A hot beverage system that does alot more than just brew coffee. You can make tea, coffee, hot chocolate, espresso and even foamy lattes with the Tassimo machine. No matter what I am in the mood for, I am able to use Tassimo.

They've made some improvements for a sleeker and more compact machine. Most of the features have remained the same though.

Review of the Tassimo Discs
The Tassimo machine takes a special kind of disc to produce its drinks. I've compiled my opinions on all the different kinds of discs in a separate review.

All true tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. But the different types of tea stem from the processing, with 3 main varieties: black, oolong, and green. Take a quick look at each type of tea in this photo series, and you can see the differences.

Yes, you read that right. With the popularity of energy drinks at an all-time high, it is a bit surprising to find a drink offering relaxation instead of energy.

I tried a couple cans of Drank, and have to say that the stuff is very refreshing, though it's sweet like other energy drinks. But did it "slow my roll", as they say? You'll have to read my review to find out.

Though most teas will produce a decent cup if you steep them all in boiling water, many of the finer teas will do much better at lower temperatures. Green and white teas, for example, are more delicate and you get more flavour if you brew in slightly cooler water. Here is a quick guide to brewing times and temperatures. Take a bit of extra time to brew your tea right, and you will enjoy the benefits in your first cup.

More on tea brewing:
Loose Tea vs Tea Bags
How to Brew a Pot of Tea
Top Tea Kettles

Turkish coffee is a little more exotic than most of us ever try to make at home. But it's not that hard if you use a proper ibrik. These attractive pots can help you make excellent Turkish coffee, though it might take a little practice to get it down just right.

I don't expect people to give up their handy drip coffee makers, but if you're looking for an unusual skill to master, give it a whirl.

They're becoming more and more common, with a number of new models to choose from. Single serve coffee makers brew one cup at-a-time so you always have the freshest coffee. They usually take pre-packed pods or capsules, which makes their use a snap. By adding pressure, you don't have the wait time of a typical drip machine. I have listed some of the best ones for you to try.

If you enjoy Kahlua, you should think about trying to make your own coffee-flavored liqueurs. It's actually pretty easy. By using a vodka base, you don't have to mess around with trying to ferment alcohol. I've some instructions and 4 different recipes for you to try. You may need to experiment a bit, since you are likely not that familiar with the process. Needless to say, it's not quite as simple as running your drip coffee machine.

If you're new to the world of coffee and tea, you can learn all the basics in just one week. Sign up for this short email course, and you'll get an email each day explaining all the aspects of coffee, tea and espresso making. Ideal for the beginner. Each 'lesson' will outline the information you need to know, and you just have to follow the links to the complete articles on the website. Subscribe today!

Using a stove-top moka pot is a quick and simple way to make espresso at home. It's not complicated either. This illustrated set of steps will have you making espresso in no time. One of the great things about using a moka pot is that it doesn't take any electricity. You can use them on any heat surface, even over a campfire if you really need to have your espresso, no matter what.

I enjoy tea in its many forms, but when the weather is particularly cold out, I find chai to really warm me up. Chai is not complicated, nor is it hard to make. You may need to go digging in your spice rack for all the ingredients though.
• Masala Chai
• Kashmiri Tea
• More chai recipes.....