cafe: $3.50

At Home: First fill up a cup with ice. Add 12 ounces of cold milk and 2 shots of espresso. If you don’t have an espresso maker, you can always get one from Zaccardis.com at a great price.

Iced Chai

At the Cafe: $3

At Home: Use a Chai tea concentrate and mix equal parts Chai and milk. Add ice and serve.

Blended Coffee Drinks

At the Cafe: $4

At Home: Try some of the mixes available in your coffee aisle. For stronger flavors, add syrups or frozen cubes of coffee.

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Coffee Beans

When you pick up your morning cup, are you really thinking about what beans make that distinct, tasty flavor come out? Or are you more concerned about getting your caffeine boost? Either way, coffee lovers can benefit from good beans in their machines, and most importantly, can spice up their normal routine by just choosing a more exotic bean. Instead of reaching of the traditional grocery-store tin of grounds, opt instead to give Kona or Sumatra or Yirgacheffe a try. Not only will you be sampling something new, but you’ll also be giving your palette a trip around the world. Many of these exotic flavors also pair well with desserts, making them a special ending to any meal. So go ahead, spice up your cup at your next dinner party, book club, or even to your daily routine by trying an exotic coffee from Zaccardis.com.

1. Freshly roasted beans should be used within ten days in order to ensure freshness. To maximize their

   

   Put Care into Every Cup

   flavor, store whole beans in an airtight, opaque container in a cool location like a refrigerator or freezer, though be cautious to protect the beans from freezer burn.

2. Don’t grind your beans until you’re ready to brew and keep in mind that Burr Grinders give the most even, fine grounds.

3. The ideal temperature for brewing coffee is somewhere between 190 to 200 degrees, so adjust your brewing methods accordingly to correspond with your pot.

4. Depending on the fineness of the ground, brewing takes about 4 to 7 minutes. Any longer and you’ll end up with saturated coffee.

5. In terms of amount, the rule of thumb is 1 level two-tablespoon scoop of whole beans per 6 ounces of water.

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