Coffee

Gourmet coffee is the latest craze, and if you have ever sipped a premium gourmet cup of Joe, then I am sure that you know why. Gourmet coffee is primarily made of Arabica coffee beans, which are the higher-quality choice in coffee beans on the market. Gourmet coffee is also often called specialty coffee, and you will find it crafted by a variety of roasters, including artisan roasters and micro-roasters.

To find out more about how gourmet coffee is made, it is important to note the roasting process. The longer that your coffee beans are roasted, the darker they will become in color. The long roasting process will also cause a higher shrink rate, meaning that it will take more of the coffee beans to make 1 pound. This does vary depending on whether or not it is a light or dark roast.

A light roast is roasted for a shorter period of time, so it will not be as dark, and it will not shrink as much. A darker roast will be roasted for a longer period of time to develop smokier and deeper flavors, so the beans will shrink more as a result. Therefore, if you have a dark roasted gourmet coffee, then it will take more coffee beans to make a pound. When gourmet coffee is roasted, it will normally shrink 20%, and a darker roast can shrink as much as 25%. Lightly roasted coffees have the potential to shrink up to 11% during the roasting process.

In truth, most specialty coffee is under roasted to cut costs in production. Gourmet coffee sales have shown that many customers do prefer fully roasted coffee, but many roasters still do under roast their coffee beans to save money in the process. When coffee is being roasted, it does have an optimum degree to which it is roasted, which will bring out the best characteristics and flavor profile for each individual coffee bean. This is the part of the process that will offer you the best taste and aroma, so it is an important aspect of roasting.

You will be able to tell if your coffee is under roasted because it will have a flat and green flavor with astringent undertones. If your coffee is over roasted, then it will taste more burnt and smoky as a result. When a specialty coffee is over roasted, it also has the detrimental effect of losing all of its unique flavors from the region that it came from. Any coffee connoisseur will be able to tell you the specific flavor characteristics of a coffee based on the region in which it was grown in, but when a gourmet coffee is over roasted, then the ashy and charcoal flavors will overpower those unique flavor characteristics so that it is difficult to set apart.

For the best tasting specialty coffee, take the time to research the roaster so that you can trust that your coffee beans will be roasted to perfection. It truly is the only way to enjoy a delicious gourmet cup of Joe!

For the widest variety of Bodum French Presses, check out Mark Ramos’ website, The Coffee Bump.

Author: Mark Ramos
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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It is always something new and exciting in the world for coffee drinkers. And Coffee pods are the latest craze. What Coffee pods are, is a small paper enclosure, similar to a tea bag that holds an amount of roasted coffee that is freshly ground and measured to a specific amount and then encased in this small a paper bag like container.

To make a pot of coffee using a pod in simple, all that you need to do is place the pod into the filter department of your coffee maker and the procedure is then the same as normal. The result is a consistent, delicious pot of coffee every single time. Then when you are finished, you just remove the used pod and dispose of it straight into the trash. No mess, less waste and completely fuss free.

Many manufacturers are now making coffee machines specifically for pods, however you can still make coffee using a pod with any coffee maker that you already own. Many companies are now producing and selling adapters so that you can use a pod in the filter of your coffee maker easily.

In our ever increasing fast paced society, using a coffee pod is a time saver as well. By using a coffee pod, you can skip the often time consuming step of measuring out your coffee grounds each time you want to make a pot of coffee. Coffee pods are now available in a wide variety of flavors and blends and you can even purchase organic pods.

Coffee pods are typically a generic size that is geared to fit most espresso machines. All you need to do is simply open your single wrapped pod, place the pod inside the filter of your machine, turn the coffee maker on and wait for the machine to go throught the process and deliver you a delicious cup of coffee.

Using pods can be beneficial in virtually every environment where coffee is consumed. In restaurants and cafes, coffee pods are convenient because they save time therefore increasing the level of productivity on site. You will also save money by cutting down on the wear and tear of the grinders.

Many office buildings find coffee pods convenient as well because they allow people to quickly produce high quality product. Remember to store your coffee pods properly. The individually wrapped coffee pods should be placed in a sealed container and kept somewhere that is cool and dark. Make certain that you do not store your pods in the fridge.

If you have a coffee maker that works with pods, but are a little put off on the cost of purchasing pods, you can easily create your own pods at home. First of all, you will need a measuring scoop that is stainless steel and that can fit into the pod holder on your pod maker. Measuring scoops that are 1/3 of a cup are typically the ideal fit. You will also need a jar or even a glass that will fit tight into your measuring scoop. You will also need to purchase filters for a four-cup machine that are of a Mr. Coffee style. It is important to ensure that the filters fit tightly.

Take one of the filters and spread in evenly over the end of the jar or glass. Now, press the jar into the measuring scoop until there is a tight edge along the bottom of the measuring cup. Take the jar away and add approximately two teaspoons of coffee grounds to the paper filter. Adjust the amount depending on how strong you prefer your coffee. With your fingers, fold any extra filter to fully cover the coffee grounds making sure that your folds are even. Use the jar to again press down inside of the scoop very hard. Invert the scoop and remove your new coffee pod. Creating your own coffee pods saves you money, and also allow you to create your favorite blends and strength of coffee.

Do You LOVE good coffee? Heather is a qualified barista and shares many of her great coffee making tips. Register for Your FREE copy of the Health and Happiness Mag, that includes tips on coffee making like the professionals at http://www.womensinfoproducts.com/food/coffee

Author: Heather Richards
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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