Coffee

Buying coffee can be challenging. Why? There are so many coffee brands. If you know good tips on how to shop for coffee, you will be able to find a brand that you truly enjoy. I’d like to share with you some suggestions on what to look for when getting the most out of your next coffee purchase.

But first, let me explain how I learned about buying coffee. When I first tried an inexpensive brand of coffee, I almost spit it out. I thought, “How can people drink this stuff and enjoy it?” Since I was not after the caffeine effect, it was a long time before I’d try another cup of coffee. But I worked in a retail shop that was close to a gourmet coffee shop. I bought many flavored beverages from the shop. One day, I decided to try a flavored coffee. Luckily, I really enjoyed it. If I hadn’t, I don’t know if I would have ever tried coffee again. But drinking a regular cup of coffee didn’t appeal much to me. I became kind of a “fun coffee” kind of person, trying different flavors whenever I felt like a change. It also helped that I was married to a ‘coffee lover’ and learned valuable insight from him. He told me that I shouldn’t have to flavor coffee to get a good taste that I enjoy. My husband is a bit of a coffee snob but he has sort of earned that right. He grew up traveling to Guatemala with his parents to visit relatives. His grandfather immigrated to America from Guatemala and became a citizen of this great country. Because of this connection, my husband would visit the Guatemalan relatives on the family coffee farm as a boy and as an adult. Personally, I have visited Guatemala twice, to meet family, visit the family farm, and learn about coffee production. As you can imagine, coffee drinking is big in his family.

Nevertheless, here are the tips I have learned when looking for a good coffee:

1) Smell the coffee in the bag if you are able. Make sure it has a desirable aroma.
2) Check out the source of the coffee. Where is it from? Is it Estate Grown coffee of a high quality or is it a blend of “leftovers”?
3) How was it processed before it got to the roaster? Was it sun dried for a higher quality?
4) Buy whole bean for the ability to see the beans before your grind. If the beans are broken, have wholes in them or are all inconsistent sizes, don’t buy.
5) What kind of roast is it? Vienna, French or Espresso? Be sure to buy the correct roast for your taste buds or you may get a false impression of the coffee. Vienna is a lighter roast, French is a little darker and Espresso is a very dark roast.

Once you figure out which coffee you like, make sure the brewing is done correctly so that you ensure a smooth delicious flavor. Now you can sit back and really enjoy that coffee taste. Enjoy.

Article written by Michelle Falla, Coffee Distributor for Serenity Cup Coffees. Visit http://www.serenitycup.com for more details.

Author: Michelle Falla
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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One of the most famous substances that coffee is known for is caffeine. Caffeine is one of nature’s natural stimulants. As a stimulant, coffee has the tendency to increase a persons heart rate, increase or cause insomnia, increases the senses, makes the brain function at a higher level, acts as a diuretic, and increases the blood flow through out the body. This may sound pleasant to many individuals. However, other people do not receive this stimulating affect with the appreciative attitude as others. Of course, coffee manufacturers do not want to leave anyone out of the loop. They have revolutionized a whole new type of coffee bean: decaf gourmet coffee beans.

The trick for coffee manufacturers is to not negatively affect the taste and aroma of the coffee in the decaf process. During the decaf process, the coffee beans are soaked to remove the excess oils and materials that contain the caffeine. Once the coffee beans are soaked appropriately, the coffee beans are roasted as usual for premium coffee. This intensive process creates the best decaf gourmet coffee that is later exported around the world. Which means it soon finds itself safely packaged and shipped to a retail shop near you.

It is important to remember that Arabic coffee, not Robust coffee, is used to create the best decaf gourmet coffee. Arabic coffee is grown in hot and dry areas. The higher the altitude, the denser the coffees bean. A denser coffee bean means a better decaf gourmet coffee for consumers around the world. In addition, only Arabic beans contain the high quality needed for gourmet coffee beans: both decaf and regular coffee. Moisture in a growing coffee bean stunts the productive growth and creates a less flavorful and aromatic coffee bean.

Decaf gourmet coffee comes in most of the same options and choices as the regular coffee beans. Many people notice a unique, different taste associated with decaf gourmet coffee. However, many people agree that the unique features contained within gourmet decaf coffee bring a pleasant and refreshing change. Those that enjoy a truly good cup of coffee, get the coffee without the stimulating factors associated with regular coffee. Deciding to try decaf coffee is an opportunity to try something unique. Although decaf coffee is similar to regular coffee, the difference is more evident to many coffee drinkers. Drinking decaf may take time to adjust too.

Decaf coffee is usually sold along side regular coffee in all retail shops. The specialty coffees are commonly in both regular and decaf as well. Decaf and regular coffees are sold side-by-side in retail shops. Decaf coffee customers are increasing and growing in strength and as they grow, coffee manufacturers are recognizing the importance of meeting the demands of both markets equally. Opportunity has called, and coffee manufacturers have met the cry. Take a look at those decaf coffees along side your regular coffee. For a coffee experience minus the stimulating affect of caffeine, give decaf gourmet coffee a chance.

Tana has been an avid coffee and tea drinker her whole life. She has tried more than 100 different varieties of coffee and tea. At her site, Tana reveals to you her delicious secret blends of coffee and tea that she has experienced through her years. To learn more about premium gourmet coffee visit http://www.thelittleteahouse.com

Author: Tana Ticer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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