Coffee

Ethiopia is the widely recognized home of Arabica coffee. Unlike many other countries that carefully partition their coffee plantations, Ethiopia is the only country where even wild coffee trees account for the active harvests. But one thing in common about premium gourmet coffee, their beans are all hand picked and not machine harvested.

The downside to Ethiopian coffee is that due to wild coffee trees accounting for parts of their harvests, their products have some rough sediments that may slip into each cup especially when a percolator or French Press is used. Ethiopian coffee is best served using a filtered, drip coffee maker.

Aside from tracing their origins to the Arabica, many of today’s premium coffees owe their rich and unique taste to geography and nature. Here are three of the world’s finest which trace their roots to Arabica:

• The Ethiopian Harrar coffee. This type of coffee is grown in the eastern part of Ethiopia. Being an arid area, coffee from this region are traditionally dry. Its fruit is allowed to dry on the bean then milled to remove the fruit and husk. Due to this drying process of allowing air to circulate around the coffee, a fruit flavor is retained. In fact, some coffee reviewers have described Ethiopian Harrar as remarkable and complex with a hint of wine simply because of this sweet, fruity flavor that borders on blueberry interacting with the aroma.
• Hawaiian Kona coffee. Another one of the world’s top coffee types grown in the Kona coast of Hawaii. This Hawaiian offspring of Arabica found its way into the Kona coast by way of Brazil when a missionary first planted it in the region in the early 19th century.

  The Kona region is not as hot and dry as Ethiopia but rather tropical. Days are sunny with some rainy afternoons. What probably contributes most to the Kona bean’s distinctness is the rich volcanic soil on which it grows. Like Ethiopian Harrar, Kona coffee is sometimes identified by a flavor that hints of wine which is probably due to the same fruity property it shares with its African cousin.

• Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.This coffee type is grown in mountainous areas that reach 5,500 feet and these are known as the Blue Mountains. The climate is similar to the Kona region, cool in the day but with much more rain. Because of its height, it is not uncommon to see mist and cloud covering much of the Blue Mountains. The locals say that it is the interaction of the mist with the coffee plants that give their coffee a bluish-green hue. Unlike Kona though, the Blue Mountains are not volcanic but its soil is made rich by its sheer altitude.

  Coffee beans were not indigenous to Jamaica. It was in 1728 that its governor brought the first Arabica beans into the islands from Martinique. And almost 300 years later, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is one of the world’s finest and rather hard to find at times.

As you can see, the Arabica bean has travelled the world and is already rooted in many parts. The images of Ethiopia are sometimes sad, with pictures of babies being held by their mothers all reduced to only skin and bones as a result of crushing poverty. But to those who are fortunate to find work picking the coffee berries, they have become a source of blessing for all coffee enthusiasts.

You may own the top of the line coffee maker, you may drink from the shiniest of cups, but were it not for the sweat and labor of these Ethiopian farmers, there would be none of the best coffees that money can buy.

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Author: Simon Wu
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Whenever I have a friend traveling to Hawaii I insist they bring me back a bag of the famous Kona Peaberry Coffee. Kona coffee is known for its smooth and mellow yet full-bodied flavor, a very deep and rich bean producing a very aromatic cup of coffee. Kona’s elevated location is perfect for growing the best beans. Its climate of sunny mornings, cloudy or rainy afternoons combine to make a superior coffee bean.

Kona coffee can only be called that if it is grown within the district of Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is grown in a small area only one mile wide by 30 miles long. Coffee grown in any other area of the islands can only be called “Hawaiian.” Even coffee grown in Kona is called “Hawaiian” if it falls below the “Prime” grade.

Kona Peaberry coffee is classified as “Extra Fancy” and costs more not only because you are getting a bigger and denser bean, but because you are also getting a rarer bean and only accounts for approximately 5% of the coffee bean crop. Peaberry is a “freak of nature” so to speak, and occurs when the coffee cherry yields only one bean instead of two. The Peaberry bean is shaped like a football; it is not flat on one side and round on the other, like a regular coffee bean. It also has a lower acid content than regular beans. Some believe that the cylindrical shape causes this bean to roast differently than a regular bean giving it a much different taste.

It has been said that coffee prepared in a French Press coffee pot is the best way to taste the actual flavor of the coffee bean. If you have Kona Peaberry coffee beans what better way to thoroughly enjoy their bold yet smooth flavor. When coffee is prepared in a French Press coffee pot it produces a concentrated yet very smooth and rich tasting coffee. You can imagine how the combination of Kona Peaberry coffee, which is already great tasting, and brewing it in the French Press coffee pot would kick it up a notch and make a more intense flavored cup of coffee. One sip of this rare coffee will spoil you for any other.

When purchasing a package of Kona Peaberry Coffee inspect the ingredient label carefully. It can only be called that if it is 100% Kona Peaberry Coffee. It may say that it is a “Kona” blend. That could mean that it is part Hawaiian coffee, possibly grown in other areas, and a small part Kona Peaberry Coffee. If you are comparing prices you may think you are getting a high grade coffee by purchasing one called “Estate.” “Estate” is not a grade of Kona coffee. The Kona coffee council defines “Estate” as “the product of one farm, unmixed with crops from other farms and processed through to roast under the control of that farm.” Processing companies buy coffee in cherry form (right off the tree) from many farms in Hawaii. They combine these all the way through to roasting and market it under their own label.

It is well worth the extra cost to buy pure Kona Peaberry Coffee. You will not be disappointed.

Find the latest information on coffee visit French Press Coffee as well as Kona Peaberry Coffee

Author: Mary Swanson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Coffee gift baskets are great for coffee lovers. However, it can be complete without the coffee itself. There are many different kinds of coffee to choose from. You can be creative with the flavors and add accessories to complete the package.

Here are some coffee selections that can be assembled in the gift basket:

Kona Coffee – Kona coffee is a premium specialty coffee made in Hawaii. Because of this, it is only grown just right in a few places in the world. Growing this type of coffee requires a certain technique. The amount of sun oil and water has to be very precise. This combination technique consists of bright sunny mornings, humid rainy afternoons and mild nights. When this technique is followed correctly, the kona beans give off a powerful aroma that can permeate the entire gift basket.

Shade Grown – This coffee is a friend of the environment. Shade grown coffee does not rely on chemicals for growth and does not pose a threat to the soil. Because of this, the ground remains fertile and the coffee has a better flavor.

Fair Trade Certified – Fair trade certified coffee should be purchased under fair conditions. To become fair trade certified, imported have to adhere to certain rules and regulations. This in turn, puts a premium price on the product.

Organic Coffee – Organic coffee is healthy because it’s free from pesticides and other chemicals. Chemicals in other products can be harmful to people and the environment. This coffee gift shows how much health means to you.

Gourmet coffee gift baskets are great for those who are really into specialty coffees. Gourmet coffees come from gourmet coffee beans. The coffee beans roast its own flavor, therefore making it distinct. The settled flavor is created upon the climate for growth, kinds of soil and the weather. You get more of a natural flavor if the roast is light in color. Roasting is getting back into gear again, with people doing it at home. Roasting beans can just about assure you a great cup of coffee.

Gourmet coffee contains many different flavors and other items to complement it. If you’re not sure which selections you should choose, consult a local coffee store in your area, local Starbucks or other local chain. Online retailers have many coffee flavors to choose from, like French Vanilla, Hazelnut and Irish Crème.

To complement your coffee gift basket, whether it’s gourmet coffee or something else, you can also add some of the following items: coffee or travel mugs, filters, coffee grinder, chocolate gourmet candy, cappuccino, cream and cream server, and a sugar bowl with an assortment of sweeteners.

The coffee gift basket can be in any size. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. You should think out of the box and be creative. Along with the coffee, you can add cookies, pancake/waffle mix, syrup or chocolate dipped stirring spoons. Being able to customize a coffee gift basket for someone is really special. Coffee lovers just appreciate the fact that you’re thinking about them.

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Author: Jon Sherwood
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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