Coffee

History of Coffee: Part V - Speciality Coffee

2011-07-22T10:02:00.000-04:00

With the large multi-national coffee companies focused purely on coffee as a commodity rather then a drink to be savoured, it allowed a new sector to emerge in the coffee industry: Speciality Coffee. Speciality coffee was nothing new, rather the opposite; it stripped coffee making back down to the grass roots: pure arabica beans, roasted long enough for the coffee to fully develop all its characteristics and flavours.

During the 'Dark Age' of coffee there was still excellent coffee available, if you knew where to look for it. A number of small cafes and shops continued to trade, sourcing and roasting high quality arabica beans. These outlets were typically run and frequented by immigrants (usually Arabs, Turks, Greeks and Italians), far from the mainstream.

All this began to change in the 1960s, with the post World War II 'Baby Boomers' coming into adulthood. Many of this generation were keen not to follow in their parents footsteps, preferring to act in a more bohemian way. For them, these cafes and shops were an ideal place to meet, read poetry, take drugs and experience alternative culture.

One such coffee shop in Berkeley (California) is widely credited as being the main inspiration on the emergence of the speciality coffee sector. Peet's Coffee & Tea store, opened in 1966 by Alfred Peet (dubbed the 'grandfather of speciality coffee'), enthused a number of its customers, who later became key players in the speciality sector. Peet, an immigrant from Alkmaar (Holland), had developed a distinctive style of roasting coffee from working in his family's coffee and tea business. After emigrating to California, aged thirty-five, he opened his shop employing his artisan coffee roasting techniques to build a loyal customer base. Peet's coffee was so loved that he even had his own set of groupies: the 'Peetniks'.

Two of Peet's most important customers (historically) were a couple of Seattle coffee lovers named Jerry Baldwin and Gordon Bowker. In 1971, after tasting Peet's fine brews, they were inspired to open their own coffee shop back in Seattle called Starbucks. Starbucks opened as a bean-only-store, steadily building a loyal customer base during the 70s and early 80s through its fine arabicas and darker roasts.

In 1984, the director of retail operations and marketing, Howard Schultz, tried to persuade Baldwin and Bowker to open the first Starbucks coffeehouse. Schultz had just returned from a trip to Milan, where he had noticed the existence of coffeehouses on almost every block. These were not just places to enjoy great espresso coffee, but also served as meeting places. Schultz was keen to recreate this kind of coffeehouse in America, but Baldwin and Bowker rejected Schultz's plans as they were unwilling to get into the restaurant business.

Undeterred, Schultz left Starbucks in 1985 to open his own coffeehouse, 'Il Giornale'. Still using Starbucks coffee beans to make espresso drinks, Il Giornale proved extremely popular with the Seattle public. So popular in fact() that, in 1987, Schultz was able to buy Starbucks from Bowker and Schultz. Changing Il Giornale's name to Starbucks, Schultz began to rapidly expand, opening over 1,000 stores in a decade.

The story of the first British speciality coffeehouse also involves Alfred Peet. In 1995, Scott and Ally Svenson wanted to open a coffeehouse in Covent Garden, London. Their background was in marketing and design and, even though they were originally from Seattle, they did not know much about coffee. This is why they approached Steven Macatonia and Jeremy Torz of Union Coffee Roasters. Steven and Jeremy had fallen in love with coffee while working at Peet's in California. On their return home they decided to open their own roasting outlet and were soon supplying places such as the River Café, the Caprice, and the Ivy.

The Covent Garden coffeehouse, named the Seattle Coffee Company, was another big success and inevitably expansion soon followed. The rapid growth of the company caused increasing demand on Union Coffee Roasters, so the two companies decided to merge together. In 1998, after opening over 60 outlets throughout the UK, Starbucks came knocking at their door. They saw the acquisition of the Seattle Coffee Company as an ideal way to enter the UK market. Soon the Seattle Coffee Company was no more, with all its stores re-branded as Starbucks.

The popularity of coffeehouses has been phenomenal. Almost every high street in Britain has a least one coffeehouse now. Words such as espresso, cappuccino and café latte are commonplace. In fact the price of a café latte is now one of the products that the British government use to measure inflation. Market analysers believe that the success of the coffeehouse is not solely due to the coffee they serve, but the atmosphere in which it is served. Coffeehouses in Britain in the 1990s were a break from convention. In the consumerist landscape of the high-street, coffeehouses represented a place to relax. Customers were encouraged to take their time over their coffee; sit on big comfy sofas; offered the daily newspapers to read; allowed to idle the afternoon away watching the world go by. In other words, coffeehouses had returned to playing their original role in society, as they had done when they first arrived in Britain back in 17th Century.

The growth of these coffeehouses has helped to heighten the public's awareness of the speciality coffee sector. Increasingly, individuals are looking to have a slice of the coffeehouse in their own home, investing in espresso makers and other coffee accessories. Coffee is now widely available from a multitude of origins, roasted to differing degrees and ground to your requirement. In short, the 'Dark Age' of coffee is well and truly over.

James Grierson is the owner of Galla Coffee: http://www.gallacoffee.co.uk - Uk online retailer of designer coffee accessories. Through the Coffee Knowledge section of his website he aims to help people understand more about coffee and give them tips on how to make great tasting coffee in their home.

Check out http://www.gallacoffee.co.uk/acatalog/Coffee_Knowledge.html for more articles or if you have a question send it to: coffeeknowledge@gallacoffee.co.uk

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The Bunn Coffee Maker Won't Leave a Bitter Taste in Your Mouth

2011-07-22T05:20:00.000-04:00

There are many different coffee makers available in the marketplace to choose from. One of them is the Bunn Coffee maker. The Bunn Coffee Maker is made by the Bunn-O-Matic Corporation. The Bunn-O-Matic Corporation was founded in 1957 and they are credited with introducing the first paper coffee filter. Over the years the company has evolved and started making commercial beverage equipment and, more recently, home coffee brewers. There are seven different types of Bunn Coffee brewers available which include; My Café Brewer. My Café Brewer brews one cup of coffee at a time. The Bunn coffee makers take pride in brewing coffee at home that matches the standards of the expensive restaurant cups of coffee. They have a stainless steel tank with an advanced spray head, which dissipates the water over the coffee, and a very effective hot water heater. The coffee machines are either black or white with a stainless steel trunk which allows them to blend with any of the home décor styles. The decanter on most of the machines can hold up to ten cups of perfectly brewed coffee. Bunn also makes the BCG Grinder for pre-grinding your coffee beans.

The Bunn Advantage claims that Bunn Coffee makers brew coffee that is robust in flavor without the common bitterness encountered with some coffee machines. Bunn Coffee makers do this by using a patented system that keeps the temperature at the ideal brewing temperature of 2000 Fahrenheit. The coffee maker has a fast brew cycle which exposes the water to the ground coffee beans for the perfect length of time for a perfect coffee flavor. The Bunn Coffee maker creates the right amount of turbulence via its spray head to suspend the ground coffee and extract it's flavor uniformly for the perfect cup of coffee.

How to Use a Bunn Coffee Maker

Start with a good quality coffee that has been well stored. The coffee maker requires one tablespoon of ground coffee for one brewed cup. Use good clean odorless water preferably water that has been filtered. If you need to keep your coffee for more than 30 minutes store it in a thermal carafe; it can hold its flavor here for up to 60 minutes. Clean your decanter after every use, even the faintest trace of old coffee can taint your fresh pot.

Bunn Coffee maker replacement parts can easily be obtained from vendors and from the manufacturer. Parts for the Bunn coffee maker are easily accessible. On the companies website you can find access to customer service representatives who can answer your questions and help find the replacement part or accessory that you need. Bunn coffee makers are available at many different locations. You can purchase your coffee maker online at the different sites of the coffee makers distributors. There are Bunn coffee makers and replacement parts available on the different auction sites online; this allows you to purchase your coffee maker at a discounted price.

Eric Comforth is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics. Learn more about coffee makers at Coffee Maker Central

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Myriad Varieties of Coffee Makers With Enhancements

2011-07-22T02:10:00.000-04:00

Coffee is one of the most important beverages that are known to have many benefits for people of all age groups when it comes to stimulating them and keeping them active for a prolonged time period. There are a lot of appliances that serve the purpose of brewing coffee without having to add water. Hence, manual coffee preparation is not necessary and the whole process is made automatic. Many households with working professionals opt for these appliances that are termed as Coffee Makers. Coffee making appliances are available in various designs, with different capacities and with different specifications too. There is a huge spectrum of devices for the public to choose from, according to their custom needs.

The working of the simple coffee making device is easy and simple enough for any layman to understand. Coffee is put in the device container in a simple powder form and water is added according to the specified measurements given on the container. The device is plugged on. In a few seconds, a delicious aroma of coffee reaches you with the gurgling sound and depending on the strength that you need, you can keep the coffee brewing for as long as you like. The decoction will then be ready and upon adding warm milk and sugar, you can get to sip that mind blowing coffee that will make you drool. What an awesome way to refresh yourself! This is particularly useful in hostels and offices where there are huge coffee stations installed where continuous brewing takes place and instant coffee can be served.

The inner mechanism of the sleek and stylish coffee pot can be segregated into three basic parts which are the reservoir, used for storing the water that is needed for heating and brewing coffee; the shower head through which extremely hot water is sprayed over the coffee and the coffee bean container. In certain types of coffee making appliances there is an additional drip area where the water drips onto the coffee brewer. The basic working is quite comprehensible. Water is poured into the reservoir and then after continuous heating, it is passed through slender white tubes into the shower head where the hot water is showered onto the coffee beans for good brewing. In other Coffee Makers, the hot water is made to pass through the perforated sheets called the drip area from where the water is allowed to drip into the coffee container. Here, the brewing starts and continues until the taste and the pungent sensation is fulfilled up to your liking and then the appliance will be switched off either automatically or manually as per the model standard.

The heating element is another important component when it comes to the coffee maker. It is also the most critical and important as many a times, failure occurs because of malfunctions and manufacturing defects in the heating filament. It is made of an aluminum extrusion and is coupled with slim white tubes that carry hot water from the reservoir to the drip area. It is therefore, extremely important to note that you have a satisfactory warranty on the heating filament. The overall making of the coffee ultimately relies on the heating element and its apt working. Thus, it can be easily said that this equipment is the heart of the coffee making device.

Many coffee brewers come with an internal alarm installed in the device that will automatically switch the device on. Thus, people can pre set the time that they want their coffee to brew, so that while they wake up and have a wash, their coffee will be getting ready according to their preference. It will be quite a hassle free affair to get up from slumber and directly sip your favorite coffee that will energize you before you set about doing the other chores lined up for the day.

In certain up market coffee machines, it is not even necessary to put in coffee in the form of powder. Coffee beans can be directly added and they will be roasted to perfection using the modern state of the art technology. These roasted coffee beans will then be crushed into fine powder and after this operation; the water will be added that will start the brewing process. Thus, you will have instant freshly ground coffee at your disposal. This can be mixed with chicory or other forms of sweeteners where the bitter taste of the coffee will get reduced and give you a richer and juicier taste.

More advanced Coffee Makers also have the facility of adding up milk and sugar and other ingredients to stir up the whole mug of coffee without any contribution from you. Coffee is first brewed with hot water, then the decoction is mixed with milk and sugar set according to the measurements of your choice and then after the final brewing, that cup of perfect coffee is ready to drink. The joy of waking up and finding an almost readymade cup of coffee waiting for you is pure ecstasy. Of course, these models are on the more expensive side, but then when it is value for money, splurging does not seem to be a bad idea.

There are coffee brewing devices that allow you to use a small quantity of coffee before brewing it in a lump sum amount. This is typical for a family where the mother wakes up way before the others and wishes to have a cup of coffee before she sets up everything for the day. In such cases, after the machine is switched on, it will prepare a cup of coffee according to the set of instructions given and then proceed to make the quantity of coffee that is required for the whole family. In this way, two batches of coffee can be made where the tastes can be altered too and saved in the program list.

Thus, these wonderful appliances are finding their way in almost all the kitchens and have become more of a style statement and a status symbol that oozes class and panache in addition to providing great services. Thus, coffee brewing appliances are excellent devices to splurge on.

Ramya Mohan is a renowned expert author and has written numerous articles. She can be contacted for article writing jobs at myara4u1990@gmail.com.

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Mr. Coffee Versus Bunn-o-Matic - The Coffee Maker Battle Heats Up

2011-07-21T23:02:00.000-04:00

For coffee lovers, there are few things more appealing than being met in the early a.m. hours by a perfectly brewed pot of coffee. That first cup sets the mood for your entire day, doesn't it? If it's brewed up right, you'll feel that extra zing in your step from morning till night. However, if that first cup is too strong or too weak, too hot or not hot enough, you quickly find yourself spiraling into a first-class coffee crisis.

So, how do you avoid a coffee catastrophe? It's simple, buy the best coffee maker on the market made especially for your coffee-drinking needs! Sounds simple enough, right? But, who makes the best coffee maker today? In other words, who is the All-Time Champion of Coffee Makers?

Ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to welcome you to our title bout of the day where two mighty coffee making titans - Mr. Coffee and Bunn-o-Matic - will meet in the kitchen to crown the undisputed coffee making champion of the world.

Introducing The Coffee Maker Contenders

In the green corner, we have Mr. Coffee - long-recognized as the undisputed champion of home coffee makers. Affordable with many models to choose from, Mr. Coffee currently has over a dozen models on the market retailing from between $24.99 to $89.99. With makers serving up between one and twelve cups, he'll be hard to beat. In fact, Mr. Coffee is in great shape with an amazing array of features and settings, including single serve, speed brew, switch, programmable, and thermal models.

In the red corner, we have the Bunn-o-Matic - king of the commercial coffee making market. Found in restaurants and chosen by baristas around the world, Bunn-o-Matic is known for his professional-grade machines. With a limited variety (e.g., currently seven models, with one single serve and 6-10 cup models), judges will need to pay close attention to the details to see what kind of punch the Bunn-o-Matic packs. One thing is for sure: with a starting price of $89.95, Bunn-o-Matic definitely tips the scales as a higher-priced option for home consumers.

For those of you who are new to the clash of the coffee makers, here's what the judges will be looking for during the brew-off:

Cup size

How many cups can your coffee maker cook up (say that five times fast)? Most brands today have single-serve and multiple cup models, with 10-12 cups being the upper limit for most home coffee makers.

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 the 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 the two competitors, our judges will also be looking closely at the 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 the 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 the best ways to assure yourself of a great cup of coffee day after day.

Style

Yes, in the 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 the top coffee makers in the world. So, who wins the 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 the lowest priced Bunn-o-Matic.

In the 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 the proper grind for your machine all make a big difference in whether your coffee maker and first cup of coffee are winners. Good luck!

Jon Butt is the host of [http://www.the-coffee-guide.com/coffee-makers.html] ">The Coffee Guide, an innovative website dedicated to all things coffee. From beans to gourmet, espresso machines to coffee makers, or just great tasting coffee

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Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee

2011-07-21T18:36:00.000-04:00

Do you remember your first experience with coffee? I'm sorry to say that I do. All I remember is that it was powdered and freeze dried and worst of all, decaf. I remember sitting in a restaurant with my mother and stepfather asking a waitress for Sanka, and explaining to my mother that I'd had it before and avoiding her disapproving stare. What was wrong with a ten year old drinking coffee? It was Sanka for God's sake!

My remaining experiences between ten and thirty five were noncommittal and mediocre to say the least. Mixing Tasters Choice in tepid tap water, graduating to Maxwell House and a Mr. Coffee; suffice it to say that there was no passion in my coffee. If I asked a girl out for a cup of coffee, it usually meant a Styrofoam cup at a Dunkin' Donuts or a Winchell's somewhere.

Then I stepped into my first Specialty Coffee Shop. Now that I remember well. It was a combination bookstore and coffee shop called the Upstart Crow in San Diego, California. The most important thing to me was the feeling I got when I walked in there. Complete comfort. There, I was able to sit in one of their comfortable armchairs, sit back, cross my legs and enjoy a cup of joe while reading a good book. Back then I was into science fiction and I remember vividly reading 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card while sipping some of the most wonderful coffee from a paper cup.

Oh that coffee! Rich and smooth, I fell into it's flavor; jumped actually. I spent many a day off sitting in that shop in Seaport Village... then I left San Diego for Atlanta and it was back to Maxwell House and Sanka. sigh...

Then, simply because I was unemployed and late with the rent I walked into a local Starbucks and asked for an application. I was hired and that's where my obsession with coffee renewed itself. I was sent to their training center for intensive classes teaching not only how to promote the product, but how to differentiate the taste between two coffees and most importantly, how to brew and serve the perfect cup. This, my faithful reader is what I am going to teach you now. Get ready to learn how to brew the perfect cup of coffee!

The Fundamentals of Coffee

All coffee, no matter whether you get it from your local coffee shop or the supermarket has four basic fundamentals:

Proportion

Grind

Water

Freshness

Let's look at each of these one by one...

Proportion

The ratio between coffee and water is an important one. Anyone who's ever had coffee that's too weak or too strong knows what I'm talking about. When it comes to brewing the perfect cup of coffee, the proportion should be two tablespoons of ground coffee to every six ounces of water. No more no less. A lot of people try to stretch their coffee for two weeks or more without realizing what a sacrifice to the taste this is. Use too little coffee and it tastes weak. Use too much and it becomes bitter and you risk a terrible nights sleep.

The best way to measure two tablespoons is with a measuring scoop. There are scoops that are specifically measured for two tablespoons but if you don't have one made especially for coffee measuring then you can use a standard 18 cup measuring cup. If you don't have that you can use regular run of the mill tablespoons, but that method isn't as precise. If you want to purchase a coffee scoop, you can get one at a specialty coffee shop or online. Starbucks is a good place to get one.

Grind

The type of grind you use for your coffee depends upon what kind of coffee maker you brew your coffee in. If you use an espresso machine you use a fine grind. For automatic drip coffee makers (such as Mr. Coffee), you use a medium grind and you use a coarse grind for coffee presses (my preferred way of brewing). There are other grinds as well, just as there are other ways to brew coffee such as percolators and Turkish coffees.

If were going to talk about the way a coffee is ground, then we also have to talk about grinders. Basically there are two types of grinders: blade and burr Blade grinders have two blades that rotate at a high speed to grind your beans. The pros of this method is that blade grinders are affordable. The cons are that they generally break down quicker.

Burr grinders grind the beans between two textured plates and the grind is much more consistent than a blade grinder. Also, it's easier to adjust the grind with a burr grinder. To get an espresso grind with a blade grinder, you have to hold the grind button for x amount of seconds. A burr grinder allows you to turn a dial and voila! Your grind is done. Obviously, I prefer a burr grinder.

Water

It's pretty much a good idea to use fresh, clean water to brew your coffee. If at all possible, try not to use tap water; you should always use filtered or bottled water. Before you begin screaming at me that you don't have that kind of money, don't worry. Yes, using nothing but bottled water is not exactly cost effective but there are inexpensive water filters available to purchase. Water filtration pitchers are also a good way to get fresh water for brewing.

Your water should be heated to just below boiling, around 190 degrees. You don't want your water to be too hot. It could overheat the grounds and spoil the taste of your coffee.

Freshness

This is pretty obvious. Once a bag is opened, the freshness lasts about a week. After grinding, it lasts about two days. The best way to keep your beans and ground coffee fresher longer is to keep it in an airtight container like the one shown here. And never, ever freeze your coffee no matter what you've heard or read. Coffee that is frozen is a high risk for freezer burn and take it from one who has experienced the horror: freezer burnt coffee is not a great taste!

Well those are the basics. I hope you enjoyed reading this article and Happy Brewing!

Loy Williams' articles can be found at his website Coffee-Basics.com along with other quality content about his prime obsession; coffee. Be sure to check it out: http://www.coffee-basics.com

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Which Coffee Maker? Grinding Out the Answer

2011-07-21T14:39:00.000-04:00

When you stop at the convenience store or at a local coffee shop for your morning cup of coffee have you ever wondered how your cup of coffee came about? No, not how it was brewed but how it was that you are able to drink a cup of coffee. Sure, the coffee machine plays an important role in making your perfectly brewed cup of coffee, but just how did that coffee maker first come about, or how did the first person who ever sipped the first cup of coffee discover its magic?

Legend goes back to a lonely sheep herder in Ethiopia who noticed his sheep acting strangely every time they ate certain red berries from a certain bush. One has to wonder why he himself decided to give the berries a try. Well that is of no consequence because since that life altering decision man has been enjoying coffee in many different cultures, different countries and different places. Do you know they even drink coffee on the Space Shuttle? I wonder what kind of coffee machine they have.

The one million dollar question is exactly what makes a good cup of coffee? Does buying one of the best coffee makers lead to a great cup of coffee? Not necessarily.. Start with great coffee beans. You can even roast your own coffee beans with the Home coffee roaster machines. Roasting machines allow coffee drinkers to buy premium coffee beans at discount prices and roast them at home. The coffee drinker is in charge of the roasting level; medium or dark roast. Coffee drinkers also advise against buying pre-ground coffee, pre-grinding diminishes the coffee flavor and aroma. Apparently the best part of the coffee bean is found deep within it therefore pre-ground, once the package is opened loses that rich coffee aroma. Grinding your beans before you start percolating your coffee ensures you get the most out of the bean. Talking about grinding the beans there are also two types of coffee grinders; burr and blade grinders, both serve the purpose equally well, so the type of grinder you have does not affect your cup of coffee.

Shopping for coffee makers

There are three different types of coffee makers. There are filter coffee makers that basically drip hot boiling water over the ground coffee beans then filter the coffee over a disposable paper filter. Then there are the espresso/cappuccino coffee makers and finally the combination coffee makers that make both cappuccino and filter coffee. Choose a coffee machine that suits your needs. Take into consideration how much and how often you drink coffee. How much you are willing to spend on seeking the perfect cup of coffee. Remember to look online, you can find many discount coffee makers.

Whether you enjoy your coffee with or without cream or whether you enjoy a robust and flavorful cup of black coffee remember to thank that lowly sheep herder who took a risk and ate the first coffee bean.

Eric Comforth is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics. Learn more about coffee makers at Coffee Maker Central

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Secrets to the Perfect Cup of Coffee

2011-07-21T10:38:00.000-04:00

How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee

Want to know how to make the perfect cup of coffee? A few simple steps will make your coffee taste great every cup.

Before you even start, when you bring your coffee home, store it in an airtight container that blocks the light. Ceramic is best because plastic and metal containers can impart a taste to your coffee or coffee beans. Keep your coffee at room temperature. Storing it in the refrigerator or freezer will also lead to deteriorating flavor. Water or ice attaches itself to the porous coffee and ruins the taste. And buy only the amount of coffee that can be used within a couple of weeks.

Enthusiasts agree. Coffee drinkers who want the perfect flavor use whole coffee beans and grind their coffee just before brewing. Coffee grinders improve the taste of coffee because they release the oils and aromas of the coffee beans immediately before you brew your coffee. Experts advocate using two heaping tablespoons of whole beans to the grinder for every six ounces of water you use.

Since coffee is 99% water, use water that is free from chlorine and other minerals. You want the taste of the coffee, not the taste of the water used for brewing. And if you have control of the temperature of your water, keep it between 195 degrees and 205 degrees to ensure getting the best flavor extraction from your ground coffee.

And what about that coffee maker? Drip coffee makers are easy and can produce terrific coffee. The key to making perfect coffee with a drip coffee maker is making sure to use a gold, nylon, or other type of permanent filter. Permanent coffee filters insure that the flavor molecules from the coffee grinds pass into the water without adding additional flavors. Those disposable paper filters have an aftertaste that they impart to the coffee on the one hand and on the other, they absorb those special aromatic oils from the grinds that are essential for excellent taste. If you must use paper filters, use the unbleached kind and rinse them with hot water before you use them.

When was the last time you cleaned your coffee pot and mugs and cups? Clean equipment can make a tremendous difference in how your coffee tastes. Every so often clean out your mugs and cups with baking soda and water, and rinse them out thoroughly. Every month pour a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water into your drip coffee maker and turn it on. Let the mixture run all the way through, turn off you coffee maker and let it cool for a half hour. Pour out the vinegar mixture and run one or two reservoirs full of clear water to rinse it out, letting the pot cool for 15 to 20 minutes between each rinse.

And one last step. Be sure to drink it while its fresh - more that 20 minutes after brewing is done, your coffee will begin to taste bitter. Now its time to make your coffee.

And now--ENJOY.

Joe Bland will help you bring your ordinary coffee to gourmet coffee status. Find how some easy habits will easily make your next cup your best. Check out the articles and tips at [http://www.Gourmet-Coffee-Authority.com].

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Coffee - It Isn't All Bad!

2011-07-21T06:04:00.000-04:00

The debate has raged for many years, and it will probably continue for years... is coffee good or bad for your health? While the jury may be out, here are some findings that indicate coffee is not all bad.

Coffee, as we all know, is high in caffeine, and caffeine is suspected of increasing blood pressure and heart rate. The medical fraternity have long suspected that coffee drinking might therefore contribute to higher rates of heart disease. However a recent study by researchers at the Harvard University School of Public Health found no significant increase in the risk of heart disease or stroke among men who drank up to four cups of coffee a day - a finding supported by the Kaiser Permanente health care organization in California.

The same outcome was found in women where data collected from more than 85,000 women over a 10-year period produced no evidence for any positive association between coffee consumption and risk of heart disease for women consuming six or more cups of coffee a day. That's a lot of coffee!

This is not to say that there aren't physical effects to coffee drinking. Caffeine does excite brain cells, and this in turn improves concentration and reaction time and reduces fatigue. In fact, caffeine can increase the speed of rapid information processing by 10%. A study in 1993 clearly demonstrated that caffeinated coffee had a beneficial effect on alertness and improved performance in a variety of tasks. Caffeine also has a beneficial effect on asthma by reducing the severity of attacks. Two studies found that three or more cups of coffee a day reduced the prevalence of asthma and this is further supported by improved ventilatory function in exercise-induced broncho-constriction - although this required over five cups of coffee a day!

Interestingly, it has been found that increased activity, alertness and efficiency are associated with a decline in levels of depression and anxiety. Two independent studies noted a significant inverse association between coffee drinking and the risk of suicide. Further research into the possibility that coffee drinking may decrease depression is certainly needed.

Although, caffeine is often singled out as the chemical in coffee that has the most impact on our health, coffee has a complex chemical composition. One beneficial characteristic of coffee is that it contains compounds with antioxidant properties. Polyphenolic compounds known as flavonoids are common in plants and are known to have disease suppression benefits. What is most interesting is that the roasting process increases antioxidant activity in the beans. Although the beneficial role of food antioxidants is a relatively new research area, this is likely to become more important in years to come.

Yet too much caffeine can lead to irritability and restlessness along with an increase in urination. Talking of this, kidney stones are extremely painful and in a study of some 45,000 men with no history of kidney stones it was found that increased consumption of regular and decaffeinated coffee, tea, beer and wine were linked with a decreased risk of stone formation. The same effect was found in a study involving 81,000 women where caffeinated coffee and wine were found to be significantly more effective than water in helping women avoid kidney stones.

Coffee also has several metabolic effects that could reduce the risk of gallstone formation. According to a study conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), drinking coffee is associated with a 40 percent lower risk of gallstone disease in men. Men who drank four or more cups of regular coffee per day had a 45 percent lower risk profile.

The link between coffee and cancer is probably more weighted in favour of coffee. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with some 131,000 Americans being diagnosed with cancers of the rectum and colon on an annual basis. Now there is some convincing evidence for a protective effect of coffee against the development of colon cancers. A recent review of over 15 studies on coffee consumption and colorectal cancer from 1960 to 1990 found the risk of colorectal cancer to be 24% lower among those who drink four or more cups of coffee per day, than among those who rarely or never drink coffee. Researchers in Sweden also found that "...coffee consumption appears to be protective against colon cancer, and tea against rectal tumors". The most likely explanation for lower risk of colorectal cancer among heavy coffee consumers is the enhanced colonic activity induced by coffee, and the inhibition effect on the cancer-causing effects of various micro-organisms by anti-mutagenic components in coffee and caffeine.

Coffee is also commonly used to "lift" hangovers and to get going "the morning after". However it might be more useful to drink it before having the party...as in the past decade, research in the United States, Japan and Italy has shown that the consumption of coffee has a strong protective effect against cirrhosis of the liver. Drinking 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day was associated with an 80% reduction in risk for cirrhosis of the liver, compared with those who don't drink coffee at all.

On the subject of losing brain cells, Parkinson 's disease, a progressive nervous disease occurring generally after age 50, destroys brain cells that produce dopamine and is characterized by muscular tremor, slowing of movement, weakness and facial paralysis. Research into the relationship between caffeine consumption from a variety of sources and the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, has shown that moderate consumption of caffeine reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease in men and women.

In fact, men who drank four to five cups per day of caffeinated coffee cut the risk of developing Parkinson's disease nearly in half compared to men in the study who consumed little or no caffeine daily. Women who consumed between one and three cups of caffeinated coffee per day also cut their risk nearly in half of developing Parkinson's disease when compared to women who drank less than a cup of coffee per day - but this apparent benefit was lost at higher levels of intake.

Finally, while some people believe that coffee can induce acid reflux, recent research has found that coffee consumption has no effect whatever at inducing heartburn in healthy people. Even for those individuals with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, coffee consumption was found to have only a minimal effect.

Is coffee all that bad? Probably not...in moderation. Indeed, many studies identifying beneficial effects also noted the loss of these effects at high consumption rates. So, enjoy your three to four cups of coffee a day...on average you'll be just fine!

Steve Giddings is Managing Director of Frontier Beverage Corporation (Pty) Ltd. This article and other coffee related information can be found at http://www.frontiercoffee.co.za

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The Great Bean Mystery - Find the World's Best Coffee

2011-07-21T01:12:00.000-04:00

Who doesn't love solving a good mystery? Is the Loch Ness monster real? Who built Stonehenge? Does Big Foot really exist? What is the world's best coffee? While you may need to be an expert to solve the first three, no advanced degree or special knowledge is required to unravel one of the greatest mysteries of the 21st century: What is the world's best coffee?

All you need to solve this caffeinated mystery is equip yourself with the right information. And, thanks to the Internet, finding the information for your coffee trekking adventure is as easy as the click of a button. If you're ready, grab your favorite coffee mug and join me as we head out to discover how you can find the world's best coffee.

Learn How To Speak The Language

Before you embark on your journey to find the world's best coffee, you'll want to brush up on your coffee lingo. If you head out into the great unknown of Coffeeland and don't have a good grasp on the language, all of your searching will be for nothing. Learn the language and you'll understand what to look for in your coffee. A few important terms include:

Acidity -

The acidity of a coffee determines how "sharp" it'll taste. More acidity tends toward a bold coffee. Less acidity tends toward a milder cup.

Body -

Like a wine, when talking about a coffee's body, you'll be referring to its "texture." You're likely to find terms such as heavy, light, and syrupy to describe a coffee's body.

Flavor -

Much like a wine's bouquet, flavor refers to your overall sensory experience of the coffee. Terms you might hear a coffee connoisseur use include floral, nutty, smoky, spicy, and winy.

X Marks The Spot

Whether you're finding buried treasure or the location of the world's greatest coffees, you'll need to discover where the x marks the spot. Coffee is grown in various regions around the world, including such differing locales as South America, Africa, and Indonesia.

To unravel the mystery of the world's greatest coffee, you'll need to learn the about the distinctive characteristics based on where and how it is grown. For example, coffee from Colombia is typically rich while coffees from Kenya often have a mildly sweet-tart flavor and coffees from Sumatra coffee are full-bodied and contain low acidity. Learning which regions produce the best coffees suited to your tastes is an important first step on solving the mystery. How do you learn which regions produce the best coffees for you? It's really quite simple: start sampling coffees!

Follow Your Nose

If you truly want to find the best coffee, simply follow your nose. Good coffees and beans not only look good, but they smell wonderful, too. Fresh beans that have been well-roasted will fill your senses with an unmatchable aroma. Starting with premium beans such as Arabica, you'll want to smell for the type of roast that fills your fancy. Popular roasts such as French, Italian, or American will give you a variety of coffees from mellow to bold. When you've sampled coffees that use premium beans and a variety of roasting techniques, you'll begin to start zeroing in on the world's best coffee and discovering what type of roast is your personal favorite, too.

What To Look For

As with any great mystery, it's important to know what you're looking for. If you were tracking Big Foot, you'd look for footprints. But, what do you look for when you're trying to find the world's greatest coffee? That's a great question. Here are some key things to look for when choosing the ultimate cup.

Ask experts -

Find a gourmet coffee shop where the baristas really know their coffee. Ask about roasting styles, types of beans, flavors of coffee. Be sure to taste test any coffees before buying!

Go fresh -

The quality of coffee deteriorates rapidly after being roasted. In addition, the flavor weakens considerably as time passes after grinding. Look for freshly roasted coffee. Don't be afraid to ask your coffee shop experts when, how, and where the beans have been roasted. If they don't know, it's not a good sign that the beans are fresh-so shop elsewhere. If you're shopping in your market, check to see if the coffee has a "roasted on" date printed on the bag. Whatever you do, you're always looking for the freshest you can find. Fresh is best!

Make It Au Natural -

Look for all-natural ingredients in your coffees. Finding organically-grown, sustainable coffee crops are a great place to start. In addition, when choosing flavored coffees, be sure the flavoring is natural and not a chemical. Not only do the natural flavors taste better (like nuts, cinnamon, and chocolate), they're sure to make you feel better about your choice, too.

Know Thyself -

The most important thing to know when searching for the world's greatest coffee is yourself. That's right; the answer to the mystery of the world's greatest coffee doesn't come from some connoisseur or from some ancient book of coffee lore. No, the solution to the timeless mystery of great coffee comes simply down to what you prefer. If you arm yourself and your taste buds with the right information and know the correct questions to ask, and sample, sample, sample, you'll soon find your favorite cup of coffee.

Your choice might not be your neighbor's favorite, but who cares? You're the one doing the drinking, so knowing yourself is the only thing that matters!

Along with his caffeine addiction, Jon happens to be an expert on many other strange areas of everyday life including the subject of the humble powder fire extinguisher and its related goodies.

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Coffees of India

2011-07-20T21:31:00.000-04:00

India produces two fine coffees, but even among coffee devotees - at least in America - they remain relatively unknown and un-drunk. That's too bad. They deserve to be extolled for the romance attached to them, if nothing else; happily, they also taste pretty good as well.

According to legend, coffee was discovered in Ethiopia. The first big coffee craze, though, occurred in Arabia, where by the 13th century Muslims were brewing and drinking huge quantities of it. Travelers from Arabia took the beans with them wherever they went - beans deliberately made infertile, allegedly, by parching or boiling. Because of this strict export control policy, it is claimed that no coffee seed sprouted outside Africa or Arabia until the 17th century.

Enter (or exit, as the case may be) one Baba Budan - one of the great heroes in the history of coffee, in my opinion. Wrapping up a pilgrimage to Arabia from his native land of India, Budan left Mecca with several fertile coffee beans strapped to his belly. From those beans sprouted the first coffee trees to be grown in India, as well as an agricultural industry that could no longer be contained to one small part of the world.

For romance, though, nothing in the world of coffee, to my mind, beats the story of Monsooned Malabar, one of the two coffees for which India is known today.

The British began the modern commercial cultivation of coffee on the hills of southern India, along the Malabar coast, a century-and-a-half ago. The coffee grown there was packed raw into the holds of wooden ships and sent on a six-month trip, around the Cape of Good Hope, to the coffee houses and shops of Europe. On such a long journey, and in such vessels, the beans inevitably became exposed to almost constant humidity. That humidity turned the beans pale gold and leached them of their acidity. When the coffee finally reached its destination it had been considerably mellowed - and Europeans loved it.

Progress eventually intervened, though, to temporarily deny the coffee drinkers of Europe their beloved aged Indian bean. The opening of the Suez Canal made the trip from the Malabar Coast much shorter. And, the coffee began to be shipped in modern steel vessels. These developments conspired to deprive the coffee beans of the prolonged exposure to humidity which had been responsible for their distinctive flavor.

To meet the demand for the old style of coffee from Malabar, some growers hit on a simple but ingenious solution. They would duplicate the moist conditions of the old sea voyage by exposing their beans to the Indian monsoon. Thus, Monsooned Malabar.

The monsooning process is a long one - and actually fairly labor intensive. First, the coffee to be monsooned is stored in a special warehouse to await the monsoon season. When the time comes, the sides of the warehouse are opened, allowing the wet monsoon winds to circulate around the beans. The beans may also be raked or hand-turned on the floor of the warehouse to assist in the process. Monsooning takes 12 to 16 weeks. During this time the beans swell to twice their picked size and turn that signature pale golden color.

The taste of Monsooned Malabar coffee is usually described in terms such as musty, earthy, corky and woody. Some writers have called it "mellow" yet "aggressive" at the same time! All agree that it has a polarizing quality - you'll either adore it or detest it. Maybe I just haven't had enough cups yet to really judge, but in my opinion the taste is not as idiosyncratic as all that. Musty, maybe, put not off-puttingly so. I think that many people would enjoy it, not just those of us who enjoy seeking out the more unusual offerings of the coffee world. And again, for my part, the fascinating story behind this particular coffee makes up for any deficiency in the cup.

Unfortunately, you still can't find Monsooned Malabar just anywhere. Ordering it by mail is still the best bet for most of us. Oddly enough, until very recently it was easier to acquire green (unroasted) Malabar coffee beans than roasted ones. My first cup came from beans that I roasted at home, myself, in a popcorn popper. There are many resources on the Web for anyone interested in getting into home coffee roasting, an enjoyable hobby in its own right.

There are a few coffee sellers on the Web now who offer roasted Monsooned Malabar and similarly exotic or hard-to-find beans. In the case of Malabar (as opposed, say, to geunine Kona or Jamaican Blue Mountain), the price actually compares quite favorably with more mundane or "normal" coffees. If you like traveling the world in a coffee cup - and especially if you'd like to drink something with a bit of romance to it - you owe it to yourself to get your hands on some Monsooned Malabar. By the way, if you drink a lot of espresso, you might have had some Malabar coffee without knowing; some expresso producers include it in their so-called exotic blends.

India's other major coffee variety comes from the Mysore region (now the state of Karnakata). Called Indian Mysore, Mysore Nuggets, Mysore Straight, or simply Mysore, it makes a rich and spicy cup of coffee that at its best may be termed "sweet" -- a word you would never hear applied to Monsooned Malabar. Interestingly enough, though, Mysore coffee also gets its unique taste from being exposed to the monsoon wind and rain, which pump up the beans with moisture and smooth out their flavor. The difference may be simply that in the case of the Malabar, the monsoon exposure is purposely carried to an extreme.

Mysore coffee is also becoming easier to find in the United States, although most people will still have to seek out a reliable seller on the Web. It's definitely worth finding and trying some. According to some connoisseurs, Indian Mysore at its best is among the finest coffees produced anywhere.

About The Author

Steve Smith is a writer and editor living near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He serves as webmaster for his daughter's Web site, Send Me to India (http://www.sendmetoindia.com)

steve@sendmetoindia.com

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Arabica Coffee Beans Are Pricey Yet Priceless!

2011-07-20T17:11:00.000-04:00

Arabica coffee beans are known for a better-flavored coffee. There are two main species of coffee beans that are grown for sale: Robusta and Arabica. Gourmet coffee houses serve the smooth and very palatable Arabica coffees, while the worst cup of coffee you ever had probably came from a pot of bitter Robusta coffee that had been sitting for hours.

If you have been spoiled by the quality coffee served at coffee houses and cafes, you are probably craving the taste of Arabica coffee beans. You can brew fine coffee at home as well; the trick is to use only Arabica coffee beans. Organic coffee beans, grown without the use of artificial fertilizers, allows plantation owners to grow their farms in a sustainable way, without the use of chemicals, thus producing a mild, non acidic coffee bean. You should expect to pay a little more for organic coffee beans, but you can be confident in knowing that you are securing the future of the coffee industry worldwide.

Most specialty coffee and tea retail outlets only sell Arabica coffee and beans. On the other hand, the large commercial companies either sell Robusta coffee beans, or a mixture of both types of beans. This is because they are cheaper for the wholesaler and subsequently cheaper for the consumer. Arabica coffee beans produce a stronger-tasting coffee, and actually contain less caffeine than robusta beans. They cost a little more, but are far more satisfying.

While many people are only familiar with coffee beans grown in Colombia, they are actually commercially grown in more than 80 countries around the world. Coffee only grows near the equator, between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. While it is grown at varying altitudes, experts say that the richest coffee beans are harvested at high altitude plantations.

Wholesale coffee suppliers are available via mail-order catalogs or the Internet and can ready to assist you in making your next coffee purchase. Why pay retailers more, when cheaper costing, fresher wholesale coffee beans are available to you? Wholesale coffee bean buying allows you to eliminate the high cost of retail buying and let you purchase the same beans at a much lower cost. A savings of 20-30% over store chain prices can easily be expected. Savings can be more if you just shop around.

Wholesale coffee beans are far fresher than those beans that may have been sitting on a dusty store shelf, not for days, but for weeks, sometimes months longer than if you were to buy them direct from a wholesaler. You can be assured of the quality afforded you when you select wholesale coffee beans. Each supplier generally offers a huge selection of beans, bean blends and roasts available. You can order standard size one pound, or two pound packages directly from the wholesaler easier than if you were to pick them from a shelf in your favorite market.

Looking for information about Coffee?

Go to: [http://www.dkcoffee.com]

DK Coffee is published by Julie Carter - The Complete A to Z Of Coffee Resources

Check out more Coffee related articles at: [http://www.dkcoffee.com/archive]

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In Search Of The Best Cup Of Coffee

2011-07-20T14:03:00.000-04:00

The search for the best cup of java is over. It is more than personal taste. It's a science and it is acquired. We love our Tim Hortons and Starbucks. So I was wondering what is it that makes their coffee so good? When you need to watch your budget, going out for coffee gets to be very expensive. So last summer I went on a quest to learn how to make the best cup of coffee right at home.

To start with, I needed a great coffee grinder. My research showed that grinding fresh as you go is the best. The one I got is great because you can choose the type of brew, size of grind and how many cups. Shortly after purchasing it, we went on a camping trip up north to a place called Sambaa Deh with my sister, her husband, my niece and her husband, and my nephew. Since we were only going camping, for convenience I purchased a can of Nabob. I figured it would not matter, the coffee will taste great just because we are out doors by a campfire or in the fresh air.

First morning there, I was too excited to sleep in. I had been waiting for this the whole year, to just sit outdoors with a good book and sip my coffee. I made my pot of coffee and was just settling in to my chair when I saw my niece and her husband stirring. Now, Ken and I paid our dues of sleeping on the ground, we now camp in luxury. My niece is young and they were roughing it in a tent. So I thought I would spoil them and run over with my pot of coffee. They politely refused and proceeded to make their own. That's ok. I figured they were just as anxious to go through that ritual as I was. So we visited and drank our coffee.

It didn't take long when I realized NOBODY wanted to drink my coffee. They would rather have crawled on hands and knees to the next town than drink my cheap store bought coffee.

That, my friends, is when I got serious about making the best cup of coffee. The Martha Stewart in me rose to the surface because I did not want to go down in record as serving crappy coffee.....even when camping.

I used to thoroughly enjoy my coffee until I tasted my niece's, then I could see that there is a huge difference. Once you have a great cup of coffee... there is no going back! So, how do you make a great cup of coffee?

There are many methods for brewing, and no single technique is the right one. Personal taste is the determining factor.

Kinds of coffee makers and how they work:

Automatic Drip: Is by the far the most popular. You fill a chamber with water, load your coffee into a filter basket and flick a switch to heat the water which will then drip through the filter basket into the pot. Some Automatic Drip Makers include a built in grinder where the coffee is ground first.

French Press: Presently our favourite, also called a Coffee Press. A French press requires coarser ground coffee which you pour hot water over, leave to brew for a few minutes, then you press the plunger to trap the coffee grounds at the bottom of the beaker.

Pod: These machines force water through a coffee packet called a pod that fits inside the dispenser. No measuring or spilling, very convenient.

Percolator: This is what we use in our camper. You fill with cold water, put your ground coffee in the basket which sits near the top of the of the pot, water comes to a boil and rises through the straw-like center and through the coffee. There is discussion that the coffee gets bitter because of water passing through it more than once.

Espresso: Traditionally a European beverage, this type uses steam pressure to push hot water through the ground coffee. The coffee must be very fine. Some machines include automatic grinding and then brewing, so no measuring.

Vacuum: Consists of two connectable compartments with a filter in between and the coffee is brewed by vapour pressure and vacuum, producing a clean, crisp, rich,and smooth coffee.

But no matter how you choose to brew your coffee, here are 11 tips you need to follow to get the best cup of coffee possible:

The equipment must be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Make sure that no grounds have been left and no build up of coffee oil. Such residue can impart a bitter, rancid flavour to future cups of coffee.

Purchase coffee as soon as possible after having been roasted. Fresh roasted coffee is essential to the best cup of coffee. Purchasing small amounts is ideal, enough for about 2 weeks.

Grind your beans as close to the brew time as possible. A burr or mill grinder is preferable because all of the coffee will be ground consistently. The size of the grind is so important because, if it is too fine the coffee will be over extracted which will make your cup bitter. If it is under-extracted the coffee will taste flat.

Never reuse your coffee grounds. Once brewed, the coffee flavour has been extracted and only the bitter undesirable flavour is left.

Be sure to use cold filtered or bottled water if your tap water has a strong odour or is high in minerals or chlorine. Do not use distilled or softened water.

Use the proper amount of coffee to water. A general guideline is 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water. You can adjust this to your individual taste.

The water temperature is important, it should be between 195 to 205°F for optimal extraction. If it is too cold your coffee will be under-extracted and flat, too hot and it burn and lose quality. For French Press, bring your water to a full boil, then let sit one minute before it hits the coffee grounds, that should be the perfect temperature.

The amount of time the water is in contact with the coffee is also important. The drip system should be approximately five minutes. If using a French Press, let sit about 2 to 4 minutes. Espresso is just as the name implies, the brew time is short, only 20 to 30 seconds.

Pour your coffee into a thermos or carafe to keep it hot after it is brewed. It is best if drank within 45 minutes. It should not be left on a burner for longer than 15 minutes, and never reheated.

Never refrigerate or freeze your coffee because contact with moisture causes it to deteriorate. Instead, store it in an air-tight glass or ceramic container in a dark and cool location. If you've purchased coffee in bulk, then wrap in airtight bags, and they can be stored for up to a month in the freezer. Once you have opened them, do not keep in the fridge or freezer but keep airtight, cool and dry!

Use a porcelain mug because it's not porous, it holds the warmth for longer which preserves the flavor, and stainless steel for a travel mug. These mugs are also reusable so they're environmentally friendly too. Wash your mug regularly. Avoid paper, plastic and styrofoam which alters the taste.

My niece's coffee was so good because she bought a dark bold bean, and ground it just before leaving. Their coffee was rich in flavour and aroma. It is too bad for them it was so good, because she was designated to provide Ken and I with our morning coffee for the rest of the trip!

Next camping trip.... I am packing freshly roasted coffee beans AND my coffee grinder because WE have a generator! The Martha Stewart is coming to the surface again!

Elvie Look: Is a "Back To Basics, Step By Step Expert Organizer" who currently is helping people get organized with her tips and suggestions. Her systems help the average person to learn the keys to organizing in simple, easy and manageable steps, as well as maintaining organization even with a busy lifestyle. She is the author of "21 Steps from Chaos to Calm." She provides organizing solutions, tips, and recipes at http://elviesessentials.com

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Advantages of Coffee Consumption

2011-07-20T10:46:00.000-04:00

Almost all the people in the world like to kick start their day with a mug full of coffee and those who stay up working at nights usually end up having more than five to six cups to keep awake and alert. Thus, there is no doubt that coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world with the consumption numbers averaging around 550 billion cups per day. No other drink has gained such unique levels of popularities over the world.

With so many people swearing by their cup of coffee and going over record stating that they cannot even think of working without the continuous sipping of coffee. So much is the craze that many companies and institutes have put up coffee machines to ensure that the coffee cravings of their employees are met. Though a lot of myths have surfaced about coffee being bad for health due to the excessive amounts of caffeine present in them and with certain cynics going to an extent of claiming that coffee is carcinogenic, the good news for all the coffee aficionados is that many health experts have given the clean chit to this drink and have stated a few Benefits of Coffee as well.

It is known that coffee has far reaching effects on the heart and cardiovascular organs in the body. The chemicals present in coffee help it in getting rid of certain additional lipids present in the blood and thus reduces the occurrence of heart artery blockage and heart attacks. Thus, a number of heart patients are advised by their doctors to consume at least one cup of coffee a day. The intake of coffee also helps in curing asthma and is actually so effective in this regard that many practitioners prefer a lot of coffee intake during asthmatic attacks when other prescribed medications are not available or are not working out well. Though there is no scientific theory or research done in this regard, this fact is openly accepted by almost all doctors over the globe.

There is good news for diabetic patients as well; as it is officially confirmed that intake of coffee regularly helps in curing diabetes. For non diabetics, the risk of contracting the disease is reduced by almost two and half times. Coffee helps to reduce the presence of sugar levels in the blood and improves the insulin composition that is characteristic to avoid diabetic problems. In the case of overweight men in their forties and fifties, regular consumption of coffee can decrease their gout by almost ten pounds in two months as coffee contains a lot of heat and can melt away excess fat, especially if consumed in the black coffee way, rather than mixing whole milk which again adds to the calories consumed. Also, the risk of having gallstones in ones body is reduced due to coffee. Millions and millions of people who consume coffee everyday are surprisingly more resistant to obesity issues and have quicker fat dissolving metabolisms than those who do not consume the beverage.

Contrary to assumptions about coffee being cancer causing, one of the myriad Benefits of Coffee actually claims to be anti cancer. It has been adequately researched and proved that coffee intake in a regular manner decreases the possibility of being affected with oral and breast cancer. Many cancer patients have reported that drinking coffee immunizes them to the pain caused by the chemotherapy. Many doctors and health experts have theorized on the topic and have come to the similar conclusions with a huge number of experiments carried out that verify the statement. Thus, it is out in the open that coffee is anti-cancer and can be drunk without any fear.

When it comes to patients who constantly suffer from migraine and headaches, a cup or two of coffee during the day will do them a world of good as the various chemicals and ingredients in coffee are particularly good as analgesics and pain removers. The legend goes that coffee was discovered by a tribal when he found that certain animals were unusually lively after they consumed certain berries, now popular as coco nuts. From these nuts, coffee is synthesized and crushed into powder form. Sometimes, another agent called chicory is mixed which reduces the bitterness caused by the coffee. This component, chicory, acts as a wonderful activator and stimulant. This is the main reason why coffee is preferred as a wake-up drink by so many individuals through out the world. Those who are up toiling through the night also find occasional coffee breaks reviving them and boosting their concentration levels.

The daily consumption of coffee helps you prevent becoming a prey to liver cirrhosis. The difference rate is more than eighty percent between regular coffee drinkers and non coffee drinkers. Also, one of the most dreaded Parkinson's' Disease can be avoided if coffee s consumed daily as brain cells are rejuvenated from time to time. Alzheimer's disease is also kept at bay with regular coffee intake. Many of the people who drink coffee state that they never have tooth problems. Upon a lot of surveys that were carried out by various agencies, it was unanimously agreed that those who drank coffee on a day to day basis, developed no tooth cavity and also spotted a reduction in the plaque levels. This is possible citing the chemical of Trigonelline which has bacteria killing and anti adhesive properties that help cleanse the enamel and cure an individual of any tooth related problems.

There are various other Benefits of Coffee that state it to be a laxative and an effective diuretic saying that regular and limited intake of coffee causes the drinker to keep away gas and constipation problems. Since coffee basically contains a lot of heat within itself, it is particularly consumed during winter months.

So, all the coffee freaks out there in the world, rejoice! You can gulp down moderate amounts of coffee without feeling guilty about consuming something potentially harmful, and in fact giving your bodies numerous benefits as you do so. Turn a wild ear to all those naysayers and keep sipping cups of coffee as you go about doing your job!

Ramya Mohan is a renowned article expert and can be contacted for further writing tasks at myara4u1990@gmail.com.

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Gano Coffee - Can Coffee Be Good For You?

2011-07-20T07:28:00.000-04:00

Coffee, in all sorts, could be a "pick me up drink " or a " real downer-down the shaft-drink" depending on how the person is affected by it. But, do you know that a single cup of coffee--aside from boosting your alertness, perking you up, and even improving your concentration--can actually lead you to addiction: caffeine addiction. While many people think that drinking coffee is a "healthy" habit, some experts say that it's very important for them to remember that coffee's main ingredient is caffeine--a "drug" that can be abused even in mild dosages.

Although now, we all know that too much coffee is bad for our health, most of us cannot help but indulge into this addicting act. Since nutritionists cannot do anything about the world's addiction to coffee, most of them continuously search for alternatives to give people better options. And one of these breakthrough alternatives is Gano coffee.

Made from Ganoderma extract, Gano coffee is considered to be nutritious and healthy beverage. Recognized as the first known "healthy coffee," in the world, Gano coffee is produced by growing and processing organically without the use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones or artificial fertilizers. Gano coffee gives you an energy boost - not from caffeine, but from the ancient healthy ingredient called "Ganoderma Lucidum," that has been recognized for it's amazing properties.

Being a coffee that that has a lower caffeine amount compared to commercially processed decaf coffees, Gano coffee is now one of the most popular coffee crazes to catch up on the modern coffee drinking world. Contrary to the common conception, Gano coffee is not a "substitute coffee" but an "alternative coffee" that gives you the richer flavor than fully-caffeinated coffee. Gano coffee also allows you to continue savoring the full-bodied flavor you are getting in a premium instant coffee while providing you more energy than your usual caffeinated drink.

Proven as a delicious and nutritious drink, Gano coffee gives you more vigor while reducing you stress and fatigue. Among the so many benefits of drinking gano coffee include the detoxification and rejuvenation of your body while strengthening your immune system. Aside from helping you boost your energy level, Gano coffee also contributes to the improvement of your sleeping patterns while increasing the oxygen to your brain, and helps balance your weight. Since Gano coffee contains less net caffeine than most of your other favorite caffeinated beverages, you can actually enjoy the benefits and delicious taste of a "healthy coffee" that is good for your wellbeing. And with every cup of gano coffee you drink, you are making it as a healthy habit.

With every cup of gano coffee you drink, you are getting a "caffeine jumpstart" that will last for hours without the caffeine. Aside from making gano coffee as a good habit, here are some hints on how you can keep your coffee habit as healthy as possible especially if you are an avid coffee lover.

Although you are a person that has higher "caffeine urgency" than the others, you must still listen to what your body says. When it says it can no longer take an extra cup, learn not to let your urgency control over you. If you still don't resort to drinking healthy coffee like gano coffee, always be aware of the caffeine content of your coffee since it varies widely depending on brewing and roasting methods. And though most research says that drinking 1-3 cups of coffee a day does not seem to have any negative effects in most healthy people, always make sure that you know the level of caffeine intake especially if you are undergoing any medications.

Terry Dunn is Webmaster of http://www.Ganoderma-Online.com - a Informational Resource about Ganoderma

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The Wedding Coffee Favor Craze - Ideas on Adding Personal Touches to Your Coffee Wedding Favors

2011-07-20T04:23:00.000-04:00

According to recent statistics, more than 110 million Americans enjoy at least one cup of coffee each day! Whether it be Java, Lattes, Cappuccino, Espresso or just a plain 'ol cup of Joe - coffee is America's preferred method of energy boost. So, it’s no wonder that gourmet coffee favors are so popular for receptions, showers and other celebrations.

Whatever your taste or theme, coffee favors have a variety of styles and flavors to choose from. With some companies even personalizing the packs with the bride & groom's names and date or special custom message. Increasing in popularity over the last five years, wedding coffee favors are the new traditional wedding favor. If you're looking for a unique, personalized or highly customizable wedding favor - coffee (or drink) wedding favors should be a wedding favor to consider.

But what if some of your guests' don't drink coffee? The same personalization options, designs and themes are available in cappuccino favors , hot chocolate / cocoa favors , cosmopolitan and margarita cocktail mix favors to tea wedding favor designs. There are beach theme, floral designs, fall or winter scenes, plus many other chic styles that usually play on words, such as "The Perfect Blend" Coffee or "A Tea-lightful Couple".

If handing out just a packet of coffee just doesn't seem enough, you can couple it with a silver plated coffee scoop, place both in an organza bag, and you have an instant do it yourself wedding favor. Not only will your guests be able to enjoy a delicious gourmet cup of coffee, but they will also have a highly useful coffee scoop to use for the rest of their lives.

Here are some more ideas for coffee and drink wedding favors:

Coffee Mugs: They can be imprinted with a picture, graphic, your names & date, or they can be a simple design. A bag of coffee can be placed inside and the whole package wrapped in organza, tulle, or cellophane.

Bags of Gourmet Coffee or Gourmet Cappuccino – Bags of gourmet of flavored coffee can be imprinted with the happy couple’s details and wrapped in decorative packaging.

Coffee & Cookies: Pair a packet of coffee with a couple of cookies for a delicious edible wedding favor treat.

Coffee & Chocolates: There are not many coffee drinkers who would turn down an elegant chocolate or truffle to enjoy alongside their coffee. Add a few high quality chocolates, truffles, chocolate covered stir sticks, chocolate covered almonds or chocolate covered coffee beans for an irresistible coffee wedding favor treat!

Coffee & Accessories: Couple a packet of coffee with some of the unique accessories available on the wedding favor market today. For a romantic touch, you can add a heart shaped coffee scoop. For a more traditional feel, add a round coffee scoop. Or to give the gift of relaxation while your guests enjoy their gourmet coffee, you can add a java scented coffee cup candle!

Coffee & Coasters: Another popular trend in wedding favors is coaster favors. Coffee favors pair beautifully with coasters. Simply warp the coasters with the coffee for an upscale wedding favor idea.

Drink Gift Sets: If you want to give your guests a bit more of variety, you can combine coffee, tea, cappuccino and a hot chocolate favor together in a mug, bag, or box. Add a scoop, candy, chocolate, or a coffee accessory for even more fun!

A "Drink" Wedding Favor Gift Table: If you're not sure who likes what, you can create a wedding favor gift table by the exit doors. Take a few decorative boxes, and stack a different type of drink in each box (coffee, cappuccino, tea, cocktail mixes, hot cocoa) . You could also include favor accessories (scoops, stir sticks, marshmallows in decorative bags, chocolates, cookies in decorative bags, etc...) and have guests help themselves before they leave. A bit more expensive idea and there is always a chance you may have a greedy guest or two who takes more than one of each.

Erica Tevis is the owner of Little Things Wedding Favors which carries thousands of wedding favors and wedding accessories to suit every couple's style, theme and budget.

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Coffee Makers For Different Coffee Types

2011-07-19T23:34:00.000-04:00

There is nothing quite like waking up in the morning, stumbling to the kitchen and finding your favourite coffee brewed and waiting for you. Of all the drinks in the world, coffee seems to have universal appeal. But if you have ever travelled you quickly discovered that one person's coffee can be quite different from another's.

A World Wide Business--Coffee Types

Coffee is grown on five different continents and dozens of countries around the world. There are coffee plantations in Columbia and much of South America. There are hundreds of plantations in Africa. The growing region expands to the east and west including the West Indies, Sumatra, and Java.

All of the coffee growing regions are in tropical zones within 30 degrees or so of the Equator. While all coffee grows in bean form, there are different types or varieties of coffee plants, hence the many different coffee types.

Roasting and Brewing

Although plant variety can affect the taste of coffee, the way it is handled following harvesting has a great deal to do with the flavour as well.

Some coffee beans are naturally roasted. These generally produce the darker and bitterer tasting coffees. The sun does the roasting and then the grinding and brewing take care of the rest of the flavourful attributes.

There are many different recipes for a great cup of coffee and variations on how they are served. The cooking methods require specific kitchen gadgetry to help make the best rated coffees.

>From Coffee Makers to Cappuccino and Espresso

There are different types of cappuccino, espresso and coffee makers on the market. Each of these appliances is designed to make specific coffee types. Cappuccino is a rich, dark coffee whose recipe originated in Italy. It is a milder version of Espresso, but not as light as "city" coffee.

Espresso is made by high heat and pressure which produces a thicker and more potent cup of coffee.

This is usually served in much smaller cups and quantities because of how strong it is.

Electric machines are making their way from the restaurant into many home kitchens. The cleaning and care including the job to decalcify are made easier by the popularity of stainless steel appliances. There are coffee makers also that do all of the jobs of creating the perfect mug of coffee right on your counter top and even while you sleep. The grind and brew combination machines are the ideal way to get the freshest cup of coffee possible.

Decaf and coffee types that contain caffeine can be equally as appealing to the taste buds. An important fact to remember is that just because a coffee type taste strong, it does not necessarily contain more caffeine. On the other hand, a decaf cup of coffee will taste and smell just as good, but without the health concern of having too much caffeine. The process with all of the new recipes available at coffee shops, restaurants and even at home, it is possible for anyone to make the best rated coffee around. This includes caffeine and decaf varieties.

About The Author
Peter Mason publishes many news and information to the news section of http://www.coffee-espresso-maker-tips.com. Within his publication Peter is publishing from coffee makers http://www.coffee-espresso-maker-tips.com/coffee-makers.html to cappuccino machines and other areas in this field.

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7 Steps for World Class Gourmet Coffee

2011-07-19T18:52:00.000-04:00

For a change, a good cup of coffee would be nice. It does take some time and some energy to find a great cup of gourmet coffee these days. If you do know of a perfect coffee shop, you are one of the lucky ones. But, did you know that you can actually make a wonderful cup of coffee on your own from home?

Here are 7 simple steps that you can take to produce the perfect cup of coffee every time.

Start with quality. One of the most important aspects of coffee drinking is the quality of the coffee that you start off with. If you have a favorite flavor, then purchase whole beans in that flavor. If you can do this, it will allow you to get the freshest coffee available.

Grind away. Purchase a quality coffee grinder. Some of the best grinders available today are easy to use and easy to clean up. By grinding your own coffee beans, you'll be able to only grind what you need, meaning that you will have complete freshness in your coffee.

Store It Right And Tight. It is very important to store your coffee tightly. Air oxidizes the coffee and can cause it to get bitter quickly. Metal canisters can also allow a metal taste to get into the coffee, making it taste bad.

The best solution is for a plastic or ceramic air tight container for your coffee and coffee beans. Also, store it at room temperature because the moisture in the fridge or freezer can make it go bad faster.

Getting To The Coffee

The Maker. The coffee maker that you use is also important. No matter what style that you go with, you can get a good cup of coffee out of it if you take the necessary steps to keeping it fresh.

For example, you should insure that the coffee maker is kept clean after each use. In fact, you'll need to make sure that you detail clean it, with the help of vinegar, every so often as well. Your preferences will ultimately determine which style of coffee maker you will use. Make sure that it uses a permanent filter in it.

Even In The Water. Even the water that you use is important to the quality of the coffee you will get from it. It is essential that you use water that is free from chlorine and minerals.

Often, using bottled water rather than tap water will improve the quality of the coffee. Also, keep the water nice and hot. A good temperature for the water is about 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Provide The Right Amount. It is also important for you to use the right amount of coffee beans and coffee grounds in the maker. Too many and you will have a very strong cup of coffee and too few will make it to be too weak. Follow the directions provided by the coffee producer for the best cup of coffee.

Lastly and probably the most important aspect of getting a great cup of gourmet coffee is to make sure to enjoy your coffee when it is hot and fresh. Most restaurants are told to keep coffee for less than thirty minutes, but at home, the best coffee is the coffee that hasn't sat for more than twenty minutes.

World class gourment coffee awaits you at [http://www.coffeesure.com] where you will find items such as the Gaggia coffee machine [http://www.coffeesure.com] on sale.

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Coffee Houses - The Real Seat of Civilization?

2011-07-19T15:30:00.000-04:00

Throughout all of history, coffee houses have been more than places where innocent people like you and I could get a regular caffeine fix.

Although coffee itself apparently originated in Ethiopia before the 11th century, the first coffee house known to history was located in Constantinople in 1475. I know that coffee is an important part of MY life, but in those days a wife could divorce her husband if he could not keep her properly supplied with coffee! In Turkey, coffee was normally brewed in an ibrik, a long-handled pot originally designed for brewing coffee upon the desert sands.

In the early 1500's a coffee house was established in Vienna, Austria by the only person in town who had both lived in Turkey and who recognized the intrinsic value and potential income lurking in several bags of coffee abandoned by Turkish invaders. It seems to be about this time that the custom of softening coffee by adding sugar and cream came into practice. Value was added when coffee shops began serving pastries as well as coffee. Although some pious individuals considered coffee to be the drink of the devil, the pope who was asked to so describe the beverage in this manner was already a coffee drinker and, instead, blessed it, calling it a Christian beverage.

Although coffee houses spread through Europe, England actually got into the act through a Turkish link rather than the import of the new custom from the continent.

It was in 1652 that history records the first coffee house being founded in England by two servants of an importer of Turkish goods. They left their employer and went into business for themselves marketing the new brew at their establishment, The Turk's Head. Coffee houses of this era were referred to as "penny universities" because of the penny that was charged for admission and the camaraderie and exchange of ideas that were included in the price.

In fact, coffee houses of that era were the mass media of the day. The free public exchange of information was actually frightening to those in power. Because of this, coffee houses in England were shut down for a while in 1675. Public outrage was so great, however, that this only lasted a few days.

One figure of note, Samuel Pepys, famed diarist of the era and proclaimed "right hand of the navy" noted that he often frequented coffee houses for naval news as it seemed to be more up to date and reliable than the information available to him at the admiralty. One well known coffee house of the day probably provided him with a great deal of news concerning ships and the sea.

Edward Lloyd's coffee house which opened in 1688 (or 1687, by some sources) near the Thames river on Tower street, eventually lost its roots but became one of the most famous institutions in the world - Lloyd's of London. This was perhaps a natural metamorphosis due to the number of seafaring men from the ships at London's docks who found their way to Lloyd's. Edward Lloyd, being an astute individual, as are all of us addicted to coffee, began in 1696 the practice of listing arrivals and departures of ships in addition to information received from arriving vessels about the conditions of ships and crews and conditions at sea. Eventually, so much shipping information was exchanged at the nearly round-the-clock establishment, that insurance brokers began doing some of their business there.

One of the earliest functions of the coffee houses of the past was to provide a meeting place for many, but particularly for intellectuals of each era. The combination of the exchange of ideas and caffeine proved to be a heady experience, launching careers and in some cases legends. Perhaps you have heard of Jonathan Swift, Honore de Balzac, Alexander Pope, Oliver Goldsmith, or Henry Fielding?

One source states that by the end of the 17th century, there were over 2,000 coffee houses in London alone. Although most were just in the business of serving coffee, some had unsavory reputations and customers, and more than one could have been mistaken for a brothel. They were also often the place for assignations or just plain dates.

It has been said that our modern word "tip" as in "to leave a tip" was first coined (no pun intended) in early English coffee houses. Usually a tin receptacle of some sort was marked with a sign reading "To Insure Prompt Service" (TIPS) to receive the coins of those who needed their coffee and needed it fast!

In the new country of America, the coffee house seemed to follow in the footsteps of its Britannic predecessors. One of the earliest coffee houses in America served as the founding location for the New York Stock Exchange. Of course, after the Boston Tea Party, being a coffee drinker was considered to be patriotic. Many strategies of the American revolution were born or raised in the coffee houses of the day.

A breakthrough in the history of coffee occurred when instant coffee was first successfully produced and marketed by Maxwell House in the 1950's.

Whether instant or brewed, most modern American coffee drinkers would probably not recognize the brew of their forefathers. With a much higher ratio of coffee to water (one tablespoon to 16 ounces of water), and having been boiled for half an hour, not even the introduction of such common additives of the day as fish skin or egg shell would probably have done much to bring the taste close to a modern Starbucks mocha or latte.

In fact, the modern coffee house, typified by Starbucks or Tim Hortons might be recognized by the denizens of the past...if they were able to identify laptops as intellectual tools for research and the exchange of ideas, and cell phones as a means of conversation.

After much success in America, the modern coffee house, in the Starbucks name, image, and mold has moved westward to the East...the Far East, that is. Although coffee was not of much national interest until 1961, by the 1980's coffee shops were quite the rage in Japan, and Starbucks opened its first store in Japan in August, 1996. Starbucks' name recognition seems to have been its ticket to success in Japanese culture. By the time the first outlet opened, world-traveling Japanese had already had the Starbucks experience in foreign lands. The story is told that upon the opening of the first Starbucks store in Japan, the first customer, who ordered a "Double short latte!" did not speak English! As of 2003, Starbucks had 503 stores in Japan.

Starbucks opened its first store in China in 1999, and as of February, 2006, had 165 outlets, complete with cell phone carrying, laptop using customers like anywhere else in the world. I guess it's possible that considering the history of coffee shops something besides coffee might be brewing.

Donovan Baldwin is retired from the Army after 21 years of service, has worked as an accountant, optical lab manager, restaurant manager, and instructor. He is a University of West Florida alumnus (73 BA Accounting), and has written and published poetry, essays, and articles on various subjects for the last 40 years. Although primarily interested in the subjects of health, weight loss, and making money, he began drinking coffee at about age six and 60 years later, still hasn't figured out how to stop...nor does he want to! In addition to caffeine, he is also addicted to blogging and blogs on the subjects of senior health and fitness at http://fitness-after-40.blogspot.com.

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Search For The Right Coffee Machine

2011-07-19T11:02:00.000-04:00

"Joe was on the department store one day in search for a coffee machine he will use at his kitchen. He scanned and looked around for several brands just to make sure he ended up with the perfect one. Few minutes later, he was on his way home. When he arrived, he set up his brand new coffee machine on the kitchen. In the first few days, the machine worked perfectly. But after some time, he discovered that it was not the right one for him. He wanted more and can't have it with his present coffee machine."

Most people experience this. They buy what they think are the mort attractive coffee machine on display but ending up disappointed because it seems that their choice is wrong. But it does not automatically exclude that fact that there are those who have somehow landed on the perfect coffee machine. It is just there are more and more people craving to have the perfect coffee machine without knowing what they really want. So in order to put everything in place, this article may help you or ever improve your chances in bringing home the right coffee machine by determining different kinds of coffee machine available.

There are as many types of coffee machine makers as the types of coffee around the world and choosing the right one has to be perfect so as not to end up buying another set few days later.

The most popular coffee machine must be the percolator. It might not be your expected electric coffee machines but this type makes great tasting coffee by boiling water with coffee beans several times. This is perfect if you are going to use mild coffees.

For more flexible coffee mixture, the drip coffee machine might be right for you. There are two types of drip coffee machines: automatic and manual. Both use filters of nylon, paper, or gold. Temporary filters are also essential that is usually paper filters. The method of automatic drip is to pour cold water to the reservoir and place coffee on the filter. When the coffee machine reaches the right water temperature, it will pour to the coffee in the filter.

The automatic drip also has a wide array of great designs from different coffee machine manufacturers with lots of features you can use. Manual drip on the other hand has the same principle with that of the automatic.

The main difference is that the manual has greater flexibility that enables the owner to change, the taste of the coffee in the middle of the brewing. If in the automatic drip you cannot add more coffee once you close the lid, the manual gives you all the freedom to keep the right taste you want without worrying of spillover.

One drawback from the drip coffee machine though is the after taste of the paper filter.

Another type of coffee machine is the French press. All you have to do is the mix coffee beans and hot water and you can have a great tasting coffee in no time. If you don't mind the temperature of the coffee, you can consider French press.

Espresso coffee maker is another type of coffee maker you can have. There are two types of these: the stovetop and the electric. The stovetop is much cheaper than the electric with the same principle of making coffee. For some, this type of coffee machine makes the perfect cup of coffee.

There are more coffee machines available but basically these types are widely used. It is up to you then to choose from these.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides coffee machine resources on [http://www.your-coffee-machine.info].

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The Best Coffee Maker: Drip, Espresso, French Press, or Other?

2011-07-19T06:39:00.000-04:00

There are a myriad of different types of coffee makers on the market today. They come in different styles, colors and brands. Choosing the right one for your perfect cup of coffee can be confusing and time consuming! Since I recently bought myself a coffee maker, I thought I'd write about what I learned in my research and shopping that helped me make my decision. I'll take you through the steps I took before I chose my own coffee maker.

Choosing How to Brew

The most common way to make coffee, at least in the United States, is the drip coffee maker. It's fast, simple and convenient. Just pour in the amount of water you want, drop in a filter, measure your coffee, close the lid and push the button. In just a few minutes you have a steaming pot of coffee waiting for you, sitting on a hotplate to keep it warm.

Sounds great, right? Sure, but have you ever poured yourself a cup of coffee from a drip coffee maker that's been sitting on the hotplate for 20 minutes or more? It's practically undrinkable. Before I knew much about coffee I used to have to add cream and sugar to those last couple of cups to make it palatable. Since then, I've learned that the hotplate scorches the coffee; if you want a drip coffee maker you should get one that drips the coffee into a glass-insulated carafe to keep it warm. The coffee doesn't scorch and you can even take the carafe to your office or sitting room.

Drip Coffee Makers

A drip coffee maker needs regular cleaning, especially if you live in an area with hard water. Occasionally your pot will be ruined when the filter collapses on itself and allows coffee grounds to fall into the pot. However, drip coffee makers come with some very convenient features, among them a timer system that can have a fresh pot of coffee waiting for you when you get up in the morning. There are even drip coffee makers with built-in coffee bean grinders.

If you decide to buy a drip coffee maker be sure to get one with a carafe instead of a glass pot and get the best quality machine that you can afford.

Percolators

You might also want to think about a percolator. These come in two types-one that you heat on your stove and the electric model. This coffee maker has been around since the 19th century and works by using heat to force water up a pipe and onto a mesh basket of coffee grounds. You can use a filter if you like but there are some people who swear it makes the coffee taste different.

You have to be careful with a percolator, however. The cheaper electric models allow the water temperature to fluctuate, scorching the coffee. A stovetop percolator can easily get hot enough to boil the coffee if you don't constantly watch it. Electric percolators are good for when you have a lot of people gathered that will empty the pot.

The French Press

This little coffee maker is among the most economical and also makes a truly delicious cup of coffee. It consists of a glass jar, a mesh filter and a plunger. It's a simple operation; just put enough coffee in the jar for one cup and pour hot water over it. Stir it and then let it steep for a couple of minutes to get all the flavor from the grounds. Then replace the lid with the filter and plunger and slowly push the plunger down. It will force the grounds to the bottom, leaving a flavorful, aromatic cup of coffee that will make your day!

A French press can be priced as low as $10-15 and is a great choice for someone who wants just one cup of coffee at a time. They are easy to clean; just rinse it out and leave it to dry. If you do choose this method of brewing coffee, spend a little more and get one with good quality glass that won't break easily.

Moka Pots

These little pots are made of steel or aluminum and have two main parts, the bottom pot that holds the water and the top brewing receptacle where the coffee is made. It forces water through the coffee grounds with pressure, a bit like an espresso machine. In fact, it is often called a stovetop espresso maker.

Although a Moka Pot makes a very good cup of coffee it's fairly labor intensive when it comes to cleaning. There are several parts that need to be washed and dried. However, the quality and flavor of the coffee is unbelievable when you get the right beans and the right grind size. A little experimenting and you'll soon get the hang of it.

Espresso Machines

Espresso machines used to be out of reach for most people but technological improvements and modern manufacturing processes have greatly reduced the selling price while making the machines better. You can find espresso machines from about a hundred dollars to a couple of thousand dollars.

Espresso machines are great for a single serving or for making great coffee drinks like a mocha latte. The main feature you want to compare is bars of pressure, as that will determine how good the espresso turns out.

Still Undecided?

I personally prefer the French press. I used to have a drip coffee maker and still do but I haven't used it since I got the press. The taste and quality of the coffee is just not comparable. I don't mind spending a couple of extra minutes using my French press when I get coffee that tastes that good!

To learn how to make real coffee, which coffee beans to buy, what kind of coffee machines you should be looking at? Take a look at the different types of coffee makers available on the market.

Visit PurelyCoffeeBeans to find out the latest tips and information on making 'great coffee every day'!

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How Do You Make a Perfect Cup of Coffee?

2011-07-19T02:58:00.000-04:00

To make a perfect cup of coffee every time you need:

- A Drip coffee maker

- A Stainless steel or gold mesh coffee filter, brown unbleached paper if you are insistent on paper

- A stash of vinegar and baking soda for cleaning

- A good quality whole bean coffee bean not the 1.99 a pound kind

- Fresh clean filtered water

- 30 minutes of you time (start to finish)

If you want a perfect cup of coffee, instant is not going to be in your vocabulary. To make an absolute unadulterated cup of coffee you need a little time and a few essential ingredients.

First off, almost any drip coffee maker will work. The 19.99 one all the way to the 99.99 ones all do the same thing. They heat the water and siphon it over coffee grounds. As the water is soaked into the coffee, picking up the flavor it is then drained through a filter into a glass pot. Honestly the coffee pot is not what makes the cup of coffee. If what you are looking for is the best tasting cup of coffee for your money and time, here is how to do it yourself.

A clean glass coffee pot is what you need to start off with. To clean this well, you need to place about ¼ cup of baking soda into the glass pot and with your fingers add a few drops of water. Use your fingers to spread the baking soda all over the pot, up the sides and such. After you have used this as a mild abrasive, add 1 cup of vinegar. Swirl and swish allowing the baking soda and vinegar to bubble away. Next, use a clean cloth to wash the inside of the glass pot. Now, rinse well under hot water. When you think it has been thoroughly rinsed, give it one more good rinse. We are trying to make sure our pot is clean with no residues of soaps, coffee oils, or vinegar and baking soda. A clean pot will make a lot of difference. No more washing the pot once a week, or just running it under the water and calling it good.

Second step to a great cup of coffee is the filter you use. Most of us buy the cheap white 150 for 1.25 coffee filters. Why are they cheap? Because, they are not good. Not only are they paper, but they add chlorine and bleach, and starches to your coffee. How are you supposed to have a good cup of coffee if you add those things to it. I recommend a metal strainer. Gold mesh or stainless steel is good. These are a little more expensive, but are not disposable so you can reuse them for a good long time. Average cost for these run 12.99-19.99. Clean these the same as the coffee pot. Rinse well!

Third step to a great cup of coffee is using good filtered water. I am not saying you need to use bottled water. But getting a Brita filter and filtering your water before brewing will take the extra minerals and chlorine and any other extras often found in tap water. Since coffee is mainly water that is heated and flavored doesn't it make sense to use good quality clean water?

And of course the last step to a great cup of coffee is using a good whole bean coffee. No, coffee that is sitting on the shelf at Safeway will not do. You need to buy coffee beans from a good small company that buys their coffee in small batches, that are roasted daily or weekly. Only then can you be sure that the coffee you are getting is fresh. Choosing coffee this way runs about $12 a pound. But remember this is whole bean, you are getting a lot of coffee for the price. Grinding your own coffee bean at home is the best way to assure your very own perfect cup of coffee.

One more tip, do not reheat your brewed coffee, or leave it on for hours and hours. Brew only enough coffee that you will drink within the hour or so. Reheating and micro waving coffee just breaks the coffee down even faster. Yes, coffee does break down. When this happens you end up with a strong, sour taste. Not the perfect cup if you ask me. How do you brew just a few cups of coffee at a time? For every 6 ounces of water you add to your pot, add only 2 tablespoons of fresh ground coffee beans to the filter. When putting the ground coffee beans into the filter make sure it is level and spread evenly across the bottom of the filter. This assures even brewing. You now have no excuse to not enjoy your own perfect cup of coffee.

The author is from Medford, OR. Linda Cramer is owner of http://www.babygiftbasketco.com a wholesale site for baby gift baskets and gourmet food baskets.

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Coffee - Brewing The Perfect Batch

2011-07-18T23:05:00.000-04:00

Creating the perfect cup of coffee is not easy. Sometimes, it is burned or the grinds are not brewed long enough. In the United States, millions of people start their day with a simple cup of black coffee. Some individuals prefer their coffee black, others like sugar and cream, but different recipes and coffee beans are necessary to have a more invigorating coffee experience.

Caffeine is the primary ingredient in coffee; an ingredient that heightens our senses and rejuvenates our body. However, to create your own personal favorite cup of coffee you need to know the basics. It all starts with the bean. Unlike teas, there is a virtually unlimited amount of different coffee beans available around the world.

Beans are grown in Asia, Africa, South America and a variety of other places. Although you can purchase coffee beans already ground, the best cup of coffee comes from freshly roasted beans. The Arabica coffee plant produces one of the most popular coffee beans in the world. Many coffee experts suggest using the Arabica coffee bean for a premium gourmet coffee. The Arabica bean is considered to be superior in quality when compared to virtually all other types of coffee beans. In addition to the Arabica bean, the Robusta is also a very popular type of coffee bean. If you prefer a higher caffeine content coupled with more acidic taste, then the Robusta coffee bean is perfect for you. It is also inexpensive and will save you money when making your personal gourmet coffee.

Once you have chosen the right coffee bean it must be roasted at the perfect temperature. If it is not roasted correctly, the beans will lose their freshness and taste. A perfectly roasted coffee bean batch will bring out the rich and full flavors. Their are two methods of roasting coffee: light roast or dark roast. Lightly roasted coffee beans hold their original, unique and natural taste. Darkly roasted coffee beans expose the taste of the actual roasting, rather than the natural taste of the bean itself.

Once the right coffee bean and type of roast has been chosen, one must remember to always grind the coffee beans immediately before brewing the coffee which helps maintain the freshness of the beans.

Now that you have your personal favorite type of coffee bean, selected your type of roast and just ground the coffee, you have a variety of recipes to make a gourmet coffee. Recipes include cakes, alcoholic drinks, desserts, ice cream, cookies and of course coffee drinks. Coffee is a versatile ingredient in a variety of recipes. However, if you prefer just the coffee, you can make iced coffees, mochas, espressos, cappuccinos and my favorite, Irish coffee.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Coffee [http://coffee-guides.com]

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Eleven Steps to a Better Cup of Coffee

2011-07-18T19:38:00.000-04:00

If you are like most coffee drinkers, you probably think you are already getting an awesome cup of coffee. However odds are that you can probably still improve the quality by following these eleven steps:

1. Use Quality Coffee Beans

Stay out of the grocery stores! OK that is a serious statement, but seriously do not buy coffee beans at the grocery store. No one knows when it was roasted and that is a critical, key point in coffee freshness. These beans are known for being stale, whether they are in the gravity bins (especially stale!) or bagged (usually stale!). No one really knows how long the beans have been in the bins or bags. Buy your coffee from an area independent coffee shop or artisan coffee roaster that can verify the roasting date. This is the only way to know you are buying freshly roasted coffee beans of gourmet quality. Their reputation is on the line so they strive for the best quality coffee freshly roasted.

2. Store Properly

Remove your beans from the original bag and put in an airtight container like Tupperware or Glad Ware. The more opaque the container, the better to keep harmful light out. Extreme light like keeping coffee in a glass jar on the sink can cause deterioration of your beans, allowing your final cup of coffee to taste flat or stale.

Do not store in the freezer or refrigerator. Keep them in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place like a cupboard or pantry. Refrigerators harbor many odors and coffee is very porous. It will act like a sponge to odors whether it's ground or whole bean. Freezers can cause freezer burn, and the flavor oils to crack and lose flavor. These oils are where the flavor is. Storing in the freezer freezes the surface condensation each time the coffee is taken out of the freezer.

Excess moisture will cause your beans to stale faster and shorten the life span of your coffee so a cool, dry and dark place it recommended for storage.

3. Proper Grind and Grind Just Before Using

The grind of the coffee matters. Your coffee should be ground for the type of brewing method you are using. Coarse for French press and single serve, fine for espresso. The in between matter but for most auto-drip makers your grind should be just finer than coarse meaning that when you rub it between your fingers the grinds should feel similar to typical bread crumbs. Espresso grinds should feel like somewhere between sugar and powdered sugar. Also, by using a burr grinder your coffee will receive less friction than a typical blade grinder giving your grinds less chance to get scorched during grinding.

Coffee is very porous and will absorb odors and air (oxygen) very fast. Oxygen will make your coffee taste really bad! So, the longer your coffee is ground and not used the longer it has to stale and make a bad cup.

4. Measure Properly

Weigh your coffee before you grind it. To make a good, well-rounded cup of coffee you should use approximately.75oz (22g) of coffee beans to every 8oz of cold water. You can +/- to taste but this is a good starting point.

5. Purified Water at Precise Temperature

Fresh, clean tap water (purified is best) or quality spring water is recommended. Do not use mineral water, distilled water or tap water with any type of odor. It will make your coffee taste bad. The water should be between 195-205 degrees when ready to brew. At this temperature, the coffee will get proper extraction to optimize the flavor oils and caramelized sugars inside the coffee bean. This is hard to accomplish with most home brewers as the heating elements are not heat adjustable nor are they reliable to heat to the proper temperature at all. Good home coffee brewers will cost about $200 but are well worth it and last a lot longer. If you can, try the single cup pour over methods available or other brewing methods such as French press or siphon. The taste difference is remarkable. Google search each method for more information.

6. Brew Just Enough to Drink

Letting your brewed coffee sit waiting is not a good idea. And more so please do not let it sit on the hot plate! This is a good way to cook your coffee. Constant 'keep warm' mode like this will make it taste bitter. If you have to brew more than one cup and are not going to finish is right away, get an airpot of air tight hot container to keep it in. Still drink it within an hour or so but it will buy your more time.

7. Let it Cool

By letting your coffee cool to about 170 degrees (for black coffee) you will not only avoid burning your mouth, you will also get a more enjoyable coffee experience because you will taste the true essence of what coffee is all about: the brightness, the chocolaty notes, the citrus notes, the spices. It's all there, get a little geeky! If you insist on pouring cream and sugar in your coffee, forget #7 and for #8 respectively!

8. Drink it Black

This is the coffee geek purist in me coming out! I used to drink my coffee with cream and sugar all the time until I got into the coffee business years ago. Society decided cream and sugar was the norm because of bad tasting coffee, not because coffee tastes bad. Coffee used to be bitter as a rule, but that was your father's cup! Most likely the canned stuff from the grocery store. Ick! That is the old-school coffee made from Robusta beans, a low-grade coffee. Today the high quality coffee beans are called Arabica and you get them from coffee houses and artisan coffee roasters. When beans are blended and roasted properly black coffee is not bitter. It may take some getting used to but I assure you that you are missing a lot of great tasting coffee by adding cream and sugar!

9. Throw Out Any Leftover Brewed Coffee

This is part of #6 above, but deserves its own number. If you have brewed coffee left over past an hour in an airpot or air-tight container, throw it out. Brewed coffee has a life span as well and letting it cook itself in a container is not part of it.

10.Throw Out Any Leftover Coffee Beans

Ok let me clarify! By this I mean the coffee that is left over after 21 days. Coffee beans have a life span of approximately 21 days from the day it is roasted. I prefer to drink mine within 10 days but that is just the coffee geek again. If you can span your coffee for use within 21 days of the day it's roasted you will get a better tasting and far more superior cup. I know, you are asking "how do I know when my Seattle's Best or Newman's Own coffee beans were actually roasted?" Well, see #1 above for your answer.

11. Rinse and Repeat

That says it all! If you follow these steps I promise you will notice a more flavorful and tasty cup of brew!

Tony DiCorpo is a coffee roaster, barista and coffee business consultant. He has authored many articles on coffee and the coffee business. Tony has extensive experience in business and collectively more than 20 years experience in sales, business management, entrepreneurship and the coffee business.

He is a partner in The North Coast Barista School and sells coffee equipment and coffee beans at Troubadour Coffee.

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Coffee - Proper Storage

2011-07-18T14:51:00.000-04:00

The way you store your coffee grinds and beans is an important part of maintaining fresh flavor. Properly stored coffee makes a world of difference in how the coffee will taste. This article will guide you and offer tips on how to properly store your coffee grinds and beans to keep your coffee as fresh as possible. There are different ways to store coffee. Roasted whole bean coffee must be stored in complete darkness and in an airtight container.

Using plastic or metal containers may possibly alter the taste of the coffee. Therefore, using a ceramic or glass container is the best option. Roasted coffee beans are sensitive to light and oxygen. For the best airtight concealment of roasted beans, make sure the container is filled to the top in order to keep the air inside the container to a minimum. When stored in an airtight and completely dark container, roasted coffee beans will last an average of one to two weeks.

Ground coffee will not last nearly as long as roasted whole bean coffee. Coffee that is already ground will last no longer than a few days. However, much like roasted whole bean coffee, ground coffee is also sensitive to light and air. Ground coffee must also be kept in an airtight and light-free environment. Because ground coffee lasts for only a couple of days, many coffee experts suggest grinding your coffee beans immediately before brewing the coffee.

There are some myths and "Old Wives tales" about coffee storage that are actually harmful to coffee. Freezing coffee is never a good idea. Water molecules adhere to the packaging, coffee grinds, and beans very easily. Ice then forms around the coffee grinds and beans after the water molecules have adhered to the coffee. Roasted whole bean coffee is especially sensitive to freezing because they are porous. When the ice melts, water will corrode the fresh taste and quality of the coffee. Is the refrigerator a better storage area? No! The refrigerator will produce water inside the packaging, corroding and taking away the quality of the coffee. Keeping coffee fresh is an easy thing to do if the coffee grinds or beans avoid the following: water, oxygen, light and heat.

For the best and freshest pot of coffee, grind the coffee beans immediately before brewing the coffee and only brew what you intend to drink. Because roasted whole bean coffee will last for only one to two weeks, only purchase what you can drink within two weeks. Properly storing coffee will help maintain the natural and fresh quality of the beans. By following a few simple rules, the perfect cup of gourmet coffee is never beyond your reach. Although it is very easy to toss a bag of coffee in the refrigerator or even the freezer, doing so will surely ruin the taste, quality and freshness of the next pot. Properly storing coffee will keep each cup like it is the first cup.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Coffee [http://coffee-guides.com/]

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How to Select a Single Serve Coffee Maker

2011-07-18T10:29:00.000-04:00

An increasing number of us nowadays are wondering how to select a single serve coffee maker that will suit us best at home. These kinds of coffeemaker are designed to produce - as you might expect - a single cup of coffee at a time and they are becoming increasingly popular amongst all kinds of coffee drinkers.

In the past we've been a bit limited in our choices of coffee maker - we've often, for example, had to make a whole pot of fresh coffee just to enjoy a single cup but things are different nowadays.

The Advantages

The advantages of single serve coffee stations are primarily found in the fact that they can make just one serving of coffee at a time and that they work real quick as a consequence in comparison to multi serve machines. So, you won't need to waste coffee or won't need to make more coffee than you'll actually drink in one sitting.

And, if you choose one of the new single serve pod systems as your final choice here, then you can simply slip a small individual coffee pod into the machine, make your cup of coffee and then throw the pod away. So, there'll minimal cleaning up and maintenance to do as well!

You can even pick and choose the kinds of coffee you want to drink with these kinds of machines as the pods can come in various types, roasts and flavors. Major coffee companies that make coffee for these pods currently include some big names in the sector such as Douwe Egberts, Melitta and Folgers - so you'll get a guarantee of coffee experience and quality at the same time as well.

Two Types

There are basically two ways to use a single serve coffee maker. In the first instance you can buy a conventional coffee machine that uses standard ground coffee via a normal filter system but which only brews a single cup of coffee at a time rather than making up a whole big pot. It is worth noting here that some of these machines may sometimes be able to brew up two cups instead of just one which could give you a little more flexibility.

In either case the machine here will brew up directly into your cup extremely quickly and efficiently. Some of these kinds of models even come with their own mug when you buy them!

As single serve machines go this kind of option is reliable but kind of uninspiring if you're looking for something a little different in your coffee drinking. But, if you're still wondering how to select a single serve coffee maker then this may be a good option for you if you simply want an affordable and compact coffee maker for one/two people. Some of these machines are real tiny nowadays and could easily just sit on the end of a desk for real ease of use without taking up too much space.

But, if you want something a little bit more exciting from a single serve coffee maker then you really should also consider something along the lines of one of these new pod systems we've already mentioned. These single serve machines (such as those in the Philips Senseo range, for example) are designed to take a single pod that contains a specific brand, roast or type of coffee at a time.

You unwrap the pod from its packaging, place it in the machine and it brews your coffee up for you into the cup. You can then simply throw the used pod into the trash. Again it's worth noting that some pod systems can be purchased that will make two cups of coffee at a time.

Variety - The Spice of Life

These machines are so popular now partly because they are so convenient and reliable but also because they allow you to buy different varieties, types and flavors of coffee pods. So, you can pick and choose which kind of coffee you will brew at any given time of day without having to keep a huge stock of different types of coffee in your kitchen cupboards.

This does prevent you from having lots of large unopened bags of coffee going stale in your cupboards because you simply cannot drink them that fast. These pods are also all individually sealed so you won't lose freshness as you may do once you open a bag of standard ground coffee.

One complaint that some pod machine users have is that the pods themselves are not always as cost effective as they may be. As you might expect you may have to pay a premium for convenience here so this kind of pod system may well work out to be more expensive to both buy the initial machine and the pods than if you were just buying a small single serve maker and regular bags of coffee.

One key thing to think about as you ponder how to select a single serve coffee maker is compatibility. Some pods can be used in other kinds of standard coffee makers so it's worth while checking on compatibility with your manufacturer. And, some coffee pod systems offer the ability to add a normal filter to the machine so you can use them as a standard single serve machine with your own ground coffee.

Flexibility is vital here as you don't want to buy a coffee maker or a pod system that limits your choices. Some pod systems, for example, will allow you to use other types of pods in the machine as well as those that are made for the particular model. This option is great as you get much more flexibility in terms of coffee drinking choice. However, some systems will only work with their own pods which could see you limited on choice and which could also cost you more in the long run.

It doesn't really matter which system you decide suits you best at the end of the day. You may even opt for both choices! One last thing to remember is that you can get great discounts and bargains on standard single serve coffee makers, pod systems and the pods themselves if you shop around. Many pod system users, for example, shop around on the Internet and then bulk buy pods when they find a bargain.

About the Author

Carol Finch enjoys writing about coffee makers, single serve machines, and more at Coffee N' Beans: http://www.coffee-n-beans.com

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Choosing A Coffee Maker - Tips On Finding The Right Features

2011-07-18T06:13:00.001-04:00

Choosing a good coffee maker is not a decision to be taken for granted. If you are going to spend money on your favorite coffee, you will want to make sure the coffee maker you choose is of good quality and has the features you want. The majority of coffee makers are generally quite good and you will notice no difference in the taste of your coffee from one brand to another. There are some basic features to look for when choosing a coffee maker and some luxury features that may give you a better tasting cup of coffee

The first decision you must make in choosing a coffee maker is what type of filter you would prefer. You can choose a basket type filter or a cone shaped filter, the difference in the two being different contact times between the coffee grounds and the water. A basket type filter seems to provide a longer contact time between the water and the coffee grounds, so if a basket filter is your preference, make sure you use coffee grounds that are fairly large. Cone type filters are generally less prone to spillage. If you are considering a gold tone filter, it will give your coffee a richer taste, but the upkeep may not be worth the small difference.

The color of your coffee maker is not a major concern, but keep in mind that if you choose a color that is pleasing to you, your coffee will seem to taste better. The only real issue involved in the color of your coffee maker is to remember that white stains easily and tends to look old rapidly. A dark color will look new a lot longer than a white coffee maker. Coffee makers with a pot that has a long neck will be harder to clean. If you cannot easily wash the coffee pot with soap and water, your coffee will taste stale over time due to the build up of residue that cannot be cleaned easily. Make sure your entire hand can fit inside the coffee pot to make cleaning easy.

Other than the basic features, which include color, filter, ease of cleaning, etc., there are some additional features that you may want to consider. If you don't mind your coffee grounds being exposed to air overnight, a timer is a wonderful thing to have. Timers will allow you extra time in the mornings and if you choose a coffee maker with an attached grinder, the noise would probably eliminate your need for an alarm clock. A feature that is often overlooked is the shape of the housing around the coffee pot. Many manufacturers are making the housing larger so that the coffee in the pot stays hotter. The housing area in any good coffee maker should cover at least half of the coffee pot, the keep heat in.

In general, coffee that is freshly ground tastes better. Grinders that are attached to coffee makers are a bit of a hassle. They make the coffee maker harder to clean and the coffee beans are not always ground uniformly. If you want a coffee maker with an attached grinder, look for a burr grinder rather than a blade grinder. You may also want to look into a coffee maker with a built in water filtration system. Filtered water does tend to make the coffee taste better, but purchasing distilled or purified water can serve the purpose just as well as a built in water filtration system.

For the perfect pot of coffee, the water temperature needs to be around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. In general, the less expensive coffee makers do not reach this temperature. Most of the better brand names will advertise the temperature you can expect your coffee to reach while brewing. Choosing the right coffee maker is not easy. Make sure you purchase from well-known manufacturers. You will be able to find replacement parts and will be assured of an acceptable level of quality. Choose a coffee maker that meets your basic needs and any has additional features you desire.

This article has been provided courtesy of Kitchen Junkie. Kitchen Junkie offers great kitchen articles [http://www.kitchenjunkie.com/articles/] available for reprint and other tools to help you get the best bargain on kitchen appliances [http://www.kitchenjunkie.com/] and more.

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Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee - The Best Coffee in the World?

2011-07-17T22:40:00.000-04:00

Before delving into the history and lore of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee, we need to review the main types of coffee, which are predominantly either Robusta or Arabica varieties. The difference stems from the type of coffee plant. Robusta coffees are easier to cultivate - and its production exceeds that of Arabica coffees -- but are less flavorful and less consistent in quality. Accordingly, Robusta coffees are considerably less expensive. Most national coffee blends available through retailers and supermarkets are Robusta coffees. Arabica coffees, on the other hand, are well known for consistent quality, bold flavor, and intense aroma. Premium coffees marketed as single origin coffees - Kenyan, Costa Rican, Sumatran, for example - are almost universally of the Arabica variety. Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is an Arabica coffee.

Coffee found its way to Jamaica in 1728 when Sir Nicholas Lawes, Governor of Jamaica, imported Arabica seedlings from the island of Martinique. The new home was a natural and coffee production expanded. Unfortunately, Jamaica coffee productions also has its origins - as with other plantation crops - with the abhorrent practice of slavery.

This extraordinary coffee is grown in the majestic Blue Mountain range in Jamaica reaching approximately 7,402 feet at the highest peak. The Blue Mountains dominate the eastern third of Jamaica, located between Kingston to the south and Port Maria to the north. The upper reaches of the mountains are preserved as forest while the lower slopes are dedicated to coffee production. An incredible mix of rich soil, cool and misty conditions, high rainfall and good soil drainage yields a very high quality coffee. The foggy conditions are believed to slow the growth of the coffee, thereby producing a more dense (and flavorful) bean.

Only coffee cultivated in this mountainous range is permitted to hold the Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee label, which is a globally protected certification mark under the administration of the Jamaica Coffee Industry Board. Coffee grown at elevations between 3,000 and 5,500 feet has been traditionally known as Jamaica Blue Mountain. Coffee grown at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 feet (910 m) is called Jamaica High Mountain, and coffee grown below 1,500-foot (460 m) elevation is called Jamaica Supreme or Jamaica Low Mountain.

Following a post-war increase in production that threatened to ruin the quality reputation of Jamaican coffee, the colonial British government instituted the Jamaica Coffee Industry Board in 1950 to maintain and standardize the quality and consistency of Jamaican coffee in a world class manner. Upon achieving independence, the new Jamaican government continued to invest in coffee cultivation. Jamaican coffee is hand picked and supervised at every stage of pulping, drying, hulling, sorting and grading according to the Board's regulations. All Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is wet-processed. Every export shipment is "cup quality" tested by certified tasters on the Coffee Industry Board staff. All shipments of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee must be approved and certified by the Board

What should one expect from a cup of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee? Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is known for its sweet, rich flavor and a remarkable lack of bitterness. Often considered the most balanced and complete cup of coffee. Combined with its refined taste, the intense aroma adds to its allure as the world's best coffee. Some critics, though, claim that production increases - fueled by foreign investors - have led to Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee being no better than other premium Caribbean coffees. Nonetheless, after two centuries of production, its fame and price is still upheld by coffee connoisseurs around the world.

The only way to know whether Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is really worth the extra price, which is generally between three and four times more expensive than other premium coffees, is to try it yourself. Perhaps, a subtle suggestion or hint for your next birthday or a holiday gift will provide you the opportunity.

Joe Jefferson is the resident coffee expert at World Trader Coffee, which is proud to offer online both regular and peaberry varieties of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee as well as a wide selection of gift packages of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee.

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10 Interesting Facts About Coffee

2011-07-17T19:12:00.000-04:00

Coffee is loved the world over. There are not too many beverages which inspire the love and devotion that coffee does. In fact, coffee is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water. Just look on the internet - a Google search of "coffee" generates almost 175,000,000 (yes, that is million!) results. So, what is the big deal? Perhaps some interesting facts will give you some clues:

1. The three biggest coffee drinkers in the world are the Americans, the French and the Germans. They consume nearly 65% of the total world's consumption of coffee. Worldwide annual coffee consumption is over 400 billion cups and continues to grow. In 2005, coffee was the seventh largest legal agricultural export in the world by value.

2. In the United States alone, we consume 400 million cups every day, or 35% of the world's total. The statistics show that 54% of the adult population drinks coffee cups on a daily basis, and another 25% of all Americans drink it once in a while. This means that more than three quarters of American adults drink coffee.

3. Men drink as much, if not more, coffee than women. In the year 2000, a National Coffee Association survey reported that the average consumption of coffee corresponds to approximately 1.9 cups of coffee per day for men and 1.4 cups per day for women when looking at the total population. However, when looking at coffee drinkers only, the average consumption is raised to about 3.1 cups per person per day.

4. Coffee is actually a fruit and grows on trees (although often called plants). Coffee trees are not fast growers. In fact, it takes five years for a coffee tree to reach full maturity. Once it's become mature, each mature coffee plant yields about 5 pounds of green (un-roasted) coffee beans per year. This results in less than one pound of coffee beans after roasting. It takes about 4000 coffee beans to produce a pound of coffee and roughly 50 coffee beans to produce one cup of coffee.

5. Even though it tastes "stronger", dark roasted coffees actually have LESS caffeine than medium or light roasts. The longer a coffee is roasted, the darker it becomes and the more caffeine burns off during the process. Similarly, contrary to popular assumptions, espresso coffee actually contains about one-third of the caffeine of a brewed cup of coffee. This is partially due to the fact that espresso is typically made using top premium arabica beans which have a lower caffeine content than robusta beans, which are found in many coffee blends used for standard brewing. Also, in the espresso brewing method, water is in contact with the grounds for only 20 to 25 seconds and extracts less caffeine than methods that put water in contact with the grounds for several minutes.

6. A cappuccino is an Italian coffee drink prepared with espresso, hot milk, and steamed-milk foam. The Italian name 'cappuccino' comes from the long, pointed cowl, or cappuccino, that was worn as part of the habit of the Capuchin Order of Friars. In Italian, the word cappuccino also describes espresso coffee mixed or topped with steamed milk or cream, because the color of the coffee resembled the color of the habit of a Capuchin friar. Some people also believe that the term relates to the aspect of a friar's tonsured (white) head, surrounded by a ring of brown hair.

7. The term "joe" when referring to coffee originates with the fact that coffee has long been a favorite drink among American soldiers. Soldiers in the Civil War, for example, were issued rations of coffee which they brewed in water over camp fires. During World War II, American soldiers were given instant coffee rations and were known to consume large amounts of coffee. Since these soldiers were known as "G.I. Joes", the phrase "cup of Joe" was adapted to describe a cup of coffee.

8. Caffeine can enhance athletic endurance and performance. Until 2004, caffeine was on the International Olympic Committee list of prohibited substances. Athletes who tested positive for more than 12 micrograms of caffeine per milliliter of urine (about 5 cups of coffee) were banned from the Olympic Games. Even though caffeine has now been removed from the list of prohibited substances, the controversy continues as experts differ in their opinions as to whether caffeine consumption on the day of performance can give an athlete an unfair advantage or not.

9. Of all its proprietary products, 7-Eleven sells more fresh-brewed coffee than anything else -1 million cups each day. That's more than 10,000 pots of coffee an hour every hour of every day of the year. Starbucks' sales totals are even more staggering. While Starbucks no longer releases its sales information to the public, it is estimated that it sells over 4 million coffee drinks per day.

10. Coffee can be good for you! Coffee can increase the effectiveness of pain killers, reduce headaches and can help fight asthma, possibly due to the enhanced adrenal effect from the caffeine. Coffee may reduce the risk for some cancers and Parkinson's disease. Recent studies have shown that caffeine reduces the incidence of diabetes by 54% for men and 30% for women. Lastly, coffee's stimulant effects and fat burning potential has some in the medical field pushing it as a means of lowering the incidence of heart disease.

Coffee is a truly amazing beverage with a long history and a worldwide following. These 10 facts represent only a very small portion of the information related to coffee which touches every conceivable aspect of life - history, culture, health, wealth, business, enjoyment and more. No wonder coffee inspires the awe and fascination that it does!

Rachel Nielsen is a coffee lover and a coffee fanatic. See her website at http://www.thejavapress.com for a more complete coffee resource guide.

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What's The Best Way to Drink Coffee?

2011-07-17T15:29:00.000-04:00

Let's face it most of us love coffee. We love the way it smells. We love the way it tastes. And most importantly we love the way it sparks our day. Hardworking blue collars tend to prefer their coffee in drip form. Lawyers and businessmen favor a latte or a cappuccino. Hipsters will drink nothing but French Press or Americanos. And fashionable executives tend to drink exotic Caramel Macchiatos. With so many options out there it can become overwhelming trying to choose. So let's break down the coffee basics and figure out truly the best way to drink coffee.

Drip Coffee:

Ahh, good ol' fashion drip coffee. The way your grandpa used to like it. Take almost boiling water, soak it in coffee grounds and strain through a filter. Think Mr. Coffee meets Folgers. Bingo! Let's be fair though, techniques have drastically improved since the old days and we're seeing some fine cups of coffee made through the drip process. With specialty brewing devices that are custom set to pulse brew on finely ground coffee; you can tell the difference between a Mr. Coffee drip style and a Cafe quality cup of coffee.

Pros:

- Easy to make

- Consistent

- Large Batches at once

- Highly Caffeinated

Cons:

- Extraction process leaves out some of the complexity of premium coffees

- Difficult to customize

- Multiple cups can become wasteful.

Final Verdict:

Drip coffee is great for serving a large number of people. Its uniform taste won't be too shocking or not shocking enough to depress the coffee consumer. It's typically consistent and can be counted on for the regular daily habit. For the person who isn't too particular about the taste and flavor, but more with the caffeine will find this to be the best way to drink coffee. This is an okay to good way to drink coffee

French Press (and other similar methods):

It sounds fancy doesn't it? Don't let that intimidate you. French press is perhaps one of the oldest ways to make coffee. There is nothing overly complex about it, yet it serves its purpose very well. Grind whole bean coffee into a course consistency; add almost boiling water to the coffee grounds and let sit for 4 minutes, then press! Because the coffee isn't strained through a fine paper filter your drink will be saturated slightly with minute coffee grounds that make it through the press. This unlocks all the flavors of the coffee bean and allows you to experience every note and element of the taste of your coffee.

Pros:

- Easy to make

- Great Flavor

- Small batches for personal use

- Less caffeine

Cons:

- Time consuming

- Not good for large parties

- Clean up

- Not very customizable

- Coffee is brewed at a lower temperature and doesn't stay as hot

Final Verdict:

Even with the cons being mentioned this is a great way to drink a cup of coffee. The notes and flavors that are released as the water extracts them from the coffee bean are amazing. Having the grounds be strained by less precision leaves more of the body intact and is very pleasant. This is a great way to drink coffee.

Espresso:

Italy's best kept secret has been unleashed upon the world and is now in every corner that you look. Espresso is a highly concentrated extract of coffee with a minimal amount of water used. People spend years perfecting the art of 'pulling' the perfect espresso shot. A barista can change the entire complexity of the coffee. It is highly customizable. It can be added to steamed milk or soy to create a latte. Flavors can be added for a unique taste. Roasters spend a vast amount of time researching and testing different coffee blends to get the best espresso shot available. It's a truly unique and adventurous way to enjoy coffee.

Pros:

- Unique flavor

- Highly Customizable

- Personal consumption

- Highly caffeinated

- Great taste

Cons:

- Difficult to make

- Expensive equipment required

- Overpowering to sensitive palates

- Expensive

Final Verdict:

It's hard to beat the complex flavors of a fine espresso shot. Whether you enjoy it Americano style or as a latte or simply by itself; espresso is a great way to drink coffee. Considering it's highly customizable to match everybody's palates there is no reason this shouldn't be at the top of your list for how to drink your coffee. Because it is expensive and it's difficult to reproduce at home, espresso is sometimes limited to a treat as opposed to a daily habit. Overall this is a great way to drink coffee!

To sum up, coffee can be consumed in a multitude of ways. And while there is certainly some methods that are better at extracting the full flavor of the coffee it comes down to personal preference on what you consider the best. This coffee drinker, however, prefers a fine French pressed coffee or a beautifully pulled espresso with just a little bit of hot water.

Find coffee for your office at http://www.hhcoffeesupply.com. Whether you have a small, medium, or large office we can provide you coffee break room supplies at wholesale pricing and bulk discounts. We offer free shipping on all of our coffee and coffee related items. We specialize in small micro roasted coffees. We carry a large line of BUNN commercial brewing equipment to for your office break room. We carry an ever increasing line of specialty coffee from the Pacific Northwest. All of our coffee is considered gourmet but at wholesale pricing. http://www.hhcoffeesupply.com. Portland, Oregon's number 1 choice in coffee vendor service.

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Making Turkish Coffee

2011-07-17T11:12:00.000-04:00

Making Turkish Coffee is a historical tradition in Turkish Culture. While there are many different Coffee Recipes available online, most are modified from the traditional version.

In this article, I will share a traditional way of making Turkish Coffee.

Tools Needed for Making Turkish Coffee

Turkish Coffee (ground or whole bean)
Turkish Grinder (if you are using whole beans)
Turkish Pot
Turkish Coffee Cup
Water & sugar if you like it sweet
Teaspoon to measure and stir

If you have the required tools in place, you are ready to start making Turkish Coffee.

Steps for Making Turkish Style Coffee

Grind coffee beans:

If you want to make the most delicious Turkish Coffee, you need to grind the beans before the making process. This way, you will have fresh ground coffee and the oil in the beans will not dry due to waiting after grinding process.

To be able to make authentic coffee, the Turkish way, you need Arabica Beans. If you can not find an authentic Turkish Coffee Brand near where you live, you should get a regular pack of Arabica Beans. Using an authentic Turkish Grinder is important. Because Turkish style coffee is ground extra fine, not like other types. Closest fineness to Turkish type of coffee is espresso. Even espresso is not ground as fine as Turkish.

If you are in a hurry, and want to save some time, you need to buy ground coffee and pass this step. But if you are not in a rush, you should start with grinding beans to make the freshest coffee, Turkish way. After you are done with grinding the beans, remove them from the manual grinder and move to step two.

Add ingredients into the coffee pot

Use a Turkish style coffee cup, also called as Fincan in Turkish to measure water first. For one cup of coffee, you need to prepare one cup of regular drinking water into the coffee pot.

After you add the water, add two teaspoons of ground coffee. Two teaspoons weigh around 0.175 ounces or 5 grams. So, measure if you are not sure how much coffee to put.

Adding sugar is optional. Turkish way of coffee is made in three different ways. With sugar (means Sekerli in Turkish), medium sugar (means Orta Sekerli), and without sugar (meaning Sade). You should put around 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar maximum. If you want medium, try with one teaspoon of sugar or less. If you make it without any sugar, it might taste little bitter, but for strong coffee lovers, this might be a great taste. So, choose your preference, and add sugar if you like.

Heat & brew the coffee

Start stirring with your teaspoon on a very low flame stove. Never use high flame, you should heat and stir slowly.

Some recipes will tell you to add sugar or coffee, or both after heating the water. You should ignore this advice. Authentic Turkish style coffee is made by putting water, coffee and sugar simultaneously and by heating at the same time.

While heating and stirring, you shouldn't step away from the process. It can boil very quickly and it might overflow fast. Making Turkish Style Coffee usually takes 5 to 10 minutes, so you should be patient and keep stirring.

Right before it starts boiling, use your teaspoon to take some of the foam at the top of the pot and add them into the cups. This is an important step. Quality Turkish Style Coffee should be served with as much foam on it as possible. So, remember to add some of the foam to the cups before it boils.

After coffee starts boiling, take away the pot from the stove, let it wait for a few seconds and put it on the stove again. You should repeat this process two to three times.

Then, pour it into coffee cups.

While making Turkish Coffee, you do not filter the coffee. These small ground particles will sit at the bottom of the cup. After pouring the coffee from the Turkish Pot into the cups, you will also see some of these ground particles will stay in the coffee pot. This is normal, you shouldn't try to put these into the cup.

Making Turkish Coffee takes 10 to 15 minutes, but it is an enjoyable process and good for improving your patience. I hope you will try this authentic way of making Turkish Style Coffee.

Enjoy your delicious cup of Turkish Coffee - Bon Appetite

Jenn is a coffee lover. Jenn creates content, videos and manages a site about Turkish Coffee.

If you like to learn more about Turkish Coffee, you can visit Jenn's authentic Turkish Coffee Recipe page. Other than the authentic Turkish Coffee Recipe, you can get further information about the equipment used for making Turkish Coffee and read Jenn's Coffee Blog.

Jenn has a goal of making everybody in the world try this delicious coffee at least once.

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Interested In A Professional Career In The Coffee Trade?

2011-07-17T07:41:00.000-04:00

Coffee is the second most commonly traded commodity in the world, as measured by monetary volume, after crude oil. Coffee, without a doubt, is big business. This is good news for coffee lovers and aficionados who can turn their passion for the brew into a permanent occupation. Coffee demand goes well beyond using beans for hot or cold beverages only. Cooking with coffee is an established trendy culinary practice in many upscale and specialized restaurants. The menus feature dishes with many savory sauces which include coffee as one of the ingredients. Take a quick look at titles of published cook books, recipes, and cuisine news and you will see the use of the brew just about everywhere.

Let's take a look at some of the occupational paths available in the coffee trade.

Coffee Supplier: a middleman between the coffee grower and the bean-buying enterprises. A coffee supplier needs to be an expert in coffee varietals, types of beans, sales and marketing trends, supply and demand conditions for the various types of coffee. Strong business and organizational skills are necessary. Coffee trading includes a complex system of packaging, shipping, export regulation, and transportation coordination. The supplier needs to have great personal skills to communicate with coffee growers on their level and also communicate with coffee buying executives using a very different business language. Foreign language skills are extremely useful, particularly Spanish, since so much coffee is produced in Spanish speaking countries.

Coffee Taster: a very "cool" occupation that requires an extremely advanced sense of taste and smell. Tasters exist for wine, champagne, beer, orange juice and many other consumable products. Coffee tasters are very important in the trade. Professional coffee tasters can distinguish differences between 100 types of coffees. The main purpose of taster is to determine the quality and usability of beans and to develop new blends. The coffee taster does not actually swallow the brew. Instead, the coffee taster sucks it from a spoon to the back of the mouth to sample the flavors with the tongue and then spits out the sample.

Coffee Trader: Arabica coffee futures and options are traded in New York on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE, formerly the New York Board of Trade). Robusta coffee futures are traded in London on Euronext.liffe. There are other international exchanges that trade coffee futures in other foreign locations. Becoming a coffee trader requires knowledge about fluctuation in prices, production and seasonal variations from country to country, keeping up with news about weather, politics and social changes that can impact coffee production. Most of all, a trader needs to have nerves of steel to withstand the emotional and peer pressure that is normal in commodity trading pools where fortunes can be made and lost in a matter of hours or minutes.

Coffee flavorist: this occupation requires an undergraduate degree in either biology or chemistry with specialized food studies at a post graduate level. Most coffee flavorists are passionate about the brew. They are also very curious individuals who love experimentation to find that "next unique flavored brew." The coffee flavorist spends the day mixing and matching specific compounds in order to create unique flavors. Not surprisingly, many flavorists are also very good cooks.

Coffee Inspector: this occupation requires very good knowledge about the beans, ground coffee quality and ingredient testing. Most coffee inspectors work for organizations that are certified to assist with inspection and certification services at docking stations, ports, warehouses and large coffee processing centers. Coffee inspectors inspect bulk shipments and certify quality-control laboratory coffee tasting. The coffee inspector makes sure that bulk coffee buyers receive the correct quantity and quality of beans ordered.

Coffee "Barista:" originally, this term was used in Italy for uniformed bartenders or trained "mixologists" familiar with all types of drink mixtures. Due to the growth in the gourmet coffee industry, the term barista has become synonymous with an expert in producing espresso, espresso-based drinks and many other kinds of coffee beverages. A trained coffee barista knows precisely how much hot water should be forced through the mesh of an espresso machine and for how long in order to create the perfect froth from steamed milk or allow the espresso to form a natural dark. Many baristas also practice "coffee art" and master the art of creating shapes on the brew with milk, cream, coffee flavorings and other ingredients available.

The list continues with many more specialized work opportunities in the trade for coffee lovers. So, what about taking a break and enjoying a delicious cup of White Chocolate flavored coffee or Chocolate Cinnamon Hazelnut flavored coffee?

Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "The Gourmet Coffee Guy."
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com
Also visit: http://www.squidoo.com/coffee-lensography-TheGourmetCoffeeGuy

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Sugar, Spices and Flavorings Added to Our Coffee

2011-07-17T04:24:00.000-04:00

We know the first thing added to coffee beans were cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and anise. Today that has expanded beyond spices to sugars and flavorings. What is responsible for all this expansion is called coffee aroma along with the mouth-feel, sweet, salt, bitter and sour taste attributes that are perceived by the tongue. All the present day specialty coffee flavor attributes are desired because of the aroma first. Instant coffee and decaf coffee have components that are responsible for stimulation of the taste buds. Instant coffee is different in that it lacks most of the aromatic volatile compounds that create a decrease in the overall flavor of the coffee.

There are many decisions to be made before anything is added to the coffee beans to alter its flavor. There many kinds of coffee beans that came from all over the world. These beans, it is believed, all originated in Ethiopia and were taken by merchants back to Yemen and Pakistan where they were crushed and boiled the beans in a coffee maker called an ibrik to make the first coffee. From there they ended up in Europe where Dutch traders took them to different parts of Asia, the Caribbean and South America. English sailors brought coffee beans to America and later brought coffee plants. These beans were known as Arabica because they came from Arabia. However, these beans when planted in the different soils around the world took on different tastes. Today, we have Ethiopian coffee, Brazilian coffee, Java coffee, Kenyan coffee, Jamaican coffee, Sumatran coffee, Haitian coffee, Vietnamese coffee and Argentine coffee are just a few of the beans from countries around the world that have there own unique taste. These new tastes were created by the new soil in which they were planted.

How you make the coffee from all the different coffee makers makes an added difference in the taste. We have French press made coffee, percolator coffee, pourover drip coffee methods, and espresso machines and other modes to make our coffee. This is just the beginning before adding anything to the beans. However, we can mention at this point that your taste buds may want to add a sweetener and /or a dairy product such as cream, milk, half and half, or soymilk. The flavored creamers available also add to change the taste of your favorite cup of coffee.

We have not even started on the spices that at added to the roasting process or are added when the beans are ground. Sometimes spices are added to hide the bitterness of the taste of the coffee from certain beans. This was certainly the case with the original coffee drinkers. Beans were ground and spices were added because they boiled the beans for hours until there was a thick sludge at the bottom of the coffee maker. The coffee was drunk by straining it through ones teeth. Since the beginning and even today cinnamon is used to sweeten the coffee taste. One must be careful in the amount added here as it may become too sweet or bitter. Cinnamon also absorbs the oils while infusing the flavorful mask of bitterness. Cloves has a stronger taste that adds a woody flavor and rich earthy overtone that makes one of the pleasant scents; this reminds of the scent coming from a home-baked ham. Cardamom remains the most popular spice in Saudi Arabian even today and cardamom coffee, gahwa, remains a symbol of hospitality. Gahwa is crushed green coffee beans and green cardamom pod seeds along with saffron or ground cloves are added along with a sweetener then boiled for two or three minutes. The coffee is then strained through a filter and served. Anise is the last of the oldest spices that were added to coffee and has a licorice-like flavor and odor. Anise, too, has been used for ages to cover up bitter tasting coffee.

Today, nutmeg, is a smooth, sweet, yet highly spicy addition used with eggnog coffee and chocolate (cocoa) flavored coffees. Cloves and nutmeg added to coffee are said to create a pure cup of goodness. Vanilla with its sweet scent and deep flavor has become one of the most used sweeteners in coffee today with French vanilla coming in at a close second. Both do an excellent job of hiding a bitter taste in coffee. Add cocoa to coffee and you have Mocha. Love your real bitter sweet chocolate? Add a little sugar to your shredded chocolate and coffee and you have a rich bodied barista's Mocha.

Other flavors added to coffee include honey, clover honey is the most popular, but don't dismiss all the flavored honeys that bee keepers are offering. White refined sugar, raw sugar and organic sugar cannot be left out of the picture, and we cannot forget brown sugar either.

Last, but not least, are the different kinds of roasts. City roast is the lightest gourmet roast while a full city roast is slightly darker and produces a heavier and slightly caramel flavor. French roast produces a slightly burnt taste without the acidity that many find most enjoyable. The darkest roast is Italian espresso roast. The beans are black, brittle and shiny with a very distinct burnt flavor without any acidity. Espresso machines help create the favorite coffee for espressos and cappuccinos. For flavored coffees, the highest grade of one hundred percent Arabica beans is used in the infusion process of actual flavor ingredients into the beans. There of hundreds of flavored coffees you can buy, but I thought I would leave you with a few of my favorites. They include: Coconut and Swiss Chocolate, Orange and French Vanilla with a touch of cream (Orange-Sicle) and Mint Chocolate.

We offer a wide variety of household coffee makers in size and brands that are all 3 star and above. Our commercial brands are Grindmaster, Cecilware and the Bunn line of products along with all there accessories and options. http://www.coffeemakersshop.com

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Coffee Vocabulary 101 - Talk Like a Barista

2011-07-17T01:02:00.000-04:00

You need to have a basic understanding of coffee terminology before you can begin your journey as a coffee connoisseur. Even if your dream is not to be a coffee tester it is still important to know the different nuances of coffee and how they are described. This will give you more insight into your favorite coffees and how to find others that taste like them. You'll also know what your coffee roaster is talking about when they are describing their coffee.

Here is a list of terms: Acidity, Aroma, Body, Finish, Flavor.

Acidity:

What it means?

Green coffee beans have a natural amount of acidity (pH) to them. Different regions and growing methods have a pronounced affect on the amount of acidity within the bean. Higher elevations and mineral rich soil can produce higher amounts of acidity.

What it tastes like?

Acidity gives coffee its dry, crisp and almost sweet after taste. It's experienced on the edges and the back of your tongue. A bean that has the correct amount of acidity will give it an aromatic floral flavor with a sweet tasting finish. A bean with poor acidity will have a tart almost grass like taste with a sour unpleasant finish.

Alternative Names

Acidity is described in a multitude of ways. The next time your roaster describes it as bright, lively, dry, crisp, sweet, winey, vibrant or sharp they are referring to the level of acidity within the coffee. Because the word acidity has negative connotations associated with it roasters will often shy away from this word when describing their coffee.

Aroma:

What it means?

Simply put aroma refers to the smell of the coffee. It can be perceived either nasally or retronasally (the way it smells when it is in your mouth). Acidity and flavor will be interpreted by the smell as much as it will be by the taste. Aroma is accountable for all of the attributes that aren't perceived by the tongue (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and the body).

What it tastes like?

Aroma makes up all the complexities of the coffee that aren't experienced on the palate. A coffee with high acidity will smell highly acidic. A coffee with full notes of flavor will smell strong of its flavor. Aroma is best used to describe the experience of it before it's tasted and then again used to describe the flavor after it's been tasted.

Alternative Names

Aroma is described in a multitude of ways. The aroma can be described as the smell, notes, and experience of the coffee.

Body:

What it means?

Coffee has naturally occurring oils trapped within the bean. Different regions, growing methods, and roasting times will cause these oils to become more pronounced within the bezn. The oil in coffee gives it 'body' which can be interpreted as the feeling it imparts on your mouth.

What it tastes like?

Body is more of a sensation than a flavor. There is a scale in which body is measured in coffee. The lighter and thinner the coffee feels in your mouth the less body it has. A coffee with a low bodied flavor would have the same consistency as water. The oilier and thicker it feels in your mouth the more body it has. A coffee with a full bodied flavor feels like it coats your mouth and tongue and lingers well after you have consumed it.

Alternative Names

The next time your coffee is described as rich, full flavored, oily, thick, and heavy they are referring to the fullness of body within the coffee. On the other hand if it is described as light or thin they are referring to the lack of body within the coffee.

Finish

What it means?

Finish refers to the finality of the coffee. It is used to describe how it tastes after it has been consumed.

What it tastes like?

The finish of coffee can change greatly depending on the coffee. Different regions, growing conditions, and roasts all attribute to the finish of the coffee. Some coffees grow in flavor in this finish and others will simply fall flat. The experience of the finish can also be described in body and aroma as well as taste. The finish is an important part of the overall experience of the coffee.

Alternative Names

The finish of the coffee is most accurately described as 'finish' but also may be termed as finality or other variations of the word finish.

Flavor:

What it means?

Flavor is the all encompassing qualities of the coffee that can't be described simply by aroma, body, or acidity. It is, in a way, generalizing the overall coffee tasting experience.

What it tastes like?

The flavor of coffee is broad in definition and can only be truly experienced when drinking the coffee. There are specific flavors that are sought after in different growing regions and roasts. You can taste the flavor in the coffee by the overall experience of the coffee.

Alternative Names

Flavor can be defined by richness, complexion, balance, and range. The richness of the coffee refers to body, flavor, and acidity of the coffee. Complexion describes the coffee as it undergoes changes in flavor. The balance refers to a coffees ability to hold its flavor. The range describes the area in which the coffee has its true flavor.

Find all of your small break room coffee supplies at http://www.hhcoffeesupply.com. We Keep Your Employees Awake! We specialize in small hand roasted coffees from the Pacific Northwest. If you're looking for wholesale pricing and bulk discounts on specialty coffee visit http://www.hhcoffeesupply.com. We provide all the amenities that you need for your office lunch room. We have an ever expanding product line of coffees, teas, creamers, sugars, brewing equipment, and napkins. Visit us for your BUNN commercial coffee brewing equipment today!

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Coffee Bean Storage and Brewing Tips

2011-07-16T20:32:00.000-04:00

Coffee loses about half of its flavor in the first 10 days after roasting and even more after grinding. After coffee is roasted, it should degas or breathe (also referred to as aging) for an initial 8 hours in an open container. This allows for the extremely pungent gasses (that heavy coffee smell) to dissipate. These heavy gasses actually cause the coffee to taste overbearing. It's not bad to drink at this point; it just tastes better in a few days. The coffee should sit in a semi-closed container in a cool, dry and dark place for another 3-5 days to further degas. Freshly roasted coffee is ready to be brewed from day 5 after roasting.

For the next 10 days after the degassing period, the coffee is at its peak of freshness with every ripe note and flavor coming out in its aroma, body, and acidity. At 15-20 days old, you should really begin to finish brewing it as it is now beginning to stale and will taste flat in about 5 more days. At 20-25 days old it's time to brew it or get more!

Air (oxygen), light, moisture and temperature (other than room temperature) are the culprits that kill your fresh coffee, roasted or brewed. If you follow these tips you will get longer life from your specialty coffee, and undoubtedly enjoy a fresher, fuller-flavored and more superior cup of coffee:

o Whole beans will last longer than ground coffee so don't grind the beans until you are ready to brew them.

o Remove your beans from the original bag the coffee came in, and put in an airtight container like Tupperware or Glad Ware. A plastic Ziplock-type bag will work (but is not recommended) if containers are not available. The more opaque the container, the better to keep harmful light out (read more about light below). Be sure to wipe container clean with damp cloth (no soap or chemicals) in order to reuse.

o Contrary to popular belief whole beans should never be stored in the freezer or refrigerator. Not even a deep freeze freezer. Keep them in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place like a cupboard or pantry. Freezers can cause freezer burn, condensation (moisture) freeze and the coffees natural flavor oils to crack and/or dissipate. These oils are where all the flavor is. Storing in the freezer builds condensation and each time the coffee is taken out of the freezer condensation has more ability to set in because of the temperature change. Excess moisture will cause your beans to stale faster and shorten the life span of your coffee so a cool, dry and dark place it recommended for storage.

o Refrigerators harbor many odors. Coffee is very porous and will act like a sponge to odors whether it's ground or whole bean. Coffee in your refrigerator will act the same as baking soda if left open or in a poorly sealed container. In an enclosed container even if sealed properly, beans will build condensation the same as in the freezer. Again, moisture will cause your beans to stale faster.

o Extreme light (like keeping coffee in a glass jar on the sink) can cause deterioration of your beans, allowing your final cup of coffee to taste flat or stale. As described earlier, we suggest keeping your freshly roasted coffee in an opaque, air tight container at room temperature. A cool, dry and dark place like in a cupboard or pantry works the best.

o Any degree heat over room temperature will also harm your coffee because heat will actually promote more degassing and that will only shorten the life of your beans. Remember that cupboards are best for storage but none over or next to an oven or stove.

o Before grinding, weigh your beans. Use approximately .75 oz (by weight) of coffee per 8 oz of COLD water. You can +/- the coffee to taste. Fresh, clean tap water or quality spring water is recommended. Do not use mineral water, distilled water or tap water with any type of odor. It will make your coffee taste bad.

o Rule of thumb is to only grind enough coffee to use immediately, however if ground coffee is stored correctly (see above, store same as whole bean), it should stay fresh for a maximum of 3 days. Any longer or stored improperly and it will stale. Stale coffee makes awful coffee!

o After brewing, drink your fresh coffee within approximately a half hour. DO NOT keep it on a hot plate or burner to keep 'warm'. This will just cook your coffee giving it that strong, bitter taste. If you brew too much coffee, at the very least shut off your coffee maker's hot plate. In actuality though we do not recommend it, reheating your coffee in the microwave would be better than letting it cook on a hot plate. However as your coffee cools the air will stale it so don't wait too long! If you put your coffee in a carafe or thermos, this will hold temperature for about 2-3 hours depending on how much you consume or use. You should drink your coffee from one of these holding containers within this time frame because even though the temperature of the coffee keeps for a few hours, the coffee can still cook itself giving it that funny, bitter taste.

You can buy an inexpensive coffee grinder at Target or Wal-Mart for about $20. It is a good idea to only purchase what you intend to be able to grind and brew within a reasonable amount of time, 3-4 weeks at the most.

Coffee stales relatively quickly so following these helpful hints will get you better tasting coffee than you have ever had, ever! Bet you didn't know there was so much to know about quality coffee, now did 'ya? Happy coffee drinking!

Tony DiCorpo is a coffee shop owner, operator, barista and entrepreneur. He is also a coffee shop business consultant. He has authored many articles on the specialty coffee business and a coffee shop business plan package that can be found at http://www.tonys-coffee-shop-business-plan.com

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Coffee Tasting - An Interesting Career Path

2011-07-16T17:26:00.000-04:00

What would you say if your child or young teen wanted to become an official taster of coffee?

Would it be any different from becoming a wine or orange juice taster? What does it take to become an official coffee taster or "cupper"?

Cupping can be a fun occupation and a hobby. Cuppers run in families and it is not unusual for the job to pass from father to son and so on. There are female cuppers but the majority are males.

If your child or teen wants to become a cupper, they can practice at home and look for cupping events through coffee clubs or other groups. Who knows? You could have a cupper in the making right at home!

Cupping is a technique used to evaluate coffee aroma and the flavor profile of a coffee. Cupping is used to taste defective coffee or to evaluate coffee blends.

Learning how to distinguish coffees through cupping takes much practice and a love for coffee. It also requires following certain standards and habits to ensure objectivity and the ability to cup many times throughout the day as a professional cupper

Cupping takes place after the green (un-roasted) beans go through inspection before being graded for sale, especially for export. The professional cupper inspects the beans for color, shape, size, appearance, density and fragility. Next the samples are roasted. The beans are examined again for discoloration, appearance and smell.

What is a coffee cupping session like?

Coffee cupping sessions usually start with the coffee table preparation set up with a cup for each of the 6 to 10 coffees to be sampled.
The cupping session includes several coffees to evaluate.
Throughout the various steps of the session, the coffees are evaluated in a consistent order.
The setting includes a sample of the roasted coffee and a sample of the green coffee.
These samples are covered until the coffee cupping session is completed and the aroma, fragrance and flavor profile of the coffee are documented.
In addition, on the table, there is a cup of water at room temperature and an empty cup with the cupping spoons.
The coffee sample preparation requires placing 2 tablespoons of freshly roasted and freshly ground coffee in an empty cup.
The coffee is ground to a standard fineness and a weight of about 10 grams or equivalent to the weight of a nickel.
Visual verification of roast similarity among the coffees included in each session is common practice.
This requires placing ground samples next to each other on a black sheet of paper.

How does the cupper prepare to taste the fragrance and the aroma of the coffee?

The cupper smells the ground coffee before water is added to evaluate the coffee fragrance.
Next, the cupper adds hot water to each of the cups and to the cup with the cupping spoons so everything is at the same temperature.
The cupper smells each of the cups without disturbing them and writes down observations about the coffee aroma.
After 1 to 2 minutes, the cupper breaks the crust of the coffee using one of the preheated cupping spoons.
The cupper puts his nose directly over the cup and pushes the coffee down.
This is the time to get the best burst of aroma of the coffee during cupping and to write down observations.
Next, the cupper stirs the coffee to make sure it is covered by water and to help the coffee sink to the bottom of the cup.
Again, the cupper writes down additional observations.
The cupper then rinses the spoon with hot water and moves on to the next sample cup until sampling all of them.

When does the cupper slurp coffee?

When the coffee is sufficiently cool, the cupper takes sufficient coffee from a cup into the spoon and slurps the coffee to cover the entire tongue.
Correct aspiration is important because the objective is to cover all the tongue evenly and to allow some drops to go into the throat and the nasal passages. Why? The aromatic compounds in the flavor of coffee are evident when your nose and tongue smell and taste coffee.
The cupper writes down observations about the coffee flavor.
Cuppers testing more than a couple of cups of coffee spit out the coffee to prevent too much caffeine which can impact the cupping ability of the professional doing this job.

Cupping is a very important step in the coffee evaluation process because it helps grade the coffee in terms of fragrance, aroma and flavor. Positive cupping marks mean higher prices for specific beans and branding opportunities for limited editions, selected varietals and other marketing qualifications.

So, ready to enjoy your next cup of coffee?

Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "Gourmet Coffee Guy." He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest. Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com

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From Percolators to Espresso Machines - Finding the Right Coffee Maker

2011-07-16T14:06:00.000-04:00

You would probably be hard pressed to find a home today that doesn't own a coffee maker. They are in practically every kitchen. Some are nothing more than stove top percolators and some are full-fledged coffee/espresso/cappuccino makers able to churn out a latte or a cup of coffee.

The coffee maker you decide on for your kitchen should be one that matches your coffee preferences. If all you are concerned with is a good cup of coffee, a simple coffee maker will suffice. However, if you are regularly making a morning trek to the local coffee shop for an espresso, you might want to consider purchasing one for your kitchen.

There are many types of coffee makers to choose from, knowing what each one is will help greatly in making your purchase.

Drip Coffee Maker

The drip coffee maker is the one you see in most kitchens. The coffee is brewed by heating and siphoning water from a reservoir. This water is then deposited slowly into a filter basket filled with coffee grounds. The resulting coffee then drips through the filter into a decanter which sits on a heating element.

Today's drip coffee makers can be found with a wide variety of options. The decanter is typically 8-12 cups in size and can be glass, ceramic, or even stainless steel. Your coffee maker can have a clock, an automatic timer to start brewing before you wake up, and can even have a built in grinder for the freshest ever. Most also have an auto-off option which turns the heating element off after a certain amount of time.

You can't get more traditional in your approach to coffee brewing than by using a drip coffee maker. Introduced for home use in the 1970s, these machines work by letting water pass through coffee grounds held in a paper filter or plastic filter. The clear, light-bodied coffee then collects in a brew pot.

Single Cup Coffee Maker

These machines are among some of the newest on the market. Some are available that use regular ground coffee in a smaller filter basket yet only brew one cup at a time, while others use specialized coffee pods to brew individual cups as needed.

These coffee makers are great for people who don't drink a lot of coffee or families that have only one coffee drinker. Another added benefit is that each person can brew their favorite coffee or flavor.

If you use the pod type brewers you will pay a premium price for the pods, making this type more expensive than other models.

Percolator

The stove top percolator may look like an antique to many people. For those who have used percolators they know that the coffee has a very different taste from drip coffee machines. This type coffee maker is very slow and alters the natural taste of coffee.

Espresso Machine

The espresso machine is the ultimate in coffee makers. However, unless you purchase a combination espresso-coffee maker you will only be making espresso. Espresso machines are wonderful for making coffee based drinks and are very quick. If you like espresso occasionally and you are a coffee drinker too; you might want to consider a combination coffee-espresso machine.

Your coffee maker is what you want it to be, based on your desired investment. If you are a ritualistic coffee drinker who has to have that morning cup of java to get going, spend a little more money and get a machine that is going to last and that does what you want it to do. If however you only have a coffee maker so that your guests can have coffee or you only occasionally have coffee yourself, there is no need for you to make a large investment.

Sharon V Chapman writes on the joys of coffee and provides consumer information on coffee makers for A1 Coffee Makers - your online guide to coffee makers and espresso machines.

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The Best Coffees in the World

2011-07-16T09:52:00.000-04:00

When considering the best coffees in the world, I went to the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) for research. They are the organization that sets the quality standards for specialty coffee, which the public calls "gourmet" coffee. All specialty coffees use arabica beans. The other category of is the robusta bean, which is of inferior taste quality to arabica. Within these categories, there are several varieties of bean. Arabica beans are grown at a higher altitude than robusta.

Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world and is graded in a similar manner as wine. This event is called a "cupping" and has a set of strict standards. Winning a cupping is very prestigious and has a direct effect on the prices a coffee grower can get for his crop.

History of these "cupping" winners has shown that three areas of the world produce the most winners. Interestingly, these regions have a very similar latitude when looking at the world map. The three regions are Ethiopia, Sumatra and Panama.

Ethiopian/Kenyan Coffee (Africa)

Ethiopian coffee is aromatic, highly flavorful, and also known to be some of the best coffees in the world. It is also the origin of all coffee. The Ethiopian people have a legend that says that a goat herder discovered Ethiopian coffee around 850 AD. This legend claims that the goat herder noticed that his sheep were very excited and nearly dancing after eating red berries from a tree. The legend of the founder goes on to say that the herder sampled the red berries for himself and took some of the berries home to his wife who insisted that he take them to the monks. The monks supposedly threw the berries into a fire and noticed the delicious smell that the berries produced. The monks are said to have removed the berries from the fire and boiled the berries in water to create the beverage that we now know as Ethiopian coffee.

Whether this legend is true, or in fact just a legend is forever a mystery. Regardless, Ethiopian coffee has been used for religious ceremonies. These ceremonies are still held today and if a guest is invited to participate in the ceremony, it is well known to be a very beautiful experience.

Locally, Ethiopian coffee is served with either sugar, or in some parts of Ethiopia, salt. Milk or any type of creamer is never used in traditionally brewing. The process of making the coffee varies by region. In some regions it is dry processed and in some other regions it is washed. The Ethiopian coffee found in stores today is dry processed.

The process is often grueling and coupled with with importing adds to the reason of why Ethiopian coffee can be expensive.

When consumers purchase Ethiopian coffee to be brewed at home, it is wise to consider fair trade Ethiopian coffee. The obvious reason to consider fair trade is so that the producers of this wonderful product can reap the benefits of their hard work. Ethiopian coffee has a rich, bold, and exciting history and a taste that has been favored by many people for a long time.

Sumatran Coffee (Indonesia)

Sumatran coffee comes from the island in Indonesia called Sumatra. The taste of Sumatran coffee is spicy, herbal, and very distinct. It is considered to be one of the best coffees in the world and was first introduced by the Dutch around 1699 when the Dutch wanted to keep up with the demand of coffee to Europe. The Dutch traders knew the difference between Sumatran coffee beans and other coffee beans by the appearance, which are irregularly shaped and bright green.

Sumatran coffee is one of the best coffees in the world and has a low acidity which makes it highly favored among other types of coffee. The beans are usually grown in full sunlight and with no chemicals. A highly popular type of Sumatran coffee, yet thoroughly disgusting in many peoples opinion, is the kopi luwak Sumatran coffee. The kopi luwak coffee is coffee beans that have been eaten by the small animal known as a luwak. After the luwak digests and excretes the coffee beans, local villagers collect the excreted beans and roast them. These excreted and roasted beans are said to cost about $300 a pound. Of course, not all of Sumatran coffee comes from the excrement of the luwak. There are many other varieties of Sumatran coffee as well.

Most of the Sumatran coffee beans are processed using the wet and dry processing method. This processing method is another reason why Sumatran coffee is so popular. Most other types of coffee beans are processed by using either a wet method or a dry method, hardly ever both.

When purchasing Sumatran coffee for use at home, a person should try to purchase fair trade Sumatran coffee. Fair trade beans can be found at various online retailers and also at gourmet coffee retailers. This insures that the growers benefit from all of the hard work that they put into growing this delicious coffee.

Sumatran coffee has a taste unlike any other and once you try it for yourself, you may find that it will quickly replace your current brand or at least be a coffee that becomes one of your favorites.

Panamanian Coffee (Central America)

Although Panama is the smallest of all coffee producing countries, they grow most of the best rated coffees every year. The coffee region surrounds the town of Boquete in the western province of Chiriqui close to the Costa Rican border. Some say Panama has the ideal micro climate to grow coffee receiving winds from the north along with a light mist and cool breeze. Most of the coffee is grown on farms and is called an Estate coffee which signifies the farm it is from.

The process includes hand picking, washing and sun drying. The farms work closely with the indigenous people enhancing the community with social, medical and educational services. Because of this, fair trade is not a concern. It is a harmonious relationship between farm and worker.

For years, coffee from Panama was not well known amongst the public but the quality was apparent to the traders. So much so, that one trader was caught selling the lower cost Panamanian coffee beans as Hawaiian Kona beans, a much well known high end arabica bean.

Currently, Panamanian coffee has come of age winning numerous cuppings to the point in 2003 when the competition was changed. Previously, each entry was individual and Panamanian entrants would win up to five of ten awards. Now, they have groupings and each group can produce up to two winners that move up to the next level.

It should be noted that although Panamanian coffee has been established as the best in the region, wonderful coffees do come from Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Columbia.

Even though most of the world favors the western coffees, a true coffee lover should be adventurous and taste the best coffees of the world. Try Ethiopian and Sumatran coffees along with those that are in close proximity to those regions. You may be surprised at what you have been missing.

Are you a coffee drinker? Do you love a good gourmet coffee? Then take a look at the best of Panamanian coffee at Coffee from Panama.com. Be sure to be adventurous and try Ethiopian and Sumatran coffee also.

The author, Tom Berker is an independent writer and lover of gourmet coffee coffee.

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What Is an Espresso Coffee Bean Roaster?

2011-07-16T05:17:00.000-04:00

For most people in the game of roasting espresso coffee the answer is:- someone who takes green coffee beans and turns them brown. And because the underlying assumption is that roasting espresso coffee is simple, anyone can become a roaster. The explosion of the espresso coffee roasting market all over the globe in the last several years has proven that that is indeed the case.

With no real barriers to becoming a boutique roaster or commercial coffee roaster (apart from financial restrictions) there has been a plethora of new espresso coffee brands entering the global coffee market. Obviously the number of roasters per capita is lowest in underdeveloped or emerging markets, and higher in highly developed or saturated coffee markets. Nonetheless, each market has experienced a rapid growth in the number of espresso coffee roasters and espresso coffee distributors.

Whilst a great many individuals have relatively recently joined the 'club' of roasters, the strangest element to this industry is that, paradoxically, every roaster claims to be a consummate 'expert'. Mathematically, statistically and practically this is impossible for any industry. And speaking from experience, there is more to coffee roasting than meets the eye.

So I should start by stating what exceptional roasting is not:

Roasting is not just about exceptional green bean choices.

Nearly every coffee roaster waxes lyrical about '....travelling the world, sourcing the best beans...' etc. etc. Most simply buy off a green coffee bean brokers' stock list, so there is hardly any travel involved in that! Great choices in beans are important, but it is more important to differentiate their quality based on intended use. For example, the Single Origin bug which is so pushed in the Australian and New Zealand espresso market was a movement which originated in the United States to provide better quality to a filter coffee market.

Ninety nine percent of the worlds coffee supply infrastructure -from growers, to international tasters, to green bean brokers etc - is trained and geared up for filter coffee markets. As I travel to various origin countries rating coffees with other expert tasters via the traditional cupping method (another system of classification beneficial to filter coffee style) I have come to realize that there is a huge gulf between what is appropriate for filter coffee and what is appropriate for espresso coffee blends. My observation is that the majority of roasters follow a line and tempo set by the dominant coffee markets such as the USA, Japan and North Europe and they follow this enthusiasm without question. So when coffee roasters in the USA speak of single origin, which is ideally delivered and tasted as a filter style coffee, others who roast solely for espresso markets adopt the idea. This is not a criticism except to say that very few single origin coffees in the world are any good as an all-rounded espresso.

This is but one example of the lack of precision or scientific knowledge.

So what else?

Roasting is not just about developing the green coffee bean; it is about not destroying its integrity.

This one is probable the most difficult statement for most roasters to conceptualize.

There are a great many chemical compounds in any coffee bean of any quality mark. The aim of the roaster is not to butcher them or miss-time the roast (either under or over) leaving those chemical compounds 'un-triggered' - leading to diminished flavor and aroma development. In order to minimise the 'damage' done to the integrity of the coffee beans during the roasting process there needs to be a great deal of calibration equipment available. Suffice to say that not one coffee roasting machine fresh off the production line is any good without extra modifications to achieve a minimum 'damage' impression on the coffee beans.

When I ask roasters to tell me their convective/conductive heat ratios, their radiant temperature grid, their spreads, their endothermic reversal point, they just stand there and stare. This is not just gobbly-gook to satisfy my ego. Quite the contrary. Without knowing these concepts, any roaster is simply 'flying' blind and does not understand the 'science' behind green bean roasting. Whilst passion is good, scientific knowledge and how to apply it is king. And to have that scientific knowledge requires years of trial and error, waking up every day with the determination to 'kill yesterday's sacred cow' and start afresh mapping out a new approach. Mapping out requires hard data collection which is then calibrated to several espresso tastings of the same coffee - each with a different development of the 12 key chemical compounds we know are linked to flavor and aroma development. To measure these differences a roaster also requires capital investment in an array of heavy hitting calibration and measuring equipment which could make the idea of purchasing a roasting machine 3 to 4 times more expensive. Most 'roasters' and new entrants do not have the knowledge, the gumption or the capital to implement the requisite setup.

Lacking scientific knowledge or the scientific/calibration equipment to execute that knowledge simply means that more damage than good is done to the coffee in the roast. The most simple way to understand this is when simple commodity coffee can be roasted in such a way as to defy the depth of flavor, development of character, and longevity most roasters attach to it.

Roasting is about understanding the end consumer and delivering what they like, not telling them what they should like!

Sour/Acidic espresso coffee is touted by a great many roasters as a favorable characteristic of espresso coffee blends. It is not. Certainly not in markets which then add milk to most espressos. Milk is acidic too, and combined with the acidic espresso create a very astringent, thin bodied and lacking coffee experience. Unfortunately, it is so common out there that the end consumer does not know any better. That is, of course, once they taste an alternative.

As an example, I once was told by a broker that a particular country (a whole nation) of consumers preferred their coffees acidic. Admittedly, that was all one could find being supplied by roasters in that country. I then suggested that we get several focus groups together and let them try acidic coffees (the main boutique brands in the market) and a sample coffee blend I had created for the occasion - which was neither acidic nor bitter. In fact, it was sweet and rich in flavor and body. The end result was that the consumer chooses what they like, and in this case they preferred non-acidic tasting coffees. You know what you know until someone shows you something different!

Roasting coffee does not make you a retail expert.

Roasters are relied upon quite heavily by retailers, cafes, coffee shops, coffee distributors and franchise chains for ensuring the success of these end businesses. The only problem is that the overwhelming majority of coffee roasters are not retailers, never have been, nor would not know the first thing about successfully generating sales in a retail environment. Endless rounds of coffee training and excessive package deals will not help a retail business which is structurally unsound and in need of a complete overhaul in order to succeed.

There is a pervasive myth in the marketplace that coffee roasters or coffee distributors can help retailers, cafes, coffeeshops etc resolve all their financial woes simply by concentrating on espresso training. Whilst it is true that coffee training can lift sales, without remedying the root of the problem a roaster (and his/her trainers) is soon bereft of ideas. Growing the sales of a retail business is best left to professionals who specialize in applying a broader strategy utilizing a diverse array of 'weapons' designed to grow sales. Unfortunately, coffee training is but a very small part of the overall success equation, and any small business, cafe or coffee shop which believes their roaster holds the keys to their future security is grossly misled.

George Sabados is the worlds leading motivational speaker to major coffee retail and franchise chains around the world. He can inspire and, most importantly, instruct coffee focused businesses in how to generate explosive sales growth and profitability in the shortest time possible - his 3 levels of mastery guarantee massive change in 12 weeks! First and foremost, George is a retailer and knows how to focus a business on being a stand out to customers, resulting in instant local market leadership.

Rather than simply a "voice" without experience, George has been a leading figure in the global espresso movement from successful international barista, successful retailer, international roaster, international cupper, writer, public speaker and most importantly, coffee entrepreneur. He is without peer in experience and outside the box thinking within the international coffee industry.

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Coffee Bean Processing Method Affects Final Flavor

2011-07-16T01:18:00.000-04:00

How do you take your coffee? Two creams, a dozen sugars? Nine splendas? Lots of high fructose corn syrup in that latte? Or are you more of a purist that loves the delicate nut and chocolate notes of a Guatemalan? How about the sweet caramel finish of the best straight espresso shot in town? Well, before you can drink up Joe in any method, coffee beans have to be removed from the cherry. Even organic coffee. That is done in a couple of ways depending on the country of origin and it is called processing. In addition to the growing region's effect on cup taste, each method of processing helps to give the bean a distinct flavor profile in the overall final taste of the coffee.

The wet process is the process in which the fruit is removed from the seeds (beans) before they are dried. The wet process method is also called washed coffee. In this method the fruit is removed in water and the beans are usually dried on patios in the sun.

Wet processed coffees are like those from South America, Colombia and some from Ethiopia. Most Central Americans like Guatemalan and Costa Rican are wet-processed as well. These coffees are cleaner, brighter, and fruitier. Most countries with coffee valued for its perceived acidity, will process it using the wet-process.

The dry process is another method, also known as unwashed or natural process. It is the oldest method of processing green coffee beans where the entire cherry is cleaned and then placed in the sun to dry on tables or in thin layers on patios, completely intact and the dried cherry is removed after it has dried. This will give the coffee a sweeter taste due to the fruit drying intact.

Most of the coffees produced in Brazil, Ethiopia and India use the dry method. In rainy areas however, it is not practical. However, there are many characteristics that are directly related to the way these coffee beans are processed as well. Dry-processed coffees are like those from Indonesia, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Yemen. The dry-process (also known as the natural method) produces coffee that is heavy in body, sweet, smooth, and complex. This processing method is often used in countries where rainfall is scarce and lots of sunny days are available to dry the coffee properly.

Another method used in Brazil mainly but also used on some farms in Sulawesi, Indonesia and Sumatra. These are known as semi-dry processed coffee (aka pulped natural or semi-wet process). The coffee is prepared by removing the outer skin of the cherry and drying the coffee with the sticky mucilage and the inner skins still clinging to the bean.

As for the pulped natural method of processing coffee beans, eliminating the fermentation stage that removes the silver skin allows for a coffee that has both wet and dry characteristics. Therefore, more sweetness than wet-processed coffees, some of the body of dry-processed and some of the acidity of a wet-processed coffee. This type of processing only happens in countries where there is relatively low humidity and the coffee can be dried rapidly without fermenting. The country that has made this process famous is Brazil. FYI fermentation occurs when the inner slimy mucilage is removed before drying. Pulped coffee beans are put into cement fermentation tanks with water where they are allowed to ferment for 16-36 hours.

Usually re-passed cherries, or floaters as they are also called are discarded but some particularly have a flavor profile that is sweeter than most pulped coffees. These particular cherries float in the water during wet-processing because they have dried too long on the tree before being collected allowing the bean to stay in contact with the mucilage for a longer amount of time before fermentation begins. These are sometimes called raisins as well. This method may be considered a fourth method of processing coffee. However, these coffees are usually very limited.

Now before you go gaga and pull up to the local Starbucks for a taste test, get real! You won't find anything near cupping quality at the green giant. You have to go to a quality independent coffee shop or roaster of gourmet coffee beans. Most of these places are your local independent coffee house. And if you drink your coffee black you are ready to go! You can really pick out the flavor profiles of any coffee when you drink it in its natural state. If you are one to drown your brew in cream and sugar or are a vanilla latte junkie forget about it! You won't taste anything but sugar. Drowning the coffee will not let the natural flavors be enjoyed and savored.

There are natural sugars inside coffee beans just waiting to come alive. This is what the roasting process does. As the bean heats from the inside, the sugars naturally caramelize and permeate the surface. The degree of sweetness and other flavors are directly related to the length of the roasting period. That is why dark (French) roasted coffees usually taste burnt. Dark=burnt coffee sugars. Get it? In order to get every nuance and note out of a coffee, it must be cupped. That is, 'slurped' from a spoon. By doing this, the coffee has a chance to literally cover the inside of your mouth and tongue therefore engulfing your taste buds. There really is not a better way to test coffee.

Basic coffee tasting terminology is:

Acidity - This is a pleasant tartness that is you can taste on the back of your palate. It should be distinguished from sour, or an unpleasant sharpness. An acidy coffee is almost like a dry wine.

Aftertaste -The sensation that is experienced after the coffee is swallowed. It is also known as the finish.

Balance- It means that no one quality overwhelms all others, but there is enough complexity in the coffee to arouse interest.

Body- The overall mouth feel. This is the sense of heaviness, richness, and thickness at the back of the tongue when you swish the coffee around your mouth.

Flavor -Acidity has something to do with flavor, and so do aroma and body. Some coffees just have a richer, fuller flavor than others, whereas other coffees have an acidy tang that tends to dominate everything else

Even if you are not planning to 'cup' coffee as we professionals do, you will get more out of your cuppa Joe by drinking it black. So, give yourself a treat sometime and try coffee black if you never have. If you have and didn't care for it, chances are you did not have high quality Arabica coffee beans for your brew! You can't find the true flavor characteristics of a coffee bean unless you use the high quality stuff! Go to your local independent coffee shop and ask to talk about their whole bean selection. They may just have some amazing coffees. Some local coffee houses are doing coffee tastings (cuppings) nowadays. It seems to be an in thing. Try it sometime!

He is a partner in The North Coast Barista School and sells coffee equipment and coffee beans at Troubadour Coffee.

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Coffee: The Christmas Gift That Keeps On Giving Year-Round!

2011-07-15T22:18:00.000-04:00

Coffee is a wonderful gift to give to family and friends anytime of the year. As a Christmas gift, coffee is truly the gift that keeps on giving year-round, sip after sip, freshly brewed cup after cup. The holiday season is a time of joy and reflection. We attend social gatherings more frequently during Christmas which create memories we treasure for years to come. Christmas gift giving can be a great time to reach out to people we know and to meet new people. The holidays promote hospitality among neighbors and strangers. What can be better than sharing a great cup of coffee while planning a shopping trip, "making the list" or hosting a gift wrapping party?

Coffee is a great gift to give to someone if you know their coffee preference for Espresso Coffee, Kona Coffee, Blue Mountain gourmet coffee, Vanilla Hazelnut, Cookies and Cream, Amaretto Royale or other type of coffee. The gift can be ground or whole bean coffee custom ordered online and delivered directly to "that special person." The coffee lover will appreciate the freshness and home delivery of freshly roasted-to-order bean coffee which has superior taste and is fresher than coffee from some store or coffee shop shelf. Coffee is consumed over time, one cup at a time. As a gift, coffee keeps on giving pleasure to the coffee drinker. The aroma and fragrance make the brewing and sipping experience very special every time.

Coffee can be a one time gift at Christmas or it can be a continuity coffee club gift. With the continuity gift, the recipient can enjoy different types of coffee throughout the year, making each month a special coffee celebration. Perhaps a one year coffee club membership is something not in your budget or reserved only for very special people in your life such as parents or top customers. Most gourmet coffee clubs offer flexibility in their plans so you could offer a start-up coffee club membership, a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas holiday and warm up the spirits and the tongue over the winter months.

Coffee ordered directly from a gourmet coffee operation means that select, specialty beans are freshly roasted to perfection, one batch at a time. The implication is that your gift, every time it ships, is freshly roasted following very exact directions, packed and shipped to your gift recipient very quickly. As a gift giver, the greatest joy in gift giving is not so much the gift itself but the anticipation of the pleasure the gift will give the recipient. The fun in gift giving is planning the gift, wrapping it or writing the card about the gift.

For example, on your own, you can write an explanation about the coffee gift that will be delivered directly to the gift recipient. This provides an opportunity for spontaneous writing and a sincere demonstration of personalization in gift giving. The card you would send to the recipient announcing the freshly roasted gift, for example, can include coffee recipes, stories about coffee, a brochure about coffee growing regions, their music and culture. Taking the time to send a physical personal communication is a tangible expression of personalization which can become a cherished reminder for the recipient. Who knows? Your coffee gift may inspire ideas for language, dancing or learning geography. As such, giving coffee can become a lifelong gift!

Coffee lovers who receive coffee as a gift generally are very expressive in their appreciation of the brew. Few other gifts will help start the day as a great cup of coffee does for millions of coffee drinkers. Sip after sip, freshly brewed cup after cup, coffee is really a gift most people appreciate. Gift giving should be selfless and without expectation of a gift in return. The intrinsic reward that is most appreciated by the gift giver is the expression of delight and continued enjoyment from the gift recipient. It is fun and pleasing to see others enjoying the jewelry, the shoes, the clothing or books that they received as a gift. However, coffee offers something that few other gifts offer: the opportunity to share and delight simultaneously with the gift recipient in the coffee gift. Sharing a cup of coffee prepared by the coffee lover to whom you gave coffee as a gift creates an emotional bond and a memorable time to talk, to listen and to remember.

Yes, indeed. Coffee is the gift that keeps on giving year round, freshly brewed sip after sip, cup after cup. So, what are you waiting for? Include coffee in your Christmas list. What about ordering some delicious specialty Mexican Altura Superior gourmet coffee for that "special person" in your list?

Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "The Gourmet Coffee Guy." He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com
Also visit: http://www.squidoo.com/coffee-lensography-TheGourmetCoffeeGuy

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Coffee Facts - The Different Types of Coffee Beans

2011-07-15T18:27:00.000-04:00

All over the world, people drink coffee from basically one of two types of coffee beans: Arabica beans ("Coffea Arabica") and Robusta beans ("Coffea Robusta")

Arabica beans are aromatic, flavorful coffee beans used for gourmet, specialty coffees. The term refers to Coffea Arabica, the taxonomic species named for the genus responsible for about 75% of the world's commercial coffee crop. Coffea Arabica is a woody perennial evergreen that belongs to same family as Gardenias.

Robusta beans contain twice the caffeine as Arabicas. Robusta beans are somewhat bitter and lack the flavor and aroma of Arabica beans. Robusta beans are used to produce blends, instant and freeze dried coffees.

There are other types of coffee species but they are very rare or non-existent in the export market. As a result, the fact is that we all drink either Arabica or Robusta coffee. Sounds simple, right? Not quite.

There are many "varietals" within Arabica coffee trees which yield coffee beans with distinct flavors and characteristics. This is where the fun begins. To name a few,

ETHIOPIAN COFFEE: Ethiopian Harrar, Sidamo and Yirgacheffe. Each is named after their region of origin and they have very distinct flavor characteristics. For example, Ethiopian Harrar is known for its medium body, earthy flavor, almost no acidity and a very smooth mouth feel. This is a complex coffee with light spicy tones and a fruity flavor that some people compare to the taste of dry red wine. As the 'birthplace of coffee," Ethiopia has a unique place in the coffee world.

KENYAN COFFEE: Kenyan AA. This coffee comes from the area surrounding Mount Kenya, a region with fertile red volcanic soil. The coffee is known for its very acidic taste you taste right away in the mouth, and then followed by a medium body with an aftertaste of earthy flavor.

TANZANIAN COFFEE: Tanzanian Peaberry focuses on pea berry instead of traditional coffee beans. Coffee is the dried seed from the fruit of a flowering tree. Each fruit has two seeds facing each other. On the coffee tree, there is a percentage of the fruit that has a single seed or peaberry and the rest will have two flat beans for the usual two (2) seeds per fruit. The single bean peaberry occurs in less than 5% of any crop and is generally considered to produce a more concentrated flavor.

COLOMBIAN COFFEE: major cultivars of Arabica beans include Bourbon, Caturra, Maragogype and Typica. Colombian coffees also include the name of the growing regions such as Cauca, Narino, Amazonas, Bucaramanga, etc. Colombia accounts for more than a tenth of the world's entire coffee supply. Colombian Arabica coffee is perhaps the most well-known, partly due to its "living" and successful coffee advertising iconic symbols recognized worldwide, Juan Valdez and Conchita, the mule. The more generic Colombian coffees are rated as Excelso and Supremo. These terms simply refer to the size of the coffee beans, not necessarily to better coffee grades.

COSTA RICAN COFFEE: Costa Rican Tarrazu is a prized Arabica coffee. It is named after the San Marcos de Tarrazu valley, one of the four premium coffee growing districts surrounding the capital city of San Jose. The other varietals include Tres Rios, Heredia and Alajuela. Costa Rican coffees are balanced, clean, with bright acidity featuring citrus or berry-like flavors and hints of chocolate and spice in the finish.

BRAZILIAN COFFEE: Brazil Santos Bourbon comes from the hills of Sao Paulo state in the south-central portion of the country near the port of Santos. Historically, these Arabica coffee plants were brought to the island of Bourbon now known as the Island of Reunion. Brazil Santos Bourbon is a light bodied coffee, with low acidity, a pleasing aroma and a mild, smooth flavor.

INDONESIAN COFFEE: Java is the most famous Arabica varietal from the island of Java. The top grade of Java coffee is cultivated on former Dutch plantations and is called Java Estate. This is a clean, thick, full body coffee with less of the earthy characteristics that other Indonesia coffees feature, such as Sumatra or Sulawesi. The Java coffees provide a smooth complement to the Yemen Mocha which is very intense. The traditional Mocha Java blend is the combination of Java and Yemen Mocha.

SUMATRAN COFFEE: Sumatra Mandheling and Sumatra Lintong. Sumatra Lintong originates in the Lintong district of Sumatra near Lake Toba. This coffee has a medium, bodied coffee, low acid, sweet with a complex and earthy aroma. Sumatra Mandheling has a rich, heavy body, subdued acidity and unique complex flavor. This coffee actually does not originate in the Mandheling region but is named after the Mandailing people in the north of Sumatra.

HAWAIIAN COFFEE: closer to home, in Hawaii, the best known Arabica varietal is Hawaiian Kona coffee. This Arabica bean grows on the slopes of Mount Hualalai and Mauna Loa which makes it not only exclusive to Hawaii but also to the Kona District specifically.

JAMAICAN COFFEE: the Arabica varietal that grows predominantly in the Blue Mountain region of this island is called Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. The Blue Mountains stretch between Kingston and Port Maria in Jamaica. This region enjoys a cool and misty climate. Due to its limited production quantity, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is expensive.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA COFFEE: located just north of Australia, Papua New Guinea coffee cultivation was started in 1937 using imported seeds from Jamaica's famous Blue Mountain region. As a result, Papua New Guinea has noticeable similarities to Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. The rich volcanic soil and excellent climate produce a mild and mellow, full-bodied coffee with moderate acidity, broad flavor and very interesting aromatics.

Is this all? No, there are many more varietals, brands, and special flavors of Arabica coffee to try and discover.

For now, what about a cup of Ethiopian Harrar or Papua New Guinea coffee?

Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com

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10 Coffee Beans Facts That May Surprise You

2011-07-15T14:55:00.000-04:00

You may know about which coffee beans taste best and maybe even about roasting and grinding beans, but here are ten coffee beans facts, some of which you may have never heard before!

Colossal Coffee Beans - The largest coffee bean is the Nicaragua Maragogipe, a variety of the Arabica species.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait - With just the right amount of shade, sun, rain, and the right climate, coffee plants will begin producing coffee berries containing the "beans."

Coffee Bean Not a Native of Costa Rica - The Spanish traveller, Navarro, introduced Cuban coffee to Costa Rica in 1779.

Not Really "Beans" - Believe it or not, coffee beans are not really beans at all. They are not in the legume family, but rather they are the pits found inside of the coffee berries.

Making the Grade - Coffee beans are graded in various ways. Columbian beans are graded from highest to lowest as: "Supremo" "Excelso", "Extra" and "Pasilla". Kenyan beans are graded with letter grades AA, AB, PB, C, E, TT, and T and the grades simply refer to the size, shape, and density of the coffee bean. For coffee beans, size does matter because larger coffee beans contain more of the oil that makes coffee so tasty. Costa Rican coffee beans are graded as Strictly Hard Bean, Good Hard Bean, Hard Bean, Medium Hard Bean, High Grown Atlantic, Medium Grown Atlantic, and Low Grown Atlantic, from highest to lowest, respectively, and these grades refer to the heights at which the beans were grown - Strictly Hard Bean, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the Costa Rica coffee crop is the top grade grown above 3,900 feet.

Hand-Picked - Even to this day, most coffee is still picked by hand, and a coffee worker can pick from 100 to 200 pounds of coffee berries a day!

An Acre of Coffee - How much coffee would you guess to get out of an acre of coffee plants? One acre typically yields about 10,000 pounds of coffee fruits or coffee cherries - which comes to around 2,000 pounds of coffee beans.

Imported Coffee - As much as Americans adore coffee, no coffee is grown in the Continental U.S.; the only American places that produce coffee are Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

The Most Expensive Coffee - The most expensive coffee in the world is Kopi Luwak, selling for between $100 and $600 USD per pound (2009)

Also the Most Unusual Coffee - The most expensive coffee is also quite possibly the most unusual coffee in the world - since the coffee berries go through the digestive tract of the Kopi Luwak (a small cat-sized Indonesian animal), are then harvested from the animal's waste, and then the beans removed, cleaned (hopefully!), roasted, and sold.

That's right, believe it or not, it takes 3-5 years for a coffee plant to produce coffee, and only if the conditions are perfect; coffee beans aren't really beans at all; and the most expensive coffee comes from digested coffee gathered from animal feces!

Jennifer Hall enjoys spending her days in coffee shops writing articles and trying out different blends and offers tips and information on coffee beans for Coffee Beans 101 - the premier coffee bean site on the web!

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From a Cherry to the Cup: The Life and Journey of Coffee Beans

2011-07-15T11:54:00.000-04:00

You sit back at your local cafe, sip your latte or black gold brew, and relax. But did you ever wonder how that Joe got to your cup? Fresh roasted gourmet coffee does not just appear! There is a journey here. Before any roaster can sell coffee wholesale to any cafe to brew a cup, many things need to happen. Enjoy the journey!

A coffee tree produces a fruit we call a cherry. These are small, like berries and they turn bright red when they are ripe, ready for picking. The skin, is thick and bitter but the fruit underneath is extremely sweet. Its texture is similar to that of grape. Then there is a slimy layer that comes next to help protect the bean. The beans inside are covered by yet another layer that protects the two halves which are covered by yet one last layer called the silver skin. Yeah, a lot of layers! This is where we find the raw green coffee beans.

Each year coffee is harvested during the dry season when the cherries are bright red, glossy, and firm. The actual time of year varies by country of origin (actually the geographic zone determines when). However in general, North of the equator harvests between September and March, and south of the equator harvests April and May. Ripe cherries can be harvested via selective picking; that is harvested by hand. They can also be harvested by the stripping method; that is stripped from the tree with both unripe and overripe beans. Lastly, some farmers use a harvesting machine. Picking the ripe coffee beans from the tree by hand will leave unripe, coffee cherries behind. This is the best way to harvest coffee and will maximize the amount of ripe coffee. The rest will be left on the tree to be harvested at a later time. This is also the most time consuming and labor intensive way of harvesting so not all farmers do it.

Processing takes place next. The bean has to be removed from the cherry and that is done in a couple of ways depending on the country of origin. The wet process is the process in which the fruit is removed from the seeds (beans) before they are dried. The wet process method is also called washed coffee. In this method the fruit is removed in water. Coffee beans can be dried in the sun or by machine but in most cases they are dried on patios in the sun.

The dry process is also known as unwashed or natural process. It is the oldest method of processing coffee where the entire cherry is cleaned and then placed in the sun to dry on tables or in thin layers on patios, completely intact and the dried cherry is removed after it has dried. Each method gives a distinct flavor profile to the final taste of the coffee.

Before anyone can buy any green coffee beans however, the cherries are raked or turned by hand as they dry to ensure even drying and to prevent mildew. Sometimes it takes up to 4 weeks before the cherries are dried to the optimum moisture content. Of course this all depends on Mother Nature. Machine-drying is sometimes used on larger plantations to speed up the process. This is usually done after the coffee has been pre-dried in the sun for a few days.

The dry method is used for most of the Arabica coffee beans produced in Brazil. Most of the coffees produced in Ethiopia and India also use the dry method. In rainy areas however, it is not practical.

There is also another method used in Brazil mainly but also used on some farms in Sulawesi, Indonesia and Sumatra. These are known as semi-dry processed coffee (aka pulped natural and semi-wet process). The coffee is prepared by removing the outer skin of the cherry and drying the coffee with the sticky mucilage and the inner skins still clinging to the bean. This semi-dry process is what you can call a 'hybrid' process.

During the hulling process, machines are used to remove the parchment layer of skin from wet processed coffee. Hulling dry processed coffee removes the entire dried cherries. Remember, during the dry process the beans are dried intact with the entire cherry intact.

Polishing is optional but it removes most silver skin that remains on the green coffee beans after hulling. The roasting process heats any still remaining silver skin (chaff) and it literally peels it off in the roasting chamber and is collected in the chaff collector. Not all green coffee is polished however. It has been my experience that unpolished coffee has a much better flavor profile than polished, which is more of a mechanically produced coffee.

Before any coffee is exported or sold however, grading and sorting must take place. The coffee beans will be sorted by size and weight. Each bean will also be evaluated for flaws such as color, chips and other imperfections.

Some high quality coffee may be hand-cleaned twice, called 'double picked' or even three times. The latter is called 'triple picked'. Most specialty coffees are cleaned and sorted this way. Color sorting can also be done by machines but they are very expensive. However, the sorting of coffee by hand supplies much needed work for the small rural communities.

At this point, the coffee is exported to buyers and either resold by brokers or roasted by coffee roasters. The roaster then sells the coffee wholesale to suppliers and it gets to you via your neighborhood coffee shop or supermarket. Never thought it was that complex now did you? Next time you sip a fresh roasted gourmet coffee, think about the coffee bean's journey. You'll appreciate your fix a lot more!

Tony DiCorpo is a coffee roaster, barista trainer and coffee business consultant. He has authored many articles on coffee and the coffee business. Tony has extensive experience in business and collectively more than 20 years experience in sales, business management, entrepreneurship and the coffee business.
He is a partner in The North Coast Barista School. He also sells coffee and espresso equipment as well as coffee beans and coffee wholesale at Troubadour Coffee Roasting Co.

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About Ethiopian Coffee

2011-07-15T07:17:00.000-04:00

Ethiopia is a country that has a deeply rooted history in coffee. Ethiopia has strong coffee traditions that go back to the 10th century. Kaffa (an Ethiopian name) may be where the word "coffee originates. Modern day Ethiopian coffee production has not changed much since the 10th century in many respects.

Nearly all of Ethiopia's bean production is done by hand, from the planting of new trees to the final harvesting. This is also called a natural organic coffee culture. Ethiopia is as naturally organic as any coffee producing country can be.

There are over 331,000 peasant farms and close to 20,000 state farms with more than 12 million workers.
Most of the coffee is shade grown: about 55% is light shade; 35% medium shade, and 10% heavy shade.
The native Arabica coffee bean is indigenous to the Harrar plateau where the plants grew wild for centuries.
Ethiopia is the 2nd largest coffee producer in Africa and the 7th largest one in the world.
A very unique aspect of Ethiopian coffee is that all coffee is grown organic by tradition. None of the coffee is organic certified.
Ethiopia exports beans all year although it features "washed beans" from August to December and 'dry beans" from October to March.
At present, Ethiopia relies greatly on the trade of primary goods.
It is a fact that the coffee trade decides the survival and future of large population groups in this country.
Coffee is Ethiopia's largest export and generates more than 60% of all the country's exports earnings.
An estimated 25% of the population is employed in the trade.

Unfortunately, Ethiopia continues to face difficult economic times and remains one of the poorest and least developed countries in Africa. It is important to understand what the Ethiopian government and other leading country organizations can do to support coffee cultivation and increase production volumes without sacrificing quality.

Over the years, the Ethiopian government has suppressed the domestic consumption of coffee by controlling the coffee sales within the country.
In fact, they have restricted the transfer of coffee from coffee producing areas to other parts of the country.
Regulations and trade limitations have increased the price of coffee beyond affordable levels for most Ethiopians.
This is a real shame since local coffee consumption is beneficial to the trade, particularly when international coffee sales drop.
Developing a culture of local coffee consumption in Ethiopia would help coffee revenues. It would also promote more coffee cultivation and a continued focus on quality to meet buyers' expectations.
Ethiopian coffee farmers are small scale and generally lack the resources for equipment, education, healthcare and other personal needs.
However, they know the trade and benefit greatly from coffee cooperatives and other external resources to help them market their crops more successfully. Coffee is very important to this country's survival.

Ethiopia's coffee growing regions are Sidamo, Harrar and Yirgacheffe. Sidamo and Harrar are provincial states. Sidamo is in South Ethiopia bordering Kenya. Harrar is in East Ethiopia bordering Somalia where violence along the border is a constant challenge to stable agricultural and cultural practices. Yirgacheffe is a small region within Sidamo.

Ethiopian coffees are delicious and memorable. They taste almost like fruit at its peak, right off the fruit tree.

For example, Ethiopian Harrar coffee has a strong dry edge, winy to fruit-like acidity, rich aroma and a heavy body.
Most of the Ethiopian Harrar coffee beans are grown on small scale farms in the eastern part of the country.
Harrar coffees also enjoy an intense aroma of blueberries or blackberries.
To capture the fine aromatics in the espresso "crema," Ethiopian Harrar coffee is used very often in espresso blends.
There is a different type of coffee bean called Ghimbi which is grown in the western part of the country.
Ghimbi coffee has a more balanced, heavier and longer lasting body than the Harrars.
The most favored coffee grown in southern Ethiopia is the Ethiopian Yirgacheffee coffee bean. It is more mild, fruit like and aromatic than other beans.
Sometimes, Yirgacheffee coffee is labeled "Sidamo," which is the name of the district where Yirgacheffee coffee is produced.
Ghimbi and Yirgacheffe are "washed coffees."

Ready to enjoy a specialty coffee that has rich, pleasing aroma, a bold and complex flavor with a snappy acidity and hints of fruit or citrus? Enjoy a cup of delicious Ethiopian Longberry Harrar coffee freshly roasted to order!

Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "The Gourmet Coffee Guy." He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com Also visit: http://www.squidoo.com/coffee-lensography-TheGourmetCoffeeGuy

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Brewing a Better Cup of Coffee at Home, 4 Factors For Improving Your Coffee Experience

2011-07-15T03:38:00.000-04:00

You have gone to the coffee shop and had your best cup of coffee ever. Now you want to duplicate it at home. You try, but it is just not the same.

The following may be some of the reasons.

Keep in mind that there are only a handful of things you can do to make a premium cup of coffee at home. Most are simple should you choose to adhere to them.

First, you need the right equipment. You need a coffee brewer that will extract the best flavor from your coffee beans. Most people buy a $20 brewer from Walmart and think they have the best equipment. After all, it is new. Well, a cheap brewer brewer brews cheap coffee. Also, they think that the more expensive brewers just have more fancy bells and whistles that they just do not need.

You need a really good coffee brewer to brew good coffee.

There are two items to look for when assessing whether it is a good brewer or just junk.

First, it must have a high quality heating element. Coffee at most coffee houses is heated with brewers that have elements that will heat the coffee between 198 and 205 degrees. The cheaper brewer can only heat to 180 degrees. Hot enough for you, you say? Not if you are trying to brew the best cup possible. You need to heat your coffee near the 200 degree mark so that you can pull the great attributes out of the coffee.

Lower temps just will not cut it.

The second item to look for in a brewer is a quick brew time. Your water should only stay with your coffee for three to four minutes. You want your water to pull the best out of the coffee, and not sit with the coffee for longer than four minutes. After four minutes you pull the negative tastes out of the coffee.

I have seen Bunn advertise on the box that they have a three minute brew time. Most customers see this and think "I have one half hour to get ready in the morning and do not care that it is quick". Fact is, it is telling the customer that the water does not sit with the coffee very long, not that you will have a quick cup of coffee in the morning.

That is about all you need in a good brewer. Above this, it is all bells and whistles. If you need a morning timer or a clock, get it. However, it does not help you make better coffee. As a rule of thumb, spend above $75 to get a good coffee maker. For goodness sake, they last 10 years. Bunn, Krups and Cuisanart have been consistent brands. However, beware even with these brands because they too will sell a crappy coffee maker.

The third important factor in making great coffee is in the water you are using. Coffee is 99.00123% water, and therefore, it is a very important factor. If you are using unfiltered tap water, (even if your city does have the best water), stop it. Put a high quality filter on the line under your sink, and do not forget to change the filter regularly. Using an on the counter filter system generally does not cut it. Use bottled water if you cannot have a high quality filter installed. The bottom line is use perfect water.

The fourth and final factor in improving your coffee is to use fresh coffee beans. We suggest that you invest in a burr grinder and grind the coffee just prior to brewing it. This can make a huge difference in the taste. While buying "gourmet" coffee off the shelves at the grocery store can make a huge difference in how your coffee tastes if you are using Folgers out of a can, I suggest you avoid what is on the grocery store shelf, especially the large bins of coffee that are unsealed.

Rather, locate a roaster of coffee in your area. What I am referring to is a place that buys the coffee beans in their green condition, and then roasts them on-site. Not only are you buying the freshest coffee possible, but you are keeping your money in your own community.

I suggest you find a roaster that will tell you the date that the coffee was roasted. Coffee is at its best within 14 days from its roast date. The quality begins to dissipate after this, although depending upon how the coffee is stored, it can last for 30 to 45 days after the roast date. With that being said, buy just enough coffee to get you through one week of home brewing. Generally this is between one and two pounds of coffee for most households.

Finding a coffee roaster that has a big selection of coffees and blends can be difficult. Start with the internet and see what comes up in your area. You never know, you may just start your very own Starbucks from the comfort of your very own kitchen.

The Jackson Coffee Company's story is really quite simple: We have been roasting and brewing really great coffee since September 2006. Our coffee is roasted in small drum roasters in our downtown Jackson store, which is located in the heart of Jackson's business district. We do this because we know that there is nothing better than freshly roasted coffee so long as you're starting with great beans and roasting them with passion.

In 2007, 2008, and 2009 we won awards for "Best Coffee House" in Jackson. We have won every year since opening, beating out the likes of Biggby Coffee, three Starbucks, Bearclaw Coffee, three Tim Hortons, Dunkin Donuts, and 5 other independent coffee houses.

In 2007, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce awarded Jackson Coffee Co. the coveted Brick Award. In 2008, the Chamber awarded us the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. In the March 2009 edition, Jackson Coffee Co. was on the cover of Jackson Magazine, and was the feature article. Our commitment to coffee, as well as the remarkable flavor of our coffees and our commitment to our community, is the reason for our awards. It's what we call "The J Way".

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Gourmet Flavored Coffee and Premium Coffee Beans

2011-07-14T23:36:00.000-04:00

Gourmet flavored coffee - that alone conjures up images of piping hot mugs of freshly brewed coffee being served after dinner at an elite restaurant as you enjoy your crepe suzette. Is it an advertising gimmick to get you to spend more on certain coffees or is there truly a difference. The fact is, gourmet flavored coffees are real and they aren't for the elite alone. In fact, you can probably find a gourmet flavored coffee in a lot of homes and offices.

The popularity of gourmet flavored coffee has soared. For years the only gourmet flavored coffees were the instant coffees available in your local grocery. Although they are quite flavorful, they aren't nearly as tasty as a pot of freshly ground gourmet flavored coffee can be.

Coffee roasters realized that people like variety and of course they took notice of those instant flavored coffees and coffee drinks and began working on making the coffee bean flavored. Other coffee roasters didn't go for exotic flavored coffees; instead they focused on the growing and roasting of the bean itself to make a gourmet flavor.

Beans that are grown in certain regions are considered more desirable than those in other regions. Think back to those Juan Valdez commercials. They were marketing the Columbian bean as being a more flavorful and sought after bean. The Jamaican Blue Forest Bean is one of the most sought after gourmet beans due to its rich taste and enchanting aroma. This bean is proof that gourmet flavor can come from the bean itself, not necessarily as an addition during roasting.

The Bean and the Flavor

Gourmet flavors can be added during the roasting process to enhance or totally alter the flavor of the coffee. There is one central premise that gourmet coffee roasters all follow in order for their coffee to be considered truly gourmet and that is the bean they start with. No matter what additions or flavors they add during roasting, starting off with an inferior bean will create an inferior coffee.

Although there are more than 25 major types of coffee beans in the world, there are two beans that are considered the major players in gourmet flavored coffees, the Arabica bean and the Robusta bean.

The Arabica bean is used in more than 60% of all gourmet coffee production around the world. This bean is very delicate and prone to disease, pest and ailments from the weather. These reasons alone make it a more costly bean. The Arabica bean is used both as a gourmet coffee on its own and as a base for gourmet flavored coffees. The taste of the Arabica bean depends on where it is grown.

The Robusta bean accounts for about 40% of coffee production in the world. Robusta beans are easier to grow which makes them less expensive. This does not mean that they are any less flavorful than Arabica beans. Robusta, as the name implies, have a stronger, darker flavor than Arabica beans and can be used to give the gourmet flavored coffee a little more punch.

Oftentimes gourmet roasters will use a blend of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans as the base to their gourmet flavored coffee. Then, during the roasting process they will add enhancements such as chocolate syrups or caramel to flavor the coffee. Flavoring oils can also be used to flavor the coffee as well as chemical compounds that are created to mimic flavors.

Gourmet flavored coffee that presents itself as naturally flavored should have the most robust coffee base as well as a subtle flavoring. Flavored coffees that have been flavored using a chemical process lose some of their natural coffee characteristics during the flavoring process.

Gourmet flavored coffees have come a long way in recent years. From deep, robust coffee that has been dark roasted to those wonderful vanilla bean gourmet flavored coffees, coffee lover's palettes can be tantalized with a variety of coffee flavors. No longer set aside for the elite, gourmet coffees can be bought at the local grocer or coffee shop by most anyone.

Sharon V Chapman writes on the joys of coffee and provides information on gourmet flavored coffee and gourmet coffee in general.

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Coffee Myths vs Facts - The Truth Revealed

2011-07-14T18:42:00.000-04:00

Over the years of being in the coffee industry and hanging around "coffee geeks" I've heard just about every form of coffee misinformation and lore known to man. I'm not exactly sure where it all originated, or why for that matter. These myths always gave me a good chuckle, but as of lately I have been encountering these imaginative illusions on a much more frequent basis. I went from having a chuckle, to being slightly annoyed, to downright frustrated. It's time to set the record straight on some of the most commonly circulated coffee myths.

Myth: Storing your coffee in the freezer will keep it fresh.

Fact: This is absolutely false. Coffee's big enemies are air, moisture, and time. If coffee is stored in a freezer, moisture or condensation can form on the beans, which can start the extraction process prematurely. In addition, coffee, just like baking soda can absorb odors right out of the fridge - destroying it's natural flavor profile. (Gross!)

Regardless of what you've been told, coffee has a short lifespan after roasting. Once roasted, it starts going bad (the same way food does after it is cooked). In-general coffee needs to "rest" in it's sealed air tight bag for about three to four days after roasting so it can release CO2 caused by the roasting process. Once the coffee has rested, it reaches it's "peak" flavor profile. If it is stored at room temperature in an air tight bag it can stay at peak flavor for about a week. The older a coffee gets, the faster it goes stale and loses it's intended flavor profile.

It is said that coffee can stay fresh in it's original unopened air tight bag for about two months. HOWEVER, once the bag is opened and the coffee is exposed to air; it will go stale rapidly (usually in two or three days).

Myth: Espresso comes from a specific type of coffee bean.

Fact: There is no such thing as an "espresso bean". By tradition, espresso is defined as: "A strong coffee, brewed under pressure, and served immediately to its intended consumer." In practice, however, we use a more strict technical definition. Below is the definition created by the World Barista Competition.

"An espresso is a one ounce/30 ml liquid including crema, brewed using an appropriate and consistent amount of ground coffee at a temperature between 195-205 degrees F where the machine brewing pressure is between 8.5-9.5 atmospheres of pressure. Extraction time must be between 20-30 seconds, and the beverage should be served immediately."

Myth: "Fair Trade" coffee is the only coffee grown and sold using sustainable practices.

Fact: This is a very common consumer misunderstanding. Think of fair trade as "minimum wage". It is a benchmark that guarantees farmers no less than a minimum designated "floor price". There are actually far better fair and sustainable prices paid to growers under "Direct Trade Certification". Counter Culture Coffee in Durham, North Carolina paved the way with their Direct Trade Certification program that guarantees growers at least $1.60/lb. for green coffee purchases, a minimum price that exceeds the Fair Trade Certified floor price by 19%. While $1.60/lb. sets a new, higher standard for green coffee purchases, they usually pay more than this minimum price for most Direct Trade Certified coffees, not including the additional financial premiums paid for exceptional quality.

"Myth: The best coffee in America comes from the Northwest.

Fact: This is rather subjective. A number of America's most famous coffee companies originated in the Northwest (i.e. Stumptown Coffee, Starbucks and Seattle's Best). All of which had a giant affect on the industry and established a "Second Wave" in coffee. That said, formidable coffee cultures have risen all over the U.S. with a focus on the "Third Wave" of coffee. ("The Third Wave of Coffee is the genesis and establishment of coffee growers, coffee roasters and coffee retailers that are focused on achieving the highest form of culinary appreciation of coffee.")

Some of the most prominent "Third Wave" coffee companies are based in Chicago, New York City, North Carolina, Oregon and California. Recently a number of new small artisanal coffee shops and roasters have been rapidly taking off in cities you wouldn't expect. Atlanta, Austin and Dallas in particular.

Myth: "Java" is a universal name for coffee.

Fact: This is false. For some reason, virtually every food writer refers to coffee as "java" at least once in coffee related articles. Java is simply an Indonesian Island that coffee happens to grow on. Coffee that comes from this Pacific Island IS known as Java, however coffee that does not originate on this island should not be referred to as "Java". Does this remind you of another popular beverage?

To learn more about Texas Coffee School coffee business workshops, barista training classes, professional and consumer coffee education, or coffee shop consulting check out - http://www.texascoffeeschool.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@TXCoffeeSchool). Our training centers are located in the Dallas, and Austin, Texas areas.

(Texas Coffee School was formerly known as "Texas Coffee College".)

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Automatic Espresso Coffee Makers - Spoil Yourself

2011-07-14T14:23:00.000-04:00

Automated espresso coffee makers really should not be thought to be an entry level coffee brewer. Even considering the toppling prices thanks to improvements in coffee brewing technology, these are still the thoroughbreds of coffee brewers tending to amount to more than a basic drip or pod type coffee machine. Pricing is usually figured out by the type of automated espresso coffee machine you are considering namely, semi, fully or super automatic. The distinction between each type relies on the automation process itself.

Semi-Automatic Espresso Coffee Machines

Semi-automatic espresso machines are extremely fashionable. The electrical pump makes for constantly good quality coffee. Users put coffee and water into the machine. Pulling the electric pump turns the coffee machine on and off.

Semi-Automatic espresso makers automatically tamp down the coffee grounds, prepare the coffee, fill up the coffee mug and expel the used grounds. Usually this type of a coffee machine can be purchased for well below a thousand dollars.

Fully Automatic Espresso Coffee Machines

Fully automated espresso brewers perform like the semi-automatic machines but operate via the easy touch of the push button. The coffee making process follows the same pattern as that of the sem-automatic brewer, plus it will also grind your coffee and load the brewing chamber automatically. Prices for fully automatic espresso coffee makers range from several hundred dollars to close to a thousand dollars.

Super Automatic Espresso Coffee Makers

Super automatic espresso coffee machines are the posh version of coffee brewers. As well as the fully automated process described above, the super coffee machine comes with a built-in coffee grinder and other special options. These brewers are fast, simple to make use of and easy to maintain. The majority permit an individual to brew any variety of specialty coffees like espresso, cappuccino and lattes.

Users of fully automatic espresso brewers don't have to deal with crushing coffee beans or hot filters and washing sieves. Super machines include either a steam wand or an automatic system to froth milk. Rivalry between super automated espresso coffee brewer companies is fierce. Each one is looking to produce the best cherished, most adaptable brewer.

Certain machines now feature automatic cleaning and descaling. An additional special highlight is the presence of water filters that decrease mineral content and eliminate the taste of chlorine. Adjustable coffee cup spouts and the ability to manually control water volume in a mug of coffee are also additional options available on select machines. Prices for super automatic espresso coffee makers are to some extent more than the other two styles but you can still purchase one for well under a thousand dollars if you look around.

Added options differ among brands and designs of automatic espresso coffee makers. Obtainable options may include some or most of the following based upon the price you are prepared to pay.

Adjustable dosing.

In coffee, dose refers to the quantity of grams of coffee used in brewing a shot. Certain espresso coffee brewers permit users to regulate both number of grams and quantity of water used.

Bean Grinder

Bean grinders are included on some units to automatically mill the required quantity of coffee.

Brass Boiler:

Brass reservoirs offer superior strength and help maintain heat. Machines with brass reservoirs reheat more rapidly and have less change in water temperature.

Bypass Doser

A bypass doser allows users to make use of a new blend of coffee than what's already inside the machine grinder. Emptying the grinder isn't required.

Cup Warmer

Some models feature a cup warmer. Using a pre-warmed cup maintains the warmth of the coffee for a longer interval of time.

Milk frothing/foaming wand

Cappuccino and latte drinkers require machines having a milk frothing/foaming wand. These are not offered on all brewers. A few of the more expensive coffee maker models feature milk boilers.

Pre-moistening before brewing

Coffee is pre-moistened. This will provide for top-quality taste.

Detachable Brew Group

The brew group refers to where the brewing occurs. If these components can be detached, they are easier to clean. Makers lacking detachable components frequently have automatic cleaners.

Water Filter

Particular very expensive espresso coffee brewers contain water filters built-in to get rid of chlorine, minerals and contaminants that affect flavor. If filters are present, they do have to be changed regularly.

At this time you could possibly be thinking how on earth would somebody go about looking for the best price and deals on automatic espresso coffee makers given all the differing types and options to be had. Luckily the Internet gives you quick and very helpful way to discover what's currently available at what price. With a bit of time and investigation it's also possible to weed out the trash from the best espresso makers. Merely go surfing and visit some coffee maker review internet sites.

Please keep in mind that all coffee brewer review internet sites typically are not created equal, so you have to take what you study with caution. For myself I'd seek out coffee review internet sites where the reviewers include independent test data together with buyer opinion to provide unbiased and honest details about the espresso coffee makers being reviewed and rated.

Feeling confused about what brand or type of coffee maker to buy? Before you buy some junk, visit the new best coffee makers available website to see top 3 coffee machine ratings for espresso coffee makers, pod, and drip coffee makers based on independent testing results and consumer feedback surveys. Save your money! Join the hundreds we have already helped find the best coffee brewer and visit us now.

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Is Coffee Truly Bad For You?

2011-07-14T10:59:00.000-04:00

Everyone knows coffee is evil, right? Drinking coffee is associated with groggy smokers, stained teeth and short life spans spent commuting to miserable jobs that require a dose of caffeine to get through. Well, perhaps. There has been a lot of interesting research about how coffee or caffeine (and they are not the same thing) affects our health. Despite concerns for certain people and conditions, the news is not all that bad. Since coffee remains the single most popular beverage in the world, that is good news.

Reviewing the evidence, a cautionary tale develops about how difficult it can be to construct a good study and interpret the results. Readers also need to remember that the information provided depends in part on who is delivering it, who is paying for it and what they want you to hear. Here are a few points to keep in mind:

* A study of caffeine is not the same as a study of coffee. This is a common problem with dietary studies: in an attempt to make the study more accurate, researchers might decide to isolate a single component from a food or beverage. The food itself, after all, will have variable quantities of that component. However, there can be very different results when consuming the whole food vs. an extracted part.

* A "cup" of coffee is typically assumed to be 6 oz. - not your 16 oz. travel mug!

* Caffeine levels are usually assumed to be about 100 mg per cup, but in fact vary significantly with the type of bean, brewing method, and even from batch to batch. Brewed coffee is estimated to range from 100-150 mg per cup, a similar volume of espresso having about 90 mg. Arabica beans have less caffeine than robusta beans.

Two health topics are commonly associated with coffee consumption - its effect on blood sugar and insulin resistance, and its effect on the adrenal glands. But there has also been considerable research on the consumption of coffee and the incidence of cancer,

Coffee and Diabetes Mellitus

When coffee drinkers over-indulge in sweets, many notice an immediate craving for coffee. The combination of coffee and dessert is common and traditional in many regions, as is the taking of bitter herbs (often in an alcoholic beverage) as a digestive aid. The desire to consume coffee together with sweet flavors could be due to coffee's bitterness, but there may also be some beneficial effect on blood sugar levels that elicits a craving for coffee when blood sugar levels surge.

Some dieticians and researchers consider coffee detrimental to blood sugar levels because it (or the caffeine in it) stimulates the adrenal glands. This stimulation increases the production of hormones (adrenaline and glucagon) that cause the release of stored sugars into the blood. It is one of the ways a stimulant prepares the body for increased physical activity and higher energy demands.

There follows a supposition that sweetened coffee aggravates this effect by putting sugar into the blood, both via the digestive system and by releasing stored sugars through hormonal stimuli. When there is insufficient physical activity to consume the extra energy from the sugar, the pancreas responds by pumping out insulin. Insulin decreases sugar levels in the blood by driving it into the cells of the body - putting it back into storage. Physiologically, it's like taking an "upper" and a "downer" at the same time, in a convoluted attempt to stay on an even keel.

There are concerns that the increased demand for insulin can lead to decreased sensitivity to it - as happens with Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. And there has been research indicating that caffeine (taken as an isolated drug) inhibits sugar metabolism.

However, a several studies in 2006 and 2004 indicate that coffee consumption is actually associated with a decreased incidence of Type 2 diabetes. Although any study has its weaknesses, these were conducted in different geographic areas, with different participants and different methodologies, and did their best to account for confounding factors such as obesity and smoking.

Coffee, Heart Health and the Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands produce various hormones that are responsible for coordinating and monitoring a variety of physiological activities. These include cortisol, adrenaline, DHEA, estrogen and testosterone. There is concern that caffeine can cause the body to be flooded with excess adrenaline, resulting in an increased heart rate and higher blood pressure. Some authors even suggest that ongoing stimulation of the adrenal glands will eventually cause them "wear out." Although there has been research into the stimulation caused by caffeine, an online search produced no study that addressed the "wearing out" theory.

A 2002 study from the Duke University Medical Center investigated the effects of moderate doses of caffeine on blood pressure and heart rate, urinary excretion of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol, and self-reported stress during normal activities. This study found that caffeine raised average blood pressure during the workday and evening by 4/3 mm Hg and increased average heart rate by 2 bpm. Caffeine also caused a 32% increase in the levels of epinephrine (a stimulating hormone). In addition, caffeine amplified the increases in blood pressure and heart rate associated with higher levels of stress from daily activities. These effects were undiminished through the evening until bedtime. An Australian study also found that while most data suggest very little excess risk of coronary heart disease among the general population of habitual coffee drinkers, the better controlled data suggest an excess risk on the order of 60% for people drinking five or more cups per day.

In another area of concern, a 2004 study linked moderate to high levels of coffee consumption to increased inflammatory markers. Inflammatory markers are important as predictors of coronary heart disease. Another study published in 2004 found that the combination of caffeine plus smoking cigarettes reduced the flexibility of the aorta more than either substance alone.

However, other work has suggested that response to coffee vs. isolated caffeine is minimal, particularly for habitual drinkers. In 2006, a study was reported in the April 24th Rapid Access issue of Circulation. The authors concluded that "coffee consumption was not associated with an increased risk of Coronary Heart Disease." This study found that total cholesterol, low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in men and women coffee drinkers did not differ in those who drank caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. CHD risk associated with drinking coffee did not differ in people with or without type 2 diabetes.

So are you off the hook? Er... not so fast. A 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that some people have a genetic mutation of the CYP1A2 enzyme that reduces the rate they metabolize caffeine. For those people, drinking four or more cups a day over for a year had a 64% increased risk of heart attack, compared to less than 1% increased risk for people without the gene mutation. Such genetic differences between participants in a study may explain why it has been hard to determine if there is a clear association between coffee consumption and heart attack risk.

Organ damage and cancer

This section will briefly list some research on coffee consumption and how it affects various organs and/or its association with different types of cancer.

* A study of cellular changes in the pancreas in 1986 found no changes due to coffee drinking. Most studies do not support an association between coffee consumption and pancreatic cancer.

* A study of gastric cancer conducted in Spain from 1987-1989 found no association with smoking, or with the consumption of coffee or tea.

* In a Polish study of stomach cancer published in 1999, no association was found with drinking regular coffee or herbal tea or using milk/cream in coffee or tea. (The findings did confirm an association with cigarette smoking, which is estimated to account for approximately 20% of stomach cancers.)

* A 2002 study published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention found that coffee is associated only weakly or not at all with bladder cancer risk, inversely with colon cancer risk, and inconsistently with rectal cancer risk. Rectal cancer risk was not associated with either coffee or tea.

* A Harvard Medical School review of existing literature in 2002 found no convincing evidence has been presented to show that caffeine consumption increases the risk of any reproductive adversity in women.

* In 2002, an evaluation was conducted of several lifestyle factors influencing benign prostatic (prostate) enlargement and the severity of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There was a strong inverse association between alcohol intake and men treated surgically for BPH or in 'watchful waiting' for surgical intervention, but a positive correlation with coffee consumption. (That is, coffee seemed to make the conditions worse, alcohol was associated with improvements.) The authors concluded that "Given the opposite effects of coffee and moderate alcohol consumption, together with the increased risk for clinical BPH in men with coronary heart disease, coffee constituents, which increase the serum concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, may be involved in the pathophysiology of BPH."

* The news is also not good for the urinary tract. A study in The Netherlands in 2002 concluded that, in accordance with earlier reviews, coffee consumption increases the risk of urinary tract cancer by approximately 20%. The consumption of tea seems not to be related to an increased risk of urinary tract cancer. There is also evidence that caffeine intake at a level equivalent to two or more cups of coffee daily produces increased calcium in the urine, which suggests a higher risk of kidney stones (a study that looked at coffee, rather than caffeine, consumption and calcium in the urine could not be found).

Coffee and Bone Mass

A 1991 study of 619 elderly men and women in Sweden concluded that coffee drinking was not a contributory independent risk factor for loss of bone mass and fractures.

Conclusions

There has been enough conflicting information and supposition published that individuals may be tempted to pick and choose data that supports the answer they were hoping for. Overall, it does seem that light to moderate coffee consumption (less than four 6 oz. cups a day) is not particularly bad for you. However, consumption should be limited for those particularly sensitive to caffeine (suggesting a reduced ability to metabolize it) and those concerned about urinary tract and/or prostrate health. As with so many things, moderation is definitely appropriate.

Also, there is little doubt that coffee/caffeine is addictive, and that's never a good sign. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore found that as little as one cup of coffee a day can produce caffeine addiction. When you then try to do without it, you may suffer a range of withdrawal symptoms, including headache, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Some may even feel as though they have the flu, with nausea and muscle pain. Simple caffeine withdrawal may explain much of the malaise associated with "cleansing diets." To help reduce your coffee and/or caffeine intake it can be helpful to begin substituting decaffeinated versions (use products decaffeinated by the "Swiss" water method, which does not add chemicals to beans). Tea also seems to be less aggravating to the body's systems, and has some benefits of its own; it may be worth switching over, and just saying goodbye to coffee.

Braxton Ponder is a Licensed Acupuncturist whose work has taken him around the world, exposing him to a broad range of healthcare systems and practices. He draws upon this background, as well as his ongoing clinical experience, when he offers news analysis and commentary about health care nutrition and healthy living in his blog: Ponder Natural Health Notes.

Braxton's focus is on integrative, or so-called Complementary and Alternative Medicine, but he takes a broad view. His articles may mention the risks of biomedicine, but also point out when he thinks it is the best choice. He looks at health care and insurance systems and considers policy decisions that affect our access to different treatment options, comparing the American system to other viable approaches. Not least, Braxton offers tips on daily lifestyle issues, such as self-care, diet, fitness and stress reduction. Braxton is the founder of the Ponder Natural Health clinic in Colorado, and the Yoga Review site YogiReviews.com

Articles on specific subjects and/or with negotiated publication rights are available on request. This blog is a new outlet for our content; current postings are limited, but should give an idea of the author's style and subject choices.

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A Gourmet Coffee Club Membership - What Are the Benefits?

2011-07-14T07:35:00.000-04:00

Membership in a gourmet coffee club offers many benefits so discerning coffee drinkers can always have their favorite coffees on hand to brew and enjoy such as:

Large selection of specialty coffees from around the world to make coffee drinking a daily sensory experience
Freshly roasted to order with a choice of whole bean or ground coffee
Reduced costs from on line ordering without having to commute to buy ageing coffee on the shelves
Flexibility to make changes, special requests, hold shipments, send gifts, etc.

Gourmet coffee club membership appeals to coffee lovers who want more than the "premium" coffee choices available in the supermarket aisle or at the coffee house or specialty store. Specialty gourmet coffee clubs are very accepted and represent a growing segment of the trade. Let's review some basics about these clubs and why you should consider joining one.

Specialty coffee is the term given to the top fifteen to twenty per cent in quality of Arabica coffee grown and harvested from select regions worldwide. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with "gourmet" or "premium" coffee. However, according to the Specialty Coffee Association of America, "...specialty coffee refers to coffees made from exceptional beans grown only in ideal coffee-producing climates. They tend to feature distinctive flavors, which are shaped by the unique characteristics of the soil that produces them."

Many specialty coffee growing countries have associations of growers, companies, and agencies who deal with enhancements for cultivating, exporting, and marketing coffee. Such associations also lead efforts for rural community development (infrastructure, medical, and education), and for working in harmony with the environment. The 560,000 independent coffee grower members of the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia (FNC) is an excellent example.

Nearly all, if not all, specialty gourmet coffee is made from Arabica coffee beans grown at higher altitudes. Select specialty coffee beans are roasted to perfection. The specialty coffee roast master knows the correct degree to roast the different types of beans to bring out their unique characteristics. These freshly roasted coffee beans are immediately packed and shipped to the customer to brew and enjoy.

Gourmet coffee is always prepared with select specialty coffee beans roasted fresh when ordered. The whole beans then are ground to the correct fineness or coarseness for the brewing method used, and brewed with fresh cold water heated to the correct temperature. Gourmet flavored coffees require one additional process before packing can take place.

One of the benefits of a coffee club membership is that top quality specialty coffee beans are roasted fresh after you order them on line. They are packed and shipped the same day they are roasted. Coffee clubs that feature the process of using only hot air to roast the dried, raw (or "green") coffee beans deliver great coffee each time. The reason is this roasting method, known as convection roasting?, yields uniformly roasted beans for each batch. Master roasters are part scientist and part artist who know the appropriate amount of time to attain the desired roast level to bring out the best characteristics for that varietal or blend. The result, the club member can get the perfect cup of coffee every time.

Gourmet coffee club membership also offers such benefits as:

Having the coffee sent automatically each month at the time of month the member chooses
Ease of use - no need to enter the order information each time unless making a change
Convenience of having your own gourmet coffee when you want it, no more trips to the coffee house or waiting in line for the morning "premium" coffee
Cost savings of brewing your own gourmet coffee for about twenty-five cents per cup
Information on the best way to grind the coffee for the method used to prepare it
The recommended way to store the opened bag of roasted coffee to keep it fresh to completion.

For instance, whole bean Espresso blends should be ground to the powder-like fineness of espresso grind for preparing with an espresso machine. Conventional brewing methods yield great tasting coffee with the medium-fine grind known as automatic drip grind, while coffee prepared with a coffee press (French press) should use the coarsest grind for best results. To keep the coffee beans fresh once the bag is opened, simply press out the air while folding the bag over as many times as needed and secure with a strip of tape (packing or freezer tape). Then, place the bag in an airtight container (a freezer bag will do, if no container is available) and store at normal room temperature until the next time to brew your gourmet coffee.

Each gourmet coffee club member can tell you about other benefits to be enjoyed from the club membership. Those mentioned here should give you the motivation to find a gourmet coffee club and start enjoying your favorite gourmet coffees, freshly roasted and immediately shipped, at your convenience.

It is best to brew coffee using freshly roasted beans. Ideally speaking, use up your beans within a few weeks from receipt and get ready for your next coffee club membership shipment. You could literally look at a wall calendar and plan to drink coffee from Brazil, Jamaica, Colombia, Peru, El Salvador, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Hawaii, Mexico, Java, Sumatra, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, Kenya, and Celebes, for example, throughout the year. As a family, you could plan group activities to review basic geography, cultural traditions, music and travel information about each of the coffee producing countries. Who knows, you may really like one and decide to plan a fun vacation to that destination?

So, ready to enjoy a cup of Altura Superior specialty coffee from Mexico?

Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "The Gourmet Coffee Guy." He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com Also visit: http://www.squidoo.com/coffee-lensography-TheGourmetCoffeeGuy

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Different Types of Coffee Makers

2011-07-14T03:47:00.000-04:00

Coffee or the word cafe is all you would like to hear after a long work or right after you wake up. This is the most widely drunk beverage in the world. Coffee ingestion on an average is about a third of that of tap water in North America and Europe . While drinking coffee outside is usually expensive and preferred mostly during conversations or meetings, deals etc., many of us would prefer to make coffee ourselves at home and drink it in the company of our family members or drink it ourselves. Over the years, this art of brewing coffee has been mastered and we can make the best brewed coffee ourselves, but this has been taken over by our need to automate the coffee brewing art so that our work is made easier. Here, you will be taken through the three types of coffee makers in the world and figure out which is the best for you.

Santos Vacuum Coffee Maker , designed by Swedish designer Kass Kleeson:

First we will look at the vacuum coffee maker which is hailed by anyone who has tried it as the best coffee maker of all times. It uses a process that cooks coffee with an extremely strong flavor. The flavor and strength is usually based on how much coffee you use to make it. Today, a lot of coffee makers destroy the flavor by not mixing the components properly, or by not brewing at the right temperature or maybe not brewing for the right amount of time too.

A vacuum coffee maker is made up of two units. The lower and upper pots which are both made of glass. The upper pot is placed directly on top of the lower pot, and both the pots sealed together with the help of a stopper. A tube is attached to the upper pot which runs down to the lower pot as well. A filter is also attached to the upper pot to filter the coffee while it flows down to the lower pot.

Ground coffee, usually of coarse texture, is added to the upper pot. This depends upon how much your taste buds want. Usually, for a strong coffee, 1 tablespoon per cup of coffee will suffice. Then the lower pot is filled with the required amount of water and placed over a heating element or fire. After reaching boiling point, the upper pot is placed on top of the lower pot and the decreased pressure in the lower pot will cause the water to push up itself through the pipe into the upper pot. Here, the coffee is brewed in hot water and after a few minutes (depending upon the strength of coffee you want) the whole apparatus is removed from the heating element. If you are a beginner at using this type of coffee machine, it pays to experiment and figure out the right time duration that produces the coffee of your choice. As the water cools down, a vacuum is built up in the lower pot and coffee is sucked down. The upper pot is removed and the coffee collected in the lower pot is poured into the cups and enjoyed. The greatest benefit of using this coffee machine is that the temperature is perfect and this does not destroy the oils and flavor of coffee which is often the case in other coffee makers. Though this process requires little manual effort to place the apparatus on the heating element and taking it out of the heating element, this manual effort is affordable once you start drinking coffee made by this procedure.

Stove Top Coffee Maker :

This is made up of aluminium or stainless steel. The bottom of the pot contains a reservoir of water and the top has a round basket with a stem reaching to the end of the pot. First, water is filled and the basket of coffee is then added. The pot is heated and as the water boils, it comes in contact with the coffee and the coffee is brewed. The basket must be removed to filter out the coffee beans. Latest types include espresso pots which use steam and water to brew the coffee. This is reported to brew better coffee, but taste buds vary from person to person. Steam is used to produce latte or foam milk for cappuccinos.

Nowadays, we have stove top pots which function similar to the French press which presses the coffee beans to the bottom of the pot to produce a darker and much richer cup of coffee. However, this type of machine requires constant watching as there is possibility of burning the coffee beans in the absence of careful observation.

Drip Coffee Maker:

Almost all the drip filter coffee makers work the same way. They contain a paper or a plastic filter which holds the finely ground coffee. Cold water is poured through a tube from a reservoir and heated before falling over the coffee powder. This brews and extracts the oils and flavor of the coffee into the waiting carafe. This is a simple and reliable method compared to many other models available in the market.

Many companies use these three models with other additional features such as the strength of coffee, sugar adding facility, coffee with milk, number of cups etc. It is up to you to choose the best coffee maker according to the budget and the one which is most appropriate to your convenience. You would not choose the one which adds sugar automatically for an extra price as we can do that for ourselves, unless you are the one who does not know how to spend your money. The bottom line is that the machine must brew coffee at the right temperature for the right time using the right amount of water.

Check out latest coffee machine reviews and compare coffee maker prices special offers and deals at Coffee machines reviews website.

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Coffee Roasts 101 - What Are You Drinking?

2011-07-14T00:39:00.000-04:00

You're new to the world of coffee and you want to digest as much information as possible in the simplest way to consume. You've been drinking your father's Yuban for years and you just know there has to be something better out there. You want to buy good coffee, but you're not sure where to start. This guide will serve as your starting point, your beacon of hope in the night.

Let us begin with simple terminology and then we'll move on to a more refined glossary. There are three 'main' categories of roast. There is the Light Coffee Roast, Dark Coffee Roast, and Medium Coffee Roast. To put it simply any coffee you choose is going to fall upon this range of flavor. Each roast is denoted as such by the time spent in the roaster, the temperature it is roasted at, and the color of the bean after the roast.

Coffee Roasting:

This is the process of transforming a green coffee bean into its more noticeable self, the roasted coffee bean. Coffee roasting can last anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes and goes through multiple stages of low to high heats in order to capture the complexities and flavors that are sought in the final production. Coffee has a large spectrum of flavor and color that denotes its characteristics.

Light Coffee Roast:

A light coffee roast is perhaps the least popular of all coffee roasts, but that isn't to say that it is the least desired coffee or that it is inherently worse than a darker roast. Quite the opposite is true in that a light coffee is more apt to capture the true flavor of a coffee bean. Because its flavors will stay intact a green coffee bean of high quality and desired taste is much more suited to a lighter roast. A lower quality coffee bean will be roasted longer and at higher temperatures to mask its inferior taste.

A light coffee roast will typically have more caffeine than its darker counterpart. As a coffee bean roasts longer the caffeine is 'burned off' thus a lighter roast will keep more caffeine intact.

Certain regions and blends are more apt to produce a high quality light roast coffee. Roasters often choose a particular region of green bean coffee to use in their light roast coffee.

How to tell if you're drinking a Light Coffee Roast?

A light coffee roast is denoted by its light body, full taste, and its bright liveliness. The first impression you will experience is the taste. Because the green coffee bean has been roasted for as little time as possible the true flavors are still in tact. As the coffee is tasted across the palate you will be able to extract the full flavor of the bean. The finishing taste of the light coffee is often described as sweet or lively. A bad light roast will have the acidic taste of grass left on your palate. A good light roast will have a slightly acidic, floral aromatic finish to it often described as citrus or fruity in flavor.

Dark Coffee Roast:

The dark coffee roast is the second most popular of all the coffee roasts, but that isn't to say that it's the best roast available. It is often characterized as a dark roast because of the amount of time spent in the roaster and the temperature at which it is roasted. A coffee bean that has been subjected to longer roasting times and higher temperatures will lose a majority of its true green coffee bean flavor. This results in a more uniformed taste and consistency. Often times lower quality coffee beans will be dark roasted because of this. However, there is still a large difference that can be noted when high quality coffee beans are dark roasted.

Just about any green coffee bean can be dark roasted and still have a drinkable taste. Because the process of roasting a coffee to its breaking point nullifies any of the off tastes and inconsistencies that can be found in a green bean, the region of the green coffee bean is of less importance to the roaster when creating their dark coffee roast.

How to tell if you're drinking a Dark Coffee Roast?

A dark coffee roast is denoted by its full body and its smooth liveliness. The first impression you will experience is that the taste is more neutral when compared to a light roast. As the green coffee bean is roasted longer it neutralizes any off tastes and creates a more uniform taste. The dark coffee will be most noticeably smoother than its light counter part. The longer the green coffee bean spends roasting the less acidity is left to impart on the palate. It will have a finishing taste that is less pronounced and considered smoother as a result.

Medium Coffee Roast:

The medium coffee roast covers the full gambit of coffee that fall somewhere between a light and a dark coffee. Entirely up to the roaster and the region of the coffee bean it can have a medium to full body flavor and either a smooth or slightly acidic after taste. Its goal is to provide the best of both the light and the dark coffee. It wants to capture the flavor of the green bean without leaving its off marks in place. It is a highly artisan practice to create a well balanced medium roast.

You will find that most coffee blends you drink will be considered of the medium roast variety. A roaster will carefully choose which regions to blend together to capture the just the right flavor from the roasting process.

How to tell if you're drinking a Medium Coffee Roast?

A medium coffee roast is denoted by its medium body and its smooth-bright liveliness. Because it covers such a wide range of flavors, the medium roast is perhaps the most popular coffee. It allows the roaster flexibility to derive the most flavor from the green coffee bean. If the coffee you're drinking lingers on your palate and finishes with a lively flavor you're probably drinking a medium roast coffee.

Conclusion:

Coffee comes in all different forms. There is no right or wrong choice, simply put; it is a matter of personal opinion. When choosing your coffee roast a general rule of thumb is that as the sun rises in the morning it is time for a light coffee roast and as the sun sets it is time for a dark coffee roast. In between the two, feel free to drink the medium coffee roast.

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Bringing Gourmet Coffee Home With a Keurig Coffee Maker

2011-07-13T21:07:00.000-04:00

The brainchild of people who had a great love for coffee, the Keurig coffee maker is definitely built to brew nothing but best-tasting coffee. The people behind Keurig know the importance of serving coffee fresh off the pot every single time, and that's what Keurig coffee makers help homemakers do. That's why they came up with the excellent concept of brewing coffee by the cup, an innovation that became known as single-serve coffee makers.

These coffee makers are already programmed to brew only coffee that will make exactly one cup. A lot of people find these special coffee makers quite beneficial, like those who need their to-go cups so they don't need to wait for the coffee maker to finish brewing for many. Aside from these innovative products, Keurig has a lot more great coffee making products that you can avail of.

What Are Your Best Options?

If you are bent on having good coffee at home, you should definitely buy a Keurig coffee maker. There are quite a lot of choices that await you, and the leading products include the B40, the B60, the B70, as well as the B100. The B40 or Elite B40 is a coffee maker that can brew 7.25 oz. of coffee up to 9.25 oz. Its features include an automatic off for convenient operation as well as a 48 oz. water reservoir that can be removed for easy maintenance and usage.

The second product is the B60 or Special Edition B60. It can brew 5.25 oz. of coffee, 7.25 oz., and 9.25 oz. It has the same removable water reservoir that can hold up to 48 oz. of water, but has an additional programmable timer and a backlit LCD. The B70, on the other hand, is known as Platinum B70. It accommodates four different brewing sizes, specifically 5.25, 7.25, 9.25, and 11.25 oz. Its water reservoir can hold 60 oz. of water, and also has a programmable backlit LCD. Its best feature, however, is the special Quiet Brew Technology, patented under Keurig, which makes for a silent operation. And then there's the B100, with a water reservoir with 64-oz. capacity. This product is very flexible, since it can be used both at home and in the office.

Keurig's Best Innovations

Despite its extensive product range, the single-cup coffee makers still remain as Keurig's best innovations. This removes the need to settle for coffee that's already been brewed hours earlier and simply kept warm for a long time. Coffee lovers are often dismayed to find their coffee stale and flavorless when they drink coffee that's been kept warm for hours. No matter how many heating features the coffee makers nowadays get stacked with, nothing is better than coffee that is freshly brewed, and that's what sets the Keurig coffee maker with single-cup brewing capacity very in demand these days.

The best thing about this concept is that one cup of coffee can take just about three minutes to brew. These coffee makers are also very easy to use. All you have to do is push a single button and the brewing will begin. This is a great appliance for the home as well as for use in the office. In fact, a lot of coffee lovers will find single-cup coffee makers great office companions that can fit perfectly in their workspaces. These products are also best used with Keurig's special K-cup, which is a readily prepared coffee mix that has already been measured to provide a great coffee taste when it is used in brewing.

These K-cups will give you the great taste of gourmet coffee every single time, and you won't have to do the measuring anymore. Aside from these highly beneficial innovations, Keurig also brings hassle-free and mess-free coffee brewing. The Keurig coffee maker does not need much attention from you, as they have been engineered so as to produce good coffee minus the mess. They are also made with extra durability as well as a seamless operation that helps you use it with ease and without any problems. With a Keurig coffee maker, you can finally bring gourmet coffee home easily.

You can find more about the Keurig coffee maker on our Best coffee makers website.

Mark is the editor Coffee-maker-guide.com which provides you with the best coffee maker reviews and ratings. You can find more about the Keurig coffee makers on our Best coffee makers website. http://www.coffee-maker-guide.com

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7 Things to Look For to Get the Best Coffee Maker on the Market

2011-07-13T16:07:00.000-04:00

Many of us love to drink coffee and its a known fact that coffee can provide a boost of energy and warm your body up on those cold winter days. But many of us are not familiar with the history of coffee and more importantly coffee machines, themselves. Without them, we probably would not see so many people drinking this world wide popular beverage and as well as being able to affordably prepare them at home.

For most coffee lovers, there are only a few things more appealing than waking up to a perfectly brewed pot of coffee. That first cup starts your entire day the right way, doesn't it? If it's brewed the way you like, you'll feel that extra zing in your step from morning till night. However, if that first cup is too hot or not hot enough, too strong or too weak, you quickly find yourself frantically feeling like someone has messed with your very essence.

For that reason, if your brew it yourself, the way you like it, with a coffee maker that has everything you need, your life can only get better. When looking for the best coffee maker, there are a few features and benefits that it should have:

Cup size - Can you fit your favorite oversized mug into the coffee maker?
Timer - Make sure that you don't over brew, or under brew your coffee.
Space - Does it take over kitchen?
Ease of Use - Are the controls and functions like operating a fighter plane?
Durability - How long will it last?
Ease of Cleaning - Does it have an awkward design that makes parts difficult to reach and clean?
Style - Does it fit in with the rest of your kitchen, or does it destroy your decor By answering these simple questions, most of the hard work of finding your coffee machine is done. This would have saved you a lot time and effort in finding the very best coffee maker. Lets move onto...

What Types Of Coffee Makers Are Available?

There are many types of coffee makers available, all making different types of coffee. Listed below are just some of the more popular types:

The drip method coffee maker can brew upto 12 cups of coffee. That's great for parties and entertaining! It makes a full-bodied, rich fragrant coffee, that is very aromatic. A French Press makes a smaller amount of coffee per cup as compared to the others, but the plus side is that the coffee is very rich and strong. The percolator can make a coffee in about twenty minutes. You can make between upto 12 cups and the coffee is very rich and full of flavor. Now that you what to look for and what type of coffee maker you want, all thats left is to have a quick at...

The 5 Best Coffee Makers Available to Buy.

With regards to coffee makers there are thousands to choose from. You could just go for the cheapest model available, but believe me, it will never make you that perfect cup of joe. Why not spend a little more cash for better functionality, better longevity and an irresistible sultry design? I mean you have spent all that money making your kitchens look great, why ruin them with a cheap, tacky looking coffee maker?

1. The Cuisinart Thermal Coffee Maker: The most alluring feature is the timed grinding and brewing feature. Imagine waking up to the sound, smell and taste of the freshest ground coffee. The model is quite tall and its stainless steel appearance gives it a very contemporary look. This model requires ample space for the Grind & Brew - not only in terms of the overall length, but also the lid is located on top, and has to open for you to pour the water in. It has a thermal carafe, which means it doesn't burn your coffee and you can have warm coffee up to 2-hours later. It also uses charcoal water filters to clean the impurities out of your water and comes with a 3-year limited warranty. My top pick!

2. Kitchen Aid Pro Line 12-cup Coffee Makers: So you like entertaining and your guests are always ask for coffee?...Then this is just perfect for your dinner parties. It comes with a portable second warmer which is great on your bedside table so you can read and drink coffee all day long, without having to get up. It is also great if you want to brew two types of coffee at the same time, decaf or regular. It's made of die-cast metal, has a timer and a two temperature heat setting. For great tasting coffee this gem comes with a Ion exchange water filter and has a 2-year warranty.

3. Cuisinart DCC-1200 12-Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker: This 12-cup coffee maker uses the same brewing system found in many commercial coffeemakers so you can be assured of getting a truly great tasting cup of coffee. It's definitely worth spending a few more dollars on. It has an adjustable warming plate, 1-4 cup selection, water filter, 24-hour clock/timer for wake-up coffee; brew-pause; programmable shut-off to name just a few of the features. The digital clock/timer is programmable for automatically brewing "wake-up" coffee at a selected time and for turning off the warming plate up to four hours in advance. It also has an easy to clean Gold Filter with easy swing-out basket Brew Pause Color - Black with brushed stainless-steel accents, fantastic machine!

4. BUNN NHBX-B Contemporary 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer: this unique reservoir-style home-brewing system makes up to 10 cups (50 ounces) of coffee in just three minutes, plus it keeps hot water available for tea or other uses as needed. Produces exceptional, cafe quality coffee with an elegant contemporary design compliments any décor. It has a specially designed stainless-steel water tank with an internal thermostat, which keeps water at an ideal temperature for maximum flavor and fast brewing. If you decide to buy this one, you won't be disappointed.

5. The Melitta Javapod One: This is a futuristic looking coffee machine which makes one cup of coffee at a time. It comes in five eye catching colors: red, white, black, mango and kiwi. It makes one great tasting cup of coffee in around a minute. One other plus point is that it can host lots of other coffee pod brands, giving you more choice and it can also make tea. It has a 1-year limited warranty.

There you have it, 5 of the best coffee makers around to make sensational coffee and to make your kitchen or bedroom! the highlight of your home.

Kalwant Rana is A Freelance Writer For http://www.thebestcoffeemaker.com Get the latest reviews on the best coffee makers As Well As Other Coffee Machine Information.

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Best Gourmet Coffee - The Top Ten Ingredients

2011-07-13T11:15:00.000-04:00

Premium arabica coffee is a gift from the sun and the earth, born only under perfect environmental conditions in the mountainous regions between the tropics of Capricorn and Cancer. The best coffee requires light, fertile volcanic soil, abundant rainfall, some cloud cover, warm temperatures, very little wind, sunny mornings, rainy afternoons and the purest air. But where on earth can these ideal conditions be found? How about Kona, Hawaii? At the base of volcanoes Mauna Loa and Hualalai, the view is bounded on one side by mountains of perpetual green and pacific blues on the other. The morning air is soft and balmy, yet pure and refreshing. There is no place more beautiful where one would desire to pass their allotted time on earth, nor is there any other place better suited for growing specialty coffee! This is the Kona Coffee Belt, a 20-mile long by 2-mile wide band, which rests 700 to 2,500 feet above sea level. Spanning between the slopes of two volcanoes, lush green hills are covered by small, family owned plantations made up of trees that are sometimes more than a hundred years old. Here's are the 10 key reasons why Kona coffee, one of (if not THE) worlds top gourmet coffees can come only from Kona, Hawaii.

The Air

There is an island, which is far away from any other land. So far actually, that when the winds finally arrive, the air is cleaner and clearer than anywhere else on earth. Naturally filtered of pollutants and oxygenated by thousands of miles of ocean in each direction, it feels like breathing pure silk. This is Hawai'i, the most isolated archipelago in the Pacific and in the world. Hawaiian weather patterns are affected primarily by high-pressure zones in the north Pacific that send cool, moist trade winds to the island's northeastern slopes. The winds are forced up-slope, where moisture condenses into rain producing clouds - a phenomenon that creates the rich tropical environment for Hawai'i's flowers and vibrant greens.

The Earth

The Big Island is a bit smaller than the state of Connecticut and slightly larger than the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea. It's the largest of the seven Hawai'ian islands though, yet only 130,000 inhabitants call this place home. Due to Hawai'i's remoteness, the islands have been spared many diseases and countless pests have never landed on its shores, which enables the land, the sea, even the air to remain abundant, fertile and pure. The disintegrating volcanic rock on the Big Island is rich in natural minerals and erodes easily. This geologically young, porous and well-drained soil, mixed with decayed vegetation creates nutritious and healthy pastures for Hawaii's flowers, fruits and verdant greens. The Big Islands broad slopes and high peaks obstruct the flow of weather patterns over the Pacific, causing 13 of the world's 16 global climates to be found here: sunny beaches, tropical rain forests, cool alpine regions and stony deserts - each with its own unique weather, plants and animals.

The Water

The year-round warm ocean waters are responsible for the equally balmy air temperature. On their long journey, the trade winds pick up the cleanest ocean water and drop it onto our mountains. Rain is not gloomy here, but nurturing, cleansing, warm and refreshing. Towering cumulus clouds tend to build up over the volcanoes on sunny warm afternoons, resulting in brief, intense and localized showers. One may ask where all the rainwater goes, if not used by vegetation or running back to sea? Accumulated rainwater is filtered through rocks and pools between ancient layers of lava, creating gigantic aquifers of the purest fresh water deep in the earth to be tapped by future generations.

The Fire

The Hawaiian islands were created by a fine crack in the mantle of the earth, which leaked so much lava onto the deep ocean floor that it created the world's highest volcano. And if measured from the ocean floor, it is also the world's highest mountain. Magnificent steam explosions occur where the glowing lava flow enters the ocean and creates new land out of rocks, pebbles and sand. The volcano is believed by Hawaiian's to be an incarnation of the goddess Pelé, who is soothed by sacrifices and offerings of respect. Occasionally one may find stony strands of her 'hair' or pellets like shiny 'tears' on the beach, from when she wanders amongst us mortals in the figure of an old woman. Sun drenched mornings and misty afternoons are not all Kona needs in order to produce the perfect Hawaiian coffee climate. Large steam plumes on the other side of the island are produced where lava enters the ocean. These clouds contain a mixture of light hydrochloric acid and water droplets, which is created when the intense heat of lava evaporates salty seawater. This hazy mixture we call 'laze'. The constant airborne emissions of the Kilauea crater releases sulfur dioxide gases, which react chemically with sunlight and oxygen. They form a sulfuric acid fog we call 'vog' (volcanic fog). The trade winds dilute these cloud mixtures and send them on a hundred mile journey around the southern tip of the island to Kona. Here in the coffee belt this cloud mixtures serve as a gentle and natural fertilizer for the coffee trees. Volcanic soil is sometimes too alkaline and requires these acids in order to balance the pH value, which in turn creates the perfect growing conditions for coffee arabica trees. This unique combination is yet another reason that Kona coffee beans come from the most productive trees on earth!

The Trade Winds

Throughout most of the year Hawaiian weather patterns are affected primarily by high-pressure zones in the north Pacific that send cool, moist trade winds to the island's northeastern slopes. The strength of these winds build as the heat of the day rises and reach a peak in the afternoon, only to diminish in the evening and start again the next day. The trade winds are forced up-slope by the mountain heights where moisture condenses into rain producing clouds. Most of this rain falls then in the mountains and valleys on the wet, windward (northeastern) side of the island and it is this weather phenomenon that creates the rich tropical environment for Hawaii's flowers and vibrant greens. Shelter on the dry, leeward (southwestern) side from the prevailing trade winds and occasional tropical storms is provided by the 14,000 foot height of the volcano Mauna Loa. But there is enough wind left for the Kona coffee belt for some cooling breezes during tropical nights.

The Shade of Vector Clouds

Coffee trees cannot withstand dryness, heat or frost. For these reasons only the world's premium coffees are grown under shade trees, which protect against the overhead tropical sun. Other commercial or inexpensive coffee varieties require additional fertilizers and pesticides in order to thrive in harsh, sunny terrains. Without a lush tree canopy for protection, the thin tropical soil of these sun-loving varieties is exposed to blazing rays and eroding rains. The sun literally scorches the much-needed microorganisms that exist within the earth. Once destroyed, they must then be replenished artificially. Naturally shade grown Kona coffee maintains a nutrient rich soil, which reduces acidity and produces dense and more flavorful beans. During the course of any given Kona day the land is gently heated by the sun, which draws moist breezes up the slopes to create what's called vector clouds. These clouds not only make shade trees obsolete, but they prompt drizzly convection rains throughout the afternoon. Therefore only in Hawai'i is coffee grown at lower altitudes and naturally irrigated. Each day around 20,000 gallons of pure, fresh Pacific rainwater is poured onto each acre of happy coffee trees. But moments after these periodic rains disappear, one may witness the sun once again pushing its way through at the coast below, creating magnificent rainbows and the most breathtaking Hawaiian sunsets.

The Trees

The coffee tree is one of the few plants that can simultaneously grow a blossom as well as a ripe fruit on the same branch. These trees develop a deep root system in our porous, deep and well-drained soil. Not really huge trees, they appear more like bushes with heavily ridged leaves and long whip like branches that bend toward the ground once heavy with fruit. Members of the gardenia family, they produce amazingly fragrant, brilliantly white flowers that coat the hills many times throughout the year. Over here the folks like to call these blooms 'Hawaiian snow'. Century old coffee trees are handpicked to obtain the best flavor, assuring that only the reddest, ripest and finest cherries make it into your cup. Picking cherries too early or too late in the season will affect the taste of coffee, so only a trained eye knows exactly which fruit is at the right stage. Not many people know this, but the average Kona coffee tree yields about 13 pounds of raw cherry, which results in about 2 pounds of roasted coffee. So when you order 2 lbs from a Kona coffee farm, you're actually buying the yearly fruit of an entire tree! If you want to avoid consuming higher levels of caffeine,make sure to always serve coffea arabica beans, as they have half the caffeine, but double the aroma of the cheaper coffea robusta beans. To know that you got any of the other aforementioned benefits buy only pure Hawaiian Kona coffee (100% Kona Coffee).

The Sun Drying

During the pulping process the harvested red berries are soaked in the freshest and purest rainwater to ferment overnight. This labor-intense 'wet method' is the preferred way of processing high grown arabicas. The soaked skins and pulp are then removed from the beans, which are later washed and spread out to dry on a wooden dry deck. The moist beans are raked many times throughout the day so that the drying happens uniformly. Kona's warm sun and gentle breezes dry the beans slowly to the perfect moisture level. Commercial grades of coffee utilize a mechanical drying method, which forces hot air over the beans to speed up the drying process. This method proves less labor intensive, therefore lowering the price. Sundried coffee maintains more of a delicate, mellow flavor--whereas kiln dried coffee will oftentimes lose some of the aromas Kona coffee is famous for. The only way to safely preserve coffee and its rich aromas for as long as possible is to keep it in its parchment form. Yet most coffee is processed very quickly to its green bean form in their respective country of origin. Once the green beans are exposed to air, light and humidity, the surface oxidizes and bacteria, yeasts and moulds start their deteriorating work. Many months journeys in the stuffy hold of a ship, various cargo trucks and warehouses go by before the green beans get to the roasters and ultimately to your cup. Better to only hull the parchment of the beans right before they are roasted. It's simply healthier and tastier.

The Small Estates

Family owned plantations produce the finest, estate-grown coffee with superior large, dense and flavorful beans. Kona coffee maintains individual subtleties; much better tasting than pooled, generically sold cheaper alternatives. Kona is comparable to the Champagne region in France, which produces the only legitimately named 'Champagne' product. And like Champagne, 100% Kona coffee is distinguished from commercial blends not only by region and the ideal growing conditions, but also by the enormous amount of care taken throughout each step of the farming, harvesting and roasting processes. Whether it's from the individual pruning of the trees, handpicking only the ripest coffee cherries, carefully sun-drying on large open decks and roasting prior to packaging the coffee in specially sealed bags to ensure freshness--you can be assured that Hawaiian Kona coffee is comparable to no other. Only 14,000 to 16,000 sacks of this precious Kona coffee is produced each year by the few hundred farms dotting the hills of this region, making pure Kona coffee the rare and sought after gourmet coffee in the world.

The 100% Rule

Most likely any coffees you ever drank came from ultra-productive, low-waged labor, machine-picked and pesticide sprayed coffee farms in other parts of the world. Large companies who trade in coffee are interested in buying the cheapest beans available, resell, ship, store it for many months to the point where they have to infuse coffee aromas back into the beans during the roasting process! And you wonder why your stomach rebels against that second cup... Intense hand labor, only ripe beans, a unique climate and soil in Kona combined with natural processing gives this coffee its greatness. Real, fresh 100% Kona coffee is hard to come by outside of Kona, which is why many coffee drinkers are easily duped. Companies all over the world mislead customers and profit on the reputation of the Kona fame by mixing few Kona coffee beans with much, much cheaper inferior Central or South American beans. This combination produces an atypical, cheaper taste, and is commonly referred to as '10% Kona Blend', 'Kona Roast', or 'Kona Style'. Yet this name misleads folks to believe that the bag of coffee they've purchased contains a mix or 'blend' of various Kona coffees. The law of Hawai'i stipulates that a bag of pure Kona coffee must have printed on its label the words 100% KONA COFFEE to guarantee its contents. So watch out for it and check the bag or cross check the coffee websites carefully before you order!

http://www.athenaofhawaii.com
http://www.bluehorsekona.com

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The Different Types of Coffee From All Over The World

2011-07-13T07:51:00.000-04:00

The drinking of coffee is a very common practice the world over. This is usually aided by a lot of things, such as the presence of coffee shops at every street corner in different countries. A lot of countries in tropical locations of the world grow some of the world's best coffee. Coffee can easily grow in locations that are at some distance above sea level. Because of this fact you usually find different types of coffee which can satisfy different tastes. The best forms of coffee however are those that a grown on especially high locations such as mountainous yet tropic regions. A large number of countries in the world make coffee but these are some of the major countries that do so:

Brazil Brazil has one of the oldest coffee traditions in the world as coffee growing came to Brazil in the 1700's. Currently they are the world's forerunners in the production of the world's most coffee. 1 out of every 4 cups of coffee that is drunk in the world today is of the Brazilian kind of coffee. Most of the coffee beans in Brazil are of the Arabica kind. In terms of specialty coffee Brazil is also quite popular. You have different farms growing these forms of specialty coffee: Bourbon, Typica, Caturra and Mundo Novo.

Brazilians harvest their coffee produce in the months between March and October. The coffee may be harvested by manual or mechanical means. Weather conditions may also affect the harvesting of coffee as the harvesters may also choose to use dry or wet methods in order to process their coffee.

Columbia

Columbia supplies the world's second largest quantities of coffee after Brazil. Over 12% of the total coffee that is drunk in the world today has it's origins in Columbia. Different types of Columbian coffee are available and they are usually very rich in flavor and are thick and have a slight acid content. They also have wonderful smells too.

Columbians usually harvest their coffee in the months between October and February. They also have another harvesting period which is between April and June. Different brews of coffee grown here include: Bourbon, Typica, Caturra and the Maragogype brands.

Mexico

Mexico had its first coffee plants planted towards the end of the 1700's. Most of the coffee types grown in Mexico are of the simpler kinds. They are usually used as bases for blending. Farms in Mexico grow different brands such as the: Bourbon, Mundo Novo, Caturra and Maragogype brands.

Guatemala The climate of this country usually varies due to the topography and the location of the country. Because of this reason the country has different clear-cut versions of coffee. These coffee beans are harvested at different times of the year but the major harvesting period is usually between October and January.

Indonesia and New Guinea Coffees which come from this region are usually called Sumatran coffees. These coffees are so smooth and yet they are intrinsically complex. Some of the most popular brands of coffee here are the Mandheling and Lintong types of coffee.

Honduras Coffees grown in Honduras are quite simple coffees. They are usually used as bases for other blends. Most Honduran coffee is usually harvested in the months between October and March. The wet process method of harvesting coffee is usually used to harvest Honduran coffee. Honduran types of coffee make different types of coffee such as: Bourbon, Caturra and Typica coffee brands.

Ethiopia Ethiopia usually has some of the best coffee brands in the world over. People usually see Ethiopian coffee as one of the most unique and intriguing types of coffee brands in the whole world. Ethiopia grows these three types of coffee:Ghimbi, Harrar and the Sidamo . These coffees taste somewhat fruity and have very powerful aromas and thickness as well.

Other countries also produce some coffee brands or the other and these countries include Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Malawi, Nicaragua, Tanzania, Uganda as well as Venezuela.

Darren Williger is an over-caffeinated, low carbohydrate eating, winemaking enthusiast who writes for CaffeineZone.com, MyLowCarbPages.com, and CoffeeZen.com

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Turkish Coffee FAQ

2011-07-13T03:52:00.000-04:00

Turkish coffee is the oldest way of making coffee. This is a short article answering frequently asked questions about Turkish coffee. You can also post your question as a comment and I'll do my best to answer it.

Questions are in bold.

What kind of coffee must I use for Turkish coffee?

Turkish coffee nowadays is usually made of Latin American blends. Usually the blends contain two kinds of coffee: Arabica and Robusta. Except for the Latin American coffees the blends may also include coffees from Asia or Africa. Some of the best coffees for Turkish blends come from Brazil, Ethiopia and Yemen.

Should I use a coffee particularly made for Turkish coffee or can I use any blend?

Turkish blends are created in a special way to be optimized for Turkish coffee making. Most people that drink the popular Turkish coffee brands are used to a special characteristic taste. This doesn't mean that you cannot use another coffee blend to make Turkish coffee. For example you can use an espresso blend. The only requirement is that it must be ground very fine like powder. If it isn't ground fine enough there will be no foam on top of the coffee after you make it and the taste will be weak.

So, in other words you can experiment with any blend you want if you grind it fine enough for Turkish coffee. The taste will be different than the usual though.

Is it healthy?

Turkish coffee is as healthy as any regular coffee. Actually according to some some researches a quantity of two small Turkish coffee cups (demitasse cups) can be beneficial for the heart. If you exceed this amount then it may become bad for your health like any other coffee. Bear in mind that Turkish coffee is made almost as quickly as instant coffee but it's far better for your health.

What is this thick thing on top of Turkish coffee? Is it like espresso?

When you make Turkish coffee properly you will notice on top a layer of dark, thick and homogeneous foam. This is also known as kaimaki in Greece. If the coffee doesn't have kaimaki then something is definitely wrong with the coffee making:

small quantity of coffee used
not properly heated
ground coarser than required
very stale coffee

In some Eastern countries it is an insult to serve Turkish coffee without this special foam on top.

Kaimaki foam is looks similar to the espresso crema but it very different in terms of physical properties. The espresso crema is formed not only due to heat but also because of high pressure so it's quite different.

Do I need any special expensive equipment for Turkish coffee?

Making Turkish coffee is very easy and very fast. All you need is a small coffee pot and a heat source. You can use a small stainless steel pot and your electric stove top but it's preferable to use a traditional copper or brass Turkish pot. Regarding the heat source it's better to use low fire to make the coffee. A gas burner or an alcohol burner is my favorite heat source for home use.

What size coffee pot do I need?

This is a question that creates a lot of misunderstandings. Basically it depends on how much coffee you are going to make each time.

First, what you need to know is that you will need a coffee pot that holds approximately double the amount of coffee. This is because coffee must have enough room in the pot to foam up and furthermore because of the so-called "oven effect".

Let me explain...

Traditional Turkish coffee pots have an hourglass shape. This special shape creates an oven-like effect when making Turkish coffee. The oven-effect is highly desirable for better taste. The only requirement for this "oven-effect" is to fill the pot till the point where the pot diameter is smaller. Usually this means a half-full pot.

So, If you want to make two demitasse cups, for you and your friend, you will need a 4 demitasse-cup size coffee pot.

Please note that sizing differs among manufacturers. So instead of looking for a 4-cup size coffee pot look for a coffee pot that holds 4*60ml which equals 240ml. 60ml or approximately 2oz is the size of a demitasse cup.

What about a coffee pot for just one cup?

In this case you will need a coffee pot that holds 2*60ml=120ml coffee.

What about one normal cup?

One normal cup is approximately 250ml so you will need a 500ml pot.

These numbers are not exact. They are just guides to help you. Most of the times buying a bit smaller coffee pot will also be adequate.

Can I grind Turkish coffee with my coffee grinder?

Turkish coffee is ground at the most fine grind setting. Most grinders for home use are incapable of grinding so fine. If you have a blade grinder consider upgrading to a burr grinder. This doesn't mean that every burr grinder can grind Turkish coffee. So if you are in the market in research of a burr grinder make sure it has a Turkish coffee setting. Some burr grinders don't have a Turkish coffee setting but they can be modified very easily to grind fine enough for this coffee. This information can be easily found if you make a couple of searches in a search engine.

Another solution are manual-operated Turkish coffee grinders. These grinders are much cheaper than burr grinders and because of their low speed coffee is ground gently without getting heated. In cheap burr grinders because of the small burr dimensions the rotating speed is higher. This way the friction is bigger and the heat generation is higher. More heat means more coffee taste destruction! So in other words small grinding speeds of manual grinders are better for your palate! The big drawback is that this sort of grinding can remind you of manual labor sometimes...

Is there any special way to serve Turkish coffee? Any special tradition?

If you have guests and you want to impress them with your coffee making mastery and your hospitality you can do some simple things. First use a big traditional looking serving tray and put some glasses of water for your guests. Water is used to clean the mouth before tasting the coffee. Prepare the coffees immediately before serving time so that they keep their kaimaki foam and their temperature. You can pair the coffee with some cookies or muffins.

For dessert after the coffee you can offer traditional Turkish delight or baklava. Your guests will be grateful!

If you have any questions about Turkish coffee please post your comments. Enjoy!

Karolos Tsiligirian is the author of the "Fresh Coffee Encyclopedia" and the founder of FreshCoffeeShop.com

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Finding the Best Coffee Makers in Town

2011-07-12T23:30:00.000-04:00

For homemakers, coffee lovers, workers, and myriads of other people, finding the best coffee makers is a matter of utmost importance. Indeed, for a lot of people, perhaps including you and members of your family, there is no better way to start your day but to drink a warm cup of good, freshly brewed coffee the moment you get up.

And for this to happen, you clearly need a companion that can help you brew great coffee even at home, so a warm cup can greet you as soon as the sun does. Unfortunately, finding the best coffee makers is a challenge greater than that of having to go out of your way to head to the coffee shop on your way to work.

But having your own brewing station at home provides unsurpassed benefits, especially if you're one of those folks who can't live without coffee. That's why it's extremely important that you get your hands on a good coffee maker.

What Are Your Choices?

To find the best coffee machines, start with a crash course on the different types of coffee makers. This will help you find the specific type that will suit your needs as well as your lifestyle.

The three types of coffee makers are the drip coffee maker, the vacuum coffee maker, and the percolator. In terms of popularity, the drip coffee maker wins hands down. This specific type works by dripping hot water over ground coffee to thoroughly extract the flavor.

To make sure that your coffee comes out excellently, you have to follow exact requirements regarding the length of brewing time, the water's temperature, and the size of ground coffee you use. Due to the meticulous brewing process, the result is always great, richly flavored coffee that can bring inspiration to you whenever you need it.

And that's what made the drip coffee maker very popular. It now comes in single-serve units as well as large-capacity models, and also comes with glass carafes or thermal pots, depending on what you need.

Next on the list is the vacuum coffee maker, which is the good old coffee maker that gives justice to the real idea of brewing. It vacuums the flavor of coffee from the ground coffee, resulting to a strong, excellent cup. This type is well-loved by coffee aficionados.

Lastly, there's the percolator, which is not very popular especially among people who are particular about the taste of their coffee. Coffee aficionados have a clear dislike for this type because it does the unthinkable, which is to boil instead of brew it. Coffee that comes out of percolators are often very bitter.

Things to Take Note Of

In looking for the best coffee machines, there are several things you have to consider. You can determine the type of coffee maker you need by evaluating why you need coffee. There are people who just can't start their days without the added boost of energy provided by coffee, there are some others who just have a natural love for coffee, and there are some who needs a picker-upper during the day.

If you need your morning cup or a go-to cup of coffee during few-minute breaks, you will benefit a lot from fast-brewing drip coffee makers, especially those with programmable timers. If you have a natural love for coffee and won't mind spending some time brewing it by yourself, you'll enjoy the conservative coffee handling process of the vacuum coffee maker.

You should also consider how much coffee you need. As a homemaker, you can also get good value from a multiple-cup coffee maker that can fill several cups with one brewing cycle so everyone in your family can have great coffee together.

But if you just need coffee for yourself, often in a to-go cup, you'll love the single-serve coffee makers, and those with thermal cups. These are the things that will lead you straight to the best coffee makers that can answer your coffee needs.

You can find more detailed reviews of the best coffee makers on our coffee maker reviews website.

Mark is the editor Coffee-maker-guide.com which provides you with the best coffee maker reviews and ratings.

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Coffee Maker Reviews - Leading You to the Right Direction

2011-07-12T18:50:00.000-04:00

Coffee maker reviews can help you find the right coffee machine for you. Finding the right coffee maker that can meet your needs and are up to par with the standards in coffee making can be quite a challenge.

Thankfully, there are a lot of consumer and expert opinions online that can help push you to the right direction. According to coffee machine reviews, there are certain chart-toppers when it comes to specific brands of coffee makers. If you are looking for home coffee makers, you have plenty to choose from.

Most of the products that get great coffee machine reviews come from any one of these great innovative companies, namely Braun, Keurig, Capresso, Cuisinart, Krups, DeLonghi, Gevalia, and Melitta, among many others. Reviews of coffee makers also show that each of these brands have their own special offers that help them win out over the competition.

Chart-Topping Coffee Makers

Coffee maker reviews name the Braun Tassimo as one of Braun's top products. The Braun Tassimo is a highly innovative coffee maker. Instead of using coffee grounds or pods, the Braun Tassimo produces coffee using Tassimo discs, which are also called T-discs.

These discs are not raw coffee materials. Instead, they are actual disks that contain data about how to prepare certain beverages. The Braun Tassimo coffee maker simply reads the data and prepares coffee based on it. Reviews name this product as one of the most innovative products around.

Keurig also has great products that also get great reviews, such as the B60. The B60 is a great product known for brewing good-tasting coffee and for its convenient features aimed towards the home user. Reviews say that Keurig has a good collection of exceptional home coffee makers.

If you are checking out Capresso, reviews will tell you that its best product yet is the MT500. This product is actually a drip coffee maker, which is one of the reasons why it is widely popular. Drip coffee makers are well-loved for their outstanding coffee taste. But aside from that, the MT500 has a thermal carafe to keep coffee warm longer, an LCD with backlight, and a control panel with soft touch buttons. Although the product is quite expensive, reviews say that the buy is worth it.

As for Cuisinart, they have many great products, which is not surprising because they hold the title of being one of the best and most trusted kitchen appliance manufacturers by homemakers. But when it comes specifically to coffee brewing, Krups can help you find what you're looking for. Krups coffee makers are often reviewed for their innovative nature and excellent coffee production, as well as for the quality of the coffee makers itself. The company also produces a wide collection of coffee maker parts, most of which are appreciated due to their durability and insightful designs.

DeLonghi is another top brand that always impresses consumers and reviewers. Their best feature is the wide collection of coffee makers they produce. It seems that whatever type of coffee maker you are looking for, DeLonghi has the model specifically for you. Gevalia, on the other hand, is mostly known for their thermal coffee makers as well as their dual coffee makers. These coffee makers have two separate pots that can hold 12 cups each, so the coffee maker can produce 24 cups in all.

Melitta is also another coffee maker master. Reviews consider the Melitta Smart and Brew as one of the company's best suits. This product can grind the coffee beans and brew them right afterwards in one fluid process.

More Options to Choose From

If you are looking for coffee makers, coffee machine reviews will undoubtedly point you towards these brands and models. But should you require more options, you can also check out products from Black and Decker and Bunn. They also have some really great models, such as single-serve coffee makers, filter coffee makers, grind and brew coffee makers, and multiple-cup coffee makers.

You can find more detailed coffee maker reviews on our Best coffee makers website. Mark is the editor Coffee-maker-guide.com which provides you with the best coffee maker reviews and ratings. You can find more detailed coffee maker reviews on our Best coffee makers website.

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Bring Good Coffee Home With Bunn Coffee Makers

2011-07-12T14:49:00.000-04:00

Bunn coffee makers have managed to establish their irreplaceable value in the coffee making world. Bunn-O-Matic Corp., the company behind the excellent beverage-making appliances for use at home or in the office, is one of the household names in coffee making.

Backed by a long history marked with great innovations since 1957, the company is now known for a wide variety of products such as coffee makers and accessories such as filters and carafes. In fact, the company was the first who fashioned paper filters, which came to be one of their most memorable inventions.

Why You Can Trust Bunn Coffee Makers

A lot of businesses, such as restaurants and coffee houses, are using Bunn coffee machines. They also have a number of great products designed specifically for homemakers, but their captured market remains to be the commercial coffee making segment. Nonetheless, homemakers are inspired to get Bunn coffee machines for their households with the idea of bringing great café-made coffee right into their homes.

This is because Bunn's products are widely popular due to its popular association with great-tasting coffee. Another rationale behind making the Bunn choice is that Bunn coffee makers are also long-lasting. Their models are mostly made from stainless steel. This will make your Bunn coffee brewing machine your longtime coffee making companion, and it will serve you many cups of good coffee on mornings beyond your count.

And to help your machine last longer, take good care of it and perform maintenance checks from time to time to give your coffee that great, brand new taste every time. And best of all the reasons why Bunn coffee machines will make good additions to any home, office, or restaurant is that it uses a great and unique brewing system that stays true to the real coffee brewing process.

Bunn coffee machines have a reservoir of water, which they heat up to a pre-programmed level perfect for coffee brewing. The water is then sprayed over ground coffee until the 3-minute brewing time passes, and voila! The result is great coffee whose taste is extracted from the true flavor of the coffee grounds - coffee you'll surely love!

Bunn Coffee Machines to Choose From

If you are interested in Bunn coffee makers, you better start choosing because Bunn offers a wide variety of coffee makers of different types. Their coffee makers are classified into four different product lines, specifically the automatic coffee makers, the thermal, the pour over, and the satellite coffee makers. They have different models of these four types of coffee makers to meet every need of every coffee drinker on the planet.

And if you find it necessary to buy some accessories for your coffee maker, Bunn can also come to your rescue. On top of that, Bunn goes out of its way to offer some much-needed solutions to certain concerns you might have with your coffee making. That's why they have come up with great and unique features such as vacation mode, programmable timers, dual-purpose coffee makers that can also make teas, and many other features to make your Bunn coffee makers more useful, beneficial, and a better kitchen companion than you could ever want.

Buying Bunn Coffee Machines

If you want to buy Bunn coffee makers, your best bet is to search online, especially if you don't have the time to shop for one. Buying the products online is faster and more convenient. You don't need to scour the shops for Bunn products; search engines can readily point you to great Bunn coffee makers being sold online.

You can also get added benefits of free shipping, fast delivery, door-to-door delivery, and hassle-free online transactions. And you don't have to worry since all Bunn products come with warranties for your assurance and satisfaction. So don't waste time that you could be spending drinking great coffee anymore; go and get yourself a Bunn coffee maker.

Mark is the editor Coffee-maker-guide.com which provides you with the best coffee maker reviews and ratings.

You can find more about Bunn coffee makers on our Best coffee makers website.

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Single Cup Coffee Makers - For Your Personal Brewing Pleasure

2011-07-12T10:44:00.000-04:00

Single cup coffee makers are one of the best innovations in the coffee industry. The creation of these coffee makers can be attributed to the innovative nature of some of the best companies in the coffee making world. These coffee makers gave a personal, customized touch to home coffee making. They allow consumers to brew coffee just for one person at any given time.

For households with a lot of coffee drinkers, this may not be the best product. But for your personal brewing pleasure, these coffee makers are the ideal choice. Single cup machines are known for their many benefits. No more brewing for many if you are just one; no more waiting for the brewing to complete; no more wasting; and best of all, no more leaving lots in the pot for a long time. With a single cup, you can have freshly brewed instantly at any time.

Perks of Single Cup Machines

Single cup machines offer a lot of benefits, but there is one that surpasses all other benefits. These coffee makers protect the taste of coffee. Coffee is very vulnerable; the perfect blend can only be achieved when several factors are in place. And the easiest way for a coffee to get stale is to be left in the pot for a long time before you drink it. That's usually what happens with large-capacity coffee makers.

Single cup coffee machines allow people to brew their cup of coffee right before their time of drinking. That means you can have freshly brewed coffee at all times. These coffee makers also prepare coffee by the cup using a pre-measured coffee recipe, so you can be sure that your cup will have a great taste. And since brewing is done by the cup, you won't brew coffee that you won't drink. No coffee will be wasted, and you will ultimately be able to save a lot. Another benefit is that single cup machines brew coffee quite fast.

Some models can brew your coffee within minutes. All you have to do is push a button and you will get your perfect cup, unlike when you have a traditional coffee machine that brews for a lot of people and you'd have to wait until the brewing is finished. Also, these coffee makers are very easy to use. You don't need to do any measuring anymore. Coffee is an integral part of many people's lives. These aromatic boosters should help you do what you need to do instead of take up much of your time. Single cup coffee machines are indeed an innovative solution to many coffee making issues a lot of consumers may have.

A Fresh Cup Anywhere You Are

With a single cup coffee machine, you can have your freshly brewed coffee anywhere you go. Single cup coffee makers are usually designed to be very portable and light. Some may be designed to be kept in the kitchen, but most are very compact that they can be brought around to your room or even to your work cubicle. No more going out of your way to get a fresh cup of great-tasting coffee. With a single cup machine, you can get good coffee no matter where you are. That's a tempting offer that a lot of coffee lovers jump at.

Finding the Best One

Single cup machines are also called single-serve machines. Most of the leading brands in coffee maker manufacturing offer their own rendition of this great innovation. As a result, you have a lot of different coffee maker types and models to choose from. Different variants of single cup machines may use different coffee cups. Some models work with thermal cups very useful in keeping coffee warm.

Single cup coffee machines, despite the genius creation that they are, can be bought at very reasonable prices. You can even get a unit at $40. But to find the best single cup machines, don't just look at the price. Compare it with the value that you will get in exchange. Consider the brand, the durability of the product, and its other features and specifications. You can also take the appearance into consideration, as well as consider whether it is compact and portable if you are planning to bring it around with you.

You can find more about the Single Cup Coffee Makers on our Best Coffee Makers website.

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Gevalia Coffee Maker - Committed to Great Coffee Making at Home

2011-07-12T06:47:00.000-04:00

If you have a Gevalia coffee maker, you have access to great coffee even when you're at home. These great coffee making machines are brought to us by Gevalia Kaffe, one of the most well-known companies in the world of coffee. The roots of Gevalia Kaffe can be traced back to Sweden. Over its more than one hundred years of existence, the company has managed to build a reputation of providing coffee beans and teas of unsurpassed quality.

During the amount of time that they have been serving coffee lovers worldwide, they have met countless coffee needs with the main focus of their business: true and genuine coffee beans. But as experts in the coffee industry, they eventually expanded their product list to include high-quality coffee makers optimized for brewing of perfect-tasting coffee.

Why You'll Like Gevalia Coffee Makers

A Gevalia coffee maker can win out over other types of coffee makers hands down, and there are plenty of reasons why. The first reason lies with Gevalia's very own brewing method which ensures that the rich coffee flavor is extracted from ground coffee. That's why coffee lovers dig coffee produced by a Gevalia coffee maker. Such coffee has a great, rich taste that characterizes what coffee should truly be. And to make coffee even better, Gevalia recommends their proprietary coffee beans.

They also have a wide variety of coffee recipes that you can enjoy for an ultimate coffee making experience. Aside from their secret brewing recipe and their secret coffee recipes, Gevalia also produces state-of-the-art coffee makers equipped with great features like automatic off and a programmable timer for your convenient use.

The coffee makers also come with the special pause and serve feature, which a lot of coffee drinkers find very convenient and useful. This feature allows you to pour your cup of coffee anytime, even at the middle of a brewing cycle. This means that you don't have to wait until an entire brewing cycle is completed. Once there's coffee in the pot, you can have it. And for easy and fuss-free maintenance, Gavelia coffee maker models have removable baskets and can be fitted with paper filters. Paper filters also help in optimizing the extraction of flavor from ground coffee, so a Gevalia coffee maker that uses this disposable paper filter concept will certainly churn out better coffee.

And since maintenance is a breeze, you can be sure that the coffee maker stays in top shape for a long time, and when it's in top shape, it can certainly give you nothing but the best-tasting coffee around. Gevalia coffee makers also attract a lot of buyers courtesy of their great-looking appearances. They use a combination of mostly black and white in most of their models.

Special Treat from Gevalia

As a special treat, with every Gevalia coffee maker you buy, you can also avail of a special mug from Gevalia Kaffee. The mug is part of the package of some Gevalia coffee maker models. When buying a Gevalia coffee maker, you have a lot of models to choose from. You can choose from small-capacity coffee makers as well as large-capacity ones that can brew up to twelve cups at once. You can also choose from the standard models priced at a modest level of around $60, and you can also choose more expensive packages if you desire. If you're in luck, you can also catch some of Gevalia's great promotions online that can even win you a free coffee maker.

In fact, you can win products like Gevalia's great 12-cup coffee maker with a programmable timer. As long as you agree to the terms and conditions as well as the shipping details, then you can get your Gevalia coffee maker completely for free. No other company is more bent on giving you excellent coffee brewed right in your own home so as to just give you a free coffee maker but Gevalia Kaffe.

Gevalia's Commitment

With all these, it is clear that Gevalia is one of the best companies in the coffee business and in the art of coffee making. Homemakers will surely find a lot to like about Gevalia coffee makers.

You can find more about the Gevalia Coffee Maker on our Best Coffee Makers website.

Mark is the editor Coffee-maker-guide.com which Provides you with the best coffee maker reviews and ratings.

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