Man Who Loves Coffee

History of Coffee: Part II - Spread of Coffee to Europe

2010-01-31T10:09:00.001+07:00

It was not until 1615, that Europe was formally introduced to coffee. Venetian traders, who had strong trade links with the Levant (historical term referring to a large area of the Middle East incorporating the countries of: Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria), started to import coffee into Italy. Once in Europe, the consumption of coffee soon spread. However, the introduction of coffee into Europe was not without its controversy. According to many accounts, a group of Christian clerics tried to have coffee banned before it had become widely available. They came to Pope Clement VIII (1535-1605), claiming that coffee was for Satan's followers, and that Christians who drank it might lose their souls to the Devil. But before Pope Clement would ban coffee he insisted on tasting it. After drinking his first cup, the Pope was so impressed with the flavour, that he reasoned that such a drink could not possibly be the work of Satan and instead declared that coffee should be baptized to make it a true Christian drink.

The first person recorded in history to brew coffee in England was an international student named Nathaniel Conopios from Crete, who was studying at Balliol College, Oxford. This simple act, which happened in May 1637, was recorded by both; scholar John Evelyn and historian Anthony Wood. Although, shortly afterwards Conopios was expelled from college, his influence had a lasting effect on Oxford, as it was in Oxford that the first English coffeehouse was opened in 1650 by Jacob, a Lebanese Jew. Even though Jacob moved to London a few years later to repeat his success, he had begun a trend that saw many more coffeehouses open in Oxford during that decade.

The most significant of these coffeehouses, was the one open by Arthur Tillyard in 1655. Tillyard's coffeehouse became a meeting point for a group who were known as the Oxford Coffee Club. This group was made up of Oxford's leading scientists, including Sir Robert Boyle, and their students, who would meet to discuss their theories and research and share ideas. It is from the Oxford Coffee Club which the world famous Royal Society, one of the leading scientific societies in the world, evolved from.

The first coffeehouse in London was opened in 1652 by an Armenian man named Pasqua Rosée. Originally brought to London as a servant by the merchant Daniel Edwards, Rosée served coffee each morning to Edwards' house guests. Curiosity about the new drink soon spread through Edwards' friends, and the number of visitors to Edwards' house steadily grew over time. There was so much excitement created by Rosée's brew that Edwards eventually decided to financially back Rosée in opening a coffeehouse at St Michael's Alley in Cornhill. As with Oxford, the idea soon took off, and by 1715 there were as many as 2,000 coffeehouses around London.

One of the world's largest insurance companies, Lloyds of London, started as a coffeehouse on Tower Street in 1688. Opened by Edward Lloyd, it primarily served seafarers and merchants. Lloyd would circulate amongst his customers creating a list of what ships were carrying, their schedules, and their insurance needs. This list drew underwriters to his coffeehouse to sell insurance to those who needed it and merchants so they could keep track of the ships.

It is thought that the custom of tipping originated in English coffeehouses. There would often be a small box hung near the counter in establishments with the words "To Insure Promptness" (TIP) inscribed on them. Customers would drop a coin in the box to encourage swift service.

The early growth of coffeehouses was largely due to support by doctors, promoting coffee for its supposed healing abilities. Before the introduction of coffeehouses, there was a widespread problem with public drunkenness as beer was consumed with almost every meal. But with public knowledge of the health benefits of coffee, and with coffee being significantly cheaper then beer, coffeehouses began to replace the tavern as the meeting place of choice. Needless to say, tavern owners were not going to let their profits dwindle without a fight, and many of the most aggressive attacks against coffee came from them. They claimed that coffee was an Arabic drink not suitable for well-mannered Christian men, unlike beer which had been brewed by Monks' for centuries.

Tavern owners were not the only group to attack coffee. Women upset that their man would spent more time at the coffeehouse then at home with them, soon started to protest. In 1674, the ‘Women's Petition against Coffee' was published. In this document women protested that coffee reduced the male sperm count and would lead to a decline in the population: "coffee makes a man as barren as the dessert out of which this unlucky berry has been imported; that since its coming the offspring of our mighty forefathers are on the way to disappear as if they were monkeys and swine." It was understandable that women were aggrieved, as at the time they were banned from setting foot in a coffeehouse. However, this did not stop the ‘Men's Answer to the Women's Petition against Coffee' being published later that year. The document defended coffee claiming that women should be thankful for coffee, as it was in fact an aphrodisiac.

James Grierson is the owner of Galla Coffee: http://www.gallacoffee.co.uk - Uk online retailer of designer coffee accessories. Through the Coffee Knowledge section of his website he aims to help people understand more about coffee and give them tips on how to make great tasting coffee in their home.

http://www.gallacoffee.co.uk

Which Coffee Maker? Grinding Out the Answer

2010-01-30T10:09:00.001+07:00

Sure, the No, not how it was brewed but how it was that you are able to drink a cup of coffee. Sure, the coffee machine plays an important role in making your perfectly brewed cup of coffee, but just how did that coffee maker first come about, or how did the first person who ever sipped the first cup of coffee have you ever wondered how your cup of coffee have you ever wondered how your cup of coffee came about? No, not how it was brewed but how it was brewed but how it was that you are able to drink a cup of coffee. Sure, the coffee machine plays an important role in making your perfectly brewed cup of coffee, but just how did that coffee maker first come about, or how did the first person who ever sipped the first cup of coffee came about? No, not how it was that you are able to drink a cup of coffee. When you stop at the convenience store or at a local coffee shop for your morning cup of coffee have you ever wondered how your cup of coffee have you ever wondered how your cup of coffee came about?

I wonder what kind of coffee machine they have. Do you know they even drink coffee on the Space Shuttle? Well that is of no consequence because since that life altering decision man has been enjoying coffee in many different cultures, different countries and different places. One has to wonder why he himself decided to give the berries a try. Legend goes back to a lonely sheep herder in Ethiopia who noticed his sheep acting strangely every time they ate certain red berries from a certain bush.

Talking about grinding the beans there are also two types of coffee grinders; burr and blade grinders, both serve the purpose equally well, so the type of grinder you have does not affect your cup of coffee. Grinding your beans before you start percolating your coffee ensures you get the most out of the bean. Apparently the best part of the coffee bean is found deep within it therefore pre-ground, once the package is opened loses that rich coffee aroma. Coffee drinkers also advise against buying pre-ground coffee, pre-grinding diminishes the coffee flavor and aroma. The coffee drinker is in charge of the roasting level; medium or dark roast. Roasting machines allow coffee drinkers to buy premium coffee beans at discount prices and roast them at home. You can even roast your own coffee beans with the Home coffee roaster machines. Start with great coffee beans. Not necessarily.. The one million dollar question is exactly what makes a good cup of coffee?

Shopping for coffee makers

Remember to look online, you can find many discount coffee makers. How much you are willing to spend on seeking the perfect cup of coffee. Take into consideration how much and how often you drink coffee. Choose a coffee machine that suits your needs. There are filter coffee makers that make both cappuccino and filter coffee. There are three different types of coffee makers.

Whether you enjoy your coffee with or without cream or whether you enjoy a robust and flavorful cup of black coffee remember to thank that lowly sheep herder who took a risk and ate the first coffee bean.

Are Coffee Colonics The Real Thing?

2010-01-29T10:09:00.001+07:00

Some people claim that they provide immediate relief to toxicity symptoms, such as congestion, indigestion, pain and headaches. Coffee colonics detoxify the liver, as well as cleans the colon.

There are even some small studies that suggest that coffee colonics can aid in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

There is a special circulatory system between this portion of the colon and the liver. At the very end of the colon, before reaching the rectum, is an "S" shaped segments called the sigmoid colon.

This is because stool at this point in the colon contains putrefied material and needs to be handled carefully in order to avoid toxicity leaking into the bloodstream.

This system of veins enables toxins to be sent directly to the liver for detoxification, rather than them passing through the bloodstream to the rest of the body and vital organs.

During coffee colonics, the caffeine in the coffee goes straight to the liver where it becomes an extremely strong detoxifying chemical called glutathione-S-transferase. The coffee itself also stimulates the liver to make more bile.

The bile comes from the gallbladder and draws out environmental and metabolic toxins, as well as the toxins from Candida albicans and other parasitic organisms. The colon is responsible for ridding the body of these toxins.

In addition, the liver is then stimulated to produce enzymes that clean the blood since it's no longer needing to work as strenuously on the colon. The coffee itself never enters the bloodstream as long as the coffee colonic is performed properly.

Only organic coffee can be used for coffee colonics. Non-organic coffees contain herbicides and pesticides that will hinder the coffee colonics healing properties, as do instant and decaffeinated coffees.

Organic coffee is available through natural food stores, both in person or online.

How often you perform coffee colonics really just depends on what your goals may be. In the first few months of a more intensive regimen, many people prefer to take a coffee colonics as many as three to seven times each.

For people in a more relaxed regimen or in the latter, established stages of an intensive regimen, this is much too much.

At this point, it is recommended that you limit your colonics to only when you feel they are needed; you may feel constipated, have Candida overgrowth, or just generally feel out of sorts.

Currently, there is a clinical trial underway at the Columbia University Department of Surgery to test the so-called "The Gonzales Protocol."

(1) This clinical trial is currently in its Phase III randomized study after the first two phases showed as much as three times the average life expectancy for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

(2) The Gonzales Protocol involves a diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, supplements, and detoxifying colonics, including coffee colonics.

In this study of seventy-two to ninety patients, half will receive standard chemotherapy and half with receive The Gonzales Protocol. The doctor hopes to recreate the promising results found in his pilot study in this more involved Phase III clinical trial.

While many within the medical community find The Gonzales Protocol extremely difficult to accept, it's difficult to dispute its pilot study's results.

The median survival rate for patients in the stage of pancreatic cancer as those in the pilot study is four to six months. Some of Dr. Gonzalez's patients are still alive after three years.

This indisputable evidence has led some skeptics to acknowledge that maybe there's something to the protocol that includes coffee colonics as a base part of the program. If nothing else, the skeptics feel that the results warrant further study.

Coffee Is A Historic Beverage, And It Makes For A Great Gift

2010-01-28T10:10:00.001+07:00

So where did this famed drink come from? We drink it out of habit, we drink it for flavor; whatever the reason, it is surely a popular beverage. For some of us, it keeps us up during the day, or for late night study sessions. a fantastic dark beverage that wakes us up in the morning. Ahhhhh, coffee...

However, Homer, and according to Arabian tales speak of a mysterious bitter black beverage with powers of stimulation that could have been this drink. The most notable dates point to around 800b.c. In the East it was widespread at every level of society, since the earlier era. Coffee, for Americans, is three hundred years old.

From there it spread to Egypt, Yemen, and Arabia, where it became a part of daily life. No matter how it actually was created, the fact remains that the coffee plant started in Africa, in an Ethiopian region known as Kaffa. After relating his observations to a monk, they boiled the berries and made a beverage that could disperse sleep and weariness. In 1400 a Yemeni goat herder observed his flock eating reddish berries, then becoming excited and restless. About the year 1000, coffee was being used for medicinal purposes.

By the 20th century, various forms of coffee were developed for the public. Much later, around 1727 coffee growing started in Northern Brazil. However, due to an increasing demand for the new beverage, and high taxes on shipping, there was experimentation with growing the crops in various other countries. In the late 1500s coffee was a commodity, being sold in Europe.

This was marketed in the 1920s. They developed the process of taking the caffeine out of the beans without losing any flavor. Decaffeinated coffee was first founded in 1903 when Ludwig Roselius, a German coffee importer, gave a batch of damaged coffee beans to researchers.

Instant coffee was first mass produced from the invention of George Constant Washington, an English chemist living in Guatemala. While waiting for his wife one day to join him outside for coffee, he observed on the spout of the silver coffee urn, a fine powder, which looked to be the condensation of the coffee vapors. This excited him and led to his founding of soluble coffee.

In 1906 he started experiments and put his invention, Red E Coffee, in the markets in 1909. Nestle', in 1938, trying to aid Brazil with their coffee surpluses created freeze-dried coffee. Nescafe was started and first introduced into Switzerland. Instant coffee became a fad after 1956 when commercial television was the new craze.

And now in the US alone, 400 billion cups of coffee a year are consumed. Coffee is one of the world's largest commodities, second only to oil. From a remote area in Africa, to millions of shelves and homes worldwide, coffee has became a fixture everywhere.

The author has been a passionate coffee drinker for many years. She has tasted coffees from all over the world, and believes in serving and entertaining her guests with only the best.

She has catered hundreds of events and affairs and is known for her attention to details, especially regarding picking the perfect coffee.

Coffee Maker Parts — Get to the Basics

2010-01-27T10:10:00.001+07:00

Many different types of coffee makers exist—percolators, automatic drip-brew, etc.—but, because of the basic concept of water passing through coffee grounds or beans to create coffee, the coffee maker parts are very similar with each type.

Along the back of the heat pad a sometimes wide rectangular-shaped cylinder for water stock rises to an extended slip with a track underneath to support a filter cup. In terms of coffee maker parts, the basic coffee maker consists of a base, called a heat pad, on which sites a glass or ceramic pot.

Most machines, those differing slightly from brand to brand or make to make, are comprised with these five coffee maker parts: heat pad, water-stock cylinder, a slip with open flap and track, a filter cup, and a coffee pot. This slip typically has an opening with a flap at the top for pouring the water into the cylinder.

This white pocket of paper-like interwoven fiber is sometimes zigzag-creased and sometimes smooth, but it is always thick and heavy enough to support the weight of coffee grounds. Of course, a list of the coffee maker parts wouldn't be complete without mentioning the filter itself.

As exemplified by the convenience of the filter, the coffee maker parts in general work together to make that great rich cup of smoldering coffee - the best ever inhaled! After use, both soggy filter and coffee grounds are thrown away, so cleaning the filter for reuse is unnecessary. As exemplified by the convenience of the filter is that it is only used once. After use, both soggy filter and coffee grounds are thrown away, so cleaning the filter for reuse is unnecessary. As exemplified by the convenience of the filter is that it is only used once. After use, both soggy filter and coffee grounds are thrown away, so cleaning the filter for reuse is unnecessary. One innovative convenience of the filter is that it is only used once.

The process of brewing coffee, in the context of the relationship between the coffee maker parts, is a simple and easy process: Cold water is poured through the flap on the top of the slip and stored in the back cylinder until the machine is heated up.

When the water is at the right temperature and the pad at the bottom of the machine is hot, the water in the cylinder is channeled through the slip and down into the coffee grounds within the filter. Coffee then fills the otherwise empty pot below.

Only a few parts need to conduct this process efficiently, and when each part is working properly, the process is good-to-go! These coffee maker parts work like a snap—one, two, three!

Gourmet Coffee – You Can't Resist The Second Cup

2010-01-26T10:10:00.001+07:00

Could you ever resist the craving to have a second cup of that beautiful, strongly aromatic and lazily steaming cup of coffee? Perhaps no one can do it. A passionate Gourmet's delight, freshly brewed, thick and dark brown and irresistible coffee just brightens up your day like no other drink or anything else can do.

Why Is Gourmet Coffee So Special

One might be tempted to ask why gourmet coffee is so special. Well, here is the answer. For starters, gourmet coffee is always made by high quality fresh Arabica coffee beans which are always hand picked unlike other commercial coffees which are mostly machine graded. Hand picking of coffee beans eliminate chances for dirt such as twigs, leaves etc to sneak in and spoil your coffee.

Secondly, gourmet coffee beans are specially treated with oils after roasting which enhances its flavor to no end. The oil used for coffee bean treatment is a blend of many natural oils which do not have their adverse effect on the shelf life or stability of the ground powder unlike synthetic oils. The oils are so mixed that their characteristic flavors neutralize each other.

You can have different tailor made roast for your gourmet coffee. Deep roasted beans some what loose their natural aroma and this is why you feel the ‘roasted flavor' when drinking it. Rather you would prefer a lighter roasting which retains its entire natural aroma.

Arabica coffee beans are ground to the exact perfection of fineness to get its best taste. But generally a finer grind results in a full-bodied cup of coffee, but as many would like it, coarser grinds are preferred to make coffee with coarse filters.

Finer grinds are preferred by those who like espresso but true lovers of gourmet coffee will almost invariably go with the coarse ground coffee powder as boiled water takes its own sweet time to pull out the flavor completely, especially in drip type filters.

Arabica coffee beans are never stored in warehouses as they are dispatched quickly after harvesting. It is the same story after roasting and grinding them, too. The beans from Arabica trees are, by nature, tastier than Robusta, another cheaper variety.

To its credit, Robusta coffee bean offers you higher caffeine content along with that characteristic acidic taste. Another little known fact is some marketers mix a small percentage of Robusta with gourmet coffee beans.

NamSing Then is a regular article contributor on many topics. Be sure to visit his other websites Coffee Resources , Coffee Grinder and Tea Resources

Coffee Resources Coffee Grinder Tea Resources

Kona Coffee: the Pride of Hawaii

2010-01-20T10:10:00.001+07:00

Coffee is one of the most important commodities the world over. This byproduct of coffee cherries and coffee beans has remained one of the most popular beverages.

From the time that it originated from Ethiopia centuries ago, coffee has become a household basic - something that people cannot do without.

There are two basic coffee variants: one is the traditional Arabica, and the other is Robusta coffee. Many coffee enthusiasts agree that the former has a stronger flavor than the latter, so it tastes better.

This is because Arabica coffee contains beans in its purest form - rather than Robusta coffee which only has half of the caffeine amount that can be found in Arabica coffee variants.

Due to the high demand of Arabica coffee in the industry, many rare coffee variants found only in certain places have found a niche market.

Hawaii's Kona Coffee

Aside from the gorgeous beaches, lush forests and warm people, another thing that Hawaiians are proud of is a coffee variant that is solely produced in their islands, which is the Kona coffee.

Kona is a part of the Hawaiian archipelago where this special coffee variant is grown. Kailua-Kona is the largest town in the district, and it has two districts: the northern and southern districts of Kona.

On the Dry Side of the Island

The word Kona literally means on the dry side of the land. Kona coffee if therefore grown on the dry side of Big Island, which is the largest among all the Hawaiian islands.

There are two districts which divide Kailua-Kona, and Kona coffee grows primarily on the West side of the Hawaiian archipelago.

This location, as well as the climate, makes Hawaii an ideal setting to grow Kona coffee, which has become a world-class coffee variant.

What makes coffee plants in Kona unique from other coffee plants in the world are:

1. The ideal location

Hawaii is basically a group of islands formed by volcanic slopes. Kona coffee if grown along the rocky volcanic slopes of Mount Lona and Mount Hualalai.

2. The ideal climate

Due to the tropical climate in Hawaii, the mornings are almost always warm and sunny. During the afternoon, there is a slight mist which befalls the islands, further nurturing the coffee plants.

3. The meticulous care of coffee farmers.

Most of the coffee farmers in Hawaii rely on the basic hand-picking method, ensuring the freshness of the freshly-gathered coffee cherries.

Some coffee producers use modern machinery to ensure fast harvesting when the coffee cherries are mature enough. However, a machine cannot give out the personal touch that farmers can give during harvesting.

A machine may not recognize overripe or immature coffee beans, and put them all together once harvested. This results in an impure coffee blend once the beans are processed.

On the other hand, a hand-picked batch of coffee cherries is assured of almost 100 per cent quality.

Kona coffee is also an Arabica blend, making it a truly premier coffee variant that Hawaiians can proudly offer to the world.

Dave Poon is an accomplished writer who specializes in the latest in Food and Drink. For more information regarding Kona Coffee please drop by at http://www.hotcoffeeplus.com/

Kona Coffee http://www.hotcoffeeplus.com/

How to Make a Good Cup of Coffee

2009-10-23T10:10:00.001+07:00

There is one thing that most adults love first thing in the morning, a cup of good coffee. Nothing tastes better than a hot coffee, that is made well. There are a few things that go into great tasting coffee. I will explain what it needs to give you what you want, the best coffee possible.

First off, is the coffee grind, this is very important for a number of reasons. For starters you should realize that the finer the coffee grind, the more flavor that can be extracted from the same volume. It's important to buy the grind as fine as possible, or if you own your own coffee grinder that you grind it properly.

It is also important for you to follow the instructions outlined with your coffee maker or espresso machine. You should measure the water and coffee according to the number of cups you need to make, this will ensure you are adding the right amount of water in conjunction with the coffee grind. Another tip to consider, that many people don't realize is that if you reheat your coffee it will have a bitter taste. Coffee always tastes best when it is freshly made, reheating it the next day will give you less than favorable results.

I was mentioning the right amount of water to use, but it's also to important to use the right type of water. To get the best possible taste, you should use cold water that has been filtered through a water filter. Some people recommend actually using ice when brewing coffee, this is also supposed to enhance the flavor, never tried it myself though.

After the coffee is brewed, you add sugar but how much and what type? I recommend using light brown rather than refined white sugar, personally I think it gives the coffee a more enhanced flavor. Some people enjoy a little bit of milk in their coffee, make sure to warm up the milk, cold milk detracts from the hot coffee experience.

I have also read that adding just a pinch of salt to the coffee grounds will actually enhance the coffee flavor, this method is supposed to take out the bitterness out of your coffee. I haven't used that tip as of yet. And remember to clean your coffee machine thoroughly after after each and every use this will also give you a better tasting cup of coffee.

Lastly, the type of coffee bean you choose is very important. The coffee beans that you choose should be well roasted, not burned! For the best results I prefer to use 100% arabica beans, but this is just personal preference more than anything.

Chris Vorelli is a writer, providing info on all types of

Coffee Brewing Methods: Is Your Coffee Brewer Just a Drip?

2009-02-27T10:09:00.001+07:00

Each night, millions of us coffee lovers pile heaping tablespoons of our favorite gourmet coffees into those paper filters, fill the tank of our coffee makers with water and set the timer so that our coffee is ready and waiting first thing in the morning. For most of us, brewing up our morning cup of coffee is more than just a necessity, it is a matter of convenience.

But why would anyone spend good money on the finest gourmet coffee beans or fresh ground gourmet coffees and use just any home coffee maker.

So if you are like me and you enjoy the finest gourmet and specialty coffees available, then you must also believe that they deserve the best and most reliable coffee brewing equipment available.

Here is a quick list of the most popular coffee brewing methods & equipment starting from the best:

French Press The French press coffee maker (or press pot) is universally recognized as the best brewing method, allowing for the truest coffee taste and aroma. This method actually brews the coffee in the hot water (as opposed to drip machines which only pass the water through the coffee and a filter). After a few minutes of brewing, a metal filter is pressed through the brew catching the coffee grinds and then trapping them at the bottom of the carafe. What is left over is full-bodied coffee with all its aroma and essences.

French Press

One of the main advantages to using a French press, other than great coffee taste, is the amount of control you have. You can control the water temperature (which incidentally should be around 190 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that drip makers do not achieve), you can control the amount of coffee you want to add, and you can control the brew time. Four minutes of brew time and 30 seconds of "plunging" time is considered best.

Another great feature about the French press is that it is extremely portable and only requires hot water. You can take it camping or use it in places with limited kitchen space, like a boat or an RV. Some press pots can also be used to brew loose leaf teas in the same manner.

As an aside, you shouldn't leave your brewed coffee in the press-pot with the grounds after you brew it! Either consume it or transfer it to a carafe, preferably a thermal carafe.

Vacuum Brewer Vacuum brewers aren't very common, but they make coffee just about as well as a French press since the coffee and water are brewing together. A vacuum brewer has an upper and a lower chamber connected by a tube with a small filter inside. Coffee grounds are placed in the upper chamber, and water is placed in the lower chamber. As the lower chamber is heated, the water rises up to meet the coffee in the upper chamber where the brewing begins. After brewing, the water (now coffee) cools and seeps back down into the lower chamber leaving the used coffee grinds behind in the upper chamber. Ideally, the upper chamber is removed and the lower chamber is used as a decanter for the finished coffee.

Vacuum Brewer

Vacuum brewers can be electric, stovetop, or even used over a sterno can for dramatic tabletop brewing!

The Toddy Maker The toddy maker or Cold-Brew Coffee Maker uses an unusual cold-brewing method that creates a coffee concentrate. This concentrate is then mixed with hot water to make coffee. The concentrate can be stored in a refrigerator and used to make one cup at a time if you so desire. This method produces a low-acid coffee, which is doctor recommended for coffee drinkers with stomach conditions.

The Toddy Maker

Although this method of coffee brewing is sounds a bit odd, the result in taste is pleasantly surprising. One drawback is the amount of time it takes to brew. A good idea is to brew the coffee overnight. Once brewed, the concentrate can produce more than just one pot of coffee, so it's not a nightly event for a great cup of morning coffee!

Drip Grind Coffee Makers Drip Grind coffee makers are the most common and usual coffee brewing method that we are familiar with.

Drip Grind Coffee Makers

In this method, water is dripped over and passes through the coffee grinds and a filter and is caught by the coffee pot below. Despite being the most common brew method it also happens to be the one which produces a coffee brew with the least amount of flavor and aroma.

There are generally 2 filter options for the drip grind coffee makers.

Permanent filters : are just what they say, permanent. They are usually gold-plated so they don't add any unwanted metallic taste to your coffee, resistant to corrosion so they are dishwasher safe and economical because they don‘t need replacing. Permanent filters are preferred because they allow for better coffee taste as opposed to the second filter option, paper filters.

Permanent filters Permanent filters

Paper filters are the most common filter choice for the drip grind coffee makers. Unfortunately, paper filters can filter out more than just coffee grinds. Flavorful oils can be left behind in the filter and not make it to the finished coffee brew resulting in less coffee flavor and aroma. Since permanent filters allow for more liquid to pass through, the end result is a more flavorful cup.

Paper filters Paper filters

If you are one of these people, don‘t just splurge on gourmet coffee's, get a small French press maker, start experimenting and experience the truest coffee flavor & aroma in each cup. Since, mornings usually need to be made quick and simple, most people have never had their coffee brewed any other way. As you can see, the most common brew method happens to be the one which produces the least amount of coffee flavor and aroma.

The Local Coffee Shop

2009-02-26T10:09:00.001+07:00

How about restaurants, parks, malls or my favourite, the local coffee shops? What I would like to share here is to keep a real look out and be totally aware of the possible gig locations and don't limit yourself. Many musicians complain about the lack of gigs they have, but when I ask them to look closely at the type of venue they are searching, the repeated pattern seems to be clubs, stadiums, concert halls and pubs.

Make it your second residence! Depending on the venue, you can drop in several times and build links with staff and get a feel for the type of customers that come there. Coffee shops are the next link in the chain of great gigs.

Drinking coffee Depending on the type of music, coffee shops represent the perfect venue for musicians to meet with their perfect audience, and if they are your right audience, what must your audiences be doing if they're not watching you?

I personally like these places because it's nice and cosy, allowing you to build deeper relationships with the crowds. It's like the middle space, or the third space. Coffee shops are great place for people who want a break from both work and home.

You can guarantee most of them will be at your event. By placing several posters in the coffee shops were the same people go everytime between home and work, it is something they can't miss, and are definitely going to remember. If people see your name several times, they remember it, and create a link in their mind. Something that works day in, day out is the power of repetition.

So how do you get booked?

It's important to target the right show for the right venue. If you play acoustic guitar and sing with a soft voice, don't go to a coffee where staff shout to customers that their order is ready.

Also pay attention to the peak and off-peak times at the coffee shop as you can use this to your advantage really easily. If you play in the morning when it's peak time and attract many customers for the shop, you'll notice that the lunch area may be very low in customers, so pitched correctly, you could ask the shop management if you could play in the afternoon, and attract the customers that way.

Don't expect to be paid by the coffee shop management, but one way to grow your audience is to collect mailing list signups. This way you can inform them by post or e-mail where you are next because there will definitely want to be a part of your music.

The most important thing is that you have already built up great relationships so that you can emphasise how you will bring more people to their place.

Â© Kavit Haria, The Musicians' Coach

A Coffee Roaster For All Occasions

2009-02-25T10:10:00.001+07:00

A good coffee roaster has begun to take on a glamorous aura. Coffee roasters and those who roast, brew and serve the ultimate cup of coffee are now esteemed professionals within the social fabric of our community at large.

So, because roasting is everywhere, how do you choose the coffee roaster for you? The professional barista is a now fiercely competitive industry and cafes and restaurants across the globe fight to retain the barista that can produce a coffee that will have customers returning time and time again. But there is a cafÃ© on almost every street corner or every suburb now and every barista thinks of him or herself as the best roaster on the block.

Your first question is whether you're looking for a retail roaster to feed your coffee habit because you are a die hard coffee lover.

They will send you a number of coffee varieties each month for a small fee and this gives you the opportunity to try out blends and pure coffees to see what you prefer. It might take you some time to research this and you might want to join a coffee club so that you can do some extensive taste testing. Once you have found the coffee beans that you like you can then search for that specific bean. One approach is to decide exactly which coffee beans you prefer.

By doing so you can be confident that the beans can be delivered faster and will therefore be fresher when they reach your door. You might also want to look for coffee bean suppliers that are geographically close to you. But once you know what coffee you are after, the online suppliers can tell you which of the coffee roasters that carry the beans you are looking for, who has the freshest beans and who has most skill in roasting them to perfection.

But before you make your final decisions, consider organic coffee as an option. Organic coffee is another choice you might want to make. This coffee is certified to have been grown and processed without chemical intervention and is becoming more and more popular with wholesale outlets. It generally has a mild nutty flavor. It is also becoming popular with celebrities who are eager to adopt the coffee cause. Organic coffee, understandably sells very well in Hollywood.

Enjoy your next coffee! Now all that is left to do is try several brands of coffee to find out which one you like the best.

Glass Top Coffee Table

2009-02-24T10:09:00.001+07:00

Coffee tables are an essential part of our homes; therefore, they are an intricate part of our families. We want a coffee table that represents our style, our fashion, and our sense of pride. Nothing is as convenient or versatile as a coffee table. Of course, some coffee tables are loved more than others are. For instance, glass top coffee tables often considered the crème de la crème of the coffee table world. The glass offers an additional elegance and perfection only found with glass.

There is nothing quite as versatile as a glass top coffee table. These beauties go with any décor and highlight any room. The base of the coffee table can be anything, but my favorite is aluminum. When you add aluminum legs with the glass top, all I can say is wow. There is nothing in the world that is more elegant or beautiful. I am fond of glass tops simply because they are easy to clean. All you have to do to clean one is grab window cleaner and paper towels. Nothing fancy to remember. Some wood has extremely delicate features and requires special care, not so with glass.

You can get these almost anywhere. Of course, some places will definitely have better quality than others will. For example, a glass top coffee table purchase at Pier 1 is probably going to be better quality than one you purchase at your local K-Mart. The price will probably be rising with the quality though, so it is often difficult finding a happy balance. If you just like to window shop, the Internet is an awesome monitor-shopping tool. Indeed, you can find what you want via the Internet and find a local store that offers you the same product. I say local because it can get extremely difficult and expensive to purchase a glass top coffee table via the Internet.

We have already mentioned the ease of cleaning and the immense beauty, but I would also like to mention how difficult these are to break. I thought "glass" is by definition easy to break. However, I learned differently. These glass top coffee tables are exceptionally easy to keep together. Of course, if you have a scene like out of a movie and someone comes falling through your roof and lands on your coffee table, I do not care if it is metal, wood, or glass, it is gonna break. These glass top coffee tables are extremely durable and are difficult for that toddler to break. Believe me: I know.

Eugene's family has been in the carpentry industry for generations. During weekends when he has free time, he opens a small workshop in his garage for his local community where he specializes in folding dining room tables . Visit http://www.oftheearthfurniture.com to get Eugene's weekly tidbits on selecting and maintaining various styles and makes of solid wood tables.

folding dining room tables http://www.oftheearthfurniture.com

How Is Kona Coffee Different?

2009-02-23T10:10:00.001+07:00

It could be the dependable cloud cover that rolls in each afternoon, protecting the delicate coffee trees from the glaring afternoon sun. It might be the dark rich volcanic soil, which contains a perfect blend of acidity and minerals, and retains just the right amount of water. But there is something different about the Kona coffee cherries produced here that has earned this coffee a worldwide reputation for excellence. Like much of Hawaii, Kona offers ideal climate conditions for growing coffee.

Peaberry is unusual because each coffee cherry contains only one bean, while all other types of Kona contain two beans per cherry. The rarest of Kona Coffee beans is Peaberry, making up only four to five percent of the entire Kona crop each year. Maybe it is simply the fact that 100% Pure Kona Coffee is rare and sometimes hard to find. The difference could also lie in the care with which Kona coffee is handpicked, ensuring that only the highest quality berries are harvested for coffee production.

Coffee Bean Roaster

2009-02-21T10:08:00.001+07:00

The flavor and freshness of coffee is at its best when it is roasted in small batches at home. The coffee bean roaster is fast becoming a "must have" in today's kitchens.

It spells disaster for specialty coffee beans creating stale, flavorless coffee. Roasted coffee is very susceptible to oxygen damage when it sits on store shelves and in cafÃ© bins for days or weeks at a time.

It is the beginning of a new era in coffee history and a major step in the return of great tasting coffee. Today, the coffee bean roaster is a coffee enthusiasts dream, bringing the freshness and quality of roasting fresh gourmet coffee at home.

Once you experience the flavor of fresh gourmet coffee like this you'll want to share it with everyone you know. You'll be surprised to learn how easy and fast it is to roast your own specialty coffee beans at home.

There are basically two types of home coffee bean roasters: fluid bed roasters and electric, radiant heat drum roasters.

Fluid bed roasters work like hot air popcorn poppers. They have a glass-roasting chamber so you can watch as the coffee beans are roasted and stop at the desired roast. These are good for beginners and a great way to get started in home roasting.

The radiant heat drum roaster is more like the professional coffee roasters use. These do not allow you to watch as the beans are roasted so you have to roast by smell or sound.

How about having a roasting party with friends or the family? Home roasting is a lot of fun. You can try some of the best coffees in the world and roast them just the way you like them. What's even more fun and tasty is creating your own custom blends.

So if you haven't tried home roasting, get ready for an amazing treat. Your coffee drinking experience will never be the same once you taste the fresh gourmet coffee you made with your home coffee bean roaster. "Enjoy"

How to Select a Single Serve Coffee Maker

2009-02-20T10:08:00.001+07:00

These kinds of coffeemaker are designed to produce - as you might expect - a single cup of coffee at a time and they are becoming increasingly popular amongst all kinds of coffee drinkers. An increasing number of us nowadays are wondering how to select a single serve coffee maker that will suit us best at home.

In the past we've been a bit limited in our choices of coffee maker - we've often, for example, had to make a whole pot of fresh coffee just to enjoy a single cup but things are different nowadays.

The Advantages

So, you won't need to make more coffee than you'll actually drink in one sitting. The advantages of single serve coffee stations are primarily found in the fact that they can make just one serving of coffee at a time and that they work real quick as a consequence in comparison to multi serve machines.

So, there'll minimal cleaning up and maintenance to do as well! And, if you choose one of the new single serve pod systems as your final choice here, then you can simply slip a small individual coffee pod into the machine, make your cup of coffee and then throw the pod away.

You can even pick and choose the kinds of coffee you want to drink with these kinds of machines as the pods can come in various types, roasts and flavors. Major coffee companies that make coffee for these pods currently include some big names in the sector such as Douwe Egberts, Melitta and Folgers - so you'll get a guarantee of coffee experience and quality at the same time as well.

Two Types

There are basically two ways to use a single serve coffee maker. In the first instance you can buy a conventional coffee machine that uses standard ground coffee via a normal filter system but which only brews a single cup of coffee at a time rather than making up a whole big pot. It is worth noting here that some of these machines may sometimes be able to brew up two cups instead of just one which could give you a little more flexibility. In either case the machine here will brew up directly into your cup extremely quickly and efficiently. Some of these kinds of models even come with their own mug when you buy them!

As single serve machines go this kind of option is reliable but kind of uninspiring if you're looking for something a little different in your coffee drinking. But, if you're still wondering how to select a single serve coffee maker then this may be a good option for you if you simply want an affordable and compact coffee maker for one/two people. Some of these machines are real tiny nowadays and could easily just sit on the end of a desk for real ease of use without taking up too much space.

But, if you want something a little bit more exciting from a single serve coffee maker then you really should also consider something along the lines of one of these new pod systems we've already mentioned. These single serve machines (such as those in the Philips Senseo range, for example) are designed to take a single pod that contains a specific brand, roast or type of coffee at a time.

You unwrap the pod from its packaging, place it in the machine and it brews your coffee up for you into the cup. You can then simply throw the used pod into the trash. Again it's worth noting that some pod systems can be purchased that will make two cups of coffee at a time.

Variety - The Spice of Life

These machines are so popular now partly because they are so convenient and reliable but also because they allow you to buy different varieties, types and flavors of coffee pods. So, you can pick and choose which kind of coffee you will brew at any given time of day without having to keep a huge stock of different types of coffee in your kitchen cupboards.

This does prevent you from having lots of large unopened bags of coffee going stale in your cupboards because you simply cannot drink them that fast. These pods are also all individually sealed so you won't lose freshness as you may do once you open a bag of standard ground coffee.

One complaint that some pod machine users have is that the pods themselves are not always as cost effective as they may be. As you might expect you may have to pay a premium for convenience here so this kind of pod system may well work out to be more expensive to both buy the initial machine and the pods than if you were just buying a small single serve maker and regular bags of coffee.

One key thing to think about as you ponder how to select a single serve coffee maker is compatibility. Some pods can be used in other kinds of standard coffee makers so it's worth while checking on compatibility with your manufacturer. And, some coffee pod systems offer the ability to add a normal filter to the machine so you can use them as a standard single serve machine with your own ground coffee.

Flexibility is vital here as you don't want to buy a coffee maker or a pod system that limits your choices. Some pod systems, for example, will allow you to use other types of pods in the machine as well as those that are made for the particular model. This option is great as you get much more flexibility in terms of coffee drinking choice. However, some systems will only work with their own pods which could see you limited on choice and which could also cost you more in the long run.

It doesn't really matter which system you decide suits you best at the end of the day. You may even opt for both choices! One last thing to remember is that you can get great discounts and bargains on standard single serve coffee makers, pod systems and the pods themselves if you shop around. Many pod system users, for example, shop around on the Internet and then bulk buy pods when they find a bargain.

About the Author

Why Is Coffee So Addictive?

2009-02-19T10:08:00.001+07:00

An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that when some regular coffee drinkers are suddenly Students have trouble learning and writers may have trouble concentrating. Fatigue and depression are usually associated with coffee with drawls, and many people are unable to function at their usual level of efficiency. An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that when some regular coffee drinkers are suddenly deprived of their morning coffee, they usually get headaches. Students have trouble learning and writers may have trouble concentrating. Fatigue and depression are usually associated with coffee with drawls, and many people are unable to function at their usual level of efficiency. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that when some regular coffee drinkers are suddenly deprived of their morning coffee, they usually get headaches. This sickness I am referring to is called with drawls. Well, if you are dependant on a chemical then you will become sick from not being able to take it. Is there an addiction to coffee that we are not aware of? It has been well documented that coffee also helps you to stay awake. Millions around the world consume coffee.

Can this be a mental addiction? It seems to motivate people to start their day. After all a cup of ambition. It may be the stimulation one receives you know that burst of fast energy that coffee gives you after you wake up. What is it about coffee that makes people over consume it? You may have the shakes, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, or insomnia from consuming to much caffeine. The more coffee you drink the more antsy you will become. Coffee contains a large amount of caffeine. Is the reason caffeine consumption? Why is that? Those who drink 4 to 10 cups a day may crash and burn (figuratively speaking) without their coffee. Most people who drink a cup or two in the morning are less likely to feel drained if they miss their fix the next day. Well, that all depends on many factors, and the main factor is the amount of coffee consumed. Is it really the coffee that keeps them going?

You may be surprised at the results. Take the test and see if your coffee is truly addictive, or is it mental. If you switch your coffee to decaf and do not tell anyone you did it then if they say "this coffee taste different" you say, "it is a new brand of coffee" they may function just as well as if they had the real thing. Mental addiction is defined as if one believes that he or she is addicted to something with no real basis, so they become mentally addicted.

La Minita Coffee - It's in the Green Beans

2009-02-18T10:09:00.001+07:00

La Minita; Spanish for "The Little Gold Mine" says it all. La Minita is arguably the best coffee in the world and is sipped by the who's who in the specialty coffee industry as well as by those of us who have access to it in our businesses. Similar to the wine industry, the best coffees are not always the most expensive. There are many factors involved in determining the final price of a coffee, unfortunately the quality of the bean is only one of them.

La Minita comes from the Tarrazu region of Costa Rica in Central America. This region has long been known for it's quality coffee and remains one of the finest growing regions in the world. The La Minita Estate is located at the pinnacle of this region on a spur between two rivers 5700 feet above sea level. The farm actually has several "Micro Climates" within the farm which effect the crop in different ways. The meticulous way in which coffee is grown, pruned, fertilized, shaded, and weeded all add to the final product. Long before "Organic" was popular, this farm was using machetes to cut back weeds rather than chemicals. Long before "fair trade" was popular this farm was treating it's employees with respect, providing dental and medical resources right on the farm, paying above local scale, providing household items at below cost prices, and encouraged a coffee workers association to promote fair, safe and equitable conditions.

When the "new crop" is in, samples are taken from each of the micro growing regions on the farm and cupped to determine the years mix. The pickers start at daybreak and finish picking about noon. The days harvest is measured from each picker then at a central pick up point and again at the mill. Every La Minita coffee bean arrives at the mill the same day it is picked which is essential in producing the world's best coffee. The milling process is more meticulous than other mills and the beans are watched at each stage of the preparation. When they have reached the point where most beans would be bagged up and exported, LaMinita enters its final stage. Every bean is looked at by trained coffee sorters who go over and over the beans removing any bean that may taint the final cup.

Unlike the other "exotic" coffees of the world, La Minita is in this category for one reason: QUALITY! I once spent a few days with a farmer from Jamaica who wanted to increase his crop. When he was told how to make his coffee better, he replied: "I can sell every bean I can grow for $17.00 a pound; all I want to do is get more production". Unfortunately this is often the case in the exotics. Jamaican Blue Mountain, Hawaiian Kona and other exotics demand high prices but way too often do not deliver the cup. LaMinita sells for far less than Jamaican and Kona and is always a superb coffee at a reasonable price. Visit the La Minita web site at: www.laminita.com .

www.laminita.com

This article is written by Jim Cameron without the permission of La Minita and expresses only the opinions of the Author on what he believes to be the best value coffee in the world. To purchase this coffee green to roast at home, contact: http://www.u-roast-em.com . To purchase this coffee roasted, contact your local coffee roaster or coffee shop.

http://www.u-roast-em.com

All About Coffee Makers

2009-02-17T10:09:00.001+07:00

When everything seems to be ok on the outside, then the problem must be on the inside, so here are some tips to help you identify the most common problems and, if you are lucky, repair your coffee maker yourself. Sometimes coffee makers (as nearly everything) get broken for no apparent reason.

If your coffee maker to a different outlet, just to be sure this is not the cause. Possible causes and solutions: This may be caused by a burnt fuse, a defective power cord or something more important. Problem: The coffee maker does not lit, there are no sounds coming from it, and it never heats up.

If it still does not work, contact a coffee maker repairer.

Symptoms: The maker is on and heats up, but hot water is not coming out. Problem: The coffee maker is turned on but you are not getting any coffee.

If it unclogs, run water through your coffee maker a minimum of three times, in order to wash out the vinegar. Try using your coffee maker with vinegar instead of water. Sometimes water leaves calcium and other mineral residues on the tubes, clogging them after a while. Possible causes and solutions: The tubes may be clogged.

Problem: The coffee maker is turned on but you get only dirty cold water instead of coffee. Symptoms: The maker sucks water and pours it onto the coffee, but this water is cold.

Consider buying a new coffee maker. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do, as replacement coils are extremely difficult to find and install. Possible causes and solutions: The heating coil of your coffee maker may be dead or dying.

From A Coffee Addict

2009-02-16T10:10:00.001+07:00

You may have heard the expression, "Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic." In the same way, you could say "Once a coffee addict, always a coffee addict."

But before I go any further in telling you my story about coffee and all the whys and hows of quitting it, you should now that now is a good time to quit drinking coffee.

You've been eating mostly well, you eat your fruits and vegetables, you've been reading Frederic's newsletter - but you think, "a little cup of coffee once in a while isn't that bad." Plus it's good for the mood.

But I'm telling you right now that that cup of coffee, which I'm sure you're enjoying more often than you'd like to admit it, is preventing you from achieving the levels of health you desire.

Cappuccino, mocaccino, caffe latte, espresso: a dozen ways to reach heaven for a few minutes at your local cafÃ©. But one day I discovered the gustatory delights of fancy coffee shops and went deeper down into the wicked universe of coffee. At first, it was to get up in the morning. I started drinking coffee in high school. I know because I'm like you.

Of course, my vow to become a raw-foodist ended all that madness. For many years, I resisted the temptation. But you know, once a coffee addict...

I admit having sinned many times. The lure of coffee sure got me more often than I'd like to admit it.

Think about it: Starbucks have popped up all over the place. You can go there with your laptop, answer your e-mails and surf the web on your laptop with their free wireless Internet access, enjoy your delicious coffee and get a bit of the feel that you're really part of this world, all of that for a few dollars only.

Petrene Soames writes in the article "Wake Up and Kick the Caffeine Habit for Good":

"Have you ever wondered why Starbucks is so popular? Why do even the spendthrift amongst us pay over the top prices for a cup of coffee? With great packaging and good marketing Starbucks fills a niche in the national psyche. Identification is a major component. We simply identify with our purchases. Starbucks caters to the fast on-the-go customer and to the kickback and relax customer. The ambiance of the outlets is comfortable and feels like a great place to be, personal enough to take someone new, but safe enough when you aren't ready yet to take that new person home."

" Starbucks, it would seem, oozes cool and we - the consumer - have bought into that big time. But it is not cool to stress our bodies with caffeine, and it is not cool to blanket our emotions with quick-fix products. The longer we hide our true feelings, the longer it will take for us to recognize our true selves. Isn't it really time in all our lives to stop swapping life experiences and happiness for comfort foods and drinks?"

But there's an ugly side to it. Contrary to common belief, even one cup of coffee a day is too much. According to a recent study done at Johns Hopkins University, which examined over 170 years of research on caffeine, true caffeine addiction can occur from drinking only one cup of coffee a day.

According to Melissa C. Stöppler, M.D.,

"Morning caffeine consumption can lead to increases in blood pressure, feelings of stress, and elevated stress hormone levels throughout the day and into the evening hours, according to researchers at Duke University. (...)

"(...) the effects of morning coffee consumption can exaggerate the body's stress responses and increase stress hormone levels all day long and into the evening, even when no further caffeine is consumed in the afternoon. Persons who suffer from stress-related diseases or conditions worsened by stress, such as cardiovascular disease and psychological conditions such as anxiety disorders, could be adversely affected by caffeine intake."

For me, even one cup of coffee taken in the morning will disturb my sleep late at night.

But that's just the beginning.

You don't really know exactly what type of hells are breaking loose in your body when you drink that little occasional cup of coffee you love so much. Just read on my website the articles I have on coffee (http://www.fredericpatenaude.com/ nutrition.html).

But let's be honest about it - half of the addiction or more is psychological. It has something to do with the ritual of the coffee drinker. First I suggest avoiding that too. Don't go to Starbucks. Avoid temptation. Then, once the physical detox is over, you can go back. Go hang out at Starbucks, and instead have a cup of herbal tea, or one of their magic smoothies.

A few words of advice: giving up coffee and replacing it with tea or green tea isn't a good approach. An alcoholic who wants to quit won't go from scotch to beer. He has to stop altogether. And the truth is that tea, especially black tea, contains generous quantities of caffeine. So you can get addicted to it just as you got addicted to coffee. Better to give it up entirely.

I couldn't end this week's e-zine without a little encouragement to all of my coffee drinking readers who are not so sure about getting off the bean:

I promise that you'll feel better. I promise that you'll sleep better. I promise that you'll have headaches less often. I promise that you'll have more energy. I promise that you'll feel better in your body. I promise that your mood will be better.

By the way, the best time to quit drinking coffee is when you think you don't have time to stop drinking coffee.

Dessert - Cognac Coffee with Sesame Wafers

2009-02-15T10:09:00.001+07:00

Cognac Coffee

1 Pot Strong Coffee or 1 shot espresso per person Cognac, Â¼ Cup per cup of coffee Ground Cinnamon, Â¼ tsp per cup of coffee Ground Cinnamon, Â¼ tsp per cup of coffee Ground Cardamom, Â¼ tsp per cup of coffee Ground Cardamom, Â¼ tsp per cup of coffee Ground Cinnamon, Â¼ tsp per cup of coffee Ground Cinnamon, Â¼ tsp per cup of coffee 1 Cup Heavy Cream Â¼ Cup Confectioner's Sugar 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form, and then add in the confectioner's sugar and vanilla.

Top each cup of coffee with whipped cream and serve with cooled Sesame Wafers. ground cinnamon. Pour one cup of strong coffee or espresso for each person; add to each cup Â¼ cup Cognac, Â¼ tsp.

Sesame Wafers

¾ Cup Softened Butter 1½ Cups firmly packed, light brown sugar 1 tsp. Vanilla 1 Egg 1 Cup Toasted Sesame Seeds (seeds can be toasted in a 350° oven for 15-20 minutes) 1¼ Cup Flour, sifted* ¼ tsp. Baking Powder ¼ tsp. Salt

Cream together butter and sugar. Add vanilla and egg, beat until well blended. Stir in sesame seeds.

In a separate bowl sift* together flour, baking powder and salt; stir into the cream mixture. Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375° for about 5 to 6 minutes. The cookies should be lightly browned around the edges and crispy. Cool immediately on wire racks.

The sesame wafers can be drizzled or dipped in melted dark chocolate for an added richness.

I included this step because it will yield a finer texture if you sift your flour. I usually do not sift my flour unless it is old most flour today produces good results without sifting. *Sifting the flour is not a required step.

Effective Coffee Enema Recipe for Detoxification

2009-02-14T10:09:00.001+07:00

Though some people do, you will want to stay away from commercial coffees that you may have in your kitchen cabinet because they are not developed for coffee enema use and likely won't be effective. You should choose a special organic, fully caffeinated brew designed specifically for use in enemas. Check out this all natural coffee enema recipe when it comes to decreasing the natural toxins found in your system.

By never using decaffeinated coffee blends (because they are not effective for coffee enema use) and commercial coffee products, you will be much more likely to achieve the results you want. Also, you may need to experiment before you find the organic type of coffee and method that works best for you and provides you with the optimal results.

When it comes to actually preparing the enema, check out this great coffee enema recipe:

Eight cups of boiling water

Eight large spoonfuls of ground coffee

French press coffee pot

For the best coffee enema, freshly grind the coffee from beans. This grinding process will ensure your coffee is as fresh as possible and is packed with powerful ingredients to best influence the enema. Using a French press coffee pot will also provide the maximum results as opposed to a traditional drip coffee pot where the water drips over the grounds. This useful device can be found at any kitchen, department, or discount store and purchased inexpensively. The French press combines the ground coffee and the water to ensure you brew a strong mixture for your enema.

The directions to this coffee enema recipe are quite simple: add boiling water to coffee grounds and let sit. Be sure to let the coffee cool for approximately one hour if not longer to not incur any injuries from using hot liquid as an enema. The coffee should be around room temperature and lukewarm. Test the temperature of the coffee by adding a drop to the inside of your wrist, which is a very sensitive part of your body that can adequately detect temperature.

Once the coffee mixture is ready, you should use the french press

to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid. It is crucial you do not include the coffee grounds obtained by this coffee enema recipe, since the grounds may cause unnecessary irritation to your gastrointestinal system. Pour this liquid into an enema bag, bucket, or any other tool frequently used for completing the enema process. From this point, you should follow any instructions provided on your enema kit or provided by your physician.

If you correctly follow this coffee enema recipe, expect the results to properly expel any toxins in your system. Furthermore, correctly following the instructions provided with your enema kit or from your physician will ensure the process is successful.

Why You Need To Support Fair Trade Coffee More Than Ever

2009-02-13T10:10:00.001+07:00

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The consumption of coffee is rising in the US as it is gaining popularity. We consume a lot of coffee. Some of us cannot even make it through a day without a few cups of coffee. In fact Americans are responsible for one fifth of the world's coffee consumption. So we are the main economic supporter of the coffee industry.

Most Americans would have little idea how the coffee we drink is produced, harvested and shipped to us. We are just thankful that coffee is readily available over the counter whenever we want it.

The Fair Trade coffee movement aims to change all that. As better informed consumers, we are now told of the exploits of some coffee importers. We now realized that many of these coffee workers or farmers who toil tirelessly in the fields are not getting a fair price for their produce.

These farmers are often are getting paid less for their coffee than it cost them to produce and maintain their coffee farms. This will mean that these farmers and their families will never be able to break out of poverty and debt. The Fair Trade coffee movement will make certain that most coffee farmers can get a decent price for their harvest and make a living off it.

Coffee prices can be volatile and when the prices fell very low, many farmers will not be able to support their families and farm lands. Thus the Fair Trade coffee movement is needed more than ever by these farmers. When coffee prices fall, it does not mean that the average consumer will ever enjoy cheaper coffee. Instead, the prices remain just as high. This means that coffee companies are making more profits. However it will mean poverty and hunger for many of these coffee farmers.

The Fair Trade Certified coffee is being introduced in the US to ensure that the coffee was produced under fair labor conditions and a reasonable price was paid for the coffee. This money paid will go into helping the health care, education, ecological stewardship, and financial independence. It will also provide the much needed financing and credit, technological assistance in shifting to better methods of farming and other research purposes.

Help to make all these possible by buying coffee only from Fair Trade Certified coffee companies. This can not only help ensure the quality of coffee and constant supply but also let you sleep better when you know no one is starving so that you can have your cup of coffee.

For more information on coffee, coffee grinders and Fair Trade coffee , please visit Coffee Drinking Tips and Reviews

Fair Trade coffee Coffee Drinking Tips and Reviews

Have a Taste of Jamaica's Blue Mountain Coffee

2009-02-12T10:09:00.001+07:00

A cup of good coffee on the breakfast table is always a great way to welcome the morning. Since its inception centuries ago, coffee has become the most popular beverage and the world's most traded and sought-after commodities.

Over the years, many coffee variants have originated from different places, which paved the way for gourmet coffee to have a niche in the world market.

Aside from the basic Robusta and Arabica variants, there are other rare coffee variants which gained a good following from coffee aficionados.

First, there is the Civet coffee or Kopi Luwak, which is made from coffee berries which were eaten and excreted by the common Palm Civet. This rare process takes place only in countries like the Philippines, Sumatra, Java, Indonesia, Vietnam and India, making Civet coffee one of the more expensive variants.

Kona coffee from Hawaii, Turkish, Colombian and Maraba coffee are some other premium variants which have become popular for coffee drinkers the world over.

'Jamaica's Blue Mountains'

The island nation of Jamaica, situated within the Caribbean Sea, has more than just gorgeous beaches to offer.

The amazing Blue Mountains are located at the eastern side of Jamaica, and this is where the famous Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is grown.

Blue Mountains is a Jamaican region where there is a wide range of hills with an almost permanent mist covering the hills giving it a bluish hue, thus the name.

This mountain range boasts of a National Park with lush rainforests and rich vegetation. It is also home to hundreds of plants and animal species unique to the region.

The upper slopes and the summit are strictly preserved as a forest. The lower slopes, with its rich, fertile soil and ideal climate, serve as the perfect setting for coffee cherries to be grown and harvested from the Blue Mountains.

'Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee: A Taste of Heaven on Earth'

Most coffee plants rely on the climate of the region where they are planted, and this produces the distinctive flavor found in the coffee cherries.

In the Blue Mountains, the tallest mountain range in the island of Jamaica, the following factors contribute to the unique flavor of the coffee:

- the hot climate - the altitude of the lower mountain peaks where the coffee plants are grown and harvested - plenty of rainfall to water the coffee plants - the rich and fertile soil of the mountains where the plants are grown

The Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is considered to be the world's finest and rarest coffee variant. Words cannot describe the taste of this premier coffee blend.

A 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee has this distinctively rich taste and aroma. Compared to other coffee variants, this has a milder flavor which is less bitter yet a little sweet, giving it that smooth, clean taste.

Because of the high quality expected of this coffee variant, the island country of Jamaica built the Jamaican Coffee Industry Board to maintain the world-class quality of every coffee bean produced in the island.

The tedious and time-consuming labor of coffee growers in planting, harvesting and processing the Blue Mountain coffee is truly amazing.

The Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is indeed a world-class variant that coffee enthusiasts around the world can sip and enjoy - up to the last drop.

Dave Poon is an accomplished writer who specializes in the latest in Food and Drink. For more information regarding Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee please drop by at http://www.hotcoffeeplus.com/

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee http://www.hotcoffeeplus.com/

Gano Coffee - Can Coffee Be Good For You?

2009-02-11T10:10:00.001+07:00

While many people think that drinking coffee is a "healthy" habit, some experts say that it's very important for them to remember that coffee's main ingredient is caffeine—a "drug" that can be abused even in mild dosages. But, do you know that a single cup of coffee—aside from boosting your alertness, perking you up, and even improving your concentration—can actually lead you to addiction: caffeine addiction. Coffee, in all sorts, could be a "pick me up drink " or a " real downer-down the shaft-drink" depending on how the person is affected by it.

And one of these breakthrough alternatives is Gano coffee. Since nutritionists cannot do anything about the world's addiction to coffee, most of them continuously search for alternatives to give people better options. Although now, we all know that too much coffee is bad for our health, most of us cannot help but indulge into this addicting act.

Gano coffee gives you an energy boost - not from caffeine, but from the ancient healthy ingredient called "Ganoderma Lucidum," that has been recognized for it's amazing properties. Made from Ganoderma extract, Gano coffee is produced by growing and processing organically without the use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones or artificial fertilizers.

Gano coffee also allows you to continue savoring the full-bodied flavor you are getting in a premium instant coffee while providing you more energy than your usual caffeinated drink. Being a coffee that that has a lower caffeine amount compared to commercially processed decaf coffees, Gano coffee is not a "substitute coffee" but an "alternative coffee" that gives you the richer flavor than fully-caffeinated coffee.

And with every cup of gano coffee you drink, you are making it as a healthy habit. Since Gano coffee contains less net caffeine than most of your other favorite caffeinated beverages, you can actually enjoy the benefits and delicious taste of a "healthy coffee" that is good for your wellbeing. Aside from helping you boost your energy level, Gano coffee also contributes to the improvement of your sleeping patterns while increasing the oxygen to your brain, and helps balance your weight. Among the so many benefits of drinking gano coffee include the detoxification and rejuvenation of your body while strengthening your immune system. Proven as a delicious and nutritious drink, Gano coffee gives you more vigor while reducing you stress and fatigue.

With every cup of gano coffee you drink, you are getting a "caffeine jumpstart" that will last for hours without the caffeine. Aside from making gano coffee as a good habit, here are some hints on how you can keep your coffee habit as healthy as possible especially if you are an avid coffee lover.

And though most research says that drinking 1-3 cups of coffee a day does not seem to have any negative effects in most healthy people, always make sure that you know the level of caffeine intake especially if you are undergoing any medications. If you still don't resort to drinking healthy coffee like gano coffee, always be aware of the caffeine content of your coffee since it varies widely depending on brewing and roasting methods. When it says it can no longer take an extra cup, learn not to let your urgency control over you. Although you are a person that has higher "caffeine urgency" than the others, you must still listen to what your body says.

Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee

2009-02-10T10:10:00.001+07:00

It was Sanka for God's sake! What was wrong with a ten year old drinking coffee? I remember sitting in a restaurant with my mother and stepfather asking a waitress for Sanka, and explaining to my mother that I'd had it before and avoiding her disapproving stare. All I remember is that it was powdered and freeze dried and worst of all, decaf. I'm sorry to say that I do. Do you remember your first experience with coffee?

If I asked a girl out for a cup of coffee, it usually meant a Styrofoam cup at a Dunkin' Donuts or a Winchell's somewhere. Coffee; suffice it to say that there was no passion in my coffee. Mixing Tasters Choice in tepid tap water, graduating to Maxwell House and a Mr. My remaining experiences between ten and thirty five were noncommittal and mediocre to say the least.

Back then I was into science fiction and I remember vividly reading 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card while sipping some of the most wonderful coffee from a paper cup. There, I was able to sit in one of their comfortable armchairs, sit back, cross my legs and enjoy a cup of joe while reading a good book. Complete comfort. The most important thing to me was the feeling I got when I walked in there. It was a combination bookstore and coffee shop called the Upstart Crow in San Diego, California. Now that I remember well. Then I stepped into my first Specialty Coffee Shop.

sigh... then I left San Diego for Atlanta and it was back to Maxwell House and Sanka. I spent many a day off sitting in that shop in Seaport Village... Rich and smooth, I fell into it's flavor; jumped actually. Oh that coffee!

I was sent to their training center for intensive classes teaching not only how to promote the product, but how to differentiate the taste between two coffees and most importantly, how to brew the perfect cup of coffee! I was hired and that's where my obsession with coffee renewed itself. Then, simply because I was unemployed and late with the rent I walked into a local Starbucks and asked for an application.

The Fundamentals of Coffee

All coffee, no matter whether you get it from your local coffee shop or the supermarket has four basic fundamentals:

Proportion

Grind

Water

Freshness

Let's look at each of these one by one...

Proportion

The ratio between coffee and water is an important one. Anyone who's ever had coffee that's too weak or too strong knows what I'm talking about. When it comes to brewing the perfect cup of coffee, the proportion should be two tablespoons of ground coffee to every six ounces of water. No more no less. A lot of people try to stretch their coffee for two weeks or more without realizing what a sacrifice to the taste this is. Use too little coffee and it tastes weak. Use too much and it becomes bitter and you risk a terrible nights sleep.

The best way to measure two tablespoons is with a measuring scoop. There are scoops that are specifically measured for two tablespoons but if you don't have one made especially for coffee measuring then you can use a standard 18 cup measuring cup. If you don't have that you can use regular run of the mill tablespoons, but that method isn't as precise. If you want to purchase a coffee scoop, you can get one at a specialty coffee shop or online. Starbucks is a good place to get one.

Grind

The type of grind you use for your coffee depends upon what kind of coffee maker you brew your coffee in. If you use an espresso machine you use a fine grind. For automatic drip coffee makers (such as Mr. Coffee), you use a medium grind and you use a coarse grind for coffee presses (my preferred way of brewing). There are other grinds as well, just as there are other ways to brew coffee such as percolators and Turkish coffees.

If were going to talk about the way a coffee is ground, then we also have to talk about grinders. Basically there are two types of grinders: blade and burr Blade grinders have two blades that rotate at a high speed to grind your beans. The pros of this method is that blade grinders are affordable. The cons are that they generally break down quicker.

Burr grinders grind the beans between two textured plates and the grind is much more consistent than a blade grinder. Also, it's easier to adjust the grind with a burr grinder. To get an espresso grind with a blade grinder, you have to hold the grind button for x amount of seconds. A burr grinder allows you to turn a dial and voila! Your grind is done. Obviously, I prefer a burr grinder.

Water

It's pretty much a good idea to use fresh, clean water to brew your coffee. If at all possible, try not to use tap water; you should always use filtered or bottled water. Before you begin screaming at me that you don't have that kind of money, don't worry. Yes, using nothing but bottled water is not exactly cost effective but there are inexpensive water filters available to purchase. Water filtration pitchers are also a good way to get fresh water for brewing.

Your water should be heated to just below boiling, around 190 degrees. You don't want your water to be too hot. It could overheat the grounds and spoil the taste of your coffee.

Freshness

This is pretty obvious. Once a bag is opened, the freshness lasts about a week. After grinding, it lasts about two days. The best way to keep your beans and ground coffee fresher longer is to keep it in an airtight container like the one shown here. And never, ever freeze your coffee no matter what you've heard or read. Coffee that is frozen is a high risk for freezer burn and take it from one who has experienced the horror: freezer burnt coffee is not a great taste!

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and Happy Brewing! Well those are the basics.

Are You Looking For a Glass Coffee Table?

2009-02-09T10:09:00.001+07:00

Is a glass coffee table something that you want? Are you having trouble finding just the one you want? Have you looked in every furniture store possible and just cant seem to find the perfect table? Well, look no more, there is a solution to not finding your perfect coffee table with the glass top.

If you are having trouble finding the perfect glass coffee table, perhaps you should consider shopping only for the base, and having the glass cut to your specifications. Knowing what kind of base and what shape and size of the glass you want it is great, but when you can't find those two things together, you are really kind of faced with a dilemma.

Shopping for the base only for your glass coffee table is an excellent idea. No ones ever said you had to buy one complete coffee table all together, now did they? Finding the perfect base, and then having your glass top cut to your specifications will be an easy task to do.

When you go looking for the base for your glass coffee table, keep in mind the design and style you are wanting to project into the room for the table. Knowing these things will help you with your decision, and keep you from looking at things you are not interested in. When you walk into any furniture store, and tell them your particular style that you are looking for, chances are they should be able to help you, and show you around to the pieces that would match your taste.

Once you are shown the selection of bases for your glass coffee table, you would then want to measure the base, and decide exactly how big and what shape you prefer for the glass to be. You should take accurate measurements, and be sure of what you want before you order the glass for your new table.

Once you have taken measurements and have ordered the glass for your new glass coffee table, you will soon be able to put it together. Once the glass is ready you can pick it up and assemble your lovely new glass coffee table that was made to your specifications and enjoy it in your home.

folding dining room tables http://www.oftheearthfurniture.com

Kofi: Have Some Coffee!

2009-02-08T10:09:00.001+07:00

Due to the overwhelming period of the UN and its megalords, a name has always been shining. Kofi Annan, with hours of flattering and minutes of pleasure, Kofi Annan was the name of the person who flattered and fluttered his way up to the seat of the UN Secretary in General.

But true face always shows, and therefore, Kofi Annan's true face was also shown to people, in a manner which was termed as the most disgusting ever, the no knowledge genius got on to flap his ever so strapped on wings which were never freed and had spent most of their time flattering and fluttering for people. Rising from a no knowledger to a no knowledge genius was not an easy task at all. And Kofi named person prooves this fact of mine. This action of a person such as Kofi required huge dumps and bumps of "saying things that are bearing no resemblance whatsoever to the things which are, supposedly being talked about and repeat".

True face is always true, If a barbarian is made to wear clothes of the gentlemen then you cannot see or presume the time that when the clothes will be on the floor and the barbarian on his previous form, taking that as an example, we come on to our main subject once again, the no knowledge genius, so when our barbarian was made to wear the clothes of the UN General Secretary, then as I previously mentioned, nobody could have imagined that when were the clothes going to wear off. Then the new name for gentleman will be horrible man, that's what Kofi Annan is known as nowadays, horrible man.

History refresh, so Kofi earned his way up to UN General Secretary spot etc. through Chattering, Pattering, Flattering and Blabbering. Chattering and Blabbering were alright as well as Pattering, But Flattering? Oh no no no, nobody can get knowledge from Flattering, a position can be got by Flattering but not the ability to operate it properly, that was a good point, so now, Kofi began showing his true face in the four aspects of his life, Chattering, Pattering, Blabbering and Flattering...... to be frank with Kofi, these are the four pillars on which his life is based on, the No knowledge Genius has had these stairs for the success, which is just a dummy although. Dummy what, success. Success was a dummy in case of Kofi annan ever since he came into existence because of the dummy's mother, who? Flattery.

Yes, So we arrive to a conclusion where it says that Kofi Annan hasn't had a genuine success whatsoever yet in his life. Anyways back to original talk, so Now we can give heed to the fact that the Kofi Annan was appointed as the UN Secretary in General. Therefore giving a rise to his high hopes and expectations in General, which means his true face began to give way to his needs and wants. The true face generated true thoughts, which said - "Kofi, now is your chance". The truth began overcoming the gentleman, in simpler words the Barbarian began coming over the of course Dummy Gentleman, which was meant for existence only till the UN Secretary seat was reached, after that the Kofi didn't thought that there was a need for the gentleman to stay. Because Kofi knew the fact that this is the last and the final chance where he can rule over the world and fulfill whatever things he had to do, fulfill all his requirements, his needs, his wants, all of them, Kofi thought that the time had come.

This was the point of time where Kofi's joy knew no bounds, he leaped up and down in the celebrations of the ever post he had longed for all his miserable life. And just feeling the fact that now his whole life's pleading, behaving in an attitude he had never wished for as well as all the flattery and "saying-untrue things in appreciation of people above him" ness had finally and finally paid off. Now Kofi got to action. What did he had to do? Well the UN General Secretary had to take care of the violence going around earth, settle issues, do welfare programs etc.

But Kofi? Oh well this was the one opportunity where he could get all he wanted! So, why do this miserable secretary stuff, anyone can do it, If I wont, then the upcoming Secretary will, so if it has to be done, Why should I do it? A pass of the problem for Kofi. Therefore the UN grew to be an organization which had nothing to do with the world, but with Kofi, in Kofi's reign, the UN began working for Kofi now, Kofi fulfilled his wishes and needs and wants by UN, the question comes up, is the UN meant for Kofi's own pleasure?

Now, Kofi got up on his feet and started looking around of ways for exploiting the UN, while busy in this activity, George Bush quickly did wars behind Kofi's back, but Kofi didn't seem to care and he still doesn't, that there had ever been a war on Iraq or Afghanistan. Whenever asked about this, Kofi disappeared around the corner with the comment "The UN is thinking about this". Think Think UN and Think Think Kofi, but you have said the truth Kofi, it is Think Think about the world and Do Do about Kofi

When the rehabilitation of some countries issue came up with Kofi, Kofi, being the ever nerd he is, tried to avoid it, But the previous secretaries were no less then Kofi and therefore it was the final call for the things to be done, so Kofi was struck and thought of a way to exploit this situation of the UN as well, the Iraq war was quickly did in the meantime, so Kofi was thinking, which was one of the actions which had been rarely practiced in Kofi's life. Now Kofi thought of a plan to rehabilitate his own son, who was destroyed, and destroy the countries, which were going to be rehabilitated. Now, Kofi kept his son too in his supervision in his own.... err...company...the UN as some secretary and gave him the place of doing that rehabilitation work, now the son was two steps ahead of father, and therefore left nothing left to eat in the issue, ( did I mention he had been hungry all his life as Kofi didn't earn but flattered in the time he was supposed to be earning ? ) so at the opportunity of eating, everything was ate up.

Now Kofi didn't think of this, and therefore Kofi was stuck again, fingers began pointing towards him and Kofi realized his duties, but this, being a temporary phase of life, vanished soon and the Incorporated Company of Kofi and His son, started eating up their way again to the UN's doom, due to Kofi realizing the fact that this WAS the LAST opportunity, again. As we know, Kofi has been a lover of the variety and therefore took a bite of each and every money, rather to say, every type of money he can see in his sight, some kinds of money were, the Earthquake Relief money, the Tsunami relief money, The African country help money and many different kinds of money, Kofi had never seen in his life, so Kofi ate a bite of each and every kind of money that came to him

Kofi never thought of some things, which were, being accused of corruption, the UN picture in a normal mind, the UN 's downfall, no, why should he think about it? For what are the other nations? They are for thinking about it and what is Kofi meant for? Eating and Digesting by the LAST CHANCE! And what was the UN for? Simple, UN was for Kofi!

So, Kofi now did everything he can and promoted his son and did so many other things he can do to enjoy the splendor of his life. Now let us look at the things which Kofi didn't care about and therefore which resulted in devastation and demolishing of so many things in the world that nobody can give a list of, But I will try doing it.

The Tsunami: Tsunami, Came and got away, but left a really huge matter for Kofi to earn money from. There are different beliefs among geologists as for why did the Tsunami occur, but I am sure about the fact that the Tsunami had come for Kofi and only for him. Now, Kofi had already thought of how to exploit this situation, from the next minute of Tsunami, the donations started coming, as if they were blessings for Kofi and Kofi open heartedly accepted them, as he knew that all this was for him, and only for Kofi. Kofi's bank account started becoming larger, and the hopes of Tsunami affected people began becoming smaller, Kofi, of course, left some part for Tsunami relief from the donations as he is a very generous person you know. Now Kofi took his mega share and gave some to the Tsunami affected people too, therefore maintaining the fact that the relief amount was given to the Tsunami people.

Earthquakes around the world: Many earthquakes occurred around the world in the reign of Kofi, they also had a profound effect on Kofi and his works, although they demolished and destructed towns, building etc. But strengthened Kofi, his bank accounts, and his position on the UN further more, who can alter anything of a person who is blessed by Nature? And that person is Kofi, such destruction, which occurred in so many places around the world, was for the welfare of Kofi, fact proven.

Other Natural Calamities: Other natural calamities by which the world was infested since the reign of Kofi Annan include many other things too, floods, tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes etc. which whipped apart the world, but Nature has always been with Kofi Annan and his works and therefore the fact comes into light that nobody can alter anything of the person who has been blessed by nature and such is the case with Kofi which is why he has never been turned down by the nature. That is the reason that every natural tragedy becomes an award for him. He is the only and only person who is a great follower of my concept called Grow With Nature, and how can one say that Kofi hasn't done any social work for society, when his upcoming farewell will itself be a great welfare work for society. That is why I am bound to say "Kofi, have some Coffee?"

Dr. Rajesh Dubey http://www.gandharv.com

Email: gandharv[at]gandharv.com

Dr. Rajesh Dubey http://www.gandharv.com

http://www.gandharv.com

Email: gandharv[at]gandharv.com

News of Antioxidants in Coffee not a License to Make It a Mainstay in Health Regimens

2009-02-07T10:09:00.001+07:00

Coffee may be a chief source of antioxidants in the American diet, as recently reported at the meeting of the American Chemical Society by Dr. Joe Vinson of the University of Scranton, but "that is not a license to make it a mainstay of your health regimen," says Dr. Keith I. Block of the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Care & Optimal Health in Evanston, Illinois. Vinson recently found that, based on both the concentration of antioxidants in coffee and the relative amounts we consume of coffee and the more conventionally acknowledged antioxidant sources - fruits and vegetables - coffee contributes more to our antioxidant intake than any other food.

"Vinson's results are perhaps more a reflection on the inadequacy of our fruit and vegetable intake than on the health benefits of coffee, which has some significant health concerns for many people," noted Block. Caffeinated coffee joins several other popular caffeine sources in the diet in contributing to excess intake of this natural drug. Recent studies highlight the role that caffeine overdose plays in insomnia, anxiety disorders, elevation of stress hormones, urination and bladder problems in older women, and non-cancerous breast lumps. It produces a small but disturbingly significant elevation of blood pressure. Even decaffeinated coffee contributes to health problems. When it's combined with high-fat milk, cream, sugar or flavorings, a single 16-oz cup can have over 250 calories - a questionable addition to the diet of anyone trying to keep their weight under control (not to mention their budget)! "Decaf and caffeinated coffee alike contribute to a range of gastric problems that are becoming ever more important in contemporary society, including both ulcers and the widespread gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or chronic heartburn), which can be a precursor to esophageal cancer," explained Block, who is co-founder and Medical/Scientific Director of the Block Center. "While a little coffee can be fine for most people, increasing beyond a cup or two a day can lead to clinical problems. The supersized caffeinated blends can actually be toxic! In fact some studies have found that increases in blood levels can be responsible for adverse effects among persons consuming only moderately increased doses over average consumption. Though usually toxic dosing requires quite high dosing, upwards of 150 ounces daily, toxicity can result for some people if they were to consume 35 to 70 ounces in a short period. This is only 7 to 14 cups at only 5 ounces per cup. Or, at the supersize 16+ ounce level, only a few!"

While many people may be able to tolerate coffee in the small cup or two per day that Dr. Vinson points out as being reasonable, anyone with health problems that are potentially coffee- or caffeine-related needs to examine their daily coffee intake closely.

"Yes, coffee is chock full of antioxidants," says Dr. Block, "but don't run to your neighborhood coffee-house in place of consuming fruits and vegetables. These colorful plants contain an array of plant chemicals that help reduce your risks of killer diseases like cancer and heart disease."

The Block Center for Integrative Cancer Care and Optimal Health, located in Evanston, Illinois, was founded in 1980 by Penny and Keith Block, M.D. with a focus on treating the patient as a whole person, not treating just the diagnosis or symptoms. The Center's research-based treatment integrates an innovative approach to the best of conventional medicine with scientifically sound complementary therapies -- therapeutic nutrition, botanical and phytonutrient supplementation, prescriptive exercise, and systematic mind-body strategies -- to enhance the recovery process. Block has pioneered this "middle ground" approach to cancer care and optimal health - designing a total treatment plan that is tailored to the precise needs of each patient, using a unique set of clinical and laboratory assessments. The Block Center is breaking new ground with the creation and development of Cancer Rehab as an innovative treatment modality, and currently is the only private North American medical center using chrono-modulated chemotherapy. While the Block Center is a full treatment clinic, it is involved in collaborative research with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas as a Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) and is also engaged in clinical cancer research with other university facilities in the United States and Israel ( www.blockmd.com )

www.blockmd.com

Grinding Gourmet Coffee Beans

2009-02-06T10:09:00.001+07:00

The fast rule of thumb is the faster the infusion the finer the grind. The objective is to get the most flavor out of your ground gourmet coffee beans when infused with hot water. The type of coffee grind that you use is important in order to properly match the type of brewing method you will be using.

The espresso brewing method need the least amount of time and requires the grind to be very fine. The various grind categories are "fine," "medium" and "coarse." The finer grinds don't need to be in contact with water for as long as the coarser grinds.

If you would like to make a stronger or weaker brew it is easier to just add or reduce the amount of ground coffee than to vary the grind. If you tried using an espresso grind in your drip filter machine, the water will take much longer to filter through and the flavor will not improve.

After deterioration expect to taste stale and coffee with a reduction of flavor. Oxygen and moister in the air quickly deteriorates ground coffee as it oxidizes and looses its flavor. The effective life of ground coffee is only a few days after grinding. It cannot be emphasized more that grinding coffee immediately before brewing makes a huge different in the freshness of your coffee.

There are a larger variety of bean grinders available on the market that can either look as a nice appliance in your kitchen or can be quickly put away. Grinding beans at home is very easy to do.

The oldest bean grinders are the mortar and pestle. This takes a while to use and the grind is not consistent. But since we are in living in the electronic age there are simpler and faster methods.

Electric motor grinders can either have blades or two crushing burr plates. The blade grinders are the least expensive and can be found at places such as Wal-Mart for under $15. The burr grinders are little more expensive. An attractive burr grinder can be found at finer food or kitchen appliance stores for $50 and above. Check out place such as Williams-Sonoma, Bed Bath and Beyond or Linens and Things.

Burr vs. Blades

The extra expense of a burr grinder will translate into a better grind. A blade does not really grind but slashes the beans into smaller and smaller particles. The blade particles are inconsistent; around the edges are fine powder and larger chunks in the center.

Blade Grinder

The blade grinder is the best option as someone's first grinder. It is the least expensive and can be quickly put away after use. The two major draw backs are that they are messy as the grounds spill from the container when you open it and the inconsistent grind mentioned above. Still, having a blade grinder will cause a major difference in the flavor your experience from your gourmet coffee beans if you are currently buying ground coffee.

How to Use a Blade Grinder

When you use a blade grinder do not hold your finger on the button the entire time but push it in intervals. Grind in quick bursts of 2-5 seconds so that it prevents the beans from heating up too much. Also hold it with two hands with one over the top container and shake it up and down as you grind to mix up the contents and to give it a better consistency.

For a course grind spin your blade grinder for 7-10 seconds, a medium grind will take 10-14 seconds and a finer grind will take 15-20 seconds. If you drink espresso you will need one of the more expensive burr grinders, a blade version will not produce the consistently fine grind that is required for espresso.

One of the latest developments is a drip coffee machine with a built-in blade grinder. It has a timer you can set so in the morning the beans are automatically ground then pushed into the coffee filter and the brewing will start automatically. All you have to do is add the beans and water in the morning. This is perfect for people on the go. One of the most popular models is the Cuisinart Stainless Steel Grind & Brew, which retails for around $120. The only drawback is that a burr grinder is not available but we have hope for the future.

Burr Grinders

If you are looking for the best method for grinding your gourmet coffee beans go straight for a Burr grinder. The grind is consistent and most of the machines have various grind settings. Many include a bean hopper on top where you can store your beans with an airtight lid. Some have a setting to set how many cups you want to grind and include a receptacle where your coffee grounds are deposited. After grinding you simply pour your coffee grounds from the receptacle into your coffee maker. This type of burr grinder not only produces a great and consistent grind, it also keeps your ground coffee well contained with little spillage.

For the professional users you will find bean grinders that will grind directly into your coffee filter which is ideal for restaurants. Check out versions from Gaggia and Bunn for these types of burr grinders.

The Bottom Line

Stop settling for lower quality pre-ground store bought coffee. If you have not already done so, make the jump and get a quality grinder and buy whole bean coffee to grind just before you brew. If you are on a budget or are not ready for a larger commitment, get an inexpensive blade grinder. If you are a lover of coffee and want the best for your beans, buy a quality burr grinder. A good burr grinder will eliminate some of the hassles and spillage of a blade grinder and will produce a more consistent grind.

The Best Cup of Drip Coffee Possible

2009-02-05T10:09:00.001+07:00

With a "good" cup of coffee costing almost as much as a good sandwich these days, more and more people are taking to making their coffee at home from an "old fashioned" drip coffee machine. With the influence of Starbucks and the others out there, people are demanding a better cup of coffee all of the time. This article should help you make the best cup of drip coffee possible.

Coffee from a can just doesn't work for the general public anymore. You know what I'm talking about and it sounds as lousy to you as it does to me. The good news is that great coffee beans can be obtained at pretty much any grocery store. If you use coupons (and if you don't, shame on you), you should do quite well if you aren't too worried about the brand name. My tip for you - worry about quality more than anything else. The big stores like Sams Club and Costco offer big bags of coffee beans at some very good prices. Your author's favorite, in case you're interested, is Kirkland brand (two pound) of Espresso Roast (Starbucks) that you can find at Costco.

Be willing to experiment with different bean types to find the kind of coffee you like best. For what it is worth, more times than not, I've found that a good espresso roast makes a great cup of drip coffee as well. Do experiment though, you just might be surprised at what you find.

Good beans deserve a good grind. You'd be surprised at the difference between a good grind and a bad one. If you don't have a good grinder at home, consider grinding the beans at the store where they were purchased as the grinders there often do a great job. Burr grinders are the best, and the most expensive.

It is probably obvious but good water makes a difference as well. The more things you take out of the water, the better your coffee will taste.

A good drip machine is also a must. More than anything else, the warming element is what you need to worry about. If you find that your coffee often has that scalded burned taste, the warmer might be too hot. And, of course, there is seldom a way to change that so, … you'll need a new machine.

Consider the French Press alternative. French presses are dirt cheap, make an incredible cup of coffee, and never leave you worrying about overactive warmers, water tube build-up and the like. Remember that the grind for French Press is different than normal drip coffee so grind accordingly.

What about people stuck in a bad coffee situation in the office or somewhere else? Here's a trick that can help with some issues: Bring in a cinnamon shaker and dash a little on the grinds before starting the machine. This will give the coffee a bit more taste, hide some of the bad taste and help with the aroma. Grab the coffee as soon as is brewed and, most of all, lobby for better coffee.

You're worth it.

About The Author

Chiacchia Del is the webmaster of Yo! Coffee, the Internet's hot spot for all things coffee. You can read more of her work at http://www.yocoffee.com .

http://www.yocoffee.com

The Newest Wedding Sensation - Coffee Wedding Favors

2009-02-04T10:10:00.001+07:00

From generic simple favors to personalized unique favors, options are endless. With so much to think about, a small, but important part of the wedding is the wedding favors. This day must go as planned. From the dresses and tuxedos to the very plates they will dine off of, there will be nothing left to chance. With so much to think about, a small, but important part of the wedding to consider. This day must go as planned. From the dresses and tuxedos to the very plates they will dine off of, there will be nothing left to chance. For couples planning their big day, there are many aspects of the wedding to consider. One of those times and probably the most significant is their wedding day. There are very few times in a person's life that the world will completely revolve around them.

Perhaps an autumn wedding, wedding favors can coincide with your theme easily and add an extra uniqueness to your special day. Are you having a beach wedding? What is your theme? In the past, most weddings contained the same basic setups and party favors designed by the many artists who have brought us themes that fit any lifestyle imaginable. When choosing favors for your wedding, you can reference books, stores, and now online websites for ideas.

Java, after all, is the morning medicine that keeps many of us on time to our morning meetings and gives us a boost of energy! Whichever your taste, coffee wedding favors have become a favorite within the last five years or so. Choose a coffee wedding favor designed to match your theme and personalize them with the bride and groom's name and wedding date. For specialty themes like coffee wedding favors, you may have to seek out an Internet wedding favor retailer for all items pertaining to coffee lovers. These are the most unique wedding favors available. The latest wedding favor sensation is coffee wedding favors. Some of your choices may be: mints, candles, frames, chocolate bar wedding favors and much more. For every theme, there is a perfect wedding favor.

When you have just one chance to get it right, always do your best by choosing wedding favors that fit your wedding theme and personality. There are so many items to choose, from heart shaped coffee scoops to personalized coffees there is something for everyone. Wedding gifts for the bride's maids and groom's men have been a long time tradition not to mention leaving the guests with items to use as souvenirs.

Coffee Making Without Technology

2009-02-03T10:10:00.001+07:00

In this day and age, coffee making has become something of an art. Specialty coffee shops have sprung up all over, and it would be hard to drive down a city street without seeing at least one or two. These days, coffee is more than just brewing a strong cup on the stove. There are fancy coffee makers, espresso machines, and cappuccino machines, and a host of coffee flavors and different coffee additives, such as flavored creamers or syrups.

There are times, however, when making a fancy cup of coffee is out of the question. Perhaps you are out roughing it in the wilderness, you forgot your stove-top percolator, and you still want at least a good black cup of coffee but aren't sure what to do. Believe it or not, there is a trick to coffee making that doesn't include electricity or even a stove-top percolator.

Of course, even if you are lacking a coffee maker or a coffee pot, you are still going to need your basic ground coffee, and you are going to need a heat source. Hopefully, if you are on a remote camping trip, you still remembered the coffee, even if you didn't remember the stove-top percolator; and of course, most campers have campfires or camping stoves fueled by some type of gas. It can actually be a rewarding experience to use some old-fashioned ingenuity when it comes to the simple act of making coffee without a coffee pot; it helps us remember that we are not always slaves to modern technology.

The method you can use to make yourself a cup of coffee is to use a couple of paper towels, a regular pot or pan, and a cup - either a coffee cup or any cup that can hold hot liquid. Place a couple of paper towels over the cup, and then place some coffee grounds on paper towels. Heat the water over your campfire or on your camp stove until it is boiling, and then carefully, and slowly, pour the heated water over the coffee grounds and paper towels so that it filters into the cup. The more slowly you pour the water in, the stronger your cup of coffee should be. If you don't think the coffee is strong enough the first time, carefully remove the paper towels with the coffee grounds on top, pour the liquid from the cup back into the pan, put the napkins or paper towels and coffee grounds back on top of the cup, and repeat the procedure. It shouldn't take more than two times to make a strong enough cup of coffee. This may seem like a long and tedious procedure, but you'll get your cup of coffee, and you'll probably feel rather proud of yourself!

John Gibb is the owner of coffee making sources , For more information on how to make coffee check out http://www.cofeemaking-sources.info

coffee making sources http://www.cofeemaking-sources.info

Coffee Shop Business Plan

2009-02-02T10:09:00.001+07:00

A coffee shop business plan would help you to do things right from the very beginning.

Whatever your purpose, however you may want to become involved with the coffee business, you'll most likely want to have a coffee shop business plan in place before taking the first step. You might even want to add a coffee angle to your existing business. Or maybe you want to buy an already existing coffee business, and want to make sure that you run it right. Or perhaps you already own a coffee shop, and are wondering what you can do to boost sales.

All reasons to have a Coffee Shop Business Plan in place. In short, you don't know too many things about the coffee business; where do you start? Do you go it independent, or do you get a franchise from some big player? What kind of location should you look for? What equipment should you buy? There are hundreds of varieties of coffee and coffee-based drinks; what drinks should you make? Will you have adequate resources to see it through till you succeed? Will it be really worth it? There are certain vital questions to be considered.

for a full-fledged coffee shop, however, it could be anything between $60,000 and $350,000, depending on your scale of operation. For a drive-thru, you should need something between $40,000 and $150,000. This should include what you intend to do, how you intend to implement it, what kind of startup finances you need, what level of sales you're looking at, and how you plan to pay the (private or institutional) investors back. First, you need to write an informed, coherent coffee shop business plan.

Choose the Correct Coffee Machines

2009-02-01T10:09:00.001+07:00

But I am not alone. As time goes by I am sure to gather more Coffee Making equipment as I am a self confessed coffee addict. One Coffee Machine that is out permanently and two Coffee Machines that like it in the cupboard! Personally I have three. Most kitchens will have some sort of Coffee Machines in them.

Then there are the new fangled pod coffee machines, which infuse hot water through coffee pods, and the top-notch espresso makers. You can still get the old-fashioned drip machines, but the even more old-fashioned presses and hand brew machines are back in style. Not only do you have to choose among the dozens of franchise coffee shops, coffee types, espresso, cappuccino, and all other kinds of java, you also have to worry about what kind of coffee machines to work with. Nowadays, coffee is all the rage.

Honest! You may have to clean the filters after each use, but this little bit of extra work is well worth it. Permanent filters make sure that the flavor molecules from the coffee grinds pass through into the water, but more importantly, the permanent filters do this without adding unwanted flavors. The key to these machines is using a gold, nylon, or other type of permanent filters. They use a method of brewing that can create the most delicious coffee. Drip coffee machines, though, are still one of the easiest types to use for beginners and coffee aficionados alike.

If you absolutely have to use paper filters try rinsing them with hot water first as this helps to wash away some of the after taste. They impart an aftertaste into the finished product, and they absorb some of the special flavor molecules and aromatic oils from your coffee beans, which are what gives your cup of joe its tantalizing taste. What is wrong with paper filters for coffee machines?

This means water temperatures that are between 195 degrees and 205 degrees to ensure the best flavor extraction from the coffee grounds. Be sure to only add the right temperature water to the mix. When using drip coffee machines, stick with medium to fine grinds of coffee.

And if you want to follow the most expert rules for using drip coffee machines, you should remove the grounds from the filter before the last couple of drops of water have filtered through. This prevents your coffee from being over-extracted and overly bitter. One last thing. Before you serve this delicious coffee to yourself or to a guest, stir it.

From one coffee addict to the like minded, enjoy! So go choose a coffee machine that will suit you and enjoy your morning pick-you-up or sip your mellow afternoon cup-a-joe!

Gevalia Kaffe Is In The Coffee And Tea Business

2009-01-31T10:10:00.001+07:00

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

Further information can be found at

Tips & News

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

2009-01-30T10:10:00.001+07:00

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.

"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.

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

2009-01-29T10:08:00.001+07:00

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!

Women and Coffee

2009-01-28T10:09:00.001+07:00

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

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

2009-01-27T10:09:00.001+07:00

Bottom Layer:

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 cup sugar

2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 cup milk

2 eggs

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)

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

2 cups sugar

1 cup flour

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

3/4 cup brown sugar

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

What's In a Cup of Coffee?

2009-01-26T10:09:00.001+07:00

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.

Read this Article if You Like Starbucks Coffee

2009-01-25T10:09:00.001+07:00

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.

Customer Loyalty is Coffee Shop Loyalty - The Perfect Blend

2009-01-24T10:09:00.001+07:00

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Coffee Or Tea - Which Is Better For You?

2009-01-23T10:10:00.001+07:00

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.

Coffee Club Membership Is A Joy For Coffee Lovers

2009-01-22T10:10:00.001+07:00

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.

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Italian Roast Coffee For An Authentic Espresso

2009-01-21T10:10:00.001+07:00

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?

Coffee and Lowering Cholesterol

2009-01-20T10:09:00.001+07:00

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

Coffee: Freedom in a Cup

2009-01-19T10:09:00.001+07:00

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.

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Coffee: The Big Picture

2009-01-18T10:09:00.001+07:00

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.

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Coffee - Grinding Coffee Beans

2009-01-17T10:09:00.001+07:00

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.

Making French Press Coffee

2009-01-16T10:10:00.001+07:00

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.

Best-Coffee-Makers-Online.com

Coffee: Bean Storage Issues

2009-01-15T10:08:00.001+07:00

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

Coffee - When You Really Need That Caffeine Buzz

2009-01-14T10:09:00.001+07:00

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

French Press Style Coffee

2009-01-13T10:09:00.001+07:00

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.

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

2009-01-12T10:09:00.001+07:00

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.

Good News for Coffee Drinkers

2009-01-11T10:09:00.001+07:00

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.

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

2009-01-10T10:09:00.001+07:00

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.

Starbucks Coffee Company

2009-01-09T10:09:00.001+07:00

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.

Modern Coffee Tables - Art for Your Living Room

2009-01-08T10:09:00.001+07:00

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

Diabetes and the Preventive Power of Coffee!

2009-01-07T10:10:00.001+07:00

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.

Gourmet Coffee - Enjoy Your Coffee Break

2009-01-06T10:06:00.001+07:00

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.

Coffee and Depression: Coffee as an Antidepressant?

2009-01-05T10:07:00.001+07:00

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.

Brewing a Perfect Cup of Coffee

2009-01-04T10:07:00.001+07:00

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.