10 Alternatives to Coffee

Maybe you are trying to cut back on your coffee intake, or just want something a little bit different. We have composed a list of 10 alternatives to coffee. So let your coffee maker take a break and try out these beverages:

1. Smoothies with nut butter, the protein from the nut butter gives you a bit of an energy boost. Get out your blender and try creating some unique smoothies.
2. Wheatgrass juice is bragged about for it's healthy benefits, want to try it? You may need a wheatgrass juicer if it becomes a daily habit.
3. Chai Lattes are similar enough to coffee that if you are cutting coffee to cut back on caffeine then you can trick your brain into thinking it is getting coffee. Chai does have some caffeine in it, but not as much as coffee does.
4. Lemon water. The citrus taste will help give you a bit of a jolt. 
5. Pomegranate juice. Drink alone or mix with a smoothie.
6. Prune juice, drink alone or dilute with water or apple juice.
7. Peppermint tea. The minty flavor will tingle your tastebuds helping you to perk up.
8. Green tea. Many people like green tea since it helps some to feel more energized.
9. Hot chocolate. 
10. Warm fruit ciders.

What to do When the Pot to Your Coffee Maker Breaks

Sometimes there is an accident that results in the pot or carafe to your coffee maker breaking. Some people will just go out and purchase a new coffee maker, however, there is a more affordable solution, especially if your coffee maker is still working great.

Replacement Coffee Carafes

There are several different sizes and brands of replacement coffee pots:

One All Replacement Coffee Carafes fit nearly any coffeemaker, they come in many different shapes and sizes:

There is also a Bunn 12 Cup Carafe, Bunn 10 Cup Carafe, several Mr. Coffee Replacement Coffee Pots, a Cuisinart 12 Cup Carafe, and the Melitta Carafe.

With so many various replacement coffee pots on the market, you are sure to find one to fit your coffee maker, so don't replace it just yet, it may have a few more lovely years with you each morning. Just revive it with a new coffee pot.

What do you Know about Coffee Filters?

Anyone who drinks coffee has at one point or time either owned or used a coffee maker that used coffee filters. So how did coffee filters come about?

Coffee filters were invented to filter out the oily part of coffee, also known as diterpenes. Melitta Benz created the first coffee filter in July of 1908 (Happy 104th birthday to the coffee filter!)

Does the name Melitta sound familiar? If so it is because Melitta Benz created the company that makes the Melitta coffee makers.

The original coffee filter was created from blotting papers, now, most standard coffee filters are made from crepe paper. This type of paper is strong enough to not tear when the hot water passes through, but weak enough to allow the water, now coffee, to pass through.

Many coffee maker companies created their own filters to go with their coffee makers. Such as, Bunn Coffee Filters, there are also off brand coffee filters made in specific sizes, as well as permanent coffee filters, for those who do not want to continually purchase and throw away coffee filters.

What other neat facts do you know about coffee filters?

Looking for a Personal Coffee Pot that is Affordable?

There are some amazing one cup coffee brewing systems on the market, however for a one person household, apartment, or dorm room, they may be considered a bit pricey. Luckily, there are some coffee makers on the market that are quick and ready to go, the ones that we are sharing are less than $50 each.

The Black and Decker Brew 'N Go brews straight into a travel mug so it is ready to travel out with you to face the day. This personal coffee maker comes with:

• Permanent filter, no need to worry about running out of filters or finding the right size.
• 15 oz. Travel Mug, with lid

The Hamilton Beach One Cup Pod Brewer brews straight into the mug of your choice. This personal coffee maker uses pods, so there are no coffee grains to spill. It comes with:

• 18 Senseo coffee pods
• Dishwasher Safe Brew Basket

Melitta Coffee Makers offer a unique way to brew a single cup of coffee. Their personal coffee makers come with a sample pack of filters. (How to Use a Melitta One Cup Coffee Maker)

History of Mr. Coffee Coffee Makers

Sometimes it is fun to revisit the past, to get an idea of where the companies that we love came from. Mr. Coffee has been around for 40 years now. That's a lot of history behind the Mr. Coffee Coffee Makers.

In 1972 Mr. Coffee introduced their first coffee maker, which was the first automatic drip coffeemaker designed for household use. Quickly after, in 1975, Mr. Coffee invented their own coffee filter, this was the first of many of their product inventions.

In 1977 a frost that killed nearly all the coffee plants drove coffee prices to $4 a pound. (Which translates to $14.80 today) Some states decided to allow people to only purchase 1 pound of coffee per household. To help people stretch their coffee, Mr. Coffee created a brewer that would make the same amount of coffee, while using less coffee grounds.

For those that have trouble getting up in the morning, Mr. Coffee introduced their first line of programmable coffee brewers in 1980. Hello effortless morning coffee! Shortly after this introduction, Mr. Coffee created the first Pause N' Serve coffee maker, allowing you to have a cup of coffee before the entire pot has finished brewing.


Mr. Coffee decided that they should look into helping people who like tea, but maybe not coffee, in 1989 they introduced the automatic Iced TeaPot to their product line. They continued upon this line in 1995 when they introduced the Mrs. Tea hot tea maker.

After 30 years, Mr. Coffee celebrated in 2002 with an ad that featured Carson Daly and Chris Klug.

After many years of coffee pots, that when making coffee for one were wasteful, Mr. Coffee designed their first one cup brewer, or single serve brewer in 2004.

For more Mr. Coffee info visit: http://www.mrcoffee.com/AboutUs.aspx