coffee.

Coffee: How To Decide Which Espresso Coffee Maker Will Suit Your Lifestyle!

2009-08-25T19:48:00.000-07:00

Want to know what espresso coffee maker to buy. We tell you in this informative report!
There's little homework to perform before you rush out and buy the first machine you come across. Your lifestyle plays an important role. Espresso coffee makers now come in three basic models; manual, semi-automatic and fully or super auto-matic. What's your taste and level of coffee drinking? This is important in establishing before you buy. A light drinker won't be requiring the talents of a mass producing super automatic while a heavy drinker may eventually get frustrated with using a manual machine all the time. The other factor is budget and not everyone has the spare cash to go out and buy a $4000 super automatic model. Let's take a look at the three levels of espresso coffee maker so you are better equipped to make a choice. Choosing An Espresso Coffee MakerManual espresso machines have been available to the home maker for quite some time now and in their time, we're the "ants pants." People who owned one 10-15 years ago were considered trend setters but how times have changed. Manual machines are best suited to light drinkers who want to have control or a say in how their "cup of joe" comes out the other end.

Lever operated, the time required to produce a cup may be too much for some in our "want it now" world but think of the satisfaction you'll get knowing you produced a cup of brew with your own hands. Let me say, I'm one of the impatient types so it's not a manual for me. Prices can vary but some machines can set you back over a $1000. Worth it if you don't mind having to get your hands a little dirty! Semi-AutomaticThe semi-automatic models give you the best of both worlds combining both user control and automatic features. They vary quite a bit in price ranging from under $100 to well over $1000. Most models require the user to start and finish however, some more advanced machines allow the operator to program the quantiy of espresso required. They are suited to heavier drinkers and for those people who tend to entertain a little although the super automatic machines are better suited to the latter option.

Fully Or Super AutomaticThese are the "rolls royce" versions of espresso coffee makers. Be prepared to part with a good deal of the "green stuff" to purchase one but they are worth every cent, particularly if you are the type of person who needs coffee "drip fed" on a regular basis. Prices can start from as low as $300-$400 however, the top machines can set you back anywhere from $3000-$4000.

It's hard to mess up a cup of coffee with the super automatic; it grinds the beans, tamps the grounds, spews out a shot of espresso and even separates the unwanted waste. What more could you ask for. But it doesn't stop there as the features are numerous including digital display, automatic steaming and frothing, programmable buttons allowing you to determine strength, volume, small, medium or large cup and temperature. A coffee lovers dream!It's Your ChoiceDecide on the level of espresso coffee maker that suits your needs before you go out and buy. It's almost pointless to blow money on a fully automatic model when you don't drink much of the black stuff unless, of course, you entertain regularly.

Coffee: The Best Espresso Maker Prepare Your Own Mocha.

2009-07-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

An Espresso maker is approximately a need in the present day. Every person wants a bit boost up in the morning. A tiring work agenda, a chaotic travel, and house life and leisure pursuits fill up our days and frequently leave us tired. Fortunately, coffee is a huge means to wake up in the morning and offer you with extra boost you require to make it during one busier day. Espresso coffee makers are a good investment in more methods than a single.

Initially, everybody likes an excellent strong cup of coffee. But who likes hanging about in those lengthy lines at the coffee shop and paying additional of four dollars for each cup? That's true, no one. An espresso maker is a good choice for those who desire to make coffee in the ease of their own house and save a lot of cash in the process. Many espresso makers are quite cheap and can escort to years of coffee ecstasy. How over and over you have been to your neighboring coffee shop and got the incorrect order? Excess of flog cream and sometimes too hot or too cold? With the hundreds of inhabitants sifting all the way through the coffee shop on a daily basis, somebody is bound to get something they did not ask for.

It happens. If you wish for an ideal cup of espresso coffee each morning, served precisely the way you wish for it, then its good to buy an espresso maker. Espresso coffee is extremely caffeinated to provide you a jerk of energy, as well as an appetizing morning drink. Especially mochas can charge everywhere from three to five dollars a cup, that can combine quickly. Take it from a few people, a recuperating coffee fan, they would simply give five dollars per day for coffee and then speculate where all their money had gone.

That can tote up to thirty-five dollars a week, which is approximately $150 per month. Imagine the whole lot you can purchase with an additional $150 per month. You would purchase an espresso maker that's for certain. Preparing espresso coffee brews at home is simple. Plainly boil some milk, insert espresso coffee, and the flavor syrup you wish for. Boiled milk, coffee and a little chocolate syrup makes a tasty mocha! There are lots of flavored syrups obtainable online or at most provisions shop that you can purchase to provoke endless coffee brews potential.

coffee: How Fresh is Your Coffee?

2009-07-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

If you are buying your coffee right off the grocery store shelf in bulk, then you may be in trouble. The truth of the matter is that for your coffee to have the best taste, flavor, and aroma, then it needs to be completely fresh. You cannot purchase it in the same consumer way that you would bulk flour because of the fact that it will go stale within two weeks of being roasted. The odds are even worse for you if it is freshly ground because you only have a few hours before it starts to go stale. This means that if you are buying coffee directly off of your grocery store shelf, then it has been stocked up for months at a time, and the flavor quality is low.

Coffee is something that needs to be seen and valued with the maximum freshness and perishable quality so that you can only have the best taste in your cup of Joe. Your coffee is best enjoyed directly after it is roasted, so it is recommended that you purchase from online retailers that actually will freshly roast the day that they ship it to you. Within one to three days after your coffee has been roasted, it starts releasing carbon dioxide, thus losing some of its flavors. Your beans will be at their peak during the first week after they have been roasted, and they begin to go stale after about two weeks after roasting. It is still important that you store them properly to make sure that you don't cause them to go stale faster by using a vacuum storage so that they are limited from contact with oxygen, which will cause them to oxygenate and go stale faster. If you have had beans lying around for months at a time, then they are not going to give you the flavor value that the packaging promises, no matter how good the brand is. This is all referring to whole beans only, and once you freshly grind your coffee, you only have a few hours to enjoy it before it is completely stale.

This is something that you need to consider when buying pre-ground decaf coffee from a grocery store shelf, especially since decaf is a less popular and less purchased choice. If you have found that your pre-ground coffee has been sitting on the grocery store shelf for months at a time, then you can double or triple that for how long the decaf has been sitting there. Again, when you start searching for online retailers that will freshly roast and ship their coffee to you right away, they will also often offer you a decaf choice, so this is the best way to enjoy fresh tasting decaf coffee.

Ideally, you should only have purchased enough coffee for the week so that it will remain fresh the whole time. If you want even more control of the freshness of your roast, then there are home roasters available for purchase at a fairly low cost that will allow you to customize your roast within your own home. It doesn't get fresher than that!

coffee: Brewing Coffee with Coffee Machines.

2009-07-08T07:16:00.000-07:00

The process of brewing coffee is considered by many to be an art form. As such, the equipment that is used at every stage of the process is imperative in determining the final result. Coffee can be made using any one of many methods; coffee can be boiled, steeped, or pressured.

Percolators or automatic coffee-makers utilise the effect of gravity in order to brew coffee. In these machines, hot water is allowed to drip onto coffee grounds that are held in a coffee filter. This filter is either made of paper or perforated metal and allows the water to pass through the ground coffee, thereby creating a liquid infused with the aromas and taste of the ground coffee beans.

Coffee may also be brewed using other methods. One such example is to brew coffee by using a device known as a French press. In this method, ground coffee and hot water are combined in a coffee press and left to brew for a set period of time. A plunger is then used to remove the coffee from the container, leaving the ground coffee at the bottom of the device.

An espresso machine forces hot, pressurised water through ground coffee. This method of brewing under high pressure means that the final product has as much as 10 to 15 times the amount of coffee to water ratio as coffee brewed using other methods.

Coffee: Coffee Gifts - Top 5 .

2009-07-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

Looking for a gift for a coffee drinker in your life? They are probably just about tired of getting the same old coffee mug. But, if coffee is their way of life, there are many gifts that you can give them to allow them more convenience and better flavor. Here are some things that you should think about.

* Grind Out An Idea. Does the coffee drinker in your family like to purchase fresh coffee beans and then grinds them before bringing them home? If so, then why not purchase a coffee grinder for them. Use web consumer reviews to help you choose the best one because there are many. These are fairly straightforward pieces of equipment. But, going with a low end version is not going to be a good choice for gourmet coffee beans.

* The Coffee Gadget. There are many gadgets out there that are just amazing. There are those that are made for coffee too. To find them, look at your options on some of the coffee websites. For example, an excellent choice would be a coffee mug/burner that plugs into the cigarette lighter of your car. If your coffee lover takes his coffee to work or drives a lot, then this is the ultimate. It keeps coffee hot and fresh while you are driving. You can even find single cup coffee makers that will actually brew a cup of coffee from the cigarette burner.

* Nothing Says Love Better Than Chocolate. What does chocolate and coffee have to do with each other? Let's face it. They are just born for each other. Gourmet chocolates are an excellent compliment to coffee. If you don't want to go that route, look for those candies that are made with espresso in them for an even bolder taste and experience.

* Pack A Basket. Pack a gift basket with coffee varieties, with chocolates, with a variety of creamers and maybe even a mug. They are sure to take full advantage of this as coffee drinkers.

* Coffees from around the world? Many coffee drinkers love the richness, the flavor and the aroma of coffee. But, there are hundreds of different flavors. They come from all over the world and can offer more pleasure to the taste buds than you would have thought. You could provide them with a selection of coffees from around the world. If they like gourmet blends, then go for those. The good news is that there are many great options offered online. You literally can get a great cup of coffee on some of the online coffee markets!

Coffe: The Power Of Coffee Roasters.

2009-07-01T05:25:00.000-07:00

No matter what the brand of the coffee that you buy and no matter how great the advertisement is, if you do not own a coffee roaster and grind the beans yourself, you are missing out on enjoyment and paying a high price for it.

Before the age of mass communication, before the age of advertisements, coffee roasters were all within the family, and they were the ones who roasted their coffee and enjoyed them wholeheartedly.

It's always been a good feeling to wake up every morning with a pleasant coffee aroma. But the coffee aroma that many of us woke up each day is usually the aroma that comes from a metal can or a ceramic jar. That storage could never compare to freshly-ground beans.

The difference is this: If you roast with your own coffee roaster, drinking your own roasted coffee is like biting into freshly baked bread. The opposite is experienced by people who don't have coffee roasters. For them, they drink coffee that's like eating pre-cooked popcorn that is rubbery to the taste.

It could be hard to believe now, because so many people had been used to buying instant goods that often cannot compare to freshly-roasted beans. Try it for yourself sometime, just for the experience. Even if at first you don't achieve the level of exceptional coffee roasters, the coffee that you made, even with all its imperfections, will still be much better than those that you buy from a grocery store. There is an extra incentive as well. You will save up to 50% of the cost of store-bought coffee.

Aside from making coffee that is half the cost and tastes much better, here are other reasons to become your own coffee roaster.

Everyone knows how delicious freshly baked bread tastes compared with the stale loaves. Serving as your own coffee roaster and drinking from your own roasted coffee is as big a difference as that.

A roasting coffee bean explodes with aroma that is without equal. It permeates the senses and stimulates you to wake up and face the day.

Instant coffee and other grocery-grade coffee will not leave such an aftertaste on your palate. If it ever does, it will only be for a short while, not so with a freshly roasted coffee. On the contrary, your palate will retain the delicious taste for most of the morning.

When you are your own coffee roaster, you can be assured the best quality coffee because you cannot help but make it special for yoursself. You can sample the gourmet coffees. They too are freshly roasted and are an excellent alternative to the pre-ground coffee that you buy. Even then, it will never be and can never be as fresh and as good as when you roast it yourself.

If you can boil an egg, you can roast coffee. It is really quite simple. Use a popcorn popper if you can't find anything to properly roast the beans with. Pour in the beans and let them roast. If you do not want it too dark, have it lighter by roasting it for less time. You can make adjustments for different coffee textures as you experiment.

The satisfaction that you will get will more than make up for the trouble that you have by roasting your own coffee. Ignore the advertisements and experience for yourself how superb coffee really is. After that, you will never believe the boasting of coffee companies who say they have the best coffee in the world.

coffee: Coffee Espresso Machine - Create a Cafe in Your Own Home.

2009-06-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Imagine yourself relaxing into your favorite chair, at your favorite table by the window, hands wrapped gratefully around your favorite cappuccino mug. You savor the aroma and admire the frothy, foamy peak your barista brought to life. It's nice and peaceful. No noisy chatter. Just quiet.

And here's the best part: your car keys are sitting on your dresser, and you're still in your pajamas. And that talented barista who has mastered the art of foam? That's you! You've created your own quaint little cafe right here at home, with your very own coffee espresso machine.

Think this is impossible? Think again! There is a wide variety of espresso machines on the market that are made especially for home use, ranging from very basic and affordable, right up to the same machines used by professional baristas.

However, before you rush into investing in a coffee espresso machine, take some time to do your homework and consider your needs and preferences. How often do you plan to make espresso drinks at home? How often to you also drink drip coffee? (Some machines have dual brewing capabilities.) How important is the milk frothing capability to you? Think about whether you have this type of preferences this will help you narrow down the possibilities.

Also consider any preferences you may have about how your espresso drinks are made. For instance, my favorite part of an espresso shot is the crema - that's the caramel-colored, creamy foam that forms on a perfectly pulled shot. When you pour shots from a shot glass into the mug, most of the crema gets left behind, so I prefer a coffee espresso machine that allows me to fit my whole mug under the group head, thereby capturing the entire shot in my drink.

Here are the basic types of coffee espresso machines on the market:

About the Pump Coffee Espresso Machine

This is the highest-end but most expensive type of machine to buy. The pump coffee espresso machine is so called because they use a pump to keep the water pressure at the appropriate level, which produces the best and most consistent shot of espresso. These machines are primarily made for commercial use, and are usually very large, heavy, and noisy, but can be used at home.

About the Piston Coffee Espresso Machine

This type of machine uses a piston or lever system to manually maintain the optimum pressure required for a great shot of espresso. The piston coffee espresso machine requires little maintenance, and is much quieter than the pump machines. However, sometimes they require a lot of effort to keep the pressure at the right level, and it may take some practice to get the timing down. But if you're willing to experiment and work out the process, you'll be rewarded by a great shot, and a sense of accomplishment.

Steam Coffee Espresso Machine

This type of coffee espresso machine is typically smaller, easily accessible and relatively affordable, and it uses heat to produce steam instead of a pump or piston to create the pressure. While the lower prices are definitely an advantage for steam machines, if you're very particular about the quality of your espresso shots, you may find that the steam does not always produced the optimum pressure for the best tasting coffee. Also, maintaining enough steam to both pull shots and steam milk at the same time is sometimes difficult.

About Moka Pots

This type of machine costs the least of all the options, and requires only your stovetop. The moka pot is a two-part pot which uses boiling water and the steam to create pressure, which pushes the boiling water up through the espresso grounds rather than gravity simply pulling heated what down. The coffee tastes great, but since you cannot froth milk with a moka pot, it's not for you if you really like your lattes and cappuccinos. But if you like a good espresso or a shot in the dark (brewed coffee with a shot of espresso added) and have a limited budget, give the moka pot a try.

Don't be put off by the high prices on a coffee espresso machine. Take a few moments to think about what you spend per day on your espresso drinks. A latte can cost you as much as $4. If you're like me, you average about five a week. That's almost $1000 per year! Over the course of time you may find that dropping the money once up front is worth the investment - especially when you consider the convenience of enjoying your favorite espresso beverage at home.

Take some time to think about each of the options, and which one fits your lifestyle the best. Whichever option you choose, with your own coffee espresso machine you can start savoring the great taste of fresh espresso drinks in the comfort of your own home in no time.

coffee: Coffee Bean Direct Roasting Gives You the Tastiest Coffee.

2009-06-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

Did you know that a coffee bean direct roaster is the very best way to enjoy coffee? Read on for some pointers about buying from a coffee bean direct roaster and distributor.

Why you should Buy from a Coffee Bean Direct Roaster

When you buy from a coffee bean direct roaster, you have a much better chance of getting freshly roasted beans. The secret to really great coffee is brewing it as soon as possible after it's roasted. Coffee on the grocery store shelf may have been roasted many months before you buy it. The longer it sits on the shelf, the less flavorful it is. To be sure that you're getting fresh beans, find a coffee bean direct roaster.

Finding a Coffee Bean Direct Roaster Best for You

If there's a coffee roaster in your local community, then you're in luck. But if you can't find a local roaster, there are dozens of online sources for buying fresh roasted coffee at wholesale prices. When choosing a coffee bean direct roaster online, search for one as close to your location as possible. My favorite roaster ships my coffee to me overnight with UPS. Besides convenience, another reason to choose a nearby roaster is to save in shipping costs. Unless it's a special coffee that you really love, such as Kona from Hawaii, try to follow the rule to order from a nearby coffee bean direct roaster.

Save Money with a Coffee Bean Direct Roaster

There are many advantages to getting your coffee online. First of all, you can get the freshest beans possible. Second is getting coffee at a reduced price. If you shop around online and find a good coffee bean direct roaster, you may end up paying less than you would for similar coffee at the grocery store. And it will taste a lot better, too.

Another advantage related to buying from a coffee bean direct roaster is the wide selection of coffee types. Coffees from all over the world and in all kinds of flavors can be found online. Whether it's Brazilian, Sumatran or Costa Rican, you'll find it available from a coffee bean direct roaster.

When ordering coffee from a roaster, only order the amount that you will use in a week or at most a month. This makes sure that you get the freshest coffee possible.

Considering the advantages of buying your coffee bean direct from the roaster, it's worth the initial effort to find the best coffee bean direct roaster for you.

Coffee: The Most Popular Types of Coffee.

2009-06-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

For many years in the United States, coffee was coffee. It was perked or dripped and occasionally stirred into hot water, and was enjoyed by many. Over the past couple of decades, however, Americans have refined their taste buds. Coffee drinkers have reached a new appreciation of the subtleties of coffee. Across the country, a new culture of coffee enthusiasts has emerged to savor new flavors of coffee and discuss nuances of the once simple and ordinary drink.

The most popular coffees vary from region to region across the country, but there are some varieties that make the top favorites list no matter where in the country you live. If you are a coffee lover looking for a special treat, here’s a quick rundown of some of the most popular types of coffee across the United States.

Jamaican Blue Mountain

Recognized for years as the most expensive coffee available, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is grown only in the Blue Mountain region of Jamaica. It is known for its smooth flavor and lack of bitterness. Among other things, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is used as the base for Tia Maria coffee liqueur. The flavor is strong, smooth and rich, with no nutty or fruity undertones, and may have a hint of chocolate taste. True coffee connoisseurs report a creamy aftertaste, and floral undertones to the flavor of Jamaican Blue Mountain.

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is exclusively Arabica coffee beans, which make a smoother coffee, but are more fragile and harder to grow. Jamaica protects the reputation of its coffee crop fiercely, and regulates the standards of coffee beans that are labeled Jamaican Blue Mountain. It must be grown at altitudes between 2,000 and 5,000 feet in the parishes of Portland, St. Mary, St. Thomas or St. Andrew. There are several grades of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans, with Jamaican Blue Mountain 1 being generally regarded as the best coffee in the world. Expect to pay upwards of $25 a pound for this flavorful gourmet coffee.

Hawaiian Kona

The weather in the Kona region of Hawaii’s Big Island is ideal for growing coffee beans. The combination of bright, sunny mornings, humid afternoons and mild nights create a bean that is rich, slightly acidic and medium-bodied, with a delicate flavor and a heady aroma. The flavor is complex, with wine and spice undertones contributing to a unique flavor profile that no other coffee can match.

Similar to the growers of Jamaican Blue Mountain, Kona growers protect their right to market their coffee under the Kona name. Only coffee grown in the South and North Kona regions of Hawaii may be labeled Kona. Expect to pay $20-25 per pound for Kona coffee, and be wary of cheaper ‘Kona blends’, which may contain up to 90% coffee beans other than Kona coffee beans.

Colombian Coffee

Over the last 40 years, Colombian coffee has become synonymous with quality coffee, thanks to a huge advertising and standardization push by the National Federation of Colombian Coffee Growers. Colombian coffee is characterized by a smooth, rich flavor profile with nutty undertones, but that’s just a general flavor profile. In truth, Colombian coffee is a blend of coffee beans from many different regions that are mixed and blended to maintain a high level of quality.

Like Kona and Jamaican Blue Mountain, Colombian coffee beans are exclusively Arabica beans, which have a smoother, less acidic flavor profile than Robusta coffee beans. They are also harder to grow and have strong preferences for growing conditions. As far ‘gourmet’ coffees go, Colombian coffee is relatively inexpensive, but the FNC (National Federation of Colombian Coffee Growers) regularly names Specialty Colombian coffees that are identified by their region, altitude and grade. Colombian coffee is possibly the most well-known and common of the gourmet coffee types.

Ethiopian Yrgacheffe

Ethiopia was the original home of the coffee bean, so it is no surprise that some of the most prized coffees are still grown in the South American country. There are three types of Ethiopian coffee, defined by region. Yrgacheffe is a dark, full-bodied and full-flavored coffee with earthy, fruity and citrus undertones. It is smooth, rich and dark, a cup to truly savor. Low acid makes it smooth as silk and rich as butter.

To try to assign one flavor profile to Yrgacheffe coffee beans is not quite that easy though. The wide variety of growing conditions throughout the Yrgacheffe region means that the beans have a wide variety of flavor profiles. There are several different varietals of Ethiopian Yrgacheffe. More than most beans, it responds to different levels of roasting with unique flavor profiles. Ethiopian Yrgacheffe is easily one of the world’s best coffees - and is generally an excellent bargain for great coffee at $15 a pound and less.

Coffee: Points To Look For When Buying A Coffee Maker.

2009-06-19T05:49:00.000-07:00

But the availability of a wide variety of coffee makers in the market can make it difficult for you to zoom in on one machine. For, all these differing genres of coffee makers have their own benefits. However your acquaintance with basic features of a coffee machine would help you in choosing a good coffee maker.

If you are gearing up to buy a coffee maker you need to be clear about your taste and requirement. Buying home a coffee maker has become a necessity with the increasing dependence on coffee for kick starting the day to day tasks. Your morning can't be perfect without a mug full of coffee.

But the availability of a wide variety of coffee makers in the market can make it difficult for you to zoom in on one machine. For, all these differing genres of coffee makers have their own benefits. However your acquaintance with basic features of a coffee machine would help you in choosing a good coffee maker.

The basic facility of removing coffee pot without waiting for coffee brewing to be over must be available with your machine. With your coffee machine you should be able to immediately serve the coffee. Your machine must be equipped with coffee pod facility. That means you should be able to make coffee with pre-packed coffee pods in no time. Most of the machines come with this pod compatibility.

You must also check coffee makers against digital features. A good coffee maker would come with a digital display panel attached with a timer and auto off mechanism. This feature is very beneficial for home use as auto off would let you pay attention to other things in home, while you are making coffee.

An efficient water filtering equipment happens to be an integral part of superior quality coffee makers. Its presence ensures that your coffee won't get a bad flavor due to excess iron and other unwanted content of water.

You may also look for a coffee maker that offers you a bean grinder that is integrated with the machine. These grinders grind only few beans to give needed amount of coffee. This feature results in a flavor that carries tinge of freshness with itself.

If you happen to be a great coffee enthusiast, you might be having a craving to prepare specialty coffee drinks of Barista at home. For that you can have an espresso coffee maker at home. A superior espresso machine offers you a variety of drinks that you would love to have as well as offer to your guests.

Gone are the days for semi automatic and automatic genres of coffee makers. Super automatic home coffee makers have come on the block and are in great demand. This machine comes with various special features and in no time it completes the coffee making process from bean grinding to offering coffee require only few seconds.

So, buy a coffee maker with latest features to enjoy the coffee with finest flavors in no time. Coffee making won't be an ordeal with the new coffee maker, I bet!

coffee: Kona Coffee from Hawaii is Manna from Heaven.

2009-06-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

Background of Kona Coffee

Kona coffee comes from the island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. Coffee was first brought to Hawaii by an American missionary in the form of coffee plant cuttings from Brazil. Originally grown on large plantations, today the coffee is grown on about 800 small Kona coffee farms. Because only about 2 million pounds of Kona coffee are produced each year, it's one of the rarest and most expensive coffees.

There are basically two types of Kona coffee beans. I'm partial to the smaller bean, known as the peaberry. Watch out for blends - sometimes sellers will combine Kona coffee with lesser quality beans. I don't recommend buying a blend, since it may consist of as much as 90% cheaper coffee. Why pay a premium price for that?

Brewing the best cup of Kona Coffee

If you spend the money on expensive Kona coffee, then you should be sure to brew it correctly. Always buy whole beans and grind them yourself. Only grind the amount that you will use in the same day. I know just how much it takes to fill my coffee press, and that's all I grind.

This leads me to the question of the coffee maker. I use a coffee press rather than a coffee maker. A coffee press is a glass cylinder with a plunger attached to the top. You put coffee in the bottom of the press, add hot water and let it brew for at least 4 minutes, then push the plunger down to strain out the coffee grounds. Since my $30 coffee press makes a better cup of coffee than my $200 Capresso espresso machine, I wouldn't dream about using anything else.

When testing whether you like Kona coffee, buy a small amount first. If you find that you like it, you can then order larger quantities to save money. If you drink as much coffee as I do, then consider purchasing enough coffee to last about 30 days. Freshness is at the top of my priorities when enjoying a great coffee.

coffee: Gourmet Coffee Beans: The Choice Is Clear.

2009-06-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

Gourmet coffee beans are that delicious step most vital to creating that morning cup of java. Whether your choice a regular or decaf, coffee beans are those little beans that when ground, boiled, and seasoned to perfection, make our early morning experience more lively and exciting. Of course, not one coffee bean will ever suit everyone, but thanks to coffee bean manufacturers, there is a coffee bean suited to every taste. Around the world, the choices associated with a good coffee bean is determined by the selections of the population served. However, there are a few selections that are universal.

All gourmet coffee beans are created from selected Arabic coffee beans. Only Arabic coffee beans have the quality necessary for gourmet coffee beans. Arabic coffee beans are grown in selected high, dry, and hot zones around the world. Only these such conditions allow for the perfect Arabic coffee bean that is perfect for gourmet coffee. The opposite is true of the Robust bean. The Robust coffee bean is not the same high quality as the Arabic and therefore is not appropriate for gourmet coffee beans.

All gourmet coffee beans are handpicked. Gourmet coffee beans are always handpicked at the peak of ripeness to insure that they arrive fresh to the coffee drinker. Machinery damages the delicate coffee bean. Therefore, the only option is to handpick each bean. Although handpicking takes significantly more time and effort, the coffee bean manufacturers believe that the consumer deserves only the best.

The coffee retail shops worldwide specialize in providing the coffee drinker only the best for the valued customers. Coffee retail shops offer specialized coffee to their many customers: each with their own individual tastes and favorites. Along with the specialized coffee is the flavored gourmet coffee. With flavors such as Vanilla Mocha and Minty Caramel Chocolate, gourmet coffee shops enjoy tantalizing their coffee drinkers. Many coffee shops will create unique names for their gourmet coffee beans. Then, once named, will package the coffee beans in an appropriately labeled package.

Gourmet coffee is big business. Worldwide, millions of coffee drinkers either buy their own coffee for personal use, or they choose to go to a favorite coffee shop to purchase their daily cup of java. Either choice brings billions of dollars annually to coffee manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and shops. Keeping up with popular flavorings and coffee types allows the coffee industry to stay on top of the customers needs; in essence, keeping up with popular trends in coffee, allows the coffee industry to make additional millions each year in coffee and coffee products.

The important factor in any good coffee is how much you enjoy your coffee when you consume the product. If you are happy with what the coffee industry provides you with, you will keep buying their products. Whether you like flavored or natural, whole beans or ground, Dark or light, smooth or robust, the coffee industry will surely provide you with a coffee bean that will tantalize your sense and keep you coming back for more.

coffee: Coffee Tables At Discounted Price.

2009-06-13T09:25:00.000-07:00

The need of buying new furniture for your home arises when you are redecorating or remodeling your home. It is also not essential that all furniture needs to be branded and expensive or to be bought from high ended furniture store. You can also find great selection of furniture at low cost. You can also buy furniture from wholesalers or used furniture at discounted prices. Local craft stores also sell furniture at affordable prices.

Living room furniture like Coffee table is the centerpiece of entire living room. Make sure that you have the perfect coffee table for your living room. Buying discounted furniture for some people means buying cheap furniture, but some take it as buying furniture at a discount. There are many cheap furniture deals out there that still have luxury furniture appeal.

Tips for buying coffee tables on discount

When buying discounted coffee table, there is certainly lot to consider. By evaluating many issues before purchase, you can be sure that you are making a sensible choice and will benefit for years to come.

• If you are looking to buy coffee table, first set your budget and be ensured not to go overboard with your spend.
• Make sure that the size of coffee table matches the size of your living room.
• We must make coffee table purchase decisions based on functions and designs rather than on large amount of discount.

• In discount offers, we can pick up impressive coffee table at fewer prices than the original.
• Just search online for the furniture store that provides a multitude of choices that you can compare and contrast.
• You can visit a variety of wonderful furniture shops and look for charity resale shops as well.
• Always hit the big furniture stores on their special discount days. You can also call their customer care to find out more offers.
• You can look at the local newspaper listings for buying discounted furniture.
• Look around what other retailers are charging and if the coffee table that you want to buy really is with less percentage then you have probably came across a sale item.

If you are looking to buy cheap coffee tables and don’t want to buy used coffee tables, then you can wait for the furniture stores to go on sale or any offer at discountable prices.

Coffee: Why are Coffee Franchises so Popular?

2009-06-11T06:51:00.000-07:00

Investors everywhere are enamored with the idea of building a coffee franchise business. There are many reasons for this but the bottom lines boils down to the fact that so many among us love coffee-especially those that own and operate a coffee franchise. While loving your product or service is a great reason to go into a certain business, there are many other things that should be considered. With that in mind, many of the following reasons contribute to the wide popularity of the coffee franchise in the United States.

Low Investment. While this certainly isn't true of all coffee franchises there are many emerging coffee franchises that allow business owners to invest in their franchises and build upon the capital of their good names for well under one hundred thousand dollars. In the world of franchises this is huge with more popular franchises selling in excess of one million dollars for the first restaurant or store.

Low Overhead. This is yet another great reason to look to the wonderful product of the coffee bean upon which to build your business. The less money spent on expenses equal greater profit. Profits are the goal when investing in a coffee franchise or any other business venture.

High Profit Potential. When you consider the cost of a cup of coffee at your average coffee franchise store the return on the investment is phenomenal. People spend more on a cup of coffee than they will spend on a gallon of gasoline at today's prices and consider it money well spent for the pleasure a good cup of Joe provides. The costs involved in creating that cup of coffee are relatively low when compared to the cost of a fast food hamburger and yet the cost of the cup of coffee is generally much higher.

Popular Product. Coffee is popular with millions of drinkers worldwide and new people turned on to the wonderful world of coffee each and every day. Not only are we looking at a world of growth as a business but coffee drinkers are growing younger than in years past. Coffee is a part of pop culture these days and seems to be a fad that is here to stay. You will need very little advertising to get your message across. Your biggest concern will be to continue providing excellent products and service so that customers will return day after day.

Pop Culture Appeal. I mentioned above that coffee houses, stores, and cafes have become a part of pop culture. This is appealing to many would be business or franchise owners and a huge reason that the coffee franchise has become prominent across the country in big towns and small communities alike. It is an opportunity to become a part of the popular culture of a generation and that is the sort of momentum that many business owners would love the opportunity to capitalize upon.

If you are considering buying into a franchise business, a coffee franchise may be the perfect solution. Examine carefully your reasons for wanting to do so and take the time to put pen to paper before buying in to make sure you are getting the best value for your investment dollar.

Coffee: Coffee Delivery Services Provide a Great Way to Enjoy Coffee.

2009-06-09T08:11:00.000-07:00

Coffee Delivery Services Work Well for all Types of Coffee Drinkers

There are many types of coffee beans in the world, and almost as many types of coffee drinkers. There's the really serious drinker who spends hundreds of dollars for a pound of exotic coffee, and also shells out good money for shipping. Then there's the coffee drinker who saves money buying coffee in bulk online, putting low price ahead of the highest quality. I'm somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. My favorite is Hawaiian Kona Peaberry coffee. (If you've ever tried it, you'll understand why I love it.) Even though I pay a little more to treat myself to this great coffee, I'm getting it at a good price since I drink it often and buy bulk.

Wherever you are on the coffee lover spectrum, if you crave a certain coffee like I do or you want to save money with bulk coffee, then there's a coffee delivery service that will satisfy your needs.

Choosing the best of the Coffee Delivery Services

Once you've identified your coffee needs, you can search the Internet to find which coffee delivery services will work for you. If you can, find a service close to you. This will reduce shipping costs and will shorten delivery times. The sooner the coffee gets to you, the fresher it will be.

If you find a coffee delivery service but aren't sure which type of coffee to order, find out if the service has a sampler pack of different coffees. Another way to experiment with different coffees is through a coffee-of-the-month club, which will deliver a different coffee to you each month.

Brewing Coffee from Coffee Delivery Services

No matter which coffee delivery service you choose, the best way to get really fresh-tasting coffee is to have the coffee beans shipped to you and to grind them yourself. It's worth the extra money to invest in a quality burr coffee grinder to grind you fresh beans right before you brew. Only grinding enough coffee for one pot at time is another way to ensure fresh-tasting coffee.

Once you've tried a couple of coffee delivery services and ground your fresh coffee beans, you'll never go back to supermarket coffee again.

coffee: The Delight of Coffee Shop Diners!

2009-06-07T05:04:00.000-07:00

Coffee Shop Diners a thing of the past? Nah! Drive down US Route 40 or Route 66 through America, and you’ll see gleaming, stainless steel diners in almost every town and city. These restaurants may seem like a relic of a bygone era, but they almost always have cars outside and people inside. How can it be possible that such places still hold a piece of the American Dream? No one really knows, but after almost 150 years, coffee shop diners are still a strong piece of Americana.

The classic coffee shop diner got its start back in 1858 when a man by the name of Walter Scott started selling sandwiches to people in Providence, Rhode Island. By the late 1800’s, diner owners bought old, decommissioned street cars and turned them into diners, adding a counter, some stools and a kitchen.

Then came the 1950’s, and diners were transformed into a form recognized today – lots of stainless steel, large windows, and art deco décor.

Over the past fifty years, diners have disappeared and changed hands many times over. Journalists have frequently extolled about the impending loss of the diner. But it never seemed to happen.

Instead, the diners keep going year after year, with new owners serving the same great customers and travelers who are just passing through.

Today, coffee shops and diners are located in towns and cities, airports and bus and train stations. Most offer a fairly large menu with a wide variety of standard American food--chicken, hamburgers, eggs, bacon, and pancakes.

Most still prominently feature a counter with stools in addition to tables where waitresses take your order. A large number of these diners are in major metropolitan areas and stay open 24 hours a day, offering cheap food at all hours of the day and night. They’re frequented by people of every walk of life.

But why have these pieces of Americana lasted nearly 150 years? Maybe it’s their inexpensive but tasty menus. Although some people coin coffee shop diners “greasy spoons,” the food is normally far from greasy and can actually be quite good.

When you walk into a diner, there’s a sense of welcome and community. There isn’t an ounce of pretension; it’s just classic American food and people. And don’t forget the bottomless pots of coffees, just waiting to top off your cup.

Coffee shop diners are best known for their coffees and breakfast fares. Don’t stop by a diner expecting to order a Grande Mocha Hazelnut Latte, No Sugar and Skim Milk, without being laughed out the door.

Their coffees are served fresh and hot and black. If you want cream and/or sugar, check your table for the little packets. Breakfast is usually served round the clock, and it’s not made up of croissants and pastries.

It’s a classic American breakfast – eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and everything else that makes breakfast the best meal of the day.

Most diners are family owned and operated, with Mom & Pop behind the counter taking orders and filling plates.

This helps lend to the homey, comfy feel of the diners. No one is a stranger, even if you’re just passing through. Expect to hear stories bandied about as people guzzle their coffee and savor their meals.

When it comes right down to it, coffee shop diners are a throwback to days gone by. By stepping in the door, you feel like you may have been transported back in time.

As you toss back your coffee, you feel the warmth of the place seep into your bones and know that this is what Americana is all about.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

coffee: Buy Coffee Maker Online And Not Be Cheated.

2009-06-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

Even till this day, when internet is doing billions dollars of business, there are many folks that are skimpish when it comes to shopping online. One of the most frequent questions I was asked is: it is safe to buy coffee maker online?

There are hundreds, if not thousands of online coffee store, selling things from coffee makers, flavored coffee, green coffee to their own roasted coffee and some have been around as long as the internet.

Should they be trusted? On the other hand, there are stories about people being scammed and cheated with no delivery of products or inferior products.

But, the worse is not this, people are more worried about their information, especially those of their credit cards being scammed and used for other purpose.

The sad thing is, despite the technology, it is still happening.

There are a few things to do if you want an enjoyable online shopping experience. The first is always do background check to see if the site you are visiting is genuine.

The easiest is to Google its name and url and read any feedbacks there is about this company. usually, it would be about the minor thing like slow response and long waiting time for feedback. This is acceptable.

But, if you read things like no show of products or inferior products instead of what is being agree, then it is best to avoid that online coffee store.

Another thing that determines if you can buy coffee stuff from the coffee store is the lock symbol. This symbol has been know to mean that the website that you are visiting is secured.

The means that the probability of your information being stolen is low, so it is a website that you can trust and do business with.

The last thing which I think is the best defence against all the fraud and ill intent merchants is third party system. Of course, you would need to ensure that the third party system is reputatble a well.

The most well know of them all would be paypal. Making payment through their system ensures that if there is anything wrong with the purchase, paypal would take it up for you.

This enhances and better the safety you have for an online coffee store.

There you have it folks, if you asked me what is the best way to ensure that you would not be cheated as you buy coffee makers online, if the above factors are there, it is very unlikely that you would be scammed.

Coffee: Coffee Direct From The Distributor Cuts Out The Middlemen.

2009-06-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

Most people are not aware of this, but the coffee they drink has probably been through as many as half a dozen middle men before reaching their mugs. When this many middlemen involved in distribution, your cost goes up and the quality goes down. Here's a fresh idea - cut out the middle men and get your coffee direct from the distributor.

Cut Costs and buy your Coffee Direct

Surprisingly enough, when you buy your coffee direct you may actually be able to spend less for coffee than you do at the supermarket. In the normal distribution process, each middle man takes his cut. By purchasing coffee in bulk from a distributor, you can save money over the long haul. Buying in bulk means purchasing up to 25 pounds at a time. When you buy this amount, you start to see some real savings.

Buying Coffee Direct Ensures a fresher cup of coffee

There's no way to tell how long coffee has been sitting on the supermarket shelf, and after a few months the flavor starts to fade and grow stale. Buying whole beans doesn't always solve this problem, since the beans many pass through several warehouses before you buy it. Only when you buy coffee direct from a distributor are you guaranteed to get fresh and flavorful beans. Your taste buds will tell you the difference.

Guidelines for Buying Coffee Direct

* What kind of coffee do you enjoy? There are many types to choose from, including dark, light, robust and mild. Consider the location where the coffee is grown. This could be Sumatra, Kenya, Columbia or even Hawaii. Once you've narrowed down your search, check the Internet to find a distributor in your community. Contact the distributor and buy your coffee direct.

* For the best tasting coffee, brew it as soon as possible after it's roasted. Find a local coffee roaster and buy your coffee direct. If there are no roasters in your area, check the Internet to find out about having fresh roasted coffee shipped to you.

* For the best tasting coffee, invest in a grinder so that you can grind the freshly roasted beans that you buy.

* Only buy enough beans for a month. This way you will always be brewing fresh coffee beans. After a month, most beans begin to lose flavor.

Coffee lovers everywhere are discovering the benefits of buying coffee directly from the original distributor. Buy your coffee direct and get freshly roasted beans. You'll be glad you did.

Coffee: Guide to Coffee Grinders.

2009-05-27T07:05:00.000-07:00

A coffee grinder is a must have for anyone who loves coffee, for two simple reasons:

•Freshness
•Control over the Coarseness of the Grind

Freshness
To keep coffee as fresh as possible you need to minimise its contact with air. Air is one of coffee’s worst enemies as it destroys delicate flavours by turning the natural oils present in coffee rancid.

If you have a coffee grinder at home you can grind your coffee beans as and when you need them. This preserves their freshness, as a whole coffee bean has a much smaller surface area than that of a ground bean and therefore is less exposed to air.

The actual process of grinding releases many of the coffee’s aromatics; as you grind you can smell this in the air. If you don’t quickly use these grounds then you are going lose this aroma and deprive your cup of valuable flavours. This is another good reason to only grind coffee on demand.

Control over the Coarseness of the Grind
Different coffee makers require a different coarseness of ground coffee. For example: an espresso machine, which has a short brewing time (less than 30 seconds), needs a very fine powder-like grind; whereas a cafetiere, which has a long brewing time (3-4 minutes), needs a much coarser grind.

With your own coffee grinder you get to control the coarseness of the grind as you can adjust the grinder’s setting. So if you find that your coffee tastes bitter, a result of over-extraction, then you can adjust the grind to a coarser setting; and if your coffee tastes flat, a result of under-extraction, you can adjust the grind to a finer setting.

Blade Vs Burr Coffee Grinders
Coffee grinders come into two categories:

•Blade Grinders
•Burr Grinders

A blade grinder works in a similar way to a food processor: there is a set of spinning metal blades which roughly cut through the coffee beans. The coarseness of the grind is determined by how long the grinder is left running. Coffee ground by a blade grinder is inconsistent in size as some beans will be sliced through more times then others.

Rather than chopping the coffee beans into tiny pieces, a burr grinder crushes the beans between two pieces of burred metal. A burr grinder produces a much more consistent size of grounds as the coarseness is controlled by how close the two pieces of metal are set to each other: i.e. a smaller distance for fine grounds and a larger distance for coarse. For this reason, burr grinders are far superior to blade grinders.

Why is Consistency Important?
The ultimate aim when making coffee is to extract the maximum amount of flavour whilst leaving behind bitter compounds and caffeine. This is why different coffee makers require a different coarseness of grounds. However, if your grounds are inconsistent then the larger particles in the grounds are going to be under-extracted, leaving behind flavour, and the smaller particles are going to be over-extracted, releasing bitter compounds and further caffeine into the cup. Unfortunately, the two don’t balance each other out; instead you have a flat, bitter coffee that will keep you awake for hours.

Choosing a Coffee Grinder
The coffee grinder you choose should depend on for what type of coffee maker you’re grinding the coffee. If you’re using a cafetiere or stove-top espresso maker then a hand grinder is perfectly adequate, although they do require plenty of physical effort to get results.

However, for an espresso machine a good quality electric burr coffee grinder is essential. As making an espresso is a pretty intense process (its all over in less than 30 seconds) the margin of error for the grind is very slim. This is why you need a grinder which allows for miniscule adjustments to be made so you can get the grind spot on.

coffee: Coffee Maker and Grinder For the Ultimate Cup of Coffee.

2009-05-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

If you love coffee or espresso, you know that the ideal setup for making the perfect cup is with a high quality coffee maker and grinder. Today’s coffee makers use the latest in technology to produce machines which are versatile and reliable without having to be commercial quality. Most manufactures also make coffee bean grinders, allowing you to purchase them with a matching coffee maker. With both of these items, you are well on your way to making a great cup of joe.

If you love coffee or espresso, you know that the ideal setup for making the perfect cup is with a high quality coffee maker and grinder. Today’s coffee makers use the latest in technology to produce machines which are versatile and reliable without having to be commercial quality. Most manufactures also make coffee bean grinders, allowing you to purchase them with a matching coffee maker. With both of these items, you are well on your way to making a great cup of joe.

How To Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee

If you want more than just a mediocre cup of coffee, there are certain procedures to undertake, as outlined here.

Start with a clean coffee maker and grinder. Always wash the carafe after brewing a pot. Coffee contains oils and the sediment tends to settle in the bottom. The combination of oil and sediment, if left in place and exposed to air, build up over time and produce a bitter taste in the beverage.

Make sure your water is filtered and purified. While tap water is fine in most cases, it contains minerals and impurities which tend to leave deposits in your equipment. As well, tap water usually has a taste and odor which you do not want transferred to your brew. If bottled or filtered water is not convenient or cost-effective for you, then at least be sure to run the water from your faucet for a few seconds before filling the coffee maker.

Use good quality, whole beans. While there are some adequate choices available in the grocery store, there is no way to guarantee how long they’ve sat in the bins. Consider buying coffee beans from a specialty store whose business is solely to sell beans. They will be much fresher and have been exposed to less air – coffee’s biggest enemy.

Don’t buy coffee beans in bulk unless you brew a lot of coffee. Like other types of foods, coffee beans are a perishable commodity. Without proper storage, they will lose their flavor and freshness.

Grind only the amount of beans you are going to use right before brewing. It does not pay to grind a big batch of coffee beans and then let them sit, exposed to the air. Select the proper grind size depending on how you are brewing the beverage. Automatic drip coffee makers and French presses need a coarser grind while espresso machines require the finest grind.

Measure the amount of ground coffee carefully. Generally, two tablespoons of coffee beans is required for each six-ounce cup.

Store coffee beans in an airtight container to avoid breakdown of flavor and quality. Some coffee lovers claim that coffee should be stored in the freezer, while others think that this is akin to sacrilege. No matter where it is stored, be sure it is not exposed to air.

Just start with a high quality coffee maker and grinder and then follow these steps to make a delicious cup of coffee every time.

coffee: Gourmet Flavored Coffee is Your First Choice.

2009-05-23T07:43:00.000-07:00

Out of the many types of coffee, I like gourmet flavored coffee the most. To tell you the truth, I like everything about coffee, from coffee candy to coffee mugs to all kinds of coffee gifts. Most of all though, I love gourmet flavored coffee. Let me tell you why.

The Wide Varieties of Gourmet Flavored Coffee

There is absolutely no shortage of different flavors of gourmet coffee. The online store where I buy most of my coffee has these flavors: amaretto, almond, butterscotch cream, butter rum, cherry cobbler, cherry bomb, chocolate cherry, chocolate almond, chocolate marshmallow, chocolate Irish Cream, chocolate raspberry, chocolate mint, orange, cinnamon hazelnut, pumpkin spice, orange, vanilla nut, vanilla almond, etc., etc., etc. I have only tried a fraction of all these go types of gourmet flavored coffee.

You Should Know How Gourmet Flavored Coffee is Made

Obviously, coffee beans can't be grown with all these different flavors. Gourmet flavored coffee begins with a base like Colombia Supremo, to which pure flavors are added. There are no sugars or chemical additives in gourmet flavored coffee. The end result of this process is a wonderfully delicious coffee, so delicious that flavored coffee can become addictive. With so many flavors to choose from, you will never become bored when drinking gourmet flavored coffee.

The Best Way to Brew Gourmet Flavored Coffee

Like all types of coffee, gourmet flavored coffee will taste better when it's brewed correctly. Start by keeping all your coffee brewing equipment as clean as possible. Coffee residue, especially flavored coffee residue, can leave later pots of coffee tasting funny. I make a practice of cleaning all of my coffee brewing equipment each time I make coffee.

Water is another important factor in brewing a great cup of gourmet flavored coffee. Be sure to use filtered cold water so that the gourmet flavor is not masked. For really fresh flavor, start with coffee beans and grind them yourself. The coffee will stay fresh longer. Each time you make a pot of coffee, measure and grind just the amount you need. I think you'll agree that freshly ground gourmet flavored coffee can't be beat.

Coffee: Top 5 Blends of Coffee to Drink at the Office.

2009-05-21T05:55:00.000-07:00

With all the brands and blends of coffee available, ordering coffee for the office can be a real challenge. Should you buy one blend to satisfy everyone? Should you order one or two flavored coffees to please those that like flavored coffee drinks? Maybe you should order at least one special blend for the gourmet coffee drinkers, and what about Fair Trade coffees? Should you make an effort to buy those products that are Fair Trade certified, organic, and shade-grown such as Kenyan, Ethiopian, Colombian or Mexican? The choices are enough to make all but the most dedicated coffee drinkers throw up their hands in despair.

It can also help to know which coffee blends are the most popular with office coffee drinkers. If you’re trying to decide which coffees you should stock in your office pantry to please co-workers, employees, clients and customers, these are the top five coffee blends enjoyed in offices around the country. When you are ordering coffee for your company, you can’t go wrong if your order contains coffee blends that fall into these five categories.

1. Medium Roast South/Central American Coffee Blend
South American coffees are particularly suited to the American palate. The flavor is brighter than most African or Pacific Rim/Indonesian coffees, and has a definite “snap” that we associate with coffee flavors. Brazilian, Mexican and Colombian coffees are at their best when the roast is fairly light. Most coffee service companies offer several varieties of “American blend” coffees from companies like Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, which partners with Keurig to supply well over 100 coffee blends in K-cups for Keurig single serve coffee systems, Starbucks and Tim Horton’s.

2. Eye Opener Blend
Many coffee roasters make a variation of an “eye opener” or “Morning Fog Cutter” blend. Generally, the Eye Opener is a blend of South American coffees with an addition of an African coffee like Ethiopian Yrgacheffe to add a darker, almost earthy flavor. The roast is usually just a little darker than the standard “American” blend, and though the coffee flavor is richer, the blend is actually a bit lower in caffeine than a lighter roast blend of South American coffees. Look for names like “Eye Opener” or “Fog Cutter” from the major coffee roasting companies.

3. Fair Trade, Organic Coffee Blend
Coffee drinkers are growing more and more aware of the wider social, environmental and economic effects that their beverage of choice has on the world. These considerations have persuaded many office coffee drinkers make a point of choosing coffees that are Fair Trade certified, certified organic or shade grown. Most major coffee companies offer a huge variety of both single origin and coffee blends that are certified Fair Trade, organic, shade grown or some combination of the three certifications. If you’re uncertain whether a coffee blend carries one of the three certifications, you can always look for Newman’s Own Organics, which is always 100% certified organic and Fair Trade.

4. French Roast Coffee
French roast coffee is not actually a “blend”; it refers to the darkness of the roast. French roast is one of the darker roasts on the coffee roasting scale. The coffee flavor is generally more intense than it is in lighter roasts, making most people think of it as “stronger” coffee. In reality, the darker the coffee roast, the lower it is likely to be in caffeine. The flavor, however, is richer and more intense, and the body is fuller.

5. Flavored Coffee
Flavored coffees have made a big dent in the coffee world, and some of your employees are bound to be flavored coffee drinkers. The question, of course, is which flavored coffees should you order regularly and keep on hand. Obviously, if you have employees with a particular favorite, that should guide your choice. If you don’t know your employees’ favorites, however, you can still make a pretty good guess by looking at the top flavors ordered through Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, one of the country’s largest suppliers to office coffee service companies. French Vanilla, Hazelnut or cinnamon? Believe it or not, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters’ single best seller is none of the three. It’s their Blueberry Morning blend coffee, which is Green Mountain’s overall best seller, not just their best-selling flavored coffee. Most office coffee service companies offer some sort of flavored coffee variety pack that includes the most popular flavored coffees sold by their company.

In addition to a variety of coffee blends, the well-stocked office break room should also offer other beverages for your workers who don’t drink coffee. Most office coffee service companies include a variety of teas, hot chocolate and even soups that can be made with hot water from the office coffee maker.

Coffee: Curious Coffee Facts: Coffee Is The Second Most Traded Product After Oil.

2009-05-19T05:36:00.000-07:00

Coffee is part of our daily lives and we definitely love it, but were things always like that? How popular was coffee during its first days in the Western world? Among the first coffee facts that have been preserved over the centuries it is impressive to know how it was banned from the Christian world as the devil's drink.

Coffee actually reached Europe as a result of the flourishing commerce the Venetians had with the Eastern countries, and they brought it from Constantinople where it was kept very high in esteem as being an incredibly tasty drink. Christian priests at the time argued against any positive coffee facts that it was a drink given to the infidels by Satan as a substitute for wine which had been forbidden to them.

Historic coffee facts indicate that it wasn't until the 16th century that this now so popular drink was blessed by the pope and commerce started to develop. At the end of the 1500s, Europe actually saw the creation of the first coffee houses, and the former banishing of this drink remained in the past and the subject of popular anecdotes.

Coffee facts show that presently this drink has gained such a great prominence that people are actually celebrating a special coffee day; moreover in terms of commercial importance we need to say that coffee is the second most traded product after oil. Among the many curious coffee facts we need to mention that there are hundreds of coffee varieties growing all over the world, nevertheless, only two are largely cultivated for economic purposes: Arabica and Robusta.

A fully-grown coffee tree will remain in production for up to forty years once it starts to produce coffee beans, not to mention that it only takes five years to become fertile. Though, Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world, there are plenty other geographical areas suitable for the cultivation of this very important tree: Java, Mexico, some Caribbean islands, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Tanzania, Kenya or Cameroon.

Among the most surprising coffee facts we should mention here, one is related to the increased flavor of the coffee beans that results from the roasting process. The secret behind the exquisite taste lies in the presence of sugar within the internal structure of coffee beans; during the roasting process, this sugar gets caramelized which intensifies the overall flavor and delights every coffee lover.

coffee: Coffee Shops: To Pour or Not to Pour.

2009-05-16T07:16:00.000-07:00

The popularity of coffee shops has never been more intense as it has in the past ten to fifteen years. It seems as though there is one on literally every corner. From giant franchises like Starbucks to local neighborhood coffee shops.

If presented with the chance to own a coffee shop or a franchise many people might jump without thinking about it first. Sure, it might appear to be a wonderful opportunity to own a business but the pros and cons need to be weighed to make it a wise decision. After looking at all sides, it might prove to be a chance worth taking or it might be that the competition is too stiff in your area.

The Pros

If it is a franchise opportunity, the biggest pro is that the shop owner is not alone. They have a giant corporation behind them to teach them along the way. They make sure the product is being supplied properly, to insure that their name isn’t be tarnished due to mishandling or misrepresentation. Typically franchise owners are given training before they open the shop.

If the opportunity is a local neighborhood shop, the pros are that as a local of the area, the locals will inevitably stop in to check out the coffee. This is the perfect opportunity to make the local coffee shop the morning gathering place. By adding features such as WiFi and newspaper delivery, more traffic will stop in for coffee. In addition, many people like knowing that they are contributing to the local economy.

Another pro side of owning a local coffee shop is the ability to serve whatever is desired. They aren’t limited to a menu created by the franchise. This also means that hours of operation are not set in stone and other variables.

The Cons

The major con when owning a franchise establishment is that there are rules and regulations established by the franchise that must be followed, the upfront money to start a franchise can often be more than starting a business that is not franchises and the number of employees that must be on duty is also typically specified. The bottom line is that there is not much flexibility when owning a franchise.

The downside of owning a local neighborhood coffee shop is that there isn’t a support system like a franchise offers. The owner of the shop has to learn on his own as he goes. There is also not a supply chain already established to help with outfitting the shop.

Decisions

Deciding to open a coffee shop is a major decision that should be approached from every angle possible to insure the maximum benefits of owning a business and going into it with eyes wide open, aware of the possible outcomes. Weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision based on knowledge.

coffee: Coffee Time - What About the True Cost?

2009-05-14T07:32:00.000-07:00

A recent survey by coffee giant Douwe Egberts discovered some intriguing facts which any company Financial Director should ignore at his/her peril.

A 2007 survey by coffee giant Douwe Egberts revealed some fascinating facts - which any company Financial Director cannot really afford to ignore. The main discovery was that an average of 3 employee/days per year is lost through workers leaving the workplace for a coffee. An intriguing 13% of these actually left the office because they wanted a "speciality" coffee, and an alarming 26% said that they went out to get a decent quality cup of coffee - something which clearly was not made available to them at work..
Intriguingly, 62% of the respindents admitted that they went for a coffee simply as an excuse to leave the office, although and encuoraging 50% said that they would stay inside if there was a better choice of brew at the office.

The research was carried out in London, England in two separate business establishments and involved 108 respondents.

The research established that fewer than one in five (or 20%) of offices have a staff canteen or coffee area where individuals can get (free or paid for) cups of coffee. Such workplaces usually supplied instant coffee vending machines, kettles or filter pots, which inevitably resulted in poor quality coffee. This was the chief reason why so many of the respondents made for the exit in search of a decent quality "pick me up" rather than make do with such meagre offerings.

Thus, the key to keeping personnel on the premises is to make sure that high quality coffee-making facilities are available at all times. However, the survey also revealed that staff have become more and more discerning in their tastes, and insist on speciality coffees, and the ability to ring the changes according to their mood and taste on the day. Even such things as supplying particular brands of coffee, or bigger cups as offered by the major coffee chains, would go a long way to persuading staff to stay at their desks rather than lose company time.

The survey confirmed the received wisdom that small businesses and small volume work sites have avoided providing good quality coffee-making machines. These are seen as an expensive luxury, often difficult to use and inevitably difficult to maintain. Hence the best such companies can do is provide instant coffee from vending machines, a kettle and spoon - or even nothing at all.

However, with the increasing trend to leave the office and spend up to 9 minutes at a time away from their desks, worker behaviour patterns are forcing a re-think on the actual costs of coffee in the workplace, and an increase in enquiries for versatile, quality coffee-making machines.