coffee drink basics

When you enter a coffee house, you have a multitude of drink choices like latté, cappuccino, straight shot and caffé mocha just to name a few.

Sometimes knowing what to order can be overwhelming unless you know what you are getting. After all, who wants to pay an outrageous amount of money for a mystery drink that you may not even like?

So http://www.perfectcoffees.com has come to the rescue, and after you read this, you'll have a basic understanding of how the most popular coffee drinks are made and what they are made of.

Most coffee drinks start with espresso and espresso is just coffee that is brewed a certain way. It is finely ground to almost a powder then very hot water is forced through the grounds under intense pressure.

The brewing process is timed so that the flavorful and aromatic oils are extracted from the coffee and not the bitter components. This produces a strong flavored, but not bitter, concentrated shot of coffee.

Straight Shot

The straight shot refers to espresso coffee and the secret to good espresso is the extraction time, volume, and golden crema which is a thick light brown layer of frothed coffee oils that float on top of a properly extracted espresso.

The short shot or ristretto is extracted to a volume of three-quarters of an ounce. The shorter restricted pour magnifies the essence of the coffee and the chance of any bitter elements being extracted is minimized. If you have ever ordered an espresso shot in Europe they usually serve the ristretto.

The long shot or lungo is extracted to a volume of one and one-half ounces.

The double shot is a 2 ounce shot using twice as much coffee in the portafilter.

The correct way to serve a straight shot is to extract it directly into a warmed demitasse cup. The warm demitasse cup will keep the straight shot warm and prolong the crema. A straight shot is best enjoyed immediately after brewing.

It is rare to see people drinking straight shots of espresso in the US. Most people here drink variations using steamed milk mixed with the shots to make the different coffee drinks listed here.

Espresso Macchiato

The Espresso Macchiato starts with a shot of espresso and then a small amount of foamed milk is spooned over the shot. Macchiato in Italian means "marked," as the espresso is marked with foam.

Espresso Con Panna

This is an Espresso Macchiato using whipped cream in place of the foamed milk. The drink gets its name Con Panna which means "with cream."

Caffé Americano

The Caffé Americano is a drink similar to American brewed coffee. It is made with a single or double shot of espresso combined with 6 to 8 ounces of hot water out of an espresso machine. The result is a very smooth cup of coffee that is much hotter than brewed coffee.

Cappuccino

Cappuccino is made with a fluffy, wet foam, mixed with espresso coffee upon the pour to create a blend of the two flavors. Cold milk is essential, as is expertise in the foaming process. Cappuccino has a large volume of foam making it a light weight drink and less filling.

Caffé Latté

Caffé Latté is similar to the cappuccino but with much less foam and more steamed milk. A latté is made by holding back the foam with a spoon while pouring the frothed milk from the steaming pitcher. The caffé latté is completed by being topped with a small amount of the held back foam.

Caffé latté gets its name from the addition of coffee to milk. For an iced latté, cold milk is combined with the espresso and then the ice is added.

Caffé Mocha

A caffé mocha is made by adding powdered or chocolate syrup to a hot shot of espresso and blended. Steamed milk is then be added to the espresso-chocolate mixture and usually it is topped with whipped cream.

Iced mochas are made with cold milk and the ice added after the coffee and chocolate have been blended.

Flavored Coffee Drinks

Some popular coffee flavors are: vanilla, Irish creme, almond, hazelnut, caramel and fruit flavors such as orange and raspberry. These drinks usually start with a flavored syrup that is mixed with hot espresso and stirred. Then steamed milk is stirred in like in a latté.

An iced version of these flavored coffees made with cold milk instead of steamed makes a delicious cold drink in the summer months.

So now that you know what's in the basic coffee drinks, try one you haven't tasted yet. Who knows, you might find a new favorite.

http://www.dishadvice.com

http://www.perfectcoffees.com























































http://www.dishadvice.com

coffee with a conscience why buy fair trade coffee

Coffee is second only to oil as the most traded commodity in the world, and the United States is its largest consumer. While the average cost for a pound of coffee ranges from $3.00 to almost $40.00, the average third world coffee farmer receives only 25 to 50 cents. Though a good yield can garner close to $10,000 a year for the average farmer, by the time that same yield hits the cup in the US, it is worth more than three-quarters of a million dollars.

Before harvested coffee beans make it to the US, they are bought and sold by middlemen, who set the per pound price paid to disadvantaged farmers. Though there have been initiatives to curb the middleman’s influence, there hasn’t necessarily been a way to side-step them completely, until now.

Fair trade organizations, such as Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) and FLO-CERT, provide strict guidelines that follow coffee beans from plant to finished product. When a product is designated Fair Trade Certified(TM), it means it has been produced for a fair price, under safe and healthy conditions, and in accordance with direct trade standards that give the farmer more control and allow them to compete globally. Fair trade organizations also work with farmers to promote community development programs and environmentally sustaining farming practices.

More consumers are switching to Fair Trade coffee.

As awareness and availability increase, more people are making the decision to purchase Fair Trade Certified products. What started as a grass roots effort to help struggling farmers in third world countries has grown to a world-wide movement to ensure coffee producers are able to sustain their families, communities and their harvest.

Fair Trade Certified coffee is growing in popularity and can now be bought in most supermarkets, from wholesale suppliers or through online coffee retailers. It is sold as ground coffee, coffee beans, coffee pods or even instant coffee. Major coffee shops and restaurants are beginning to offer Fair Trade Certified coffees side-by-side or as an alternative to regularly produced coffees.

Does Fair Trade coffee cost more?

While there is a slight variance in pricing when compared with mass-produced products, Fair Trade Certified coffee is priced competitively with other gourmet and specialty coffees, and any difference will decrease as Fair Trade coffee sales increase. Bypassing the middlemen allows Fair Trade Certified coffee prices to stay competitive while netting the farmer a bigger return.

How does purchasing Fair Trade benefit coffee farmers?

Under fair trade agreements, farmers receive a set minimum price for their product, unlike regular coffee growers whose income is generally far below market value. Fair Trade certification also helps farmers implement organic growing practices, better labor practices, and safer working conditions. Benefits reach the farmers through a labeling and audit system that tracks the coffee from harvest to packaging.

Can you taste a difference?

Fair Trade coffees don’t taste different because they are grown the same as any coffee, but under improved conditions. Many fair trade organizations are working with farmers to develop organic and shade grown coffees techniques which means coffees that are healthier for you and the environment.

How do you know if you’re buying Fair Trade Certified coffee?

To find Fair Trade coffee at your local store or via an online retailer, simply look for the Fair Trade Certified Mark on the package. By selecting products licensed to use the certification mark, you can be sure your purchase is making a positive difference by helping disadvantaged farmers get a better deal.

About CoffeeCow

CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on coffee pods , single cup coffee makers, and a wide selection of related coffee supplies. Developed by coffee professionals with over 35 years of experience in fulfilling any coffee service need, CoffeeCow offers all the coffee conveniences for your home or office. Visit http://www.coffeecow.com for more information.

More consumers are switching to Fair Trade coffee.



coffee pods

Does Fair Trade coffee cost more?



How does purchasing Fair Trade benefit coffee farmers?



Can you taste a difference?



How do you know if you’re buying Fair Trade Certified coffee?



About CoffeeCow

coffee pods http://www.coffeecow.com