COFFEE: 2008

A Coffee Bean Grinder Guarantees Freshness

By Ned D'Agostino

If you love coffee, then you already know that it will taste better if it is freshly ground. Wouldn't it be great to have that coffee shop freshness in your home every day? A good coffee bean grinder will ensure that your coffee is always as fresh as possible.

But there's more to it than just freshness. If you grind your own beans you can make the grind as fine as you desire. This is very important to a true coffee lover. With this in mind, perhaps you are now at least a little curious about trying this on your own.

So what's holding you back? Perhaps you believe that the process is difficult, or maybe you think it can be messy. Both of those arguments are incorrect.

The only argument that "holds water" is that it's just easier to open a can and start brewing. And while this is true, once you taste the difference between store bought coffee in a can and freshly ground beans, you'll realize quickly just what you've been missing.

As soon as coffee beans are ground they begin to lose some of their flavor and aroma. That's the reason grinding the beans yourself will result in a better tasting and smelling cup. You can simply grind the beans right before you brew (the process is quick) and your coffee will be as flavorful as possible.

So what kind of grinder should you get? There are two popular types on the market. You can get either a blade grinder or a burr grinder.

The more economical of the two is the blade grinder. Picture a blender, only smaller. The blades inside simply grind up the beans. This is far better than buying canned coffee, but not as good as it could be. The idea when grinding is to get as large a surface area as possible. A larger surface area means more bean is exposed to the hot water, and therefore more oils and flavor can be pulled out during brewing. A blade grinder will produce an uneven grind. And therefore you will get a slightly inferior cup of coffee.

Burr grinders on the other hand are produce a much better grind. Go to your local coffee shop and this is the type of grinder you'll typically find in use. The burrs are precisely and evenly spaced grinding discs made of metal. They will give your beans an even grind, and therefore produce a better cup of coffee. Generally these are adjustable, meaning you can set them for whatever type of coffee you like best. If you like Turkish drip coffee, no problem. If you prefer automatic drip coffee, a burr grinder will produce the grind you need.

Understand that what I consider a perfect cup of coffee may not be perfect for you. I am far from a coffee snob. But no matter what type of coffee you like, fresh ground beans will always taste better. And whether you decide on a burr or blade coffee bean grinder, you'll find that the taste of your coffee will be far superior to what you are drinking now. Chances are you will have bought your last can of pre-ground coffee.

And it's just a simple kitchen appliance that will make that first cup in the morning worth getting out of bed for.

Mr. Coffee - The History and Background of the Mr. Coffee Company

By Jennifer Harris

In the 1970s and 1980s, you'd have been hard pressed to find a household that didn't have a Mr. Coffee machine in it. Introduced to the market in 1972, Mr. Coffee was the first drip coffee maker specifically made for home use. Joe DiMaggio, former baseball star, was the first spokesperson for the brand.

Before the automatic drip coffee maker, people would perk their coffee on the stovetop with a percolator. Later models of percolator machines were electric and could be plugged in. The Mr. Coffee machine is an electric machine.

To get a great tasting cup of coffee, one only had to fill the water reservoir, put coffee in a coffee filter, put the filter in the basket and turn the machine on. Hot water dripped from the reservoir onto the coffee grounds in the basket, brewing coffee as it trickled through the grounds. At the end of its journey, the coffee dripped from the filter down into a pot, where it was ready to be served.

Wildly popular all over the United States, Mr. Coffee has become a bit of a cultural icon. Besides having Joe DiMaggio pitching the brand, years later the machine would be referenced in dozens of movies, songs, short stories and poems.

One of the most famous references to Mr. Coffee was in the Back to the Future trilogy. In the movies, instead of Mr. Coffee, it was called Mr. Fusion. Ironically, the machine in the movie wasn't an actual Mr. Coffee machine, but a modified Krups coffee maker.

In the movie Spaceballs, Mr. Coffee is prominently featured, and the DVD version even has another parody reference, called Mr. DVD. In terms of popular music, Mr. Coffee was mentioned in the Bloodhound Gang's hit song, The Bad Touch. The machine was also in the Tom Hank's movie, Apollo 13.

Enjoy drinking coffee? Become a member of the Coffee Forums at http://www.DiscussCoffee.com today!

Don't Throw Out Your Old Coffee! Make A Delicious Drink

I still brew a new pot of coffee everyday, but now I stretch my dollar by saving some of the coffee that would otherwise be dumped down the drain. I used to waste lots of coffee by making a new pot of coffee each morning. Then the next day I would dump the old pot of coffee and make a new one. What can I say I like the great taste of good gourmet coffee. The bitter taste of old coffee wasnt doing it for me. Then one day I had a good idea, I decided to start saving my coffee to make a cold coffee drink later. Since I dont like to drink hot coffee in the middle of a hot summer day, the iced coffee drink worked out perfectly.

Here is what I do to make my iced coffee drink, it cuts down on wasted coffee and saves you money in the long run.

When the coffee has cooled off, pour the coffee into a mason jar. Then put the mason jar filled with cooled coffee in the refrigerator. Now when your looking for a nice cool drink to quench your thirst during the middle of the day, you can make an iced coffee drink.

Here is how I make my iced coffee drink:

Put ice in a glass,

Fill the glass about 3/4 full with your left over coffee,

Add your favorite flavored coffee creamer to taste

Stir it up and enjoy your iced coffee

Also try blending the cold coffee up in a blender with ice cream, its delicious.

Other Recommended Coffee Articles

Tired of bitter coffee? You might be buying stale coffee... read full article at

http://www.idahoroasting.com/content1.asp?id=15

For more coffee facts, articles and trivia visit

http://www.idahoroasting.com/education.asp

Eric Gard

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_B_Gard

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Not Art but Technology of Making Coffee

By Ken Morris

From the time of coffee being introduced to mankind, this brew and its makers have made its way to the heart of human society. The oldest found coffee maker is the Turkish Ibrik which is a long handled copper container and a deep protruding mouth. The Ibrik makes a very brew as it does not have any option of filtering. Even now it is in used in many places of Middle East.

The passionate coffee lover's world over who like to have their coffee as a drink rather than in food has various options of coffee makers to choose from. The most widely used coffee makers are the percolator of the drip model. This coffee maker is driven by electric coils which are fixed at the bottom of the maker. We will just need to add water to the coffee powder in the glass pot of the coffee maker, and it is done.

This is the basic model which is used world over. But there are coffee makers available which have advanced features and various mechanical controls in it. Coffee makers with Laser screens , timer, temperature control and several other features have been introduced in the market and are a rage these days. You can even buy a coffee brewer that makes just a single cup. There are even thermostatic controls or auto shut off for those forgetful ones. The degree of brewing is also controlled mechanically by the controls on the coffee maker. The advanced feature of automatic switch off stops the water from dripping into the pot. But before these features were introduced in the coffee makers the water used to keep on dripping till the end.

The LCD displays not only offers convenience to the user but also adds an extra charm to the maker. Previously it took a lot of time to clean up the coffee maker after being used. But nowadays even cleaning is a piece of cake with use of filter papers. The pods are small paper cups through which the water flows and hence get filtered. After it is done, we can just take it out and dispose it off, no need to wash. It is a very good utility device for the ever busy coffee drinkers.

Different kinds of filters are easily available for the coffee drinkers and filtration is essential for city drinkers. Some of them may be expensive but nothing compares to a deeply satisfying coffee experience. It is said that an integrated bean grinder also comes with the coffee maker. But it should be used separately to make easier cleaning. But it seems that too much of mechanism sometimes hampers the authenticity of the coffee. Thus sometimes it proves to be better to keep it old fashioned.

Different Views of Gourmet Coffee Pod

By Joseph Then

Coffee beans are not beans at all but the seeds from the fruit of a coffee plant. There are two ways to remove these seeds, which are wet and dry extracting. Coffee is one of the most traded commodities in the world passed only by petroleum. It is also the most popular beverage.

Types of Coffee

The two main coffees grown for commercial use are Arabica and Robusta coffee. For a gourmet coffee, Robusta does not fit everyone's taste. Having double the caffeine of Arabica coffee, it lacks the aroma or taste. Arabica gourmet coffee is a superior grade coffee with fabulous aroma and a wonderful taste.

A gourmet coffee pod is a pre-packaged, pre-measured amount of sealed coffee that you drop into your coffee pod maker and just add water. In 30 seconds, you are drinking a fresh, perfect mug of gourmet coffee. No measuring of coffee necessary so this makes them very convenient and fast. Once the gourmet coffee is finished, simply throw the pod away. There are also tea pods for all the tea lovers that work the same way as the coffee pods.

When you get up in the morning, the very last thing you want to do is get out a filter, measure your gourmet coffee, measure the water and wait for the coffee to brew. This is almost torture for a person that cannot function without their first cup of gourmet coffee. Coffee pod makers are a wonderful invention that allows you to have a fabulous cup of gourmet coffee in 30 seconds. You fill the coffee pod maker with water, put a coffee pod in it and push a button. There are coffee pod makers that only make a single cup or some that make several cups. Half a minute later, you are drinking your rich, frothy gourmet coffee. Coffee pod makers are stylish and sleek and look great in a kitchen or breakfast nook.

Flavors of Gourmet Coffee Pods

You can get gourmet coffee pods in several brew strengths such as mild, medium and dark roasted. Although this coffee may cost a little more, it is well worth the extra money spent. Gourmet coffee pods come in many different and unique flavors and sizes such as 14 pod bags and 50 pod boxes. Here are some of the many flavors available:

• Caramel nut crunch
• Chocolate cappuccino
• Mocha cinnamon
• French vanilla
• Hazelnut
• Swiss chocolate almond
• Almond
• Chocolate mint
• Peppermint
• Express
• Irish cream

Gourmet coffee pods are also available in decaffeinated. If you are one of those people that cannot open their eyes or function before they have their first cup of coffee, then a coffee pod is the way to go. By the time you put your gourmet coffee pod in the coffee maker and push the button, it is time to drink your first mug of coffee and wake up to the wonderful aroma and taste of gourmet coffee. Life is great.

Senseo Coffee Maker Magic

By Gary Gresham

The Senseo coffee maker combines a unique brewing method from Philips with convenient Senseo coffee pods from Douwe Egberts. Senseo was one of the first to introduce pod coffee makers a few years ago.

Today, Senseo coffee makers have become one of the most popular pod coffee makers sold. One of the reasons is each individual cup is freshly brewed, so you're always sure of a pure and smooth taste.

To add a European touch, each cup is topped off with a frothy coffee layer, adding depth and a nice visual touch to your coffee experience.

Because the machine uses pre-measured coffee pods, the system is hassle-free and guarantees a flavorful, fresh brew each time.

The Senseo coffee maker is easy and simple to clean because all of the parts of the pod coffee maker are detachable and can be conveniently cleaned in a dishwasher.

The pod coffee maker quickly brews one 4-oz. cup in 30 seconds, or 2 cups or one mug in 60 seconds. To make coffee you use Senseo coffee pods from Douwe Egberts containing gourmet coffees, specialty coffees and espresso.

An exceptional cup of coffee doesn't need to be an occasional treat anymore because it can easily be a part of your daily routine with this Senseo coffee maker.

You get the very best in flavor and aroma plus a frothy coffee layer that is rich and smooth. A Senseo coffee maker allows you to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee whenever you feel like it.

Copyright © 2005 Best-Coffee-Makers-Online.com. All Rights Reserved.

Different Views of Gourmet Coffee Pod

Coffee and Weight Loss - How Coffee Affects Weight Loss

By Brian Gallichan

Coffee is a very popular beverage both in the United States and throughout the rest of the world. In fact, most people who drink coffee drink numerous cups throughout the day. Many people believe that coffee will help them lose weight. This article will seek to show the truth about whether or not coffee serves any purpose as far as weight loss is concerned.

Coffee contains caffeine, which is a powerful and addictive stimulant. Caffeine is a drug that makes people nervous and fidgety. Caffeine alters blood sugar levels. Caffeine causes people to be hungry and crave food. Caffeine disrupts sleep. Excess caffeine causes headaches, nausea, accelerated heartbeat, and anxiety.

Because coffee alters a person's mood very randomly, it is not a good beverage to drink while trying to lose weight. Coffee has the ability to cause a person to feel hungry without a moment's notice. When the effects of coffee are tapering off, a person will generally feel depressed and want to binge on junk food. The practice of binging on junk food can be counterproductive to your goal of losing weight, depending on how much junk food you eat when binging.

Another reason that coffee is a terrible beverage to drink when trying to lose weight is that coffee adds toxins to your body. When you are trying to lose weight, your body is trying to flush out all toxins from your body.

Coffee is a toxin that shuts down the cleansing process of the body and locks other toxins such as fat inside the body. Therefore, it is wise to quit drinking coffee if you are serious about losing weight.

Low Fat & Low Calorie Options At The Coffee Shop

By Karyn Lewis

Most people fail to calculate the amount of fat and calories found in many drinks featured at a coffee shop. They may be packing on the pounds without realizing that their morning double latte is what is causing most of it. They may be paying attention to the foods they eat but many drinks you can get from a coffee shop will have plenty of calories in them.

You don't have to give up going to the coffee shop though in order to get control of the situation. Many of the coffee shops out there understand that people want delicious drinks that won't have so many calories associated with them. Many of them offer low fat and low calorie options.

You may find that going back to regular coffee is a good option. You can use low fat creamer and sugar substitutes if you don't enjoy drinking it black. Many of us like to try out the many items that the coffee shop offers though. As a result we have gotten away from the basics of regular coffee. It may be time to try it out again.

You will find though that many coffee shops offer delicious premium coffee. It is going to be much better than what you can make on your own at home. They may have some specialty blends they offer as well so you can get some variety. Ask about low fat creamers and sugar substitutes so that you can still have something that tastes good to drink. Very few people enjoy their coffee plain.

One of the easiest ways to cut back on the calories in your order at the coffee shop though is to not ask for the additional syrups for flavoring. They can really add some numbers to the overall intake that you are getting. Sure, they make your drink taste great but after a while you won't miss them. It is just going to take a while to get used to the taste of the basics again. Some places do offer sugar free syrups but they often have plenty of carbs in them so watch out.

Of course the amount of times you place an order at the coffee shop matters too. If you drop in before work, on your morning and afternoon break, and at lunch you may need to cut back. While the coffee shop owner will really like it, you may find it isn't the healthiest of choices for you.

Cutting down the size of the drink you get can also help you to cut calories. Businesses have a way of enticing you to get a larger size due to the price only being a little different. This gives the consumer the idea that the largest size is going to be the best value for them. Yet it should be a good sacrifice to give up that value in order to maintain your figure.

Definitely find out what is going into the drinks you enjoy ordering at a coffee shop. Chances are you will be really surprised when you find out what the total fat and calories involved are. Ask the employees to offer you some good suggestions to make changes. They will be glad to do so in order to keep you as a customer.

The Power Of Coffee Roasters

by: George Davis

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.

Gourmet Coffee - Variety and Choice

by: Chris Brown

The words “Gourmet Coffee” are coming up in conversation more often these days. Is there any substance to it or is it just a term some elite coffee snobs have come up? What makes a coffee "gourmet" and who decides this? This article attempts to sift through the hype and give some straight facts.

As an adjective, gourmet is defined as: Referring to fine food. So, gourmet coffee is fine coffee, that doesn’t help narrow it down much more. It may be stating the obvious, but what makes a coffee fine is its taste. There are five primary taste sensations; salty, sour, sweet, bitter and umami (savory). Understanding how these sensations apply to coffee is not important to the majority of us. What’s important is our preference; what tastes good, bad and to what degree. People have huge variations in preference. A coffee you may love, I might hate. C'est la vie!

This variation in preference is where gourmet coffee fills a need. Gourmet coffee offers choice and variety. These choices come in countless combinations of international coffee beans, varying degrees of roasting, flavoring and preparation.

International Coffee Beans

International coffee is probably the biggest factor in gourmet coffee; it's the starting point for variety and choice. From a purest point of view the bean's original flavor should play a bigger role than artificially flavored coffees or specialty coffee drinks.

Coffee is international by nature, even though all the world's coffee beans are grown within 1000 miles of the equator - from the Tropic of Cancer in the north to the Tropic of Capricorn in the south. Two varieties make up nearly all of the beans; Arabica and Robusta. Arabica contains less caffeine, it is the most popular and it grows between 1,500 and 6,000 feet above sea level. Robusta contains the most caffeine and grows at lower elevations.

South American, Central American and Caribbean coffee beans for the most part are lighter in body than other regions, a bit sweeter and slightly more acidic. These beans are often described as smooth and nutty. Central American varieties are not usually as sharp as the South American. African and Middle Eastern coffees often have a more medium body and what can be described as a wild and syrupy feel. African beans are strong, sharp and assertive. The majority of the world's Robustas are grown along the African coast. Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and Indonesian coffees are almost completely Arabicas. Characteristics include spicy, heavy body and low acidity.

Flavored Coffee

Flavored coffees become popular in the 1990s but can be traced back centuries ago to the Turks, who used a unique method of preparing coffee that is still popular in the area today. Spices like clove, cinnamon, anise, and cardamom were added to flavor the coffee. People typically have strong feelings towards flavored coffee; they love it or prefer to let the natural flavor of the bean to prevail.

Coffee is typically flavored by adding flavor oils to the beans after roasting and prior to grinding. Flavoring oils are combinations of natural and synthetic flavor chemicals which are created by flavor chemists. There are also liquid flavors which are added to coffee during preparation much like adding cream or sugar. Flavored coffees are generally classified into four categories:

- Spice based flavors - like cinnamon.

- Fruit based flavors - like coconut or raspberry.

- Chocolate based flavors - like chocolate mint.

- Nut based flavors - like vanilla, hazelnut or macadamia nut.

- Cremes - like Irish Creme or French Vanilla.

Specialty Drinks and Preparation

There seems to be a million ways to prepare coffee these days; Dark roast, light roast, espresso (and all its derivatives), regular coffee, with cream and sugar or simply black. Coffee preparation is a topic that's been the subject of many other articles. However, like all facets of gourmet coffee the theme of choice and variety applies.

Most of the fancy coffee drinks start with espresso, which is just coffee that is brewed a particular way. The beans are finely ground to an almost powder consistency then very hot water is forced through the grinds at high pressure. Some examples of Espresso based coffee drinks are Espresso Macchiato, Espresso Con Panna, Caffé Americano, Cappuccino, Caffé Latté and Caffé Mocha. Specialty coffee drinks are becoming very popular but most people still drink regular coffee optionally adding different amounts of cream or sugar.

Summary

The bottom line is Gourmet Coffee offers today's selective coffee drinker choice. These choices come in the form of beans farmed around the world, flavored coffees and vast array of specialty drinks and preparation techniques. Some people drink coffee only as a means to an end, to wake up! More and more people are starting to take notice of the flavor. People's taste evolve, many people start out drinking coffee with lots of cream and sugar and overtime take less or even drink it black. With all the choices available, why not try something new for your next coffee.

Women And Coffee

by: Kadence Buchanan

I do not know about you, but for me, coffee drinking, especially in the morning or early evening, is more than a simple habit or cultural characteristic. Actually, it has become a necessity without which I cannot open my eyes and stand on my two feet all day. According to researchers, I am not alone. Nearly 80% of the U.S. population drinks coffee on a daily basis. The caffeine measured to be contained in a cup of coffee, me and you daily consume, is around 80-130 mg. But while the medical community has warned the public of the health risks associated to caffeine intake, there still is very little linking between coffee and health problems, except in a very few cases.

Coffee, which is a beverage served cold or hot, comes from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, almost always referred to as coffee beans. But regardless of its tremendous market success-coffee is the second most commonly traded commodity in the world surpassed only by petroleum-coffee has been blamed to be the cause of a variety of disorders ranging from indigestion to cancer, at one time or another. Since it is the main source of caffeine, which is a stimulant, coffee has had an almost constant role in the news pertaining to health problems in recent years. Surprisingly, most of these warnings and urgent health reports, describing problems like the human airways clogging, are aimed at women.

But while even doctors have been very critical of the role of coffee in women's health, the fact of the matter remains; there is little proof that any risk to women exists from coffee drinking, especially when consumed in moderate amounts. As a matter of fact, reports have even suggested that coffee even lessen the risks of some diseases in women, such as bladder cancer. Unfortunately, since the health problems examined in relation to their linkage with coffee consumption have not yet reached indisputable results, women have reached a stage that it is almost difficult to believe anything involving the health risks of coffee and women.

The reasons why coffee has been getting such a bad reputation are based on the fact that of all drinks containing caffeine, coffee has the highest concentration amount, far exciding that of sodas. In addition, since doctors advice pregnant women to be cautious and avoid caffeinated beverages while carrying an infant, despite there being no evidence of any serious health risks involved, women tend to consider coffee drinking almost as if they were performing some kind of sin and avoid drinking it in fear of the unknown consequences. On the other hand, new research has revealed that coffee is actually beneficial to a person's health. For example, the diuretic effect of coffee has proved that it lessens the incidence of bladder cancer in smokers, and drinking coffee regularly is also reported to lessen the onset of Parkinson's disease.

So, what should we ladies do? The best advice that anyone can believe is the trusted advice of their doctor. Question your doctor if he/she restricts coffee and follow their advice, but stay current on health news. Although it seems impossible to know which study to believe, we have to train ourselves to tell the difference between hypothesis and fact. Being educated about our health will always make us women feel better in the long run.

Is Coffee Good Or Bad For You?

by: Yvonne Volante

Did you know that coffee is the primary part of dietary antioxidants? Now let's be clear: that does not mean that your morning coffee is a substitute for fruits and vegetables. But serious java drinkers will surely get a jolt from the news that coffee is a top resource of disease-fighting antioxidants. Current analysis reveals that, taken in moderation, coffee is a safe beverage that may even offer some health benefits. You may see some additional coffee related information at http://www.fmcoffee.com.

Coffee is one of the few beverages that is consumed world-wide. It is consumed in most countries of the world and coffee is the second most widely traded commodity in the world (behind petroleum) and one of the most widely consumed beverages. It may be a world commodity that is second only to oil, but an excellent cup of coffee tastes a lot better than an excellent cup of petroleum. And, in today's world of high fuel prices, a lot more fun to consume.

So, can we call coffee a health foodstuff? Well, that may be stretching it! Caffeine, which is the "guts" of the coffee, is one of the world's most widely used drugs, and it has been part of the human diet for centuries.

Caffeine is one heck of a stimulant and is the element that gives coffee and many other beverages their jolt. It is definitely a central-nervous-system stimulant. It acts as a mild stimulant to the central nervous system and both regular and decaf coffee can irritate the stomach. Drinking caffeine in boundless amounts as coffee or tea (which may actually have more caffeine than coffee) over a short period of time has been shown to raise blood sugar. So if you are prone to blood sugar issues, beware! And, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, lower your current caffeine intake to less than 300 milligrams a day or three cups of coffee. Or, to be safe, cut it out altogether.

But you should be able to look forward to a early-day cup for reasons beyond the caffeine rush. The general conclusion is that moderate amounts of caffeine do not lead to arrhythmias and drinking a modest account of coffee should not increase your risk. Check with your health professional to be sure, though.

So, is coffee injurious? Surely you should be aware that some experts argue that coffee is bad for you. And nobody is saying coffee is entirely benign. But if you have reasonable health and enjoy drinking coffee, an excellent cup of coffee is worth it. But remember, coffee is not for everyone.

Well, I must go. I need to refill my cup of coffee.

Coffee Tables: How To Make The Right Choice For Your Home

by: Jesse Akre

Have you ever been in a home where the coffee table absolutely dwarfed the rest of the room? It can be hard to have a conversation when the sofa and recliners are separated by a table that seems more suited to having a picnic than to hosting guests and serving coffee. Then there are those perfect coffee tables that happen to be too high or low so that you either need to stand up or kneel down to retrieve a drink. Let’s face it: the coffee table is one difficult piece of furniture to get right and when we get it wrong—we get it REALLY wrong!

The perfect coffee table for your home décor will be unique for all of us. However, there are some things to avoid when buying a coffee table to make sure that you don’t get the WRONG coffee table for your furniture and design scheme. One of those mistakes is buy premium coffee tables that are not to scale with the room dimensions.

Depending on your furniture arrangement, it is a good idea for the coffee table to be within 16 inches of the sofa, love seat, and any chairs that are central to the main seating area. The larger the seating area, the larger the coffee table needs to be. The idea is for guests to have access to the coffee table without feeling cramped when getting in and out of their seats. It is also a good idea to measure not only the dimensions of the room, but also of any doorways leading into the room as well. If the delivery people can’t get the table through the door then it doesn’t matter how great it would look in your living room.

Another common mistake people tend to make with coffee tables is to use them as storage spaces. One of the secrets to home décor is to always have a focal point to the room. The coffee table is a natural focal point of the room because it is generally found near the center of the room and featured in front of the seating area. However, when homeowners use their gorgeous coffee tables as storage areas for bills, newspapers, and anything else convenient, then it is easy to see how the entire area becomes unattractive. Prominently displaying candles, centerpieces, accent lamps, and other artistic décor will help the coffee table become the focal point of the room and bring an entirely different feel to the entire seating area.

Black Tea Caffeine: Benefits Of Coffee With Less Side Effects

by: Anne Morris

The ‘pick me up’ we get from drinking tea is a result of the caffeine in the tea. When black tea caffeine first was discovered in the year 1827, it was thought to be a new substance and was named theine. It was found to have effects identical to coffee and in fact, eventually it was found out to be the same caffeine as found in coffee, so the term theine was dropped from use.

Black tea caffeine has he same effects on the human body as caffeine obtained by drinking coffee. It will speed up reaction time and increase alertness as well as improve overall concentration.

It is thought that the increase in alertness and reaction time is a direct result of a stimulation of the cardiac and respiratory systems of the body which increases the amount of oxygen in circulation throughout the body. In addition to that, black tea caffeine stimulates the kidneys and digestive juices, and may even boost metabolism and eliminate toxins.

Some studies conclude that caffeine is beneficial in that improves the performance of the brain and helps to reduce heart disease and other diseases as well. More studies are needed to confirm these conclusions. Most dieticians continue to warn against consuming large amounts of caffeine since there are known undesirable side effects such as shortness of breath, insomnia, and heart palpitations.

However, there is an advantage to consuming black tea caffeine as opposed to the caffeine found in coffee. The reason is because there is less caffeine overall in a cup of black tea as opposed to coffee. A typical cup of coffee has around 16 mg of caffeine while a cup of black tea might have only 6 - 8 mg. So you could drink a few cups of black tea caffeine and not have the potent effects you might obtain from one cup of strong coffee.

There are actually many interesting factors which influence the amount of black tea caffeine that is present. The variety of the tea leaves as well as where on the tea plant the leaves are located play an important part.

Leaves that are toward the bottom half of the tea plant are older and have more phytochemicals and other plant substances than the young leaves toward the top of the plant. In addition to that, where the tea plant is gown, how it is cut, and the length of time it is brewed or steeped will all have an effect on the amount of black tea caffeine available in each cup.

Compared to other varieties of teas, black tea has the highest caffeine content and is probably due to the way it is processed since it undergoes a full oxidation which gives it a uniquely stong taste.

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Coffee And Your Health

by: Yvonne Volante

If you are a coffee drinker, you no doubt have asked yourself how much coffee is it safe for you to consume on a daily basis. This is not surprising since so much has been blamed on coffee. Heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, you name it. At one time or another, coffee has been made to blame.

Here's a new question that you may have never asked yourself: is coffee ever good for you? The answer may surprise you.

Here is a statistic to ponder: did you know that there are over 160 million coffee drinkers in the Unites States alone? In terms of consumption, the average American consumes 8.8 lbs. of coffee per year. But consider this: the world leader in terms of consumption is Finland which comes in at nearly 30 lbs per year. That's a lot of coffee!

Another statistic is that there have been well over 19,000 studies done to analyze the effects of coffee. Now, studies can often be skewed to show whatever the author wants, but here is what is generally agreed: consuming 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day is often considered more beneficial than harmful.

But, since everyone's body is different, we all tolerate things differently. In some people even the smallest amount of caffein can cause nervousness and irritebility. Consider also that a person may consume caffein in other ways besides coffee. And often without knowing about it. For sonme other interesting coffee articles, check out http://www.fmcoffee.com.

A little known fact is that coffee contains antioxidants which have been shown to imporve oveall health. Here is a short list of some benefits which have been shown to be present in coffee:

* Reduce symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
* Antibacterial ingredients
* Reduce the risk of developing gallstones
* Preserve mental accuity
* Reduce risk of developing type 2 Diabetes (if you have diabetes, reduce your consumption
* If you are free of hypertension, coffee will not likely produce it
* Headache relief
* Reduce the risk of some types of cancer
* Improve physical endurance

This is not to say that there are not some serious negative results of drinking coffee. It is nice to know, however, that a cup or two in the morning may not hurt you. But how do you know for sure? Be sure to talk to your health professional and get their advice on consuming coffee. They (and you) know what conditions you may have that you need to be careful of when it comes to coffee. Then do you research and, if appropriate, enjoy your coffee.

Indulge Yourself With Gevalia Coffee

by: Roland Jefferson

For coffee lovers, Gevalia is one of the favorites both for the convenience of shopping at home and a vast selection of quality coffee to choose from. Gevalia coffee became well known for giving away a free coffee pot with your first order and for shipping a different package of coffee every month for as long as you wished to receive the coffee.

Today Gevalia coffee is one of the most popular online coffee companies in the United States. If you ask around, someone you know has either ordered from Gevalia coffee in the past or they are a regular customer even today. With a variety of coffee from all over the world and flavors to treat even the pickiest of coffee drinkers, Gevalia coffee is a quick and easy way to try new coffee without ever leaving the comfort of your home to shop.

Seasonal Blends

Gevalia coffee is a perfect solution for any office or business as they deliver coffee right to you and you can order as much or as little as you need. For the more discriminating coffee drinker Gevalia coffee offers many specialty coffees including their limited edition and seasonal coffee lines. You might want to stock up on their seasonal coffee before the season ends as nobody can really resist crème brule in the summer or pumpkin spice in the fall.

Tea and Snacks

If you need more than coffee, Gevalia coffee can also take care of you tea needs from traditional black tea to green and herbal teas Gevalia coffee offers both quality and taste for your tea. Of course neither coffee nor tea can ever be complete without a delicious snack to go with them, so Gevalia coffee offers a selection of cookies, pastries and chocolates to make you experience complete.

Today Gevalia offers more than just a coffee of the month package; they also offer a tea of the month and a coffee and tea combination along with a wonderful free gift. If you are a coffee lover and you haven’t tried Gevalia yet, now is the time to give it a try. If you are a long time Gevalia coffee drinker you might want to check out all of the new things that Gevalia coffee now has to offer. There is no better way to indulge yourself than with a great cup of coffee or tea anytime of the day or night, so what are you waiting for - give Gevalia coffee a try.

Coffee Intake Linked To Lower Diabetes Risk

by: Adam Akelis

Drinking coffee, especially when it is decaffeinated, will be associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a report in the Sept 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The link between coffee and diabetes risk appears to be very consistent across different ages and body weights; in addition, most research has found that the more coffee an individual drinks, the lower his or her risk for diabetes. However, it remains unclear whether it is the caffeine or any other ingredient in coffee, which may confer a protective effect.

Mark A. Pereira, Ph.D., and colleagues at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, had studied coffee intake and diabetes risk in the 28,812 postmenopausal women in Iowa over a 12-year period. At the beginning of the study, in 1986, the women answered questions about the risk factors for diabetes, including age, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption and other smoking history. They also reported how often they consumed a variety of foods and these beverages over the previous year, including regular and decaffeinated coffee.

Based on this information reported in the initial questionnaire, about half of the women (14,224) drank one to two cups of coffee per day; 2,876 drank more than six cups; 5,553 four to five cups; 3,232 less than one cup; and 2,927 none. Over the following 12 years, 1,417 of the women reported on surveys, which they had been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. After adjusting the data for some of the other diabetes risk factors, women who drank more than five cups of any type of coffee per day were 21 percent less likely than those who drank no coffee to be diagnosed suffering from diabetes; those who drank more than five cups of decaffeinated coffee per day had a 32 percent reduction in risk compared with those who drank none.

Overall caffeine intake did not appear to be much related to diabetes risk, further suggesting that some other ingredient in coffee was also responsible. "Magnesium, for which coffee is a good source, can explain some of the inverse relation between coffee intake and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus through known helpful effects on the carbohydrate metabolism," the authors write. However, the study found no relation between Magnesium and diabetes risk. Other minerals and nutrients found in the coffee bean including compounds known as polyphenols, which have also been shown to help the body process carbohydrates and antioxidants, which might protect cells in the insulin producing pancreas can contribute to its beneficial effects and needs to be examined in future studies.

The Best Way To Store Coffee Is To Go "Green"!

by: Ebenezer Heng

The best way to store coffee is a question that is always on coffee aficinados' mind, but one that is seldom "tackle". Think about it, in most coffee maker reviews, you have the best brewer, best grinder, best roaster and so on, but have you ever heard of a best container?

Folks all over the world are looking for the freshest brew, but not a lot of people are concerned about storing the coffee, which is actually a key element in the coffee experience. Unless, you have access to a coffee store near your house, and would never buy more than that day consumption. If not, you would definitely have to store the coffee.

So, what is the best way to store coffee? Remember the coffee freshness rule and you would know how long you can store that "coffee". Raw green coffee beans can be fresh for years, so they are the easiest to store. Roasted beans, which are what you can easily find in Supermarket, would lose their flavour after a week.

And if you were to ground the coffee, the flavour would be lost within hours. And you probably can forget about keeping brewed coffee as it begins to lose its flavour after minutes.

Based on the above, the easiest to store would be green coffee beans and personally, I think they are the best way to store coffee. All you need to do is to store in a cool location, in a tightly sealed container and you can keep it for more than a year!

Sure, you need to purchase a roaster and a grinder in addition to your coffee maker but you would not have to throw away any unused coffee and you would have the freshest coffee.

For roasted beans, it is similar to green beans, store in an airtight container and try to use ceramic as plastic or metal would contaminate the taste of the beans. Keep away from sunlight and try to store in dark places. This allows you to keep the beans fresh for at least 2 weeks.

And if you really want it to keep a longer time, keeping in the freezer can probably last for another 2 more weeks. To use it, just take it out and grind. Do take note that it is to keep in the freezer and not the fridge, never keep coffee beans in the fridge as it would simply absorb the odour of the other food and spoilt your coffee...

If you really want to store the roast and ground which cannot be store past a few days. Keep it with a good airtight container and away from the sun. This would allow the freshness to stay for a week. For the ground, freezer cannot help much as the surface area is too wide and it would still go stale.

If it is not green beans, the coffee beans would not last more than a month. To me, the best to store coffee is to go "green", however, let me go through the savings and convince you on this as well!

1 kg of Green beans can last you probably for a year and cost about $25.00. Assuming you have a fully automatic espresso machine which comes with a grinder, you would be buying roasted beans. You would have to buy them every month and it cost about $15.00 per 100g.

In one year, your roasted beans would cost you $150.00. So, between the roasted and the green coffee beans, that is a savings of $125.00. Sure, you have to get a roaster, let say you get a "Fresh Roast" roaster for $70.00, you still have a savings of $55.00.

Now, would you not agreed with me that the best way to store coffee is to go "green". Storing the Green coffee beans allows you to buy coffee in bulk (get discount from bulk purchase), roast your own coffee and have the freshest cup possible and not forgetting, it saves you some money in the process...

Making French Press Coffee

By Gary Gresham

Making French press coffee is a way to enjoy an extremely robust and high quality cup of coffee. If you know how to use a French press pot you can make the best tasting coffee you have ever had.

To make French press coffee you will first need a French press pot. Many online sites have good selections of French press pots and will ship one right to your front door.

You will also need a good coffee grinder and a tea kettle to boil the water.

You want to grind the coffee beans slightly larger than you would for drip coffee. Too fine of a grind will produce a bitter cup of coffee. If your grind is too coarse, the coffee will taste weak.

Some people even prefer to roast their own beans when making French press coffee. For French press coffee, many connoisseurs prefer a dark roast when choosing their coffee beans.

Remove the plunger from the press pot and put 1 rounded tablespoon of coarse ground coffee per each 6oz. of water into the pot. You can adjust this to your own taste.

Coffee is 99% water so use clean filtered or bottled water free from chlorine and other minerals that affect the taste of coffee.

Boil the water and remove it from the heat for five minutes before you pour it. This will give you the 195 to 205 degree water that is ideal to brew with. Now pour the 195 to 205 degree water over the ground coffee.

Stir the coffee to get total saturation of the grounds then place the plunger on top of the pot and let the coffee steep for 3 to 4 minutes.

Depress the plunger slowly to push the grounds to the bottom of the pot.

Serve all the coffee in the pot after the 3 to 4 minutes of steeping. Otherwise the coffee will keep getting stronger.

The difference in taste between regular coffee and French press coffee is night and day.

Ever wonder why restaurant coffee tastes so good? It could be because many fine restaurants use a French press to make their coffee.

Making French press coffee may take a little more time but it is worth it. Many people swear by French press coffee and wouldn't have it any other way.

If you are looking for an extremely robust and high quality cup of coffee and have the right equipment treat yourself and try making French press coffee.

Copyright © 2006 Best-Coffee-Makers-Online.com All Rights Reserved.

This article is supplied by http://www.best-coffee-makers-online.com where you can easily shop and compare the best coffee makers available at great values.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Gresham

Pure Kona Coffee

By Gary Gresham

Pure Kona Coffee is gourmet coffee grown only on the Island of Hawaii. It is grown on the dark volcanic lava rock slopes of Kona which is located on the west side of the Big Island. This area is approximately one mile wide by thirty miles long. It is situated between two volcanoes, Hualalai and Manua Loa. The elevation ranges from 500 to 3000 feet.

The unique island microclimate distinguishes pure Kona coffee from all others. Special care is taken throughout the process of creating the Kona coffee bean. The sunny mornings, cloud-covered rainy afternoons and mild nights create an ideal growing condition for the best Kona coffee.

The trees thrive in the fertile volcanic soil and natural shade provided by the mango and macadamia nut trees. This allows the Kona coffee bean to mature slowly and flourish.

Kona coffee is hand picked, pulped, dried and hulled then sorted by size and shape. It is sun dried and then roasted depending on desired results. A good roasting process can make a big difference in taste. Roasting is referred to as an “art form” by many in the trade.

Dark roasts are typically French Roast, Italian, or Expresso. Medium roasts include Vienna. Flavored coffee is usually sprayed immediately after roasting for the best absorption of flavor. Just after roasting the oxidation process begins and coffee is at its freshest.

Kona coffee is grown and processed with attention to every detail creating an end result of extraordinary coffee, delicate yet rich in flavor and aroma. This quality has made pure Kona coffee one of the most highly famous and valued coffees in the world.

Copyright © 2005 Best-Coffee-Makers-Online.com. All Rights Reserved.

This article is supplied by Best-Coffee-Makers-Online.com where you can easily shop and compare coffee makers so you can purchase exactly what you’re looking for at great values.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Gresham

Coffee Savoring Facts and Fixes

By Holly Bentz

All caffeinated coffees are not brewed equally. Gauging daily intake can prove to be a little challenging. Be it the harvest climate, the type of roast, to the ground's coarseness, coffee beverages come in different doses of caffeine.

About the Coffee Cultivation --
Coffee grows in climates in varying temperature and humidity levels. As a result, cultivation conditions such as; soil consistency, impact the amount of caffeine in the plant. Dissimilar to the rich, robust essence of dark roast coffee beans, they are less caffeinated than their lighter roast counterparts. The longer beans are roasted, the more time the caffeine has to burn off.

Robusto and Arabica beans are the most popular coffee plant varieties. Although Robusto is not as aromatic and as expensive as Arabica, Robusto offers more oomph for the buzz. With more caffeine, Robusto out-buzzes Arabica ounce for ounce.

About the Coffee Brew --
Brewing is verisimilar to tanning. The longer coffee is brewed the more caffeinated is steeped. Since Espresso is deeply roasted and rapidly brewed, it contains less caffeine than a slow dripped French roast. For instance, a doppio (Italian for double espresso) is equivalent to an eight-ounce cup of coffee.

Coarser grinds generate tinier surfaces on coffee grains, enabling caffeine to absorb the coffee bean into the brew. For coffee lovers requiring more caffeine, a burr grinder is ideal if you don’t mind the work involved in cleaning the appliance.

Coffee grinding tip: To savor a mellower cup of Joe, purchase a blade grinder.

When it comes to drinking coffee on a regular basis, size really matters. As people age, they become more sensitive to caffeine. Not to mention, coffee can be downright harsh on the central nervous system. Coffee experts suggest that 100 milligrams, one cup of Joe is enough to stimulate a manageable caffeine high.

Coffee flavor savor: To lock in the rich taste of coffee, keep it from exposure to air by storing it in a sealed bag or container in the freezer.

Please feel free to add this article to your website or ezine with the following message: This article is a courtesy of Holly Bentz, © 2006 fruitionMedia.net - All Rights Reserved. For more informative consumer information visit http://AlertsforConsumers.com or for a customized newsletter, web copy or articles, visit http://fruitionMedia.net to contact us.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Holly_Bentz

Try the Tradition of Turkish Coffee and Taste the Difference

By Nicholas Webb

The Europeans got their first taste of Turkish Coffee, and coffee in general from the Ottoman Turks, who brought coffee to the West. They were great coffee drinkers, both at home and in public houses, the forerunners of our cafés, which started to spring up across the Islamic countries. Turkish coffee became part of the Turks life and was known as the "Wine of Islam" and the "Milk of Chess Players and Thinkers".

Turkish coffee is derived from the famous Arabica coffee bean, often the addition of the aromatic Cardamom spice is added to the coffee while it is being ground. Another method boils seeds with the coffee and lets them float to the top when served.

Traditionally Turkish Coffee has six levels of sweetness from ranging from very sweet to black. Sugar is not added to the coffee after it has been served. As the coffee begins to heat, it begins to foam. A rule of the traditional Turkish coffee ceremony states that if the foam is absent from the coffee, the host loses face. Turkish coffee is served hot from a special pot called a cezve.

You wont need a cezve pot to make this Turkish coffee recipe In order to make your own brew of "Milk of Thinkers", heat water in a pan, add coffee and sugar to taste. Bring to boil. Pour half of the coffee into demitasse cups and return the remaining coffee to the heat and bring back to boil. Spoon off the foam and gently place into each cup without stirring. You'll need 1 1/2 cups of cold water, 4 teaspoons of strong dark roast coffee and about 4 teaspoons of sugar.

You can try adding cardamom if you like the taste. After some experimenting, you'll have an almost authentic Turkish coffee.

This article was prepared by Nicholas Webb of http://www.allabout-coffee-beans.com Coffee is mora than just a passion. Click through to http://www.AllAbout-Coffee-Beans.com for a wide range of articles from coffee beans to coffee making machines.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicholas_Webb

A Guide To Choose The Right Coffee Maker

This is guide for coffee lover who wants to drink perfect cup of coffee. Making perfect cup of coffee requires the perfect coffee maker. Which coffee maker is right for you? Well, that depends on many different things. For example, how fast do you want your coffee? Do you want your coffee and water heated at the same time? Do you want it separately? Do you want your coffee ready when you get out of bed? How much room do you have on your kitchen counter?

These are the things that must be taken into consideration when choosing a coffee maker. You might want to consider a percolator, this is an old favorite used by many people. This type of coffee maker is typically used for mild forms of coffee. There are two different types of percolators, the stovetop version, and the electric version. The stovetop version needs constant attention. If you allow the water to over boil, you will find extreme bitterness instead of great taste and flavor.

The electric version keeps the brew going on its own; it will stop automatically when the coffee has been brewed. Then, it will generally switch automatically to warm, which will keep the coffee warm and ready for drinking.

The automatic drip is probably one of the most popular forms of coffee maker on the market. This type of coffee maker is the kind that allows you to start your coffee and forget about it until it has been brewed. There are many types of automatic drip machines that contain a variety of features.

However, the one that many people look to is the kind that includes a timer. The timer on many coffee maker models allow you to get everything ready the night before, fill the filter with your chosen brand of coffee, fill the reservoir with water, and set the timer for when the machine should begin. Go to bed, and wake up in the morning to the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

Other types of coffee makers include manual drip, plunger pots, vacuum, microwave, cappuccino, and espresso coffee makers.

So, which type of coffee maker will you choose?

Hot Coffee - Getting The Delicious Taste You Want

By Adrian Adams

Coffee is everywhere in our society. Many people love the rich delicious flavor of a nice hot cup of coffee as soon as they wake in the morning. In fact, many people prefer to set their coffee makers so that the first thing they will sense when they wake is the fragrant aroma of fresh brewed coffee.

When it comes to keeping coffee hot, there are some steps that you can take to ensure that each cup of coffee is deliciously fresh, aromatic, and refreshing. First, you should make sure that you always brew your coffee fresh when you want some. For some people it may mean choosing a small coffee maker that only brews a cup at a time.

You'll also find that you should use the freshest and purest water for your coffee. Since coffee uses mostly 90 percent water, make sure that you use high quality water. If you use tap water, you can filter it or use special coffee filters that will help remove any impurities before brewing.

You will need to make sure that you measure your coffee grounds according to the amount of brewed coffee you desire. You can purchase coffee according to its strength as well as adjust the amount of coffee grinds that you measure to make the coffee the strength you desire. However, it should be noted that everyone prefers a different strength to his or her coffee, and what may be the perfect cup of coffee to you, may be too strong or too weak to someone else. A standard cup of coffee is basically six ounces of water and two tablespoons of coffee grinds. By using this basic formula, you can determine how many tablespoons you need to brew a perfect pot.

To ensure that your coffee remains hot, choose your choice of coffee mug or thermos carefully. Make sure that it is well insulated. Glass and stainless steel will not affect the taste of the coffee and are recommended as suitable thermos materials. Also, you will find that coffee that has been percolated or brewed in an automatic coffee maker will retain the best flavor.

Coffee that has been brewed in a French Press may not taste as well if it has been kept in a thermos. This in part due to the remaining sediment that exists in the coffee, it will continue to heat and cause the coffee to lose its flavor. The same is true of Espresso coffee. By brewing your coffee fresh and storing it in the proper thermos, you will continue to enjoy fresh hot coffee.

Find commercial coffee machines at http://www.cofcaf.co.uk/catalog/index.php

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrian_Adams

Is Seattle’s Best Coffee Any Better than Starbucks?

By Muhammad Hazman Mohamed Noor

Whenever people talk about coffee, it seems that they like to make some kind of comparison between their favorite brands or blends with what Starbucks offers. Perhaps it is because Starbucks is such an easy brand to compare to since practically everyone worth their weight in coffee beans has had a piping hot cup of coffee at Starbucks at some point in time. Whatever the case, here is yet another comparison of a brand of coffee versus the current coffee champion – Starbucks.

While Starbucks is the reigning king of the hill in Seattle, there is actually another, slightly lesser known coffee company that has come from the same northwestern coffee capital of America. Known as Seattle’s Best Coffee, they have been around for nearly forty years and have been making an amazing cup of coffee ever since. Although Seattle’s Best Coffee has gone through a variety of name changes, including brands like Stewart Brothers Coffee, it has keep the same amazing blends on its menu throughout – so they must be pretty darn amazing.

In 1998, Seattle’s Best Coffee became one of the first coffee retailers to actually sell a blend that was specifically made up of organically grown beans – a major selling point for many people. This blend became so successful that it propelled Seattle’s Best Coffee to a position as the third most prominent coffee retailer in America for a time, competing with the ever present Starbucks and the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

So, despite the extensive history behind Seattle’s Best Coffee, is it really the better bang for your hard earned buck? Well, that really depends on taste. Sure, it costs quite a bit less when you buy it in their stores and even when you purchase a bag of beans at the grocery – but ultimately the taste really has nothing to do with the price. Give it a try, see how you like it, and then make your own decision about whether or not Seattle’s Best Coffee is really Seattle’s best coffee.

For more information on Seattle’s Best Coffee try visiting http://www.coffee-shoppe.info/ a website that specializes in providing Coffee related Tips, Recipes and Resources .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Muhammad_Hazman_Mohamed_Noor

Coffee Benefits

By Lian Felani

Coffee is the world number 1 drink. I love to drink coffee and maybe you love too. Do you know what are benefits of consuming coffee?

Benefits of Consuming Coffee :

Asthma sufferers may find that the theophylline in coffee may reduce their symptoms.
Coffee may also help reduce the risk of colon cancer by keeping a body regular.
Coffee is consumed by students while preparing for exams because it makes them more alert and even boost the learning abilities and powers of reasoning.
The effectiveness of painkillers, especially those taken for migraine, is increased by drinking coffee.
In men, it can reduce the occurrence of gallstones and gallbladder disease.
Coffee may help to reduce the risk of a number of diseases and ailments that includes Type II diabetes, Parkinson's, colon cancer, cirrhosis, depression and much more.
Coffee reduces the incidence of heart disease. Coffee represents by far the largest source of valuable antioxidants in the diet.
Coffee is the early morning energizer that helps you to begin your day in high spirits.

In the summer months iced coffee is a special treat.For superior taste, cold coffee with different flavors is consumed. Expresso, Doppio and Macchiato, Long Black, Caffe Freddo, Latte and Cappuccino are some of the varieties that will be a treat to your taste buds.

How to Make an Espresso? The Art of Making Coffee Cuisine

By Daryl Plaza

Espresso coffee is a precise art form of coffee making. There are several factors that must take place to make a quality cup of Espresso. First the fresh roasting of the coffee bean to bring out the truly gourmet coffee flavor that you expect. The grinding is the next procedure that must be done right in order to give you 20-25 seconds of extraction time. Espresso brewing requires the ground beans to be very fine in order to reach that perfect state for brewing. The next important step is the proper temperature of the filtered water that must be passed through the coffee at the specific pressure and timing that is critical to your espresso coffee.

The perfect espresso is created when:

Recipe directions: 1 ½ oz (45 ml) filtered water at the temperature of 195 oF (90oC) passes through ¼ - 1/3 oz (7-9 g) finely ground quality Espresso coffee. This water is forced through the fine coffee grounds by the espresso machine at 900 kilopascals atmospheric pressure (around 132 pounds/60kg per sq in/2.5cm2), with the water being in direct contact with the coffee for approximately 25 seconds.

What should your espresso taste like?

When you are ready to take a drink from your espresso cup, it should leave a pleasant not bitter aftertaste. The flavor should linger for about 10 minutes rolling into an almost nutty flavor.

The crown on your cup of Espresso

The topping on the espresso is know as "Crema", which is the floating dark golden cream free of any white or light brown patches. That is the crown of the perfect espresso coffee. The Crema is formed when the emulsified oils from the coffee are released (because of the high pressure that is put on the ground coffee beans) and mixed with the oxygen in the air. The resulting finish is perfect crema that floats on top of the espresso coffee.

Daryl Plaza is the owner of All About Coffee: http://www.all-about-coffee.com - a website focused on helping people to understand more about coffee. For tips and specialty coffee recipes, check out http://www.all-about-coffee.com/coffee-recipes.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daryl_Plaza

What Are Coffee Pods?

By Anthony Tripodi

People drink coffee to stay awake and get more things done. But how can you get more things done if you’re waiting around for your coffee to brew. Oh sure you can go buy a cup of coffee but at some point you going to want a cup at home. With a coffee pod maker you’re only 30 seconds away from an excellent cup of coffee.

Senseo was one of the first coffee pod makers available. And having sold more than 10 million units in four years Senseo is definitely here to stay. A coffee pod looks just like a round tea bag. It works like this. You fill the coffee maker with water, place a coffee pod in the receptacle, hit the button and thirty seconds later you have a great cup of coffee. A patented method that uses a special spray head and mild pressure to balance the ratio of coffee to water while brewing creates a rich frothy cup of coffee.

If you’re looking for great tasting coffee that’s convenient and time saving then try pod coffee. Coffee pods are available in different brew strengths including dark roast, medium roast and mild roast. You can usually buy a package of 72 coffee pods for less than twenty dollars. Since you can also buy a 33 oz can of coffee grinds for about five to 10 dollars at the supermarket, coffee pods are not for budget minded coffee drinkers. That large can will definitely contain a lot more than 72 cups of coffee. But remember you’re paying a premium for a no mess, no measuring, easy cleanup, ready in thirty seconds, cup of a coffee. For some people that’s money well spent.

Cleanup is a breeze, just discard the pod. Since the coffee grinds are enclosed in a pod instead of a filter there’s less of a chance of spilling them all over your kitchen floor. The pod receptacle is even dishwasher safe.

Another reason to buy a coffee pod maker, especially a Senseo, is that the machines are so good looking. They are sleek, stylish and will look great on your countertop.

Coffee isn’t just for breakfast anymore, it’s an all day long affair. Why not make coffee pods part of your daily routine?

Anthony Tripodi is the webmaster of EndlessCoffeeBreak.com - The Guide To Coffee. For more information about coffee including speciality coffee drink recipes, ideas and equipment, visit http://www.endlesscoffeebreak.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Tripodi

Coffee: The Big Picture

By Steven Sarsgaard

There's a lot of hoopla online that doesn't necessarily give you the big picture as to what the best coffee for you really is. Well the amount of knowledge that can cover coffee can fill up dozens of volumes of books. This won't surprise connoisseurs of coffee, but for the rest of us here is a very basic tip to enhance your indulgence of this fine drink.

If you buy your own coffee, it's critical that you buy it as fresh as possible. This means you do not want to buy in bulk (unless you are planning to feed a small army) at a time. Buy enough to cover you for the week. That ensures that you drink the freshest coffee possible.

Also one other thing you might want to consider when buying coffee, is to buy a little of each variety of coffee for the week. That way you can not only drink the freshest (and thus truest forms) of the coffee, but this will help develop you palate to become more discerning when it comes to the tastes of coffee.

Why would anyone go through all this trouble you ask? Well the point isn't so you can show off you knowledge to others (which merely a bonus in all this), but you will for the first time open your eyes to what "real" coffee should taste like. And fully appreciate it's evolution and it's history of bewitching mankind's taste buds.

Coffee maker parts relevant offerings and services are accessible at the author's website.

http://www.coffeesure.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Sarsgaard

Italian Coffee

By Alison Cole

Espresso, caffè normale and cappuccino are types of Italian coffee, and one might wonder if there are as many types of coffee in Italy as there are pastas. Quite surprisingly, there are and just like pasta, Italian coffee is also an art form linked to many customs and traditions. Be it a caffè corretto shot down like a drink, a cappuccino and brioche that would make a lovely snack, or a granita di caffè con panna to chill off from the hot noon sun, Italy has a coffee drink for every occasion and every mood.

The most famous of the Italian coffees are the cappuccinos -- the café corretto and café latte. Cappuccino is prepared with espresso and milk. A cappuccino is commonly identified as 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk and 1/3 frothed milk. Cappuccino is preferably served in a ceramic coffee cup to retain the heat, instead of glass or paper that is a comparatively poorer heat retainer. Café corretto is a coffee "corrected" with a measure of grappa, cognac or any other alcoholic content. Latte is Italian for milk, and café latte refers to coffee prepared with a larger measure of hot milk in it rather than coffee.

There are many other styles of Italian coffee, and they have all become world famous. In fact, Italy is the coffee house of the world, and has contributed to the entire world many different styles of coffee that have so become a part of our culture and lives. Even espresso had its origins in Italy. It was from Italy that Starbucks got most of their coffee recipes and rose to fame quickly in the West. Despite all the progress and spread of the coffee culture, Italy still remains the coffee capital of the world.

Coffee provides detailed information on Coffee, Coffee Makers, Gourmet Coffee, Coffee Shops and more. Coffee is affiliated with Gourmet Flavored Coffee.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Cole

Coffee Gift Ideas For Coffee Lovers

By L.K. Reid

In recent years, coffee has become much more than just a drink, it's a ritual. In fact, coffee is possibly the most consumed beverage in the world after water. Because coffee is enjoyed by millions of people daily, it is no surprise that it also makes for a perfect gift.

If you use your imagination, you can assemble a wide variety of coffees and prepare it as a unique gift for a coffee lover. Moreover, the gift of coffee is easily combined complimentary items making it the perfect present for almost any occasion.

Because there are such a wide variety of coffee flavors available today, why not assemble an assortment of coffees and present them as a gift. Coffee lovers enjoy sampling new flavors and by presenting an assortment of coffees as a gift, he or she can experience a different coffee experience each and everyday.

Another great coffee gift option is giving the gift of a coffee club membership. Most all coffee club memberships will provide the recipient a new blend of coffee each month instead of offering all the flavors at one time. In addition, the majority of coffee club memberships last for a year and the coffee is delivered directly to the members doorstep.

Gourmet coffee shops are also a great source for coffee gifts. Along with preparing coffee blends flavored to your exact taste, better Gourmet coffee shops stock unique coffee cups, special sugars and creams, and even gift baskets so you can present your gift in style.

How about giving the gift of a coffee maker or coffee accessories? There are plenty of great resources available on the internet where you can find excellent deals on coffee machines such as the Tassimo Coffee Maker or the Keurig Coffee maker. Also, great coffee accessories such as a customized coffee mug or a coffee grinder make excellent gifts for any coffee drinker.

The great thing about giving the gift of coffee is that it can be as simple or unique as your budget or imagination allows. With so many people who are coffee lovers, the gift of coffee is perfect for a wedding gift, a birthday present or just about any occasion.

Keurig Coffee Makers and the Tassimo Coffee Maker are easy to use, high quality coffee machines that make perfect gifts for yourself or any coffee lover. To read reviews about these coffee machines and more, visit us at http://keurig-coffee-makers.visited.ws.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L.K._Reid

Hawaiian Coffee

By Alison Cole

It is commonly believed that the Governor of Oahu, Chief Boki, was the first to introduce coffee to the Hawaiian Islands in the year 1825. While on a British warship, he acquired the coffee plants from Rio de Janeiro. The first coffee plants were planted and flourished in the Manoa Valley in Oahu. Since then, the growth of coffee plants has spread all over the islands, including the Kona Coast, which now produces the world famous Hawaiian or Kona coffee.

The perfect blend of all the six elements comprising of rich soil, proper elevation, cloud cover, sunshine, rain and a moderate slope helping in the drainage of the roots provided by the Hawaiian islands, have ensured an ideal environment to produce some of the richest coffee in the world. The season of growing coffee starts in January and continues until the month of June. Every year the coffee growers wait patiently for the blossoms after the early rains that eventually produce coffee berries. Under the close watch of the farmers, the coffee berries ripe in the trees before they are individually harvested. Each phase of coffee making is looked after meticulously, starting from roasting and flavoring to dry milling. The typical Hawaiian coffee is rich in its color, density, and acidity with a great flavor.

The Hawaiian Islands, being the only state growing coffee in the US, produce an average of seven million pounds of coffee every year. While the Kona coffee remains one of the most favored around the world, a majority of the other islands have also started growing coffee now. Apart from the Kona coffee, some of the top flavors of the Hawaiian coffee include Kauai's coffee, Ka'anapali Maui coffee, Haleakala Maui coffee, Molokai's coffee, Waialua coffee and Macadamia Cream to name a few.

Due to its taste and overwhelming popularity, the Hawaiian coffee is very expensive, although the experience of tasting a quality cup is worth the money.

Coffee provides detailed information on Coffee, Coffee Makers, Gourmet Coffee, Coffee Shops and more. Coffee is affiliated with Gourmet Flavored Coffee.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Cole

Coffee, the World's Most Popular Drink

By Steve Miers

A lot of people enjoy drinking coffee in the morning. I know that I can wake up without having first cup of coffee. Sometimes I get up at 6 a.m. and by seven I already have 2 cups of coffee finished. Coffee is a drink that is roasted from seeds that come from the coffee plant. Generally speaking it served hot but sometimes it served over ice. I like my coffee black and hot, my wife enjoys having an iced coffee with a little cream in the middle of the afternoon. Something that's really interesting is the fact that coffee is the second most commonly traded item in the world, only petroleum leads it.

I first got started drinking coffee whenever I was a land surveyor. One of the other workers and I used to drive up and down the road and he always had a thermos of hot coffee. The funny thing was is that it was the worst coffee that could ever have been made but I got used to it and now I really have an appreciation for a good cup of coffee, but I also can enjoy a lousy cup of coffee too. The coffee maker that we have right now is one of the single coffee cup pod machines. It's really great, and very convenient considering that we have three different coffee drinkers at our house. I'd like to have my cup of coffee first thing in the morning, my wife enjoys having hers chilled in the afternoon, and my father in law enjoys his throughout the day.

Originating in Ethiopia around the ninth century seeking coffee was exported to both Egypt and Europe. Coffee is a strong stimulant, and that is probably why most people enjoy drinking coffee in the mornings in order to wake up. So no matter whether you drink it black, with sugar, or with cream, enjoy your coffee, the world's most popular drink.

For more information about Coffee or where to find a great automatic coffee maker visit http://www.mycoffeeplace.org/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Miers

Coffee Culture

by: Celia Namart

Coffee is one of the oldest drinks to connect itself to a social activity, the social activity of drinking together as a group is in fact it an almost uniquely human activity, drinking is essential to survival and at one point in human history the habit of drinking together has become one of the most acceptable forms of human interaction and socialization all over the world.

The drinking of coffee together probably dates back a few hundred years ago when Muslims had started using rituals in their coffee preparation.

Almost every adult on this planet has visited a coffee house at some point of his life, even those who do not like coffee or do not even drink coffee are aware of the coffee house being a place of socializing and meeting. It is interesting that it is coffee, one of the worlds most popular drink, one that is consumed in such large quantities in different parts of the world would become a center of gathering for people.

The main quality of coffee is in its caffeine, that makes the drinker more alert and enjoy a feeling of energy regeneration and awakens, but coffee is not only drunk for the propose of keeping awake, it is consumed at all times of the day and in many cases in direct relation to a social meeting of sorts.

The coffee house can be found in most cities in the world, it is one of the truly international habits of people, and you will also find that many nations and individuals value their local favorite coffee as a national treasure, from Africa and the deserts of Arabia to the samba dancing streets of Brazil you will find different views on drinking coffee. The cultural differences between nations in the regard to coffee is intriguing, some people will say that drinking coffee with milk is feminine, others gaze in wonder when they see a full cup of coffee drank in front of them, others are installed by the fact that coffee is produced from boiling water that came out of an electric kettle.

In Europe the coffee houses became much more than just a meeting place for drinking coffee, the coffee houses became establishments by themselves, in England many of the places that sold the coffee later contributed to coffee becoming a commodity that is traded until today in the stock markets around the world. In France the coffee houses joined the leisure philosophy and combined with the world renowned deserts and cakes and in Austria the coffee houses have become establishments of unquestionable seriousness and professionalism, serving the best coffee and food with full respects to privacy and solitude of the drinker.

Today the coffee house is a much more relaxed version of the ancient coffee house, the corporate world stops for a moment when drinking coffee to enjoy the company of other people, most of them strangers that happen to enjoy a cup of coffee on the end of a working day or on their way to some other place. No matter how you examine it, coffee is still binding people together in one way or the other.

The Ideal Coffee Machine for the Coffee Lover

By Samantha Clark
Coffee machines are a machine that is found in all homes, dorms and offices of coffee drinkers. Different types of coffee machines are built to be used in different places; there are also coffee makers that can be used in a RV, a big rig and to take along with you when you go camping. The different types of coffee machines in the market today have individual features in a variety of colors, size, price, size and finish. The different types of coffee machines found today are automatic, French press, expresso coffee maker, vacuum, stove top, drip coffee makers and the pod. These different coffee machines are found either as hot or cold brew coffee machines. Some coffee machines are a combination of both grinder and coffee making capabilities.

Nowadays, different companies manufacture different coffee makers; and these coffee machines are known by the company name like delonghi coffee machine, jura coffee machine, sunbeam coffee machine, breville coffee machine, saeco coffee machine and senseo coffee machine. You can find these coffee machines in different colors that include black, white, red and practically any color you want to match your interiors. They are also made of different materials ranging from plastic to stainless steel while most of them come with a shatterproof glass carafe.

You also find coffee machines in the market that produce more than twenty cups of coffee, called the commercial coffee machine. These coffee machines are best for use in commercial establishments like offices and stores. Different coffee machines have different features that may include frothing systems, electric timers, digital/programmable, thermostat, filters and warming plate. The price of the coffee maker varies according to your preference and functionality of the coffee machine.

When choosing the right coffee machine for yourself, you have to look for the coffee machine that first fits your budget. Then you have to consider if the coffee machine has all the features required to make the type of coffee you enjoy drinking like expresso or cappuccino. With the wide range of coffee machines in the market, you are sure to find the right coffee machine that creates coffee that suits your taste buds.

Samantha Clark heads consumer reviews at http://www.dealsdepot.com.au One of the web's most popular Online Shopping sites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samantha_Clark

Coffee: Quality Is Important

by: David McFarlane

A quality cup of coffee can depend on many factors, such as:

The time since the coffee beans were ground;
The time since the beans were roasted;
How clean the brewing equipment is;
The quality of the coffee bean being used;
The quality of the water being used.

Some Interesting Facts About Coffee

The quality of the coffee bean is the most important of these factors, if you are going to buy “good” coffee. The very best bean will taste bad if any one of the other listed characteristics are out of place. Not all coffee beans are equal, but the other points listed above will even the field.

A lesser coffee that has been freshly roasted and ground is many times better than coffee that has been roasted and ground then left to get stale - no matter how good it was when it was fresh.

A can of coffee found in the supermarket often contains large amounts of robusta, low quality Arabica beans and past crop (old) beans. To make matters worse, there is no way for the major coffee companies that roast and ship all over the country to get you truly fresh coffee.

Once you have coffee that has been freshly roasted and ground, good water and brewing equipment free of oil residues from the last brew and the quality of the coffee beans makes a huge difference.

How To Tell Coffee Quality

Please note that a coffee can bought in the supermarket often contains a blend of Arabica and robusta beans, while most coffee houses sell only Arabica beans. Arabica beans are normally rich in flavor - while robusta beans have more caffeine, less flavor and are cheaper to make.

There is an exception to every rule, and the exception here is that some very good espresso coffees will have small amounts of the highest quality robusta beans available on the market. This should not, however, be taken as a guarantee that a coffee house will have any better coffee than the diner down the street.

If any of the previously discussed items, such as cleanliness or freshness, are not in order then even the very best coffee can be made to taste bad.

When you buy coffee, whether it be in a coffee house or in a supermarket, you want to get 100% Arabica - except for espresso blends, which may be a combination of both. Whether good quality robusta can improve the flavor of espresso is up for debate.

For absolute freshness when buying in a coffee house, it is better to buy popular blends that move fast - while buying in a supermarket, vacuum packaged containers with an expiration date are your best bet although all canned coffee will be stale to some extent.

It should be noted that in order to be able to vacuum pack coffee, industrial coffee producers actually let the coffee sit for a while before it is packed. As soon as coffee is roasted it starts to release CO2, in a process called outgassing. This can actually help to protect the bean from going stale. Unfortunately for the people vacuum packing coffee or putting coffee in tins, this also will inflate the bags. This outgassing is the reason that you may very well see one-way valves on coffee bags. These valves allow the CO2 to escape, while keeping oxygen from entering the bag.

Chances are fairly high that you will not get truly fresh coffee in a supermarket. This is an absolute fact if it is pre-ground. In a coffee house, look for a shop that roasts in-house and ask what was roasted that day. If the person behind the counter does not know, ask to talk to someone who does know. If no one knows, simply go somewhere else.

Additionally, it should be noted that coffee is at its very best after a few hours rest. This is one of those places where an expert in the field of coffee can advise you. As a general rule of thumb, most coffees are improved with a rest time of about 12 to 24 hours. Some coffees, particularly those that are musty or earth coffees, actually mellow for the first two to three days - making a much longer rest better.

A final point to remember is that for best results, grind your own coffee. Buying fresh and then having it ground completely defeats the purpose. Ground coffee only lasts a few hours or one day at the very most.