Saturday, January 31, 2009

Gevalia Kaffe Is In The Coffee And Tea Business

Gevalia Kaffe is a coffee roastery selling coffee and tea in Europe and North America. Gevalia is based in Gavle, Sweden (Gavle is known by the name Gevalia in Latin). Gevalia is the large coffee roastery in Scandinavia. It was started by Victor Engwall & Co. in Sweden in 1853. For 120 years it was a family based company. In 1971 it was bought by Kraft foods. Gevalia is a mainstream supermarket brand in Europe. In the United states is the products sold as an expensive and ultra premium coffee brand.

In the United States Gevalia began its sales via mail order delivery service. They are famous for the introductory offer of a free coffeemaker for purchasing its coffee. Gevalia offers more than 30 varieties of coffee and 13 varieties of tea. The wide variety is to satisfy different tastes and occasions of even the most discriminating coffee and tea lovers. In the U.S. The coffee can be purchased by calling 1-800-GEVALIA or by visiting the website at www.gevalia.com. Gevalia coffee and tea is vacuum sealed immediately after roasting to ensure preservation of taste and standards. Gevalia is available by home delivery and a catalog is available on request.

The company is also involved in community service of coffee growing nations like Columbia and is involved in medical aid, food relief and education in these countries.

Product Guarantee: Gevalia gives 100% guarantee on its products and will refund money 100% in case you are not satisfied.

Payment: Payment can be made at the address, Holmparken Square, PO Box 6275, Dover, DE 19905-6275. The catalog can be obtained at the same address. Online payment can be made by Visa, Master card, Diners club car, American Express and Discover card. It is advisable to become a member at Gevalia.com before purchase, as it can help you to locate your shipment. Customer Care. Customer care service is available at 1-800-438-2542 at all times. Customer service is also available by email on customerservice@gevalia.com

Delivery: Delivery is sent through UPS. Expect delivery within 2 weeks. The shipping rates for purchases up to $25 is $7 and increases with the amount of purchase.

Gift Wrapping and Other Products: You can also gift wrap your purchase if you want to send the premium coffee or tea as a gift to your friends. The gift wrapping cost is around 5$. A message card is also available on the gift wrapping. Gift certificates are also available at Gevalia. Occasionally Gevalia also adds free samples that they want to promote at no extra cost. At Gevalia.com a wide variety of beautiful coffee mugs, tea sets, coffee sets, tea tables, tea pots, wall clocks, crates, flasks etc are available at reasonable rates.

Keith George always writes about valuable news & reviews.

A related resource is

GEVALIA

GEVALIA

Further information can be found at

Tips & News

Tips & News

Friday, January 30, 2009

Gourmet Coffee Habit Costing Consumers as Much as $1,500 Yearly

A recent Washington Post article discussed Seattle law students spending money from their student loans for Starbucks coffee across the street from the Seattle University School of Law. Gourmet coffee consumers rarely consider the cost of their daily coffee in terms of the expense to brew premium whole bean coffee at home (50 cents to 75 cents) with prices of a pound of gourmet coffee beans versus a two or three cup a day ($4.50 to $6.00) coffee drinking habit when purchased at premium coffee houses.

An online calculator has been posted for those interested in calculating their caffeine expenses at: http://www.hughchou.org/calc/coffee.cgi That borrowed money takes years to repay and many students don't do the math to see that study time with 2-3 cups of coffee at Starbucks over 4 years can cost them significant sums - as much as $4500 in principle, interest and fees on their student loan - over the course of their education. She points out that students are spending education loans on luxuries like latte instead of necessities like a loaf of bread. Erika Lim, director of career services at the law school has launched a campaign to reduce coffee consumption by students attending the university on student loan money.

But smart gourmet coffee consumers have long known that premium coffee brewed at home costs just 12 cents or so per cup, depending on preferences for coffee strength. Gourmet Coffee drinkers have become accustomed to paying $2 or more per cup for fresh brewed coffees at Premium coffee houses - and many sources are predicting those prices may increase to as much as $4 per cup soon due to expected increases in green coffee prices.

A pound of gourmet beans! Starbucks recommends double that amount for stronger coffees at 2 tablespoons per 6 ounce cup. Many coffee producers recommend starting with 1 tablespoon of fresh ground gourmet coffee beans per standard 6 ounce cup of water.

So if you have expensive tastes and want a 12 ounce mug of the rarest and most expensive coffee on the planet, you still need only pay what some premium coffee houses charge for a latte ($3.50) for that rare privilege. So if you have expensive tastes and want a 12 ounce mug of the rarest and most expensive coffee sold, the exotic Kopi Luwak, at $175 per pound, is still less than $1.75 per 6 ounce cup when brewed at home! Even the rarest and most expensive coffee sold, the exotic Kopi Luwak, at $175 per pound, is still less than $1.75 per 6 ounce cup when brewed at home! Prices of premium gourmet coffee beans range between $10 and $18 per pound, making a cup of home-brewed gourmet coffee, made fresh to your liking, cost only between .10 cents and .25 cents per cup or between $1.00 and $2.00 per pot of coffee!

When consumers learn that they can purchase gourmet whole bean coffee for between $10 to $18 per pound, then fresh grind and brew at home for significantly less than gourmet coffee companies charge, many see home brewing premium gourmet coffee as luxurious treat. Purchasing a thermos or a large travel mug to take coffee with them from home makes drinking rich, fresh roasted coffee a possibility for about one-seventh the cost of buying that coffee from expensive and crowded coffee shops.

Many so-called premium coffee houses keep their coffee heated on warmers after brewing, but this practice causes the flavor to turn bitter after less than an hour of warming. It is actually more likely you will get a rich flavorful cup of coffee from an insulated thermos or insulated type pump containers. Reheating coffee can destroy the flavor of good gourmet coffee - just as quickly as extensive warming.

Coffee purists prefer to make individual cups with a coffee press, fresh grinding beans for each cup and drinking the entire amount brewed before it turns cold to get the maximum enjoyment from their beans. Microwave a good cup of coffee that has gone cold and you'll see how much better it is freshly brewed. Using good clean, fresh water is essential since coffee is 99% water and bad tasting tap water can quickly ruin even the best fresh ground beans.

You can enjoy great gourmet coffee more and pay less for the privilege by starting with whole beans and grinding them yourself with a $20 coffee grinder. Make only what you can drink or carry with you in a nice thermos or travel mug instead of reheating coffee later. Use good tasting water and keep your brewing equipment clean to prevent the rancid bitterness that can come from previous grounds in crevices.

You can brew at home with fine gourmet coffee beans, fresh ground and brewed in a French press coffee maker, carry a fancy thermos of great coffee to work or school and enjoy the best coffee available for far less money than you would spend at crowded and expensive premium coffee house.

© Copyright 2005 http://www.TastesofTheWorld.net

"If you are happy tell a friend if you are not tell us" Rare Gourmet Coffee is their business so they make shopping with them risk free. Written by Mike Banks Valentine for Tastes of The World coffee company, focusing on specialty gourmet coffees which are not readily available in the United States.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Marketing Mindset "Why I Get FREE Coffee Every Time I Enter My Local Cafe"

He's not a slave to his business anymore and that's all because of me... You see… he now goes to work every day because he loves what he does. That's because the storeowner Sergio likes me so much he gives it to me.

Let me explain...

Teaching many clients the secrets about business success that the experts don't want you to know. I've been a business consultant for the last 14 years.

Anyway, one day I was at my local coffee shop enjoying a Chai Vanilla Latte, and I noticed Sergio looking worried with his head buried in a pile of marketing books.

I asked him "what was wrong?" and he said, "His business wasn't going all that well".

He knew that I was a business consultant from previous conversations we'd had and asked me if I had any advice for him.

"Sure!" I said, not wanting my favourite coffee house to disappear completely, I decided to help him out.

I told him that what I taught would probably scare him, because my techniques where not conventional and if he wanted to back out, then this would be the right time to do it.

Afraid of what might become of his business if he didn't take action, he agreed and we got started right away.

Sergio was a great client, open to new ideas and trusted that I could help make a difference. Hey, what did he have to lose? I wasn't charging him a cent, right?

He was a typical business owner; he believed that 'If you build it, they will come'. Most business owners don't realise that 50% of your business success comes from effective marketing.

The other 50% is from distribution and unfortunately this is why most proprietors' work long hours for very little return.

Over time we built up a simple Business system that worked very well for Sergio, so well in fact that he could hire extra staff and actually take some time out.

Reluctantly at first, but his confidence grew with time as his knowledge increased.

He quickly saw the results of our marketing campaigns and didn't realise that advertising needn't be a complete waste of money.

Sergio found that sometimes he had so many customers there simply was no more room in his cafe for them to sit.

Not a bad problem to have, don't you agree?

You see, your business is a direct reflection of your knowledge and the more knowledge you have, the easier it becomes.

Oh by the way, Sergio has opened up his second coffee shop just down the road and guess what? I get free coffee from there too!

Scott Patterson has been involved with marketing for the past 14 years, he has helped many business owners grow their businesses any where up to 600%, using simple but effect marketing strategies that work!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Women and Coffee

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.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Health , Cooking , and Beauty

Health Cooking Beauty

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

Bottom Layer:

  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Cream shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs and stir in milk. Add dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. (Batter will be stiff.) Spread in the bottom of greased 9x13 pan.

    Middle Layer:

  • 4 to 5 cups of rhubarb (cut up)
  • 4 to 5 cups of rhubarb (cut up)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 three-ounce package strawberry Jello
  • 1 three-ounce package strawberry Jello
  • Measure rhubarb into a mixing bowl. Stir in eggs, milk, sugar and flour. Spread over bottom layer. Sprinkle the dry strawberry Jello over the rhubarb mixture.

    Top Layer:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup flour
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine
  • Put all ingredients into a mixing bowl. Use a fork to cut the butter/margarine into the flour and brown sugar. Continue mixing until crumbly. Sprinkle over the rhubarb layer.

    Bake at 375 degrees for 70 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

    For an added treat, serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

    About The Author

    LeAnn R. Ralph is the author of the books "Christmas in Dairyland (True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm)" and "Preserve Your Family History (A Step-by-Step Guide for Writing Oral Histories)." You are invited to order a book from Rural Route 2. You are also invited to sign up for LeAnn's FREE! monthly newsletter, Rural Route 2 News. Visit — http://ruralroute2.com

    http://ruralroute2.com

    Monday, January 26, 2009

    What's In a Cup of Coffee?

    If coffee prices continue to follow their upward trend, on a weekly basis you may end up paying as much for your cup of coffee as you do to fill-up your automobile's gasoline tank. An innocent four dollars spent a day at your favorite coffee shop amounts to $960+ annually.

    In the end, you have to ask yourself if having nothing to show for it is worth drinking that money away.

    If only we made a concerted effort to curtail our daily spending, we could invest in something that offers a tangible benefit - not just now but something for future generations to enjoy. Rarely do we think about our daily spending habits and how quite literally we are throwing money right down the drain.

    Your name in stone, how's that for tangible? If you are lucky, you are a multimillionaire that makes generous donations to organizations that name buildings after you!

    Well…there is a substantially less expensive way for your name and face to live on for posterity - it's called an heirloom portrait.

    Whether your investment in a heirloom portrait is for the boardroom or the stairwell in your home, future generations will see, will remember, and will enjoy your image - a confirmation of your existence in the world.

    While some portraits might be formal in nature, they may also be environmental (natural surroundings as opposed to a studio backdrop) and reflect your occupation or hobby. Generally these portraits are three-quarter or from the waist up and are framed.

    Put down that cup of coffee and call your photographer today! So what are you waiting for? Additionally, there are different paper substrates available for giclee printing such an archival fine art matte or canvas. Watercolor or oil painting effects can be applied to photographic images to make it truly unique. Depending on your taste a heirloom portrait can be black and white, sepia, or color.

    Sunday, January 25, 2009

    Read this Article if You Like Starbucks Coffee

    As a matter of fact let me recommend a book to you; "Pour Your Heart Into It" By Howard Schultz; it is the History of the making of the greatest coffee house chain in the World; Starbucks. It is truly amazing what Global Strategist Howard Schultz built; a world wide coffee brand which just keeps growing, where employees truly poor their heart into it with Starbuck's Legendary Service. The average store volumes are up 27% over last year and that means more and more people are switching to Starbucks. If you have been watching the stock charts at Starbucks you know that folks love Starbucks Coffee, some say they will drink nothing but Starbucks Coffee.

    All in all this proves to be quite the winning combination both for the customer and for Wall Street; think on it. But why; well it is a combination of strategic locations, brand name, appealing coffee flavor and the fact that coffee is a basically a drug which effects the central nervous system of the human body in a way which pleases folks. In observing Starbuck's Success in the market place it is quite fascinating indeed as people line up to over pay; that is to say pay three to four dollars for a cup of custom coffee.

    Saturday, January 24, 2009

    Customer Loyalty is Coffee Shop Loyalty - The Perfect Blend

    I choose what I like

    I choose what I like

    So you do not follow a sporting club; wear only Dior; drive a BMW. You wear whatever you feel like, watch all sorts of sports and drive a car you liked at the time of purchase; not because of its make, you just liked it. As I mentioned in our last article there are many types of loyalty besides brand, sport or club loyalty. Today we will explore one of the most important types of loyalty. One which I call: 'coffee shop loyalty'. This is not to be confused with loyalty programs which must by default be a keen topic of discussion.

    Massive, free advertising

    Massive, free advertising

    Many of us have a favourite coffee shop. We go there week after week. We meet our friends there; we may take business associates there. Not only do we offer the owner repeat custom, we bring friends along. By bringing business associates for coffee we are, in effect, recommending the shop as a good place to visit to the broader community. This increase in custom costs the coffee shop owner not one single dollar. The owner potentially acquires well-populated chains of customers from your friends and business associates through a single alliance; you. He pays you nothing.

    This is massive, free advertising. You must ponder its success and the reasons for its success frequently. Can we find the secret recipe? To tell the truth, there is no one single and global solution. There are many aspects to 'coffee club loyalty' because we see people sitting, chatting, drinking and enjoying themselves at crowded coffee shops all across town. Examine those that you see often-crowded; examine even more closely those that seem to have a few less patrons than the others.

    Getting it right

    Getting it right

    Why scrutinize empty shops? Surely we want to see what the good ones are doing to keep such repeat crowds sitting at their tables? Absolutely right! But is it not equally important to see if we can find out what the empty ones do, don't do, in order to remain empty? They are so regularly empty; it must be planned so it is up to us to see what they have in their plan. We will leave it out of our planning.

    Gather information about people

    Gather information about people

    Gathering information about people is just as important as gathering information about the goods we sell or the services we supply. So how do we start, remembering the budget for research is small? Think back for a moment to your favourite coffee shop and see if we can get some sort of criteria which we could use to plan for a successful coffee shop. See if we can stretch this to our online store. Make mental notes next time you are there. Better still take pen and paper. Ask a few of the regular customers why they keep coming back. Do this over several visits so that you can have time to analyse the thoughts of other customers and formulate more focussed questions for yourself. Do you see patterns emerging? I bet you do. Are you going there this week?

    Staff turnover is typically high in coffee shops. My favourite shop has a high turnover too but the staff are always friendly, happy, courteous, know how to react with patrons from a large number of different backgrounds. The owner must look after staff as well as patrons. New staff quickly learn your name. Service is brisk, efficient, and reliable. There is nothing particularly expensive or outstanding about the décor. It is comfortable, rather than modern. Many regulars come several times each week and stay for much longer than it takes to drink a cup of coffee. There is nothing special about pricing. The menu is fairly static; functional. They occasionally run a special night such as their birthday party or to promote a local band. The owners are always mingling with patrons. It is in a good location; a lot of foot traffic, close to other shops and has parking near by. And that is about it. I will be there again next week.

    Doing what corporate giants do

    Doing what corporate giants do

    You are now doing just what the big corporations discussed previously are doing. The budget is slightly different. You are finding out what customers do and do not like. When we set up a store online we tend to forget that our customers will be the very people we talk to at the coffee shop. Online customers are coffee shop customers too. They know what makes them leave or stay; buy or not. Your own friends are an equally valuable source of information. Ask them too.

    Getting the right blend is the key to 'coffee shop loyalty'; it is the key to online success.

    Paul Hathaway ©2005

    About the author

    Paul Hathaway is a partner in Welcome To The Mall. Welcome To The Mall is a site that has constant revision and constant input from research and customer requests. Its vision is for shoppers to interact with http://www.welcometothemall.com in the same way they react to the bricks and mortar environment. The articles we submit are the result of research and brainstorming ideas to make the system closer to expectations.

    http://www.welcometothemall.com

    Friday, January 23, 2009

    Coffee Or Tea - Which Is Better For You?

    While, it's mostly the caffeine that gets people going, a side benefit from drinking these beverages is that you may be boosting your immune system and helping to fight disease. Most people cannot function without either their morning cup of coffee or tea.

    While the health benefits of drinking green tea have been much publicized, few people realize that drinking coffee can have health benefits as well but recent studies show that coffee may share some of the healthy attributes that green tea has shown.

    Both coffee and green tea have been shown to contain compounds which have antibacterial properties that can help prevent tooth decay and may help to fight food poisoning. All of which help in glucose metabolism and result in those who regularly drink coffee having a reduced risk of diabetes. Like green tea, coffee has antioxidants including quinines, chlorogenic acid and tocopherols as well as essential minerals such as magnesium.

    In addition, green tea may also help you lose weight and is said to help lower blood sugar and cholesterol as well as slow the aging process. Green tea has been shown to have a role in the prevention of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cataracts, and to help boost your immune system.

    Other health benefits of coffee include a reduced risk of developing Parkinsons Disease, help in relieving asthma symptoms, stopping tension headaches, and inhibiting the formation of gallstones. Coffee is said to contain compounds that boost the activity of enzymes which may protect against colon cancer (according to animal studies published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry).

    Some say 10 cups a day, others say you can experience the benefits with 3 cups a day. While most everyone agrees that the caffeinated should only be taken in small amounts (no more than 3 cups of coffee a day) to avoid the addictive qualities of the caffeine, it's a bit more vague on how much tea is recommended. When it comes to the question of how much coffee or tea you need to benefit the answers can be a bit confusing.

    Thursday, January 22, 2009

    Coffee Club Membership Is A Joy For Coffee Lovers

    Automatic shipment is very convenient, especially if you like your coffee first thing in the morning because this means you will never run out when you need it the most. This is a great way to taste new coffees, sample different varieties, find a brew that you really like and ultimately avoid a trip to the store to buy your favorite coffee. Each month, you will get a shipment of coffee delivered direct to your door. Reward yourself or your friends and relatives with coffee clubs by joining up and saving loads. Coffee club membership is a joy for coffee lovers The coffee club concept is relatively new but is taking the world by storm.

    Usually it is one pound per month, but you can order more if you desire. Amounts vary from company to company also. Depending on the club, it could be your favorite flavor, or a different flavor every month. With flavors you can choose what coffee you want delivered each month, or allow the company to surprise you. Most clubs offer a coffee of the month and/or your choice of flavors. Clubs are now springing up all over America and different clubs have different offerings so it is easy to find one that suits you.

    In addition to coffee, gourmet coffee clubs sometimes include extras like coffee mugs or books with coffee recipes in them. If the company has a sale or special offering, generally the club members will be the first to hear about it through the newsletter. When you join one of these clubs, you are also usually entitled to a members-only discount. Some clubs even offer newsletter subscriptions with informative articles about the month's featured coffee as well as coffee recipes and helpful hints about coffee making and removing coffee stains.

    This is more work for the club but at the end of the day is done to induce you to buy more coffee. The choices are endless and are designed to cater specifically for each person's tastes. You can usually choose the length of your club membership, from three to twelve months, whether you want whole beans or ground, the type of grind you would like and finally, you can choose flavored or regular, caffeinated or decaf coffee. With clubs, the membership terms are usually fairy flexible.

    If you Your recipient will like the convenience of having the coffee delivered on schedule, without having to reorder all the time. This is one gift that transcends borders. Most people appreciate a good cup of coffee; it is enjoyed around the world. you are looking for a unique business gift, think about giving a coffee club subscription. Gourmet coffee clubs make a great gift idea for holidays, birthdays, or as thank you gifts. This is where you purchase a subscription for a coffee of the month club, and your recipient gets coffee delivered to them each month. you are looking for a unique business gift, think about giving a coffee club membership. Gourmet coffee clubs make a great gift idea for holidays, birthdays, or as thank you gifts. This is where you purchase a subscription for a coffee of the month club, and your recipient gets coffee delivered to them each month. you are looking for a unique business gift, think about giving a coffee club membership. Gourmet coffee clubs make a great gift idea for holidays, birthdays, or as thank you gifts. An idea for a coffee of the month club, and your recipient gets coffee delivered to them each month.

    Looking for information about Coffee?

    Wednesday, January 21, 2009

    Italian Roast Coffee For An Authentic Espresso

    Well, with Italian roast you can't go wrong either. Can 50 million plus Italians all be wrong? In fact Italian roast coffee is perfect for bringing a touch of Europe to your home. One of the things people think of with Italy is it's coffee.

    The aroma is balanced and complex. It seems to be richer and fuller and has a bit of a bite to it. Generally speaking, Italian Roast coffee is darker in colour than most roasted blends of coffee and consequently develops an intense, full-bodied flavour from the blend of Pacific and Latin American origins.

    Why the name Italian Roast when coffee comes from Brazil?

    As is known, most of the coffee we drink today originates from Latin America or the Pacific, so where does the name Italian Roast come from?

    If served in Illy Collection cups, for instance, you cant go wrong. Naturally it goes without saying, if you grind your own, Italian roast coffee is perfect for making authentic espresso. I think they do. And do the Italians know a thing or two about their coffee? Well, the name Italian Roast derives from the dark roasted blend style that is commonly used in Italy.

    There is espresso coffee and espresso coffee, but with an Italian roast blend the difference is clear

    In fact, most of today's household names, such as Gaggia, Lavazza and Illy are Italian family companies that have conquered the world with their particular blends of coffee, targeted marketing and wonderful coffee making machines. Gaggia, for instance started business in the 1940's, not so long ago, but they are recognised as a well respected coffee-company in most of the world.

    Similar with Lavazza, started in Turin, not only famous for its coffee, but also a prestigious calendar, similar to that of Pirelli. And what espresso lover isn't familiar with the Illy Collection; neat espresso cups with exclusive designs produced in limited numbers.

    Italian roast must deserve some of the success of these companies. Do you think all this could have been possible without a deep knowledge and respect for coffee?

    Tuesday, January 20, 2009

    Coffee and Lowering Cholesterol

    It's another $64M question: Is Coffee Good or Bad for Our Cholesterol Levels?

    The Claims: Some say that coffee is bad for our health because it can supposedly lead to heart diseases and hypertension. Coffee, for them, is an unhealthy addiction. Others however are adamant about the health benefits of coffee. For them, coffee saves the day because it supposedly lowers cholesterol levels in our bodies.

    The Truth about Coffee and Cholesterol

    Never mind about the bad stuff regarding coffee. Enough has been written about it; right now, let's concentrate on the controversial link between coffee and cholesterol.

    Why We Should Worry About Our Cholesterol Levels

    Cholesterol levels have a significant impact on our health, and more specifically, on our hearts. High cholesterol levels make us increasing vulnerable to having a heart attack. And none of us, surely, would want to suffer a heart attack because it can often lead to life threatening consequences.

    When the cholesterol level in our body becomes higher than normal, it slows down the flow of blood to and from our heart. Worse, it can even completely block blood flow - which is of course disastrous for us. Blood contains oxygen and when our heart doesn't receive enough of this, we experience chest spasms and find it difficult to breathe. If the blockage continues, we get a heart attack. If the attack is not given medical attention, we die.

    The Coffee Competition

    Filtered vs. Unfiltered

    In 2001, Dr. Michael J. Klag and his colleagues reviewed numerous studies that tackled the link between coffee drinking and increasing cholesterol levels. They've discovered that individuals who consumer approximately six cups of coffee per day are more prone to having higher cholesterol levels and LDL - the evil twin of the two types of cholesterols. Almost all the studies have pinpointed the blame to unfiltered coffee.

    Klag claimed that the increase of cholesterol levels is primarily due to terpenes, an element found in coffee. The amount of terpenes however is significantly reduced in unfiltered coffee.

    Caffeinated vs. Decaffeinated

    One can choose to look at this with another perspective. Which of the two - caffeinated and decaffeinated - has an undesirable effect on cholesterol levels?

    A new study presented in the 2005 American Heart Associations' Scientific Sessions has revealed that people drinking decaffeinated coffee are characterized by the following: Increase in Fatty Acids - Fatty acids can increase the production of LDL Increase in ApoB - This is the only protein that is linked with LDL Increase in NEFA - Another element that can also indirectly lead to higher production of LDL

    Further studies however have produced mixed results as regard to people drinking decaffeinated coffee.

    HDL2 - the better twin of the two types of cholesterols - of overweight decaffeinated coffee drinkers has increased while the opposite occurs for drinkers who have normal weights.

    THE VERDICT

    When it comes to coffee and cholesterol, people seem to be asking the wrong questions: to drink or not to drink, which is the good coffee for all…As the studies have shown, different types of individuals have different responses towards different types of coffee. What may be good for you and lower your cholesterol level may have the opposite effect for somebody else.

    Secondly, the increase and decrease of cholesterol levels can not be solely attributed to the type of coffee one drinks; cholesterol levels, rather, are affected by the kind of lifestyle we have: what type of food we eat, whether we smoke or not, and so forth.

    Lastly, there's nothing wrong about drinking coffee, filtered or unfiltered, caffeinated or decaffeinated, just as long as we do it in moderation!

    Dr. Michael Lee is a board certified physician who has counselled thousands of patients on lowering their cholesterol. To get free tips on lowering your choleseterol naturally without harmful drugs, please check out

    http://zapcholesterol.com/tips.html

    http://zapcholesterol.com/tips.html

    Monday, January 19, 2009

    Coffee: Freedom in a Cup

    The whole coffee phenomena in our culture is a self-sustaining cycle. Even for those who do not drink coffee, we probably are still apart of the coffee culture in some way. We are always surrounded by someone who is indeed a coffee drinker.

    The coffee drinker will go out at various hours of the work day and offer to bring you something back. And of course the favor is returned- next time it'll be your turn to offer to bring them something back (most likely it will be coffee). This is kind of like an unspoken rule in our society that allows this cycle to continue on forever and ever and ever.

    Thank goodness for the coffee break right, otherwise we'd be left with only our lunch ours to have some time to ourselves. Lunch hours usually last for 30 minutes to an hour and that's when the street are filled to the brim with bustling people and noisy cars that it isn't possible to catch a breath and relax for a bit.

    Naturally, people will experience crimps in their necks during the day and want to walk around and stretch about or simply see the sights outside the building. If you think about it, it's really coffee that gives us all this sense of freedom (even if it's brief stolen moments out of the day).

    Coffee syrups pertinent offerings and value-added services are accessible at the author's website.

    Coffee syrups pertinent offerings and value-added services

    Sunday, January 18, 2009

    Coffee: The Big Picture

    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.

    Coffee maker parts relevant offerings and services

    Saturday, January 17, 2009

    Coffee - Grinding Coffee Beans

    For example Espresso brews in just 30 seconds or less so requires a very course grind as in this method of brewing the coffee grounds are steeped in water (like tea leaves) for a full 6 to 10 minutes. It is generally believed that the shorter the brewing time the finer the grind must be. It is important to use the right grind of coffee for you preferred brewing method.

    These are not really ideal as they produce an uneven grind and if whirred too long they heat the beans releasing aromatic substances that should go into your cup and not into the air. Most people have propeller-blade grinders.

    Cleaning a Burr Mill can be a complicated process and it is much easier to have the grinder cleaned professionally at an appliance repair shop. The grinding times can be found in the manufacturers instructions along with instructions for cleaning the machine. Cleaning a Burr Mill is the fact that they are noisy and slow but you can grind as much or little as you require and get a reliably consistent result. The grinding times can be found in the manufacturers instructions along with instructions for cleaning the machine. The down side to a Burr Mill is the fact that they are noisy and slow but you can grind as much or little as you require and get a reliably consistent result. What is required is cool, precise tearing apart of the beans and this is best achieved in a Burr Mill, which has two notched blades whose position can be set for the desired fineness of grinds.

    The secret with these is to assume that the grind will be one or two settings courser than is promised by the little pictures on the dial and always run a few fresh beans through before beginning to get rid of stale flavors. Owning a Burr Mill is not essential and you can use one of the professional grinders commonly found in supermarkets or convenience stores.

    Whilst the machine is grinding, gently lift it off the counter and shake it. Propeller blade grinders are rarely large enough to grind more than 4 scoops at a time effectively so bear that in mind when grinding. Never whirr the beans for more than 30 seconds, as this will overheat them badly. If using a propeller blade grinder, grind the beans slightly courser than you think you'll need and then grind in 10-second bursts.

    After each use, unplug the grinder and wipe out the grinding chamber with a damp paper towel or sponge. The plastic top should be washed in hot water.

    Here are some approximate times for grinding with the propeller blade grinder: 10 seconds for the plunger pot, 13 seconds for the flat bottomed paper filters (which generally fit into American drip brewers) or wedge shaped gold filters and 16 seconds for wedge shaped paper filters. For a plunger pot the grounds should resemble coarse ground cornmeal and for a drip brew the grounds should resemble granulated sugar.

    So if you do not have a grinder you can still enjoy the aromatic flavors of freshly ground coffee. Today, many stores that sell coffee beans also offer a means of grinding them.

    Friday, January 16, 2009

    Making French Press Coffee

    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.

    Best-Coffee-Makers-Online.com

    Thursday, January 15, 2009

    Coffee: Bean Storage Issues

    There is much debate over how people should store their coffee beans. This article hopefully address some of these issues for you in a clean cut and straight forward manner.

    So you've read a great article in your local town's newspaper telling you of all the benefits of home ground and made coffee. So you took the insights found in the article and went ahead and bought some coffee beans of all varieties, from Vietnamese, to Jamaican, and others.

    But the question now is, how are you going to store all of these coffee beans without causing it them to suffer in quality and taste? Unfortunately it is widely practiced where coffee beans are stored in a freezer in hopes to retain it's freshness.

    However the opposite normally holds true. The best environments to preserve beans are in a dark, moisture-free, and cold place. The problem with freezers is that it doesn't fulfill the moisture-free criteria. Placing your unused coffee beans in a freezer will result in it's natural oils being tarnished and even destroyed as a result of the surrounding moisture seeping in.

    Your best bet is to not buy in bulk, but to buy in smaller quantities. An amount that you can finish in a week in other words.

    Superb coffee thermos products can be requested from our web site.

    Superb coffee thermos

    Wednesday, January 14, 2009

    Coffee - When You Really Need That Caffeine Buzz

    There are many ways to jumpstart a day, you can go and stand under a cold shower, have someone yell at you as if they were asking someone to send breakfast from the adjoining county, and so on, or you could drink a cup of strong coffee. Some people say that eating one apple is better for this sort of thing but they obviously don't drink coffee.

    There are a lot of people who sleep heavily and wake up groggy because even the regularly scheduled eight hours is not enough for them. Then there are people who sleep very badly so their quota of sleep is not met by the time the sun rises. Both types, need a coffee jolt in the morning to shake off that 'still need to sleep some more' feeling.

    However, these days coffee is not simply something that clears the mental cobwebs and gives people a bright eye and the courage to face another day. Coffee has become more than an emergency standby. It is now the beverage to be consumed many times in the course of a day.

    Coffee when you wake up, coffee when you arrive to work, coffee during the first break, and another cup with lunch. And on and on it goes. Coffee all the time. Sometimes, it is justified too. If you have attended meetings, you know what it means. If you are in the speaker's position you need to be alert and not start yawning halfway through the presentation, coffee helps. If you are the audience and you sit there wishing you were a hundred miles away, fishing perhaps, then coffee can provide that semblance of alertness that makes everyone think you are really paying attention. In short, no matter what the occasion or need is, coffee has become a good old standby.

    Then there are the coffeehouses on your way while taking a stroll. Some people probably use the coffeehouse as an excuse to walk. If they didn't have a coffeehouse a couple of blocks away, they had to go a long time without getting out of their home and seeing the rest of humanity, who is also drinking coffee. Sadly, there are too many coffeehouses now days, so people tend to walk less and less, which is not a good thing because nothing gives you energy like coffee to walk around even when tired.

    The height of decadent comfort comes along with coffeehouses that have drive through facilities. You can just grab a cuppa java on your way to work or after work (or going anywhere) and your legs never have to feel your weight.

    Too much coffee can lead to a chain reaction of sleep related problems. Coffee drives sleep away, so if you have a cup close to bed time, then you wont get a good night's sleep. You will feel groggier in the morning and drink some more coffee. By lunchtime, you will be running on coffee energy only. Come night time, if you don't change your habits, you will drink coffee again and by the end of the week you wont be able to survive without it, no matter what time of the day it is.

    Coffee is a good thing, with a nice taste, nice after effects and a good mental cleaner, but like everything, be careful how much you drink and when you drink it.

    Magdalena Witkowska is a successful Webmaster and publisher of http://www.thecaffeinebuzz.com To find out more about Coffee , please visit her website.

    http://www.thecaffeinebuzz.com Coffee

    Tuesday, January 13, 2009

    French Press Style Coffee

    Because of the filtering system there is always some sediment which some people don't like. It uses very coarsely ground coffee that basically steeps in the brewing water for several minutes allowing all the flavours to fully extract from the coffee grinds. The French press style of coffee making produces very rich, aromatic and tasty coffee.

    There are some models of French Press that are insulated which is good for keeping things hot while it steeps. This plunger also serves as the lid. A French press coffee maker has two parts: a straight-sided container usually made of glass, and a filter-plunger that pushes through the water to filter out the coffee after it has steeped.

    DO NOT press it down yet, it needs to steep for about four minutes (a little more or less depending the coarseness of the grind). You should now put the plunger/lid on the pot to help retain heat. You may wish to stir the coffee grinds around to be sure all of them are in contact with water. When ready, empty the carafe, add your coffee, and then add your brewing water. To brew coffee with a French Press, you should pre-heat the carafe while you boil your water.

    Just take your time and it will work. The filter can jam on grinds that are too fine. If it doesn't want to go down, simply lift the plunger up slightly and try again. Do not force the plunger. Once you feel the coffee has brewed enough, slowly depress the plunger trapping the grounds on the bottom.

    French Press pots are not well insulated and coffee cools off very quickly. The other main reason to pour your coffee off is to keep it warm. This will quickly ruin your coffee. If you leave the coffee in the French Press it will remain in contact with the grinds and keep brewing. Despite what some may say, it is usually best to decant the coffee into an insulated serving pot.

    Once you've done that you will have some of the most tasty coffee anywhere. Play with the brewing time and grind coarseness until you get the taste that you like best.

    Monday, January 12, 2009

    Your Kitchen Wants to be Sexy - Top 5 Snazzy, Sexy Coffee Makers that are Sensational

    We all like to be sexy, so why not your kitchen? Why not spend some more cash for better longevity, better functionality and sexiness-factor? Sure, you can go to the closest big box store and pick one up for about 20-bucks, but generally the machine is just plain boring. Among these thousands there are differences in price, functionality, warranty and style. When it comes to coffee makers there are thousands to choose from.

    The roasting drum roll please… The top 5 snazzy, sexy and sensational coffee makers for 2005 are:

    It has a 3-year limited warranty. The Cuisinart Grind & Brew - not only in terms of the overall length, but the lid, which is located on top, has to open to pour the water in. 1.

    It has a 1-year limited warranty. It can host many other brands of coffee pods, so you are not just stuck on one kind and it can also make tea. It makes one bold cup of coffee in about a minute. It comes in five snazztacular colors: red, white, black, mango and kiwi. The only bummer with this type of coffee maker is it can't be used in high elevations…or kaboom! The Melitta Javapod One:One, Coffee Pod Machines: This is a space age looking coffee machine which makes one cup at a time. 2.

    An added bonus is its warranty: 3 years, one of the best in the industry. For color and design alone these coffee makers are snazzy, sexy and sensational. The Eclectrics series comes in Intrigue Blue, Apple, Moroccan Red, Sugar (ok, this one's white), Pineapple, Licorice (black) and Seabreeze. Think about this…we pick paint sometimes because we like the name and now you can pick a coffee maker for the same reason. Colors really wow you with intensity. The Hamilton Beach Eclectrics Coffee Makers: These metal beauties come in the most fantastic modern-retro designs and colors. 3.

    4. Kitchen Aid Pro Line 12-cup Coffee Makers: So you like coffee and you like lot's of it. This machine will be your Godsend. It comes with a portable second warmer. This second warmer is great for those winter Sundays, where you can put it on your bedside table to read and drink coffee all day long, without having to get up. It is also great if you want to brew two types of coffee like decaf (it even comes with an orange lid) and regular at the same time. It's made of die-cast metal, has a timer and a two temperature heat setting. For great tasting coffee this gem comes with a Ion exchange water filter. It has a 2-year warranty and if you, for some reason, get a replacement the replacement has a 2-year warranty.

    5. Capresso CoffeeTEAM Luxe Coffee Maker : Capresso coffee and espresso machines are simply the crème de la crème of coffee makers. This pearl has a programmable grind and brew feature, it holds a quarter pound of coffee beans and it has a filter indicator to tell you when your water filter is pooched. It brews to over 200 degrees, so it really extracts the flavor from the beans. It has a one year warranty, but I doubt you will need it. It only comes in black or white.

    It will last longer and it looks good in your home…best of all your coffee will taste better. Do yourself a favor, buy a good coffee maker. There you have it, 5 snazzy, sexy and sensational coffee makers to make your kitchen smile with pride.

    Sunday, January 11, 2009

    Good News for Coffee Drinkers

    Coffee, long known as the drink of choice for college students cramming for that final exam and those cursed to arise early in the morning, may be better for you than you think.

    Trailing coffee and black tea are bananas, dried beans and corn. A study recently released from lead author, University of Scranton in Pennsylvania chemistry professor, Joe Vinson, shows coffee to hold the lead in anti-oxidant absorption against long-time contender black tea.

    This study shows people absorb the highest amount of anti-oxidants from coffee. Usually found in fruits and vegetables, anti-oxidants help to rid the body of free radicals, which cause cancers and heart disease. Anti-oxidants are known for their anti-cancer and anti-aging properties as well as aiding in protection against heart disease.

    Other studies have shown moderate (2-4 cups per day) coffee drinkers lower their risk for certain kinds of cancers as well as six 8-ounce cups of coffee cut the risk of type-2 diabetes as much as 30%.

    Coffee only contains a few types of anti-oxidants while fruits and vegetables contain a variety, which is most beneficial to the human body. However, before you go out and buy stock in your local coffee shop, there's no reason to start calling coffee a new health food.

    In addition some studies link heavy coffee drinking with reduced fertility, other studies show an increase in LDL-cholesterol (the 'harmful' kind). To what degree this actually contribute to heart attacks is a matter of debate.

    People drinking four or more cups per day also have twice the risk of urinary incontinence and women drinking coffee seem to lose more calcium and tend to have less dense bones than non-caffeine drinkers.

    Bon cafetite! All in all most agree that the benefits - at least at moderate consumption levels - outweigh the risks.

    Saturday, January 10, 2009

    The most Ideal Coffee Reviews and the Best ways to View them

    Whilst you are looking for a coffee or related food and drink products it is crucial that you make use of the large number of guides that are made available on many of the coffee focused portals or directories, if you were looking for a german coffee blender or a glass coffee pot then locating some first hand guidance from a coffee specialist is sure to supply you with an advantage over other shoppers of similar food and drink products it is crucial that you make use of the large number of guides that are made available on many of the coffee focused portals or directories, if you were looking for a coffee or related food and drink products it is crucial that you make use of the large number of guides that are made available on many of the coffee focused portals or directories, if you were looking for a coffee or related food and drink items.

    The secret is to locate coffee reviews written by experts who are genuinely interested in this specialized area of food and drink. One word of warning though, be very wary if the so called "coffee specialist" provides a product review but then also has a buying link on the very same page, for instance if by chance you should come across a really great review on Costa Rica Peaberry beans and there is indeed a "purchasing" link then the chances are the author who wrote the review is just selling coffee products and such under a guise.

    The ideal coffee review site will offer a varying range of reviews on topics including how to obtain the best coffee for your needs or best coffee comparisons, furthermore if the reviewer has others on subjects like bunn coffee makers or commercial coffee machines but does not offer the readr any clear means to purchase such food and drink products then obviously this free coffee information is likely to be written by somebody who just writes and checks out the area of coffee products and other items for no financial reasons.

    The coffee companies may often look for reliable review portals the minute they launch a brand new model, lets suppose for a minute some new small coffee vending machines have just been released, it is well worth the manufacturers sending out a free coffee product for review because they can be certain that if the coffee specialist gives their item the ok then sales of their product are bound to increase.

    Finding guides on new coffee merchandise is quite easy to do but the typical food and drink buyer has no idea all, depending on the particular coffee product you need just enter these types of search queries into the search engines but make certain you use inverted comma's, for instance "write ups on mahogony coffee tables" or "insulated coffee pot write ups", this will ensure you unearth the exact reviews you are searching for and with any luck the coffee data you are especially in need of.

    Another great thing about coffee write ups is that if you come across them in food and drink journals then on occasions the products will be offered for free in competitions, remember these kinds of publications are sent a stack of coffee linked products to review, On one occasion myself once won a 3 tier swivel coffee table which I later auctioned to buy a cappuccino mug, this only happened because I was looking for product reports on african coffee beans, product guides are more valuable than you could imagine.

    Friday, January 9, 2009

    Starbucks Coffee Company

    It was important to them that the city of Seattle to have access their coffee. Starbucks Coffee Company was founded in 1971 by three businessmen in Seattle, Washington who had a love for coffee and tea.

    The Starbucks Coffee Company grew slowly but by 1981 had 4 retail stores and a roasting plant that sold whole bean coffee in Seattle only.

    Within 2 months the new store was serving over 700 customers a day and it was selling 3 times more than the whole bean locations. When Starbucks Coffee opened its 6th store in downtown Seattle, the idea had become a hit. By 1983 the marketing manager had a vision of re-creating the magic and romance behind the Italian coffee bar and wanted to test out the concept of selling espresso by the cup.

    In 1987, the owners of Starbucks Coffee Company decided to sell their coffee business along with the name to a group of local investors for $3.7 million.

    Starting from a base of 17 stores in 1987, the company expanded rapidly to Vancouver, Portland and Chicago. The new investors were told that they would open 125 Starbucks coffee stores in the next five years.

    By 1991 Starbucks had expanded into the mail-order catalogue business, licensed airport stores and expanded further into the state of California.

    In 1992 the company went public and after the initial public offering, Starbucks continued to grow at a phenomenal pace that no one had ever seen in the coffee world before. By 1997 the number of Starbucks Coffee stores grew tenfold, with locations in the US, Japan and Singapore.

    Starbucks initiated several successful product and brand extensions including offering coffee on United Airlines flights. They also began selling premium teas through its Tazo Tea Company and offering people the option to purchase starbucks coffee online to enjoy at home.

    They began distributing whole bean and ground coffee to supermarkets through an agreement with Kraft Foods. They also produced premium coffee ice cream with Dreyers. Starbucks even sold CDs in its retail stores.

    Starbucks began turning its name into a household word not through advertising but through word of mouth. In fiscal 2004, Starbucks opened a record 1,344 stores worldwide. The once small regional roaster, Starbucks Coffee Company, now has more than 9,000 locations in 34 countries serving over 20 million customers a week.

    All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2005 Perfect Coffees.com.

    Thursday, January 8, 2009

    Modern Coffee Tables - Art for Your Living Room

    Anyone can buy a coffee table. But, next time you're in the market for a coffee table for your contemporary home, consider purchasing a piece that will do more than hold your magazines and the television remote. There are some wonderful modern coffee tables available that really make a statement in your living room. You may find them to be both functional and your favorite conversation piece.

    Consider, for example, the Japanese style coffee table. From a beautiful Tribeca style, with its contoured glass top and wooden legs, to more traditional Japanese coffee tables that are very low to the ground and come with solid bases in very dark colors, Japanese style modern coffee tables offer style and grace with beautiful modern designs.

    Another great style choice in modern coffee tables is the original Marcel Breuer style, with its silver metal legs and simple black top. His coffee table with attached nesting table design is especially noteworthy. Most famous as a designer of monuments, Breuer's furniture styles are in great demand.

    Consider, also, Curvet's designs in modern coffee tables. His style offers a wide range of choices, including a large coffee table called the "Big Cheese" design that resembles a chunk of Swiss cheese, and a curved glass coffee table that is a true work of art.

    For American modern coffee tables, consider the designs of Ray and Charles Eames. From wooden tables with wire bases to long elliptical tables, modern coffee tables that nod to the Eames style are a classic choice for modern homes.

    Kenshoma also offers unique modern styles that include elements that are somewhat more traditional. Their sea star table includes teak legs and a wicker top, and is a modern coffee table that would also work well in a setting that is somewhat more traditional.

    Exciting styles in modern coffee tables abound. Spend some time shopping around, and you're sure to find a great modern coffee table that complements your home's style beautifully.

    Jennifer Akre, owner of numerous furniture websites, makes it easy to find one of a kind Coffee Tables and End Tables . Learn how to decorate your home in style by clicking the following link: http://www.OnlyTables.com .

    Coffee Tables End Tables http://www.OnlyTables.com

    Wednesday, January 7, 2009

    Diabetes and the Preventive Power of Coffee!

    Theories abound as to why this is the case; however, scientists are now looking at new ways to improve the overall health of those both at risk for and suffering from this disease. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most rapidly accelerating diseases today in terms of number of people afflicted.

    Many of these scientists have found that drinking coffees can significantly reduce the risk and effects of the disease.

    In a recent study done at the Channing Laboratory of the Harvard School of Public Health, at the Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston, Massachusetts, researchers explored the link between long-term coffees consumption and Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    The researchers found that long-term coffees consumption actually reduced insulin resistance, which is the key factor in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study followed over 120,000 men and women for eighteen years.

    They were able to conclude that long-term coffees consumption significantly reduces the risk for Type 2 diabetes mellitus in both men and women and therefore benefits the health of the coffees drinker.

    The results of this study were affirmed in another student by the Department of Molecular Medicine, of the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. Although this study was of a lower scale (7949 subjects), it found similar results.

    If the patient came into the study already suffering from Type 2 diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance (also known as insulin resistance or pre-diabetes), drinking at least 5 cups of coffees a day reduced their insulin resistance.

    This was particularly true for women, who statistically suffer from a larger risk of insulin resistance than men. The health of those who drank coffees also benefited from enhanced insulin response.

    The Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion of the National Public Health Institute; at the University of Helsinki in Helsinki, Finland, also did a study of over 14,000 middle-aged patients to see if there is a relationship between coffees consumption and Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    This study was particularly interesting because the Finnish people have the highest coffees consumption in the world. This study again found that the incidence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus decreased as the coffees consumption increased.

    In doing this study, the researchers found that this relationship existed even when the results were statistically adjusted to account for other risk factors, such as age, smoking, weight, alcohol consumption, and filtered/non-filtered coffees.

    As mentioned previously, women have a higher incidence of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes mellitus than men. That may be why the Department of Medicine at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra in Goteborg, Sweden, concentrated their study on women exclusively.

    When they studied 1361 women with no previous incidence of heart disease or diabetes over a period of twenty years, they found that the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus for women who consumed five or more cups of coffees daily was almost half of that of women who drank three to four cups each day.

    The study also found that it's possible that the coffees had an affect on the women's cholesterol levels, further benefiting their overall health.

    Finally, the Centre for Nutrition and Food Safety at the School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at the University of Surrey in Guildford, United Kingdom, again confirmed the benefit of drinking coffees with regards to reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    This study focused on the coffees effects on the gastrointestinal hormones that help regulate insulin secretion. The study found that caffeinated coffees actually lowered the absorption rate of the glucose, thereby reducing the effects of the Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    Overall, these studies suggest that drinking caffeinated coffees can be beneficial to those looking to reduce their risk of developing or worsening Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    © Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

    Tuesday, January 6, 2009

    Gourmet Coffee - Enjoy Your Coffee Break

    Why not jazz up your morning ritual with cup of rich gourmet coffee. Then it's time to reward yourself with something different. Are you tired of your regular Joe cup of coffee that you start your day with?

    That gourmet meal is probably going to stay at the restaurant unless you invite a chef over but gourmet coffee can be made in the comfort of your own home with just a little practice. The dictionary defines gourmet food like this, "Gourmet food is that which is of the highest quality, perfectly prepared and artfully presented." If you want the highest quality coffee, you can do that at home yourself.

    Stick with the supermarket coffee for when you're rushing off to work. Make it an end of the week tradition. Unless money is no object, why not save the gourmet cup of coffee for the weekends. Gourmet coffee is more expensive than say, supermarket brands but the taste is also much richer.

    Some of the most popular gourmet beans include Kona, Jamaican Blue Mountain, and Sumatra types. Gourmet Coffee beans can be bought by the pound and there are many varieties to choose from. To make your own gourmet coffee start with the beans.

    In the world of wine you have the popular Sonoma wines which come from Kona, Hawaii. In the world of coffee the equivalent would be Kona beans which come from Sonoma Valley in California. Coffee beans are similar to wine in that they name the beans after the region.

    Kona coffee beans are grown in rich volcanic soil and the mild tropical climate of the Kona coffee belt on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It has a wonderfully full, rich and smooth flavor with little or no bitter after taste. Be sure that you buy Kona beans and not a Kona blend. A Kona blend can legally be labeled as Kona with as little as 10% of actual Kona beans in it.

    Next you'll need to grind your beans. Ground coffee begins losing it's flavor once it's exposed to air. So you'll want to grind just enough to make your desired amount. Store any leftover grinds in an air tight container. You'll want to grind you coffee beans very fine but don't pulverize them into dust. If you over grind them the heat and friction will vaporize the oils that give the coffee it's distinct flavor.

    When was the last time you cleaned your coffee maker? A clean coffee maker makes a significant difference in how your coffee tastes. At least once a month pour a mixture of half vinegar and half water into your coffee maker. Let the mix run through the full brew process. Repeat the process again using only water this time to rinse it out. Do this one more time if a vinegar smell is still present.

    Now you're work is done and it's time for the coffee maker to pulls it's weight. Use clean filtered water and fill the coffee maker to the desired level. Use about 6 ounces of water for every 2 heaping tablespoons of coffee. Turn it on and hang around while it brews. You'll want to be there to enjoy the delightful aroma.

    Gourmet coffees can really jazz up your day. And what better way to start a special than that with a special cup of coffee. But every once in a while you should treat yourself to something special. Everyday coffee is perfect for everyday life.

    Monday, January 5, 2009

    Coffee and Depression: Coffee as an Antidepressant?

    You're just trying to get that morning pick me up to get your day going. When you grab that morning cup of java, you're probably not thinking of it as an antidepressant.

    It acts on the central nervous system and has mild antidepressant effects. However, recent studies have shown that java really does function as an antidepressant, raising the spirits of people who regularly drink the stuff.

    Coffee and depression studies have found that drinking coffee reduced the rate of suicide in the large demographic populations observed.

    In this study, a Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program study of 128,934 nurses found that java drinkers were significantly less likely to commit suicide than nondrinkers. The first coffee and depression study that raised the topic of java as an antidepressant was done in 1993.

    The study stated that it could be that the coffee itself had little to do with it, but that people who drink coffee share other characteristics that make them less likely to commit suicide. This Nurse's Health Study on coffee and depression did not go so far as to establish a causal relationship between java drinking and the drop in the suicide rate.

    A second study on coffee and depression, however, confirmed these controversial findings and went farther as to state that it was the coffee that dropped the suicide rate. This study was especially noteworthy, as it was large-scale and adjusted for a wide range of other factors.

    Published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 1996, the study followed more than 86,000 registered nurses in the United States between 34 and 59 years of age for ten years. Dr. Ichiro Kawachi, an epidemiologist at Harvard Medical School who led this study, looked at the data from the Kaiser Permanente study hoping to discount their findings.

    Instead of what he expected to find, he confirmed the original study's results with his own: using coffee as an antidepressant reduced the suicide rate in these nurses.

    Dr. Kawachi discovered that the nurses he studied who drank two to three cups of coffee a day were one-third less likely to commit suicide as those who didn't drink any.

    The nurses who drank more than four cups a day were 58% less likely to commit suicide than their colleagues who drank less. The coffee and depression study of female nurses found eleven suicides among those who drank two to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day, compared with twenty-one cases of suicide among those who said they almost never drank coffee.

    However, Dr. Kawachi and others aren't ready yet to use coffee as an antidepressant for clinical depression. At the minimum, Dr. Kawachi says that his study shows that drinking lots of coffee can't be bad for your health.

    Psychiatrists point out that people must understand that depression isn't simply a state of mind; it is a very serious medical issue that cannot be resolved simply by drinking coffee.

    And cardiologists, while they recommend to their patients with heart and other health problems to steer clear of caffeine, know that it's not good for a patient's mental health to do so immediately in a cold turkey manner. Instead, they recommend bringing down the coffee consumption gradually in order to avoid a severe state of depression due to the drop in caffeine and other antidepressants in coffee.

    Whether it is the caffeine or something else, coffee does seem to have at least a mild antidepressant effect. The caffeine in coffee may have mood-elevating actions through effects on neurotransmitters such as dopamine and acetylcholine.

    It is also possible that coffee drinking has social effects, such as increasing personal contacts and time spent socializing, that might reduce thoughts of suicide.

    © Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

    Sunday, January 4, 2009

    Brewing a Perfect Cup of Coffee

    Brewing a great cup of coffee depends on a number of things such as the quality of the coffee bean, the quality of the water being used, the type of brewing you are doing in order to make the best coffee possible.

    Of course if the grind is too large and the water passes very quickly (like using French press grind in an espresso maker), very little of the caffeine and flavours extracted and will have poor flavour. If coffee is left contacting water for too long for its grind size, unwanted extracts emerge and make the coffee taste bitter. A French press coffee maker can take as much as 4 minutes and uses an extremely coarse grind. Espresso coffee is only exposed to water for 20-40 seconds and as a result is made using extremely fine grind coffee. This means that smaller coffee grinds need less contact with the water, and coarser grinds need longer contact. Generally speaking, the 'soaking' time relates directly to how coarse the coffee is ground.

    Metal filters are also more environmentally friendly than the paper alternative. They also do not alter the taste of the coffee flavour, and some people claim they can taste the paper in the final coffee. They have very fine weave and filter out the coffee grinds very well. Metal filters are normally made from stainless steel or gold plated mesh. However they can absorb some of the coffee flavour, and some people claim they can taste the paper in the final coffee. Paper filters are quite good. Paper filters are the most common, but many people are also using metal varieties. Paper filters are the most common, but many people are also using metal varieties. Not only do they keep the grind out of your cup, but they also control how fast the water passes over the grinds. Of course filters play an important role in managing the balance between over and under brewing your coffee.

    A decent quality metal filter will last years and save money in the end. Cheap filters often clog or not allow the coffee to brew properly. Whichever you choose, be sure to buy decent quality.

    Start with fresh beans and good clean water and then match your brewing style to the proper grind and then mess around with the exact proportions and pretty soon your be brewing killer coffee every time. Brewing a great cup takes a little more understanding, but isn't any harder. Brewing a cup of coffee is not that hard.

    Saturday, January 3, 2009

    A Unique Marketing Spin for a Coffee Shop

    Three business partners contacted me about creating a marketing plan for a coffee shop something extra would have to be added.

    Since they had already signed the lease on the location that was to large to succeed as just a coffee shop I created a plan for the coffee shop to be used as a place for community service groups, discussion groups, art and theatre groups, and special interest groups. I convinced them to follow a plan that I created that would solve the extra space problem for them. I met with the three partners where I discussed my concerns about there new business venture.

    The coffee shop will have a part time program director who will work with the various groups to help facilitate community meetings and set up interesting forums and discussion groups, and to provide other entertainment for the college students. the coffee house will strive to become a meeting place for various community groups, organizations, associations, and a place for college students to meet after classes. After 9:30 A.M. In the morning it will offer coffee, cappuccino, and breakfast muffins and an assortment of pastries to the people in the morning, 65% who are professional. I arranged for the coffee shop to operate a two-prong strategy.

    The coffee shop will set its pricing approximately 25 percent below typical Starbucks' pricing. To capitalize on this the coffee shop set up a separate espresso station, with instruction on how to make a great espresso. The shops with the best tasting drinks did five to ten times the business of shops with average tasting espresso. I conducted some research on successful coffee shops and found that the espresso machines contribute well over 50 percent to a coffee shop's revenue and even more to its profits.

    Two employees along with the manager were trained in the proper technique of making specialty coffee drinks. I suggested that the coffee shop purchased a high-end cappuccino coffeemaker that has a shiny copper and bronze exterior that can be set out in a separate station to attract interest to specialty coffees. I suggested that the coffee shop is the merchandising and taste of its specialty drinks, which involves having the right coffeemaker and coffee, and people who understand the art of making good coffee. I suggested that the coffee shop is the merchandising and taste of its specialty drinks, which involves having the right coffeemaker and coffee, and people who understand the art of making good coffee. The key to the coffee shop is the merchandising and taste of its specialty drinks, which involves having the right coffeemaker and coffee, and people who understand the art of making good coffee.

    I worked with the part time program and sales director with finding groups and creating groups that will hold meetings in the coffee shop. A discount was offered to any group or individual who would bring in groups. I created a web site explaining what the coffee shop has to offer, and what meetings are taking place and how they can attend these meetings. The coffee shop will send out coupons to groups offering a 25-percent-off discount.

    I bought a list from a list broker of organizations, associations, and local community groups in the area. I wrote solicitation letters to them explaining what services the coffee shop had to offer. I created online discussion groups that would involve potential clients for the coffee shop. Articles were written for on line publication for the organizations, associations, and local community groups that held meetings at the coffee shop. These articles contained links to the web site for the coffee shop that would list the upcoming events and discussions that would be held at the coffee shop. Print ads were also taken out in a small local publication that the targeted market reads.

    You must promote your success to get new business. I got permission from the clients who are using the coffee shop for meetings to use there names in the next set of ads that will run, and on the new web site. The coffee shop had 8 regular groups, organizations, and associations holding weekly meetings in the coffee shop. The coffee shops morning business was doing 10 percent better that was forecasted. After about 5 months the results of these marketing efforts had paid off.

    Friday, January 2, 2009

    Mocha Coffee: Learn About the Source and Try Our Recipes for Making Great Mochas

    Depending on how we look at it, mocha coffee may be the tall drink made of coffee, cocoa and milk, often served with cream or, on the other hand mocha coffee may refer to the source.

    Grown along steep terraced hillsides at an altitude of anywhere from 3,000 to 7,000 feet, the harvested fruit is a small, hard coffee bean. No doubt about it, for one reason or another, it is know the world over. Some connoisseurs consider the Yemeni beans the best that money can buy. Yemen is the source of true Mocha coffee.

    No doubt about it, authentic Mocha coffee is a pleasure to drink. Due to the harsh hot dry climate, the coffee beans are as unique as its distinct taste. From the varieties available Mocha Sanani and Mocha Mattari are considered the finest. The name itself originates from the Yemeni port town on the Red Sea.

    So, whilst many people may not be totally familiar with the origins of Mocha coffee, I think most people have heard about or tried and fallen in love with the drink.

    Make your own Mocha coffee and enjoy the unique flavor and aroma

    Make your own Mocha coffee and enjoy the unique flavor and aroma

    Mocha coffee is really easy to make and we are pleased to offer a couple of recipes to get you on your way. Basically all you need to do is add cocoa, sugar and milk to hot coffee, perhaps experiment with some other tastes and drink. Others prefer to actually mix the cocoa, sugar, milk and coffee in a saucepan and heat until it starts to simmer.

    At this point, try adding a little vanilla extract. Pout into cups or glasses and top with whipped cream and cinnamon. The taste will surprise you, you will find the flavor wonderfully rich and very aromatic. In order to make things a little easier, these are the list of ingredients for two servings.

  • 2 cups of coffee
  • 1/3 cup of cocoa
  • 2 cups of milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup of whipping cream
  • dash of cinnamon
  • 2 cups of coffee
  • 1/3 cup of cocoa
  • 2 cups of milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup of whipping cream
  • dash of cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup of cocoa
  • 2 cups of milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup of whipping cream
  • dash of cinnamon
  • 2 cups of milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup of whipping cream
  • dash of cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup of whipping cream
  • dash of cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup of whipping cream
  • dash of cinnamon
  • dash of cinnamon
  • Prepare the ingredients as mentioned above and the results will be a fantastic Mocha coffee that will put any coffee house's version to shame.

    Thursday, January 1, 2009

    How To Clean A Coffee Maker

    Drip coffee makers need to be cleaned at least once a month to keep your coffee tasting good. Ever wonder how to clean a coffee maker the right way?

    Cleaning your coffee maker takes away hard water deposits, old oils from previously brewed pots and other impurities that can make your coffee taste bad.

    Mix a full pot of the vinegar and water mixture, pour it in your water reservoir and turn the coffee maker on. A mixture of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water is the best way to clean a drip coffee maker.

    Once the mixture has run completely through, turn the drip coffee maker off and let it cool for 15 to 20 minutes.

    If you are cleaning a coffee maker that hasn't been cleaned regularly, repeat this step again with a fresh vinegar and water mixture. If you are cleaning a coffee maker that hasn't been cleaned regularly, repeat this step again with a fresh vinegar and water mixture down the drain. If you are cleaning a coffee maker that hasn't been cleaned regularly, repeat this step again with a fresh vinegar and water mixture down the drain. Pour the vinegar and water mixture down the drain.

    Next, rinse the pot out thoroughly with warm, plain water. Then, fill the water reservoir again with clean water and turn the coffee maker on to start the rinsing process.

    To make sure all of the vinegar and water solution is completely gone repeat the rinsing process one more time after letting the pot cool for 15 to 20 minutes.

    This is how to clean a coffee maker the right way. Cleaning your drip coffee maker on a monthly basis will make it last longer and keep your coffee tasting the best it can possibly be.

    All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2005 Perfect Coffees.com.

    Blogger template 'Blackorwhite' by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008