MundoCoffee » Coffee Articles

the-coffee-bag-lest-we-forget

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:50:29 +0000

The Coffee Bag – Lest we forget

Yep, its like that. An entire article
devoted to the coffee bag. I’m serious.
You maybe flustered, but I urge you,
read on. Your thinking rationally, but
you need to look outside the box. Look
into the coffee bag of your mind instead

Consider: People are drinking coffee at
all times of the day in a ritualistic
fashion. Coffee is a valuable commodity
to many. But it sure seems like every
who drinks it share something. An
addiction. I know you’ve flipped your
couch cushions in hopes of obtaining a
little extra silver for your morning
brew. And don’t tell me your haven’t
raided your hubbies wallet on your way
out the door. Its all okay as an avid
drinker myself I understand. However,
you dear reader now have something to
understand. That is -Without the coffee
bag to hold our precious beans we’d be
out a key item of sacred our morning
ritual..

Imagine that light thump gently waking
your ears as the bag drops from your
hand to the counter top. The sensation
of the top unfurling as you loosen the
clips. The texture of the coffee bag in
your hand as you take your first inhale
of its glorious morning scent. Its
orgasmic. We would have none of this if
we were keeping our coffee in boring
containers.Containers that aren’t near
as flexible as the coffee bag nor as
ascetically pleasing. Not to mention
that without the coffee bag our
un-brewed buddies would grow stale and
flavorless!

Now do you understand?? The coffee bag
is as important to the coffee drinker as
every other aspect of this wonderful any
time of day ritual.

Rituals aside, the coffee bag is also
reusable and can be made with recycled
materials. Its green friendly. Its doing
more on a daily basis to save our planet
then the average human. We could clearly
take a lesson from the coffee bags ways
in the word.

If your not with me on this coffee bag
train then I feel I’m a failure. If
however I’ve changed the mind of any one
of you; if I’ve made you see the light
and the truth of how the coffee bag
plays such a crucial role in your life
then I can die a happy man! I suggest
you seek out a useful suppliers at once.
Only they can give you the coffee bags
that your brown super beans deserve.

Article Source: The Coffee Bag – Lest we
forget

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An article about the importance of coffee bags.

Technorati Tags : coffee article understand morning

varieties-of-many-kinds-of-coffee

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:29:53 +0000

Varieties Of Many Kinds Of Coffee

Buying coffee may not be that difficult
if there are only two choices on the
shelves. But what happens when you have
more than ten kinds of coffee to choose
from? A little difficult, yes, but still
manageable. However, what happens when
you have as many as 30 varieties lined
up on the shelf, which coffee would you
choose? A little bit crazy I bet.

This, however, is the reality of things.
In a coffee specialty shop you can find
more than 30 different kinds of coffee,
more brands that you have ever seen some
of which you’ve never heard of and more
unique flavors and combinations than any
coffee shop could ever provide.

Whenever you buy coffee you get to see a
lot of French, Italian, Viennese, and
Continental names on the packaging.
Usually, these brands are made from
darker coffees and don’t really mean
that the beans themselves came from
these regions.

But instead of the location where they
were planted and harvested, these coffee
names are dependent on the actual length
of time the beans were roasted. For
example, Italian roasts are generally
darker in color since they have been
roasted longer than the Viennese coffee,
and so on.

If European names refer to the length of
being roasted, non-European names refer
to the origin of the coffee bean. So if
you see a coffee named Mexican roast,
then the beans came from Mexico.

There are other names on coffee labels.
One of the more exclusive ones is the
Estate named brands. Estate labeled
coffees are distinct in a way that the
coffee has been grown, harvested and
processed in a single farm or estate.
Estate coffee growers pride themselves
of having their coffees pure.

They never mixed their own estate coffee
varieties with other coffees the grew
and were harvested in other regions.
Probably, one of the most known and
trusted estate grown coffee is the
Wallensford Blue Mountain brand, which
is grown exclusively in Jamaica.

We’ve talked about names referring to
roasts and place of origin, now let’s
take a look at the various flavored
coffee names. Generally, these kinds of
coffees are less expensive but are
really good nonetheless. Flavored coffee
names are the ones that have the words
cr?me, chocolate, vanilla, or any nut or
fruit names attached to the word
“coffee.”

Unlike most of the pure coffees which
are roasted black, flavored coffees are
roasted medium brown. The flavor
themselves are added into the coffee in
liquid form.

Blends, on the other hand, are a mix of
two or more coffees. The main
consideration and certainly the key
feature of blends is that the coffees
that are mixed together should
complement each other.

The aroma, taste, and flavor should
never be distinct but at the same time
harmonious. Just like estate coffees,
there are several well known house
blends that have trusted coffee
combinations.

There are also various organic coffees
and other commercial brand names that
have their own distinct flavors. Just
remember to choose calmly and don’t get
overwhelmed by the number of varieties
out there.

Learn about essiac tea and green tea
caffeine at the Types Of Tea site.

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Buying coffee may not be that difficult if there are only
two choices on the shelves. But what happens when you have
more than ten kinds of coffee to choose from? A little
difficult, yes, but still manageable. However, what happens
when you have as many as 30 varieties lined up on the shelf,
which coffee would you choose? A little bit crazy I bet.

Technorati Tags : coffee coffees names estate

the-top-coffee-producers-by-region

admin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:24:05 +0000

The Top Coffee Producers by Region

Whether it is from Starbucks, an
Aeropress, or the vending machine down
the hall, the beans that make your cup
of coffee are likely to have come from
just a handful of countries. However,
the importance of the process by which
the beans have been grown, and by whom,
have only recently been contemplated by
the average westerner in recent years
through the rise of fair trade
initiatives. What follows is a
comprehensive list of the top coffee
producers by region.

Brazil in South America is the largest
coffee producer in the world at
17,000,000 tonnes in 2008. Alongside
its other major agricultural exports,
such as soybeans, rice, and beef, the
government has recently implemented The
Land Reform Program in an aim to
generate two million jobs. In recent
years, the devastating encroachment of
the agriculture industry on the Amazon
rainforest has led to criticism on the
countrys green policy. Subsequently,
the government have since implemented an
Environmental Crimes Law. Interestingly
the country only ranks 19th in terms of
average coffee consumption per person.

Vietnam is now a big producer of Robusta
coffee beans producing over 15,000,000
tonnes of green coffee in 2008. Since a
succession of government implemented
land reform measures, Vietnams prolific
agricultural industry (started and still
upheld by rice production), has also
become the largest producer of cashew
nuts with Coffee as its third biggest
agricultural export. Unlike rice, wet
paddy fields are not needed for growing
coffee beans and, at least in terms of
methane production, coffee production is
less harmful to the environment.

Indonesia is the third largest exporter
of coffee, the largest producer of
washed Arabica coffee and the fourth
biggest green bean producer in the
world. Unlike the aforementioned
countries, the agriculture sector makes
up significantly less (14 percent) of
the republics overall economy, despite
making up for almost half of the
countrys employment. Aside from
coffee, Indonesias biggest imports are
rice, tea, and palm oil which has
suffered significant ecological
controversy in the last few years.

Further significant coffee-producing
areas include Columbia, Mexico, and
Ethiopia which has emerged in recent
years as a prime location for growing.
Ethiopias rise has caused concern
amongst some commentators who have
highlighted that the amount of water
that is needed for coffee production
might be best used elsewhere, especially
in a country which is so famously short
of rain.

A variety of coffee vending machines
from Klix, with 35+ drinks to select
from including coffee and tea. Simply
the widest range of vending machines.

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Whether it is from Starbucks, an Aeropress, or the vending
machine down the hall, the beans that make your cup of
coffee are likely to have come from just a handful of
countries. However, the importance of the process by which
the beans have been grown, and by whom, have only recently
been contemplated by the average westerner in recent years
through the rise of fair trade initiatives. What follows is
a comprehensive list of the top coffee producers by region.

Technorati Tags : coffee beans producer years

why-various-people-like-coffee-hot

admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:56:48 +0000

Why Various People Like Coffee Hot

Have you ever had the feeling that you
can’t start your day without something,
a feeling that no matter what you do
things aren’t really going your way?

Is it the same feeling you get when you
aren’t able to have your coffee in the
morning before you leave for work or
school or anywhere for that matter? If
your answer is “YES,” then it is
certified: you my friend are a coffee
addict!

But don’t you worry young coffee junkie,
for you are not alone. You are but a
speckle in the vast ocean of coffee
addicts all around the world. They too
have been called to be forever in the
hunt of the ultimate coffee experience.

Like you and me, these people have been
inflicted by a taste so good, so
unforgettable that living without can
mean fate worse than death. To be
addicted to coffee is to never get away
from the taste, the smell, and the
full-bodied flavor of caffeine.

A different kind of coffee

Traditionalist, purist, and coffee
enthusiasts all around the world have
become more and more demanding over the
recent years. These people have begun
seeking other forms of enjoyment that
they can get from their usual cup of
coffee.

That was the driving force behind the
revolutionary leap that the brewing of
coffee made. Since time immemorial, man
has been serving coffee hot. Few people
would actually drink coffee that has
been blown over by the passing breeze.
Hot coffee was the standard of coffee
drinking everywhere.

Because of man’s insatiability for many
things (coffee included), he constantly
experiments and researches for different
things that might make his existence
more meaningful and as some would have
it, exciting. Not far from this
influence is the way coffee is served.

Before as mentioned coffee was always
hot, cold coffee was considered an
insult to the coffee itself and people
took pride in their brew. Nowadays,
coffee can be seen sold to hundreds if
not thousands by the day in tumblers
that are filled with beads of
condensation. Nowadays, coffee is best
served cold.

Eventhough the new standard in coffee
drinking has been changed one thing
still remains the same, people still
have a hard time starting their day
without coffee. People still have a hard
time relaxing after a hard days work.
Some of the standards may change, people
may change, but some things will always
be constant no matter what. People may
put ice, people may put spices but
coffee will always be coffee and to
change that will be more than
impossible. So coffee addicts need not
be afraid for they will have coffee
forever.

Visit the Types Of Tea website to learn
about kombucha tea and mushroom tea.

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Have you ever had the feeling that you can’t start your day
without something, a feeling that no matter what you do
things aren’t really going your way?

Technorati Tags : coffee people things feeling

the-green-coffee-bean

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:56:30 +0000

The Green Coffee Bean

Most people drink coffee without knowing
much about it. It is the taste that they
get use to and then decide what they
like. Coffee comes made from the seeds
that are roasted from the coffee plant.
These seeds are commonly known as ‘Green
Coffee Beans’. They are actually a
berry. The ‘green coffee beans’ that are
collected from the coffee plantations
are sent to special places where they
are roasted, ground, and then finely
crushed to make coffee powder.

Depending on the quality of the coffee
bean will then depend on how it is
packaged and where it is sent to. The
green coffee bean must be picked
normally by hand from the coffee
plantations. This is done by laborers
who get paid by the bucketfuls. Since
coffee beans are a type of drupe, with
fruit flesh directly wrapping the coffee
bean, they first gather the coffee beans
and then the flesh of the coffee bean
must be promptly removed by soaking,
scouring and rubbing the bean. The
de-fruited coffee bean is then cleaned
with water which removes the sticking
fruit and additional sugars. It is only
then left ready for the drying process.
The green coffee beans are then spread
over a large concrete or rock plane,
where they are dried by air and
sunlight.

Coffee beans are given a categorization
of the beans. This is done by color and
size. Discolored, decayed and damaged
beans are removed at this point and
thrown away.

The process of going from the Coffee
Berry to the dry green coffee bean can
be relatively long and may even involve
some fermentation.Once this has been
completed the green coffee beans should
be stored in some sort of container that
will allow it to breathe and not impart
another flavor to the beans: burlap
bags, paper bags, etc. Plastic
containers are never used for obvious
reasons. The coffee beans are stored at
room temperature and out of direct
light. They may be kept for a long
period of time. Because of their light
weight they are easy to ship abroad.

There are polyphenols in green coffee
beans which act to help reduce free
oxygen radicals in the body. The bean
extract is sometimes standardized to
more than 50%PRCTG% chlorogenic acid.

Coffee is a drink loved by millions, and
the green coffee bean is the start of
the production line. There are many ways
to produce the coffee, and depending
what you do with the green coffee bean
and where it comes from will determine
the taste and the outcome of the coffee.

The Roasting Process. Depending on how
log the coffee beans are exposed to the
sun will depend on what the flavour or
strength will be. The bean contains a
wide variety of chemical compounds
including proteins, fats, sugars,
dextrin, cellulose, caffeine, and
organic acids.

Some of these compounds volatise,
oxidize, or decompose as part of the
roasting process.The roasting process is
very important in producing an aromatic
cup of coffee. When roasted, the green
coffee bean expands to nearly twice its
initial size, changing in color and
density.

At this point in the roasting process,
the coffee beans will start cracking,
quite like popping popcorn. The bean
also expels moisture, and, upon reaching
400 degrees Fahrenheit, the color
changes to yellow and then to a light
‘cinnamon’ brown, and oil is released
from its interior.

This oil gives coffee its distinct
flavor. The greater the amount of oil
released, the stronger the flavor. The
coffee beans will crack during the
roasting process, which guides roasters
as to how to gauge the progression of
the roast. The bean will then continue
to expel more oil while darkening its
color, until such time it is removed
from the heat. The final product can be
crushed into savoury coffee powder.

Papua New Guinea is just one region that
grows the coffee berry. This is mainly
grown in the Highland regions rich
volcanic soils between the altitudes of
4,000 and 6,000 feet above sea level.
Just this fact alone will make the
coffee taste different from other areas
of growth. It is believed that every
factor that comes into play has a
bearing on the outcome of the coffee
bean. The altitude, the soil, the length
of time it is left unpicked, all
contribute to the production.

Papua New Guinea coffee is well regarded
by consumers for its uniqueness,
consistency and special flavor
characteristics. They export
approximately 2%PRCTG% of the annual world
green coffee bean production.

Papua New Guinea coffee beans are highly
sought, as they produce a distinct
floral and citric flavor and nutty body,
and are frequently used to blend with
other coffees to produce unique gourmet
coffees. Take a look at this website
which specialises in the green coffee
bean from Papa New Guinea. Visit Coffee
Pacifica.

Brazil – continues to be the largest
coffee exporter, although the green
coffee market has recently been flooded
with large amount of Robusta beans from
Vietnam. Robusta coffees, which were
traded in London at a cheaper price
compared to New York’s Arabica, are the
choice of large industrial clients
consisting of multinational roasters and
instant coffee producers; they favor
these coffees because of the less
expensive price. A rare and costly
variety of Robusta is the Indonesian
Kopi Luwak and the Philippine Kape
Alamid. Owing to the indirect pressure
exerted by the World Bank to the French
government, experts believe that the
influx of cheap green coffee resulted
from the crisis in pricing that started
in 2001, and continues to the present.

Robusta is the cheap stuff. It packs
lots of caffeine jolt, but offers only
one-dimensional, front-of-mouth flavour.
Much of it goes for instant, but a
surprising amount becomes the filler in
blends. Most industrial espresso
roasters say it gives a better crema, or
head, but this is rot – robusta is just
a way to keep costs down and drinkers’
nerves jangled. Vietnam is the major
robusta exporter, and has flooded the
market with cheap beans. Most “espresso
roasts” now include them, their blunt
flavour hidden by roasting beans almost
to the point of incineration.

Arabica beans have finer, more complex
flavours and are less
highly-caffeinated. As with wine grapes,
they include many sub-varieties and
variations in terroir, and different
skills in picking, de-fruiting, drying,
sorting, ageing, roasting and packing
the beans offer a coffee lover endless
opportunities for subtlety and surprise.
I haven’t found an instant coffee I
like, so won’t be mentioning one.

Where To Go For A Coffee In London. Dont
just use Starbucks or Costa Coffee.
There are plenty of hotels dotted around
London that have coffee afternoons. Try
one of htese and be pleasantly
surprised.

If you are in Central London then I
would recommend a visit to Connaught
Square, commonly known as ‘Connaught
Village’ just off the Edgware Road. It
is a 2 minute walk from Marble Arch tube
station, and 200 metres from the bottom
end of Hyde Park. There is a small
coffee shop on the corner of Connaught
Square called Markus Coffee. It has
recently been refurbished by the owner,
who has been blending and producing his
magnificent coffee for over 25 years.
Roasting takes place every day and the
fresh aromatic smell is amazing. It is
the best coffee in London. Well worth a
visit.

Want more Information on Great Tea and
Coffee Locations, visit our website at
The Best Coffee Places In London, and
The Best Tea Rooms In England

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Most people drink coffee without knowing much about it. It
is the taste that they get use to and then decide what they
like. Coffee comes made from the seeds that are roasted from
the coffee plant. These seeds are commonly known as ‘Green
Coffee Beans’. They are actually a berry. The ‘green coffee
beans’ that are collected from the coffee plantations are
sent to special places where they are roasted, ground, and
then finely crushed to make coffee powder.

Technorati Tags : coffee beans green roasting

natural-cure-for-breast-cancer-with-coffee-enemas

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 11:55:08 +0000

Natural Cure for Breast Cancer with
Coffee Enemas

I learned about coffee enemas when
searching for a natural treatment for
breast cancer. After careful
consideration of all my options,
including chemotherapy and radiation, I
chose the Gerson Therapy, a natural
treatment for cancer and other
degenerative diseases.

At first I was hesitant about the use of
coffee enemas as part of the therapy,
but faced with a life threatening
disease I was willing to try this
strange sounding procedure. Much to my
surprise I found it to be an easy and
refreshing treatment that I actually
enjoyed. I immediately felt lighter,
happier and more limber.

Organic coffee is a powerful agent for
detoxifying. When taken as an enema it
purifies the liver and its stored
negative emotions, like worry, anger and
fear. It gives great relief for both
body and mind while fighting cancer.

According to the Gerson Therapy, the
caffeine in coffee administered as an
enema detoxifies the liver. The coffee
enema is retained for about 10 minutes.
All of the body’s blood passes through
the liver every three minutes. As this
vital fluid passes through the
caffeinated liver, the blood serum is
detoxified.

Coffee enemas flush toxic bile from the
liver which further affects the body’s
enzymatic catalyst, known as glutathion
S-transferase (GST). The GST is
increased in quantity by 700 percent by
a coffee enema?an excellent
physiological effect, because the GST
enzyme destroys free radicals.

Discovered by Dr. Max Gerson while
serving as a medic in World War I, the
coffee enema was found to relieve pain
and accelerate healing in wounded
soldiers. It later became a part of The
Gerson Therapy, a natural regime he
developed for healing cancer.

The coffee enema, combined with the
Gerson Therapy diet of fresh organic
juices, vegetarian foods and
supplements, has proved to be an
effective method for combatting breast
cancer. Flooding the body with nutrition
while eliminating toxins boosts the
body’s cancer fighting ability and
allows it to heal naturally. Within just
a few months, my tests confirmed that
the cancer was in remission. Not only
did I avoid the terrible side effects of
chemotherapy and radiation, but I
learned to take control of my health and
rebuild my body to be strong and
resilient. It’s not easy to step out of
the box of traditional cancer treatment
and try an alternative therapy. It
requires great strength, optimism and
trust in the body’s natural healing
power.

Since undergoing the Gerson Therapy five
years ago, I have been enjoying radiant
health and strength. I still do coffee
enemas a couple of times a month as a
preventative measure and to keep my
liver strong and healthy.

Friends often ask me if they can do
coffee enemas for various health
complaints, and the answer is yes! It’s
a great cleanse that will help improve
digestion, complexion, allergies,
immunity, arthritis, and many
degenerative diseases. I have scribbled
out the recipe for people many times on
the back of a napkin or envelope. Now I
have finally created a blog to share and
discuss the procedure, recipe and
benefits.

I also recommend that if you are
seriously ill, contact the Gerson
Institute and undergo the full treatment
for your disease?whether as an
alternative to conventional medicine, or
as a supplement to help purify the
system after chemotherapy.

As a breast cancer survivor, I encourage
anyone faced with this disease to
research their alternatives for natural
treatment and not to overlook the
healing wonders of the body?and of
coffee enemas!

Marie Michelle is a breast cancer
survivor who used coffee enemas and the
Gerson Therapy for healing cancer. Her
dedication to the treatment proved
successful in regaining her health and
resilience to disease. As an advocate of
the healing benefits of coffee enemas,
she presents useful information,
instructions and the recipe on her blog:
Coffee Enema Recipe, Gerson Institute

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At first a strange sounding procedure, coffee enemas prove
to be effective as part of a
natural regime for fighting cancer. Discovered by Dr. Max
Gerson while serving as a
medic in World War I, the coffee enema was found to relieve
pain and accelerate healing. The author, a breast cancer
survivor describes her success with using of coffee enemas
and their benefits for the liver and healing cancer and
degenerative diseases.

Technorati Tags : coffee cancer enemas gerson

gourmet-coffee-baskets-perfect-idea-for-the-coffee-lover

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:04:57 +0000

Gourmet Coffee Baskets – Perfect Idea
for the Coffee Lover

Do you know someone that CRAVES gourmet
coffee but is not easy to buy for? Well,
ordering gourmet coffee baskets on the
internet is fast and easy. The coffee
suggestions are never-ending. Just find
out what gourmet coffee they enjoy and
you are all set!

Or…if you want to “personalize” the
gift, and make handcrafted gourmet
coffee baskets those are phenomenal
presents too. Want to know more?

Picking gourmet coffee baskets on the
internet is effortless. What you need to
do is find out the kind of gourmet
coffee your “giftee” prefers and you
order a gift with that type of coffee in
your basket.

However, if you want to organize a
basket that has a more “personal flavor”
then designing

gourmet coffee baskets by hand may be
for you.

You need to select a basket that is not
too roomy. You want your basket to have
the image of the “goodies” bubbling over
from the basket. Next, choose elements
that your gourmet coffee devotee will
enjoy. Here are a couple of tips:
insulated coffee mugs, biscotti,
chocolate, a coffee bean grinder. These
are just a few items that you can
consider in your gourmet coffee basket
arrangement, in addition to rich coffee.

Make sure you put filler paper in the
underside of the basket, this will add
height to your items. Next, start
placing the items in your basket. HAVE
FUN. Show your personality. This is
where you can be personal. You want your
friend or family member to know the gift
was from you, right?

Double-sided tape does a great job when
situating items in the basket and keeps
items from moving around.

Be sure to put a pretty bow or tie a
ribbon on your basket.

Gourmet coffee baskets are unique gifts.
Remember to have fun with your
arrangements. Gift-giving should always
be done with great satisfaction for the
person who is receiving the gift.

For more information, please visit
gourmet coffee baskets!

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Gourmet coffee baskets can either be purchased online or
handmade designed at home. Creative tips are offered in this
article.

Technorati Tags : coffee gourmet basket baskets

the-abosolute-10-greatest-tips-for-purchasing-a-home-espresso-machine

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:13:11 +0000

The Abosolute 10 Greatest Tips for
Purchasing a Home Espresso Machine

Choosing the right home espresso machine
can be a difficult task but with some
basic knowledge and wisdom of how a
coffee and espresso maker works, how
much they cost, and specific features
you get for the money, selecting the
right option is easy. One point is
clear. If you are spending money at a
coffee shop at least 3-4 times per week
the payoff on a home espresso machine is
well worth the investment:

Let?s do the math:

1. Average cost for a coffee specialty
drink such as an espresso or cappuccino:
%3.50

2. Number of trips to the Coffee Shop
per year: 52 weeks * 4 visits per week
= 208 yearly visits

3. Yearly Cost: %3.50 espresso drink
cost * 208 yearly visits = %728 Annually

For %728, one can purchase a
full-featured super automatic espresso
machine. Ok, now that you see that an
home espresso machines is good
investment, let talk about some tips on
how to buy one:

1. Decide what type of espresso drinks
you like. Do you like a cappuccino or
mocha or just a straight shot of
espresso? How about a regular cup of
coffee? The choices for home espresso
machines will vary greatly. Most super
automatic espresso coffee machines can
brew you a strong cup of coffee just
like you find at the coffee houses as
well as the espresso drinks. Perhaps
you would like to choose between regular
coffee and decaf in which case a bypass
doser on the home espresso machine is a
good option. Choose between a super
automatic, semi automatic, or automatic
home espresso machines. The most
popular type of espresso machine is a
super automatic espresso machines.

2. Cost. While many people like to
have all of the bells and whistles,
buying a quality espresso machine is
much like buying a car. Do you need
heated seats if you live in Arizona?
Same principle. Decide on what type of
drinks you like, find a machine with
those features and set a budget. The
most common question we get is how much
do I have to spend for a quality
machine? If you are spending %750 –
%1,000 on a fine brand super automatic
such as Saeco or Gaggia, you will be
purchasing a quality home espresso
machine with standard features suitable
for most people. If you want the
highest quality espresso drinks, a semi
automatic espresso machine such as a
Rancilio or Pasquini are priced in the
%700 to %1,500 range. Semi-automatic
espresso machines are a bit more work
but results are outstanding. All
excellent choices.

3. Popular Espresso Features. Milk
based drinks ? If you love the lattes,
mochas, and cappuccino?s make sure you
buy a machine with two boilers or dual
heating elements. Using a single boiler
is ok for standard espresso drinks but a
dual boiler will produce the fastest
steam. This is typically a feature that
separates the cheap %100 – %200 espresso
machines from the quality home espresso
machines.

4. Adjustable water volume and coffee
dose – Some machines will only have the
ability to adjust the water so the more
water you have the weaker the cup.
Having both an adjustable doser and
water volume gives you the most control.
Excellent features to have especially
if want a standard cup of coffee.

5. Digital or Analog (dials) ? There is
much debate on which is better to have.
This comes down to a personal choice.
With digital machines, your options are
greater and you can really get dialed in
on the coffee / water ratio. You also
get statistics on your home espresso
machine and most digital espresso
machines will tell you when to clean it.
Another key feature digital machines
typically have is the ability to
regulate when the machine is on or off.

6. Other important features:

Look for a large water reservoir
typically over 40 ounces.

Cup height adjustment ? make sure your
cup will fit. Most espresso cups are 4
? 6 inches.

Water filter ? espresso machines with a
water filter will produce better coffee
and keep you machine in better
condition. Water filters are highly
recommended.

Bean hopper size ? Get a machine with a
minimum or 8 ounces. You do not want to
be filling the bean hopper every day.

Cup Warmer ? Coffee maintains its best
flavor when poured into a heated cup.

Grinder Settings ? Make sure the
espresso machines have at least 3
grinder settings. This is essential for
dialing in the right grind.

Heat up time ? you do not want to be
waiting over 5 minutes for an espresso
machine to heat up. A good machine will
be ready for a second cup of espresso is
just under 1-2 minutes after the initial
heat-up.

7. Size and Construction ? Make sure
you have adequate counter space for the
home espresso machine. These espresso
machines are generally larger than a
typical coffee pot so make sure you
measure. Also, having a movable base
will allow you to pull the machine out
to fill it with water and beans.
Almost all of the super automatic home
espresso machines body?s are made of
heavy duty plastic or stainless steel.
The inside boilers are either stainless
steel or aluminum. Often people make
the mistake of thinking the plastic is
not as durable but in reality, it is.
It is what is on the inside that counts.
A stainless steel boiler will offer
years of service if properly maintained.
The espresso machines of today feature
sleek, modern designs. If you are
purchasing a semi-automatic espresso
machine, consider stainless steel
because of all of the interaction with
the machine. If you choose a super
automatic, a plastic design with
stainless steel or aluminum boilers is
sufficient.

8. Proper Cleaning and maintenance ?
The number one problem with home
espresso machines is scale build-up. If
you own a quality machine, regular
descaling and back flushing is not
recommended, it?s required. What I mean
is that if you want to maintain your
warranty, you must complete these
maintenance items. It takes about 15
minutes each month but will keep your
machine operating for years. Don?t let
your machine sit idle for a long time
with water loaded as the minerals in the
water can cause issues in the boilers
and metal components.

9. Water and Coffee ? Buying quality
coffee and using filtered water will
provide the ultimate coffee experience.
Many espresso machines have built in
water filters such as the Aqua Prima
Water Filter. If you use tap water and
cheap brand name coffee don?t waste your
money on a quality espresso machine.
Fine coffee and filtered water
contribute significantly to the quality
of the brew. Use a coffee such as
Lavazza or Gaggia especially made for a
higher end coffee espresso machine.

10. Choosing where to buy a home
espresso machine ? You can buy these
machines from many of the major stores
but the issue is support and buying
guidance. You simply cannot call the
?red dot? store or ?overstock? stores
and expect to find someone that is
knowledgeable about quality espresso
coffee machines. Try calling one of the
major chains for support and they will
refer you to the manufacturer. The
truth is that your retailer should be
able to answer most questions and get
you technical support if you need it.
You are not going to get the level of
support from a big chain store or large
e-tailer.

Today?s home espresso machines are
sophisticated machines. Buy the machine
from a reputable online retailer who
specializes in espresso machines or
coffee makers. Retail stores that
specialize in espresso and coffee
machines have knowledgeable staff that
can assist you with questions, problems,
tips, and service. And guess what, the
prices in the espresso coffee machine
specialty stores are typically less
because of the volume of machines they
sell.

Choose a store that has a Better
Business Bureau accreditation so you can
be sure you are buying from a reputable
dealer. Beware of stores that do not
specialize in coffee and espresso
machines. Where is the best place to
find the best cup of coffee or espresso?
It is your own kitchen of course.
Happy shopping.

Markus Yannies, espresso expert,
recommends the gaggia platinum swing and
quality saeco espresso machines

View a Quality coffee and espresso maker

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tips-for-choosing-the-best-coffee-service-for-your-business

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 04:20:46 +0000

Tips for Choosing the Best Coffee
Service for Your Business

For many individuals, coffee is a big
part the day. The same can be true for
many offices as well. Quality coffee and
a reputable coffee service can really
enhance a work environment. Depending on
the amount of employees or the layout of
the office itself, certain coffee
services may be better than others.
There is nothing like the aroma of
freshly brewed ground coffee to lift the
senses and breathe new life into a
stagnant body.

Why a coffee service provider is a good
choice

A smile will instantly appear on your
dial and a revitalised person will
emerge after the first sip of the
beloved brew. Coffee has been known to
have this effect on coffee lovers and
general consumers alike. It is the most
widely consumed beverage in offices all
over the world. Considering that
Americans consume close to 400 million
cups of coffee per day and the Italians
14 billion espressos per year (and
increasing?) it is not hard to believe
that the brew has become a huge part of
the office routine. Having a fresh,
decent cup of coffee readily available
at any minute of the day does wonders
for the morale of the staff members.

Office managers should feel more
confident that their staff can meet
their goals if their favorite brew is at
hand. It has been known that coffee
drinkers tend to be more productive than
non drinkers. Research has shown that
they also have longer working stamina
than their non drinking colleagues.
Hiring a coffee service provider is a
good choice as it will save the company
time and money. Staff members will no
longer have to leave the office for a
quick sip and waste precious working
time.

Not all company policies are the same
though and coffee breaks at many of
these companies usually mean a cup of
old coffee. Coffee service providers
usually offer a vast selection of
coffees as well as other beverages and
snacks on a daily basis. This means
fresh coffee any time, all the time. The
only other snag that remains is for the
manager to select a reliable and
reputable coffee service provider that
will deliver the goods.

Hints and tips for selecting your coffee
vendor

Choose a vendor that will be able to
satisfy all your needs in terms of
affordable prices, good quality products
and excellent sales service. This
usually means having to shop around as
coffee service providers tend to differ
in their service offerings. Get quotes
from various vendors to compare prices
and products. Watch out for specifics
such as how long the vendor has been in
operation and valid client references as
you are looking towards a longstanding
and profitable business relationship. A
refreshing, excellent brew is the main
objective, so it would be a good idea to
sample all the coffees available before
deciding. Include all the office staff
members in the tasting process. In this
manner you will know exactly which
beverages are preferred and by which
company as well as the type of brewing
equipment you will be using.

One of the most important issues to look
for beside the variety of coffees they
stock is how quickly they respond to
problems. The level of customer service
that the company provides is very
important as well. Emergencies tend to
occur at times when you least expect it
and a prompt service delivery eliminates
unnecessary stress. Deliveries that are
done regularly and on time are a
requirement. Also check if they offer an
online service as well as easy access to
your personal account. You will be able
to keep an eye on the account if a
log-in and password is provided.

Another issue to clear is to enquire if
goods that are damaged or ruined may be
returned or replaced and if
cancellations or changes of orders are
readily accepted. Notifications of any
price changes should also be done well
in advance.

Other beverages and products to consider

There are many coffee vendors that offer
food packages as well. These food
packages can be ordered on a daily basis
for staff members as well as the
occasional conference or office party.
Catering is done according to the number
of staff members or conference
attendants. The use of vending machines
to dispense certain products comes
highly recommended. Vending machines
come in various types and can stock
sodas, juices and water as well as hot
beverages, snacks and sandwiches. There
are machines available that can stock
gourmet foods as well as confections.
Frozen goodies are also an option.
Vending machines should be checked and
refilled on a daily basis. Sandwiches,
gourmet foods and confections must be
supplied fresh and old stock removed on
a timely basis as well.

Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who
offers suggestions about how to save
money in the workplace by using services
such as a coffee service.

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Quality coffee and a reputable coffee service can really
enhance a work environment. Depending on the amount of
employees or the layout of the office itself, certain coffee
services may be better than others. There is nothing like
the aroma of freshly brewed ground coffee to lift the senses
and breathe new life into a stagnant body.

Technorati Tags : coffee service office staff

holiday-coffee-drink-_-good-but-worth-the-calories

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 04:20:45 +0000

Holiday Coffee Drink _ Good But Worth
the Calories?

With the Holidays fast approaching we
tend to drink more coffee and eat a lot
more desserts. Its gets really bad on
the waistline when our coffee starts to
have as many calories as a dessert, but
unfortunately many specialty coffee
drinks are like a dessert, not something
you should consume on a daily basis
unless you give them the caloric respect
they deserve.

How much damage can your favorite coffee
drink do in additional calories added to
your diet? The fancier the drink, the
fancier the calories – especially when
you opt for the whipped topping. An
extra 200 calories a day can add up to
21 extra pounds added to your body per
year!

If you can’t give up your daily gourmet
guzzle, know what calories you are
adding to your body before you make your
decision on which coffee drink to
purchase. You don’t need to give up your
favorite coffee drink, but just adjust
your coffee order to make it more
calories conscious.

Try the following tips to make your next
coffee drink more guilt-free:

? Black Coffee – It is not the coffee
that makes you gain weight, but all the
extras that go in the drink. A
medium-size regular cup of coffee has
about 10 calories and 0 grams of sugar.
You can control how much of those extras
you put in your coffee. So order a black
coffee and ask for the extras on the
side and pour them in yourself.

? Whipping Cream – By saying NO to
whipped cream, you can reduce your
calories of the drink about 80 to 130
calories. This will also reduce the fat
content of your drink by about 8 to 12
grams.

? Sweeteners – Request that whey use a
calorie-free sweetener like Sweet’N Low,
Splenda, or Equal instead of sugar.

? Sugar-Free Syrup – Usually the coffee
shop will have some sugar-free syrup.
The sugar-free syrup adds no additional
calories or fat to your drink.

Chocolate – A tablespoon of chocolate
syrup is 50 calories. Some coffee drinks
with chocolate contain as much as 1/4
cup (1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons = 200
calories). A light version of chocolate
syrup gives you about 1/2 the calories.

? Milk – User reduced fat or skim milk
instead of cream when ordering your
drink. You can save up to 140 calories
by using this in your coffee drinks.

Coffee Drink Serving Size Calories

Carmel Frappuccino Coffee, no whip 16
fluid ounces 280

Carmel Frappuccino Coffee, whip 16 fluid
ounces 430

Carmel Frappuccino Coffee only 16 fluid
ounces 260

Caffe Latte, non-fat milk 16 fluid
ounces 165

Caffe Latte, whole milk 16 fluid ounces
260

Caffe Latte, whole milk 16 fluid ounces
140

Caffe au Lait, non-fat milk 16 fluid
ounces 90

Caffe Americano 16 fluid ounces 15

Caffe Mocha, whole milk, whip 16 fluid
ounces 400

Caffe Mocha, non-fat milk, whip 16 fluid
ounces 330

Caffe Mocha, non-fat milk, no whip 16
fluid ounces 220

Mocha Malt Frappuccino Coffee, whip 16
fluid ounces 570

Coffee, Mocha, white chocolate, non-fat
milk, whip 344

Cappuccino, whole milk 16 fluid ounces
150

Cappuccino, non-fat milk 16 fluid ounces
100

So unless you are careful that great
tasting calorie drink can be killing
your diet. And if you combine it with a
cheese cake you are really asking for.
Have a great Holiday but watch those
caloric coffee monsters.

Boake Moore is an IT Sales engineer by
trade and founded a non profit coffee
company called Mission Grounds Gourmet
Coffee -. It donates all its profits and
proceeds to helping orphans and
impoverished children. And helping
homeless children in the United States.
You can help the homeless directly by
purchasing shoes, clothes and coats at
http://www.missiongrounds.com

Lets make the world better – George
“Boake” Moore Mission Grounds
http://www.missiongrounds.com

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how many calories are in the dessert like coffee drink

Technorati Tags : coffee calories drink ounces