YOUR PLACE WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!

Byline: Martin S. Gonzalez

Although there are the constants in proper coffee brewing - freshly roasted, freshly ground coffee will always give you the best cup of coffee - there are a number of different brewing methods that provide varying results. Out recently is an assortment of electric coffee makers that take brewing far beyond the basic drip.

Senseo Coffee Maker by Philips: The most convenient of the models tested, but also the most limiting, the Senseo Coffee Maker uses an espresso-brewing technique to produce a very consistent, although not complex cup of coffee. Single-serving coffee pods, available in a variety of blends, are placed in an espresso pod and mildly pressurized hot water is sprayed over the pod, producing a frothy coffee layer in each cup. With the coffee machine heated and ready to brew, a cup of coffee is made in less than a minute. Cleanup is a cinch with this machine. The Senseo is listed at $60 and is available at Smart & Final and selected housewares stores.

Moka Easy Electric Espresso Maker from Bialetti: Stove-top espresso makers are a common sight in Italian homes, producing a velvety rich, intensely flavored cup of coffee. Although not as concentrated as espresso, it can be used as espresso in recipes or diluted with water and enjoyed as a creamy cup of coffee. Water is placed in a bottom chamber and topped off with a metal filter filled with coffee. A separate top chamber screws on top of the filter and as the water boils, the steam flows through the coffee grounds and emerges in the top chamber. The creaminess of the coffee from the Moka Easy cannot be beat, but constant experimenting with different grinds is necessary to find the right brew. Cleanup is minimal and there are no disposable filters needed. The small 12-ounce capacity also limits the coffee maker for personal use only. The Moka Easy is available at Williams-Sonoma and selected coffee shops with a suggested price of $55.

Toddy Cold Brew System: Although it is not an electric coffee maker, I was intrigued by the Toddy Cold Brew System with its claims of producing a cup of coffee superior to that of any heated system. Coarse-ground coffee is placed in a container with cold water and sits for 10 to 12 hours, later strained to produce a coffee concentrate that is then mixed with hot water in a 3-to-1 ratio to make coffee. The method is easy enough and the concentrate keeps in the refrigerator for more than two weeks, according to Toddy. The company claims that, on average, cold-brewed coffee contains 67 percent less acid than coffee brewed using conventional heated methods. True to its claim, the Toddy coffee was less acidic but so much so that it gave the coffee a flat taste. The Toddy Cold Brew system is available at Cost Plus World Markets for $37 or directly from Toddy at [phone].

Bodum Santos Electric Coffee Maker: With its large capacity, electronic timer and flexibility, the Bodum Santos Electric Coffee Maker is a superb machine, fit for any coffee connoisseur. The Santos uses a vacuum to create a consistently well-rounded, flavorful cup of coffee. Water is placed in the main pot and topped off with a funnel that holds the desired amount of coffee and seals to create a vacuum. As the heating element heats the water, steam is funneled through the coffee grounds and, once mixed, travels back through the funnel into the coffee pot. Brewing 12 6-ounce cups takes about 11 minutes and produced the hottest coffee of any of the models tested. Although clunky, the funnel and attached filter are easy to clean and the machine is programmable, so you can wake up every morning to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. The 12-cup Bodum Santos Electric Coffee Maker sells for $100 and is available at Sur La Table and selected housewares stores.

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(1 -- color) no caption (Sense Coffee Maker by Phillips)

(2 -- color) no caption (Toddy Cold Brew System)