Orchids are some of Mother Nature’s most cheerful creations. For many of us, they create joy merely by gracing our living spaces or our gardens. Nevertheless it must be said that other than their loveliness, orchids have little practicality for human beings, with the single exception of that estimable orchid that give us our vanilla flavoring.

If you had lived around eighty to 100 years ago, though, you perhaps would have had occasion to sample a wonderful tea created from the leaves of an uncommon orchid. The drink, commonly called Faham tea, achieved some celebrity in France in the early part of the 20th century. To be specific, it was brewed from the pungent leaves of the Angraecum fragrans orchid (also recorded as the Jumella fragrans).

The rare orchid was a native to the Reunion Island off the coast of Africa. An epiphytal species known  to the locals as “faham,” its usage as tea is credited to Reunion’s indigenous people, who are are said to have been the first to discover how tasty it was.

An article in a horticultual magazine of 1924 observed that so-called Faham tea had been sold in France, where many consumers were drinking it as a substitute for “Chinese” (i.e., regular) tea. “Every work on botany of any importance similarly places it in the foremost rank of the beneficial productions of  this favored clime (Reunion),” the writer says. “One of our most illustrious writers George Sand eulogizes it in the midst of the fine description of the Island of Bourbon.” Bourbon was an earlier name for Reunion Island, incidentally.

The orchid involved was known to grow very high on the mountain slopes of the island, deep inside virtually inaccessible forests. The difficulties attendant on gathering a sufficient amount of the plant meant that Faham tea, as a commercially viable item, was doomed to failure. Despite widespread acknowledgement of the tea’s tastiness, it was for the most part forgotten by mid- 20th century.

Most of us won’t ever learn what Faham tea tastes like. But, if you happen to be lucky enough to be growing a specimen or two of the right kind of orchid, you could sacrifice a handful of leaves and actually make some up for yourself. To brew the tea, you first bring water to a boil in a tea kettle. Then you put in some dried orchid leaves (about as much per cup as you would regular tea) to the water, turning off the heat and permitting it to steep for a few minutes.

A flyer from the 1920s extolling Faham tea avers:

It can be used as a substitute for tea on all occasions, as it combines its tonic and digestive qualities free from the sleepless effect. It possesses an aroma of great delicacy capable of being rendered more or less pungent according to the quantity used, and it gives forth a most agreeable perfume. After being drank, it leaves a lasting fragrance in the mouth, and in a closed room the odor of it can be recognized long after.

This beverage has the further advantage over tea, which requires to be drank at the time of making, in that it can be reserved for a future occasion if requisite, and may either be taken cold or made hot again. Milk or spirits in small quantities, especially rum, serve to develope its aroma and lending it additional delicacy or greater strength render it a delicious drink. Lastly this valuable plant is made use of to flavor custards and ices to which it communicates its delicate fragrance.

Sounds delightful. Faham tea, anyone?

Now, if you think you would like to try your hand at growing orchids, suitable for tea or otherwise, you will require accurate information.

Today there is an abudance of good, accurate information available for anyone who would like to grow orchids. The most complete guidebook to contemporary orchid gardening, I have found, is Orchid Care Expert by a Mr. Nigel Howard, which is available to be downloaded from the Internet. Howard’s wonderful guide constitutes a complete education all to itself. And, it’s suitable for those just starting out as well as more seasoned orchid growers. Also, visit the Orchid Secrets site, which features an ever-expanding database of information on all facets of orchid care.

It may be that you are the only coffee drinker in your home. In such case it may be best for you to opt for one of the one cup coffee makers available on the market today. This could be a great addition to your home and kitchen. These are special coffee machines that are designed for individuals who want a cup of coffee at a time for themselves but do not wish to make a whole pot in order to secure the one cup.

Indeed, preparing a whole pot of coffee for one person can be a big waste that is unnecessarily made. Making use of the single cup coffeemakers or one cup coffeemakers can help do away with this loss making. No wonder why they are becoming more and more popular. Their rising demand has led to the setting up of even single serve espresso machines.

It is said that in order to get the best taste and flavor the freshly brewed coffee ought to be served within twenty minutes of brewing. If a longer time elapses between the brewing and drinking then the coffee drink may well turn bitter or burnt tasting and the flavor of the special coffee beverages get ruined. So, the one cup coffeemakers are the best in case of single servings since they immediately dispense the coffee that it brews for one cup and thus ensures that the perfect taste is not lost.

One cup coffee makers work faster than standard coffee machines and most brew a cup in less than a minutes’ time. So, you can get your favorite coffee drink readied nearly as soon as you wished to get it brewed.  

Single cup coffee makers can be used with canned or freshly ground coffee beans. The single serving coffee makers usually come with a reusable coffee filter built in thus doing away with the need for using paper filters. The reusable coffee filters are also presumed to deliver better results in terms of flavor and aroma.

Also, one cup coffee makers also deliver an excellent single serving of tea. For making tea using the machines, the water may be heated in the machine and the tea bag put into the cup as usual. Alternatively, the tea bag can be placed into the filter and the water is to be run through like in case of coffee preparation.

Single serving espresso machines are available, too, coming in stainless steel or aluminum models. The stainless steel models, though comparatively more expensive, are considered preferable as there are considered to be health risks associated with brewing in aluminum containers. The single serving espresso machines of the day are small and lightweight. They are perfectly suited for preparing espresso drinks while traveling.

One cup coffee makers or single serve coffee makers are just perfect for coffee drinkers who stay alone. Such persons do need a coffee machine for themselves but they certainly do not wish to opt for buying a coffee machine that makes many cups at a time. The one cup coffeemakers ensure that the hassle involved in preparing an entire pot is avoided when only a single serving of coffee is needed for an individual.

Apart from quick brewing and dispensing of the cupful of coffee (in less than a minutes’ time) the one cup coffeemakers also ensure rich taste and flavor in the coffee beverages brewed. This also allows the user to choose from among the coffees of various tastes and flavors available. Individuals who may wish to select decaf can get their cup readied too through the one cup coffeemakers. Other choices may also be made- French roast, dark roasted coffees and various blends. Even tea beverages can be prepared using the one cup coffeemakers.

The one cup coffee makers are usually compatible with functioning using coffee pods. Usage of the pods in coffee brewing also hastens the process further. The coffee pods- enclosed bags of ground coffee that are similar to tea bags are only to be placed into the single serving coffee maker. Soon a rich, invigorating coffee drink of choice is made ready.

Being a connoisseur of superior coffee you will certainly wish to avoid instant varieties of coffee and prefer to brew your own drinks. Obtaining a coffee machine can, however, not be practicable owing to the fact that you may often be on the move, traveling. Besides, you may be working in a public office and cannot certainly carry the machine to the office. In such cases, the one cup coffeemakers can be the right choice for you. These machines being quite small in size and easy to carry and handle will be the worthwhile coffee beverage providers as and when you wish to indulge in drinking.

So, when there is no time at hand to make ready the normal pot of coffee or no need to do so (owing to your lonesome status) you can conveniently make use of one of the one cup coffeemakers. Late risers will especially find this as a great boon. They can quickly get to sip into their piping hot morning coffee cup as readied perfectly and get along with their daily activities feeling enlivened.

One cup coffee makers (or single serve coffee makers) are much in demand nowadays. The reason for their growing popularity is that they eliminate the need to bear the hassles involved in brewing a ‘pot’ full of coffee when only a cupful is needed. The preparation of a whole pot of coffee that can be pretty wasteful is thus avoided. The main objectives that the one cup coffeemakers achieve are quick brewing, lessening of flavor and taste loss owing to prolonged retaining of the coffee and of course dispensing of the right amount of coffee that is needed.

Now there are even the one cup espresso makers on offer that aim at offering single servings of espresso beverage. This can enable you to brew and treat yourself to the perfect espresso drinks while doing away with the need to brew in excess.

There are a number of concerns that offer the single serving coffeemaker models. Notable among these are Phillips and Keurig. Many a model of the one cup coffeemakers of the day are manufactured by Phillipe Senseo and Black and Decker. Consumers who have used these products have praised their functionalities. Hence, these can be deemed to be worthy offerings in the market that you too can think of opting for.

Some popular choices among the one cup coffeemakers are the Senseo pods. It is their speed of brewing and delivering and convenience and ease of handling that sets them a class apart. Besides, these require little service. However, it has been learnt that the coffee pods that are used in the machine are not easy to find in the retail stores and they also do not come in a great variety. Shopping for the requisite pods can be made from Melitta or Senseo online is the way out to ensuring securing of the pods.

The Black and Decker concern provides some kind of coffee mug too with purchase of their one cup coffee makers. The single serving coffee makers that they provide are comparatively priced lower. The models make use of coffee filters to brew the automatic drip coffee. Some of the most popular one cup coffeemakers are the Senseo Single Serve Coffee Machine, the Black and Decker Brew ‘N Go, the Melitta MES1R, Keurig B50 and Mr. Coffee SSP10. Some among these models are programmable while the others are not. Any of these can be judiciously chosen keeping in with personal preferences of features.

It is the fear of heartburn that often makes people shy away from coffee. Causing of heartburn upon consumption of coffee is a common problem that many people face. However, the flavor and aroma of coffee can be so inviting that many people risk heartburn to enjoy their favorite piping hot coffee drinks of various types. Indeed, it is difficult to stop coffee buffs from sipping in their favorite drink.

The real cause of the heartburn arising after drinking coffee needs to be ascertained. It has been thought that the heartburn is caused by the effect of the acids of the stomach leaking into the esophagus where they are not supposed to be. As a result of the esophagus lining coming into contact with the stomach acids irritation is caused at the linings and heartburn is felt as a result of the acid irritation. The taking in of caffeine has been observed to be a reason for such heartburn. Upon consumption of a caffeinated drink like coffee the body tends to produce more acid and the extra acid produced go into the lower esophageal sphincter. So, the high caffeine content of coffee can be help responsible for causing or aggravating heartburn.

A new technology has been developed referred to as the Hevla technology that seeks to address the problem of heartburn arising upon coffee drinking. Ardent coffee lovers can now get to find a ray hope in the way that the technology can help enable production of caffeine free coffee drinks thus negating the possibility if any caffeine induced heartburn arising.

The Hevla process seeks to steam coffee beans at a high temperature. This helps eliminate the caffeine content of the coffee beans while keeping the great taste and aroma of the coffee intact. Using these specially treated coffee beans to prepare single serving of coffee using one cup coffeemakers can deliver in a short time a cupful of piping hot coffee for you that has great taste and aroma and is free from caffeine.

Since only a few people may want decaffeinated coffee it is best to prepare the decaf for one person at a time using one cup coffee makers. Usage of one cup coffee makers will also ensure quicker preparation of coffee and the fast delivery ensures that the taste and aroma of the coffee is kept just perfect while drinking. So, using the Hevla process to treat the coffee beans and employing a special machine from among the one cup coffee makers of the day will assure a wonderful coffee drinking experience sans the risk of heartburn.