Coffee

With so many wide and varied coffee producing regions throughout the world it is hard to know what to expect when you buy a coffee from these places. Some of regions rely on small independent farmers to produce the coffee other regions are run by the multinational companies. We are well aware of how famous Java is in the world of coffee, it has now become a second name for coffee. But there a many less well known regions that are producing some of the most outstanding coffee in the world, These beans get their unique flavours and aromas from the way they are grown and processed, for instance some regions in the Americas grown their coffee in the shade, while other prefer their beans to be grown on the slopes of mountains. To name and describe ever region of coffee producing world would take a little longer than I can afford, but they can be broken down into the main regions so you get a general overview of what to expect of the coffees from these regions.

The Americas.

The largest and most diverse of all the regions, coffee is produced from the Caribbean all the way through south and central America and as far as Hawaii. Most of these coffees can be described as having a well balance and medium bodied flavours, because of these characteristics many of the coffees from the Americas are perfect from bending with other strong more acidic coffee verities. Some other well known characteristics of these coffees are chocolaty and nutty tones. Probably the most famous of all the American coffee’s are the kona coffee produced on the slopes of the volcanic Hawaiian mountains and the blue mountain coffee of Jamaica which is the highest mountain in the Caribbean.

Africa and the Middles East.

With Ethiopia being the birth place of coffee Africa has a long history with the Coffee bean and some of the most famous coffees have their origin in African and the Middle East, Mocha Coffee got it’s name from a port in Yemen. Coffee from these regions will always remain popular with each region having its own unique flavours and aromas and this is mostly down to the wide variety of climates from the desert like regions of the Middle East to the tropical regions of the Cameroon and Kenya. Even though there are many different varieties of African coffee you are always assured of a wonderful cup of coffee.

Asia And Indonesia

Almost 75% of all the coffee beans produced in this region come from the Canephora plant, with the remainder produced from the Arabica plant, The tropical and sub-tropical climates of these regions make the ideal conditions for growing some of the world’s finest coffee beans. In general these coffees are low in acidity with a full body and distinctive aromatic flavours of earthy tones. Because the beans are low in acidity with a strong body they are often used in a blend with a milder coffee usually from Africa or the Americas. Some of the most well loved of all the Asian coffee’s are the monsooned malabar coffee produced in India. This is one of the most unique coffees in the world as the beans are left in open sheds though out the monsoon season. This imparts a wonderful unique flavour to the beans. Another famous coffee is Kapal Api which produced on the Indonesian island of Java and in the past 80 it has grown to be a world famous brand.

As you can see that the choice and variety of coffee today is endless, and if you decide to roast your own green Coffee beans not only will have the freshest cup of coffee imaginable but you can also begin to experiment with different blends of coffee from around the world.

Author: Robert T Jones
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Traditionally, almost all coffee was shade grown. The coffee plant in its natural state isn’t very tolerant of direct sunlight; thus most coffee plants grow best under the shade of a canopy of trees. In an ideal setting, the leaves from the overhanging trees would decompose and compost into the soil, creating a rich, moist soil in which the coffee plants thrive. Furthermore, the trees overhead provide a home to native birds that eat many insects which would otherwise threaten the coffee plants. Coffee grown in this type of environment would need little to no fertilizers or pesticides to grow; rather, it would grow quite well on its own.

In 1972, scientists developed a new hybrid type of coffee plant. This new plant boasted a much larger crop of beans than traditional coffee plants, and in addition, the crop was easier to harvest because the plant remains small in size. Soon, coffee farms around the world were converting to the new hybrid plant. In turn, coffee farms cut down their native forests to provide direct sunlight for the hybrid coffee plants. Out of the some 6 million acres of coffee-producing land around the world, it is estimated that 60% of that land has been deforested since 1972 as a result of hybrid sun coffee plants.

The loss of forest on coffee plantations has created numerous problems. First, the migratory birds that lived in these trees no longer have a habitat. It is estimated that the population of migratory birds has declined 20% over the last ten years, mostly due to loss of habitat. The lack of trees not only interrupts the bird population. It has a direct impact on the entire ecosystem of an area. A study conducted by the University of Michigan found that shade coffee plantations support a significant number of other species of animals and insects. For example, the study noted that one tree on a shade coffee farm in Costa Rica was home to 27 different species of ants and 126 species of beetles. When the shade trees disappear, so do other animals and insects, upsetting the fragile balance of the natural ecosystem.

Another problem with sun grown coffee is the enormous amount of synthetic chemicals required to grow it. Because there aren’t as many native birds present to eat the insects, pesticides are required to keep the insect population down. Sun coffee plants are also treated with chemical fertilizers, because there is no canopy of trees present to provide organic matter that would naturally enrich the soil. Furthermore, plantations growing sun coffee must also rely on the use of herbicides to keep down the weeds that grow in the increased sunlight (shade coffee plantations don’t have as many problems with weeds, because the weeds don’t grow well in the shady conditions that the coffee plants favor).

All these chemicals that are required to farm the hybrid sun coffee plants create an enormous amount of runoff, which poisons downstream waterways due to runoff and threatens the health of workers on the coffee plantations. The lack of trees has also created serious soil erosion problems. It has become clear that this type of coffee farming is not sustainable.

Traditional shade growing, however, is a self-sufficient and sustainable farming method. It promotes increased biodiversity and requires little to no fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. The Smithsonian Institute’s Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) is working to raise awareness and promote shade grown coffee through a certification process. Look for coffees that feature the SMBC’s “Bird Friendly” seal of approval, or if you cannot find such coffees, simply look for those that specify shade grown conditions.

The only way to address this problem is through consumer demand. Every purchase of shade grown coffee helps restore natural shade grown coffee farming methods. Coffee drinkers and bird lovers unite, and buy only shade grown coffee!

All gourmet roasted coffee and flavored coffee beans sold at Home Products ‘n’ More are shade grown, and include free shipping and handling.

Author: Ellen Bell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Are you an avid coffee drinker? Do you want to indulge in quality oriented coffee? Then you have come to the right place. Coffee is basically a herb that is grown in several tastes. Its cultivation also takes place beneath a covering of shade trees. Although in the modern times there is a specific name for this kind of coffee, i.e. “shade-grown coffee”, but almost two to three decades ago it was the one and only method of cultivating coffee. With the passage of time several coffee plantations are also accustomed to grow in the sunlight. The difference between the to is that the coffee that is grown in the shade has a life span that is two times the life span of the coffee that is grown in the sunlight and also spreads the herb meaning that the coffee herbs and shrubs grow even without re-plantation. This also ensures the restricted usage of chemical fertilizers hence giving gourmet its natural flavor that is finer in quality as compared to the regular coffee that is bitter in contrast.

When it comes to coffee one is presented with a wide array of choices, and if you belong to the category that derives pleasure in frequent entertain events and occasions, then you will surely want to keep a variety of gourmet coffee on hand in order to go well with the special taste requirements of your different guests. An equally important factor that is ignored whilst shopping for gourmet coffee is not only do you need to purchase good quality coffee but should also be knowledgeable regarding the most excellent method of preparation of your coffee.

On a personal not, drip filtering is possibly the most ordinary method of making coffee. Further investing in a good brewer or an espresso machine in accordance to your personal requirements would be money well spent. As the method that you employ to brew your coffee will most definitely affect and enhance the taste of the respective coffee. Another thing that needs to be taken into account whilst taking into consideration the different sorts of gourmet coffees is that you need to have all the respective coffee accessories, especially if you are one of those people who visit friends and family just for a cup of your favorite gourmet coffee then it is the appropriate time to make the respective purchase. The gourmet coffee accessories are available in the market a all shapes and sizes and an array of colors and styles.

When we talk about the most loved gourmet coffees that are much popular, they can safely be divided into four main categories namely the latte, cappuccino, espresso and flavored coffees. They have been briefly explained for your benefit. The latte served commonly in café and hence also called the café latte is basically a kind of espresso mixed with hot milk and foam-covered at the top. Cappuccino is also similar to the latte and is made up of espresso and steaming milk blended together. The only difference is that instead of being topped with frothy foam it is frequently garnished with either cinnamon or chocolate.

The espresso on the other hand is a strong and powerful kind of coffee. It incorporates a dark froth and is drunk in over four gulps whereas the flavored coffees include coffee in which the respective flavors are added. Amongst the variety of flavors that are specifically employed for this purpose are Irish cream, vanilla, chocolate, almonds, caramel to name a few.

You can buy coffee both in the market and online. Orders can also be placed on the net and safe and swift delivery is ensured. While doing so you can also look for new flavors of the gourmet coffee. Regardless of the sort of coffee that you purchase, as that is your own choice, but on a personal note I would recommend you to try out all the different flavors in order to find out more about its different tastes. And who knows… whilst trying out new flavors you might find a new favorite! Comparisons amongst the different coffees can also be made. Whereas if you desire to send a gift hamper to somebody, doing so is just a click away, as it is the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life! Any individual flavor/kind of gourmet coffee can be sent on its own and also in the form of a gourmet coffee gift basket that includes its different flavors which are sure to ignite the recipient’s heart and fill up their senses!

Wholesale Gourmet Coffee

Author: Jay Kaplan
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.

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Author: Samantha Evans
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Not all coffee beans are grown in environments that consist of huge commercial coffee plantations that are located in remote places in far off southern Latin American countries and it is also another common assumption that growing coffee requires plenty of sunshine as well.

There are however different kinds of coffee crops that grow under different conditions and which use different procedures of harvesting. Thus one can think of two different types of coffee that include the shade grown or organic coffee and the traditional coffee that is grown in direct sunlight.

Two Types Of Coffee

These two types of coffees are diametrically opposite as far as their production is concerned. There was a time when coffee was only grown in the shade and it was much like the present day organic coffee that we drink today. It is not usual for most kinds of coffee to grow properly under direct sunlight and grow at their best when under shade.

Thus shade grown coffee or organic coffee are used to benefiting from the falling of leaves that are instrumental in mulching the soil and helping in retaining moisture. Also, such type of coffee, when grown beneath trees means that the trees provide a home to birds and thus are a way of controlling pests.

Till about thirty years ago there was not much fertilizer or pesticides used and thus organic coffee was synonymous with healthy production. Then, in the seventies a number of new varieties of coffee began to appear and new methods of producing coffee became known which meant production of more Coffee beans, slower rate of harvesting and also use of direct sunlight to grow the crops.

Thus, the coming of non-organic coffee meant that farmers began to cut down on trees so that they could make plantation rows and in the United States alone it meant almost two million acres of land being dedicated to both organic as well as non-organic coffee growth. Only those farmers that were too poor to use fertilizers as well as pesticides continued producing organic coffee.

There is little doubt that organic coffee does cost a bit more, but the transition from organic to the sun coffee has also meant that the environment is being sacrificed. With erosion of soil and the depletion of nutrients, more chemical fertilizers are being sprayed into the ground and there has also been the removal of rainforest land just so that non-organic coffee can be grown.

This has led to just a few countries remaining that are still producing organic coffee and these countries include Ethiopia, Panama, El Salvador and Mexico. The bigger producers of coffee such as Costa Rica and Brazil are now producing sun coffee.

In the end, organic coffee does mean a better and cleaner environment that does produce a better coffee as far as health and a clean environment are concerned.

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Author: John Hilaire
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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