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How you get from the Coffee Bean to a Cup of Coffee.

May 29th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

All around the world people are enjoying coffee. As with everything they way they take their coffee varies, some like iced coffee, others want a strong expresso. Some people will only drink it in the morning, while others will enjoy a cup off coffee throughout the day. As these people are enjoying their drink, how many wonder how the coffee bean, picked somewhere in the world ended up in their cup.

From Bean to Cup

Coffee comes from the seeds of the coffee plant. These seeds or the coffee beans then undergo a process that prepares them for drinking. This starts with the coffee berries being picked from the tree and defruited.
Defruiting means the fruit is taken away and only the coffee beans are left. They are then dried and then sorted after which the coffee beans are sometimes aged or roasted directly.

The beans turn dark when undergoing the roasting process because the sucrose in them is caramelized. Some people prefer to do the roasting of the dried beans themselves at their home. Roasting brings out the flavor of the coffee beans because the heat it is exposed to turn carbohydrates and fats into aromatic oils. Roasting also burns off the moisture in the beans and also the carbon dioxide.

After the roasting, coffee beans are typically ground to make them ready for consumption. A Turkish grind is a straightforward process of making coffee where the ground coffee is mixed directly with water. This procedure makes very fine textured ground coffee. Other ways of preparing the ground coffee is using the percolator or coffee maker.

Different Kinds of Coffee

Espresso:
Made by forcing very hot but not boiling water through compacted ground coffee. A stronger flavor is made and there is more coffee bean matter in the drink. This process results in a stronger flavor so most espresso drinkers use very small cups to consume this.

For those who do not wish to be encumbered by the long process of percolating or making coffee from ground coffee, there are several alternatives. These are pre mixed coffee, available in canned form. Some varieties come already sweetened or already mixed with creamers. Other coffee drinks, which are pre-mixed, come in plastic bottles or cans.

Instant coffee:
Instant coffee is coffee granules that have been freeze dried or dried into soluble powder. These powdered coffee forms just need to be mixed with water and other ingredients depending on the drinker’s preference.
Many people like the convenience of just adding the granules to hot water compared to percolating, which may take time.

Some coffee producers also make their roasted coffee decaffeinated. This takes out the caffeine from the coffee beans but still leaves the flavor and aroma.

Hopefully this will have given you an idea of how the coffee bean ended up in your cup of coffee in the morning. No matter how you decide to enjoy your coffee in the morning it will have made quite journey. If your looking for the best coffee you have ever tasted I would recommend having a look at Mystic Monk Coffee that is roasted by monks passionate about coffee.

Want more than caffeine in your coffee try a Gourmet Flavored Coffee

May 21st, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

You may be more than happy with your normal cup of coffee, but you might want to try something new. A gourmet flavored coffee may be just what you are looking for. What this means is that you have a choice of a multitude of different flavors that can be added to your coffee that will totally change the taste you are used to.

You can easily find certain flavors that will help enhance your coffee and these include honey, rum as also chocolate that have often been added to the coffee from many years ago and in fact go back as far as when it was first produced. Among the latest gourmet flavored coffee one can find are vanilla, macadamia as well as peanut butter also!

Not Everyone’s cup of tea, well coffee!

However, these flavors may not be appreciated by one and all though the sensation that one gets from gourmet flavored coffee will certainly open new vistas as far as your favorite Java cup of coffee is concerned. If you take the first step in trying out these extra special flavors, you may very well find yourself getting hooked on it and coming back for more.

Varieties of gourmet flavored coffee to choose from include:
Apricot cream,
Café Napoleon,
Black Forest cake,
Jamaican rum
Chocolate
Raspberry
Southern pecan
Vanilla
Hazelnut.

If these names themselves do not excite your senses, the taste will certainly have you licking your lips in delight.

You can make gourmet flavored coffee by adding flavors after such substances have been roasted. Most of the substances that are used for flavoring are highly concentrated which means that only a small amount of them are used in gourmet flavored coffee. You should also exercise care when buying such coffee and only buy reputable branded coffee since some products available may contain inferior quality coffee. In addition, bear in mind that the flavoring used in gourmet flavored coffee usually loses its strength when it comes in contact with air, which means you must keep the coffee in tightly sealed containers to retain its flavor. And, you can also grind the beans prior to brewing your coffee.

A more advanced idea would be to create your own special blend of flavored coffee. Naturally this might be a hit and miss affair, but you might just come up with a unique flavor that is just what you are looking for. If your looking for the best coffee you have ever tasted I would recommend having a look at Mystic Monk Coffee that is roasted by monks passionate about coffee.

What are the Different Kinds Of Gourmet Coffee

May 12th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Ranking in the top 3 of beverages people drink, coffee is very popular around the world. As with anything people prefer different tastes, and coffee manufactures are tapping into this by producing blends and coffee flavors to meet this demand. Sometime these different blends or flavors are called gourmet coffee.

A little Coffee History

The discovery of coffee was sometime in the 9th century, in Ethiopia, when a shepherd notice his goats cavorting around with fresh energy after having dined on some red berries on a high bush. It was told that the shepherd took home some of the berries and roasted them to be able to eat the seeds. This was how coffee was discovered. Soon, coffee reached the Turks and they started to pound the coffee beans and mix them in water.

As the beverage traveled to Europe, many people liked the strong taste and energy, which came with it. Many coffeehouses sprouted in Europe and people started experimenting on different roasting processes and different ways to prepare coffee.

Specialty Coffee

Nowadays, many companies and stores sell their coffee products with variations. Coffee is not anymore the simple black with sugar and cream but it has many different flavors. Some people still prefer their coffee straight black with just sugar but some of the younger generation like the newer gourmet coffee.

Gourmet coffee or specialty coffee is coffee made from exceptional beans and grown in very specific climates and soil. These kinds of coffee have very distinct flavors, which are sometimes adapted from the soils they grow on. Even the care that is given to the plant and the ways it will be harvested or process may be factors to the coffee being gourmet coffee plant.

How Fresh is your Coffee?
Freshness is also an essential part to gourmet coffee being called gourmet coffee. If the beans that are used are processed while they are fresh, these give out a definite aroma. Truly fresh coffee is ground right before brewing and brewed within a week of roasting. Being aromatic is a big part to coffee being called a specialty coffee. It is usually the highest quality green beans roasted by expert roasters.

The main point you have to remember about specialty coffee is that it is based on the quality of the beans used, and not the way it is brewed. A true gourmet coffee does not require any additives to improve it, and as soon as you add a flavor it becomes a flavored coffee and loses its right to be a specialty coffee. If your looking for the best coffee you have ever tasted I would recommend having a look at Mystic Monk Coffee that is roasted by monks passionate about coffee.

Some Coffee Facts To think about over your next cup

May 9th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

When enjoying that next cup of coffee at a social gathering, date or at work there are certain facts about coffee that can be shared. These simple coffee facts may help others to appreciate their cup of coffee even more as well as possibly impressing others with the sharing of these coffee facts.

These interesting coffee facts can be compiled under three basic headings. Those headings could be coffee drinkers themselves, historical facts about coffee and the economics of coffee.

Coffee Drinkers

When sharing coffee facts it may prove interesting to other people the popularity of drinking coffee. For example if sitting with others at work during the coffee break you might state, in an offhanded way, that a person who enjoys their coffee spends a lot of money on that pleasure. In fact the average person spends enough money on coffee every year to purchase a round trip airline ticket to Florida.

Or when sharing coffee facts you can talk about the time commitments of people in obtaining their coffee. For example, while waiting for coffee at the local coffee shop, you could share with those around you that the average person who buys coffee through the convenience of store with a drive-through window will spend as much as 45 hours a year waiting in line.

Historical Coffee Facts

In addition, there are many historical coffee facts. One of those interesting facts could be that the first coffee house to open up in Europe was in the city of Venice. This first coffee shop opened in 1863 and mainly catered to the rich.

Another coffee fact that may impress people may be the knowledge that it takes five years for a coffee tree to mature. In addition, the average output of a coffee tree equates to one pound of roasted coffee per year.

In regards to trivial coffee facts, the individual sharing the information can talk about reading coffee grounds. This piece of information can be followed up by saying that Chase and Sanborn, in the late 1800’s, actually put on a flier instructions on how to read the coffee grounds found in the bottom of a coffee cup.

Or, a little known fact is the invention of instant coffee. This was discovered in 1906 by a Belgian who lived in Guatemala. His name was George Washington. The person sharing this coffee fact could ask if anyone knows who invented instant coffee. Interestingly enough you could declare that it was George Washington.

Economics Of Coffee

For those who are business minded, some interesting coffee facts could include the fact that coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world and that it is second only to oil.

In addition, the question could be asked regarding which country is the largest producer of coffee. Some may answer Guatemala, Columbia or Arabia. However, the answer is Brazil where 30 to 40% of the coffee is produced. If your looking for the best coffee you have ever tasted I would recommend having a look at Mystic Monk Coffee that is roasted by monks passionate about coffee.

Costa Rican Coffee, the coffee to aspire to

May 8th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

If you are looking for some of the best coffee in the world, you can’t go wrong with Costa Rican coffee. It sets the standards high for other coffee throughout Central and South America. In total there are over 130,000 farms both large and small in located throughout Costa Rica, that produce subtle differences in the taste of the coffee. In general few people criticize the coffee for its taste.

Costa Rican Coffee is characterized as being clean, mild, and balanced cup of coffee

The History of Costa Rican Coffee

Costa Rica was the first country in Central America to have an established coffee industry, after it arrived in the country near the end of the 18th century. The export of coffee from Costa Rica expanded quickly; it began with the export of coffee to Colombia in 1820, but by 1923 Costa Rica was already exporting coffee to Chile as well. In turn, Chile repackaged the coffee and exported it to England. The first shipment of coffee directly to London occurred in 1854.

Costa Rica has come to thrive off of the economic benefits and elevated status that the coffee industry brought it. Today, Costa Rican coffee is considered a fine delicacy.

What are the Different Types of Costa Rican Coffee?

There are several different types of Costa Rican coffee. The variations depend mostly on the zone and altitude at which the coffee bean was grown.

Café La Carpintera:
Grown in the Tres Rios region, which is known for its fertile soil and pleasant climate. This coffee bean is grown at an altitude of 1200-1400 mts., and it produces a uniquely exquisite blend. Café Atarazu comes from the Terrazu region of Costa Rica, known for being rocky and mountainous. It is typically grown at 1200-1750 mts.

Café El Gran Vito:
A relatively new blend, grown as a result of the experimentations of Italian immigrants. Grown in the region of Coto Brus, this blend of coffee was first attempted in 1941, and it continues to be heavily influenced by Italian elements.

Café Zurqui:
Known for being one of the oldest blends of Costa Rican coffee. It is grown at 1200-1500 mts. in the Heredia region, which is known for having the oldest coffee plantations in the country.

If you’re looking for Quality

You can’t really go wrong with Costa Rican coffee and if you are looking for a quality cup of coffee with a fantastic taste, it is definitely the one to go for. If your looking for the best coffee you have ever tasted I would recommend having a look at Mystic Monk Coffee that is roasted by monks passionate about coffee.

What Ingredients do you find in Coffee Cake

May 7th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

What you may be surprised to learn is that the ingredients of coffee cake don’t actually contain any coffee. Coffee cake got its name by being the perfect accompany to a cup of coffee. This just doesn’t have to be coffee it could be apple streusel, sour cream or banana walnut coffee cakes.

One traditional coffee cake is a cake made from cinnamon. This coffee cake can be made from a simple recipe. When following this recipe there are basically two steps in the process. Those steps begin with the gathering of the ingredients and following the preparation steps.

Ingredients of Coffee Cakes

Being organized is a key strategy when starting any project. The baking of a coffee cake is no different. Therefore, it is important to assemble the ingredients needed along with the appropriate cooking utensil.

A pan to pour the coffee cake mixture into.
2 cups of warm water,
Two packages of bulk yeast or the equivalent of 4 teaspoons
½ cup of sugar
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup of cooking oil.

In addition, to the mixture,
2 eggs will need to be added
5 to 6 cups of flour
1 cup of sugar
6 tablespoons of butter

Also, as an added flavor, the ingredient to make a delicious coffee cake is the addition of cinnamon. 3 teaspoons of cinnamon should be sufficient.

Preparation

Once the ingredients have been gathered together they can be combined to comprise the coffee cake batch. The first step in the process is to dissolve the yeast in warm water. This combination of yeast and water should be allowed to stand for a couple of minutes.

Following this first step, add the sugar, salt and cooking oil. Stir these ingredients together.

Following these steps add in the eggs and beat vigorously to ensure the eggs are properly mixed in. After the eggs have been added, mix in one cup of flour and stir till the mixture is smooth in texture. Following the addition of one cup of flour add in two additional cups and stir in the mixture till the batter is smooth. When this step has been completed add in enough of the remaining flour so that the batter is sticky to the touch.

Once this process has been completed the batter should be placed aside for roughly 20 minutes. During this 20 minutes take the opportunity to lubricate the cake pan and prepare the glaze for the coffee cake. This can be accomplished by mixing the sugar and cinnamon together and melting the butter.

After the 20 minutes has elapsed take the dough and pull out lump portions equivalent to the size of a small egg. Take these small portions of dough and roll them into smooth balls between the palms of your hand. The rolled balls of dough should then be glazed in the melted butter and rolled in the cinnamon and sugar.

After this preparation, place the balls into the pan. Don’t pack the rolled dough too tightly. Add the dough until completely gone and layer the dough if needed. Allow this dough to rise by placing in a warm area for about 45 minutes.

The last step is to bake the dough in an oven for 40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once you have done all this remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool, and you should have the perfect coffee cake to enjoy with your cup of coffee. Enjoy.

Twists And Tweaks to the recipe.

The variations on coffee cake recipes are numerous. You can tweak and adjust most recipes to fit your personal tastes. The adaptability of these recipes is part of what make coffee cakes so appealing! If your looking for the best coffee you have ever tasted I would recommend having a look at Mystic Monk Coffee that is roasted by monks passionate about coffee.

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