About seven weeks ago, I wrote to you about the move from haphazardly 
making our morning brew and in that, finding and embracing a real respect for the beautiful coffee bean. I’d love to tell you that every morning, I joyfully ground coffee and lovingly added filtered water so that each cup was a piece of art.
Yes, I have been showing full respect for the bean and ritualizing the making of coffee each morning, but I’d be lying if I told you that every morning it was done with joy and love. Because, let’s face it: no matter how much of a morning person I am, some mornings, my coordination and brain power pre-caffeine can be quite challenged. And sometimes, the coffee taste was still off.
What I discovered from research was that, not only does grinding fresh matter, the coarseness (or fine-ness) of the ground coffee could greatly affect the flavor – and my pre-dawn grinding was less than consistent.
So we got a new coffee pot. And it’s magical.
When I realized that there were some coffee makers out there that would handle not only the brewing, but also the grinding, in one machine, I began to do some research.
I settled on the Cuisinart Grind & Brew with a thermal carafe and am thrilled with the results. This fabulous little machine does everything at the push of the button. It comes backed with the Cuisinart name and was sold at a very affordable price.
This means, the evening before, I can load the coffee maker with coffee beans and filtered water – and the only thing my pre-caffeinated brain needs to do in the morning is push the “on” button. The resulting coffee is just right – even Goldilocks would find no complaints. Perfect grind consistency, freshly ground coffee and the magic of pressurized water dripping into a thermal carafe that will keep the coffee fresh for hours.
The perfect marriage of ritual and respect for the bean – with the ease of action for sleepy eyes.
Sounds like a match made in heaven to me!
Does the carafe keep the coffee hot? I like mine really hot, and some machines don’t brew it hot enough for me.
Becca – it keeps the coffee hot for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Cuisinart also recommended running hot water in the carafe to “pre-warm” it before the coffee is brewed ;-)
This DOES sound magical! And, I love the thermal carafe…
We love having a thermal carafe, too. The glass ones break easily – and to keep the coffee hot, you keep it on a burner which can make it taste burnt!
I’ve always loved having a thermal carafe (I do have one, it’s blue – you’ve seen it – ) and I’ve always lusted after coffeemakers like this one, that grind and brew, but since I’m the only coffee drinker in the house, my one-cup-at-a-time pod machine is what works best for me, and I only use the “regular” machine when we have guests.
(I know…it’s hard to believe I’ve been married to a man who DOESN’T LIKE COFFEE for almost eighteen years)
I love that carafe. And yes, I love the carafe that came with this – sleek and stainless with black trim!