Ethiopian Coffee – The Grandfather of All Coffee
The origins of coffee use can be dated back as early as the domains of the 9th century that was located at the highlands of Ethiopia. Rumors say that Ethiopian shepherds have this story that their goats tend to dance and happened to become more animated after being able to ingest wild coffee berries which is the main content of a 9th-century Ethiopian legend which names an Ethiopian goat herder called Kaldi. Though this is considered to be true, some are still skeptical about this claim. Experts and historians have claimed that in the mid-15th century, Yemen monasteries located in the Arabian Peninsula have documented most of the reliable evidence of coffee usage. These different claims may be attributed to the discrepancy between the reference to the coffee trees themselves and the modern roasting process which includes grinding of coffee that is said to originate from Arabia.
In recent decades, Ethiopia has become the fifth largest maker and exporter of coffee beans. In 2008 alone, almost 2 million metric tons were exported from the said country. Needless to say, wild and native Arabica type coffee is still the main choice for exotic coffee. Most of the coffee beans are still originating from the various rainforests in the region that are elevated up to 6,000 feet. Arabica coffees are mainly cultivated by small village people that are grown in small garden settings. Also, their government is keen in providing help that offer various source and means of coffee production. Ethiopian coffee is not grown with the use of chemicals and fertilizers. This ensures that they are able to attain the most natural form of coffee possible.
Two of the most prominent Ethiopian coffee types are the Harrar and Yirgacheffe. Both vary from their place of origin as well as the processing process they go through. Harrar coffee is very much given regards for its fruity and wine-toned acidity. The flavor can be considered similar to the mocha taste of the Yemenese coffee while Yirgacheffe is known for its thick rich body, winy acidity, intense yet distinct floral aroma and earthy feel to it.
Categories: Coffee Articles Tags: coffee, Ethiopian
Coffee Pods
Coffee pods and capsule can be used to reduce the amount of time which is usually consumed in brewing coffee and can easily simplify the brewing process by removing the need to measure out the portions and parts that are usually packed in large quantities. They are pre-packed ground coffee beans that are filtered on their own; these are very famous in Germany as well as the Netherlands. They also provide a chance for any unused product to be fresher by being individually packed without really exposing the whole supply to air and light as well as moisture. Paper coffee pods are able to function identically to plastic as well as metal coffee pods, given that these pods are individually sealed in separated containers. They have their own filter. They also require pod brewers that may mean a bit more price than one may have expected.
The plastic as well as the metal coffee pods are typically used in receptacles that are non-removable containers on the brewing device. The capsules are seen with outer ring that can stay dry during use, allowing for the removing action as well as disposal after any use without making the user’s hands sticky or wet. Coffee pods, bags and capsules are sized for individual as well as multi-serving portions. In the food business, pods and capsule are being used in automatic type of brewing that can be used to provide enough consistency coupled with product strength and flavor for clients.
Paper coffee pods have the benefit of being entirely biodegradable product that are able to decompose naturally and do not require any additional processing phase to separate any plastic or metal container from any organic waste product. If you are not able to make much sense of it yet, these pods are pricier than the usual everyday coffee since they are highly commercialized; the brewer also requires an ample amount of money. This may prove to be such a hassle but in return, consumers are able to get their money’s worth and are able to obtain coffee that commercial establishments are offering and selling.
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The Coffee Bean: Gourmet Style
The roasting process is the most vital part one should consider if he wishes to enhance or even totally alter the flavor of the desired coffee. The focal point of the gourmet coffee roasting one must consider is the bean itself. No matter what type of flavor one chooses to add during roasting, if he started in the first place with an inferior quality of bean then he can only expect to get an inferior type of coffee. Among the different varieties of coffee beans in the whole world, only two are at able to reach certain gourmet standards, these are the Arabica and Robusta beans.
The Arabica is utilized in more than half of the entire gourmet coffee production around the world. This type of bean is however very delicate and very prone to having disease caused mainly by pest and undesirable weather conditions. Growing this type of bean makes it a high-maintenance and high budget bean. The Arabica is being utilized as both gourmet coffee and as a starting base for other gourmet flavored coffees. The taste however is heavily dependent on where it has been planted and grown.
On the other hand, the robust bean has been accounted for the rest of the 40% coffee bean usage around the world. These beans are proven and tested to be easier to grow, thus making them a whole less expensive than their Arabica counterpart. But this doesn’t mean that they taste any less compared to the Arabica. Robusta, from the root word robust, is known to have a stronger and darker flavor than the Arabica and provides that little bit of punch some people tend to find and expect from their coffee.
While some people used them separately, a few gourmet makers use Arabica and Robusta in conjunction to each other. Then once in the roasting process enhancements such as syrups or caramels are added to flavor the coffee. These substances are created and added to mimic certain taste not naturally found in coffee beans. Coffees that are gourmet flavored tend to brag a robust as well as a subtle taste to it.
No longer an elitist’s commodity, anyone can buy these gourmet flavored coffee beans in local groceries or coffee shops in anyone’s locale.
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Coffee Culture In The U.S.
Coffee is considered to be one of the most common drinks in America. It has an astounding and lengthy history. Such delightful drink was initially brought to this land in the year 1668. Afterwards, The Big Apple has become the first haven of coffee houses in America. The famous Wall Street was actually the place for a lot of the first coffee houses in New York, in which The Bank of New York and New York Stock Exchange both started. Coffee has transformed into more than a mere drink, it has evolved into a societal staple.
The contemporary world is now overloaded with corporate coffee chains. They totally outclassed the modest coffee bars of the past. Daily coffee drinker’s visit these coffee shops to get their well-loved flavor, not only for the mere purpose of drinking, but to socialize with other people, as well.
At coffee shops, people can have several hours of drinking coffee, studying inside the cafe, and perhaps enjoying the company of other people. It’s a great place for people to gather. They get to enjoy their favorite coffee in a cozy environment, too. In some instances, coffee shops provide clients with a calming setting. Tranquility is in the air, and a coffee lover can have alone time with a cup of Joe in hand. You can feel free to people-watch, too.
Gourmet coffee culture in the U.S. ranges from small premium coffee bars to big-named coffee chains. A lot of coffee shops are now offering Wi-Fi services for their clients as they enjoy their latte and cappuccino. This attracts the business crowd.
More to these, you can find diner-like bistros that concentrate on the appeal of coffee to the senior population prefer the normal drip coffee. A lot of these seniors gather around tables talking over different happenings, browse their newspapers, and drink their hot cup of coffee.
Expect to see more coffee shops budding everywhere. We just couldn’t get enough of this golden elixir.
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Categories: Coffee Articles Tags: America, coffee, culture
Picking The Best Coffee Grinder
Everybody loves coffee, so it makes sense if a lot of people want to have their own coffee grinders. They help in preserving the delightful flavor and the rich aroma of the beans while grinding.
In purchasing your coffee grinder, the main thing you have to take into consideration is which type you will get. Coffee grinder has two types: burr grinders and blade grinders. Their main difference in the type of blade they use in grinding beans.
The Burr type of coffee grinder doesn’t chop up the coffee beans. Instead, it crushes them between a surface and grinding wheel. It makes use of a grinding process which produces less heat, thus giving more aroma and flavor. When using the burr type, you can take advantage of a variable setting for regulating the ground size (coarse or fine) and repositioning. This type is more efficient in giving consistent grinds than blade grinders.
Blade grinders are the most affordable grinders. It uses a metal blade in cutting up the coffee beans. It calls for close attention on how long it should run. The grounds that you will come up with may not be very consistent or uniformly refined. This could yield a low-quality brew. Also, the heat created from the constant friction of the blades while operating has massive impacts on the final brew. Overheating could negatively affect the quality. Coffee snobs will know the difference, and will not like it. That said, it’s now the best type for coffee or espresso drinks. It’s only best for drip coffee or home use.
If you have decided on which type you will go for, take into account the setting of the grinder. Opt for one that has many different settings for flexibility. These settings could be adjusted to varied positions, and they allow you to come up with grounds that could range from fine to coarse.
You should also take into consideration how simple and easy it is to maintain the machine. It is wise if you opt for one having a removable grinding chamber. It enables you to conveniently clean it using mild cleanser in a dishwasher. Also, pick a grinder that comes with a cleaning brush. It’s best if you get a grinder that doesn’t make so much of a mess when grinding your coffee beans, too.
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Everybody loves coffee, so it makes sense if a lot of people want to have their own coffee grinders. They help in preserving the delightful flavor and the rich aroma of the beans while grinding.
In purchasing your coffee grinder, the main thing you have to take into consideration is which type you will get. Coffee grinder has two types: burr grinders and blade grinders. Their main difference in the type of blade they use in grinding beans.
The Burr type of coffee grinder doesn’t chop up the coffee beans. Instead, it crushes them between a surface and grinding wheel. It makes use of a grinding process which produces less heat, thus giving more aroma and flavor. When using the burr type, you can take advantage of a variable setting for regulating the ground size (coarse or fine) and repositioning. This type is more efficient in giving consistent grinds than blade grinders.
Blade grinders are the most affordable grinders. It uses a metal blade in cutting up the coffee beans. It calls for close attention on how long it should run. The grounds that you will come up with may not be very consistent or uniformly refined. This could yield a low-quality brew. Also, the heat created from the constant friction of the blades while operating has massive impacts on the final brew. Overheating could negatively affect the quality. Coffee snobs will know the difference, and will not like it. That said, it’s now the best type for coffee or espresso drinks. It’s only best for drip coffee or home use.
If you have decided on which type you will go for, take into account the setting of the grinder. Opt for one that has many different settings for flexibility. These settings could be adjusted to varied positions, and they allow you to come up with grounds that could range from fine to coarse.
You should also take into consideration how simple and easy it is to maintain the machine. It is wise if you opt for one having a removable grinding chamber. It enables you to conveniently clean it using mild cleanser in a dishwasher. Also, pick a grinder that comes with a cleaning brush. It’s best if you get a grinder that doesn’t make so much of a mess when grinding your coffee beans, too.
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Categories: Coffee Articles Tags: Coffee Burr Grinder, coffee grinder, Grinder, Grinders
Types of Espresso Coffee Machines
You can find five types of espresso coffee machines in the market. Read on and find out what those are.
First are the stovetop espresso makers. They can also be called stovetop percolators. They are efficient for those who have an occasional espresso run. Also, they are excellent for campers who like their coffee run even in the woods. The downside to the stovetop espresso pot is the fact that it can only make one cup at a given time. It is supposed to cool between cups, and it is not able to create that beautiful crema which espresso drinkers typically root for. Additionally, they can be extremely costly. You can get one for about $20. However, they are extremely portable, and do not eat up so much space. They may even be used without the help of electricity.
Second are the piston driven espresso makers. They are in accordance with the original espresso makers from way back. The beautiful crema that we all love can be traced back to this. However, the piston driven espresso machine calls for more manual work.
Third are the pump driven espresso makers. They tend to be the most commonly used type of espresso makers used commercially. They are normally plumbed to the water source, and they make use of a timing device in order to be sure that each espresso shot pulled has similar quality.
Fourth are automatic and super automatic espresso machines. They are the latest ones available in the market. Such type of machines can do just about everything. They can even grind the coffee beans. They are the most costly among all, and they are the most complicated when damaged. They also tend to eat so much space.
Espresso makers can be an investment. Some may be costly, but you can rest assured that you get quality products that would be able to provide you with espresso enjoyment for years.
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Categories: Coffee Articles Tags: coffee, Espresso, Machines
Why Gourmet Coffee Is Better
Seemingly, ordinary supermarket coffee beans are the most bought coffee, and most of us recognize all too well it’s not actually caused by quality or perhaps taste. Far too often, many prefer it basically because of the easy accessibility as well as the affordable price.
But let’s suppose gourmet coffee came in at an affordable price, guaranteed fresh, and also conveniently bought in any grocery store, would you still pick the supermarket coffee? Acquire gourmet coffee at a lower price directly from a coffee distributor and spare yourself a tremendous amount of money not to mention time while being confident that you will have the very best coffee possible. Exactly what makes gourmet coffee distinctive from supermarket to begin with, you ask.
For starters, gourmet coffee is normally marketed as whole beans and it’s under your control precisely what consistency you prefer it ground. It’s available in a number of blends and also flavors. Typically, gourmet coffee are produced from Arabica beans and they are handpicked that’s the reason why they’re worth relatively more costly when compared with the supermarket counterparts, but don’t make the price hold you back from buying.
Gourmet coffee is acknowledged for its great quality and the taste is actually much more delicious. The main cause of this is manufacturers roast the beans at a gradual pace as a way to draw out the distinct flavors.
On the other hand, supermarket coffee beans are manufactured out of Robusta beans. They are farmed vastly, gathered rapidly not to mention managed in a far less subtle manner. People who go for this coffee claim they can adjust the flavor of their coffee merely by modifying the volume of water. Remember, though, to experience a delicious cup of Coffee, you need to have tasty coffee beans to begin with.
Having a taste for finer things in life isn’t always solely plain extravagance. Once in a while, as a way to live life to the fullest extent, it is best to go out of your league and try not depriving yourself at all times. Besides, you wouldn’t be emptying your bank account with a single bag of gourmet coffee beans. You should try it sometime!
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Categories: Coffee Articles Tags: Gourmet Coffee, Premium Gourmet Coffee, Supermarket
Two Types Of Gourmet Coffee
If you have an immense love of gourmet coffee, it doesn’t only give you a pleasurable experience every time you drink it, it goes beyond that. It can become your passion and a delectable indulgence. A lot of people’s reason for getting up early in the morning is to have an aromatic and delicious cup of Joe. However, a lot of options are available in the market today that makes it hard for us to choose which one to opt for.
It should all boil down to the flavor. Whether it be a straight dark roast or a subtly sweet coffee, the flavor should contain a nice balance to it. The coffee industry continually comes up with a lot of innovations with coffee to tweak the fancy of many coffee drinkers these days.
A lot of coffee fanatics who like their coffee robustly pure go for Arabica bean. It has a bold and distinctive taste flavor to it that possesses a sensible balance between smokiness and caramelized flavors. It provides a strong dark coffee brew which a lot of coffee lovers root for.
For those who don’t want to fully commit to Arabica coffee beans, there will always be an alternative. That would be Robusta. Robusta coffee beans generally possess a much stronger caffeine kick and it always has its special spot in the market.
Robusta contains twice as much caffeine as the Arabica bean. It is a good companion during times when you the extra dose of vigor. It is very intense and gives a good jumpstart in the morning and when you need a good pick-me-upper.
If I were to ask you, what would you go for? Are you leaning towards the flavor of Arabica coffee beans or do your prefer the kick that Robusta gives? However, if you really love coffee then don’t opt for just a single type of coffee bean. Play the field and never bore yourself when it comes to coffee drinking.
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Categories: Coffee Articles Tags: coffee, Gourmet, types
Coffee Travel Mugs
Having coffee travel mugs are a remarkable way to save money. Financial issues compel us to be wiser with everything we do today. Majority of people are cutting back on all sorts of little pleasures in life and coffee is sadly among those. If you are a regular coffee drinker, this is one of your surefire ways to dramatically spare some money in your pocket without having to give up your beloved cup of Joe.
Coffee is an industry that makes a huge amount of money in a year. A certain research from the National Coffee Association suggests that around 54% of American adults drink coffee on a daily basis. And only fewer than 18% of which drink gourmet coffee daily. Additionally, such coffee drinkers have their cup of coffee three times a day.
Estimates differ in terms of the precise amount of money usually spent on coffee. Such estimates range from two to five thousand bucks per year. Say, a person shells out a buck fifty for a cup of coffee at the local coffee shack. With three cups every day, that would end up being over $1800 per year. It would be even costlier once you’ve upgraded to gourmet coffee which would be as much $4. Three cups of it every single day would turn out to be more than five grand a year. With the economy dwindling, five grand is a lot. A coffee travel mug can drastically lower your cost.
A decent travel mug is priced from fifteen to twenty-five bucks. A cup of homemade coffee costs around forty-five cents. Utilizing the same formula used by the previous ones, you would end up spending only below $500.
Another upside to it besides your savings is the fact that it can pave way for you to play around with the drink to come up with one that suit your discriminating taste the most. And you wouldn’t have to wait in lines!
To conclude, coffee travel mugs can make you cave a significant amount of money without giving up the little luxury that you totally love having — coffee.
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Categories: Coffee Articles Tags: coffee, Coffee Mugs, Investment, Mugs, Persaonlized Coffee Mugs, Travel
Cheap Coffee Machines
Just because something is less expensive doesn’t mean it is any less good. If you’re strapped for cash and currently on a tight budget but looking to buy a coffee machines, painstakingly scout for a cheap one that offers the same features that its more expensive counterparts do.
With an array to choose from, it is not impossible. With a little effort to research, you can probably spot coffee machines that only cost as low as $25 to $100. If you’re a wise buyer, you’ll surely be able to find one that offers the same benefits as the pricier ones do.
There are certain factors to take into consideration before buying though. One of which is maintenance. When you talk about maintenance, it is mostly about how convenient it is to keep it clean. If the drip though pipe is almost trouble-free to clean, then it’s pretty much a good find.
Another factor to consider is milk frothing. If espressos, lattes, or cappuccinos catch your fancy, chances are, you want to look for a coffee machine that can froth milk. So just always check the product description and see to it that the product you are eyeing offers this feature.
The price is never absent in the list of things to consider before buying just about anything. If the features of the $50 and $150 coffee machines are virtually identical, then it’s a no-brainer why you would want to opt for the less expensive one. You can look coffee machines up on the Internet if you want to canvass. This way, you can compare coffee machines side by side and also get to read some reviews by other people who have purchased.
One more essential factor to think about is the space it occupies. If you are using if for your home, your best bet would be a tabletop system.
There may be other factors of coffee machine that you deem necessary that are not listed here, it’s your call. Just always be wise and scrutinizing in buying a coffee machine so you would be able to enjoy your cup of coffee sans any trouble.
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Categories: Coffee Articles Tags: Best Coffee Machine, Cheap, coffee, Coffee Machines, equipment, Machines