The Coffee Poet

With the Holidays fast approaching we tend to drink more coffee and eat a lot more desserts. Its gets really bad on the waistline when our coffee starts to have as many calories as a dessert, but unfortunately many specialty coffee drinks are like a dessert, not something you should consume on a daily basis unless you give them the caloric respect they deserve.

How much damage can your favorite coffee drink do in additional calories added to your diet? The fancier the drink, the fancier the calories - especially when you opt for the whipped topping.  An extra 200 calories a day can add up to 21 extra pounds added to your body per year!

If you can't give up your daily gourmet guzzle, know what calories you are adding to your body before you make your decision on which coffee drink to purchase. You don't need to give up your favorite coffee drink, but just adjust your coffee order to make it more calories conscious.

Try the following tips to make your next coffee drink more guilt-free:

Black Coffee - It is not the coffee that makes you gain weight, but all the extras that go in the drink. A medium-size regular cup of coffee has about 10 calories and 0 grams of sugar. You can control how much of those extras you put in your coffee. So order a black coffee and ask for the extras on the side and pour them in yourself.
 
Whipping Cream - By saying NO to whipped cream, you can reduce your calories of the drink about 80 to 130 calories. This will also reduce the fat content of your drink by about 8 to 12 grams.
 
Sweeteners - Request that whey use a calorie-free sweetener like Sweet'N Low, Splenda, or Equal instead of sugar.
 
Sugar-Free Syrup - Usually the coffee shop will have some sugar-free syrup. The sugar-free syrup adds no additional calories or fat to your drink.

Chocolate - A tablespoon of chocolate syrup is 50 calories. Some coffee drinks with chocolate contain as much as 1/4 cup (1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons = 200 calories). A light version of chocolate syrup gives you about 1/2 the calories.
 
Milk - User reduced fat or skim milk instead of cream when ordering your drink. You can save up to 140 calories by using this in your coffee drinks.
 

Coffee Drink

Serving Size

Calories

Carmel Frappuccino Coffee, no whip

16 fluid ounces

280

Carmel Frappuccino Coffee, whip

16 fluid ounces

430

Carmel Frappuccino Coffee only

16 fluid ounces

260

Caffe Latte, non-fat milk

16 fluid ounces

165

Caffe Latte, whole milk

16 fluid ounces

260

Caffe Latte, whole milk

16 fluid ounces

140

Caffe au Lait, non-fat milk

16 fluid ounces

90

Caffe Americano

16 fluid ounces

15

Caffe Mocha, whole milk, whip

16 fluid ounces

400

Caffe Mocha, non-fat milk, whip

16 fluid ounces

330

Caffe Mocha, non-fat milk, no whip

16 fluid ounces

220

Mocha Malt Frappuccino Coffee, whip

16 fluid ounces

570

Coffee, Mocha, white chocolate, non-fat milk, whip

344

Cappuccino, whole milk

16 fluid ounces

150

Cappuccino, non-fat milk

16 fluid ounces

100

So unless you are careful that great tasting calorie drink can be killing your diet. And if you combine it with a cheese cake you are really asking for. Have a great Holiday but watch those caloric coffee monsters.

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Having a shot of espresso or a cup of fresh brewed coffee has become a tradition for many Americans. If you're anything like me - it is sometimes the best part of the day! Espresso makers, be it for commercial or private users, have become a common small kitchen appliance, especially those that really value the quality of taste. Although it is one of the smallest appliances in your kitchen, a high quality espresso maker is still a big investment. Let's examine the most popular models of high end espresso machines.

The Top 3 Espresso Makers over $1000: Diva by Buggati, Saeco Primea Ring, and Delonghi Magnifica

The Saeco Prima Ring Super Automatic Espresso Maker

The Saeco Primea Ring is a super automatic espresso machine with a stainless steel boiler and fifteen bar pump pressure. There is a 68 ounce removable water tank, click wheel interface rapid steam SBS technology. From a tech standpoint - the Saeco Primea has everything you could look for! It tops it all off with a ceramic coffee bean grinder, the Saeco Aqua Prima water filter and Touch2Cappuccino system that can prepare 2 cups simultaneously.

Priced at an average of $1900 is well worth the money if that is your price range. The ceramic grinder allows for a consistent grind every time, which is paramount to a great tasting cup of espresso, coffee or even lattes and cappuccinos. The Rapid Steam technology lets the machine brew your espresso and then froth or steam with no waiting.

Consumers love the machine, giving it a perfect rating. The fact that it is super automatic is icing on the cake for many. It alerts you to when it needs to be cleaned, when to add, and has personalized settings for your drinks. Let's say you like your coffee a bit stronger than your wife - your cup will be brewed to your liking and vice versa. There is a slight learning curve, but all in all - it's pretty easy to use. The only negative is it's size

The Bugatti Diva

The Diva Espresso Machine by Bugatti is made of die cast aluminium with a chrome finish. The 15 bar pump pressure is great for fast startup and quick extraction. As to be expected with its name, the Diva is probably the most stylish and interestingly designed espresso maker on the market with its conical shape and retro-esque appeal. Available in chrome, black and red - it will definitely be a talking point in your kitchen.

As interesting as it may look - for an average price of $1299, is it worth the money? The Bugatti Diva can take both grinds and pods, this is a perfect mix for those who want to enjoy the process of making a great cup of espresso from scratch, coupled with the ability to make a quick cup if necessary. There's a steam wand for frothing and hot water for tea as well. It is a two short machine with a removable water tank.

The Bugatti Diva definitely delivers on its promises, but the angular design of the machine itself is not for every household. It is a five-star appliance, but at this price point you can find an equally great machine that is more likely to match the decor of your kitchen. Unless you are a true diva of course, if so - this is the perfect option for you!

The Delonghi Magnifica ESAM3500.N

Are you looking for a super automatic, 1150 watt, dual espresso maker/coffee machine with a programmable menu, instant reheat function, and conical burr grinder priced under $1500? If so, the DeLonghi ESAM3500 Magnifica has your name written all over it! You'll get a stainless steel design with 15 bar pump pressure and a removable grinder. There's a steam wand for frothing but isn't espresso pod adaptable. All parts are completely dishwasher safe allowing for easy clean up, and it also has variable coffee strength settings.

Generally speaking - you should be pleased with the DeLonghi espresso maker. It does a great job of taking the guess work out of how to make a great shot. As with most super automatic machines, it instructs on when to add your beans, descale, add water, etc. The only negative are consumer reports of broken infusers and O-rings. The DeLonghi customer service department is very friendly - but shipping your machine away to get fixed can still be a pain.

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