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How The Energy Benefits Of Coffee Were Discovered

30 Apr.
Posted by teahupoo in Coffee | No Comments

Do you start your day with a morning cup of coffee? Many people do. Do you know how coffee was discovered? There is more to that morning cup of coffee than you realize, read on to find out more about it.

Many people feel like they cannot start their day without a cup of coffee, it is actually a necessity for their lives. Coffee helps them get going in the morning, gives them that needed get up and go in order to concur their work day.

How is the goat to blame? (Well, almost)

The history of coffee did at least start with a goat. A goat herder named Kaldi from Ethiopia noticed that his goats were hyperactive after eating a certain bush. He tried some of the berries that grew on the bush. He experienced a feeling of energy after eating the berries as well. According to the legend this is how the coffee bean was discovered. The caffeine was what gave the energy to both the goats and Kaldi.

Did you know that coffee was not always a drink?Originally it was a food that East African tribes mixed with animal fat making large berry-fat balls. They used these balls for energy when they went out to raid other tribes. The first energy bar!

Arabians are next in line

The Arabs transplanted the coffee tree in the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabs are the ones that first used it as a hot drink. By the thirteenth century the Muslim Arabs drank enough coffee to see “whirling dervishes.”
For many years the Arabs were the only ones that knew the secret workings of coffee. Arabs were travelers and they liked to bring the coffee with them, the more they traveled the more coffee information went with them across the world.

Turks and Europeans come into the picture

The Turks were the ones responsible for giving coffee facts to Europeans. European traders came to Turkey where they learned of coffee and they in turn shared the coffee news wherever they went. The first Dutch colony established the first European coffee estate. This colony was on the island of Java (now a portion of Indonesia). On this colony coffee became known as a precious commodity.

So as you can see coffee has come a long way baby, all to wake you up in the morning! Now you can share these little known facts with your friends and colleagues! Amaze them with your brilliance over your morning cup of coffee.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Expresso and Coffee online at http://www.gourmetespressoandcoffee.com

How To Find Quality Coffee Beans For The Best Tasting Coffee

30 Apr.
Posted by teahupoo in Coffee | No Comments

Choosing good coffee beans has a lot more to do with art than with science. And those who know how to, will spare nothing just to find the best ones that money can buy. But why should you care? Coffee beans are just coffee beans, right? And coffee is just coffee. What’s the big deal?

Well, if you’re fond of the common supermarket variety of the aromatic pods, then chances are that you’re right. It isn’t such a big deal. But once you have tried the real deal you will understand why so many people go to such lengths just to find the perfect beans for the perfect cup of coffee.

So where do you start?

When it comes to good coffee, there’s no better place to start than what the experts say is a good place to start. But make no mistake. Their words are no bible. However, they do give you some idea on how to go about taking your first tentative step towards genuinely good coffee.

First, you need to learn that freshly roasted and ground coffee beans are what make a superior cup of coffee. You can never go wrong with fresh beans. In fact, the underlying philosophy is: the fresher the beans, the better. Just try it and you’ll be surprised to find how a few fresh ones can transform your favorite cup of java into a fantastic gastronomic experience.

Next, where do you find the freshest possible? You may get lucky and stumble upon a few bags in the supermarket. But if you want to be certain that you are getting fresh, good quality beans, then start at your local specialty or gourmet stores. The salespeople at these stores are usually very knowledgeable about coffee and helpful to the extent that they may allow you to taste before buying anything.

But how do you know if they’re good?

Well, for one thing good quality beans are never splintered or broken. They should be whole and well-shaped. If you encounter a bin or bag of splintered or broken ones, then put it right back where you found it and look for another.

It’s quite possible that you won’t find any helpful salesperson around, especially if you’re doing your shopping at a supermarket. If that’s the case, then you have to learn to trust your own eyes and nose.

Okay, so now you know that good coffee beans are whole and well-shaped, but what about the smell? They smell good, period. That’s all you need to know. It has to do with gut instinct, similar to how you’d know right away that the milk has gone sour when you smell it.

If you find some that have gone bad will smell just a bit off and you’ll recognize that smell, even if you’re a novice.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Gourmet Expresso and Coffee at http://www.gourmetespressoandcoffee.com

Why Antique Coffee Grinders Are So Great For Grinding Coffee Beans

30 Apr.
Posted by teahupoo in Coffee | No Comments

For coffee lovers, the rich smell of freshly ground coffee beans in the morning is enticing. The aroma fills the house and you can almost taste the coffee before you pour it in your cup. The delightful aroma increases as the coffee brews and you stand ready with your mug in your hand just waiting to take that first delightful sip. For coffee lovers such as this, an antique coffee grinder is a welcome kitchen appliance.

Reasons to Buy an Antique Coffee Grinder

You can buy pre-ground beans in packages or cans, but there is no comparison to the taste of the freshly ground ones. You can also buy whole beans at the grocery store and grind them there, but if the person who used the machine before you ground a different flavor of bean, then that flavor could change the flavor of the ones you choose to grind.

You also have to grind all of the beans at once, instead of grinding them as you need them. Grinding them all at once will still allow that fresh taste to come through in the first cups that you brew but the flavor may decrease with each successive cup that you make. That’s why it’s better to own your own coffee mill. A lot of people purchase electric coffee grinders. They work well but they make a lot of noise. There’s also the chance that it may heat up the beans and take away from the great flavor.

Unlike their electric cousins, antique coffee grinders grind the beans to the proper texture with the added benefit of not overheating the beans. Another reason to own one is that they are beautiful objects, rich in history. Since they come in different styles, you can find one that will go well with whatever decor you have in your kitchen.

What Styles do They Come in?

Some antique coffee grinders mount on the wall, while others are countertop models. They are made from a variety of materials, one of which unpainted wood. These have handles that are made of cast iron and have intricate designs painted on them. There are other collectible coffee grinders, such as the Parker Nation Coffee mill. This mill was created circa 1905, in Connecticut. The beautiful bronze finish at the top sets them apart from other antique coffee mills. Another popular one was made in the 1920s, during the famous Art Deco era. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to any kitchen.

An antique coffee grinder is a great investment, not only for the wonderful coffee it provides but also because it’s attractive and lends a sense of history to your home

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Gourmet Coffee Gifts at http://www.gourmetcoffeeplus.com

How To Enjoy Delicious Quality Gourmet Coffee At Home

30 Apr.
Posted by teahupoo in Coffee | No Comments

Coffee is a favorite beverage around the world. Morning, noon, or night a fresh cup of coffee is satisfying. In recent years we have been introduced to a wide array of coffees include gourmet. Gourmet coffee is considered gourmet because it is freshly ground from the coffee beans. Learning to make a great cup of gourmet coffee at home is deeply satisfying and simple as long as you keep in mind a few simple tips.

For the best flavor you should purchase whole coffee beans from specialty shops only. Although larger grocery stores are starting to carry coffee beans, the specialty shops beans tend to be fresher and therefore have more flavors.

When you grind your coffee beans only grind enough for current needs. This will keep the coffee fresh longer. If you don’t have a grinder and buy the ground coffee, keep it in an airtight container. I t is important to close the bag or container tightly to keep the aroma in the coffee. Keep the coffee in a cool dry place, if you keep it in the refrigerator or freezer keeps it away from foods which produce a strong odor. The flavors may mix making the coffee bitter tasting. Try to use you coffee up in a few days to two weeks since coffee loses flavor quickly.

Water from the tap is fine although some people swear by fresh bottled spring water. No matter which type of water you choose, always use the coldest water possible. Water contains more oxygen the colder it is making the coffee richer and more flavorful. Do not use distilled water as it produces a flat cup of coffee.

Measuring your coffee is more a matter of taste than anything else. Generally it is recommended 1 teaspoon of coffee for every six ounces of water. Don’t trust the measurements on your coffeemaker. Measure out the water to get the best tasting gourmet coffee.

When brewing, the best cup of gourmet coffee is brewed using the manual drip method, a French press pot, or a vacuum pot. Traditional drip pots do an okay job but vary greatly from each other. Some of the best coffeepots are quite expensive but well worth the money. Your coffee should only be kept warm on the burner for twenty minutes, after that it will become bitter. You should brew your coffee no more than five minutes before you plan to drink it, after that transfer the coffee to a thermos or carafe.

Drinking gourmet coffee black will preserve the most flavor. Using creamer in your coffee will produce a richer creamier taste. Skim milk will not change the taste much unless you add a lot, therefore is not recommended. If you would like to add sugar raw sugar will add sweeter flavor than white. For artificial sweeteners Splenda is recommended as other sweeteners will add a bitter taste to your coffee.

Making a gourmet cup of coffee at home is pleasing and easy to do. The flavor and aroma will satisfy you as well as stepping into your favorite specialty shop. Enjoy your gourmet coffee to the fullest by following these tips!

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Delicious Gourmet Gifts at http://www.deliciousgourmetgifts.com

Topping Off A Gourmet Meal With Coffee

22 Apr.
Posted by jimmycox in Coffee | No Comments

Coffee is not only universal, but controversial.

It is a strange fact that other people’s coffee often seems mysteriously to be more delicious than your own. This is possibly an extension of the basic premise that any meal you did not cook will seem excellent.

There are approximately a hundred ways to make coffee - (yes, there are!) - but there is probably only one way that suits you. Our personal preference is a Chemex - but in the past we have loved percolators - and in our extreme youth, we knew how to make delicious boiled coffee with an egg shell!

So the method of making coffee - and the particular blend that suits you - are a very personal matter with which you must cope experimentally. But since a good cup of coffee is distinctively American, this is worthy of your determined experimentation.

Coffee-makers are not exorbitant in price; you can afford to buy several different kinds for personal testing. (The ones you don’t like will be enormously helpful when you give a big party!)

Nearly all packaged coffees are similar in price; try one after another, until you find the blend you prefer.

Special coffees are a different matter. Generally available is an Italian Espresso coffee. French coffee usually contains a great deal of roasted chicory (in order to stretch the coffee which France does not produce in sufficient quantity), and is therefore slightly bitter.

Turkish coffee is a powder, brewed strong and served very sweet in small cups. It can be bought (by mail, if necessary) from Charles & Co., New York City.

Check out some of these coffee recipes to top off your gourmet dinner.

Cafe Au Lait

The true French cafe au lait is a balance of hot milk and strong coffee.

Heat equal parts of milk and heavy cream very gently in a double boiler - one cup each. Pour the hot cream-milk into one pitcher - and fill a second with fresh strong hot coffee.

Serve by pouring simultaneously from both pitchers into a coffee cup.

Mocha Coffee

4 squares bitter cooking chocolate

1 tsp ground cinnamon

4 cups strong hot coffee

Melt the chocolate and cinnamon in the top of a double boiler; gradually stir in the hot coffee, and distribute among four double-sized coffee cups. Serve with sugar and cream.

Cafe Royale

This is a do-it-yourself for guests: provide each with a large cup of strong hot black coffee - plus a bouillon spoon containing a lump of sugar, floated in brandy (as much as you can get in the spoon).

Light each spoonful of brandy; hold until the flames die, plunge into cup, then stir until the sugar dissolves.

Cafe Diable

An extension of Cafe Royale. This requires a chafing dish. In a heated chafing dish, mix.

5 whole cloves

2 thin slices of lemon peel and orange peel

1 stick of cinnamon

6 lumps of sugar

1 1/2 cup of brandy

Set this afire, and add four cups of strong hot coffee. Stir, and serve (with a ladle) in demitasse cups. As with eggs, every country in the world has its own method of serving coffee.

Austrian Coffee

Top each serving of coffee - either iced or hot - with plenty of sweetened whipped cream.

French Coffee

The slightly bitter, chicory-impregnated coffee used for a demitasse - brew it double strength - serve in the tiny demitasse cups, and provide a stick of cinnamon instead of a spoon. Sissies are allowed a lump of sugar - but cream does not go with this coffee.

Since all of these coffees involve similar ingredients, you can easily ask guests which coffee they prefer and make individual coffees for each.

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Finding the Perfect Cup of Coffee

19 Apr.
Posted by johnyboy83 in Coffee | No Comments

Beans are classified into two botanical types Arabica and Robusta. The coffee used in commercial production, which you usually see in instant coffees are Robusta. Arabica, on the other hand, is the older type of coffee that could give you premium-tasting cups.

Roasting

Although the growing factors of each coffee bean provides their distinctive taste, the process in which the beans are roasted will have a greater affect on the overall flavor. Generally, when the beans are roasted lightly, it will taste milder and when roasted darker, gives a richer, stronger and more flavorful taste.

Depending on the type of beans used, some coffees are best when lightly roasted while others taste better when darkly roasted. Professional roasters can identify coffee bean traits and use these them to produce different kinds of coffee flavors. During the roasting process, some manufacturers add chocolate, cinnamon, nuts and other blends to enhance the coffee’s flavor. For this reason, you should look for natural coffee products to avoid chemical coloring or flavoring.

Many people prefer to roast their beans at home to produce the freshest coffee possible. This can be done on your oven, stove or roasting machines. To take advantage of the freshly roasted beans, you should let them sit for at least 24 hours before brewing. Although home roasting usually results in inconsistent tastes, you have the choice of customizing it based on your taste buds.

Understanding Coffee Blends

Blends will affect the overall taste of the coffee because they enhance certain tastes and balance the traits of different beans. The most common coffee blend is mocha-java, which combines the smooth and rich Indonesian Java and the Yemen Mocha to provide a sharp and distinctive taste. The great thing about blends is that your can mix the beans to suit your taste. Most companies who sell beans allow you to mix and match different blends, which they usually record for your next purchase.

Some people have health problems that require they reduce their caffeine intake. If this is your case, you can still drink coffee by choosing decaffeinated types. Most decaf products taste lighter than the original blends; however, if you purchase decaf coffee from an experienced roaster, you will get the same taste as the real thing.

Unfortunately, people with heart disease as well as pregnant women should not be drinking very strong coffee. Consult with your doctor for recommendations on the appropriate types of coffee for your health condition.

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The Popular Espresso Makers

16 Apr.
Posted by Kowalczyk in Coffee | No Comments

Most of us drink coffee in our homes every now and then. A simple and ordinary coffee maker makes our coffee everyday. There are dozens of espresso maker brands and models these days. We should be careful when choosing the espresso maker carefulness, as it will determine every cup of coffee we make everyday. Drinking coffee comes with a certain price, the same way as an espresso maker.

A wise person does not just buy an item out of curiosity and aggressiveness. Buying an espresso maker is not just purely for the coffee. It is also for the sake of making the most out of it.

Each of us has our own preference of coffee. Sometimes, a cup of coffee tastes terrific for a person but it can taste bad for another. But there is still this characteristic charm in a cup of coffee that captures the taste of everybody. A well-known brand that features various coffee blending capabilities can be a perfect coffee making machine for you. If you are not that knowledgeable about best coffee maker brands, you can consult a connoisseur for reliable advice.

Connoisseurs are experts in the coffee industry and they can provide you with the necessary information order to choose the best machine for and even give you tips to achieve that wonderful cup of espresso each morning to enjoy. Even if connoisseurs will agree to the fact that the fineness and quality of the grounded coffee beans defines the taste of the coffee, other aspects in the coffee maker such as water temperature and water pressure also play a vital role in making it.

We can never deny that a terrific cup of coffee makes us realize that life is more wonderful than we thought. An excellent cup of coffee can indeed complete our day. Some models of coffee makers that you can find in the market as the following:
1. The manual espresso maker is basically the most difficult coffee machine around. You have to develop a certain skill in operating this machine in order to achieve the desired coffee taste. The coffee maker was actually among the first espresso machines created and it can really be a source of great tasting coffee despite the fact that it requires more effort.
2. The semi automatic coffee maker model or the pump coffee machine does not require manual operation. It is more convenient to use and gives better results than the manual machine. With its user friendly features makes coffee-making a stress-free activity.
3. Another espresso maker that frees us from doing the task manually is the fully-automatic coffee maker model. When it was launched some years ago, a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and homes immediately use it because it was the most advanced espresso maker at the time. The highlight of this coffee maker is that it automatically cuts of when the exact amount of espresso is achieved.
4. Another one is the super automatic espresso machine. This is considered the greatest coffee maker as of today. It does not require you to extract the espresso from it. With just a press of a button, the perfect cup of espresso comes out ready for you.
With the information, you care now ready to purchase the coffee machine you prefer.

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Why Are You Still Drinking That Boring Old Coffee?

15 Apr.
Posted by nazima in Coffee | No Comments

Are you one of those die-hard traditionalists that thinks that Starbucks is an affront to everything that is good and righteous in this world? Or do you just think that all those fancy options you have for your coffee today are perversions on what is a very fine drink all by itself?

If this sounds like you, don’t be embarrassed. You’re not alone. There are plenty of people that think that no one should have ever “messed with” their perfect morning beverage and many who think that all those fancy flavors of coffee are just a scam meant to take advantage of those who want to appear trendy. But if you can set that aside for just a moment, consider that sometimes something becomes popular for a reason - after all, if the only flavor of ice cream made was vanilla you’d get a little bored pretty soon, wouldn’t you? You appreciate a wide variety of ice cream flavors, and in the same way, if you just give them a try you might appreciate some varieties of coffee flavors.

Maybe part of the problem you have with some of the flavored coffee beverages you’ve tried is that you’ve only experimented with some of the cheaper versions available at the supermarket or some fast food restaurant. To really appreciate the variety of coffee flavors available, you should instead try some high-quality options.

Some reasons for why high-quality varieties make such a difference are not always in the coffee bean itself. Most growers and harvesters get the same exact beans from the same types of crops. Instead, those who develop more high-quality flavors put more time and effort into the proper preparation of their beverage. Roasting technique is very important to the flavor; this is true not just of coffee but of foods like peanut butter. If you’ve ever noticed a difference in taste between two brands of peanut butter, keep in mind that peanuts are peanuts. The difference is probably in how one manufacturer roasted those peanuts, and then in the additional ingredients added after that. Like any type of cooking or baking, preparing flavored coffee is as much art as it is science. The proportion of water used, the time it takes to brew, the machines used to brew it, and the additional ingredients that give it its flavor will also greatly affect how flavored coffee will taste in the end.

If you haven’t yet tried a popular option when it comes to flavored coffee, maybe it’s time to set this aside and invest the few dollars needed to try some high-quality products. Who knows, you may actually change sides and be one of those that can’t live without your mocha frappacino rather than one of those thinking they’re just plain silly!

For a comprehensive guide to coffee visit http://www.BestCoffeeWebsite.com

Organic Coffee Promotes Better Health

09 Apr.
Posted by logiqueglobal in Coffee | No Comments

Throughout the world, coffee is the second most popularly traded item on the globe. Behind oil, it is the most sought after commodity on the open market, but as more people focus on health, organic coffee is quickly gaining for market share.

From the time, in about 800 AD a goat herder in Ethiopia watched his goats literally dance after eating red berries from a coffee bush until Brazil took the honor of having the largest coffee crop in about 1800, coffee was a blend held only for royalty and the elite. No one then cared how the bean was grown, or processed, nor was organic coffee thought to be important.

Today there are rules and regulations regarding all food items that purport to be grown with out chemicals of any kind, and this includes organic coffee. This becomes especially important where the crop is grown in mountainous regions where fertilizers and insecticides would become part of the lower watershed and water supply after rains.

Numerous companies today offer organic coffee, each seeking certification of its designation by following the rules spelled out in The Organic Food Production Act of 1990. This Act specifies procedures for growing organic coffee as well as continued testing of the companies plans to maintain certification.

Growing Fields Must Be Certified Organic

Not only must the growing and handling process be certified as organic, the fields in which a crop of organic coffee is planted must not have had any non-organic ingredients in it or on it for at least three years prior to the harvest. This would ensure that non-organic materials are not part of the growth.

Due to the requirements of the Act, as well as the long certification process, organic coffee is more costly than non-organic, but health conscious coffee drinkers insist the price is worth it as they are not consuming harmful artificial chemicals. Natural fertilizers, such as the outer bean shell and mulching from other trees provide a think top soil of nutrients for the bean plants.

Many coffee trees are grown in the shade to prevent the top soil from being bleached by the sun, keeping the nutrients in the soil to provide an organic coffee bean, which retains its flavor. The roasting process for most organic coffee growers and handlers is done without any artificial ingredients added, as well.

Most organic coffee purveyors insist growing coffee without artificial chemicals instills the natural flavor of the bean and provides a healthier drink to consumers.

Rohit Chopra has written several useful articles on topics like Coffee, Coffee Bean, Coffee House, Coffee Maker, etc. Get more useful information on Coffee at http://www.wine-gift-basket-kit.com

Iced Coffee:Bean Chilled Yet?

08 Apr.
Posted by logiqueglobal in Coffee | No Comments

If you are a human being reading this article then you have tasted and know what iced coffee is. But it is not what you are thinking it is. You are perhaps thinking that after making a hot cup of coffee, bringing the decoction down to room temperature, and then chilling it in the refrigerator constitutes a simple iced. You could not be more wrong! No doubt it is a variant of a hot brewed coffee, but there is a method to make it, a method that is different from the way a hot coffee is brewed.

Making Iced Coffee The Original Way

This coffee actually refers to an old method of making cold coffee. Hot coffees are hot-brewed, but if you want to make coffee the way it was made when it was started, then you have to cold-brew the coffee. Yes, you read that right. You do not need to heat coffee if you want to make an iced coffee. There are cold process coffee systems available in the market that need no technology and no electricity. All you need is a special pot, cold water, and coarsely grounded coffee beans!

Just pour the cold water in the special pot and dump in the coarsely grounded coffee beans. What will happen is that the cold water will extract the coffee flavors but will not extract the bitter compounds and the fatty oils that are present in the beans. This means that the iced coffee, which is made, will have less acid content than what it would have had if it were hot-brewed. Coffee made using this method was originally called iced coffee. This method was invented in 1962 by a chemical engineer, Todd Simpson, and his company is still around today (Its called Toddy Products).

Iced Coffee:Tips And Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks you can use to enhance your experience: (i) Put some of the coffee you have made in the freezer and make ice cubes out of it. Want to experiment further? Maybe you can add a wee bit of sugar syrup and a little chocolate flavoring. Result: Great ice cubes that you can suck on! (ii) If you choose to make this using the hot-brew method, then you must get the coffee into the refrigerator once it reaches room temperature. If you allow it to get colder than that, then it may lose its flavor. (iii) Add whipped cream to your coffee and shake it up nicely in a cocktail shaker. This will make the drink look frothy and attractive and, who knows, your friends and neighbors might regard you as an iced coffee expert!

Rohit Chopra has written several useful articles on topics like Coffee, Coffee Bean, Coffee House, Coffee Maker, etc. Get more useful information on Coffee at http://www.wine-gift-basket-kit.com