Why You Need To Support Fair Trade Coffee More Than Ever

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Women and Coffee

I do not know about you, but for me, coffee drinking, especially in the morning or early evening, is more than a simple habit or cultural characteristic. Actually, it has become a necessity without which I cannot open my eyes and stand on my two feet all day. According to researchers, I am not alone. Nearly 80% of the U.S. population drinks coffee on a daily basis. The caffeine measured to be contained in a cup of coffee, me and you daily consume, is around 80-130 mg. But while the medical community has warned the public of the health risks associated to caffeine intake, there still is very little linking between coffee and health problems, except in a very few cases.

Coffee, which is a beverage served cold or hot, comes from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, almost always referred to as coffee beans. But regardless of its tremendous market success-coffee is the second most commonly traded commodity in the world surpassed only by petroleum-coffee has been blamed to be the cause of a variety of disorders ranging from indigestion to cancer, at one time or another. Since it is the main source of caffeine, which is a stimulant, coffee has had an almost constant role in the news pertaining to health problems in recent years. Surprisingly, most of these warnings and urgent health reports, describing problems like the human airways clogging, are aimed at women.

But while even doctors have been very critical of the role of coffee in women's health, the fact of the matter remains; there is little proof that any risk to women exists from coffee drinking, especially when consumed in moderate amounts. As a matter of fact, reports have even suggested that coffee even lessen the risks of some diseases in women, such as bladder cancer. Unfortunately, since the health problems examined in relation to their linkage with coffee consumption have not yet reached indisputable results, women have reached a stage that it is almost difficult to believe anything involving the health risks of coffee and women.

The reasons why coffee has been getting such a bad reputation are based on the fact that of all drinks containing caffeine, coffee has the highest concentration amount, far exciding that of sodas. In addition, since doctors advice pregnant women to be cautious and avoid caffeinated beverages while carrying an infant, despite there being no evidence of any serious health risks involved, women tend to consider coffee drinking almost as if they were performing some kind of sin and avoid drinking it in fear of the unknown consequences. On the other hand, new research has revealed that coffee is actually beneficial to a person's health. For example, the diuretic effect of coffee has proved that it lessens the incidence of bladder cancer in smokers, and drinking coffee regularly is also reported to lessen the onset of Parkinson's disease.

So, what should we ladies do? The best advice that anyone can believe is the trusted advice of their doctor. Question your doctor if he/she restricts coffee and follow their advice, but stay current on health news. Although it seems impossible to know which study to believe, we have to train ourselves to tell the difference between hypothesis and fact. Being educated about our health will always make us women feel better in the long run.

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

Health Cooking Beauty

Weight Loss and Coffee: Is Your Favorite Cup of Coffee Making You Gain Weight?

The sizes vary from 10 to 32 ounces and are often prepared with milk, cream, hydrogenated oils, fats, added sugars, and syrups in addition to the coffee making them much higher in calories than you might expect. Whether you live in a small city or large metropolitan area, you will find coffee shops on every corner and often in your workplace makes it more convenient than eating breakfast. There is no shortage of coffee houses in the U.S.

To top that off, the sugar and caffeine combination can end up stimulating your appetite leading Plus the sugar consumption can lead to blood sugar surges that can cause the body to store more calories as fat. Plus the sugar consumption can lead to a gradual weight gain over time averaging about 20 pounds per year. Plus the sugar consumption can lead to a gradual weight gain over time averaging about 20 pounds per year. Plus the sugar consumption can lead to a gradual weight gain over time averaging about 20 pounds per year. This kind of calorie increase can lead to a gradual weight gain over time averaging about 20 pounds per year. The researchers found that the gourmet coffee drinkers had a 206 calorie increase in a typical day and a 32 gram higher sugar intake than the non-gourmet coffee drinkers. The researchers found that the gourmet coffee consumption of 165 women attending Simmons College in Boston, MA. The researchers found that the gourmet coffee consumption of 165 women attending Simmons College in Boston, MA. A recent study analyzed the gourmet coffee consumption of 165 women attending Simmons College in Boston, MA. How is the advent of gourmet coffee affecting weight?

The recommendation for sugar consumption is 12 teaspoons or less per day. Oh, and just for reference, 250 extra calories per day will lead to a ½ pound weight increase in a year. Here is a list to give you an idea. Wonder how many calories and sugar grams are in your favorite drinks?

Regular coffee drinks:

Regular coffee drinks:

Medium brewed coffee - 10 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15 calories, 0 grams sugar Medium Caffe Americano - 15

Now for the gourmet coffees:

Now for the gourmet coffees:

Medium Caffe Latte - 260 calories, 19 grams sugar (5 tsp) Medium Caffe Mocha - 400 calories, 33 grams sugar (8 tsp) Medium Caramel Apple Cider - 410 calories, 68 grams sugar (17 tsp) Medium Caramel Macchiato - 310 calories, 34 grams sugar (9 tsp) Medium Hot Chocolate - 350 calories, 40 grams sugar (10 tsp) Medium White Chocolate Mocha - 510 calories, 55 grams of sugar (14 tsp)

If you are trying to manage you weight then it is best to keep gourmet coffee drinks to a once in awhile treat rather than an every day habit. Gourmet coffee drinks are good, but the reality is they are equivalent to eating a dessert. There is no doubt about it.

The Truth About My Grandaddy's Coffee

And I'm sure we drove him nuts, as well. Granddaddy worked at night as a security guard, so it was no trouble at all for him to let us go nut! When I was six years old, my granddaddy would take me and my twin brother to work with him.

We had the best granddaddy in the world, just as long as we didn't tell mom, he would let us swear, we could talk about sex, or anything else that we wanted to talk about, and the one thing that mom would have went crazy if she knew that he let us, DRINK COFFEE!

It really isn't as bad for you as you think. I drink for different reasons, now. But, back then, I drank coffee because grown-ups drank it and mom would not let us drink it because it wasn't good for us. And still every time I take a drink of coffee, I think about those special times. My granddaddy introduced me to the greatest drink ever. That started a fire that still burns today.

I've done a lot of research on coffee, and drinking it is not as bad for you, at all, much to my surprise.

Its true. you would think I was crazy, right? what would you say if I told you there was a natural elixir that could lower your risk of diabetes, colon cancer, or Parkinson's disease?

Researchers from Harvard University followed data on more than 126,000 people for 18 years, and what they found would surprise the heck out of you. The research found that drinking one to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily can reduce diabetes by single digits. But, drinking six or more cups of coffee per day slashed men's risks by 54% and more than 30% in women. The more coffee you drink, the better it is for you.

Here's something else that you may not know. In males, drinking sperm stronger. The studies show that coffee consumption makes sperm swim faster and swim a longer distance. Coffee has actually been linked with infertility. This is a misconception.

Here are a few more points that I've found very interesting for you to read. Like both black and green tea, coffee contains antioxidants, wichcan help the cell mutation which may lead to cancer.

Surprisingly- given that coffee may be a migraine trigger- the caffeine may cure headaches. It is one of the ingredients in some pills because it increases the power of aspirin and other painkillers by as much as 40%.

Coffee consumption is also a brain stimulant. As coffee is a stimulant, it can help in concentration. Last year Dr Chiara Trombetti, of the humanities Gavazzeni institute in Italy, went as far as suggesting that a morning cup of milky coffee can get sleepy school children off to a good start. However, that is unlikely to be echoed by nutritionists here, who recommended sufficient sleep and good diet as better ways to cope with the mental demands of the brain.

Coffee even promotes liver health! Though doctors cannot explain the link, but studies have shown that coffee drinkers are less likely to develop liver disease, including Cirrhosis of the liver.

Coffee consumption even decreases the need for surgery on gallstones. Women are twice as likely as men to develop gallstones. In one study, women who drank four cups of coffee each day were 25% less likely to need surgery for gallstones than women who weren't coffee drinkers.

Coffee consumption may actually be good for the skin. Caffeine appeared to improve micro-circulation when applied to the skin in one study, making cellulite look better.

Now, I'm sure my Granddaddy didn't take all this information into consideration when he chose to be a coffee drinker. In fact I know he didn't, he chose coffee because he liked it, but he's almost 90 years old now, and I would like to think that his excessive coffee consumption had a little to do with him still being around, but in any case, I'm still glad he is.

Thank you for reading, and may GOD bless you always, and in always. As always, I hope you found this article both informative and entertaining.

Coffee - It Isn't All Bad!

While the jury may be out, here are some findings that indicate coffee is not all bad. is coffee good or bad for your health? The debate has raged for many years, and it will probably continue for years...

However a recent study by researchers at the Harvard University School of Public Health found no significant increase in the risk of heart disease or stroke among men who drank up to four cups of coffee a day - a finding supported by the Kaiser Permanente health care organization in California. The medical fraternity have long suspected that coffee drinking might therefore contribute to higher rates of heart disease. Coffee, as we all know, is high in caffeine, and caffeine is suspected of increasing blood pressure and heart rate.

That's a lot of coffee! The same outcome was found in women where data collected from more than 85,000 women over a 10-year period produced no evidence for any positive association between coffee consumption and risk of heart disease for women consuming six or more cups of coffee a day.

Two studies found that three or more cups of coffee a day! Caffeine also has a beneficial effect on asthma by reducing the severity of attacks. Caffeine also has a beneficial effect on alertness and improved performance in a variety of tasks. Caffeine also has a beneficial effect on alertness and improved performance in a variety of tasks. Caffeine also has a beneficial effect on alertness and improved performance in a variety of tasks. A study in 1993 clearly demonstrated that caffeinated coffee had a beneficial effect on alertness and improved performance in a variety of tasks. In fact, caffeine can increase the speed of rapid information processing by 10%. Caffeine does excite brain cells, and this in turn improves concentration and reaction time and reduces fatigue. This is not to say that there aren't physical effects to coffee drinking.

Further research into the possibility that coffee drinking may decrease depression is certainly needed. Two independent studies noted a significant inverse association between coffee drinking and the risk of suicide. Interestingly, it has been found that increased activity, alertness and efficiency are associated with a decline in levels of depression and anxiety.

Although, caffeine is often singled out as the chemical in coffee that has the most impact on our health, coffee has a complex chemical composition. One beneficial characteristic of coffee is that it contains compounds with antioxidant properties. Polyphenolic compounds known as flavonoids are common in plants and are known to have disease suppression benefits. What is most interesting is that the roasting process increases antioxidant activity in the beans. Although the beneficial role of food antioxidants is a relatively new research area, this is likely to become more important in years to come.

Yet too much caffeine can lead to irritability and restlessness along with an increase in urination. Talking of this, kidney stones are extremely painful and in a study of some 45,000 men with no history of kidney stones it was found that increased consumption of regular and decaffeinated coffee, tea, beer and wine were linked with a decreased risk of stone formation. The same effect was found in a study involving 81,000 women where caffeinated coffee and wine were found to be significantly more effective than water in helping women avoid kidney stones.

Coffee also has several metabolic effects that could reduce the risk of gallstone formation. According to a study conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), drinking coffee is associated with a 40 percent lower risk of gallstone disease in men. Men who drank four or more cups of regular coffee per day had a 45 percent lower risk profile.

The link between coffee and cancer is probably more weighted in favour of coffee. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with some 131,000 Americans being diagnosed with cancers of the rectum and colon on an annual basis. Now there is some convincing evidence for a protective effect of coffee against the development of colon cancers. A recent review of over 15 studies on coffee consumption and colorectal cancer from 1960 to 1990 found the risk of colorectal cancer to be 24% lower among those who drink four or more cups of coffee per day, than among those who rarely or never drink coffee. Researchers in Sweden also found that "…coffee consumption appears to be protective against colon cancer, and tea against rectal tumors". The most likely explanation for lower risk of colorectal cancer among heavy coffee consumers is the enhanced colonic activity induced by coffee, and the inhibition effect on the cancer-causing effects of various micro-organisms by anti-mutagenic components in coffee and caffeine.

Coffee is also commonly used to "lift" hangovers and to get going "the morning after". However it might be more useful to drink it before having the party…as in the past decade, research in the United States, Japan and Italy has shown that the consumption of coffee has a strong protective effect against cirrhosis of the liver. Drinking 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day was associated with an 80% reduction in risk for cirrhosis of the liver, compared with those who don't drink coffee at all.

On the subject of losing brain cells, Parkinson 's disease, a progressive nervous disease occurring generally after age 50, destroys brain cells that produce dopamine and is characterized by muscular tremor, slowing of movement, weakness and facial paralysis. Research into the relationship between caffeine consumption from a variety of sources and the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, has shown that moderate consumption of caffeine reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease in men and women.

In fact, men who drank four to five cups per day of caffeinated coffee cut the risk of developing Parkinson's disease nearly in half compared to men in the study who consumed little or no caffeine daily. Women who consumed between one and three cups of caffeinated coffee per day also cut their risk nearly in half of developing Parkinson's disease when compared to women who drank less than a cup of coffee per day - but this apparent benefit was lost at higher levels of intake.

Finally, while some people believe that coffee can induce acid reflux, recent research has found that coffee consumption has no effect whatever at inducing heartburn in healthy people. Even for those individuals with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, coffee consumption was found to have only a minimal effect.

So, enjoy your three to four cups of coffee a day...on average you'll be just fine! Indeed, many studies identifying beneficial effects also noted the loss of these effects at high consumption rates. Probably not...in moderation. Is coffee all that bad?

is coffee an old drink for older people

office while working and yes even while walking the dog. They drink on the way to work, the Dr. Multi tasking has effected coffee as people get more and more coffee to go. Store brand coffees have fallen while quick fix coffee houses are on the rise. While coffee consumption is up by 9% from 2001 most of the rise comes from people on the go. It appears 74% of folks over sixty are having their daily brew. “I just have to have my morning shot of caffeine.� claims Dora Mc Fadden of Vista California. Today's young crowd is opting for their quick fix, from such brands as: “Fire Power�, “XO�, “Roaring Lion�, “Four� and “Game Juice� which has more appeal to the youth in name alone. But coffee is being challenged by the energy drink people. For some people drinking coffee is literally an eye opening experience. It seems coffee drinkers look forward to the quick fix more than the taste. Ingredients such as: Taurine, ginseng, guarana, and good old caffeine provide a high jolt of energy quicker with less long lasting effects. Younger folks are looking for more bang for the buck and are finding it in energy drinks. According to statistics, the younger (18-24 year old crowd has turned their attention toward energy drinks as only 37% indulge in coffee as their favored drink. That's a stark difference from the the 40-59 year-old crowd where 60% prefer hot coffee. The National Coffee Association (believe or not there is a coffee association) has come up with these figures as a testimony to American's love for its' dark liquor. Even though energy drinks will become more popular; Coffee will continue to be America's most favored hot drink. Where is the future of coffee?

office while working and yes even while walking the dog. They drink on the way to work, the Dr. Multi tasking has effected coffee as people get more and more coffee to go. Store brand coffees have fallen while quick fix coffee houses are on the rise. While coffee consumption is up by 9% from 2001 most of the rise comes from people on the go. It appears 74% of folks over sixty are having their daily brew.“I just have to have my morning shot of caffeine.� claims Dora Mc Fadden of Vista California.Today's young crowd is opting for their quick fix, from such brands as: “Fire Power�, “XO�, “Roaring Lion�, “Four� and “Game Juice� which has more appeal to the youth in name alone. But coffee is being challenged by the energy drink people. For some people drinking coffee is literally an eye opening experience. It seems coffee drinkers look forward to the quick fix more than the taste.Even though energy drinks will become more popular; Coffee will continue to be America's most favored hot drink. Where is the future of coffee?