Coffee

Dark roasted coffee is more popular than ever, and the odds are that you may have enjoyed a dark roasted cup of Joe a time or two in your lifetime. However, as a coffee lover, it is important to understand the difference between dark and light roasted coffee because they are two diverse coffee styles.

Interestingly enough, mass marketing and commercial appeal has presented dark roasted coffee as the best quality and choice. Dark roasted coffee is popular on the market, especially when you consider that the coffee industry is the second-largest exporter next to oil worldwide. This gives the coffee industry the opportunity to market dark roasted beans as the number one choice available. A dark roast is actually made of coffee beans roasted for a longer period of time at a higher temperature, which causes many flavor molecules within the beans to burn away. This is both good and bad because bad flavors can be burned away in the roasting process, but that can include good flavors as well. When a coffee is roasted very dark, it is difficult for the drinker to tell if it is made from good or bad quality beans because it has a smoky and charcoal flavor overall.

Many coffee companies are attempting to dark roast all of their coffee to mask the type of beans that they are using, which is why dark roast Java is presented as the more popular variety on the market. This does not always mean a dark roasted coffee is a bad choice because there are many wonderful beans used to create dark roasts of Java. However, it still pays off to be a savvy customer and choose a roast made of flavorful and quality beans, whether it is light or dark.

A light roasted coffee is roasted for a shorter period of time, and it will have more flavor characteristics from the region that it is grown in. Some of these flavors may include those influenced by weather and soil, and some examples of light roasted coffee beans are Java and Kona. Light roasts are for coffee drinkers who want more specific flavors and characteristics within their brew, native to the region that the beans were grown in. Oftentimes, the coffee drinkers that choose a darker roast are not focusing necessarily on where the beans came from but the flavors that the roasting process provided as a result.

The lightest roasted Java available is called the City Roast, and the beans will normally look light or medium brown. These beans are roasted after the first crack in the roasting process, and the second lightest roast, Full City Roast, will be roasted until the second crack.

If you are a dark roasted Java drinker, it may be worth your while to try a lighter roast if you want to experience flavors and tastes from each specific coffee growing region. This is an excellent way to sample premium varieties in your cup of Joe!

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

Author: Mark Ramos
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you want to save money on your coffee habit, buy it directly from the source. By this, I mean you should think about buying coffee direct from the roaster company yourself. If you’re like a lot of true coffee aficionados you don’t want a middleman (supermarket or other store) coming between you and your java habit, after all. 

Real coffee lovers tend to feel this way, and here’s why: Coffee beans generally hit their maximum peak of flavor right after they’re roasted. Now, once the roasting process has occurred the “flavor clock” begins counting down, so you should find and buy your coffee beans quickly. Quickly, that is, if you want to experience what truly fine coffee tastes like. Don’t worry about it if coffee’s not all that big a deal to you, rookie.
 
Face it; many folks only really get to taste supermarket coffee, for the most part. We buy ground roast in a bag, but we’re usually not aware that those beans were roasted and ground several weeks or even months back. In this regard, chances are good that at least some of the flavor will have been lost. As evidence of this, note how flavorful the aroma of a freshly-opened can seems and then note how it will lessen over time as you open, close and then reopen the can again and again.
 
It’s always my recommendation that the middleman be cut out, if you’re really into good coffee. Buy coffee direct, and do a bit of research – by taste testing numerous coffee types – to see what you actually like. There are many different coffees available for purchase, too. Dark coffee, light coffee, coffee blends…they’re all at your fingertips, right online. 
 
So power up the computer and then do a search for your favorite coffee. Are you into Kona coffee, maybe? Then go to a search engine and plug in a query for the nearest distributor and order it from that source. Some coffees can be fairly uncommon on local store shelves, so chances are you’re going to have to have it shipped in. Genuine Hawaii coffees or even Jamaica Blue Mountain blends are like that, as a matter of fact. In that case, your java habit will rely on overnight shipping, mainly.
 
Here’s a piece of good news when it comes to buying coffee direct: Prices are very reasonable. In fact, you can buy your favorite blends direct from the distributor or roaster and save substantial money. Picture being able to purchase gourmet coffee for far less than you’d pay at your supermarket. For the biggest price savings, you’ll need to buy from 10 to 25 pounds of coffee to see the most savings.
 
For most coffee enthusiasts (read: freaks), this isn’t a problem at all. Many lovers of the golden roasted nectar known as coffee drink about 4 cups a day with no sweat, and they’d love to drink more if they could get away with it, nerves-wise. So if coffee is really your thing, and you adore the smell and taste of it, consider buying coffee direct from the source and you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised at the results.

T. W. Guerra, retired military officer and current freelance author and writer, busily writes and comments on many issues (coffee being one of them) at over 15 personal blogs and websites, which leads us to wonder how he has time to do anything else in his life. You can find his musings on coffee — which is something he knows about, having served over two decades in the U.S. Navy (which has an obsession with “lifer juice”) — at http://coffeefreaks.org

Author: T. W. Guerra
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Coffee roasting basics

Coffee is grown in remote areas throughout the world. In places like Java Indonesia, Kona Hawaii, and Harrar Ethiopia coffee is grown, selected, and then shipped globally. Since coffee is grown and consumed in different regions and since it is so popular, it is the second largest commodity exchanged in the world behind crude oil.

The most natural thing would have been for roasted coffee to be made where it is grown. It is, however, impossible for many reasons. First, while green coffee can be stored for one year without significant impact on the quality, roasted coffee provides fresh aroma and flavor for only about two weeks. Shipping roasted coffee by ship, would result in stalled coffee at destination.

In addition, coffee is roasted for local tastes. The bitter black roasts used in southern Italy are very different from those light acid ones consumed in northern Europe. In fact, the capacity of the district roaster to adjust roasting (and coffee blends) according to taste is an important competitive advantage – assuming it is well done, of course.

Should I do it at home?

Great, you say, no problem, give me some tomatoes, a package of butter, cheese, and I’ll take a pound of coffee…. But wait, is it freshly roasted?

Fresh coffee is like sunlight to the flowers. Take it away and it shows, real fast. First make sure you grind just before you brew – just as they do in that gourmet coffee shop around the corner where you have incredible organic coffee each time you visit. While the coffee roasted for a period of two week, the coffee takes only hours! Do not buy coffee unless you’re really in caffeine … it would you wilting flowers?

OK, great, we pick up the coffee beans and go to the cashier. But wait, it is indeed fresh? Take a look at the expiration date – it’s a year out. Mmm, what does this mean? Well, nothing really. Unless you are buying from a local roaster, chances are you buy coffee has already been roasted a few months ago, flushed with an inert gas such as nitrogen, to reduce oxidation and preserve freshness, and vacuum packed. Not very exciting, right?

So how about roasting coffee at home? Have you ever make bread at home? A pie? Remember that smell? The taste? Crispy! Well, it works also for coffee as well. Home roasted coffee gives both the means to experiment and experience of coffee in its natural form and the ultimate guarantee of freshness. Just be warned, roasting coffee is not for everyone. If you like cooking, if you’re a handyman, if you paint your own walls, go!

How do I roast coffee?

Easy, just buy a pound of green beans and throw them in the oven, right?

Wrong! First, green beans are not easy to find. Your best source is Sweet Maria’s online site, which is the ultimate source for supplies and information. Be warned though, this site is all for geeks. No problem, just take the beans and run … Coffee Bean Corral may be a friendly source, but it potentially has a smaller variety. Be sure to compare prices of course. One of the major benefits of roasting at home: raw beans are 50% cheaper than roasted ones. Cool!

Ok, that done, should I buy one of these geeky roasting devices? Probably not. Let’s start with the easy path – your oven.

Preheat it to 430 degrees, place half a pound of beans in the cooking pan and put it in the oven. Make sure you shake every five minutes for even roasting. While you’re at it, open the windows – this is a smoky business… Set your watch for 20 minutes.

Start looking at the color of the beans. Maybe have some coffee from your favorite cafe so you can compare the color and stop the roasting when your beans get the desired roast level. Take the hot beans outside (you do not want all the coffee chaff inside), place them in a colander, and shake a little to cool them down. Store the beans in a cool dark place – no vacuum required, they are fresh for a week.

So, what’s next for me?

Nothing …. or everything … The world of roasting is as deep as you want it to be. You want just the tip of the iceberg? Well, you’re already there. Do you want to discover more? Surf the web, learn more about the coffees available there, play with them – develop your palate and taste. In a short time and a lot of passion, you can easily become a good home coffee roaster, which is much better than what you get at Starbucks and at a fraction of the price. well, at some point you may even get a cool roasting machine – never say never …

Authored by Eyal Rosen, sponsored by http://www.roaste.com/

Source: http://www.roaste.com/

Author: Eyal Rosen
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The rise in popularity of organic coffee over the past decade or so is the direct result of consumers becoming more and more aware and conscientious about what products and produce they are buying. Because companies must detail production methods on their product’s packaging, consumers are able to easily make informed decisions about the products they purchase. Even more than that, consumers are generally becoming more educated about the international coffee manufacturing industry and the chemical processing that goes into the coffee they buy. Coffee, if you don’t already know, is one of the most chemically processed products in the world.

What is certified organic coffee?

The term organic refers to the way a coffee is grown, harvested and produced. It refers to the conditions of the coffee plantation or farm and the conditions under which it is processed. Only coffees grown under the strictest of organic farming guidelines may publicly label their product organic and certified organic.

Organic farming methods avoid any chemical or synthetic processing of the coffee. Organic farmers base their methods on the philosophy of processing coffee as naturally as possible, creating a healthier coffee alternative and keeping the environment as healthy as possible, too. Organic coffee farms never use chemicals as fertilizers or pesticides. Moreover, they do not use chemical flavorings or additives.

Organic farms are always built in line with principles of sustainable agricultural practice and always place importance on the health and quality of their soil. It almost goes without saying that healthy soil produces a healthy crop. And by extension then, that healthy coffee crops means healthier coffee.

These days, everyone knows well enough that chemically processed coffee is adverse to their health. Consumers also know that there are excellent organic alternatives.

Organic shade farming

Coffee is traditionally and naturally grown in the shade. This method is called ?shade coffee farming.? To this day, shade farming produced the best coffee. But large manufacturers have taken to producing coffee quickly and in full sun to meet the demands of the market.

But coffee that is grown in full sun suffers a number of adverse effects, such as from bird and insect pests. This pestilence means that large-scale coffee farmers must use pesticides to protect their crop and this, of course, results in negative effects on a coffee bean’s taste and aroma.

Only organic coffee is grown in natural conditions. The gourmet varieties of Mocha, Java and Kona are grown organically.

Coffee wholesalers who sell organic

When it comes to certified organic produce it is often best to try your local coffee retailer or coffee shop. These are small companies who love their coffee and will most likely be purchasing the very best, organically produced coffee. Next, try online stores that specialize in organic coffee. A simple search on the Internet will bring up many coffee wholesalers and retailers committed to certified organic coffee beans and blends.

Find the best almond flavored coffee [http://www.coffeeateria.com/almond-flavored-coffee-8.html] blend by visiting [http://www.coffeeateria.com], a popular coffee website that specializes in coffee blends, gourmet coffee, and espresso to include information on where to get wholesale gourmet coffee [http://www.coffeeateria.com/the-complete-guide-to-the-very-best-wholesale-gourmet-coffee-sites-online-9.html].

Author: Samantha Evans
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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A 2008 glance at Kona coffee retail prices shows options from $7 to 45 per pound. Contrary to the headline this actually sounds like a rather wide range where every market segment should be able to get their respective luxury-gourmet-coffee experience.

Yet if one subtracts all the products coat-tailing on the Kona name (e.g. ‘Kona Blend, ‘Kona Style’, ‘Kona Roast’) the range is getting much narrower. Nothing below $ 19.99 per pound, which appears somewhat genuine is to be found. If any other specifics like ‘Organic’ or ‘Extra Fancy’ are being added the prices are going quickly towards the $30 mark and above. Yet in supermarkets one can get for five bucks a wide variety of ordinary coffees and sale signs galore in the respective aisles. So who is getting rich here? And where is the discount stuff?

Let’s take a closer look of what Kona coffee actually is. The fabled Kona coffee belt stretches for 20 miles with only 2 miles width through the districts of North and South Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, USA. Ideal coffee growing conditions produce a very unique, highly aromatic, mellow, yet limited annual crop of the fabled ‘kona typica’ beans. Mostly small family farms line the two roads winding along the fertile slopes of the active volcanoes Hualalai and Mauna Kea. The verdant green scenery with the blue hues of the Pacific below is occasionally interrupted by the signs of coffee processors trying to entice the local farmers to sell them their freshly picked coffee cherries: ‘$1.60 CASH!’ or ‘WEEKLY: $1.55′ or ‘BUYING CHERRY-Always Highest Prices!’. (1 lb roasted coffee needs a 7.4 lbs of coffee cherry). Also, once the harvest comes to an end, ‘BUYING PARCHMENT’ banners will flap in the gentle ocean breeze. What’s called ‘parchment’ is the now pulped and dried coffee, still in a thin membrane covering the green bean, which will fetch a price in the range of $7.50 – $8.50 per pound.

And that’s the key to understanding the 100% Kona coffee’s economics: Every local Kona coffee farmer has the chance to sell their crop! No additional work as pulping, drying, storing, milling, sorting, roasting, packaging, labeling, marketing goes into it. Many choose to do so, as labor costs in Hawaii are at a premium and housing for low wage workers is nearly impossible to find on the island. The actual Kona Coffee Belt land is too steep and rocky to navigate with machinery and hard human labor is needed to plant, grow and harvest.

Most farm parcels are only of 3 – 5 acres average size and are capable of producing 20 – 40,000 pound of coffee cherry. Once picking costs are subtracted (50 cent per pound) the annual monies earned can be considered only an additional income. So farmers have their unpaid families and friends pitching in during picking season and then the numbers look somewhat better. Yet so far no one got rich farming Kona coffee – it still is a labor of passion similar to an old fashioned vintners’ backbreaking daily chores. And passion it is when a few of these traditional family farmers in the age of the internet are able to bring their product direct to the customers: No middlemen, no processors, no pooling of various farms, no store chains or roasters between the consumer and them. Even that for the farmers to process, package, ship, advertise, et al raises will their profits only marginal, it guarantees them independence. It’s added value for both parties, as customers know exactly where the beans come from and the farmer is able to care and quality-control the coffee from seed to cup.

The main factors driving the price of genuine Kona coffee are therefore: Kona as a limited growing region for a superb tasting product requiring intense hand labor, coupled with a steadfast national and international consumer demand that guarantees virtually no surpluses or discounted volumes of Kona coffee to be moved.

But with many folks never having experienced what a real handcrafted Kona coffee tastes like, the profit margin between the ‘commodity’ coffees and the rare 100% Kona coffee is too tempting for many roasters. The growing market of single origin, single estate coffees – as a Kona coffee should be labeled – is flooded with impostor coffee brands. So please do your research and don’t always believe what’s written on the bag when buying Kona coffee. Especially when the deal sounds too good to be true or it tastes like generic coffee, it is most likely that those beans haven’t seen Hawaii at all.

See many pictures and read more of how a small farm produces delicious, affordable 100% Kona coffee: http://www.bluehorsekona.com/ (low end pricing)

Life seen through the eyes of a little Hawaiian girl growing up on a genuine small coffee farm in Kona: http://www.athenaofhawaii.com/ (moderate pricing; celebrity clientele; presented in handcrafted wooden gift boxes and unique tapa cloth pouches)

Author: Joaquin Delanuit
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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