// methods for storing items in the cache
Cache::put('key', 'value', $minutes); // store item
Cache::add('key', 'value', $minutes); // if key doesn't exit
Cache::forever('key', 'value'); // no expiration

// methods for retrieving items from the cache:

// get value or|default
$value = Cache::get('key', 'default'); 

// increment value
Cache::increment('key'); 

// decrement value
Cache::decrement('key'); 

// retrieve while setting default value
$value = Cache::remember('articles', function()
{
   return DB::table('articles')->get();
});

// retrieve while setting default value forever
$value = Cache::rememberForever('articles', function()
{
   return DB::table('articles')->get();
});