Coffee

If you’re a coffee drinker you probably know what decaf which is short for decaffeinated coffee is. And because you’re a hard core coffee drinker, you (or some of you) will frown on a cup of decaf being offered to you. You might, in fact, get into a huge fuss and begin a tantrum to the surprise of your host. Two things might happen. One, your host will never ever serve you decaf coffee again or two, you will never ever be invited for a cup again. So if you want to still keep your circle of friends, I would suggest to you to lay low and to tone down the exaggeration with decaf.

Some of you might be asking what’s with decaf? Why do coffee drinkers make a big deal out of it? Well coffee contains caffeine. This is a natural supplement and is present in every kind of coffee. Some will have more while some will contain less. Caffeine is where coffee gets that all too famous stimulating power. On the average, depending on the kind of coffee, the caffeine content is from 0.8 percent and 2.5 percent. The caffeine also affects the taste of the coffee.

Decaffeinated coffee has the absence of caffeine in the coffee. The reason for this is that some people have adverse reactions to caffeine. So the market of decaf coffee is really those people who want to enjoy the taste of coffee minus the caffeine. Since caffeine is a natural occurring active ingredient, decaf has to be manufactured. Although decaf in essence is a non-caffeine containing coffee, in reality industry regulators can already classify coffee decaf when it contains a mere 0.1 percent caffeine.

Caffeine is extracted from the unroasted green beans. When your roast coffee beans, the flavor comes out so it would be best to remove the caffeine from green beans. Manufacturers use caffeine-selective solvents to get the coffee stimulant out of the beans. Solvents can be water or dichloromethane.

When manufacturers use water as solvent, the green coffee beans are rinsed with it for a long time. After some time, the caffeine dissolves. The water containing the dissolved caffeine then passes through an active carbon filter which absorbs the active stimulant. The beans are then air dried, roasted, ground and packed. Almost the same process is involved when using the dichloromethane process. The solvent just differs and an added step of steaming the beans to remove any remaining solvent is added.

Modern technology has made it possible to extract caffeine from the beans but retain the flavor and aroma of the coffee. This was one of the fears of coffee drinkers when being served with decaf, that the coffee will not taste like coffee at all. But with the current process, the same type of coffee should taste the same even if it is decaf.

CoFFee provides detailed information on Coffee, Coffee Makers, Gourmet Coffee, Coffee Shops, Coffee Beans, Coffee Cup and more.

For more information visit as on http://coffee.explore-me.com

Author: Miodrag Trajkovic
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Making a superb gourmet coffee all starts with beans. Gourmet coffee beans are mostly Arabica because of their supreme robust flavor and smooth texture. Arabica beans are considered the premium bean in the coffee industry and the demand is high which makes it much pricier than other beans. Arabica coffee beans are the most prominently grown and provide approximately 60% of world coffee production. One reason the beans are so expensive is that the Arabica plant is very sensitive to unfavorable conditions such as frost, pests and disease. What leads people to wait in long, long lines for a cup of gourmet-brewed coffee beverage? Just what are espresso, cappuccino and macchiato?

Espresso: Surprisingly enough, espresso coffee is already one of the most popular coffee drinks in the world. It is also the basis for specialty drinks like Cappuccino. Espresso coffee is regular coffee, brewed and consumed at very concentrated brewing and drinking ratios. It is brewed much faster than regular drip coffee. Since the hot water is quickly forced through the fine grounds it usually only takes between 25 and 30 seconds to brew a cup of espresso.

Cappuccino is a delicious, luxurious coffee beverage that is enjoyed by coffee lovers the world over, combining creamy, frothy texture with distinctive espresso flavor and aroma. Cappuccino is named for the resemblance of its color to the robes of the monks of the Capuchin order. Cappuccino is a cup of espresso coffee with fresh milk and milk foam bubbles burst on the top of cup. The milk foam bubbles burst acts as the insulator and keep the heat of the coffee for a longer time.

A latte is basically a diluted cappuccino with almost entirely steamed milk and a dollop of foam on top. Cafe latte is simply the Italian words for “coffee and milk”. The drink was made using a “moka” (a stovetop coffee machine which makes double-strength coffee, not espresso).

A Mochaccino is simply equal parts cappuccino and chocolate syrup. Some of the finer coffee houses prefer the term Cafe Mocha, using a powdered cocoa mixed with diluted cappuccino and topped with a whipped cream dollop. This is a very popular alternative to a traditional hot chocolate drink, neither as thick nor as sweet.

A Cafe Americano, similar to a long black common in Australia, is a style of coffee made by pulling a double-shot of espresso over hot water . A long black is similar to an which is made by adding hot water to espresso shots, but it retains the texture and is less voluminous, therefore more strongly flavored.

In addition to the hot drinks, there are a wide variety of delicious gourmet iced coffee drinks as well. If you’re looking for one of those milkshake looking drinks, you might want to try a mocha frappuccino, which is basically a cold mochaccino with more calories.

Knowing how to prepare gourmet coffee drinks is a fine art. A barista is someone who makes espresso drinks for a living, and is usually highly trained and has a thorough understanding of how to work with coffee. Similar to a bartender, a barista specializes in making drinks from almost any incarnation of the coffee bean.

Michael Stadneck deems himself to be a self-proclaimed expert when it comes to specialty coffee. As an Italian immigrant, he grew up drinking espresso and cappuccino on a daily basis. If you are contemplating a coffee franchise you have come across a great place to start your research.

Author: Michael Stadneck
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Hawaiian Kona coffee is the famous Hawaiian coffee that comes only from Kona, a district on the west coast of the Big Island in Hawaii, and has been popular for its high-quality coffee since the early 1800′s. This delicious beverage is produced on the extremely fertile slopes of an extinct volcano.

Coffee was first brought to Kona by Reverend Samuel Ruggles from Brazil in 1825. Kona beans are grown on large estates. But due to the sudden worldwide crisis in the coffee market in 1899, plantation owners had to lease out the land to their workers. These workers, who were originally Japanese, worked the leased land as their family business, growing the highest grade gourmet beans.

Today Kona has about 600 independent farms, most of which are small, 3 to 7 acres in size. Most of these farms are a family run business whose special beans are nurtured with the greatest care and concern for quality..

What experts say about Hawaiian Kona Coffee?

This java of champions is produced based on the special growing environment and growing techniques that make this product deliciously rich, and very different from other kinds of coffee. A regular coffee drinker or coffee connoisseur can really appreciate the exquisite aromatic scent of a freshly brewed Kona coffee, and indulge in the flavor of the richest full-bodied coffee the world has to offer.

This special coffee is produced with many variations to appeal and satisfy a wide range of tastes and desires. It is also produced as blended flavors like the all time favorite; Chocolate Macadamia Nut and is truly a special flavor for Christmas holidays or gift-giving. There is even decaf, and the newly available instant freeze-dried Kona coffee.

When buying high grade Kona beans, it is important to know how to store your beans properly to preserve its special taste and high quality as long as possible. Coffee connoisseurs recommend keeping their precious sipping treat either in an air tight ceramic container or a glass container that is away from direct light. Remember that the natural enemy of the beans are light, air and dampness.

Attention: Never store your beans in plastic containers. Otherwise, as a result, you may get tasteless coffee without any aroma, as the product usually absorbs the taste of the plastic.

Why drink Hawaiian Kona coffee?

If you are looking for a first-class coffee, try 100% Hawaiian Kona that is so different from the common and ordinary Colombian produced commercial brands. These beans produce a superior coffee to any store bought brands, and so are popular among worldwide coffee-drinking societies.

Why is this coffee considered # 1 all over the world?

o Coffee experts consider Kona beans as the number 1 in the world. Why? – Because they create a beverage that is medium-bodied, slightly acidic, but the best of all, deliciously rich, coming with a heady aroma. If you enjoy the flavor of coffee, there is nothing as rich and flavorful as a fresh, hot cup of Hawaiian Kona coffee.

o If you are a coffee lover, you probably know that only a very small amount of coffee in the world is pesticide free. And Kona coffee is also one of them. You and your family can consume this coffee without any concern about consuming pesticide spray residues.

As a connoisseur’s coffee, these gourmet beans now available online for your shopping convenience, and very affordable, if you know where to look.

Add more zest and pleasure to your daily coffee experience with these special beans loved by all over the world. And your friends and neighbors will love you for sharing it. Or surprise that special someone with this unique coffee as a gift they’ll always remember.

My highest recommendation to buy Hawaiian Kona Coffee online is Hawaii Gourmet Shopping owned and operated by Lanawiliama, Inc., a state licensed Hawaii-based reseller. Go now and check this out- Hawaiian Kona Coffee

Author: Will Campbell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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For the avid coffee lover, there is nothing like a quality burr coffee grinder. The freshest and best flavored coffee comes from freshly ground coffee beans. The aroma and freshness comes from the oil inside the bean. When freshly ground, the oils are very flavorful and aromatic.

A bladed coffee grinder cuts the bean in uneven pieces that get smaller the longer you run the grinder. A burr coffee grinder crushes the bean between a moving part and a non-moving part to get a consistent size of grounds.

The problem with a bladed coffee grinder is that the friction caused by cutting at high speeds, heats up the oils and sometimes, even burns it while grinding, giving the coffee a bitter or burnt taste. The inconsistent size of the grounds also affects the brewing process, where some of the flavor is not fully released and the essential oils are missing from the finer grounds.

The benefits of a quality burr coffee grinder is that not only does it not over-process by heating or burning the essential oils, but the grounds are consistently even, whether you prefer a course or fine grind. Because a burr coffee grinder runs at a slower speed, it does not overheat the coffee beans like a bladed coffee grinder does.

Burr coffee grinders can be adjusted for course or fine grounds, depending on the positioning of the burr or the metal discs that do the grinding. There are two types of burr coffee grinders-a wheel burr or a conical burr.

A Wheel Burr coffee grinder is the least expensive but they can be quite noisy and messy. The wheel spins very fast to grind the coffee, and they are more prone to clog than a conical burr coffee grinder.

The best type of coffee grinder is a Conical burr, although they will be more expensive than other grinders. The burr spins slower than the wheel type of grinder and they are quieter and don’t make as much of a mess. They are great for flavored coffees or oilier types of coffee beans and they clog less than any other model of coffee grinder.

The benefits of a quality burr coffee grinder is that they are built sturdy, and will last through the years. Burr coffee grinders carry different price tags, but the pricier models are leap and bounds above their competitors.

The conical burr coffee grinders allow you to control the fineness of the grind, which greatly enhances the ability to grind to the flavor that suits your taste. For coffee connoisseurs, the heftier price tag is well worth the enhanced flavor and a quality burr coffee grinder is a once in a lifetime investment.

The benefits of a quality burr coffee grinder are enhanced flavor, custom grinds that don’t give your coffee a bitter or burnt taste, like blade type coffee grinders. They are much quieter and less messy, and built sturdy for years of use. For those that love fresh tasting coffee, a quality burr coffee grinder is a must! For more information, visit the experts at http://www.BurrCoffeeGrind.com

Brian D. Hanson is the owner of http://www.BurrCoffeeGrind.com and an avid coffee junkie.

Author: Brian D. Hanson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you want to taste coffee in a whole new way, try making it with a French Press coffee pot. Most people are used to their coffee being brewed in an electric, drip coffee maker a la Mr. Coffee. This method has one flaw in the brewing process that takes away from the true essence of coffee: the paper filter. The paper retains some of the coffee essence, and deprives you of coffee’s true potential. Granted, we cannot simply dump ground coffee into a cup, pour in hot water and start drinking; the grounds must be separated from the liquid that is consumed. Coffee grounds are bitter, gritty, and stick to your teeth. The French Press method removes the grounds, but lets all of the flavor of the coffee come to life.

Although French Presses come in various shapes, sizes, materials and manufacturers, the Chambord model by Bodum is a good example of a ubiquitous style found throughout the industry . The handle attaches to the holder for the glass carafe. The carafe holds the coffee and hot water. The carafe looks like a beaker from a chemistry lab, with a spout for easy pouring. The “pressing” apparatus of the French Press sits atop the beaker. It consists of a dome which covers the coffee as it brews. The plunger is a skinny metal post with a plastic ball at the top that slides through a small hole in the middle of the dome. At the bottom of the post is the filter, a wire mesh disk.

A quick note about ingredients. A cup of coffee is made of coffee beans and water. Therefore, start with freshly roasted whole beans ground just before brewing. Whole beans maintain their freshness twice as long as ground coffee. The water is just as critical: make sure it is cold, fresh, and filtered.

Let’s assume a 12 oz. cup is being prepared. Using 1-1 ½ tablespoons of whole beans, set your grinder to coarse. This produces the largest grounds possible, and allows water to extract the maximum flavor from the coffee. It also reduces the amount of smaller grounds that will end up in the bottom of the cup.

Dump the ground coffee into the carafe. Before adding hot water, take a moment to inhale the aroma of the dry coffee. The aroma of freshly ground coffee will take you to a better place.

Next, heat your water (12 ounces). The optimal brewing temperature is 195-205 F. If you don’t have a thermometer, simply bring your water to a boil and wait thirty seconds.

Pour the water into the beaker and stir for a couple of seconds. This will agitate the mixture and allow the coffee to brew more completely. Place the plunger apparatus on the carafe, but do not depress. Set a timer for four minutes. This amount of time allows all of the flavor and oils to be extracted perfectly from the coffee.

At four minutes press down the plunger completely, then pour the freshly brewed coffee into your mug.
Look at the coffee before adding any condiments. The coffee will appear more complex (richer) than if it were brewed in a drip coffee maker. There will even be a thin layer of crema (light brown froth) resting on top of the liquid. Put your nose close to the cup and breathe in the aroma. The smell is stronger, more pure than if the coffee passed through a paper filter. Taste the coffee before adding sugar etc. When you reach the end of the cup you will notice some residue. These are simply micro-grounds that made it through the mesh filter.

You can purchase French Presses that double as travel mugs. There are also double-walled glass, and stainless steel thermal units as well. Some are beautifully crafted and look like museum pieces. The reason for this is that coffee made in this manner is the height of the coffee brewing experience. So, if you love coffee, you owe it to yourself to purchase a French Press and make the best-tasting coffee in the easiest possible way. Prices start at around 13 dollars for a two cup (12 oz.) unit.

Brent Kloster is co-owner of Falls River Coffee, which sells fresh roasted coffee, loose leaf tea, and brewing equipment online at http://www.FallsRiverCoffee.com.

Author: Brent Kloster
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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