Coffee

The truth is that coffee hits a lot of spots! For centuries, people all around the world have loved coffee, and its popularity is far from waning nowadays. In fact, coffee connoisseurs have more varieties of delicious choices than ever before, as coffee houses, shops, kiosks and specialty carts spring up all over the place.

No matter how you like your coffee, whether it be black, frothy cappuccino, latte, espresso, hot or on ice, the selections available to tempt your taste buds is enormous. The average annual coffee consumption of the American adult is 67 gallons, over 600 cups. In fact, specialty coffee sales are increasing by 20% per year and account for almost 8% of the 18 billion dollar U.S. coffee market. Statistics show that among coffee drinkers, the average consumption in the US is around 2.3 cups of coffee per day. Also, studies find that over one-half of the population, equivalent to approximately 150 million Americans, now drink specialty coffees on a daily basis.

There are currently around 35,000 coffee shops around the United States, with an average $30 billion a year in sales. Based on market research, there will be approximately 42,000 or more independently owned coffee shops in the US by the year 2011. An enterprising business person should look at the gourmet coffee business as a golden opportunity.

Based on research by the National Coffee Association and The Specialty Coffee Association of America, the average price for an espresso based drink is $2.85, while the average price for brewed coffee is $1.38. The average espresso drive-thru business sells approximately 200-300 cups of espresso and coffee based drinks per day. The studies show that men drink as much coffee as women; each consuming an average of 1.6 cups per day. Women tend to be more concerned about price than their male counterparts.

The United States imports over $5 billion worth of coffee every year. Juan Valdez and his little donkey must be keeping very busy! Americans drink 460 million cups of coffee every day, which makes the United States the leading consumer of coffee in the entire world.

A scientific report from the University of California found that the steam rising from a cup of coffee contains the same amounts of antioxidants as three oranges. The antioxidants are heterocyclic compounds which prevents cancer and heart disease. Guess what! Coffee is good for you!

More than half of all Americans, 18 or older, drink coffee every day. This equates to approximately 150 million daily java drinkers. 30 million American adults drink specialty coffee beverages daily; such as mocha, latte, espresso, cafe mocha, cappuccino, frozen/iced coffee beverages, and so on.

Coffee sales are continually rising year after year. And so are the pricing modules! Coffee is the second largest commodity traded, next to oil. If you are looking for a business to get into, coffee is probably the best business for you to consider. Can you think of any other product that has such universal appeal, is easy to get into, and is relatively simple to operate?

Michael Stadneck grew up in Palermo Italy, where he enjoyed the finest gourmet coffee for the first 35 years of his life. As luck would have it, his first job in America was with Nescafe Coffee Company. After five years of hard work he was promoted to take over the specialty coffee franchise department.

Author: Michael Stadneck
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

No frequent vacations, no long holidays, and its work most of the time. Whether you are a college student, an artist, a business person, somebody’s employee, a legal, medical or financial practitioner, life is fast paced and you are too tired. Still, some 5 minute breaks keep you kicked up.

Why and how? Well, it’s because of our old classic friend, a steaming cup of refreshing coffee. With an efficient one cup coffee maker, those precious 5 minute breaks can actually be relished. Today, many leading brands are offering one cup coffee makers for singletons at a very reasonable price range.

Owing to their small size, you can place these coffee makers at any convenient place at any point of time. These coffee makers are generally an automatic drip coffee maker system. The single serve coffee maker enables you to make your cup of hot coffee very conveniently with a push of a button. You just need to fill the water in the reservoir, place in the coffee or pod and nearly instantly you can take out your cup of ready coffee.

Single cup coffee makers also enables you to pick the type of coffee beans or pod suiting to your taste. When choosing a single serve coffee maker, keep in mind their maintenance, their durability, their ease of operation, the quality of coffee it makes, the efficiency of water filter and coffee filter and if the system has an in built coffee grinder. If you want a machine supporting pod coffee system, then also the market does not disappoint you. Black & Decker, Juan Valdez, Keurig and Hamilton Beach are some leading brands in the single serve coffee makers market. There is of course another choice to be made, and that is you might fancy an Espresso or cappuccino machine, in which case there are many great brands to choose from like delonghi coffee makers, krups coffee makers, or even saeco coffee makers [http://www.finest-coffee-makers.com/index.html] who are all leading the way when it comes to making great coffee in your own home as well as in your favourite coffee shop. It’s true, today, having a cup of coffee is all the more an enjoyable experience. After all, your friend, your one cup coffee machine, is there to serve you and give you company.

This article was written by Dene Lingard who is the owner of Target Net Publishing, a web publishing company.

He writes some of the content himself for the many information rich websites that he publishes. His latest site promotes coffee makers in general.

You are very welcome to take this article and place it on your site as long as you leave the resource box and all links intact. Thank you!

coffee makers [http://www.finest-coffee-makers.com]

Author: Dene Lingard
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Android apps

Colombia is a country known worldwide for its quality Specialty Coffee from Arabica beans. Historically, the best coffee produced in the country has been exported. Coffee left for domestic consumption has been of lesser quality or from different beans lacking the export quality certifications.

Right or wrong, the perception has been that Colombians do not drink good coffee at home. The reality is that Colombians are not yet addicted to fancy preparations such as cappuccino or iced latte.

Americans and Europeans drink two to three times more coffee than Colombians. Why is that?

• In Colombia, there is simply not a dominant culture of coffee, believe it or not.
• For example, for breakfast, many Colombians prefer to drink hot chocolate or fresh juice from a truly amazing variety of fruits available.
• Or they may choose to drink a beverage called “agua de panela’” made with brown sugar cane sold in blocks and dissolved in hot water.
• When Colombians drink coffee, they opt for less than other nationalities.
• However, over time, Colombians are adopting a preference for gourmet and specialty cafes selling drip brewed coffee, espresso based, hot beverages, other hot and cold drinks, and snacks.
• These cafes also sell merchandise such as shirts, jackets, mugs, whole beans, posters, books, music and other items.
• Adoption of strong coffee cultural habits is the result of effective marketing.
• This is a positive trend for the thousands of trade workers who benefit from high coffee consumption domestically, particularly when international sales are lagging.

What’s helping Colombians adopt a stronger culture of coffee drinking?

• Enterprising Colombian marketers and growers are committed to increasing current per capita consumption of 1.8 kilos per year by 30%.
• Launch of a long term strong national promotional and advertising campaign using multiple media and touch points with the slogan “Tome Cafe” (“Drink Coffee”).
• Main campaign objective is to establish coffee as the beverage of choice.
• The campaign includes education about quality and distinction between Specialty Coffee and other grades of the product.
• Business initiatives at the private and government level seek to identify and cater to the national consumer audience who can or is willing to pay for Specialty Coffee.
• Awareness of the independent certifying agency’s recognition when specific labels meet quality, environmental and social welfare requirements for specific certifications.
• Certification means that the coffee production process maintained high soil and water conservation standards.
• The use of pesticides was limited in accordance with principles of sustainable agricultural and waste disposal practices.
• The workers involved in the chain of events for the brand derived benefits to improve their social, economic and health situations.

According to the Colombian Specialty Coffee Program of the National Federation of Coffee Growers, their evaluation is based on the principles of sustainability, preparation and origin.

1. Sustainability means that communities growing this coffee are fully committed to protecting the environment and ensuring cleanliness throughout the production steps.
2. Preparation means that coffee is developed to meet the preferences of a particular client.
3. Origin identifies the region or particular farm where the specialty coffee is harvested. This type of bean is not mixed with any other in the tradition of a “limited edition.”

The growth of domestic Specialty Coffee consumption among Colombians will be the result of effective promotional and advertising messaging. Colombians are proud about their flagship export product and about the cultural traditions of strong family, music, literature, cuisine and religion from the coffee growing regions.

The success of the promotional efforts to get Colombians to drink more coffee will benefit their domestic economy and strengthen the production of great beans for years to come!

Dominant brands such as Juan Valdez and Oma Cafe already have a noticeable presence in the country with strategically placed specialty outlets.

The Juan Valdez chain of coffee shops was created by Colombia’s National Federation of Coffee Growers through Procafecol S.A, (Promotora de Cafe Colombiano), a company established in 2002.

• Juan Valdez Cafe is the only house chain from a coffee producing country.
• Procafecol is about 80% owned by the Federation.
• The rest of the shares are directly owned by more than 400,000 individual growers belonging to an association.
• There are about 120 Juan Valdez coffee shops in Colombia selling a range of products and merchandise on site. These shops are social meeting places for people of all ages and occupations.

Another dominant brand is OMA.

• Started in 1970, OMA owns shops selling all the usual hot and cold coffee drinks, and snacks.
• The shops also feature books and music.
• In addition, OMA owns a restaurant chain and a manufacturing facility for OMA Coffee Roasters.
• The name OMA is derived from German. OMA is an endearing word for “grandmother.”

In addition, there are several other less known specialty labels that focus on niche markets. They include:

• “Perfect Love,” owned by coffee roaster Luis Fernando Velez. Achievement: “Q” certification. Perfect Love is of export quality, sweet, aromatic, offering a cup with zero defects, very clean, pleasant after-taste and a remarkable acidity. Sold through institutional clients (businesses, hotels), limited points of sale in affluent areas or through special subscription orders.
• “Devotion Cafe” (known as “Veneto”), is another brand that sells their product domestically through a membership that includes a coffee maker, cup, plate and a spoon.
• “Aney” from the Cesar area. “Kogui” from the Magdalena area. “Mesa de los Santos” from Santander. “Cafe Aragon” from Medellin. “Jesus Martin Bedoya” from Armenia. “Salento” from Quindio. And there are more.

I’m ready for a good cup of my favorite Colombian Supremo Organic coffee. What about you?

Timothy (“Tim”) S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him “Gourmet Coffee Guy.”
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

Come visit the author’s website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com

Copyright – Timothy S. Collins. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Author: Timothy S. Collins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Lowest Price Prototype PCB Assembly

Gourmet coffee beans are almost exclusively high-quality mild varieties of the bean Arabica. Arabica coffees are known for their full body flavors and low acidity. However, the term “gourmet coffee” has also come to embrace coffees that are enhanced with flavorings during the roasting process.

Where you get your gourmet coffee beans depends a lot on what you are considering gourmet. Are you looking for gourmet flavored beans or gourmet beans that are grown in a specific region such as the Kona beans of Hawaii?

You can purchase gourmet coffee beans at your local grocery retailer. However, you cannot be assured of their freshness or their authenticity. Any company can label a product as gourmet and you might not know the difference until you have already spent your money on an inferior product. Additionally, they most likely will not carry the higher end gourmet beans.

Local coffee shops are more likely to carry authentic gourmet beans that are fresh. They are staking their business’ reputation on any product they carry and sell. This alone is reason enough to trust their product. In addition, they are usually able to procure a larger variety of gourmet coffees than a typical retailer. They most likely will take special orders as well.

Picking a Gourmet Coffee Bean

If you are going to buy a gourmet coffee bean, you should know ahead of time what kind of bean you want to buy. To help you make your decision, based on the beans growing location and expected flavors, you can choose from among these gourmet coffee beans:

Brazilian coffee beans: Typically these coffee beans are consistent but unremarkable in their characteristic. These coffee beans make a wonderful base for coffee blends.

Colombia: Everyone has heard the commercials with Juan Valdez and his Columbian coffee; however, what they do not tell you is the best Colombia coffee is the Supremo and the Excelso. Colombia also has a Colombian Medellin that is very rich with a fully body and slight acidity. Aged Vintage Colombian coffees are very sweet, thick and rich with a little bit of acidity.

If you like full bodied coffees with that are strong and sharply acidic then you should try gourmet coffee beans from Costa Rica. Another area that has a full bodied coffee that is rich in flavor has a wonderful aroma and a slightly acidic taste is Mexico.

Panama beans are noted for being full-bodied with a mild flavor and a sharp acidity.

Two of the most excellent coffee beans are from Hawaii’s Kona area and Jamaica’s Blue Mountain area coffee growers. The Kona beans have a hint of spice and sweetness with a full body a rich flavor. The Blue Mountain gourmet beans are considered top of the line coffee beans with their full body, slight acidity and smooth mellow flavor.

Gourmet coffee from the Dominican Republic is rich with a moderate acidity. You should look for coffee beans specifically from Santo Domingo or Barahona.

In Guatemala and El Salvador you should look for beans grown in the mountains or high areas. These tend to have the best body and a mild flavor. Those from El Salvador tend to have a medium level of acidity while those from Guatemala have a higher acidity level with a spicy, smoky characteristic.

Java Island, whose name is synonymous with coffee, offers gourmet Arabica beans that are spicy with a heavy body and mild acidity.

The best quality Arabica beans in the Asia/Indonesia area are from Sumatra. Sumatra coffees are wonderfully full-bodied, rich with a mellow taste that is low in acid.

Gourmet coffees can come from around the world or from your local coffee shop. Gourmet coffee can be grown in specific locations that lend to its taste, such as the Kona coffee beans, or it can be made into a gourmet coffee through the addition of flavorings during the roasting process. Either way, coffee enthusiasts know when they are being served a gourmet coffee; it’s all in the taste.

Sharon V Chapman writes on the joys of coffee and provides consumer information on gourmet coffee beans for Gourmet Coffee Guide – your online guide to fine coffee.

Author: Sharon V Chapman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Android apps

All over the world, people drink coffee from basically one of two types of coffee beans: Arabica beans (“Coffea Arabica”) and Robusta beans (“Coffea Robusta”)

Arabica beans are aromatic, flavorful coffee beans used for gourmet, specialty coffees. The term refers to Coffea Arabica, the taxonomic species named for the genus responsible for about 75% of the world’s commercial coffee crop. Coffea Arabica is a woody perennial evergreen that belongs to same family as Gardenias.

Robusta beans contain twice the caffeine as Arabicas. Robusta beans are somewhat bitter and lack the flavor and aroma of Arabica beans. Robusta beans are used to produce blends, instant and freeze dried coffees.

There are other types of coffee species but they are very rare or non-existent in the export market. As a result, the fact is that we all drink either Arabica or Robusta coffee. Sounds simple, right? Not quite.

There are many “varietals” within Arabica coffee trees which yield coffee beans with distinct flavors and characteristics. This is where the fun begins. To name a few,

ETHIOPIAN COFFEE: Ethiopian Harrar, Sidamo and Yirgacheffe. Each is named after their region of origin and they have very distinct flavor characteristics. For example, Ethiopian Harrar is known for its medium body, earthy flavor, almost no acidity and a very smooth mouth feel. This is a complex coffee with light spicy tones and a fruity flavor that some people compare to the taste of dry red wine. As the ‘birthplace of coffee,” Ethiopia has a unique place in the coffee world.

KENYAN COFFEE: Kenyan AA. This coffee comes from the area surrounding Mount Kenya, a region with fertile red volcanic soil. The coffee is known for its very acidic taste you taste right away in the mouth, and then followed by a medium body with an aftertaste of earthy flavor.

TANZANIAN COFFEE: Tanzanian Peaberry focuses on pea berry instead of traditional coffee beans. Coffee is the dried seed from the fruit of a flowering tree. Each fruit has two seeds facing each other. On the coffee tree, there is a percentage of the fruit that has a single seed or peaberry and the rest will have two flat beans for the usual two (2) seeds per fruit. The single bean peaberry occurs in less than 5% of any crop and is generally considered to produce a more concentrated flavor.

COLOMBIAN COFFEE: major cultivars of Arabica beans include Bourbon, Caturra, Maragogype and Typica. Colombian coffees also include the name of the growing regions such as Cauca, Nario, Amazonas, Bucaramanga, etc. Colombia accounts for more than a tenth of the world’s entire coffee supply. Colombian Arabica coffee is perhaps the most well-known, partly due to its “living” and successful coffee advertising iconic symbols recognized worldwide, Juan Valdez and Conchita, the mule. The more generic Colombian coffees are rated as Excelso and Supremo. These terms simply refer to the size of the coffee beans, not necessarily to better coffee grades.

COSTA RICAN COFFEE: Costa Rican Tarrazu is a prized Arabica coffee. It is named after the San Marcos de Tarrazu valley, one of the four premium coffee growing districts surrounding the capital city of San Jose. The other varietals include Tres Rios, Heredia and Alajuela. Costa Rican coffees are balanced, clean, with bright acidity featuring citrus or berry-like flavors and hints of chocolate and spice in the finish.

BRAZILIAN COFFEE: Brazil Santos Bourbon comes from the hills of So Paulo state in the south-central portion of the country near the port of Santos. Historically, these Arabica coffee plants were brought to the island of Bourbon now known as the Island of Reunion. Brazil Santos Bourbon is a light bodied coffee, with low acidity, a pleasing aroma and a mild, smooth flavor.

INDONESIAN COFFEE: Java is the most famous Arabica varietal from the island of Java. The top grade of Java coffee is cultivated on former Dutch plantations and is called Java Estate. This is a clean, thick, full body coffee with less of the earthy characteristics that other Indonesia coffees feature, such as Sumatra or Sulawesi. The Java coffees provide a smooth complement to the Yemen Mocha which is very intense. The traditional Mocha Java blend is the combination of Java and Yemen Mocha.

SUMATRAN COFFEE: Sumatra Mandheling and Sumatra Lintong. Sumatra Lintong originates in the Lintong district of Sumatra near Lake Toba. This coffee has a medium, bodied coffee, low acid, sweet with a complex and earthy aroma. Sumatra Mandheling has a rich, heavy body, subdued acidity and unique complex flavor. This coffee actually does not originate in the Mandheling region but is named after the Mandailing people in the north of Sumatra.

HAWAIIAN COFFEE: closer to home, in Hawaii, the best known Arabica varietal is Hawaiian Kona coffee. This Arabica bean grows on the slopes of Mount Hualalai and Mauna Loa which makes it not only exclusive to Hawaii but also to the Kona District specifically.

JAMAICAN COFFEE: the Arabica varietal that grows predominantly in the Blue Mountain region of this island is called Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. The Blue Mountains stretch between Kingston and Port Maria in Jamaica. This region enjoys a cool and misty climate. Due to its limited production quantity, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is expensive.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA COFFEE: located just north of Australia, Papua New Guinea coffee cultivation was started in 1937 using imported seeds from Jamaica’s famous Blue Mountain region. As a result, Papua New Guinea has noticeable similarities to Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. The rich volcanic soil and excellent climate produce a mild and mellow, full-bodied coffee with moderate acidity, broad flavor and very interesting aromatics.

Is this all? No, there are many more varietals, brands, and special flavors of Arabica coffee to try and discover.

For now, what about a cup of Ethiopian Harrar or Papua New Guinea coffee?

Timothy (“Tim”) S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him “The Gourmet Coffee Guy.”
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

Come visit the author’s website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com

Copyright – Timothy S. Collins. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Author: Timothy S. Collins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Electric Pressure Cooker