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Organic Coffee: Does it Taste Any Better?

admin — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 23:46:22 +0000

Traditional coffee like Folders and the popular Spanish brand Nescafe have maintained that familiar, consistent great taste over the years. Despite pesticides and fertilizers harvested in the large, commercial coffee plantations they grow on, it manages to suit an average person’s tastes as evident by its sales. In justifying the high prices for organic coffee, many people point to its tastes as one of the main reasons. Does organic coffee taste better than traditional coffee?

To begin, organic coffee tastes better than traditional coffee because of the growing methods farmers use. Factors that weigh heavily with improved taste include shade grown and organic farming methods that are in force today that promote healthier soil, clean water, and habitats for birds that provide pest control. As an added bonus, organic coffee receives a taste boost if it is high-grown. Organic coffee under shade trees are the definition of ‘premium’ in that fewer coffee cherries are produces unlike traditional coffee that grow under the sun. Because of this, organic coffee cherries grow slower and finer, and the difference is passed on to your I Love New York mug.

Another reason why organic coffee tastes better is because of the incentives farmers receive for producing it. With an average of 15 cents more per pound, producers are more inclined to keep their trees in top shape and harvest them better. Organic coffee producers also place a higher emphasis on harvesting, many of which is done by hand to assure the best beans are processed. This is a must, considering coffee trees have cherries going through different development cycles. The harvesting process also separates regular beans from the finer ones. All in all, because of the more intricate care placed with growing organic coffee, taste is improved tenfold.

Organic Coffee and India

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:46:18 +0000

Many cultures throughout the world are known for their ‘specialties.’ Panama hats are a hallmark of Ecuador; stylish kilts are a trademark of Scotland, and so on. Along with Colombia, Brazil, and Costa Rica, one could argue that some of the finest organic coffee comes from India. Over the past centuries, India has placed a premium on its organic coffee and rightfully so. The majority of its organic coffee production is limited to a narrow strip of land across three states producing both Arabica and Robusta coffee, some of the best tasting in the business.

Coffee plantations in India are primarily organic coffee producers. The country has an elaborate system for its organic coffee to grow under the most optimal conditions using shade grown trees that evolve inside a grouping of wild trees placed specifically for the purpose of production. Shade grown trees are surrounded by three different types of trees that assist in enriching the soil, keeping soil temperatures low, and filtering UV radiation. This third tree, a hardwood, does the job of filtering sunlight to stimulate organic coffee bean sugars for great taste.

Indian organic coffee plantations are one of the few in the world with a systematic procedure where other trees are added to aid the main shade grown tree. It has been raved as a harmonious feat in nature. By mixing crops and trees, it enriches the soil for now and for the future. In addition, organic coffee is its own industry in India with millions of people acting as farmers. They are also harvesters, hand picking Indian organic coffee to perfection. Today, when buying delicious Arabica Indian organic coffee, rest assured you are drinking from the sixth largest coffee producer in the world who grew out of a mid-twentieth century slump in their coffee to become one of the most renowned today.

What To Know About Pod Coffee Makers

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:31:48 +0000

There are so many different coffee brew methods available, and the odds are that you have already seen pod coffee brewers on the market. So what do these types of coffee brewers have to offer that a traditional drip brew coffee maker doesn’t? Pod coffee makers offer the easy convenience of instant brewing, and they may also save you money in the long run.

When you think about it, for an average coffee maker, you may be spending hundreds of dollars per year on coffee grounds and filters, not to mention the water and electricity it takes to keep the machine running. If you are hoping for a convenient and fresh cup of Joe, you may want to consider a pod coffee maker because they use single servings of coffee grounds that are enclosed within a pod filter. When you use this type of machine, only one cup of coffee will be brewed at a time, which means that you will avoid wasting excess coffee in your pot if you brew too much. This is perfectly convenient for anyone with a busy lifestyle because you can simply brew one cup as you are walking out the door on your way to work, or you can even have a pod coffee maker in your office to brew a single cup of Joe for your coffee break.

Another benefit to the pod coffee maker is that you will no longer have to drink stale coffee. Many times, people will come upon a half empty coffee pot, not knowing how long it has been sitting there. There is nothing more disappointing than taking a sip of your Java, only to find out that it is stale and bitter because it sat out for too long. Pod coffee makers offer instant freshness and convenience in coffee brewing, which is one reason that they are so popular.

One big advantage to take into consideration of using a pod coffee maker is that they are quite easy to clean. Many traditional coffee makers are difficult to clean because the filter system can become clogged with the residue of coffee bean essential oils. Traditional coffee makers also have a glass carafe that often needs to be washed, and it can even become burnt if it sits on the burner for too long. Pod coffee makers are handy because they will brew directly into a cup, so you don’t have to deal with any type of mess at all.

Many people may prefer the immediate ease of using this type of coffee brewing mechanism because there is no measuring or filtering done by the user. These are pre-portioned coffee ground pods, and all you have to do is use one individual pod, which already contains a filter. This means that you can place the pod within the coffee maker, and your cup of Joe will begin to brew right before your eyes. Pod coffee makers are more of an investment than a traditional coffee machine, but if you are hoping for convenience and less effort on your part, then that is priceless!

Find the Best Coffee

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:45:57 +0000

The social beverage of the word, coffee, is by far one of the most satisfying addictions one can have. That aroma of a fresh brewed cup of coffee can awaken the senses like nothing else. That first sip of sweet espresso or well made Turkish coffee can entice even the most devout coffee hater. Not any old coffee will drive men to tears over its savory goodness.

Choosing the right coffee blend is an art form. You can compare it to those who choose wines for gourmet dinners. Coffee is no different. Following are several tips to help you on the way to finding great coffee.

1. Do yourself a favor and avoid buying name brand coffee. All that you are doing is helping them pay for their substantial marketing machine.

2. Look for local roasters. They take great pride in their coffee beans and the roasting process. You may find a gem.

3. Roasting is one of the keys to a great coffee. Light roasts typically go way of being acidic in flavor. Dark roasts are more bitter and “full” or “medium” roasts are balanced between the two.

4. The higher quality coffee lends themselves to distinct flavors and sweetness regardless if they are dark roasts, medium or light roasts. A good bean roasted lightly will still be sweet with a touch of bitterness whereas a good bean dark roasted will be akin to a desert that contains nuts.

5. People like to think that certain countries produce different types of coffee. The best coffees produced tend to be suited to darker or lighter roasted coffees. Light to dark the countries are: Central America, South America and Caribbean, Africa and then finishing up with Indonesia and India.

6. Use coffee beans roasted for less than ten days prior. Older beans will simply taste like boring, unsweetened cocoa.

7. Grind your coffee beans minutes before actually brewing. This will give you the height of flavor and substance in your morning cup and make those gourmet coffee recipes shine above and beyond.

Arabica vs. Robusta

When you buy coffee at a Starbucks or online you will generally be buying Arabica coffee beans. Purchasing from a deli (typically an Italian-run one) will be a blend known as Robusta. Robusta is a bitter coffee with twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans.

Arabica is the choice of gourmet coffee drinkers all over the world. It is a subtle flavor that is sweet and nutty, but pleasant. Robusta is simply just too bitter and is really your grandfather’s blend and should be avoided for social coffee drinking.

All of this information is for naught if you do not get yourself a quality coffee maker in order to brew your favorite beverage. One-cup coffee makers are great because they keep your coffee fresh by the cup with no sitting around to get stale and lifeless. Espresso makers with milk steamers are great if you wish to experiment with your coffee. You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on a machine either. Go with the best that fits your budget.

Gourmet Coffee Recipes

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:45:40 +0000

You’ll satisfy your craving without going over your calorie limit.

If you aren’t counting calories, but love the idea of coffee and chocolate after dinner, you should also try the decadent recipe below:If your relative or friend is a morning person who loves breakfast, a breakfast coffee gift basket is a great idea. If so, you will probably want a breakfast blend or other coffee that the person would want to drink at breakfast. Know if the gift recipient prefers whole beans, ground beans or K-Cup coffee

Ingredients:

* 3-1/2 oz. best-quality milk chocolate, very finely chopped
* Few grains of salt
* 1/4-cup heavy cream
* 1-cup water
* 2 tsp. instant coffee

* Optional garnish of lightly sweetened whipped cream
* Shaved or grated milk chocolate

Method:

In small microwaveable bowl, combine finely chopped milk chocolate and salt. Microwave at 50 percent (medium) power for thirty-second intervals, stirring well after each, just until chocolate is almost melted, then stir until completely melted and smooth. On high power, heat heavy cream until it is very hot. All at once, add hot cream to melted chocolate. Stir or whisk briskly until smooth (if you absolutely cannot get this mixture smooth, process at high speed in a food processor fitted with steel blade just until smooth).In two-cup liquid measure, heat water on high power until very hot. Add instant coffee to hot water and stir in well. Gradually add about half of hot coffee to milk chocolate mixture, stirring or whisking well after each addition. Add this mixture back to the remaining hot coffee in the two-cup liquid measure.

If necessary, heat beverage in two cup liquid measure at 50 percent (medium) power until steaming hot. Divide between two mugs (8 ounces each). If desired, garnish as suggested above. Serve immediately.Next, hit the supermarket, gourmet food store or Internet to fill the basket. You can choose a mix for pancakes, scones or waffles – if the person has a waffle maker. How about some gourmet maple syrup? Good maple syrup makes a plate of pancakes or waffles even better.

If you want a socially responsible gift, choose organic coffee and an organic foods store or section.

Tips for Quick and Easy Iced Coffee

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 23:31:39 +0000

Coffee is a fantastic drink at any time of day, during any season of the year. That being said, a steaming hot cup of java isn’t always welcome once summer rolls around. Don’t let the summer heat deprive you of your favorite beverage when you can switch to iced coffee!

During the warmest months of the year, iced coffee makes for a refreshing change of pace. While most cafes and coffee shops serve these cold concoctions, you may be wondering how to get iced coffee at home. Here are my tips for serving up delicious iced coffee without having to break a sweat:

• Get ice.

This may seem obvious, but you need ice to help you make iced coffee. If you don’t plan ahead by freezing some cubes, you won’t be able to make iced coffee when you want it. While plain old frozen water will do, I prefer freezing several of my favorite Keurig coffee brews in an ice cube tray. When combined with your freshly brewed coffee, these coffee cubes won’t water the drink down.

• Brew coffee.

Next, brew your favorite coffee variety. While you’re welcome to use a regular drip brewer or instant coffee, I prefer my Keurig single cup coffee maker. To make a cup of coffee in less than a minute, all I have to do is pop one of the K Cup portion packs into the machine and press a button. This allows me to brew multiple cups and different flavors very quickly – which means I can pour the fresh coffee over the coffee cubes and start drinking iced coffee that much sooner!

• Mix things up.

Once you’ve poured your freshly brewed coffee over your frozen coffee cubes, you can either drink it straight or add a splash of your favorite liquor. I recommend the flavors of coconut rum, Irish cream, butterscotch schnapps or crème de menthe. If you’re in the mood for extra flavor but don’t want alcohol, try adding a few drops of vanilla or adding some Italian-style flavored syrups.

• Try something different.

If you’d like a more slushy drink, skip the hot coffee. Simply throw a cup of the frozen coffee cubes into a blender and give it a few pulses. Don’t over do it with the blender or you’ll end up with soup. Pour the crushed coffee cubes into a mug and serve with a straw or spoon.

Another fun idea is to create a coffee dessert by freezing your favorite brew in an ice pop mold. If you don’t have an ice pop mold, freeze plastic spoons into the coffee cubes you make in an ice cube tray. Once your coffee pops are frozen solid, remove them from the tray and enjoy. Be careful not to consume your chilled treats too quickly – it might be the first time you get brain freeze from your coffee!

A Tale of Two Heavyweights: Organic Coffee Vs. Traditional Coffee

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 23:46:05 +0000

A heaping of organic coffee powder being tossed into your steaming hot milk in the mornings is an experience in itself. That’s not knocking traditional coffee, which also turns tired bodies to life in a matter of minutes. Today, many consumers have switched to organic fruits and vegetables in an attempt to fend off pesticides, live healthier, and to stay environmentally conscious. As a result, the more serious coffee enthusiasts have been forced to pay premium prices for organic coffee as a result of Fair Trade and the complexity of its production. Just how is organic coffee produced that justifies this expense?

To begin, organic coffee production differs from traditional company in that organic coffee plants grow under shade trees, which serve to purify the soil and prevent water contamination. Given the limited number of shade trees, many coffee growers have opted to produce bigger crops in the middle of pesticide and fertilizer infested territory given the larger surface area. Unfortunately, there is no way to produce non-organic coffee without the use of synthetic chemicals that have been known to harm the environment. Since pesticides pollute the soil, much question has been raised over the declining taste of coffee and its effects on health.

In addition to nurturing organic coffee beans, shade trees also double as habitats for birds that prevent pests from touching organic coffee crops. In essence, they are nature’s replacement for pesticides. Today, an ideal plot of land for organic coffee is a small farm with plenty of shade trees and a sizable bird population for pest control. Organic coffee thrives so much in these conditions that the United States requires all of its organic farmers to use this type of land.

In conclusion, organic coffee is grown under better and more stable conditions than traditional coffee. With smaller farms and its shade trees replacing large coffee plantations soaked with pesticides, organic coffee is your best bet towards a better environment and a salute to your health.

Coffee Clubs, A Daily Dose of the Bean

admin — Sun, 16 May 2010 23:45:53 +0000

Ideas and information are often provided in clubs so that, as a member, you get to enjoy exclusive benefits for products and items such as coffee. You’ll get the latest coffee reviews as well as hear about which brands are doing their ethical part for the coffee growers such as fair trade deals meaning that you know that your money is not only ending up in the pockets of the company and its shareholders.

Joining a coffee club can be a fun way to make friends all over the world. You’ll be able to learn new things about coffee that you probably never knew. This is also a great way of getting coffee information and sharing a coffee with people who appreciate this wonderful bean.

You’ll also be able to exchange some interesting coffee recipes that will enhance your coffee experiences. Your love for the coffee bean will be reaffirmed. The reason why coffee clubs exist is so that people can use them as a portal of information for finding ethical coffee and for learning about how this bean is grown and where the best coffee can be found.

The coffee club is also an important place about knowing how the natural environment of coffee affects its taste. In this you will learn about the different types of coffee beans that go into making coffee. Furthermore you are also provided with information of which type of coffee has certain characteristics such flavor, acidity, boldness and which might be better for your tastes. This will help your enjoyment of coffee and might lead you on an experimental journey.

It is also about helping people find some companionship, as most coffee clubs are not all about coffee. They are about people sharing ideas and becoming part of an appreciated community. It can sometimes be hard to a find a niche for something that you are interested in and coffee, although loved all over the world, might not be so celebrated.

Online Coffee Clubs

Joining a coffee club couldn’t be any easier as most are now online. The wonderful thing about this is that as a member, you get the benefits of joining such as discounts and you can meet other members offline. This makes for fun conversations as well as fun interactions. You can make some new companions who share your passion for coffee and therefore you can have interesting experiences, as you will meet members from all over the world. The aim of a coffee club is to make coffee more than just a beverage and into something that will make your life a bit more interesting and enjoyable.

Some of the more popular online gourmet coffee clubs you can check into are Gevalia Kaffe, illy caffe, Boca Java, Green Mountain Coffee and others. You’ll also find coffee and espresso machines, coffee gifts and gift baskets as well as collector quality coffee cups and other related items.

Costa Rican Gourmet Coffee : Healthy Coffee Too

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 23:46:14 +0000

Costa Rica is known for being a storehouse of high-quality gourmet coffee and consequently coffee is regarded as the primary drink of this part of the world. It is the healthiest drink that one can ever enjoy. Modern day researches have identified coffee to have highest concentration of useful antioxidants when compared to other popular drinks. These antioxidants help to initiate the healing process in your system and increase your immunity assisting the destruction of the free radicals which can lead to a dangerous disease like cancer.
Drinking coffee is a wonderful remedy for staying away from heart diseases, diabetes and stroke. Recent studies have revealed that gourmet coffee is an extremely good preventive measure for Parkinson’s disease. Drinking coffee regularly supplies adequate antioxidants needed for the toxin-release of your body.
However, health benefits are easily achievable if you learn to make a perfect cup of gourmet coffee. This will make your kid drink at least a glass of delicious coffee everyday. Learn different other gourmet coffee recipes, so that the taste of coffee doesn’t become monotonous to your child. Desserts like Caramel Macchiato, Cappuccino and Latte can be some nice options for you.
The ultimate buy for all gourmet coffee lovers is a home coffee-roaster. Buy the green coffee beans; roasting your own coffee beans takes around 20 minutes of time. The best thing about this kind is the aroma of fresh coffee, but the most significant fact is that it is even better for your overall health.
Spending a few days of leisure at the magnificent land of Costa Rica is even more valuable due to the abundance of healthy coffee beans.

Coffee Maker Recipes

admin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:45:44 +0000

Coffee lovers rejoice! There are actually recipes available that incorporate coffee as the main flavor. Your coffee maker can help you to prepare these meals.

Everyone has heard of using coffee flavors in dessert. But you can also add a distinctive flavor to lots of other dishes as well. This can be done by making barbecue sauces and glazes for your meats with a coffee recipe. You can also put coffee in your favorite chili or pot roast recipe.

It is always better to use fresh ingredients in a recipe and coffee is no exception. Make sure that it is fresh by buying it freshly ground or by grinding your own. (Which is a great reason to have your own coffee grinding machine!) If your recipe calls for brewed coffee, don’t use some that has been sitting around since morning time. Brew your coffee right before using it. You will want to make the coffee you put in your recipes stronger than what you would drink because it is going to be mixed in with other ingredients.

Here are a few recipes for you to try.

Coffee Meatloaf Sauce: Combine a quarter cup of each of these ingredients: water, dry red wine and worcestershire sauce. Add one half cup of ketchup, two teaspoons of vinegar, two tablespoons of lemon juice, a teaspoon of brown sugar and an ounce of margarine. Mix and add one tablespoon of instant coffee. Prepare you favorite meatloaf recipe and place it in a preheated 375 degree oven. After it cooks for 1/2 hour, pour the sauce over it and continue to bake for 45 more minutes. It will come out tender and delicious!

Espresso Brownies: Heat a cup of sugar, a 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1 and 1/2 sticks of butter in a sauce pan over low heat. Add one teaspoon of vanilla, 4 ounces of chopped, semi-sweet chocolate and stir until melted together. Then add one tablespoon of dark roast coffee and mix everything together and let it cool down. Fold in three eggs and a cup of flour. Pour your mixture into a 8 x 11 inch baking pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for thirty minutes. Yum!

Quick Coffee Sauce: Combine one cup of sugar with one cup of strong Colombian coffee. Boil and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Turn the heat down and simmer for three more minutes. Let it cool and use it to pour over any kind of meal.