Tips to Choosing the Best Coffee
The social beverage of the word, coffee, is by far one of the most satisfying addictions one can have. That aroma of a fresh brewed cup of coffee can awaken the senses like nothing else. That first sip of sweet espresso or well made Turkish coffee can entice even the most devout coffee hater. Not any old coffee will drive men to tears over its savory goodness.
Choosing the right coffee blend is an art form. You can compare it to those who choose wines for gourmet dinners. Coffee is no different. Following are several tips to help you on the way to finding great coffee.
1. Do yourself a favor and avoid buying name brand coffee. All that you are doing is helping them pay for their substantial marketing machine.
2. Look for local roasters. They take great pride in their coffee beans and the roasting process. You may find a gem.
3. Roasting is one of the keys to a great coffee. Light roasts typically go way of being acidic in flavor. Dark roasts are more bitter and “full” or “medium” roasts are balanced between the two.
4. The higher quality coffee lends themselves to distinct flavors and sweetness regardless if they are dark roasts, medium or light roasts. A good bean roasted lightly will still be sweet with a touch of bitterness whereas a good bean dark roasted will be akin to a desert that contains nuts.
5. People like to think that certain countries produce different types of coffee. The best coffees produced tend to be suited to darker or lighter roasted coffees. Light to dark the countries are: Central America, South America and Caribbean, Africa and then finishing up with Indonesia and India.
6. Use coffee beans roasted for less than ten days prior. Older beans will simply taste like boring, unsweetened cocoa.
7. Grind your coffee beans minutes before actually brewing. This will give you the height of flavor and substance in your morning cup and make those gourmet coffee recipes shine above and beyond.
Arabica vs. Robusta
When you buy coffee at a Starbucks or online you will generally be buying Arabica coffee beans. Purchasing from a deli (typically an Italian-run one) will be a blend known as Robusta. Robusta is a bitter coffee with twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans.
Arabica is the choice of gourmet coffee drinkers all over the world. It is a subtle flavor that is sweet and nutty, but pleasant. Robusta is simply just too bitter and is really your grandfather’s blend and should be avoided for social coffee drinking.
All of this information is for naught if you do not get yourself a quality coffee maker in order to brew your favorite beverage. One-cup coffee makers are great because they keep your coffee fresh by the cup with no sitting around to get stale and lifeless. Espresso makers with milk steamers are great if you wish to experiment with your coffee. You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on a machine either. Go with the best that fits your budget.
Types of Coffee
1. Get the Best from Your Coffee - The Taste and Types
When you want to get the best of your coffee then you should know about the different blends of coffee. You should also understand about acidity, aroma, bitterness, and nuttiness. Knowing these differences will make a big difference about how you pick your coffee.
There are many different types of coffee from all over the world. Coffee tastes differently from each of the different countries. Some of the most well known coffees are from Columbia, Mexico, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauna Loa, Europe, and Italy.
Columbia is known for their coffee. The best coffee in the world comes from this country and they are the second largest producer of coffee in the world. Columbian coffee is sweet and light and available in blends that are supreme and excelso.
Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world and has been for over one hundred years. Brazilian coffee is famous for the wonderful blends.
Mexico produces coffee beans that are considered to be light and delicate. Some people say that the coffee in Mexico is very acidic and noticeable. However, it is enjoyed by many people.
Indonesian coffee is another well known blend because they are the fourth largest producer in the world. The coffee in Malaysia is brewed in a muslin bag that filters the grounds. Malaysia is known for an extremely strong cup of coffee. Thailand is known for fabulous blends of coffee also that is enjoyed when it is poured over ice.
When you are thinking about coffee you should consider the differences in the different blends. You should consider the acidity of the coffee. If you cannot handle the acidity then you might not want to consider a blend from Mexico because they tend to be very tart and acidic. The roast varies with the beans the most.
Some people choose their coffee based on the aroma of the beans. Coffee from Kona has a fruity aroma. Columbian beans have a strong aroma to them. The aroma of the coffee beans is very important when you are choosing which coffee you will drink. You can get a good idea how the coffee will taste by the smell of the coffee beans.
When you are checking out coffee beans then you also want to think about the bitterness. Many people say that you can put an eggshell in the coffee grounds when brewing coffee to take away the bitterness from the blend. However, if you properly choose your coffee beans then you won’t have to worry about taking away the bitterness. Arabica coffee is known to be extremely bitter. The bitterest coffee blend is the Robusta. One way to figure out the bitterness of the coffee is that you can swill the beans in your mouth and taste any bitterness.
As a coffee lover, you should know the differences of the coffees from different countries. You should also know the type of coffee it is that you favor the most. You should know if you are looking for an acidic, aromatic, or bitter blend of coffee.
Get the Best Taste from your Coffee
When you want to get the best of your coffee then you should know about the different blends of coffee. You should also understand about acidity, aroma, bitterness, and nuttiness. Knowing these differences will make a big difference about how you pick your coffee.
There are many different types of coffee from all over the world. Coffee tastes differently from each of the different countries. Some of the most well known coffees are from Columbia, Mexico, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauna Loa, Europe, and Italy.
Columbia is known for their coffee. The best coffee in the world comes from this country and they are the second largest producer of coffee in the world. Columbian coffee is sweet and light and available in blends that are supreme and excelso.
Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world and has been for over one hundred years. Brazilian coffee is famous for the wonderful blends.
Mexico produces coffee beans that are considered to be light and delicate. Some people say that the coffee in Mexico is very acidic and noticeable. However, it is enjoyed by many people.
Indonesian coffee is another well known blend because they are the fourth largest producer in the world. The coffee in Malaysia is brewed in a muslin bag that filters the grounds. Malaysia is known for an extremely strong cup of coffee. Thailand is known for fabulous blends of coffee also that is enjoyed when it is poured over ice.
When you are thinking about coffee you should consider the differences in the different blends. You should consider the acidity of the coffee. If you cannot handle the acidity then you might not want to consider a blend from Mexico because they tend to be very tart and acidic. The roast varies with the beans the most.
Some people choose their coffee based on the aroma of the beans. Coffee from Kona has a fruity aroma. Columbian beans have a strong aroma to them. The aroma of the coffee beans is very important when you are choosing which coffee you will drink. You can get a good idea how the coffee will taste by the smell of the coffee beans.
When you are checking out coffee beans then you also want to think about the bitterness. Many people say that you can put an eggshell in the coffee grounds when brewing coffee to take away the bitterness from the blend. However, if you properly choose your coffee beans then you won’t have to worry about taking away the bitterness. Arabica coffee is known to be extremely bitter. The bitterest coffee blend is the Robusta. One way to figure out the bitterness of the coffee is that you can swill the beans in your mouth and taste any bitterness.
As a coffee lover, you should know the differences of the coffees from different countries. You should also know the type of coffee it is that you favor the most. You should know if you are looking for an acidic, aromatic, or bitter blend of coffee.
Cleaning Coffee makers
Coffee is the most consumed beverage in the world today and can be found in every retail outlet in the world. For some people there day is not complete until they have had their first cup of coffee.
Purchasing a coffee brew station can be a big expense, However the coffee that comes out of it is well worth the expense for some people.
The first few pots of coffee are exquisite, however, as time goes on, you may notice that your coffee may have a bitter taste, or an awful taste altogether. This is a good indication that your coffee station needs to be cleaned.
There are many different ways to clean your coffee station; some involve the use of products that are specially made for cleaning coffee pots. Many people do not want to chemicals and turn toward the most effective natural method of cleaning their coffee pot - vinegar.
If you have had your brew station for more than a month and have never cleaned it, than using the following method will allow you to brew a pot of coffee just like the first time you used your brew station.
Combine one cup of vinegar and two cups of water and pour into the water well of your brew station. Turn it on and let it run through as if you were brewing coffee. When it is done, turn the brew station off and let the vinegar and water sit for a bit in the pot. Run cold water through your brew station three or four times and it will be as good as new.
If you have had your brew station for more than two months without cleaning it, then repeat this procedure for as many months as you have owned the brew station.
No matter what type of coffee maker you own, you need to clean it because the impurities of the water that you use build up in the coffee maker and can cause it to work less efficiently. By keeping your brew station clean and debris free, you will extend the life of that coffee brew station.
Best way to make coffee
Who doesn’t love a hot cup of coffee? First thing in the morning, it is just about the only thing that can kick start your day and on a cold day, it is the perfect beverage to warm you up and keep you going. It gives you a boost in the afternoon, and completes an evening meal.
Coffee is consumed more than just about any other beverage in the world, and the choices that you have are almost limitless. Flavored, regular, Columbian or Arabica beans, hot, iced, latte or espresso, there are so many different ways that you can prepare the perfect cup of coffee. You may be astounded at actual amount of choices that you have.
You can purchase your coffee ground or whole bean, however for the freshest flavor, it is recommended that you purchase whole bean because coffee looses its flavor slightly after it is ground. It is also recommended that you store your coffee beans in a cool dark place however not in the freezer.
Along with the choices that you have in choosing the perfect coffee, you may also be astounded at the many methods of brewing the perfect cup of coffee.
Percolator, automatic drip, single cup, multi cup and gallons at a time are just some of the choices that you have when you brew your coffee. There are many different coffee brewers on the market today and many people think that you have to have an expensive coffee station with fancy attachments that do everything under the sun to brew the perfect up of coffee. When in reality, it is all in the preparations that you use to brew your coffee.
There are guidelines that you can follow to brew the perfect cup of coffee every time, and the amount of coffee that you use differs with the type of coffee you purchase, and most coffee stations have the capacity to brew twelve cups of coffee at a time.
Water - ALWAYS use cold spring water to brew your coffee
Flavored coffee - use 3/4 cup of fresh ground flavored coffee beans for a twelve-cup pot of coffee
Regular coffee mild roast - use 3/4 cup fresh ground coffee beans for a twelve-cup pot of coffee
Regular coffee medium to dark roast - use 1/2 cup of fresh ground coffee beans for a twelve-cup pot coffee
There are many ways to prepare your coffee, whether you like it black or with cream and sugar, the perfect cup of coffee is not the difficult to make.
The Fascinating History of Coffee
Coffee is perhaps the most beloved drink of the world. Millions of people around the world begin their day with coffee. Without coffee many people cannot start their day. It provides a perfect start to your morning. There are many stories that tell us how coffee became the most popular morning drink in the world. These stories are variedly interesting and involve many chance occurrences and pursuit of power wealth and influence.
According to one legend a sheep herder in Caffa Ethiopia was the first to discover the effects of coffee. While herding his cattle he found his cattle eating some red cherries. Subsequently he also found out that after eating these red cherries his goats started becoming hyper active. Intrigued he tried on these cherries himself and soon he was as hyperactive as his herd. The monks in the area scolded him calling the red cherries the devil’s fruit and shouted at him for indulging himself. However soon the monks realized that the shiny green plant that gave of the fruit was the very thing that the monks needed to stay awake for their prayers.
Also there is another legend that tells us that coffee was actually called mocha. It was discovered in Arabia. An Arabian sheik called Omar was banished in the desert with all his followers. There they were to die of starvation. At an act of desperation Omar made one of his friends collect fruit from an unknown plant and boil them to prepare a meal. This meal not only saved the entire exile party but also its survival gave a religious significance to the nearest town that went by the name of mocha where they settled. After this event, the plant was called mocha.
In early times coffee was used more than just a drink. It was originally found in Ethiopia but it was later transplanted in Arabia and soon Arabia monopolized the coffee industry. Coffee beans were wrapped along with animal fat and eaten. This was an excellent source of nutrition to the raiding armies. The caffeine also kept them active. This was also their only source of nutrition. History tells us that Turks were the first country to adopt it as a drink. Arabia considered coffee a delicacy and guarded it with utmost secrecy. That is why it was introduced much later to countries that were outside Arabia.
At one point of time coffee was being considered by some Christians to be the “devil’s drink” and there was a small progressing demand that it be banned. However, Pope Vincent III tasted coffee and found it so delicious that he refused to banish it. Thereby, coffee became a devil’s temptation free drink as well.
Today coffee is enjoyed world wide by millions of people across the world. Coffee and its various forms are highly enjoyed by people from all countries. It is highly regarded as a morning drink and thousands of people are hooked on to the caffeine for its properties that help them stay awake and work for long hours.
What is Turkish Coffee
Caffeine is a drug, yes, but a very sweet one at that. It enhances the senses and uplifts the spirits. Coffee is, without a doubt, a culture unto itself. Used as a means to gather, laugh and debate. Coffee is a social beverage. Its roots are as storied and full as the roasts you may drink.
Within the borders of Turkey coffee has become an institution. It has its own culture complete with ritual and house of worship (coffeehouses). Turkish coffee, in particular may, without a doubt in most coffee lovers’ minds be the be all and end all of coffee. It was introduced to Turkey in the early to mid 1500’s, finding the first coffeehouse opening soon after.
Coffee came at a rather interesting time in Turkish history as it was geared more toward decadence than business. This gave way to many rituals. One of which was to brew the beans slowly over fifteen to twenty minutes in a copper coffee pot nestled among the embers of smoldering charcoal. The pot was removed frequently to prevent overheating. You can certainly tell the difference, if you are a coffee connoisseur, between Turkish coffee and your run of the mill modern day restaurant coffee.
The Turks believed in delicate brewing and all that was needed was a copper pot that came to a point, a teaspoon and something to heat it with. Water was always cold and the coffee fresh ground right before brewing. One thing that makes Turkish coffee so good, rich and special as that many would add cardamom and or sugar to the ground prior to brewing. Also unique is that the ingredients were added to the water instead of the water added to the ingredients. After all of the ingredients are added, they are stirred, spoon removed and pot placed on the heating source. No more stirring occurs and the pot is removed periodically to prevent the overheating mentioned earlier.
Identifying well prepared Turkish coffee is easy. It’s not too hot and has a thick foam resting comfortably on top and is free of any dark particles. In some circumstances, the coffee is brought to a boil and just before boiling over is removed the heat then replaced to do it all over again. This process is done two or three times and concentrates the coffee down. Cold water is served and drank before the coffee to cleanse the palette. Traditionally, the pastry known as Turkish Delight was served alongside the coffee and afterward you’re treated to mint liqueur.
Turkish coffee is special. Not because it tastes good, but because of the care and love that is put into the preparation and consumption of it. Coffee has a very special meaning to the Turkish people and to the culture of their land and that should be respected. The whole premise and life of coffee in Turkey gave way to all of the coffeehouses and coffee business that we partake in to this day from our Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts to your mom and pop Beatnik Coffee Dens. Without Turkish coffee, we would have no coffee at all.
The best coffee froth
To froth or not to froth - that is the question. Frothing (or foaming) milk has been done for quite some time now. Coffeehouses and baristas the world over have not been doing it because they were bored or what not but because frothing the milk enhances the taste of the espresso. The flavor profiles go out of this world and you are left with a sweetness that is so delectable to behold.
There is even a new art form that is being derived from frothing called “Latte Art”. The canvas is a fresh cup of pulled espresso and properly foamed up milk. The barista pours the frothed milk onto the hot coffee to make patterns and designs - “Latte Art”.
Your frothing experience begins with the tools of the trade. However not a necessity, one will need a milk pitcher. Sure - you could use plastic but why cheapen your experience? Besides - If you are frothing in metal, it holds temperature better. If art is your goal, select a pitcher with a narrow and longer spout. If not then any shape will work for you. Do not over do it - nothing more than twenty ounces.
Now that you have your pitcher, get yourself a thermometer. A good one - not one of those dollar store things. Something with a digital read out would be ideal. You will need a damp cloth to wipe off the steamer nozzle. In addition, a spoon should be handy. After you spend time frothing you will get better and a spoon will not be needed. Your next selection is most important of all - the milk. Any milk will do for the most part but you want some fat to add extra taste so whole milk is your safe bet and, for a special treat, table cream.
Milk frothing is the process of adding air into it at a high rate from the Coffee Maker . Now with your warm cups in hand and your coffee ground, brewed and ready, it is time to froth. The easiest way to get the best froth is by using an automatic milk steamer and it is fairly easy to operate.
First, you have to come to the party. If you are not there, the machine will kind of just sit there - that is boring. Of course, nearly as important is turning the thing on. These machines always have a “steam” button, which heats the boiler - you will need to wait for the little light to come on to tell you it is ready for action. When all of this is said and done, you must place the frothing arms deep into the milk pitcher. Tilt the pitcher toward yourself at a 45-degree angle then open the steamwand and that is it, because the frother will do the rest. Once you hit that 150-155 degree temp you’re done. However, the froth will just be so-so.
