Coffee

Gourmet coffee is good, gourmet coffee drinks are fabulous. Using your own gourmet flavored coffee or espresso as a base you can make those tasty treats at home and save yourself a lot of money while impressing your friends at the same time. Gourmet coffee drinks can vary from lattes and cappuccinos to exotic ice cream drinks. There are also alcohol drinks that feature coffee which can be very relaxing after a stressful day at the office.

Gourmet Coffee Recipes

Chocolate Cappuccino: For the chocoholic who loves their coffee this satisfies both desires.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vanilla syrup
• 4-6 oz. Chocolate Milk or Chocolate Soy Milk if lactose intolerant
• 4 oz. Espresso or Very Strong Coffee – can use gourmet chocolate flavored coffee if desired
• Chocolate Shavings
• Whipped Cream

Directions

1. First pour the vanilla syrup into a cappuccino mug.
2. Now add your fresh brewed espresso or coffee to the vanilla syrup and blend the two ingredients together.
3. Next, steam your chocolate milk to 160 degrees F. (Use a candy thermometer to test the milk).
4. Add to the coffee mixture.
5. Top with a dollop of whip cream and chocolate shavings.

Variation: For a relaxing after dinner drink, add a 2 oz. Shot of Godiva Chocolate Liqueur or other chocolate liqueur.

Iced Latte with Flavor Variations: The traditional latte served up cold and creamy for those hot sultry days when you need a boost.

Ingredients

• 2-4 oz. Espresso or Strong Coffee
• 4-6 oz. Milk
• Ice Cubes
• Flavorings as desired (see variations)

Directions

1. Pour the espresso and milk into a cocktail shaker.
2. Add ice cubes and shake until well chilled. For variations use one of the following flavors. Note: For frozen latte, use a blender instead of cocktail shaker.

Variations: Add any one of the following flavorings to the blender or cocktail shaker. *Coffee syrups available in coffee section of grocer or at coffee shops.

2 oz Vanilla Syrup

2 oz. Chocolate Syrup

2 oz. Hazelnut Syrup

Iced Mint Mocha: This is a wonderful coffee drink for those hot summer days. For a spirited version you can add a liqueur such as Bailey’s Irish Cream.

Ingredients

• Ice
• 1 oz. of mint chocolate coffee syrup
• 2 scoops of mint choc chip ice cream
• 2-4 oz. espresso shots or strong coffee
• Cold milk
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate shavings/sprinkles

Directions

1. Place ice in blender, add mint chocolate chip ice cream and mint chocolate syrup.
2. Pour in milk based on how thick you want the drink to be.
3. Blend to desired consistency.
4. Top with whip cream, chocolate shavings or sprinkles.

Fall Cappuccino: This coffee drink with a touch of cinnamon and cloves invokes those autumn nights when there is just a hint of chill in the air.

Ingredients

• 4-6 Whole cloves
• 1 Cinnamon Sticks
• 4-6 Whole Green Cardoman
• 3 tsp. Brown Sugar
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate Shavings and Ground Cinnamon
• 2-4 oz. Espresso
• 4-6 oz. Steamed Milk

Directions

1. Add 2 cups water to small saucepan.
2. Add all spices to the water and heat to boiling.
3. Allow to boil for 3-4 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, steam 4-6 oz. of milk to 160 degrees F.
5. Pour the espresso into a cappuccino mug, add the spice mixture and stir well. Top with the steamed milk. Decorate with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and sprinkled cinnamon.

Variations: For more of a coffee drink, you can replace the espresso and steamed milk with 6-8 oz. of strong coffee.

For an adult beverage, add 2 oz. of your favorite brandy

Gourmet coffee drinks can be made without just about any flavorings you can imagine. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Using coffee syrups available online and at your local coffee shop combined with flavorings and spices in your kitchen you can serve up an array of gourmet drinks that would rival even the fanciest of coffee shops.

Sharon V Chapman writes on the joys of coffee and provides information on gourmet coffee drinks for Gourmet Coffee Guide – your number one online resource for gourmet coffee!

Author: Sharon V Chapman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Flavored coffee beans are fast becoming in demand. More and more people who have tried cups of this type of coffee are not only drawn to its wonderful taste, aroma and flavor, they are also becoming environmentally conscious. This is since most flavored coffee beans are organically made as well as mixed with organic flavorings.

In fact, chocolate-covered coffee beans are fast becoming the craze. Its popularity indicates how many people are lured into its amazing flavor and taste. Hence, there are important things to consider when making or buying chocolate covered coffee beans.

First is the quality of coffee beans. Having the best chocolate covered coffee entails patience and determination because you will be starting from scratch. You also need to choose the appropriate coffee beans for the task. Do not expect high quality tasting coffee if the coffee beans you have chosen are otherwise. If you are uncertain about the type of coffee bean for this, you can test each type of coffee bean available, combine it with the chocolate and choose which can promote the best taste.

For chocolate covered coffee beans, the most appropriate is milk chocolate. If this is not available, you can experiment and test amongst the other types of chocolates available. Other types of chocolate include dark chocolate and bitter chocolate among others. Just like with the coffee beans, you can get the best quality by using the best type.

With the best chocolate and beans, you can now cook it. Since a lot would depend on your cooking method, you need to be extra careful. Make sure that the chocolate’s temperature is just enough. Vigilance is needed so that you will not overcook and burn it, particularly if you are using a microwave. You only need to make the chocolate soft so you can easily roll it over the coffee beans. Thus, the appropriate temperature should be achieved so that you will not encounter the risk of burning your fingers or hands when rolling the beans on the soft chocolate.

Since making organic flavored coffee is very simple, you can even do it at home. All you need are some organic coffee of the highest quality. Coffee quality is vital because no matter how great the flavor can be, it will not mask the bean quality. However, if you utilize inferior coffee, it will compromise results.

Once the coffee beans are roasted, add some vanilla or cinnamon flavoring. These are the two highly in demand flavors in the market. Make sure that the vanilla or cinnamon is also organic. This is in order to maintain your coffee’s organic status.

Although it is up to you to have flavored coffee or otherwise, many believe it is best to buy organic coffee as well as other organic farm products. Hence, organic coffee is not only healthier; its cultivation process also promotes environmental sustainability, an issue very critical at this age.

Organic farmers are now proving that you can also get quantity and high quality crops by growing them organically. Thus, organic coffee is a superb example that having organic crops are far better for the environment as well as for consumption.

Every day, as people become aware of problems pertaining to nature, they are also beginning to discover the benefits of going organic. At present, many people are lured into the amazing taste and flavor of organic flavored coffee which is why it is grown in no less than 30 countries apart from the US.

For more information on Grind and Brew Coffee Maker and Cold Brew Coffee please visit our website.

Author: David Urmann
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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For most of us, the freshly brewed smell of coffee is the morning wake up call. Morning coffee is more than a morning ritual. It is a time to relax and enjoy exotic flavors while buried in the day’s newspapers. With so many different flavors of coffee, it is not possible to figure out which are the better ones. It is also a subjective matter as individual tastes differ. You should experiment with different varieties to see what appeals most to your taste buds. After extensive research market analysts have arrived at the following as some of the most popular coffee flavors:

Medical experts would say water is definitely better for your health than soda. There is vitamin water available that are no more than bottled water with coloring, vitamins and flavor. Instead of buying this type of ready-made flavored water, you can exercise your imagination and add many things to water at home to make water more enjoyable to drink. Most of us are aware of the term electrolytes used for marketing for energy drinks. Please note that electrolytes are just ions that are found in common table salt. Adding a little bit of salt to water helps your body absorb the liquid more quickly. As long as you add a pinch of salt and not more, the water should quench the thirst, and act as a recuperative agent since the body loses salt through sweat.

Chocolate: That chocolate is the most favored flavor for many needs no reiteration. Chocolate flavors can be either sweet or bitter. The smooth texture that it adds to the coffee is something really extraordinary.

French Vanilla: This is a blend of vanilla and cream that makes coffee a perfect drink. This combination comes in all sorts of types

Espresso: People coming from Europe will settle for nothing less than a good cup of Espresso coffee. In Italy, you can enjoy this cup of coffee with its strong and truly wonderful flavor. The best espresso should have a powerful aroma, and flavor similar to freshly ground coffee. The cream should be dark reddish-brown and smooth, yet thick. A pleasant and aromatic aftertaste should linger on the palate for several minutes after you consume genuine espresso coffee.

Hazelnut: This is yet another wonderful blend of coffee that coffee lovers clamor for. The unique feature of this flavor is you will get an even taste, one that is not too bitter and not too sweet.

Amaretto: This type of coffee will unfailingly offer you a little zing because it is made to taste like the Italian liquor.

Dark Roast: There is something amazing about this flavor and all coffee lovers should try this flavor.

Kano: This is an exotic coffee that is unlike all other known coffee flavors. It has a subtle taste of citrus that is just enough to excite you.

The birthplace of coffee, Africa grows some of the world’s finest coffee beans. From its musky aroma to its floral and fruity taste, Kenyan Extra Bold from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is certainly the most prized variety of African coffees.

Island Coconut Coffee from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is appreciated for its fresh, fruity aroma and creamy coconut flavor. Mixed with ice and a splash of coconut rum, this coffee makes a fantastic after-dinner drink.

Sugar Bush Maple Coffee is a true taste sensation for maple syrup lovers. Unlike other blends which make use of cinnamon and maple flavorings, Sugar Bush Maple provides the taste and aroma of pure maple syrup.

The panel of coffee lovers, who had done tasting of different coffee flavors, opined flavors like hazelnut and amaretto topped the list when asked for their all time favorite from among less known flavors.

Next on the list were the dessert coffee types. Of these, the chocolate and raspberry combination seemed to be the most popular, with peppermint is close second. Other popular flavors were caramel and toffee, as well as the ever popular French vanilla.

There were some of the more uncommon types of flavored coffee available in several different fruit flavors. These unusual flavors came in varieties such as Blueberry flavored coffee, orange coffee, and even apple flavored coffee.

Samehta is a Copywriter of Bottled water. She written many articles in various topics such as flavored water, coffee flavors. For more information visit: http://capellaflavordrops.com.

Author: Samehta S Capella
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Coffee and Cancer

For those who are not familiar with the non dairy creamers, Non-dairy creamers typically contain sodium caseinate, a milk protein (casein) derivative that does not contain lactose and is not considered a dairy product. Other common ingredients include corn syrup and vegetable oil solids. And for the Vegans and Vegetarians, some creamers are based on soy milk rather than on milk protein.

In 1989, Nestle launched exciting variants of the coffee mate- Coffee Mate Lite and Coffee Mate Liquid. The Liquid Non-Dairy Creamer quickly became the number one liquid creamer on the market. Nestle aggressively added more flavors over the following 10 years, fat free products and single serve tubs. Amazingly, Nestlé’s Coffee Mate Coffee Creamer was awarded the prestigious “Gold Taste Award” from the American Tasting Institute. This was the first time a non-dairy coffee creamer was included in this competition, and many chefs from across the country agreed that Coffee-Mate liquid and powder products have the best taste amongst all other competing national brands.

Additionally, several Coffee-Mate flavors were awarded medals for “Best of Show.” Coffee-Mate flavors were judged in June 2001, awarding Coffee-Mate the 2001-2002 “Gold Taste Award.”

If you are up to experimenting with your coffee, you can have a whole new experience when you try your coffee with coffee mate. There are so many different coffee mate flavors available and it is also available in four different varieties- Coffee mate liquid, coffee mate powder, coffee mate liquid concentrate and coffee mate soy.

Coffee mate liquid has many flavors like French Vanilla, Irish Crème, Vanilla Caramel, Crème brulée, Original fat free, original low fat and many other exotic flavors. Irish crème flavor is rich, creamy and blended with a hint of mint and is a perfect complement to desserts. The Crème brulée flavor adds a delicious taste of crème brulée to your coffee and makes for a fantastic dessert. The original fat free flavors add creaminess to your coffee minus the fats.

Coffee mate powder has flavors like Vanilla Chai Spice (which has a spicy taste), sugar free hazelnut, Pumpkin spice, Peppermint mocha, Cinnamon vanilla crème and many other flavors. Sugar free hazelnut offers the nutty sweetness of hazelnuts without the sugar. The cinnamon vanilla crème is delicately blended with real cinnamon spice and makes for a different, flavorsome cup of coffee. Coffee mate liquid concentrate offers three different exotic flavors- French Vanilla, Hazelnut, and Sweetened Original. French Vanilla gives you the rich, creamy taste of classic vanilla with a convenient Liquid Concentrate pump dispenser.

The non-dairy creamers liquid helps avoid mess by providing easy to use pump dispenser and can serve approximately 250 cups of coffee. Coffee mate soy is available in Soy French Vanilla and Soy Original flavors. In both the flavors, the soy is combined with vanilla and the smooth creamy taste of coffee mate (for second type) to bring a beautiful flavor to your cup of coffee.

Do You LOVE good coffee? Heather is a qualified barista and shares many of her great coffee making tips. Register for Your FREE copy of the Health and Happiness Mag, that includes tips on coffee making like the professionals at http://www.womensinfoproducts.com/food/coffee

Author: Heather Richards
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Coffee. We wake up with it, sip it all day, and drink it after dinner. But coffee is more than a beverage. For years, professionl chefs have used coffee to boost the flavor of meats, sauces, and desserts. While I’m not a professional chef, I’m a competent cook and have fixed buffet dinners for 70 and romantic dinners for two.

In fact, I was a food writer before I became a health writer. Like many other writers, I love coffee. I love coffee so much I decided to add it to some classic dessert recipes. Results? Coffee improved the flavor of all of them.

The coffee in Molten Mocha Cake gives this gooey dessert an added depth of flavor. Coffee Ice Cream sauce is a celebration of coffee flavor. Cinnamon and nutmeg give Pioneer Cookies lots of flavor, but coffee brings our the flavor of the spices. Fudgy Pudding, a rich, dark, and creamy dessert, is comfort food at its best.

Read the recipe before you start cooking. Notice that I’ve swapped healthy ingredients for less healthy ones when possible. Splenda for sugar. Applesauce for shortening. Skim milk for whole. Whipped topping for cream. Don’t worry, these desserts are still delicious and satisfying.

Buy the best coffee – ground, instant, or instant espresso – you can afford. Use fresh coffee only, not sludge that’s been sitting around since the birds got up. Drip coffee should be made with one tablespoon of coffee for every two cups of water. Get out the mixing bowls, the measuring stuff, the necessary ingredients, and start cooking. Then sit back and enjoy a coffee dessert with a cup of “Joe.”

MOLTEN MOCHA CAKE

Cake:

1 cup regular flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup Splenda,
2 tablespoons cocoa, 1 teaspoon instant coffee, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce

Topping:

1/4 cup cocoa, 1 teaspoon instant coffee, 2/3 cup light brown sugar, 1 3/4 cups hot coffee

Combine cake ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Pour into a one and a half quart casserole dish that has been coated with cooking spray.

Combine topping ingredients in the same bowl. Gently pour this mixture over the cake batter. Bake in a 350 oven for 45 minutes. Cook cake 10 minutes before serving. Serve plain or garnish with whipped topping or sugar-free frozen vanilla yogurt. Yield: 6 servings.

COFFEE ICE CREAM SAUCE

1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1/4 cup strong coffee (room temperature), 1/4 cup skim milk, 1/4 cup fat free half and half, dash of salt, 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Combine sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Using a whisk, add coffee, milk, half and half, salt (but not vanilla) to the cornstarch mixture. Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Let sauce cool. Serve over sugar-free vanilla or chocolate frozen yogurt. Yield: 6 servings.

PIONEER COOKIES (A SOFT, CAKE-LIKE COOKIE)

1/2 cup butter-flavored Crisco, 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark), 1/2 cup calorie-free brown sugar, 1 large egg (room temperature), 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour (pre-sifted kind),
1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 cup strong coffee (cold),
1/2 cup dried currants or cranberries, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Cream Crisco, brown sugar, and egg until fluffy. Combine dried ingredients (excluding fruit and nuts) in a large bowl. Add to creamed mixture in small batches, alternating with the coffee. Fold in fruit and nuts. Drop dough by heaping teaspoons onto prepared cookie pans. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until cookies are puffed and golden. Yield: 4 dozen.

FUDGY PUDDING

1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/3 cup Splenda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee, 2 cups skim milk, whipped topping (sugar-free)

Combine cornstarch, Splenda, salt and instant coffee in a small saucepan. Slowly add milk to this mixture. Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until pudding is smooth and thick. Remove from heat and cover with plastic wrap. Chill pudding until set. Serve with whipped topping and a few sprinkles of instant coffee. Yield: 4 servings.

Copyright 2005 by Harret Hodgson. For more information on her work please go to www.harriethodgson.com.

Harriet Hodgson has been a nonfiction writer for 27 years and is a member of the Association of Health Care Journslists. She was a food writer for the former “Rochester Magazine” in her hometown of Rochester, MN. Her latest book, “Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief,” written with Dr. Lois Krahn, is available from http://www.amazon.com

Author: Harriet Hodgson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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