Reviews – Page 2 – World Food and wine Showroom

Posted on January 10, 2012January 28, 2019 by Reviews — Leave a comment

Brand name grills

There are so many different types of grills out there that it can be overwhelming comparing one to another. If it’s time to get your wish-list together for a new grill, you may want to know a little about what you’ll be looking at before you head to the store. Here is a quick review of the top five competitors so you can start narrowing down your choices. Compare before you shop.

Char-Broil

Char-Broi grills have long been known as great performing grills with fantastic features including a warranty that covers the grill’s lifetime or 99 years, whichever comes first. They are made with excellent electric ignitions, porcelain cast iron burners, porcelain coated cooking grates, and a whole lot of accessories. These grills also come with durable stainless steel bodies so they don’t rust easily. A great choice for the grilling maestro, or maestro wannabe.

Weber

Perhaps the best known brand in the world of grilling, Weber grills have always been known for their great craftsmanship and superb products. Originally, Weber only made charcoal grills, but now they are a force to contend with in the gas grill arena. Weber has the know-how to make a wide variety of grills for just about any budget. The great thing about these grills is the cheaper ones don’t skimp on quality. The less expensive models just have fewer special features, but keep the same high quality basic structure.

Uniflame

Uniflame grills are a hard bargain to contend with. They are often the lower priced grills in the store, but they are actually quite nicely made. The grills are loved for their ability to cook and heat evenly, which is not so easy to boast about. Some of the higher priced grills often have difficulties translating the same heat over the surface of the grill, but Uniflame does a great job of consistency. With a Uniflame, you will not be getting a top of the line grill, but you will get one that works well enough to get the job done.

Broil-King

When it comes to gas grills, Broil-King has definitely earned a great reputation. They have been around a long time, which gives them serious credibility. If you wanted a grill that feels solid in both construction and cooking, Broil-King is the grill for you. Grates made of high quality cast iron, double tube burners, linear control valves, and fantastic storage options, all give Broil-King the much deserved reputation of being a griller’s grill. Broil-King grill parts are made to last and can be easily replaced if needed, which adds a whole new dimension to their performance.

Brinkmann

Brinkmann offers lower priced grills with tons of features, some models even have as many as five burners, and infrared capabilities! Though the construction is somewhat lacking in terms of weight and heft, if you are looking for a lot of features without a heavy price tag, Brinkmann grills are the way to go. These grills also have large cooking areas, side burners, porcelain coated cast iron cooking grates, rotisseries, and electric ignition. These are features you’ll also find in the more expensive grills, but here you’ll find them at a reduced price.

So now that you know a little about each of the top performers, you should be able to put together a proper wish list. Happy shopping!

Posted on January 7, 2012January 28, 2019 by Reviews — Leave a comment

What to look for when buying a flan or tart tin

Flan pans and tart tins are a must for any well equipped kitchen.

These types of baking pans extend your options beyond the standard pie or cake pan. With so many different types, sizes and depths available, it’s important to know what to look for when buying a flan pan or tart tin.

Knowing what to look for when buying a flan pan or tart tin can save you a lot of money as well as ensure that your dishes come out with that professional look.

Get the right bakeware for your favorite recipes from the start.

Whether you enjoy open-top pie, quiche, cheesecake, custard pastries, or any type of fruit or savory tart, the right flan or tart tin will help you achieve the delicious results you desire. Since each of these dishes has different needs, you’ll be glad of the wide range of styles of this bakeware. A few things you may want to consider are:

Pan diameter – The larger the diameter the greater the baking surface and possibly the more servings the pan will hold.

Pan depth – The final product of some recipes should be thin while others should be thicker.

Fluted or smooth sides – Fluted sides are more decorative and can help to make the crust a bit more stiff.

Removable or loose bottom – This allows you to remove the outer ring without marring the crust when removing the dish from the pan.

Dishwasher safe – This is a must, especially if you will be serving in your bakeware.

Comparison chart of features for popular flan tins

It is a good idea to make a comparison table.

Brand	Frieling USA Zenker Flan Pan	Kaiser Flan Tin	Fox Run Loose Bottom Flan Pan
Construction	Tin-plated Steel	Non-stick coated steel	Non-stick coated steel
Size	11 inch	9 1/2 inch	9 inch
Dishwasher Safe	No	Yes	Yes

Posted on December 24, 2011October 31, 2023 by Reviews — Leave a comment

The Dukan diet, a case of effectively adding protein to lose more weight

So, you want to lose weight but not give up the foods you love. What if there were a way to do that?

This is an introduction to the Dukan Diet. If there was ever a diet to claim “eat as much as you like,” it would be the Dukan diet.

Founded by French nutritionist, Pierre Dukan, the Dukan diet combines 68 forms of animal protein and 32 vegetables, giving you the ‘green light’ for 100 foods. This gives you a diet based on what the human species evolved on, and keeps us feeling happier and healthier. Let’s take a closer look at the Dukan diet and why it might be the right one for you.

4 Phases

The Dukan diet uses four different phases. By walking through these four phases, you can shed weight quickly and then make lifestyle changes so you don’t gain the weight back. Here are what the phases look like:

The attack phase – This phase is brief, lasting only a couple weeks with immediate results. In the attack phase, you are allowed to eat from a choice of 68 high-protein foods which the body digests quickly and effectively. Vegetables and other carbs are very limited during this time. This phase is not meant to be long term, but is considered a ‘kick start’ to your metabolism.

The cruise phase – Once you have attacked your weight loss goal, it is time to put the pound-shedding on autopilot. This phase allows you to begin incorporating 32 vegetables into your diet. The days alternate between your Pure Proteins (PP phases), which you were given in the attack phase, and Proteins accompanied with recommended Vegetables (PV phases). This phase allows you to continue to shed weight on a consistent basis.

The consolidation phase – This phase lasts 5 days per pound lost in the cruise phase. For example, if you lost 6 pounds during the cruise phase, then you would be in this phase for 30 days. During this phase, the body prepares for the return to a balanced diet. In this phase you have monitored freedom which helps you overcome the willpower issue when establishing a freshly conquered and yet vulnerable ideal weight.

The stabilization phase – This is the phase you live in for the rest of your life. During the first three phases, you learned how to eat healthy and have taught your body the right way to keep a healthy pattern. In addition to the simple rules for stabilization, there are three non-negotiable rules:

1. Consume 3 tablespoons of oat bran per day.
2. Choose to take the stairs whenever possible.
3. Have a pure-protein Thursday, i.e. Attack Phase menu.

Why all those Oats? The first obvious question has to do with the 3 tablespoons of oat bran you must eat every day. The oat bran swells 20 to 30 times its volume when inside the stomach, making you feel satisfied. It also “confiscates” calories within the small intestine and takes them down into your bowels. The amount of calories lost by consuming the oat bran is not relevant to immediate weight loss, but they do add up over time as this process is repeated.

What are the Cons to this Diet? As with all low-carb, high-protein diets, the program warns that dieters may suffer from some disturbing side effects, such as bad breath, constipation, dry mouth, and fatigue as your body gets used to its new way of life. One of the best ways to help with all of these conditions is to drink plenty of water, take a good multivitamin, and get between six and eight hours of sleep a night. And, of course, exercise daily. A 20 minute walk each day will help digest your food and burn calories. But, be aware that vigorous exercise requires carbohydrates, so during the Attack Phase, you will need to limit your exercise to a moderate degree.

If you are looking for a diet that will get the pounds off quickly, then moves you into a lifetime of healthy weight management, the Dukan diet may be the right diet for you. You get to eat lots of good food while your body learns how to metabolize it properly. That’s what the real purpose of a diet is all about.

There are plenty of books and recipe books for this diet.

Not for every one. This diet can be really boring if you are not a person who enjoys eating only proteins. Not a lot of scientific evidence to back this diet up.

Posted on December 21, 2011October 31, 2023 by Reviews — Leave a comment

Volumetrics, the diet of more food and more weight loss

Facts about the Volumetrics weight loss diet.

The Volumetrics Eating Plan is based on the simple fact that people like to eat. And, if people are given the choice between eating more and eating less, they’ll take more almost every time. It has been burned into our society and culture. Just look at meal sizes over the last thirty years and you will notice that not only have the portions increased, the size of the plate has increased too.

Unlike diets that are based on deprivation, the Volumetrics diet doesn’t try to fight this natural preference. Its creator, nutritionist Barbara Rolls, PhD, argues that limiting your diet is not sustainable; you will just wind up hungry and unhappy and revert back to your original eating habits. Let’s take a look at the basics of the Volumetrics Eating Plan.

The Volumetrics approach

The approach Dr. Rolls takes is to help people find food they can eat lots of while still losing weight. The diet revolves around the feeling of fullness, or satiety. The theory is that people feel full based on the amount of food they eat, not the number of calories or nutrient density.

So, the trick is to fill up on foods that aren’t full of calories, which allows the dieter to stick to the main principle of calorie restriction. Dr. Rolls claims that in some cases, following a Volumetrics diet will allow you to eat more than you do now, while still slimming down.

Dr. Rolls has excellent credentials. She a professor of nutrition and director of the Laboratory for the Study of Human Ingestive Behavior at Penn State University. She is also the author of more than 200 research articles. Volumetrics is based, in large part, on the work done in her laboratory.

What you can eat on the Volumetrics diet

Since the diet doesn’t revolve around differences in body types or “good” foods and “bad” foods, Dr. Rolls doesn’t ban food types as part of the Volumetrics diet. She does, however, urge people to evaluate foods based on their energy density which is a critical concept for the diet.

Energy density is the number of calories in a specified amount of food. Some foods are more energy dense than others, like fats, which have a lot of calories packed into a small size. Water, on the other hand, has an energy density of zero.

Basically, this diet is a game to see how you can eat more food while eating fewer calories. Here is a short break down to give you some idea of what Volumetrics is all about.

Very low-density foods include: Non-starchy vegetables, nonfat milk, soup broths.

Very high-density foods include: Crackers, chips, cookies, chocolate and candies, nuts, butter and oils.

Since water is the ultimate zero-density food, Volumetrics relies heavily on foods with a high water content, such as many vegetables and fruits, which are 80 to 95 percent water. These will fill you up without adding a lot of calories. Dr. Rolls also suggests eating lots of foods with filling fiber, along with adequate portions of lean protein and healthy fats from fish and other sources. Of course, energy-dense foods, like sweets, fats, and alcohol, are still allowed, but only in moderation.

Anyone who loves lots and lots of food, will enjoy the Volumetrics diet. You will still have to do some simple math to calculate the energy density of foods, but at least you don’t have to track calories or deny yourself a small bite of that delicious chocolate mousse. If endless bowls of soup and piles of veggies and fruit appeal to you, dig into Volumetrics and watch the weight come off.

Posted on December 12, 2011October 31, 2023 by Reviews — Leave a comment

Eat right for your blood type and let your DNA define your diet

Information about the Blood Type diet.

Your DNA controls how your body reacts to certain external factors. It determines your allergies, your physical build and how everything works together. So why would you not eat based on your DNA as well?

Although you most likely don’t have a DNA analysis machine in their back pocket, you do know a basic component of your DNA that can closely group people based on how their bodies function; your blood type – O, A, B, or AB. That’s how the Eat Right for Your Type diet explains and encourages people to eat based on your body’s needs.

The basics

Peter J. D’Adamo, ND, the author of Eat Right for Your Type, believes blood types affect the digestive system differently and that some foods, good for people of one type, are “dangerous” for another. Some critics claim that this diet may suit those who are looking for a program that doesn’t involve tracking calories. However, for D’Adamo, it is about using your blood type to determine your susceptibility to certain illnesses, as well as exercise that will benefit you the most.

How the diet works

D’Adamo believes the right diet for your blood type comes down to lectins, food proteins each blood type digests differently. If you eat foods containing lectins incompatible with your blood type, you may experience inflammation, bloating, a slower metabolism, even diseases such as cancer. The best way to avoid these effects is to eat foods meant for your blood type.

All foods fall into three categories on the Eat Right for Your Type diet:

1. Beneficial – foods act like medicine
2. Neutral – foods act like food
3. Avoid – foods act like poison

What you can eat

Type O is for “old,” as this blood type is human’s oldest tracked blood line. These people have a digestive tract which retains the memory of ancient diets, so your metabolism will benefit from lean proteins like poultry and fish. You’re also advised to restrict grains, breads, and legumes, and to enjoy vigorous exercise.

Type A is for “agrarian” people who depend on agriculture for their sustenance. These people should stick with vegetarian diets. The type A diet contains soy proteins, grains, and organic vegetables and encourages gentle exercise which can be seen in the more settled and less warlike farming ancestors.

Type B comes from our nomadic past and has a relatively tolerant digestive system. This blood type can enjoy low-fat dairy, meat, and produce but should avoid wheat, corn, and lentils. Moderate exercise should be the norm for these folks.

Type AB is a combination of Type A and B. The “modern” blood type AB has a sensitive digestive tract and should avoid chicken, beef, and pork but can enjoy seafood, tofu, dairy, and most produce.

While there is little research to back up the findings, many critics will agree that the nutritional guidance in the diet is sound. There are healthy eating tips in this diet, regardless of whether or not your blood-type is the angle you are considering. But, as far as diets go, this is a very interesting way to look at the reasons some people gain weight and others don’t eating the same foods. Give it a try. Learning how to eat right for your body type has been popular for years – now it’s time to eat right according to your blood type.

There are guide books for each blood type, there are recipe books for each blood type, and there are supplements for each blood type.

There is not much evidence to back up that the eat and avoid food lists for each blood type are the the right ones.

Posted on December 12, 2011December 20, 2018 by Reviews — Leave a comment

The Fat Resistance Diet, count 1 2 3 to weight loss

The Fat Resistance Diet was developed by Dr. Leo Galland who is recognized as an expert in the field of nutritional medicine.

It is based on the concept that hormones, which include leptin and adiponectin, control the appetite and body fat levels in the body. When fat levels become too high in the body, inflammation occurs that subsequently alters the body chemistry and balance of these hormones. The idea behind the diet is to reduce inflammation which restores the body’s chemistry, reducing cravings, promoting fat burning, and helping the dieter to achieve a healthy weight.

3 stages of weight loss and control

There are three stages to the Fat Resistance Diet. In the initial stages carbohydrates such as grains and starchy vegetables are avoided, but as the dieter progresses through the three stages the amount of carbohydrates is gradually reintroduced.

Stage 1 – concentrates on reducing inflammation and restoring blood sugar levels. This is achieved by an abundance of super foods and nine to ten servings of fruit and vegetables every day along with a relatively high intake of quality protein. The high nutritional quality of the this phase will help to re-balance body chemistry and cut your cravings for carbohydrates. This stage also provides a jump-start to the fat loss process.

Stage 2 – increases your choice of foods so that the diet is suitable for long-term fat loss. After completing Stage 1, the insulin levels in the body should have decreased which allows for tolerance of more complex carbohydrates in the diet. Stage 2 allows for reintroduction of legumes as well as some whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice.

Stage 3 – is the maintenance stage. In this stage the variety of foods increase further to include healthy grain-based meals like carrot raisin muffins, blueberry flax pancakes, and even whole grain pasta. The inflammation reducing foods are still emphasized while the caloric content of the diet is slightly higher to allow for maintenance of weight loss.

Recommended foods

The foundation of the diet is fresh fruit and vegetables in abundance, as these contain phytonutrients such as carotenoids and flavonoids which act as anti-inflammatories.

Foods which are high in carotenoids include: carrots, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, pumpkin, papaya

Foods which are high in flavonoids include: blueberries, cherries, pomegranate, citrus fruit, dark grapes, green tea, onions, dark chocolate

Fresh herbs and spices can also be used during the diet because they have important nutritional factors which reduce inflammation and improve the taste of foods without adding calories.

The diet also emphasizes increasing the intake of foods that are high in good fats like the Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish, walnuts, flaxseeds and dark green leafy vegetables. These fats play an important role in reducing inflammation as well as improving general health.

Is this the diet for you?

The Fat Resistance Diet is a solid weight loss plan based on nutritional science. Besides losing weight, this diet has an added bonus of helping to reduce inflammation within the body and supplying high levels of antioxidants to help control hormones and keep your body healthy and happy. If you like the idea of a diet plan based on scientific study, you might want to give the Fat Resistance Diet a try.

Posted on June 6, 2011December 20, 2018 by Reviews — Leave a comment

Finding the perfect coffee cups

Coffee tastes better in the right cup.

To many, coffee drinking is an art, a pleasure, an indulgence, a luxury and a necessity. Those who partake of this revered beverage understand how that one cup can put the world to rights, can relax mind, body and soul and create a feeling of goodwill to all men. Just as consuming a glass of wine should be an occasion, so should the perfect cup of coffee and the experience is not complete without the perfect coffee cup.

Just as there are different types of coffee, there are different types of cup to suit. Ordering an espresso means your coffee comes in a small cup, an Americano in a large cup, generally round. A latte or mocha is often served in a tall glass cup, as are coffee liqueurs.

The material that coffee mugs are manufactured from is varied to suit individual preferences. Glass mugs can offer elegance and an attractive edge, particularly if coffee is presented in layers of color. Porcelain cups are classic and give a delicate appeal, holding the heat well. Because they are delicate, though, they do break easily so are not a good option for those who drink coffee on the go.

Ceramic cups are common place and offer an opportunity for unique designs and a sturdy option that retains the heat well. Travel mugs made of stainless steel are excellent for those who cannot bear to get in their car without a cup of coffee, or for those busy at their desks, as the coffee keeps warm for much longer and generally has a spill proof lid.

It is often said that size is important and this applies to coffee cups too. Some prefer small and delicate, whereas others like a big mug full of coffee, to save them getting up for constant refills. Big cups are not a good choice if you are a slow drinker, though as they coffee will cool at the bottom. Shape is also a consideration – do you prefer round or square shape, or the conical shape that is narrow at the bottom and gradually becomes wider. Novelty mugs are available in all shapes and sizes and designs to suit all tastes.

Of course, versions often used with a bean to cup coffee machine or purchased to take out tend to be made from disposable materials such as cardboard or polystyrene or other throwaway cups. But whatever your favorite cup may be, it is only as good as the coffee inside it so make sure you choose a quality brand and enjoy.

Courtesy of caffesociety.co.uk

Posted on April 13, 2011December 20, 2018 by Reviews — Leave a comment

Tips to avoid overeating

How to adopt healthy eating habits and follow a balanced diet.

Blogger Tina Haupert, author of Carrots ‘N’ Cake: Healthy Living One Carrot and Cupcake At A Time, shares her experiences and advice on how to lose the pounds and keep them off. Instead of restrictive dieting, obsessive calorie counting, and constant hunger, Tina shows readers how they can shed pounds by adopting eating habits that are healthy, balanced, and above all, livable.

My tips to avoid overeating

I’m definitely in a different mind-set when a binge occurs. A planned splurge is usually exactly that – planned. I think about it ahead of time, and I am much more in control of the situation. I can sit down and enjoy a dessert and stop myself. It’s all mental for me this way. Usually, I am not prepared for it, so when it happens it’s really tough for me to get in control again. Something takes over, and I can’t seem to stop myself. These two instances are different too because I really enjoy the indulgence and I don’t enjoy the binge as much, especially in regard to how I feel after the experience.

My tips on overeating

I eat enough during the day. I’ve noticed that if I don’t eat substantial meals that include fiber-packed carbs, low-fat protein, and healthy fats, I usually encounter crazy cravings later. Now I make sure that all of my meals and snacks include a combination of all three.

I keep “trigger foods” out of the house (most of the time). Cookies, chocolate, and cereal are foods that give me trouble when it comes to portion size. Instead of keeping my favorite foods in the house, I purchase them only once in awhile. I love peanut butter chips, but I buy them only every other month or so because I know I will finish off the bag in less than a week. Every now and then, it’s okay, but I don’t let myself have these treats in the house on a regular basis. When it comes to cereal, I buy mostly “healthy” cereal that I tend not to overdo it with. Kashi is one thing; Frosted Mini-Wheats are another!

I try not to mistake thirst for hunger. In the afternoon, especially right after lunch, I always feel hungry. But much of the time, my hunger pangs are satisfied with a big swig of water or a hot mug of tea. A little hydration goes a long way when it comes to dealing with emotional eating.

I eat by the clock. If I just ate a meal or a snack, I will try to wait at least 20 minutes before I eat something else. When I wait, I put a buffer between myself and the food, which helps make the temptation go away — at least most of the time!

I try not to be too hard on myself. A single slip up isn’t going to cause me to gain pounds. If I do overdo it, I don’t let it become an excuse to continue to eat poorly, though. I don’t get down on myself, and I make sure to get back on track the very next time I eat.

I just don’t start. Especially, when it comes to baking, I don’t let myself taste my treats until it’s time to do so. If I bake muffins for breakfast the night before, I don’t allow myself to have one until the next morning. Same goes for cookies or blondies — I wait until dessert time. Otherwise, I’ll start eating them and not stop. If I pick a specific time to enjoy a muffin or cookie, I savor it during that set period and cut myself off after that.

The above is an excerpt from the book Carrots ‘N’ Cake: Healthy Living One Carrot and Cupcake At A Time by Tina Haupert. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

Author bio

Tina Haupert publishes on Carrots ‘N’ Cake: Healthy Living on a daily basis, and also writes another blog called Trading Up Downtown for a nutritional rating company called NuVal. Additionally, she writes a weekly feature for Health.com as part of their Feel Great Weight program. She lives in Boston, Massachusetts with her husband, Mal, and her pug, Murphy.

For more information please visit www.carrotsncake.com or search for her book.

Posted on February 26, 2011December 20, 2018 by Reviews — Leave a comment

Nespresso coffee maker

The Nespresso D90 Essenza should be included in a espresso making reviews package because it offers a very good price to features ratio.

For a machine at such a modest price, the Nespresso D90 Essenza delivers some amazing features. Still, there are some drawbacks you need to know about before deciding.

The D90 Essenza produces an amazing 19-bar of pressure. That’s almost unheard of in a machine that sells for an entry-level price. Luckily, it makes a far better than entry-level cup. That pressure is one of the key reasons why, since it helps squeeze every drop of flavor out of your coffee.

Also surprising is the inclusion of a ThermoBlock heating system. More than just a marketing buzzword, this mechanism ensures plenty of heat. Combining with its electronic temperature regulation, the D90 distributes it well throughout the system. That provides an even brew from start to finish, another key factor in producing a superior shot.

You’ll get plenty of it, too, thanks to the 34-ounce water tank. Happily, it’s removable for easy fill and clean up. At 34-ounces you have plenty of coffee to serve all your guests at the same time. And, since the tank is removable, you can easily use specialty de-calcification products or a simple mixture of vinegar and baking soda once a month to rinse away any build-up. Keeping your tank clean helps keep your brews top notch.

There is one limitation that causes this model to be put on the “Not for everyone” list, though. The Nespresso D90 Essenza uses proprietary coffee capsules that must be purchased from Nespresso. That’s a surprising design choice and will limit acceptance of an otherwise fine machine.

If you find capsules with a brew you like, excellent. Nespresso offers a number of pre-measured single-serve capsules in a number of blends. They offer a dozen varieties in single shot and double shot sizes.

But being required to purchase them from Nespresso is limiting. Most consumers want to purchase their key ingredient anywhere and everywhere and in different forms. You can’t use ESE pods or grounds, if you prefer; you’re locked into their capsules.

It certainly is convenient; you won’t have to tamp your grounds. And, the design makes it a breeze to dispose of the coffee when you’re done brewing. A used-capsule drawer can hold up to 14 spent capsules so you don’t necessarily have to dump one in the trash can the instant you want to make another shot.

The unit offers maximum simplicity in another way: there are only two buttons. To the left of the spout there’s a red On/Off button, to the right, a green brewing button. That certainly makes the whole operation as straightforward as possible. On the downside, many espresso lovers will miss the external hot water spout, a steam wand, and other extra features supplied by so many espresso machines.

Someone looking for the ultimate in ease of use will find the Nespresso D90 Essenza attractive, especially given the high pressure and the low price. But for those who want a little more flexibility, particularly with the main ingredient, best to look elsewhere.

Posted on February 25, 2011December 20, 2018 by Reviews — Leave a comment

Breville espresso maker

The Breville BES860XL is their way to take a stance on espresso and coffee making.

When you read that the Breville BES860XL is programmable, don’t panic. Happy baristas everywhere know that no computer skills are needed to operate this fine espresso maker. All you need is a love for a fine brew and a few minutes of free time to enjoy the process of creating it.

You won’t need too much time, though, thanks in part to the integrated grinder. Clean up doesn’t take much time, either, because the grinder is removable. This conical burr style unit lets you make your grounds fresh, a key factor in making a fine brew. The hopper holds up to eight ounces of beans at a time, so you’ll be able to make plenty for you and some special friends.

Using the grinding dial, you can dial in the texture you and they prefer. Set it manually or use a preset grind and relax knowing you’ll get exactly what you want each time. The grinder will stop automatically when it’s finished. And, the grinder is so well integrated it doesn’t merely ground the beans, but moves the output straight into your filter.

Those grounds won’t give you any trouble during the brewing process, either, thanks to the BES860XL’s filter options. The machine is packaged with both single-wall and dual-wall filters so you can have a lot of fun experimenting. It won’t take long before you settle on something you like best, and you can’t go wrong with this unit no matter which you choose.

You’ll be able to make an enormous amount, too, because Breville designed a huge 67-ounce water tank for this model. Luckily, it’s removable, making filling and clean up a breeze. The built-in water filtration system ensures that one of your key ingredients is always in optimal form, too.

Cleaning a 67-ounce water tank can sound like a big chore, but it doesn’t have to be. A mixture of vinegar and baking soda can keep it free of calcium build-up, or you can purchase any of dozens of specialty de-calcification products to make it even easier.

This Breville model also comes with an espresso tamper. With its magnetized locking system you can tamp your grounds while the device is still attached to the machine. Or, disconnect it and use it free hand on the counter, if you prefer.

Tamping is always a good idea. It makes your grounds uniform to keep your brew even throughout the entire liquid. To accomplish that, it’s key to have a tamper that fits your unit well. Since this one is designed especially for the BES860XL, you know it’s just right.

It’s also important to have a puck with just the right moisture content. Removing excess water helps produce the best brew. So, buyers will be glad to know the BES860XL has a dry puck feature to keep it at optimal level.

The Breville BES860XL has convenience features that make brewing that fine shot no hassle at all. One of those is the handy hideaway storage tray to hold small items that you always need ready to hand. Spoons and more fit just fine. Ease of use and a stellar espresso from an integrated machine. We like it!