Types
Vacuum brewers
On August 27, 1930, Inez H. Peirce of Chicago, Illinois, filed her patent for the first vacuum coffee maker that truly automated the vacuum brewing process, while eliminating the need for a stovetop burner or liquid fuels.
Cafetiere
A cafetiere (coffee plunger, French press in US English) requires coffee of a coarser grind than does a drip brew coffee filter, as finer grounds will seep through the press filter and into the coffee.
Because the coffee grounds remain in direct contact with the brewing water and the grounds are filtered from the water via a mesh instead of a paper filter, coffee brewed with the cafetiere captures more of the coffee's flavor and essential oils, which would become trapped in a traditional drip brew machine's paper filters. As with drip-brewed coffee, cafetiere coffee can be brewed to any strength by adjusting the amount of ground coffee which is brewed. If the used grounds remain in the drink after brewing, French pressed coffee left to stand can become "bitter", though this is an effect that many users of cafetiere consider beneficial. For a 1⁄2-litre (0.11 imp gal; 0.13 US gal) cafetiere, the contents are considered spoiled, by some reports, after around 20 minutes.
Single-serve coffeemaker
The single-serve or single-cup coffeemaker had gained popularity by the 2000s.
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless beef top sirloin steak, thinly sliced across the grain
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 2 (12-ounce) jars beef gravy
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 pound wide egg noodles, cooked according to package directions
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add steak, onion, salt, and pepper, and cook 5 to 7 minutes or until steak is browned, stirring occasionally.
- Add mushrooms and cook 4 to 5 minutes or until tender.
- Reduce heat to low, stir in gravy, and simmer 10 minutes or until heated through. Stir in sour cream, and cook 1 to 2 minutes. Serve over warm noodles.
- bird-watching
- studying birds
- educating others
- other bird-related activities
- A particularly important National Bird Day activity is bird adoption. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper article, many bird enthusiasts celebrate by adopting birds on this day and educating future bird owners about the special issues involved with taking care of birds, including the “proper care, cleanup, noise and biting, feeding, diet and their need for daily interaction.”
There are approximately 10,000 species of birds.
HOW TO OBSERVE
- Pick up a bird identification book. It will help you to learn about species in your area and identify those frequenting your bird feeders.
- Enhance the attraction of your backyard. Add feeders, shelter and more. Learn what birds in your area like to eat and watch them flock to your sanctuary.
- Donate to a bird sanctuary or aviary dedicated to improving the survival of endangered birds.
- While you’re learning about all the amazing species, visit an aviary. A botanical garden, zoo, or conservation area may offer close up viewing of some of the more exotic species you’ve never seen before.
