Here’s a tried-and-true hard candy recipe, straight from pages of Cooking for American Homemakers. I have used this gem for many years for lollypop making and it is first rate for making “medium:”

1 cup sugar 1/3 cup light corn syrup 2/3 cup water (herbal tea) vegetable coloring (optional)

Mix sugar, herbal tea and corn syrup and cook over low heat stirring until sugar is dissolved and mixture boils. Continue boiling without stirring until a small amount is very brittle when dropped into cold water. Wash away crystals from side of pan with a damp cloth. Cook slowly at end so that syrup will not discolor. Remove from heat and add color. Either drop quickly from tip of a spoon onto a greased surface or into prepared hard candy molds. Allow to harden and cool completely before removing. You can roll them in powdered sugar and wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper for storage.

For gift giving, why not add a personal touch by pressing some of fresh herbs between waxed paper and use to decorate or wrap your gift box. Add a nice tag listing herbs that you used for a professional look.

Timer If having your coffee pre-made for you when you wake up is important, then a timer is going to be key! Timers allow you to set time when your coffee maker will start doing its thing and brewing you up your beloved coffee.

Space If you have unlimited counter space, then this criterion might not matter much to you. But, for those of you for whom counter space is at a premium, deciding upon a model that fits your space as well as your décor might be an important consideration.

But, to truly separate two competitors, our judges will also be looking closely at following four areas:

Ease of Use This is self-explanatory - at 6 a.m., you want a machine that is easy to use!

Durability As you know, coffee makers aren't most pampered of home appliances. They can get pretty banged up with daily use. Choosing a hardy model is essential.

Ease of Cleaning Starting with a well-maintained and cleaned pot is one of best ways to assure yourself of a great cup of coffee day after day.

Style Yes, in end, many of us like our coffee makers to look cool. Sure, while it's true that they are simply functional machines, we want these machines to represent our love for coffee.

The fight is on between top coffee makers in world. So, who wins home coffee maker battle? Bunn-o-Matic definitely has significantly higher priced models and less of a home-based selection, but is known for superior performance and durability. Mr. Coffee has a wider range of home models to choose from and most of their machines are significantly less expensive than even lowest priced Bunn-o-Matic.

In end, it's a personal choice for you to decide. Remember, a great cup of coffee ends up being more than your coffee maker. Quality water, beans, and proper grind for your machine all make a big difference in whether your coffee maker and first cup of coffee are winners. Good luck!