Coffee

True coffee lovers always drink their coffee black, yes? Wrong. Today, there are more flavors and blends of coffee than there in any wine selection, so let loose and start enjoying the 101 different ways to taste the marvelous gift of coffee.

The creativity of blends is nearly endless. One Indonesian blend combines Sumatran and the coffee beans of Papua New Guinea to create a tasty, full-bodied brew. What a surprise to those who never knew that Papua New Guineans even grew coffee. But, Sumatra can be mixed with more than just other Indonesian beans. Another great mixture is Sumatran with Colombian Patron to produce a delicious, dark roasted blend that combines to coffee perfection.

In addition to blends, flavorings can also make for a delicious coffee treat. Adding almond, vanilla and even cherry to a Brazilian can soften the acid and sweeten the brew, while a banana hazelnut flavoring turns a regular robusta into a bit more than a decent cup of coffee. Yet, a huge coffee breakthrough is the Tahitian vanilla latte, a dangerously delicious treat.

As far as making a mocha, the variety of chocolates is equivocal to that of the wide array of different beans. A Yemeni mixed with a hint of dark chocolate can enhance an already wonderful blend. Or, perhaps try an American roast with a hint of Ghiradelli milk chocolate when something heavy is to be avoided.

Coffee variations are as plentiful as they are delicious and delightful, but they are not limited to just beans, flavorings and roasts. Several different liqueurs and liquors offer even another twist for coffee lovers.

For instance, a Jamaican forms a solid base to which you can add brown sugar, dessert pears, and a good amount of rum or brandy. Or, try using apricots instead of the pears for another twist. Another tasty treat is to try Amaretto’s sweetness with a Costa Rican blend, that is if you prefer to get intoxicated and sober all with the same beverage.

Coffee and cocoa is a favorite for those who enjoy their coffee cut. You can enjoy it cold or hot, as Mexican coffee and cocoa beans can combine for a delicious treat in any season.

The coffee innovations do not end with cocoa. Frozen cappuccinos are becoming increasingly popular. They can wake you up when drowsy and refresh you when you need that something special to awaken your taste buds. Try adding a bit of chocolate mint flavoring for an extra zing.

It really is not clear why a true coffee lover would want decaf, but for these coffee drinkers there is still a wide selection of coffees from which to choose, including Decaf Marrakesh, Italian Espresso and even a Dutchman. Regardless of your caffeine preferences, broaden your coffee horizons to enjoy the many blends, flavors and options available today for your coffee maker Coffee is not just “coffee” anymore!

Robert Carlton’s papers can be found on large numbers of web sites with reference to toddy cold brew coffee maker and toddy cold brew coffee maker. You can find his observations on toddy coffee maker at different sources for toddy coffee maker news.

Author: Robert J. Carlton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Flavored coffee beans are fast becoming in demand. More and more people who have tried cups of this type of coffee are not only drawn to its wonderful taste, aroma and flavor, they are also becoming environmentally conscious. This is since most flavored coffee beans are organically made as well as mixed with organic flavorings.

In fact, chocolate-covered coffee beans are fast becoming the craze. Its popularity indicates how many people are lured into its amazing flavor and taste. Hence, there are important things to consider when making or buying chocolate covered coffee beans.

First is the quality of coffee beans. Having the best chocolate covered coffee entails patience and determination because you will be starting from scratch. You also need to choose the appropriate coffee beans for the task. Do not expect high quality tasting coffee if the coffee beans you have chosen are otherwise. If you are uncertain about the type of coffee bean for this, you can test each type of coffee bean available, combine it with the chocolate and choose which can promote the best taste.

For chocolate covered coffee beans, the most appropriate is milk chocolate. If this is not available, you can experiment and test amongst the other types of chocolates available. Other types of chocolate include dark chocolate and bitter chocolate among others. Just like with the coffee beans, you can get the best quality by using the best type.

With the best chocolate and beans, you can now cook it. Since a lot would depend on your cooking method, you need to be extra careful. Make sure that the chocolate’s temperature is just enough. Vigilance is needed so that you will not overcook and burn it, particularly if you are using a microwave. You only need to make the chocolate soft so you can easily roll it over the coffee beans. Thus, the appropriate temperature should be achieved so that you will not encounter the risk of burning your fingers or hands when rolling the beans on the soft chocolate.

Since making organic flavored coffee is very simple, you can even do it at home. All you need are some organic coffee of the highest quality. Coffee quality is vital because no matter how great the flavor can be, it will not mask the bean quality. However, if you utilize inferior coffee, it will compromise results.

Once the coffee beans are roasted, add some vanilla or cinnamon flavoring. These are the two highly in demand flavors in the market. Make sure that the vanilla or cinnamon is also organic. This is in order to maintain your coffee’s organic status.

Although it is up to you to have flavored coffee or otherwise, many believe it is best to buy organic coffee as well as other organic farm products. Hence, organic coffee is not only healthier; its cultivation process also promotes environmental sustainability, an issue very critical at this age.

Organic farmers are now proving that you can also get quantity and high quality crops by growing them organically. Thus, organic coffee is a superb example that having organic crops are far better for the environment as well as for consumption.

Every day, as people become aware of problems pertaining to nature, they are also beginning to discover the benefits of going organic. At present, many people are lured into the amazing taste and flavor of organic flavored coffee which is why it is grown in no less than 30 countries apart from the US.

For more information on Grind and Brew Coffee Maker and Cold Brew Coffee please visit our website.

Author: David Urmann
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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One of the most popular beverages in North America is a cup of hot coffee. Many North Americans consume these beverages every day, and so few know anything about the history of coffee or even how it is produced. The following 20 facts, from the very well known to the obscure, will give you a little bit of insight into that morning beverage we all love to consume – coffee:  

1) Coffee is a hot beverage brewed from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant.  

2) The seeds are harvested from the fruit of coffee plants, which are called coffee cherries.  

3) These seeds are harvested twice a year; Once from the south of the equator between April and May and the second time from the North of the equator between September and March.  

4) Once ripe, the coffee cherries are picked and the seeds are extracted. The seeds, referred to as green coffee, are then roasted where they double in size and turn into the dark chocolate brown colour to form the familiar coffee bean.  

5) Roasting only begins when the temperature inside the seed reaches 200°C.  

6) Once roasted the coffee beans are sorted into categories and labeled as light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark, or very dark.  

7) Darker roasts are smoother in flavor because they have less fiber content and more sugar. Lighter roasts have more caffeine and may taste bitterer.  

Decaffeinated coffee is produced when the coffee seeds are still green by soaking the seeds in hot water or steaming them, then using a solvent to dissolve the caffeine containing oils.  

9) The majority of decaf coffee is only 97 to 99% decaffeinated.  

10) Coffee drinking is reported to have originated in Ethiopia in the 9th century, although the earliest credible evidence of beverages made with coffee appears in Yemen in the middle of the 15th century.  

11) Coffee was used in Muslim states as an alternative to wine in religious ceremonies. As a result many Christian nations originally banned the ‘Muslim’ beverages.  

12) Coffee became more widely accepted after Pope Clement VIII deemed it a Christian beverage in 1600.  

13) Even though it is now considered the national drink, coffee was originally banned in Ethiopia by the Orthodox Christian Church until 1889.  

14) Coffee is now grown in over 50 countries worldwide.  

15) Brazil is the top exporter of coffee, followed by Vietnam.  

16) As of 2006, green coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world, just behind crude oil.  

17) On average, total coffee intake is about a third of that of water in North America.  

18) It takes approximately 140 litres of water to grow the coffee beans required for one cup of coffee.  

19) The concept of fair trade coffee was developed in the Netherlands by the Max Havelaar Foundation.  

20) According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, coffee contains more antioxidants than typical servings of grape juice, blueberries, raspberries and oranges.  

Whether you have brewed it from home, or purchased your morning cup of coffee from the local coffee chop, the next time you take a sip of one of North America’s favorite beverages take a minute to reflect upon the 1200 years of its history and be thankful for the process that it takes to get the coffee to your lips. That morning cup of coffee may just be that much more enjoyable if you do.

For freshly roasted coffee with a great selection, check out Morning Coffee Shop’s website, Morningcoffeeshop.com.

Author: Paul Scobie
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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One of the nation’s leading authorities on nutrition said most people would not have expected him to write this, but this is what he wrote in one of his books, “Coffee is a remarkably safe beverage. Its dubious health history, which stretches back hundreds of years, is more image than substance.”

The author of that statement explains that researchers produced many studies of coffee drinkers who came to a bad end. But in retrospect, these studies proved to be defective. The bad end was caused by the subjects’ smoking, not by their coffee drinking. Now experts agree that coffee is a safe and even healthy beverage. This may be good news that ranks with the recent revelation that dark chocolate (the darker, the better) is loaded with healthful antioxidants and – in small amounts – to avoid a calorie problem – is even upgraded to a heath food.

The above quote is from Dr. Walter C. Willett of the Harvard Medical School who co-developed an excellent book on nutrition with the Harvard School of Public Health entitled Eat, Drink and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating (2001). Of course, this doesn’t mean you can consume any amount of coffee (and the caffeine it contains) without some adverse effects.

Dr. Willett writes, “Drinking too much coffee can give you the shakes, make you irritable, and keep you from sleeping. It’s also addictive. Regular caffeine consumers tend to get nasty headaches if they miss their morning cup(s). Drinking espresso, French press, or other coffee that doesn’t drip through a paper filter can increase your cholesterol a few points. And people who drink a lot of coffee may be more at risk for developing osteoporosis or breaking a bone. In moderation, though, coffee is low on the totem pole of health risks and even has a number of benefits.” They include lower chance of developing kidney stones and gallstones. In addition, in a major study, it was found that coffee drinkers had a 50 percent lower risk of suicide than non-coffee drinkers.

He notes one unresolved health issue for coffee drinkers: “One lingering concern about coffee is its potential for increasing bone loss and risk of fracture. Increased risks with four or more cups per day have been seen in several studies, but the final answer is not in. Given the body of research on coffee, it’s safe to say that there aren’t any major health hazards lurking in the murky depths of you cup. In short, when drunk in moderation, coffee is no threat to your health.”

Other authoritative experts on diet and health have taken this same view. For example, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) Complete Food and Nutrition Guide (2nd Ed.- 2002) gives coffee a clean bill of health: “No scientific evidence has been found to link caffeine intake to any health risks, including cancer (pancreatic, breast, or other types), fibrocystic breast disease (benign fibrous lumps), cardiovascular disease, blood cholesterol levels, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, infertility, birth defects, or osteoporosis.”

The ADA does have a few special cautions:

“If you are pregnant or nursing … it’s wise to go easy on caffeine.”

If you have a medical problem, you might want advice from your doctor on caffeine consumption. For example, in the case of stomach problems, “both caffeinated beverages and their decaffeinated counterparts” can be chancy for some, as both stimulate the flow of stomach acids, which can irritate the stomach lining.

If you are older, you should be aware that caffeine sensitivity sometimes increases with age. You should also be cautioned against letting coffee (or tea or soft drinks) take the place of more nutritious foods or beverages. What might be excessive caffeine varies from individual to individual and may depend on many factors.

The latest material I’ve seen on coffee contains an even more ringing endorsement of the drink. Bottom Line Health (June 2007) carries a column by an expert on food-based chemical compounds, Dr. Joe Vinson of the University of Scranton, with the headline, “The Amazing Healing Power of Coffee: Fight heart disease, diabetes, memory loss and more…with coffee.” Some of these benefits have been demonstrated by epidemiological studies, but further clinical studies will be necessary to confirm the first results. Here are some of those study findings:

-A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (May 2006) found that women who drink one to three cups of coffee daily are 24 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

-Another study in the same publication noted above (February 2007) found that older adults (age 65 and older) who had four or more servings of caffeine daily had less than half the risk of these who consumed smaller amounts.

-A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine (June 26, 2006) found that postmenopausal women, who drank four to five cups of coffee (especially decaffeinated), were 16 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

-A study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (August 2006) found that non-coffee drinkers had four times the mental decline of coffee drinkers.

-A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine (June 12, 2006) found that coffee might reduce the risk for cirrhosis of the liver, especially in alcoholics.

These latest findings are in addition to some of the benefits of coffee and caffeine documented by earlier studies or experience:

-Caffeine can help you stay alert and prevent fatigue.

-Caffeine may enhance mental performance by “increasing alertness and the ability to concentrate.” Readers Digest, Foods that Harm; Foods that Heal (2004).

-Many athletes claim that one or two caffeine drinks an hour before a competitive event improves performance, especially in endurance sports.

-The Reader’s Digest book claims caffeine “may abort an asthma attack by relaxing constricted blood vessels.”

-Caffeine can also boost the pain-relieving effects of some analgesics, and that’s why it is in many over-the-counter pain relievers. Caffeine may have some anti-cancer effects.

The book Nutrition for Dummies (2004) by Carol Ann Rinzler summarizes the case for coffee this way, “In moderation, coffee definitely qualifies for anybody’s list of superfoods.”

The caffeine in coffee, tea, chocolate and certain soft drinks (mainly colas) may have similar effects, but each of the four types of caffeine-containing foods has different effects on the body.

Boris Erlikh
Gloria Jean’s Coffees
http://www.gloriajeans.com

Author: Boris Erlikh
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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