Coffee

There was a time when I thought all coffee was basically the same. Sure, you could add milk to it and get what people today call cafe latte, or make it strong and then it was espresso, or just use instant. In fact, instant was what I drank for many years. To me, that was coffee. I did keep some ground coffee for an old percolator I had, just in case guests might want it. Looking back, I truly did not know what I was missing. It wasn’t until a dear friend of mine rejected my stale, generic coffee. I thought he was a bit of a snob, but it made me think. I looked into coffee and it became an exploration and journey that opened up a whole new world for me, the world of delicious, delightful coffee. I learned to differentiate between types and blends and processing of coffee, of roasting and preparation, and of gourmet flavored coffee beans that can add so much to the enjoyment of this most wondrous of beverages.

Once I realized that instant coffee really wasn’t the real thing, no matter what the TV commercials said, I experimented with different ways of brewing coffee. I tried different types of automatic and semi-automatic coffeemakers. I fell in love with the simple elegance of the French press with its simple plunger system but also experimented with a variety of other systems. I initially bought coffee that was already ground, for no other reason than that I had unpleasant childhood memories of mom making me grind coffee beans in an old hand-powered mill. I hated it. However, I found that I was quite particular in the way I liked to have my coffee ground. It had to be just right, not too coarse and not too fine.

I also began to appreciate the many different types of gourmet coffee beans from all over the world. A lot of people still think that coffee is coffee, and it’s either black or with milk or cream, I think coffee is really more like wine-no two types and roasts are the same. After you’ve sampled imported coffee beans from various countries and regions, you begin to appreciate the subtle and not so subtle differences. Likewise, there’s a huge difference between light roasts and dark roasts. Did you know, for example, that lighter roasts actually have more caffeine, and that the way coffee is stored also makes a difference?

These days, coffee has become a hobby and passion for me. I love exploring various flavors. Yes, you can get toasted cinnamon pecan flavored coffee beans, or white chocolate, or raspberry almond, or pralines and cream. Or all sorts of Italian espresso. Or special private blends from specialty coffee places on the web. The Kona blend gourmet beans I get from my favorite place are out of this world. And when I feel adventurous I may sample coffees from Jamaica, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia or Costa Rica. Some of the Central and South American coffee growing countries offer delicious shade grown and organic coffee beans, and I also keep some decaffeinated blends for when I feel like having a cup at night before I go to bed.

Amazingly, gourmet flavored coffee beans aren’t even that expensive. The better supermarkets in my area actually often charge more per pound than the online gourmet discount coffee bean places, without having nearly the same selection and quality.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Gourmet Coffee Beans

Author: Chris Robertson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you’ve been searching for that perfect holiday gift for a friend or loved one, a fabulous gift idea is to send delicious gourmet coffee made with imported coffee beans to their doorstep. Any coffee lover will adore this delightful, savory gift, and the possibilities of coffee gifts are endless with so many flavors available today.

Gourmet coffee has come a long way in recent years. It is readily available at affordable prices, and you can find numerous discount coffee beans from around the world right from your own home computer. Internet shopping makes it easy to find the perfect coffee blend for yourself or a loved one, whether they enjoy sweet and savory chocolate coffee or Italian espresso. Whatever flavor of coffee arouses their senses… there’s a coffee gift that’s just right!

What to Buy

Consider the type of gourmet coffee your friend normally drinks. Ask about their favorite flavors in casual conversation so you’ll know what they prefer. Gourmet coffee comes with many distinctive flavors such as chocolate, hazelnut, Irish cream, white chocolate, cinnamon, white Russian, rain forest crunch, chocolate banana, mudslide, maple pecan, toasted almond, vanilla, roasted chestnut, raspberry almond, creme brulee, and even cookies and cream. There are hundreds of other blends, so that’s why it’s a good idea to find out what your friend enjoys most.

Some gourmet coffee retailers might offer special blends such as Brazil blend, Viennese blend, Custom House blend, or Breakfast blend. You may also see Italian espresso or other specialty coffees such as organic coffee, which is made of coffee beans grown without chemicals or artificial treatments.

Before Ordering

Before ordering a gourmet coffee holiday gift, be sure to get your friend’s mailing address. Also, find out if they prefer decaffeinated coffee or regular blends. While shopping online, you can either have the gourmet coffee gift shipped to your friend’s home, or purchase a gift certificate so they can choose their own coffee. If you’re not sure what type of coffee to buy, a gift certificate to an online gourmet coffee shop will make a fantastic gift. You can include the gift certificate with a holiday greeting card to express your thoughtfulness and spread some cheer.

Gourmet Coffee Gift Ideas

During the holidays, you’ll likely buy gifts for many different people. The aroma of gourmet coffee delights folks from all walks of life. Coffee makes a terrific holiday gift for co-workers, employees, and even important business clients. It’s also great if you want to surprise your spouse, mother, father, brother, or sister. If you have a distant relative, you can easily have their favorite coffee blend or a gift certificate shipped to them. Even when the Christmas shopping season is long gone, gourmet coffee is still great for birthdays, celebrations, thank you gifts, get well presents, or wedding showers.

There’s always room for fresh, mouth-watering coffee blends at any gathering, whether it be for work or play. Go online today to check out all the gourmet coffee blends to find ideal gifts for those who are dear to your heart this holiday season!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Gourmet Coffee Holiday Gift Ideas.

Author: Chris Robertson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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When brewing gourmet coffee, it’s essential to combine several factors that will make your cup of coffee a dreamy blend of flavor. Gourmet coffee is in and of itself delicious, but it’s even better when made a certain way.

Before getting started, be sure to select only the finest gourmet coffee beans. Look for your favorite brand of coffee or sample several new types of coffee. If you visit an online gourmet coffee retailer, you can try numerous types of imported coffee beans from places around the world such as South America, Central America, Africa, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the North Highlands. You can also save money by finding an online store that offers high quality discount coffee beans. Determine how you will order your coffee – whether you would like ground coffee or whole bean selections. Many retailers allow you to order gourmet coffee both ways.

Brew with the Right Kind of Water

The type of water you use to brew gourmet coffee can make all the difference in its flavor. Tap water that has a strong, unpleasant smell or taste can negatively affect your coffee’s flavor. Keep in mind that your taste buds will be more sensitive when drinking a hot beverage such as coffee, so you’ll be able to detect any unpleasant impurities caused by your water. Opt for bottled waters instead, but avoid distilled water, as it doesn’t have the appropriate level of dissolved mineral solids, which are needed to give the coffee a fresh taste.

Even with the right quality of water, be sure to measure your coffee/water ratio appropriately. For optimum results, use two tablespoons of ground coffee per six ounces of water (or 3/4 cup water). This ratio produces strong, rich gourmet coffee while using only one tablespoon will produce weaker coffee. Another way to reduce the coffee’s strength is to dilute the coffee with a little bit of water after it has been brewed.

Order Fresh Coffee Beans

Whether ordering gourmet coffee online or buying in a nearby store, make sure the coffee has been freshly roasted. The absolute best time to produce coffee is within 12 to 24 hours of being roasted. Some online coffee roasters will ship your coffee beans on the same day the beans are roasted, giving you ultimate freshness. If you plan to grind your own beans, be sure to wait until right before you plan to brew the coffee. The freshness of coffee beans will start to decrease once the coffee beans have been ground.

Grinding Your Own Gourmet Coffee Beans

How you grind coffee beans will also make a difference in the coffee’s excellence. It’s important to know what type of grind you’ll need, whether a finer or coarser grind. A fine grind works best with the drip brewing method, while a coarse grind works well if using a French press. If you want a fine grind, then a common inexpensive blade grinder will suffice. With French press brewing, use a burr grinder.

Gourmet coffee also tastes best when brewed using clean equipment. Coffee makers can build up minerals, oils and residue over time. These will taint your coffee flavor and strength as well as hinder how well your equipment functions. Look for cleaning brushes and safe solutions for your coffee maker, and clean it often if you brew frequently.

When shopping online for gourmet coffee, be sure to try all a roaster has to offer. There are many flavored coffees today including chocolate blends, hazelnut, banana nut fudge, pecan, raspberry almond, cinnamon, vanilla, cookies and cream, creme brulee, English caramel, ginger bread, English toffee, etc. You should also try some espresso blends such as Italian espresso, Spanish espresso, and Vienna roast blend. Go online today to discover the gourmet coffee that excites your taste buds. You’ll never return to mundane coffee once you’ve tasted the best!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.

Learn more about Make Delicious Gourmet Coffee.

Author: Chris Robertson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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