Coffee

Buying coffee can be challenging. Why? There are so many coffee brands. If you know good tips on how to shop for coffee, you will be able to find a brand that you truly enjoy. I’d like to share with you some suggestions on what to look for when getting the most out of your next coffee purchase.

But first, let me explain how I learned about buying coffee. When I first tried an inexpensive brand of coffee, I almost spit it out. I thought, “How can people drink this stuff and enjoy it?” Since I was not after the caffeine effect, it was a long time before I’d try another cup of coffee. But I worked in a retail shop that was close to a gourmet coffee shop. I bought many flavored beverages from the shop. One day, I decided to try a flavored coffee. Luckily, I really enjoyed it. If I hadn’t, I don’t know if I would have ever tried coffee again. But drinking a regular cup of coffee didn’t appeal much to me. I became kind of a “fun coffee” kind of person, trying different flavors whenever I felt like a change. It also helped that I was married to a ‘coffee lover’ and learned valuable insight from him. He told me that I shouldn’t have to flavor coffee to get a good taste that I enjoy. My husband is a bit of a coffee snob but he has sort of earned that right. He grew up traveling to Guatemala with his parents to visit relatives. His grandfather immigrated to America from Guatemala and became a citizen of this great country. Because of this connection, my husband would visit the Guatemalan relatives on the family coffee farm as a boy and as an adult. Personally, I have visited Guatemala twice, to meet family, visit the family farm, and learn about coffee production. As you can imagine, coffee drinking is big in his family.

Nevertheless, here are the tips I have learned when looking for a good coffee:

1) Smell the coffee in the bag if you are able. Make sure it has a desirable aroma.
2) Check out the source of the coffee. Where is it from? Is it Estate Grown coffee of a high quality or is it a blend of “leftovers”?
3) How was it processed before it got to the roaster? Was it sun dried for a higher quality?
4) Buy whole bean for the ability to see the beans before your grind. If the beans are broken, have wholes in them or are all inconsistent sizes, don’t buy.
5) What kind of roast is it? Vienna, French or Espresso? Be sure to buy the correct roast for your taste buds or you may get a false impression of the coffee. Vienna is a lighter roast, French is a little darker and Espresso is a very dark roast.

Once you figure out which coffee you like, make sure the brewing is done correctly so that you ensure a smooth delicious flavor. Now you can sit back and really enjoy that coffee taste. Enjoy.

Article written by Michelle Falla, Coffee Distributor for Serenity Cup Coffees. Visit http://www.serenitycup.com for more details.

Author: Michelle Falla
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Ganoderma coffee is known as gano healthy coffee because it combines the effects of normal coffee with the health benefits offered by Ganoderma Lucidum, a fungus of the mushroom family that is grown in China and Korea. Also known as Reishi and lingzhi, this fungus offers a large number of health benefits, and people drink it for exactly that reason.

There are a number of species of ganoderma that have been used in traditional Chinese and other Asian traditional medicine for many centuries, although it is on the Ganoderma Lucidum species that we are focusing on here in its specific usage with coffee to form the drink known as ‘Gano healthy coffee’.

Reishi contains a number of terpenoids antioxidants along with polysaccharides and the trace mineral organic germanium, and the coffee it is used in as a delivery system contains a lower level of caffeine than standard ground coffee. In addition to its strong antioxidant properties, it is highly supportive of your immune system, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antidiabetic and helps to lower your blood pressure and reduce your blood cholesterol levels.

Add to that the strong antioxidant properties of regular coffee, and you have a potent healthy drink that thoroughly deserves the name bestowed on it of ‘gano healthy coffee’. The fungus is generally accepted as one of the most highly respected medicinal mushrooms and is believed to be the oldest mushroom used in traditional medicine. It has been subject to many scientific analyses to determine its constituents, and also tested for its effectiveness in treating the medical conditions for which it has been widely acclaimed throughout the Orient.

Germanium is a mineral that enhances the oxygen uptake of your blood by over 50%, and it not only improves your circulation, but has been used to prevent pains in the legs and extremities during exercise. Healthy coffee with added Ganoderma offers an energy boost several times that of ginseng and similar herbs. People drink Ganoderma coffee for that and a number of other reasons. By combining low caffeine Brazilian coffee beans and Ganoderma Lucidum, you end up with a drink that offers all the benefits of real coffee without the side-effects of caffeine, along with the added benefits of Reishi.

Gano healthy coffee is one of the healthiest drinks you can consume, and the ideal solution for coffee drinkers that want all the health benefits without drinking excessive caffeine. You can give yourself a great energy boost without getting hooked and lying awake half the night and getting the caffeine shakes in the morning. The negatives of coffee are largely removed and replaced with the benefits of the Chinese magic mushroom!

The benefits of gano healthy coffee to your circulation and heart were briefly touched upon above but let’s look at these in more detail. One of the properties of a strong antioxidant is its ability to destroy free radicals. These are small highly reactive oxidizing agents that are generated during the body’s metabolism and cellular respiration, and also from exposure to pollutants such as traffic and industrial emissions, tobacco smoke and also to strong sunlight.

These free radicals, such as hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, oxidize the LDL cholesterol in your blood that then deposits on your arterial walls to form plaques of cholesterol that gradually build up to block your arteries. This causes strokes and heart attacks, each of which can be fatal. The antioxidants contained in coffee beans and in Ganoderma Lucidum destroy these free radicals and prevent this from happening. They can also lower your overall cholesterol levels, and the anti-inflammatory properties of gano healthy coffee help to overcome the inflammation that can lead to serious conditions such as some cancers, serious allergies and asthma.

The polysaccharides and triterpenes in Ganoderma help your liver to rid your body of toxins, and coffee drinkers in general have been found to suffer fewer liver problems that those that do not drink it. Your liver is your body’s main detox plant, and the combination of the Reishi and coffee is a very powerful one in keeping your blood pure and free from unwanted toxins.

While both coffee and Ganoderma Lucidum are very powerful antioxidants, antitoxins and anti-inflammatories in their own rights, when combined they present a powerful cocktail of health-giving substances that has long been recognized as second to none in its effect on your liver, heart, blood and many other organs of the body.

Few would disagree that people drink Ganoderma coffee – the so-called gano healthy coffee – to help them live healthier and longer and the science of today certainly appears to support them in that use.

Further information on Gano Healthy Coffee can be found on http://www.healthy-gourmet-coffee.net where you will also find information on various other forms of coffee and also the coffee makers used to produce the perfect drink.

Author: Peter Nisbet
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Who doesn’t love a refreshing cup of coffee to start the morning? It can be a great way to warm up during a cold morning, give a needed energy boost early in the day, just be part of your usual morning routine, and – when consumed in moderation – has health benefits. The problem is for about ten percent of people the high acidity level makes it difficult for their stomachs to digest their morning cup. There are solutions available for making low acid coffee. Whether you buy beans that have been specially roasted to produce low acid coffee or if you are using a special brewing technique to reduce the acidity anyone can enjoy a morning coffee regardless of their stomach!

For people looking for a natural approach to low acid coffee, some coffee beans are roasted with mushroom extracts from Ganoderma or Reishi mushrooms to enhance the flavor and reduce the acidity to make the coffee easier on sensitive stomachs. The mushrooms and beans are steamed naturally to reduce the acidity without compromising the flavor of the coffee. This is an herbal roasting method that still leaves the same taste, aroma, and caffeine levels. These mushrooms have been used for thousands of years to improve mood, increase focus, and help detoxify the liver. Chemically altered beans can have the same effect on acidity levels but may have altered taste, aroma, and reduced caffeine.

Besides altering the beans or roasting them with mushroom extracts to lower the acidity, you can change the way you brew to get a more low acid coffee. The toddy maker, also known as Cold-Brew coffee maker, actually makes a cold coffee concentrate. A drip coffee maker involves putting coffee beans into a filter and having hot water pass through the filter slowly to extract the coffee flavors. A press style coffee maker involves steeping the coffee in hot water for several minutes before pressing the grounds to separate them from the coffee and pouring it off. On the other hand, a toddy maker uses concentrated coffee and adds it to hot water. You can store this concentrate in a refrigerator to make your coffee later. This cold brewing methods leads to a lower acidity level in the finished coffee, making this low acid coffee easier for people with sensitive stomachs.

Coffee has a wonderful flavor, can give you a good energy boost in morning, and even has many good qualities for your health. When consumed in moderation without adding unnecessary calories from too much cream or sugar it can be good for your heart, help reduce your risk of cancer, relieve pain, boost your mood, and even help prevent cavities. Even if you have a sensitive stomach you may want to consider having an occasional cup of low acid coffee. Just remember to look for low acid coffee beans or a ganoderma enriched instant coffee.

Just remember to look for low acid coffee beans or ganoderma enriched instant (ready brew) coffee. Remember that the acidity can be reduced artificially and naturally. Or you can try a cold brewing method for low acid coffee. Just look for beans that are specially marked as low acid coffee beans or a toddy maker and even people with sensitive stomachs can enjoy their morning java.

Phillip Bynes is a proud husband, father, licensed massage therapist, and Family First Entrepreneur. As an active member of the health and wellness community, he provides resources to people who absolutely love coffee and embrace an opportunity to replace that unhealthy cup of coffee with a low acid ganoderma enriched coffee that can provide substantial health benefits. Learn more at www.DrinkCoffee4Life.com.

Author: Phillip Bynes
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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One of the best ways to understand your daily cup of Joe is to discover how it came to be in the growing process. Coffee is one of the most popular drinks worldwide, and it is actually the second most exported commodity globally, second only to oil. Coffee comes in many different forms based on the brewing method, whether it is espresso, French Press, or regular drip brew coffee. However, all coffee is grown in a similar manner using different techniques to cultivate diverse flavors.

To begin with, coffee can only be grown between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. This coffee growing region is throughout equator, and it includes Northern South America, Central America, Indonesia, India, Africa, Hawaii, and the Middle East. When a coffee tree is planted, it starts out small and evergreen. Coffee is grown in larger plantations, and it involves intense labor since many beans are handpicked. This is precisely why many developing countries rely upon coffee production because they can start their own small farms and support the community with this livelihood.

Coffee is actually best grown in the equator because it provides a suitable climate. There are two different types of coffee trees that produce beans called Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is seen as the lesser quality variety that makes up around 30% of the market, with Arabica encompassing the remaining 70%. Arabica is often used for gourmet and specialty coffees, and Robusta beans are used for cheaper fillers. Robusta coffee actually contains twice as much caffeine as Arabica, but it often has a bitter or harsh taste.

Coffee is best cultivated in an area that is well aerated and well drained with fertile soil. Coffee trees need a large amount of oxygen to their roots during the growth process, which is why many farmers rely upon aerating the soil to help them to thrive and grow. Coffee trees also require a serious amount of rainfall at anywhere from 1500 to 2000 mm per year. If there is less rainfall yearly within the coffee growing region, then that deficit needs to be accounted for with the use of irrigation.

Many of the finest coffees are grown at higher altitudes at over 3000 feet. The reason that this is so important to growing coffee plants is because it provides cloud cover and mist. This combination allows the coffee plants to grow more slowly, which is important for developing deeper and more complex flavors. There is also a higher oxygen content at these altitudes so that the plants can continue to grow slowly and intake more oxygen. This environment also provides diffused light and moderate winds to the coffee trees to further enhance their development.

At lower altitude regions, you will normally find Robusta coffee trees growing. These are stronger plants that are more resistant to disease, but they are still subpar in flavor to the more premium Arabica variety. When you are looking for the best cup of Joe, look for coffee that is cultivated with care made from Arabica beans!

Another popular accessory for coffee is the commercial coffee maker! For a great selection, check out Mark Ramos’ website, The Coffee Bump.

Author: Mark Ramos
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Espresso coffee cups aren’t really normal cups at all. In reality, they’re more like coffee shot glasses, which makes sense considering they’re not meant to hold your standard brew, but espresso. Although they do look like tiny versions of cups that people use for morning caffeine, your average java drinker would probably become quite irritated trying to get their buzz from a container so tiny. After all, don’t most people drink coffee in order to feel energized without the need for sleep?

What Makes Espresso Coffee Cups Different?

Normal cups that people use for their morning fix are obviously much larger than your average espresso coffee cups. Espresso cups don’t have any particular standard size, though. Many times, the only way to tell the difference between what a company calls their espresso cups and their latte or cappuccino cups is by looking at labeling. Every one of these various little cups have matching saucers.

Why Espresso Coffee Cups Are So Tiny

Espresso is much stronger and thicker than your standard cup of joe, which is why espresso coffee cups are much smaller other cups that people generally drink their java from. Your average cup of coffee only has about a third the caffeine of the same volume of espresso. Of course, this is a very rough estimate, as the amount of caffeine and strength of the blend is very dependent on both how the coffee is ground, and the bean itself. You can easily get very different experiences by trying different brands, and blends within those brands, and espresso is not excluded.

What Is Espresso?

Espresso is a type of coffee, but the difference isn’t in the bean so much as the preparation. The biggest difference between regular coffee and espresso is density. To make espresso, a machine forces highly pressurized water through very fine coffee grounds, creating a denser, stronger coffee than normal. The result is almost like a coffee syrup and, when you experience it, it becomes very obvious why one would not want to drink a standard coffee cup of the stuff at once.

Can One Cup Coffee Makers Make Espresso?

Generally speaking, one cup coffee makers are not very good at making real espresso. The water pressure required is generally beyond the capability of a one cup coffee maker. Espresso coffee pods will generally fit a 1 cup coffee maker, but the results are not generally favorable. There are some K-Cups coffee options that are called espresso, but they are typically just stronger coffee blends. Sure, you’ll get a stronger cup of coffee out of both of these options, but you can leave your espresso coffee cups behind since it won’t be all that different. Ironically enough, ESE coffee pods work much better in espresso machines fitted with adapters than in 1 cup coffee makers.

Want to learn more about espresso coffee cups? Check out Great Coffee Cups.

Author: Anthony J Davis
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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