Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Coffee Cake as a Dessert


Even though it is always called coffee cake, not all cakes actually contain coffee as an ingredient. Instead, a coffee cake is usually defined simple as a dessert that is most often served with a cup of coffee and enhances its flavor. Take a look at the following recipe for coffee cake that does not contain any actual coffee.

There is an incredibly wide variety of recipes out there, many of which are made with some type of fruit. Coffee cake can be made creamy and designed to eat with coffee or intensely sweet so that it blends well with the bitterness of coffee.

Coffee Cake Ingredients
The coffee cake that will be outlined here requires these ingredients: 2/3 cup of all purpose flower, 1 cup of packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup of butter, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 egg, 1 cup of blueberries, 1/2 cup of milk, 1 cup of white sugar, another 1/2 cup of butter, another 2 cups of all purpose flower, and some confectioner's sugar to be dusted on top.

Coffee Cake: Baking the Mixture
Start the cooking process by spraying cooking spray on a pan. Your oven will need to be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then you can begin mixing the 2/3 cup of flour together in a bowl with your 1 cup of brown sugar and your cinnamon. Next, you will add a 1/2 cup of butter into what you have mixed together until it starts to get crumbly. This can then be set to the side, since you will use this to top your coffee cake.

The 1/2 cup of butter that is left over now gets beaten to a creamy consistency, after which you can add your white sugar to it and continue beating. Once it gets fluffy, add your egg and vanilla. After you have beaten that for a while, continue by whisking together your salt, baking powder, and 2 cups of flour. Next, add the milk slowly. Do not stop beating the entire mixture. It should get creamy. Once that is ready, you can spread half of the mixture onto your pan. The other half will be saved for later. Now you will spread your blueberries over the batter that you placed in the pan with a spoon and cover that with the rest of your batter.

Let it bake until it has turned golden brown. Next, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool. When it comes time to serve it, sprinkle confectioner's sugar on top and enjoy it with a cup of coffee.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

How to Buy Good Quality Coffee?


Oh, there is truly nothing more frustrating than buying coffee that is not as good as it seemed. It can definitely ruin your day to take a sip of a cup of Joe that doesn't live up to its reputation, so you do need to make sure that you heed these purchasing tips when buying your coffee for home use.

First of all, find out the roast date. This is something important for you to understand the freshness of the roast of your coffee since coffee should be consumed 10 to 14 days after roasting. As a rule of thumb, it is not a good idea to purchase coffee from a grocery store because it will be stale. Also, if you are someone that drinks decaf coffee, it is best to purchase from a roaster because decaf coffee can sit on the grocery store shelves for up to six months because it is less often purchased. Shocking! As a rule of thumb, it is best to enjoy your coffee a few days after it has been roasted, and make sure to seal it in an opaque, airtight container for maximum freshness.

The next tip is to grind what you will brew. You also must freshly grind your coffee beans every time that you brew because freshly ground coffee beans will go stale within 30 seconds. This is imperative to protect the essential oils within the coffee beans since they will become damaged when they are oxidized and exposed to air. Once the essential oils are damaged, there goes the flavor of your coffee along with it. As soon as you grind the coffee beans, they will start to lose their natural flavors. There are different grind consistencies necessary for various brew methods. As an example, if you are using an automatic coffee maker, the grind consistency should be medium, like granulated sugar. If you are using a French Press, the coffee grounds need to be very coarse. You will need a very fine ground for espresso or Turkish coffee that is similar to a powder.

Lastly, make sure to store your coffee beans with the right method to have a better taste in your brew. Although rumor has led many people to store their coffee beans in their freezer, do not do it! Coffee beans are porous and delicate, and they will absorb the flavors of what is around them. The coffee can begin to taste bad if you have fish or other foods in your freezer, and freezing coffee will also damage the essential oils to completely ruin the natural flavors of the coffee beans. You must store your coffee beans in a dry and cool location in an airtight and opaque container.

So there you have it! These are the best methods for storing your coffee beans so that you can protect their delicate flavors and constantly enjoy a delicious and rich cup of Joe. Even these subtle changes will make a dramatic difference in the coffee that you buy, and you will notice a much fresher flavor in your cup of Joe!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

The Best Single Serve Coffee Makers

Single serve coffee makers are my favorite. I can make a cup of coffee whenever I need one and they really only take about 2-3 minutes to make. Now, the downfall with your regular based coffee makers is that you're going to find out that you're going to have to wait 20 minutes and half the time, you're going to have to let the pot go to waste.

You will want to just think about this one for a second. Think of the times when you have wasted, say 6 cups? You could have had 6 cups of coffee in the future. We all know that coffee grounds and filters cost a few bucks, so why think of saving?

They are great for dorm rooms, apartments, and even homes. Sure, if you're going to be feeding the whole office, you're going to have to get a commercial based one, but if not, let me give you the upsides, as well as the downsides.

The Upsides...
  • Quick and easy: Most of them are going to make your pot within 5 minutes.
  • Very clean: Many use a permanent filter where you don't even have to worry about replacing them. It's going to ease the waste.
  • Solo cups: Instead of measuring the grounds and doing things such as that, you're going to find that some come with individual pods, making it super easy to measure out.

The Downsides...
  • Not enough cups: If you have a party and people want to drink some coffee, this won't do the trick.
  • Not as many features: Some have all the features that you want, but they are going to cost an arm and leg, but many complain that they want more. This is a personal choice though.

Now, onto the top 5. There are many brands that make individual coffee makers. You're going to find some such as Black and Decker, Cuisinart, as well as a few others make great makers that are going to work for you. Check out a few mentioned below, as they may be what you're looking for.
  1. Keurig B40 (around $120)
  2. Black and Decker DCM18S (around $20)
  3. Keurig B70 (around $170)
  4. Delonghi Drip Maker (around $50)
  5. Brew N' Go by Black and Decker (around $27)

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Tips for Making the Perfect Latte


Making a perfect latte is actually really easy, provided you have some basic equipment and know what you're doing. A latte is made up of two ingredients; milk and espresso coffee. For the milk, ideally you will need a steaming wand, something that shoots steam into a pitcher of milk, creating something that is known as microfoam. You can however still achieve almost the same effect using a microwave or saucepan and stovetop, and a small, very low cost foaming wand.

The espresso is critical, so make sure that if you can only afford one piece of kit, you get a decent espresso maker. They take on all different shapes and sizes, ranging from things like the pod based machines offered by almost all of the major manufacturers, to your more traditional coffee shop style portahandle machines where you literally pull your own shot of espresso.

To begin with, froth your milk. Many people often assume that you start with the shot, but you want to be able to add your shot to your drink as quickly as possible, so don't waste time leaving the shot on the side to get cold or stale. You want to literally pour it, add it to the drink and serve, so start with your milk first. You want to heat the milk up to around 65 degrees C and at some point you will want to do a small bit of frothing.

It's worth pointing out the difference between a cappucino and a latte however. A cappucino is one third steamed milk, one third foamy milk and one third coffee. A latte is about one eighth coffee and about six eighth steamed milk, with maybe one eighth foamy milk to top the latte off. Bear this in mind when you are heating up your milk!

Once you have your milk hot and good to go, you want to pour a shot. The way you do this will vary depending on your machine. It might require grinding some beans, tamping them off in the portahandle and pulling a shot the traditional coffee shop way, or it might just involve putting a pod in the machine and pushing a button. Either way, you need to add your espresso to the mix! The ideal brewing time for an espresso is between 18 and 21 seconds. If you let the drink brew for less than that, if will come out watery, if you let it brew for longer than that, the coffee becomes burnt and overly bitter tasting.

Finally, take a tall latte glass, add your hot milk and pour in your shot. Stir to mix up well, and serve!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Chocolate Covered Gourmet Coffee Beans


Chocolate covered gourmet coffee beans make truly interesting and unique gifts for men whether the man belongs to you or to someone else and the caffeine it contains will kick start the man too.

Unique corporate gifts for men are harder to find than for women, but you can solve that problem, by making up your own unique gift basket that contains the following.

  • Commercial one cup coffee maker, with a special message engraved on it or your company logo or both.
  • A variety of gourmet coffees, the selection available is huge since there are seventy coffee producing countries and the coffee from each country has its own distinct flavor.
  • A personalized coffee mug, the variety is endless and the ready available messages on these mugs are funny, inspiring even romantic or you can have your company logo placed on the mug if you cannot find something that is to your liking.
  • Last but not least add the chocolate covered gourmet coffee beans to your gift basket, the possibilities are endless, you can make your own, which will really make it a very unique gift for him or you can buy some.

Wrap it elaborately with, beautiful gift paper that fits the occasion, cellophane and bows, remember to add a beautiful card. You can make it even more unique by making your own card from handmade paper, there are many sources available online and offline that will show how. This gift basket will be well received as a unique Christmas gift for him, unique gifts for men of all ages, stages and positions and your unique gift basket will even be appreciated as a unique birthday gift.

If this gift is meant as a unique birthday gift for the sunshine of your life, you can make a wonderful dinner for two at home and really go wild and elaborate on the coffee theme of your gift basket or reserve a dinner for two at your favorite restaurant. Restaurant owners are very helpful and go out of their way to help you create an evening that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Restaurant owners have a lot of experience in creating special evenings for special occasions, do not be afraid to ask for some help to ensure that you get more than your monies worth.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Decaffeinated Coffee Beans and Its Advantages


"Coffee is the next best thing after water!" That statement may be a coffee lover's battle cry, but coffee is indeed the most popular beverage next to water. What is it in coffee that has made it an essential part of our daily lives?

Coffee is said to have been discovered in Ethiopia and brought to Arabia by the traders. The Arabs were the first to boil the coffee beans and make it into a drink similar to tea because of its stimulating effect that keeps one awake. This mild stimulant is of course, the caffeine in coffee that gives us that kick when we feel laggard. From Arabia, coffee was introduced in Turkey during the Ottoman Empire and then it reached Italy where the very first coffee house was opened. That would probably explain why the Italians make the best espressos. Today, coffee has become one of the biggest industries worldwide, and Brazil, and the neighboring South American countries are the leading suppliers of the best coffee beans. It was during the early part of the 20th century that decaffeinated coffee was introduced in Europe.

The caffeine content in the coffee is the main component that gives one the jolt, especially at the start of the day, or when one needs to stay up late at night. But coffee is not enjoyed because of its caffeine, but it is the pleasure from the aroma, then to the pleasant intensity of its taste from the first sip down to the last gulp that makes coffee so enticing. But for those who are wary of the caffeine in coffee, decaf coffee beans are the best substitute. As much as 97% of the caffeine is taken out from decaf coffee beans. And although there are several methods of taking the caffeine out from the coffee such as the water-only process, the carbon dioxide process or the solvent process, what matters most is the taste that gives you the most pleasurable feeling. Coffee is not only a sought after beverage, it is also a highly traded commodity next to fuel. That is why it continues to be a highly debated health issue, and there is a barrage of information out there with regard to its fitness value.

Studies have proven that coffee is a good antioxidant that helps protect our cells, especially as we age, from the harmful by-products of our metabolism. Current findings show that coffee may delay the onset or prevent diseases associated with aging such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, dementia, type 2 diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver. However, a good thing will always have its drawbacks. Coffee as a stimulant may cause increased heart rate and blood levels, and too much of coffee can stain the teeth, may contribute to the weakening of bones such as osteoporosis, and can be addictive as well. There is no fast and quick rule on how little or how much coffee we should drink. It will all depend on how much your body can tolerate coffee without compromising your health. Perhaps one can be guided by the dictum, "Too much of a good thing is bad."

But for those who can't have enough of the hot or cold java and is conscious of their wellness or you need to stay awake, but don't want too much of the caffeine, take decaffeinated coffee from decaf coffee beans. There are several choices out there now, and a cup or two can give you the health benefits that coffee has been proven to possess. Decaffeinated coffee will not give you the same jolt that will keep you awake like the ordinary coffee, but the taste and aroma will let out the feel-good sensation that will certainly keep you alive and kicking.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Two Sweet Coffee Recipes

Honey Butter with Hazelnut Latte Recipe

Honey Butter mixing with Hazelnut, are you sure is a good combination? Try this out yourself to find out.

Ingredients
Enough for 1 person (tall glass)
  1. 2 tablespoons of Hazelnut syrup
  2. 1 tablespoon of Honey Butter
  3. 1 shot of organic espresso
  4. 0.75 cup of low fat steamed milk

Equipments Needed
Espresso maker and electronic blender

Steps for preparation
  1. Take an empty blender cup and pour all the ingredients into the cup.
  2. If you like cold latte, you can add in few cubes of ice before you start to blend it.
  3. Blend it for 1 minute until all well mixed.
  4. Bring an empty tall glass and pour your latte into the glass.
  5. You can enjoy your cup of latte now.
 
Classical Honey Butter with Cinnamon Latte Recipe

This latte is for someone who likes Cinnamon mixing with coffee. If you are belong to that group, try this out and you will like it.

Ingredients
Enough for 1 person (just nice for one tall glass)
  1. 1 tablespoon of honey butter
  2. 1 shot of organic espresso
  3. 0.75 cup of low fat steamed milk
  4. 3 to 5 ice cubes
  5. 2 tablespoons of Cinnamon syrup
  6. 1 small tablespoon of Cinnamon powder as garnish

Equipments Needed
Espresso maker and electronic blender

Steps for preparation
  1. You need an empty blender cup to pour all the ingredients except cinnamon powder which we need to use at the later stage.
  2. Start to blend it for 55 seconds until all evenly mixed.
  3. Take an empty tall glass and pour the latte into the cup.
  4. Spread the cinnamon powder on top of the glass as garnish.
  5. You can now serve your latte.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

You Have to Know about the Health Benefits and Risks of Coffee


Are you the type of person who just has to have your morning cup of coffee before you can get started on your day? If so, you've probably thought about the possible health consequences of drinking coffee. It may even cross your mind every time you pour yourself a cup, if you're anything like me.

Coffee tastes great and it provides some definite benefits to those who drink it, including significant boosts in energy. And there are hundreds of millions of people around the world who just wouldn't want to live without it.

Research has shown that drinking reasonable amounts of coffee makes a person feel more aware and focused, leading to increased productivity. If you feel yourself lagging behind at work, you might benefit from drinking a cup of coffee sometime.

It's clear that coffee can give us a mental boost, but unfortunately it's still unclear whether it has a positive effect, a negative effect, or no effect at all on physical health. Coffee drinkers are likely to insist that it's a harmless and innocent beverage, but others say that it can cause a variety of health problems.

Some research has shown that coffee does play a part in raising blood pressure levels when consumed regularly. It also increases heart rate, and these two effects together can frighten many people into avoiding coffee.

However, the same research points out that for such ill effects to be caused by coffee, an individual would have to consume large amounts over a long period of time. A cup a day, or something in that range, likely won't cause any health problems.

It seems that anti-oxidants are coming up more frequently when people discuss the health ramifications of coffee. Some more recent studies have shown that coffee beans contain anti-oxidants. It's not hard to believe that coffee could contain some helpful compounds, as it's made from all-natural coffee beans. We've known for awhile that red wine has similar health benefits.

Whatever your beliefs on coffee, it's still important to consume it in moderation, as with any food or beverage. Even if something hasn't been definitively proven to be unhealthy, it's still easy to overindulge and have too much of one thing. Always be careful with stimulants such as coffee, especially as you grow older.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Arabica Coffee, the Best Commercially-Produced Type of Coffee in the World


Arabica coffee is widely-regarded as the best commercially-produced type of coffee in the world. It is known to be the first type of coffee ever consumed by humankind. Most of the coffee you drink comes from Arabica plants, which are grown all over the world. This plant is most associated with Africa and the Middle East, but is now found in the coffee-growing regions of Latin America, as well. Its beans produce one of the most popular beverages in the world, in all its various incarnations. The plant that produces it, however, can be quite fragile.

The Arabica coffee tree is grown on plantations from regions as far apart as Brazil, Java and Ethiopia. This plant is a tree, which produces a berry that contains, at its center, the coffee bean. In Java, plantations are able to harvest at any time of the year, due to the climate. Latin America has more pronounced seasons, and many of the plants in this region are only harvested once a year. There are other varieties of coffee, as well, such as Robusta. Generally, however, the Arabica plant is considered to produce the superior brew. It has some other advantages, as well.

Arabica coffee, depending upon the roast, can have low levels of caffeine. While many coffee drinkers indulge in the beverage specifically for the caffeine, there are a growing number of people trying to cut back on the amount that they consume. Arabica has lower levels of caffeine than the other types of commercially-produced coffee. Remember that lighter roasts generally have more caffeine in them, as well, and that these beans are available at all levels of roast, making them good choices for those who need their caffeine intake cut down, but not out.

Arabica coffee is one of the most important cash crops in the world. It constitutes a major export of several Latin American and Asian nations. There are also a number of nations which are dramatically increasing their exports of either this coffee or Robusta, and the produce of the farms that grow this plant is popular among investors. The plant is actually native to the nation of Yemen but, since that time, it has moved all over the world. The plant, however, is a lover of mountain climates and most plantations are located in areas where there is a rather rugged landscape.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

How to Clean Up Your Coffee Pot

People who like using natural products to clean cooking and drinking items, have used this simple system for years with great success. It is easier to clean the coffee pot at the same time as cleaning the coffee maker with vinegar. You can, of course, heat the vinegar on the stove top and clean the pot or glass carafe if that is all you need or want to do.

Vinegar is an excellent cleaning solution since it is nontoxic, has no noxious fumes and easily rinses with water. Plus, it is inexpensive and you most likely already have some in your kitchen pantry. Use white vinegar preferably, a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar. White vinegar is fairly colorless which makes it good for removing the dark "coffee ring" that begins to form on the pot after regular use. Apple cider and red wine vinegar do not work as well as white vinegar does for cleaning a coffee pot.

To clean a coffee pot that has a stubborn coffee ring, leave it soaking for 24 hours. Pour enough vinegar to fill the pot so it covers the ring. Use undiluted vinegar this time. Put the lid on it, move it aside where it will not be disturbed. The next day, scrub and rinse it. Repeat the same steps as often as needed until satisfied with the results.

The exact same procedure can be used to clean anything that holds coffee. For example, mugs, carafes, canister, coffee grinders, coffee makers, and anything else that comes in contact with soluble coffee. The same vinegar solution is an excellent cleansing solution for the outside of the pot and other kitchen appliances. It helps remove fingerprints and gives appliances a little extra shine.

If you like to recycle, you can pour the vinegar and water solution into a plastic container with a lid and reuse several times before finally discarding it. No refrigeration required. Discard the solution when it gets dark or soiled after reusing it about two to four times.

Because coffee tastes better with a clean coffee maker and a clean coffee pot, we recommend following these directions:
  • Pour enough vinegar to fill the coffee maker with it instead of water as normally done for coffee brewing. Use a 50/50 water to vinegar mixture.
  • If you prefer to use just vinegar, that works fine as well.
  • Put the coffee pot in the coffee maker just like you do when brewing coffee. Turn the coffee maker "on."
  • Some people recommend using a paper filter, others prefer not to do that. This is a personal choice.
  • Once the pot is filled with the vinegar and water mixture, turn it off and let it cool. Pour the solution back into the coffee maker or back into the pan if doing the coffee pot only.
  • Go through the whole process one more time.
  • Pour out the vinegar mixture and run two pots full of water through the coffee maker to remove the vinegar residue.
  • Pour the coffee pot out again and fill the sink to half full with warm water. Add some dish soap, stir and put the coffee pot in the soapy water.
  • Scrub the pot with a soft kitchen brush or a sponge to remove any rings, marks or debris missed.
  • Rinse with warm water instead of cold water to prevent possibly cracking the glass.
  • Towel dry the pot and run it through the dry cycle in the dishwater. If you prefer not to do this, then simply dry very well with a clean towel.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

The Health Benefits in a Cup of Coffee


Drinking coffee daily is a normal routine for more than 108 million Americans consumers, including the majority of US adults and a growing number of children. Is this habit good for our health or is it harmful?

Coffee has been the subject of research for decades and the results consistently show that coffee is more healthful than harmful. Research takes place daily on coffee, caffeine and health around the world. Hundreds, if not more, of new studies are published every month by scientists and research institutes worldwide.

Coffee has two main ways of improving the health of your body: antioxidants and caffeine. Both of these substances have health and anti aging benefits. Antioxidants help your body repair damage to cells caused by free radicals. These free radicals are produced as a by-product of cells through normal daily activities.

The health benefits of coffee are many and the research supports them. For example:

ASTHMA RELIEF: caffeine can help manage asthma and even control attacks when medication is not available. Did you know that a single dose of pain reliever such as Anacin or Excedrin contains up to 120 milligrams of caffeine? This is the equivalent of a hefty cup of coffee.

CAVITY PROTECTION: caffeine can prevent cavities because of a compound called trigonelline which gives coffee its aroma and bitter taste. Trigonelline has both anti-bacterial and anti-adhesive properties that help prevent dental cavities from forming.

CHOLESTEROL: a paper filter is worth a "pound of cure" or so. There are two substances in coffee, kahweol and cafestol, that raise cholesterol levels. During the brewing process, paper filters capture these substances. Paper filters, in this case, help in the prevention of harmful cholesterol levels. Coffee drinkers who drink non-filtered coffees such as "lattes," which do not use paper filters, may want to reconsider their choice and frequency of beverage for their own health benefit.

CIRRHOSIS: coffee drinkers have up to 80% reduced risk to suffer from cirrhosis than non coffee drinkers. People who smoke and are heavy drinkers have less liver damage as compared to those who do not. The reduced risk of alcohol cirrhosis may be associated with the phenolics and related substances in coffee.

DEMENTIA: drinking coffee during middle age may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and the risk of dementia in the elderly. Coffee drinkers at midlife have a lower risk for dementia or Alzheimer's later in life than people who drank little or no coffee at midlife. Moderate coffee drinkers had up to a 65% decrease risk of contracting these conditions as compared with low coffee drinkers.

GALLSTONES: certain compounds in coffee may help prevent liquid stored in the gallbladder ("bile") from crystallizing or hardening. This is what causes gallstones and obstructs the bile duct, a narrow tube which leads from the gallbladder to the intestine. Gallstones are painful and patients can experience fever and jaundice. Coffee drinkers have almost a 50% reduced risk of suffering from gallstone disease as compared to non coffee drinkers.

HEART DISEASE: People who smoke and are heavy coffee drinkers have less heart disease as compared to those who do not. Drinking coffee as part of a healthy and balanced diet is not associated with the development of cardiovascular problems, including atherosclerotic disease, myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmias and hypertension.

MENTAL ALERTNESS: caffeine enhances concentration, reduces fatigue and heightens alertness. The reason lies in caffeine's effect on brain receptors, enabling a better energy uptake.

MALE FERTILITY: caffeine in coffee appears to increase sperm "motility." Motility is the speed at which sperm moves. Since sperm hyperactivity is critical to fertilization, heightened motility increases the odds of pregnancy.

PARKINSON'S DISEASE: antioxidants and caffeine have health and anti-aging benefits. Antioxidants repair the damage to cells caused by free radicals. People who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson's disease. Caffeine's adenosine-blocking power may be one mechanism through which the brain cells in Parkinson's disease are protected. Based on this and other evidence, Parkinson's drugs are being developed that contain a derivative of caffeine. However, it seems that coffee protects men better than women against Parkinson's disease. This is because estrogen and caffeine need the same enzymes to be metabolized and estrogen captures those enzymes.

TYPE 2 DIABETES: drinking one to three cups of coffee daily can reduce diabetes risk by single digits. Drinking six cups or more each day can reduce men's risk up to 60% and women's' up to 30% as compared to non coffee drinkers. Coffee has large amounts of antioxidants such as Chlorogenic acid and tocopherols. Coffee also has minerals such as magnesium. All these components improve insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism and lower blood sugar.

The good news about coffee and health keeps getting better. Coffee and caffeine are recognized for their positive health benefits and potential functional food attributes. Obviously, check with your own physician regarding any medical conditions, treatments, diagnostics, pregnancy or special dietary plans for you.

Go ahead and drink coffee. In the process, you will derive some health benefits. Enjoy a cup of Panama Boquete specialty coffee!

Try Bananas Foster Float Coffee


In fact, it originated from the New Orleans dessert, and it is a combination base of the following:
  1. Cinnamon
  2. Bananas
  3. Brown Sugar
  4. Brandy

When I first drank this coffee, the triple-treat pleasure combination create an extraordinary delicious sensational taste, which I quickly share with all my friends.

So, you might wonder what are the characteristics of Bananas Foster Float Coffee. This is it.

The pleasing aroma with exceptional and interesting flavor, it has the smooth taste and a pleasant roasts which attracts our mouth feel and body.

People who tried this coffee indicated that they never get enough of it. It is something like having a dessert at anytime throughout the day. The flavor it offers is so exceptional that makes coffee lovers a memorable experience. If you love bananas, this coffee would be best suitable for you!

You can drink this coffee at anytime you like and it can compensate as a dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth. It is also a great gift that you could give to your friends who love to drink coffee as well.

If you love to drink coffee, this is one of the flavors that you should try and you could experience just like having dessert in a mug. In addition, it is a highly rated coffee flavor by its customers including myself who had experience it.

Besides the taste, Bananas Foster Float coffee also offers a very cheap price in the market today. It is one of the best coffee flavors that you definitely worth for you to try!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Brewing a Perfect Cup of Coffee


A great cup of coffee is awesome. It not only smells great, but it tastes great and you can enjoy sipping it for a long time. Many enjoy the slight stimulant effect of the caffeine, and modern day caffeine free varieties are pretty tasty as well if you prefer. You can add milk, cream, or sugar as you prefer, and have it made strong such as espresso or a weaker variety if you prefer.

I like single cup brewers myself so that each cup is made to order and perfectly fresh. It's very hard to beat a small French press but there are other good types too and partially it comes down to preference. I've used several and the French press is perfect for me. Make sure it is clean before starting.

You'll also need water. The tap water may be fine or it may not be. I find most tap water is acceptable but in some areas it may be off tasting. For example the water in my office is very mineral laden and tastes bad so I use jugs of inexpensive water from the market or bring jugs from home. Bad tasting water will make bad tasting coffee and it is primarily water after all!

The beans are also important. Tastes vary a lot here, but you want freshly roasted and ground beans. There is no way instant or coffee in a can will match fresh, any more than frozen fish sticks can match the taste of stunningly fresh fish. I'm always trying new beans as I enjoy variety too.

What type of mug do you prefer? I like a ceramic mug, maybe 16 ounces or so, and I fill it with very hot water first so that my coffee stays hot a long time. I'll also occasionally use a metal travel mug in the car.

So, you've made a great cup, how to enjoy it best? Some may prefer to just sit and think, but I usually kill off a few emails as I'm drinking. I prefer to wait after the kids and wife are gone so I can enjoy it in relative peace and solitude as compared to the mayhem of getting three kids fed, three lunches made, and them off to the school bus in time. You however may prefer drinking it during mayhem and upheaval. Like many details, what is perfect for you is up to your own individual tastes and desires, and that's great!

Making Delicious Coffee with French Press Coffee Maker


The history of the French press coffee maker may give you an idea of the reasons for its growing popularity. The French press pot has a history of brewing the richest coffee most people have ever enjoyed.

Starting in the mid 1800's balance brewers and vacuum pots were introduced. Although plunger or press brewing systems existed, the ability to make a tight enough plunger/filter was not there. Consequently the coffee was brewed accompanied by grounds in the cup. It wasn't until the 1900's that the press pot started to increase in popularity and show up in stores. Later in the 1900's stainless steel pot and filter were introduced.

The best press pot coffee is made with freshly ground coffee. Your choice of coffee grinder can make the difference between a superb cup of coffee and a so-so cup of coffee. With the coffee press pot, you want large chunks of coffee as opposed to the fine grind of espresso. The proper grinder will give you an even grind and will make the coffee the same size, consequently each morsel will react in the same way to the water and the process.

If the coffee is too finely ground, the press is much more difficult to operate. Most coffee reviewers will recommend a cone type grinder to achieve the even course ground coffee you will enjoy in your French press pot. Other types of grinders will produce uneven grounds and ultimately cause grounds to be the last swallow of that cup. That is not what you are trying to achieve. Sludge free coffee is much more enjoyable. If you don't mind a little sludge in the bottom of your cup, you can purchase a less expensive grinder. Don't buy cheap, buy quality.

Another consideration is the filter that you use. There are nylon filters and metal filters. The metal filters will require a course grind of your coffee, similar to coarse pepper from a pepper mill. The nylon filters can better handle an uneven grind or one that is actually too fine for the best taste from the French press coffee maker.

While shopping, consider the coffee you purchase and the water you use. The coffee you use should not be freshly roasted. Because of the carbon dioxide present in early roasted coffee beans, the amount of foam will be larger and therefore go over your filter causing a bit of sludge in your cup of coffee. The larger your pot, the more foam will be produced and consequently the more grounds you will have in your finished product. Not good.

If the water coming out of your faucet tastes terrible to you, so will your coffee. Areas of the country with strong sulfur taste or other undesirable tastes will want to use bottled water to achieve the best tasting coffee that has ever traveled over their lips and taste buds. You would not invest in a French press coffee maker and fine coffee beans and ultimately skimp on the quality of water that you use to brew the pot.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Coffee Making Process

For most people getting their daily fix of coffee means going to the local coffee shop and buying a latte right? In most coffee shops they use commercial espresso machines to prepare your coffee but there are a number of other ways to make coffee. One of the most common ways you would know about is Drip fed coffee. The process of making coffee like this is really easy. Its a very simple and cheap process as you can by the machines from any decent electrical or home-ware store. Ground coffee sits in a chamber in the machine and then hot water is slow fed through the grinds drip feeding you brewed coffee into a handy little jug ready for you to serve.

Another very common and simple way of making coffee is to use a French Press or the plunger pot. This simple little device comes a simple jug which is filled with water and ground coffee (together). As the water boils it brews the coffee, then you press the plunger down a filter separates the grinds from the water leaving you fresh brewed coffee. Okay, so they're the common ones. Now lets move onto a less common method that maybe you don't know about.

One very different way is to use a vacuum pot. This is a pot with two chambers, a lower chamber and an upper one with a filter in between. Water goes in the bottom chamber ready to be heated and coffee grounds go in the top chamber. It is then placed on heat (hob or stove etc), and as the water heats up and as it does it is forced up through the filter and mixes with the coffee grinds. When you take the vacuum pot from the heat the lower chamber starts to cool it then allows all the brewed coffee to come back down through the filter into the bottom chamber. This keeps the coffee grinds in the top chamber and leaves you with coffee in the bottom chamber!

What You Want to Know about Organic Kona Coffee Farming

On the Big Island of Hawaii, one of the finest coffees in the world is produced. This coffee, named Kona coffee, is meticulously cultivated by approximately 800 farms. The majority of the farms are 3 to 10 acres. The size of these farms certainly would not be considered Kona coffee plantations, but small dedicated farmers, artisans in the production of this gourmet coffee. Many Kona Coffee farmers have opted to grow their coffee organically to preserve the pristine condition of this beautiful Island.

Fertilization, is a simple necessity, yet critical to the grower and equally important to the consumer. First and foremost, the organic methods and practices of these farmers promote natural processes and maintain a balance between coffee production and the environment. The benefit to the grower is sustainability, cost reduction and the knowledge that no artificial contaminants are on their farm. The value to the consumer is the fact that Kona Organic coffee is free from; GMOs, pesticide and herbicide residuals and petroleum based fertilizer impurities.

While the technique of organic farming is an age old practice arising out of need, the modern philosophy has touted higher production and profit, through chemicals and bio-engineering.

Which brings to the subject at hand, organic fertilization programs, practiced by Kona coffee farmers. Several methodologies and systems are employed to meet the nutritional requirements of the Coffae Arabica trees of Hawaii. The first weapon in the Kona farmers arsenal is composting, the collection of pulped coffee cherries, vegetation from pruning, weeding and chipping, amassed in a pile and through nurturing and cultivation of microbes, breaks the material down to it's chemical constituents. These mounds of future fertilizer are moved daily and kept moist. When the majority of the plant material has decomposed it is either worked into the soil or placed around the coffee trees to conserve moisture. The compost is rich in nutrients and together with the soil boosts plant health.

A more recent innovation has been the making of organic Teas, this is an approach practiced in one form or another, by our fore fathers for centuries. The process entails the utilization of farm animal manure, enclosed in a burlap bag and suspended in water. The micro-organisms present in the environment break down the fundamental components of the necessary nutrients required by the trees. Our farm applies further enhancements to this basic formula. We aerate the brew continually and add additional ingredients to enhance both nutritional levels and beneficial micro flora reproduction. We add organic alfalfa feed, this assures an enhanced nitrogen concentration so critical to the coffee cherry production. We also add a few cups of molasses for the addition of its available mineral density. And finally we use kelp for its trace minerals. This mixture is allowed to steep for a month or two, and applied before the first flowering and throughout the year.

These methods assure the consumers a pure cup of coffee that is unblemished by man-made chemicals and equally delicious Kona Coffee.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

You Have to Try French Vanilla K-Cups

French vanilla K-Cups are just one of many flavored K-Cup options now available for Keurig single serve drink machines. There are many companies that make their own line of K-Cups so it best to sample a few to find the one you like best.

Since people love to drink coffee, many coffee shops and being put up. In these shops you could order any types of coffee, it may be pure black or a flavored coffee.

In the past people still need to go to coffee shops for them to drink cappuccino, espresso, French vanilla etc. But today you can find what are called K-Cups. These cups contained the right amount of mixture and measurements of the coffee ingredients may it be hazelnut, French vanilla, chocolate or even tea.

A French vanilla K-Cup is one of the flavored coffees that people adored and here are some advices and tips for you when you buy it online.
  • First you have to decide on a budget if you have one.
  • The next thing is you have to decide what brand you want it could be Timothy's, Gloria Jean's, Keurig etc.
  • Reading reviews, comments, and feedbacks are also useful for they could also help you in deciding what brand to buy.
  • When you have already decided you could now search the net, but be careful of fake websites so you won't be a victim.
  • Make sure that the website you chose is a reliable and trusted website.

Vanilla is one of the most popular flavor it is said that French vanilla are used for enhancing food and beverages, and coffee is most likely included.

The aroma and its taste combine with the coffee is the flavor most French vanilla coffee aficionados is been after. But you the vanilla must not over power the taste of coffee, now these flavor coffee can be found in k-cups and can be enjoyed in your home.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Bunn Coffee Grinders and Their Features

In order to get the best coffee flavor, the beans should be ground well making sure that you do not loose all the necessary elements and flavors in the coffee bean. There is no better way to accomplish this than using a Bunn coffee grinder. This grinder is not like the others that cut the beans into small rounded balls because it works by shaving the beans into shapes and sizes that allow for the complete extraction of the coffee's flavor.

The Bunn coffee grinder is very powerful and it does not generate a lot of heat when grinding coffee beans. This feature limits the occurrence of overheated coffee beans and in this way, loss of flavor will not take place. They carry the advantage of working fast enough for the Bunn grinder is capable of grinding a pound of coffee within half a minute.

Commercial coffee brewers can also use Bunn grinders. There are many designs to choose from that work efficiently. The multi-hopper grinder is an example and it grinds decaffeinate or regular coffee beans. A hopper is a feature that allows the user to store coffee beans when they are not inside the grinder and can hold coffee beans that weigh six pounds. The hopper is easy to remove and clean. The portion control grinder, which carries the advantage of being able to grind any specific texture of coffee grind without having to change the burrs is the other type of commercial grinder available.

All Bunn coffee grinders offer reliability and therefore coffee storeowners do not have to worry much about the working of these machines. They have the advantage of producing coffee full of aroma and flavor. It is also easy to clean bulk coffee grinders after using them because they have rotor designs that are patented. They also have a lever that one flips once to clear out the coffee remains and a safety switch that stops grinding if the beans are not in place. Therefore, it is good to consider getting it for use at your home or for commercial use for you will always enjoy the best-flavored coffee.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Explanation about Coffee Certificatio

What is all the talk about Organic, Fairtrade Certified and other Coffee Certifications? There is much talk about coffee certifications in the news and other consumer communications.What does it all really mean?

The Certifications or Verifications are mission statements for specific markets and countries that influence the coffee farming communities and cultures. Some of these Certifications or Verifications date back to 19th century practices while others started in 2003. To understand these certifications, let us review each of them:

1. Organic
  • The mission of Organic Coffee production is to create a verified sustainable agriculture system that produces food in harmony with nature, supports biodiversity and enhances soil health.
  • "Organic" certification traces back to 19th century practices formulated in England, India and the US.
  • Since 1967 it has developed into an internationally recognized system with organic coffee production throughout the world.
  • This certification has more than 40 nations supplying the global market with organic coffee, more than any other certification.

2. Fairtrade Certified
  • The mission of Fairtrade Certified is to support a better life for farming families in the developing world through fair prices, direct trade, community development and environmental stewardship.
  • Fairtrade Certified began as Max Havelaar in the Netherlands in the 1970's.
  • Now the German-based Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) collaborates with more than twenty national branches throughout the world. In addition, the coffee is also certified organic.Prices vary by coffee type.
  • This certification has participation from countries such as Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Papua, New Guinea, Peru, Rwanda, Tanzania, Thailand, and Uganda.

3. Rainforest Alliance
  • The mission of Rainforest Alliance is to integrate biodiversity conservation, community development, workers' rights and productive agricultural practices.
  • The objective is to ensure comprehensive sustainable farm management.
  • Rainforest Alliance was started in 1992 by Rainforest Alliance and a coalition of Latin American groups and networks.
  • Farmers earn more through gains in efficiency, improved quality and controlling costs.
  • This certification has representation from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Tanzania and Vietnam.

4. Smithsonian's Bird Friendly Label
  • The mission of Smithsonian's Bird Friendly labeled certified coffee is to conduct research and education around issues of neotropical migratory bird populations.
  • This means promoting certified shade grown coffee as a viable supplemental habitat for birds and other organisms.
  • This certification was founded in 1997 with criteria based on scientific fieldwork.
  • It involves multiple organic certification agencies for certification management purposes.
  • This certification has representation from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Tanzania, and Vietnam.

5. UTZ Certified "Good Inside"
  • The mission of UTZ Certified "Good Inside" is to achieve sustainable agricultural supply chains where producers are professionals implementing good practices in order to enable better businesses, living standards and environments.
  • The idea is for consumers to buy products meeting their standard for social and environmental responsibility.
  • This certification was started in 1997 from industry and producers in Guatemala.
  • This certification has representation from countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Bolivia, Birundi, Brazil, Peru, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.

6. 4C Code of Conduct
  • The mission of 4C Common Code is to achieve global leadership by emphasizing the economic, social and environmental factors in coffee growing.
  • This leads to enhanced production, processing and trading conditions for coffee sector members. It was started in 2003.
  • This certification has representation from countries such as Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Nicaragua, Papua, New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zambia.

The coffee trade is an important sector of the economy worldwide. All these certifications and the focus on quality across all markets are very beneficial to coffee growers, producers and consumers alike. Bottom line, all the efforts lead to providing the best possible coffee for that enjoyable and unforgettable cup of coffee in the morning or afternoon! So, are you now ready to enjoy a cup of specialty coffee?

How to Roast Gourmet Coffee Beans


The coffee roaster performs the most critical step in creating gourmet coffee. A master roaster is a skilled craftsperson with the experience to bring out the best qualities of the coffee beans during the roasting process.
The roasting process is extremely important to coffee.

The word gourmet applies to a food or drink judged to be excellent. Usually this is based on experts' professional knowledge, expertise in trade practices, understanding of product preparation and opinion.
  • The term gourmet coffee applies to select specialty coffee beans that are roasted to perfection.
  • A master roaster knows from experience acquired over the years how to roast to the correct degree in order to bring out the beans' characteristics. The result is a taste that is unique and extremely enjoyable.
  • Gourmet coffee is always prepared with select specialty coffee beans roasted fresh when ordered. It is ground to the correct fineness or coarseness for the brewing method used.
  • These freshly roasted coffee beans are immediately packed (unless they are ordered flavored) and shipped to the customer to brew and enjoy. Brewing should start with fresh cold water heated to the correct temperature.
  • It is true that coffee beans can be purchased by the pound in person, by mail, by phone, from a catalog or online.
  • However, coffee bought from stores, grocery store whole bean hoppers or even popular shops with prepackaged brands on the shelf ready for sale does not compare to coffee freshly ground from a roaster.
  • Gourmet coffee is more expensive than the standard supermarket or other readily available brands, but there is simply no comparison in the quality and taste of the coffee.
  • The old adage "you get what you pay for" is very true. Spending the extra money is well worth the lasting gratification from taste and aroma.
  • To make your own gourmet coffee at home, always start with the beans. Buy from a source that will roast and ship fresh coffee on demand. Your palate will become sensitized to excellence in flavor in a similar way as wine connoisseurs are to great grapes.
  • There are always many coffee varieties from which to choose depending on Geographical Indications that identify the source and serve as pseudo-trademarks. For example, some of the most admired bean varieties include Kona, Jamaican Blue Mountain, and Sumatra types.

When you purchase coffee ask about the recommended methods for grinding, brewing and storing your coffee so you have the best gourmet coffee experience with each sip. In the end, gourmet coffee is defined by the quality of the specialty coffee beans, whether green bean, roasted bean or prepared beverage.

Coffee adds to the quality of life of those who are involved in its cultivation, harvesting and marketing. For the consumers who drink it, gourmet coffee delivers lasting satisfaction and enjoyment.

In today's fast paced life, sipping a cup of gourmet coffee and listening to a favorite musical melody can be the highlight of the day!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Ganoderma Lucidum Coffee for Your Health


We all love to relax our senses by having a cup of coffee after a long tiring day! I can assure you one thing that there is nothing as good as that. However, we all are aware of the fact that consuming more and more coffee is not at all good for health. It contains some materials that can harm our body if consumed in larger quantities. Further in this article we are going to talk about a healthy alternative for coffee, i.e. Ganoderma Lucidum Coffee. So, you must read this article carefully.

Before delving further in to the topic, let us first talk about Ganoderma herb. Well, it is often regarded as magic herb. The coffee crafted by using this herb is known to cure several types of diseases and disorders, and people even apply it for the purpose of longevity. With chosen and good quality of Ganoderma herb broken up as unprocessed material, Ganoderma Coffee is created by contemporary scientific procedure in a disinfected way that ensures each set meets towering principles of excellence and wholesomeness.

I would like to bring this to your knowledge that quite a lot of ailments are caused by the disparity in our body tasks due to the accretion of various pollutants in our body. The Ganoderma herb assists our body in removing the upsurge of toxins and permits the body's normal impervious system to reinforce itself. Thus, we see that consuming this coffee can certainly help us. You can easily purchase this coffee by shopping online. You just need to carry out some extensive research on the net and place your order.

However, you need to keep in mind that this herbal coffee comes for a hefty price. So, you need to plan your budget well. It is pretty important to note that a perfect coffee would be surely the one that is strongly pH neutral and maintains equilibrium with other vital elements. For this purpose, Ganoderma Lucidum Coffee was evolved. It is certainly the best answer to the usual coffee which is quite harmful for our body.

Besides, all this Ganoderma also alters our immune system to avert viral disorders and to avert and battle cancer, defends our liver, brings down the effects of aging, and is an excellent therapy for high blood pressure. So, these are some of the most important things to note regarding Ganoderma Lucidum Coffee. You must consider consuming this coffee in place of the usual one. It could help you remain in good health. Don't forget to read this article once if you want to know about the various benefits of this healthy coffee.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Decaffeinated Colombian Supremo Coffee


Are you one of those people who simply love the smell of fresh coffee every morning and cannot wait to savor the taste? But the bad news is that your doctor told you to cut back on your coffee? Fear not dear coffee lover! You can enjoy the flavored decaf coffee goodness of Colombian Supremo coffee. If you have not yet seen, read or heard about the goodness of Columbian Supremo coffee, then you must certainly be living under a rock!

Top coffee producers have come to realize that they have to start producing decaffeinated versions of gourmet coffee in order to keep up with the growing population of health conscious people. Yes, the taste of decaffeinated coffee can be a little different when compared with regular roast coffee, but the Colombian Supremo flavored decaf is known to have a very wonderful taste.

The two methods of decaffeinating coffee are:
  1. The first process involves using a solvent in order to absorb the caffeine from the coffee beans and then the coffee is thoroughly washed in order to remove the solvent.
  2. The second method involves using a process known as the "the Swiss Water method". Chemicals are not used in this process, which is pretty important for a lot of people. The coffee beans are treated with steam and hot water in order to remove the caffeine; although, this process will cause the beans to lose a couple of their necessary oils - this is where their true flavor lies.

In order for the coffee beans to retain some flavor during the process of decaffeination, the best coffee beans are used. This will mean that the consumer will have to pay a wee bit more for gourmet coffee beans, but with Colombian Supremo flavored decaf coffee, consumers will never be disappointed.

As soon as they have been stripped of caffeine, the gourmet coffee producing companies go on to create superb flavors that a lot of coffee aficionados have truly come to enjoy and love so much. You also need to understand that not all coffee bean or variety is available in decaffeinated version. For instance, if you are interested in rich Ethiopian or Jamaican decaf coffee, you will be really disappointed, because the richness of these two varieties of coffees are in the caffeine.

What are The Types of Flavors Available for Flavored Decaf Coffee?
Gourmet coffee come in a variety of flavors, it depends on the preference of the drinker. Examples of flavored decaffeinated coffee are:
  • Chocolate raspberry
  • Vanilla
  • Orange
  • Cinnamon hazelnut
  • Pumpkin spice
  • Vanilla almond
  • Plain old chocolate
  • Chocolate almond
  • Chocolate marshmallow
  • Chocolate mint
  • Chocolate Irish cream
  • Chocolate cherry
  • Cherry bomb
  • Butter scotch cream
  • Almond
  • Amaretto
  • Cherry cobbler
  • Butter cream

Colombian Supremo is known to have the best solid base, which is necessary to produce high-quality full bodied coffee. Flavored decaf coffee produced with this beans are truly every coffee lover's delight.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

How to Prepare Irish Coffee


Irish coffee is unlike any other coffee in the world because unlike Brazilian or Arabian coffee, it is not a type of coffee bean, but rather, a cocktail drink!

Irish coffee is basically composed of hot coffee, cream and Irish whiskey. The concoction was first introduced in 1943 by a chef from Shannon Airport in Ireland named Joe Sheridan. Sheridan thought that putting whiskey in hot coffee would warm up a group of American passengers getting off the airport on a really bad winter day. One of the Americans asked what kind of coffee was being served and Sheridan replied, "Irish coffee." From then on, Sheridan's invention became a mainstay on the airport's menu, and everything, as they say, is history.

Irish coffee is not hard to prepare, but there is a part that's really tricky. To prepare Irish coffee, follow the steps below:
  1. Pour black coffee onto a mug. Irish pubs usually use large cocktail glasses for presentation purposes. The cocktail glass gives added appeal as it highlights the delineation of the cream from the coffee.
  2. Pour sugar on the coffee until it dissolves. The sugar is essential because it is the agent that would make the cream float.
  3. Pour a measure of whiskey and mix.
  4. Carefully add the cream on top. One other thing to remember, though, is that once the cream has been added, there should be no more stirring.
  5. A bit of art could be drawn on top of the cream like, let's say, the Irish flag or a shamrock to give it a really Irish feel.

Friday, April 2, 2010

K-Cups Coffee are the Easiest and Fastest Way to Enjoy a Good Cup of Coffee

K-cups coffee are the easiest and fastest way to enjoy a good cup of coffee. All you have to do is pop in the pod and start the machine. Then you'll have your cup in less than 3 minutes. No mess, no fuss.

There are millions of people who drink coffee all over the world everyday. But how many people worldwide can tell the flavor of different various types of coffee beans? Maybe there are few.

There are coffee beans that are sweet and highly flavored but this kind of coffee grows in very rich subtropical climates with rich soil. To keep the freshness of coffee after being roasted; coffee beans should be packed immediately. This will preserve them special conditions in order for the aroma to stay.

K-cups coffee change the lives of coffee drinkers worldwide. People of today are being smart in saving a few bucks everyday by going to café shop just to have a cup of coffee. There are lots of grocery stores now selling different kinds of coffee k-cups with different brands, name brands and generic.

K-cups coffeeare ground coffee that is packed tightly inside a small plastic cup along a filter. The foil lid is in the top to seal the freshness of the coffee. When this plastic cup is place into the brewer, foil seal is punctured and hot pressured water forced through the cups wherein in this systems, you can brew a cup of coffee, hot cocoa, or tea of your favorite.

If ever you own a K-cup coffee maker then all you have to do is buy K-cups of your choice either tea, hot chocolate or coffee in the grocery store or coffee store. Making the process of coffee or tea is almost effortless.

Here are some K-cups brands of your choice:
  • Van Houtte
  • Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
  • Tully's
  • Timothy's
  • Diedrich
  • Gloria Jean's
  • Celestial Seasonings
  • Bigelow Tea Company
  • Twinings
  • Coffee People
  • Newman's Own K-cups

Mostly stores are charging high prices for K-cups. People are paying high prices for the benefits and convenience of K-cups. You can only save when you buy cheaper prices and you may ask where you can find cheaper prices for your coffee K-cups, through online shopping.

The best way where you can buy cheaper coffee k-cups is online shopping. Shopping through the internet is very convenient. And aside from that, you can explore many site that selling them either branded or unbranded.

Shopping online is where you can get cheaper price. You can compare the prices easily and learn where you can buy coffee k-cups online. They will deliver them directly to your home.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Enjoy the Sumatra Madheling Decaffeinated Coffee


The Sumatra Madheling coffee is named after an Indonesian ethnic group and this coffee also happens to be one of the favorites of many coffee lovers across the globe. Gotten from the west coast area of the Sumatra's high altitudes, this coffee bean is slightly acidic in comparison with other coffee varieties. Thankfully, the decaffeinated coffee lovers can also enjoy the goodness of Sumatra Madheling decaf flavored coffee beans. The decaffeinated version of this coffee is known to have the following:
  • Rich heavy body
  • Come in different exotic flavors
  • Has low acidity
  • Earthy richness
  • Has a pretty strong syrupy after taste

It is certainly no secret that a lot of producing companies are realizing that they need to produce the decaffeinated coffee version of gourmet coffees so as to keep up with the ever increasing decaf coffee drinking population. A lot of people are now switching to decaf coffee in order to live healthier lives. The taste of flavored beans is also very satisfying. Coffee does not have to pack a knock out punch in order to be totally satisfying. Sumatra Madheling decaf coffee version is known to have a senses awakening taste.

How Is The Coffee Decaffeinating Process Achieved?
The first process of decaffeinating process typically involves making us of a solvent that is used to absorb the caffeine from the beans; after this done, the coffee beans is then thoroughly washed so as to remove the solvent.

The second method of achieving decaffeinated involves using a popular method which is known as the "the Swiss Water process". With this method, chemicals are not used at all - which is pretty much a big deal for a whole lot of people because they are seriously avoiding chemically treated food substance. This process involves treating the coffee beans with steam and hot water so as to successfully remove the caffeine. Although the Swiss Water process will make the coffee beans to end up losing its necessary oils - this is of course is where the flavor of the coffee lies.

In order to ensure that the beans retain some of its flavor during the process of decaffeinating the beans, producers always use the best coffee beans. Well, this is the part that a lot of decaffeinated coffee lovers will not to like to hear because they will have to pay more for their coffee than regular coffee drinkers; please know that Sumatra Madheling decaf coffee is worth every cent of your hard earned money - you will not be disappointed.

When the beans no longer have its caffeine potency, the gourmet coffee producers start creating mind teasing flavors that a lot of coffee lovers enjoy and have truly come to love - there are lots of flavors that you can choose from.

You also need to know that there are some coffee varieties that are not available in decaf, because making these coffees available in decaf will lead to the loss of the coffee's essence.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Control Your Stress at Work with Coffee

Work can give a lot of stress to people. In the offices, deadlines can be very stressful that you have to work overtime just to finish a certain task. You have to rush on accomplishing something especially when the pressures from your boss and co-employees are present. Shifting schedules which includes night shifts like that of nurses and customer service employees can be very tiring too. You need to adjust your time and cycle of sleep and rest with that of your working schedule. These are just examples of the different stressful situations that an employee can experience at a working area.

However, in order to manage stress, you need to come up with something so that you will still have grace even under pressure. You need to acquire a lot of energy even if you have to work late hours in the office. If you could only grab the most powerful stun gun and temporarily shock yourself so that you will be back to work when you get tired and sleepy then you would really do it. But you don't have to over react and make measures like this anymore because one of the favorite beverages that people would run too especially when under stress is the coffee. It provides a lot of benefits that anywhere we go in offices, we would generally see someone bringing with them their cups of coffee.

First of all, it can provide you with increased alertness. Due to its content of caffeine, it has a certain effect in your system which increases your attention on things. You become alert and effective at work even if you have to work overtime. Attention to details is very important while working because as you become exhausted you tend to leave out very important details which can affect your work.

In addition, coffee can boost your energy. Since you become alert, you also have the tendency to recharge your body and mind. Your whole body is ready for additional tasks that you need to finish. With just a coffee in hand you are good to go even if you have to wake up and work early in the morning.

Moreover, coffee is a good partner as you pause for a while and have a break. The aroma itself is very relaxing and it calms your tensed nerves with pressures on deadlines. It also gives you a time to think while taking sips from your own cup. With an alert mind, new ideas can rush in to your thoughts and you can continue on with what you are doing. After the work is done, you can assure yourself that you can drive safely as you go home as long as you drank enough coffee to keep you from accidental sleeping while driving.

Coffee can be a very beneficial beverage and as proven in some studies is good for the health too especially when taken in moderate amounts. At work, it can be your best all to relieve you from any stress. You don't have to hurt yourself by pinching your skin just to wake up or over imagine by using a shock gun just to be alert. All you need is a cup of coffee and you will be more than ready in doing what you need to finish.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Two Coffee Recipes with Mango

Do you ever think of using Mango to mix with coffee? If your answer is yes and you are up for a try, then you should not stop reading. This article is especially for those who likes coffee as well as mango which will bring you to another level of mixture or coffee. Sincerely, you rarely can found this where coffee mixed with Mango and a lot of us know like this too.

I have tried and I like it so much. This is the reason why I introduce these coffee recipes for you. Hope you like it too.

First Coffee Recipe: Mango Latte

Ingredients
Enough for 1 person (just nice for one tall glass)
  1. 4 tablespoons of Mango syrup
  2. 1 shot of organic espresso
  3. 0.75 cup of low fat steamed milk
  4. 2 to 3 ice cubes (if you put more ice, remember to add your mango syrup as well).
  5. 2 small slices of chopped dried mango as garnish
Equipments Needed
Espresso maker and electronic blender

Steps for preparation
  1. Take a new blender cup and pour mango syrup, espresso, steamed milk and ice cube into the cup and start to blend it.
  2. Blend it until well mix.
  3. Take a new glass and pour your latte into the new glass.
  4. Lastly, put some dried mango on top of the latte as garnish.

Second Coffee Recipe: Mango and Almond Latte

Ingredients
Enough for 1 person
  1. 1 shot of organic espresso
  2. 0.75 cup of low fat steamed milk
  3. 1 tablespoon of Almond syrup
  4. 3 tablespoons of Mango syrup
  5. 3 to 5 ice cubes
  6. 1 tablespoon of powdered almond as garnish
Equipments Needed
Espresso maker and electronic blender

Steps for preparation
  1. Take a clean blender cup and pour all into the blender cup except powdered almond which we will be needed at the last step.
  2. Start to blend it with low speed for 60 seconds.
  3. Take a clean glass to pour your latte.
  4. Lastly, on top of the latte, spread some almond powder as garnish.

Try the Sensation of Drinking Vietnamese Coffee


You do not have to go for the classics all the time. The same applies to drinking coffee. You should definitely try different recipes. You will be surprised how many new and tasty drinks you will discover. Vietnamese coffee is just one of them.

The original beverage created in this Southeast Asian country contains coffee, milk and ice. In fact its original name in Vietnamese is milk coffee with ice. The drink is perfect for the hot summer days when you need refreshment and a steaming liquid is not the best choice.

The Vietnamese coffee is easy to prepare. You can use any type of medium roast. It is best if the coffee does not contain chicory. It should also be coarsely ground. Still, you can base your choice on your own preferences and taste. The next ingredient you need to use is condensed milk. The sweetened varieties are recommended. You need ice of course. It is best for you to use cubes.

You need a portion of coffee and a quarter to half a portion of condensed milk. You should pour the dairy ingredient into a cup. Then you have to add the freshly brewed coffee. Mixing the two ingredients well is essential. After the stirring the substance has to be perfectly homogenous. The next step is to put some ice in a glass. The amount is up to you to decide. Then pour the mixture into the glass with the ice. You can leave the drink for a couple of minutes in order for it to cool. You can choose to make the beverage even tastier by adding some whipped cream.

This is how to make Vietnamese coffee. The recipe is simple and you can prepare the beverage in a couple of minutes. The result is totally amazing. So, enjoy!