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Millions of Americans are head-over-heels for their daily indulgence of coffee. Are you one of them? Whether you love dark roasts or light roasts, Peruvian blends or Columbian blends, espresso or latte, you'll learn something handy about the ever-more-complicated art of making delectable coffee.

The first step to java enjoyment is choosing the best coffeemaker for your needs. If you haven't taken a look at coffeemakers in recent years, you'll be impressed with the number of options now available on many models. Read on for the lowdown on the most popular bells and whistles.

Programmable Feature
This feature allows coffee lovers to preset when they want their java brewed. You can wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee�much more delightful than an alarm clock�plus coffeemakers with this feature often include an automatic shut-off feature. Those are two less things you have to remember each morning.

Water Filter Feature
This feature filters water before brewing the coffee, removing any impurities and creating a more pure pot of coffee.

Cup Selector Feature
Coffeemakers with this feature allow you to select the number of cups you're brewing. This means that if you're brewing fewer cups, the brewing process is slowed, making for a richer flavor than would be produced with the first few cups of a large pot of coffee.

Temperature Options
Some coffeemakers allow you to choose what temperature level the heat plate maintains, according to your own personal preferences.

Paused Brewing Feature
This feature allows you to take the carafe away from the maker while it's brewing and pour yourself a cup. The sensor prevents dripping and spills. Simply return the carafe when you're done pouring and brewing will pick up where it left off. No more standing idly by waiting for the full pot to be brewed.

Coffee Grinder Feature
Some coffeemakers also come with coffee bean grinders attached. These help you brew the freshest and most tantalizing cup of all, experts say.

Multiple Cup Options
Nowadays, you can choose from any number of cup capacities to meet your needs. If you entertain often, you may choose a larger 10, 12 or even more cups capacity. If you're the only coffee drinker in your household, a four-cup or one-serving coffeemaker may be just the ticket.

Choose the Right Filter
Many coffee connoisseurs say that standard white bleached filters add a tinge of bleachy taste to coffee and that natural brown filters add a tinge of papery taste to coffee. While both types of filters work fine for most people, if you're especially picky about your coffee experience, try a gold filter. Gold filters are reusable, often up to a full year as long as they aren't punctured. Gold filters get accolades for allowing more oils from the coffee to filter through. Oxygen-bleached paper filters are also considered among the better to use because they don't contaminate the coffee's flavor.

Cleaning Tips
Most experts recommend you clean your coffeemaker after each use to remove oils, residue and build-up that may affect the flavor of your next pot. Many coffee drinkers would agree that coffee simply tastes better in a freshly cleaned coffeemaker. Or, if you just can't seem to get that gourmet taste, it might be time for a new coffeemaker.

Cleaning a Carafe
Most carafes may be washed with warm sudsy water and many are top-rack dishwasher safe, as well. Usually abrasive cleaners and steel wool pads will damage a carafe. At a bare minimum, carafes may be rinsed after each use.

Cleaning an Electric Drip Coffeemaker
Electric drip coffeemakers tend to develop mineral build-up over time. This will affect the flavor of your coffee. Depending on how often you use your coffeemaker, a solution of half vinegar and half water may be run through a brewing cycle once or month or so. Particularly deposited coffeemakers may require the solution be run through more than once. Then, follow up by running a brewing cycle with plain water to clear out traces of the solution.

Cleaning a Percolator
Aluminum percolators may develop hard water deposits over time. A good cleaning method is to perk 1 to 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar dissolved in water. Then follow up by perking water alone to rinse out the solution. Aluminum percolators may be damaged by alkalis such as chlorine bleach and baking soda.

Also, chrome-plated and stainless steel pots may be cleaned with commercial cleaners created just for coffeepots. These are not usually recommended as safe on aluminum percolators. As always, be sure to check the specific instructions that come with your model.

Good Coffee Depends on Good Chemistry
Just like in cooking and love, the perfect cup of coffee is the result of impeccable chemistry in addition to the coffeemaker you use. Here are a few tips to keeping the chemistry up to par.

Don't microwave cooled coffee. Once cooled, coffee no longer retains the same chemical properties as a freshly brewed cup. Your best bet is to brew a new pot.
Don't keep your coffee past the expiration date. Commercial ground coffee usually should be kept in the refrigerator. If you have a little extra money in your budget, it's a real treat to splurge on fresh beans that you can grind at the grocery store. Or, if you have your own grinder, grind away just before brewing.
Store whole-bean coffee at room temperature.
Buy just the coffee you need each week on your weekly trip to the grocery store, just as you would your fruits, vegetables and other perishables.
If you're especially finicky about your coffee's flavor, use cold filtered water is for the ultimate purity.
Make the most of your coffee experience by taking a break and savoring the flavor. Enjoy!

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