Coffee

Coffee lovers everywhere are realizing that in order to make the most flavoursome cup of coffee you need to first start with the right coffee.  Sounds simple enough doesn’t it?  But where a lot of coffee enthusiasts come unstuck is when they mistakenly buy pre-manufactured grounds as opposed to actual coffee beans.

The main problem with buying coffee grounds is that they are already likely to have deteriorated by being exposed to the air for a given period.  This results is the coffee grounds oxidize and therefore will potentially ruin the taste, and all this before you have even started…

The only way to almost guarantee a perfect cup of coffee is to use coffee beans and grind them yourself.  The outer-shell of the coffee bean safely protects the contents from air exposure so you can grind the exact amount of coffee you need without having to worry about ever destroying the taste.

All that remains is to decide on what kind of coffee grinder suits you best.  There are three main types to choose from, burr, crusher and blade.

The Crusher Grinder.

Simply put this type of grinder compresses the coffee bean just like a vice and although responsibly cheap the crusher grinder is unable to produce a uniform grind which is essential for many coffee brews including espresso.

The Blade Grinder:

If you after a way to improve the taste of your coffee, but not looking to spend a fortune doing so then a blade grinder might just be what you’re looking for.  These types of grinders rotate very fast to chop the coffee beans over and over.  The main problem with a blade grinder is because it does rotate fast the potential of passing heat directly to the coffee is high.  This can result in the coffee tasting very bitter or even burnt.

The Burr Grinder

If you can afford one then a burr grinder is the choice to make.  There a two types to consider, the flat burr or the conical burr variant.  Both are very good at producing an even, uniform ground that is capable of producing Espresso and even Turkish coffee.  

Of the two grinders the conical burr is the undisputed king, thanks largely to it being able to grind coffee extremely slowly and evenly.  Whatever coffee grinder you decide upon, you can be sure that your brew will taste far better than any pre-bought coffee grounds.

Coffee lovers everywhere realize that conical burr grinders make a perfect cup of coffee everytime. One such example is the highly rated Rancilio Rocky Doserless coffee grinder. For more information make sure you visit us today!

Author: Robert Funge
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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One cup coffee makers are the perfect way to receive a hot cup of delicious coffee any time of the day. There are millions of people around the world that enjoy a fresh cup of hot coffee. The only problem with this is that with regular size coffee makers it can take some time to brew a pot of coffee. Other problems are that if you only want one or two cups of coffee, you need a large space to place the coffee maker. Now, with the use of these one cup coffee makers, these problems just seem to disappear.

Having a fresh cup of hot coffee is how many people start off their day. For some people it may take a whole pot of coffee to get started but for others, it may only take a single cup. So this presents a small problem for the single cup users. The time that it takes to brew coffee in a normal size coffee maker can be lengthy. However, the time that it takes to brew coffee in the one cup coffee maker is very short and will offer you a hot cup every time.

These are perfect to use for that initial cup of coffee to get your day going. By using these types of coffee makers, you can be rid of stale or burnt coffee. There are many advantages to having one of these coffee makers. For example, you can find in the grocery store, filters that have enough coffee stored in them to provide you with one cup of coffee.

These were designed to be used with these types of coffee makers. They are small and lightweight so that they will be easier to handle and will be easy to store and find a place to use them.

So for the best product for your money, these one cup coffee makers are the best idea for you. With the size and weight, you can have a delicious eye opening cup of coffee just about anywhere you like any time of day and it will be available in just minutes. Our space is very important and we never seem to have enough of it to enjoy the things that we love in life.

Time is a precious commodity that no one has enough of. With the use of these space-saving devices, we can now brew a cup of coffee and still have the time needed to get on with the rest of our day. Thanks to modern technology we can enjoy sipping on one our favorite drinks without taking up a lot of space and with no hassle at all.

Daryl Plaza is a regular contributor to CoffeeMakersChoice.com a website with resources and information for all your coffee makers and coffee accessories.

Author: Daryl Plaza
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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