Coffee

Every people have their own experiences to share when you talk about coffee, especially those who drink coffee from ages 18 and up. Many specialty coffee shops can be now found in almost any corner of the city, that’s because of our addiction to coffee. And because of this, I’m sure that those specialty coffee shops are making more money by serving thousands of caffeine lovers every day.

One of the fastest growing food industries in the world is the specialty coffee industry. These kind of shops are now almost every where. Try walking in the downtown area, and you will notice that there now a lot of shops serving caffeine lovers. To produce a gourmet or premium coffee, is should be grown in the world’s most ideal coffee producing climates, like in Costa Rica, and prepared according to exacting standards. And Specialty Coffee Association of America or SCAA set all these quality standards.

Specialty coffee industry have their own trade association, and this is SCAA. To maintain the quality, SCAA put standards for roasting, growing, and brewing of coffee. This association consists of coffee roasters, producers, retailers. Some coffee equipment manufacturers are also member of this association. As you may know, SCAA provide its own information of specialty coffee in terms of cupping, brewing, roasting, and more.

The first method, cupping, is the systematic evaluation of coffee beans based on its aroma and taste. This method is commonly used by coffee growers, buyers, and roasters to determine the quality of a specific coffee sample. There is a formal step-by-step evaluation process for doing a proper cupping and it requires the observance to an exacting set of brewing standards. A cupper generally looks for six characteristics to identify its quality, these include aroma, taste, fragrance, aftertaste, nose (vapors release by the coffee in the mouth), and body.

To enhance the taste of the coffee, proper brewing should be done. And it is properly done if the proper amount of flavor was extracted from the bean. The six essential elements of proper brewing are coffee to water ratio, optimum brewing method, properly operating brewing machine, a coffee grind that matches the brewing time, high quality water, and an appropriate filtering medium.

So, that is all. There is variety of reasons why premium coffee hit off the market. One, it needs to follow certain standards in order to produce a great tasting coffee drinks and simply because they taste better. If the coffee industry is continuous in implementing these high quality standards, it will continue to soar.

John Platiko is the created a website Coffee A Day for coffee lovers. Coffee lovers can also get the latest Starbucks Coffee Store discounts from the website.

Author: John Platiko
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty tariff

The truth is that coffee hits a lot of spots! For centuries, people all around the world have loved coffee, and its popularity is far from waning nowadays. In fact, coffee connoisseurs have more varieties of delicious choices than ever before, as coffee houses, shops, kiosks and specialty carts spring up all over the place.

No matter how you like your coffee, whether it be black, frothy cappuccino, latte, espresso, hot or on ice, the selections available to tempt your taste buds is enormous. The average annual coffee consumption of the American adult is 67 gallons, over 600 cups. In fact, specialty coffee sales are increasing by 20% per year and account for almost 8% of the 18 billion dollar U.S. coffee market. Statistics show that among coffee drinkers, the average consumption in the US is around 2.3 cups of coffee per day. Also, studies find that over one-half of the population, equivalent to approximately 150 million Americans, now drink specialty coffees on a daily basis.

There are currently around 35,000 coffee shops around the United States, with an average $30 billion a year in sales. Based on market research, there will be approximately 42,000 or more independently owned coffee shops in the US by the year 2011. An enterprising business person should look at the gourmet coffee business as a golden opportunity.

Based on research by the National Coffee Association and The Specialty Coffee Association of America, the average price for an espresso based drink is $2.85, while the average price for brewed coffee is $1.38. The average espresso drive-thru business sells approximately 200-300 cups of espresso and coffee based drinks per day. The studies show that men drink as much coffee as women; each consuming an average of 1.6 cups per day. Women tend to be more concerned about price than their male counterparts.

The United States imports over $5 billion worth of coffee every year. Juan Valdez and his little donkey must be keeping very busy! Americans drink 460 million cups of coffee every day, which makes the United States the leading consumer of coffee in the entire world.

A scientific report from the University of California found that the steam rising from a cup of coffee contains the same amounts of antioxidants as three oranges. The antioxidants are heterocyclic compounds which prevents cancer and heart disease. Guess what! Coffee is good for you!

More than half of all Americans, 18 or older, drink coffee every day. This equates to approximately 150 million daily java drinkers. 30 million American adults drink specialty coffee beverages daily; such as mocha, latte, espresso, cafe mocha, cappuccino, frozen/iced coffee beverages, and so on.

Coffee sales are continually rising year after year. And so are the pricing modules! Coffee is the second largest commodity traded, next to oil. If you are looking for a business to get into, coffee is probably the best business for you to consider. Can you think of any other product that has such universal appeal, is easy to get into, and is relatively simple to operate?

Michael Stadneck grew up in Palermo Italy, where he enjoyed the finest gourmet coffee for the first 35 years of his life. As luck would have it, his first job in America was with Nescafe Coffee Company. After five years of hard work he was promoted to take over the specialty coffee franchise department.

Author: Michael Stadneck
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

A 2001 survey by the National Coffee Association indicated that over 100 million people drink coffee on a daily basis and that nearly 60 million more occasionally consume coffee. Based on average drinking habits, the daily coffee drinker will consume multiple cups per day – totalling hundreds of millions cups of coffee being consumed every 24 hours.

Such enormous consumer demand coupled with the growing trend toward gourmet coffee presents an opportunity for the enterprising coffee lovers to take their double shots at generating income while working in an industry which makes their coffee passions percolate.

Coffee-loving entrepreneurs can choose from a wide range of opportunities available to find ones that best matches their tastes. Interested in starting small? Start with a couple machines and a cart. More grande ambitions? Consider a coffee shop franchise.

The Specialty Coffee Association of America’s “Market Report” forecasts that the number of coffeehouses in the U.S. will grow to 15,000 by the year 2006. Will one of those coffeehouses be yours?

You can take a couple different paths can to starting your own coffee themed business. One option is to buy the equipment and supplies yourself, building your own identity and business systems. The other option is to purchase a franchise and benefit from their proven image, proven systems, and established supply chains. Let’s look at some examples of coffee related businesses that you could start for yourself.

If you choose the independent route you can use a wholesaler such as Mr. Churro’s to help get you started. Mr. Churro’s is Miami-based wholesaler of professional grade machines for making espresso, coffee, and hot chocolate. Beyond acquiring equipment from Mr. Churro’s you would need to work out other details of your business details on your own. For example, you would need to find a coffee bean supplier, find a suitable business location, and also learn how to run a coffee business.

For a more turn-key type of operation, The Coffee Beanery, a global franchise based in Michigan, provides franchisees with a wide menu of coffee based drinks as well as an attractive breakfast and lunch menus. The franchisee benefits from a proven image, a proven menu, a fully developed method of operation, and an established supply chain. It might cost more to purchase a franchise, but if you are new to business, the long term benefits might outweigh the short term higher startup costs.

Coffee News USA is a third type of coffee related business opportunity. Unlike the previous two examples, Coffee News USA does not involve making and selling coffee beverages. Instead, Coffee News is publishing opportunity in which the franchisee provides a free local edition of the weekly Coffee News newspaper to restaurants and coffee shops. The franchisor provides most of the content, and the franchisee sells advertisements to generate income.

These three business opportunities a just a few of the coffee related businesses that are available for coffee lovers. Most of the other opportunities are franchises, but not all franchises are created equal. Examining each business opportunity carefully can bring to light some important differences that might lead you to an opportunity that is better suited to you than another.

With over 300 million cups of coffee being consumed daily in the US, a coffee-related business opportunity should be a strong consideration for the enterprising coffee lover. Contact information for Mr. Churro’s, The Coffee Beanery, Coffee News USA, and more than 400 other specific business opportunities is available in the eBook, “Mind Your Business 101: How to Select & Start Your Own Business,” for only $16.98 USD at http://www.LinkertonPublishing.com.

About The Author

C.S. Deam is a small business owner. His eBook Leverage Yourself Out of the Rat Race is available for immediate download at www.LinkertonPublishing.com where you can sign up for FREE E-Courses & Newsletters to help you on your path to self-employment.

CSDeam@LinkertonPublishing.com

Author: C.S. Deam
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
US State tax list

Coffee beans are the seeds from the fruit on coffee plants and not actually a bean. There are a few ways to extract the beans. Whether using the wet or dry process of extracting seeds, the result is, the seed removed from the fruit.

Flavors of Gourmet Coffee

Arabica gourmet coffee is superior grade, has half the caffeine of Robusta coffee and a superior taste. It also has a far better smell. You can find almost any flavor of gourmet coffee such as:

o Almond

o Peppermint

o French vanilla

o Chocolate

o Pumpkin spice

o Chocolate mint

o Swiss mocha

o Vanilla

o Irish crème

o Amaretto

Gourmet coffee comes in caffeinated and decaffeinated. There is also gourmet coffee available for people with sensitive stomachs that are low in acid so a little more gentle. Arabica coffee ranks very high up amid the Specialty Coffee Association of America.

For anyone to appreciate a great cup of gourmet coffee, people need to know some helpful information on it. You do not need to be an expert to enjoy it but it does help you appreciate the taste more, if you know more than the corner store, which sells instant coffee. It will also help you appreciate the smell and taste that gourmet coffee lovers find wonderful.

Purchasing and Making Gourmet Coffee

Gourmet coffee should be fresh for the best flavor. Also, buy only beans roasted within the last week and 100% Arabica coffee. Local grocery stores or supermarkets are not the place to find freshly roasted coffee beans. Usually their beans are roasted up to three months earlier. Purchase a coffee grinding machine and purchase the whole coffee bean. Grind the beans when you need them.

Do not store the gourmet coffee beans at room temperature. They should always be stored in airtight containers and placed in the fridge if you are using them soon. For gourmet coffee you are keeping for a while, place the airtight container in the freezer. It will not hurt the coffee but will keep it fresh.

Make sure your coffee maker is clean because it makes a real difference in the taste of your coffee. Run water and vinegar through your coffee maker once a month. Make sure you run clean water through to remove all the vinegar and smell. When making gourmet coffee, use approximately two heaping tablespoons per six ounces of clean, filtered water. This gives you a starting point. Now adjust the amount of coffee until you have the strength you enjoy. Buy your gourmet coffee beans from reputable companies, as it does a difference.

Since the 1990′s, specialty gourmet coffee keeps getting more popular and is now one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Regular coffee is fine but gourmet coffee is fantastic and do not forget the flavored gourmet coffee. There is definitely something for everyone’s taste.

There are many types of coffee that you can enjoy. However, if you want to check it out, visit my website at Gourmet Coffee Machines

Author: Joseph Then
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Low-volume PCB maker

Brewing a great cup of coffee requires 4 things: the best coffee beans you can find; a grinder; a brewing device; and pure, cold water. Here is a guide for creating a perfect cup of coffee right at home.

Many people buy their coffee from the grocery store. Most selections are drinkable. However, the issue with grocery store coffee — even national brands — is freshness. Once roasted, any coffee’s quality decreases with time, like fresh baked bread. An incredible cup of coffee demands not only fresh, but high quality beans. Coffee shops that roast, or roaster-only operations have the freshest coffee. Find a local shop/roaster, or search online.

Coffee purchased from these retailers will consist of specialty Arabica beans that meet very high standards of both quality and growing conditions. “Specialty” is an actual grade of coffee – the highest. Beans that meet this standard have almost no noticeable defects.

The person roasting is an artisan, a member of the Roaster’s Guild, which is part of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). (The SCAA is a trade association that promotes excellence in the specialty coffee industry through education and training.) To him or her each pound is precious and their survival relies on your satisfaction. Roasting is done in small batches and the fresh coffee is shipped directly to your home. Air, light, and nearby food odors are coffee’s arch enemies, so use air-tight storage and whole beans will maintain freshness about 2-4 weeks; ground coffee about 2 weeks.

A little more about coffee. Arabica coffee is grown in countries on or near the equator — including the U.S. (Hawaii). Central, South America and the Caribbean also produce coffee in this hemisphere. African, Arabian, Asian, and Indonesian countries produce in the eastern hemisphere. The coffee for you will depend on the flavor profile that suits your taste. Do you prefer a bright, acidic Costa Rican with a quick finish, or a heavy yet smooth Sumatran that lingers on your tongue? Lighter roasts, or dark? Coffee from a specific country is called single origin; when coffees from different countries and with different flavor profiles are mixed they are called blends. Thus, blends often have names that don’t always reflect their origin, like Breakfast Blend, or Uncle Ben’s Blend.

Unless your palette has traveled the coffee world there are likely many countries whose coffee you have yet to try. Map out your coffee travels. Perhaps start with the office favorite, Columbian, and then expand to a pleasant, fruity Ethiopian. Experience the difference between a Guatemalan and a Nicaraguan. Or a Kenyan and a Tanzanian.

For the best tasting cup of coffee it is best to buy whole beans and grind them just before brewing. Coffee can be ground by whirling blades — a blade grinder, or crushed by two sets of precisely milled metal teeth called burrs. A burr grinder is considered superior to the blade style because it grinds more evenly.

If you want to brew coffee in a way that brings out all of its body, richness, and flavor use a French press. Regardless of price, they all do the same thing the same way. Operation is very simple: dump in your coarsely ground coffee, add hot water (the correct brewing temperature is 195-205 Fahrenheit), stir, and wait 4 minutes (enjoy the aroma while you wait). Then press down the plunger and pour the coffee into your cup.

Let’s say you don’t want to mess with the press. The traditional kitchen countertop, drip coffee maker is easier to clean and more practical when brewing for groups of people. Choose a unit that has a thermal carafe instead of a glass pot with a hotplate. Also, look for a removable brewing basket (easier to clean) and an auto-shutoff feature (for safety).

Filtered water is critical for great tasting coffee. A cup of coffee is about 97% water. Regardless of the brewing method always use filtered water — not direct tap or distilled. Tap water contains many chemicals, for example, chlorine, which taint coffee.

Condiments are limited only by your imagination. Possibilities include sugar (white granulated or raw), dairy, non-dairy, soy milk, flavored syrup, cinnamon, cardamon, and the list goes on. Or just drink it black.

Lastly, how long will that pound last? The standard brewing method is 1 tablespoon (approximately ¼ oz) of ground coffee per 6 ounces of water. (You can adjust the ratio to your taste.) Most mugs hold 12 ounces, requiring about ½ oz of ground coffee. Assuming one mug per day, (30 mugs times ½ ounce) that’s roughly one pound per month.

With the combination of great beans, equipment, and water, you can brew coffee that exceeds your expectations every time. Remember, it’s all about the coffee: seek the best.

Brent Kloster is co-owner of Falls River Coffee, which sells fresh roasted coffee, loose leaf tea, and brewing equipment online at http://www.FallsRiverCoffee.com

Author: Brent Kloster
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Low-volume PCB maker