Posts tagged "beans"

Gourmet Decaffeinated Coffee

If you have an immense love of coffee and all of a sudden, your body doesn’t participate and the doctor tells you to stay away from caffeine, then yo’’re probably feeling like an elephant is sitting on your chest.

Coffee is a darling to many and is a staple in people’s daily routine. To some, it’s the kick that caffeine gives to jumpstart the day or wake up their sleepyheads. To others, it’s the flavor and aroma that are just way too enticing. If you must eliminate caffeine, but luckily, you belong to the ‘others’, then you can still enjoy your daily coffee run as gourmet coffee now come id decaffeinated versions.

Gourmet coffee manufacturers has come up with the idea to cater to all people including those who can’t have caffeine in their systems. However, the taste of decaffeinated coffees is slightly different from that of regular caffeinated ones but the flavor and aroma are up to par.

There are two methods of decaffeinating coffee and they are done before roasting the beans, thus, losing some of the flavors. One method makes use of a solvent to absorb caffeine from the beans and then the beans are washed to get rid of the solvent.

The other method is called Swiss Water. No chemical is used in this method. Instead, the beans are being treated with hot water and steam to take away the caffeine. In this process, coffee beans are likely to lose their oils in which substantial flavors lie.

You can still have flavorful coffee beans though even when you decaffeinate them, provided you only use ones that are of excellent quality. This is mainly the reason why decaffeinated gourmet coffee is rather pricier than the regular ones, but it is worth every penny. No argument there.

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Posted by Olga Hartman - August 18, 2014 at 8:53 am

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Coffee Arabica

Coffee has a lot of disagreements with its history especially when you talk about the details. But one thing many coffee lovers agree on, that Arabian coffee or Coffee Arabica is one of the finest coffees worldwide.

It has been said that Arabia was the first country to cultivate and commercialize coffee, hence its name. There are many different types of coffee plants but only Arabica and Robusta are the ones used for coffee, Arabian being the superior one.

Coffee drinking these days is so intricate that each cup of Joe you have is different from the other. This is yet another thing that makes coffee controversial and popular.

However, it all boils down to your personal preference with regard to the taste of coffee. And you are most likely to find what you desire in Arabian coffee. Coffee Arabica is so profitable that it makes up for approximately 80% of the coffee sale globally.

It is rather harder to cultivate in comparison to Robusta, causing it to be pricier. But the beans are of top quality. Growing it demands very specific conditions for its optimal growth. These demands include high elevations since the higher the altitude, the longer it takes for coffee beans to grow and mature. Thus, it gives these beans a longer time for its distinctiveness to infuse and turn up.

Every coffee has its differences and coffee Arabica primarily has three major varieties namely Caturra, Typica, and Bourbon. Despite the fact that they are of the same origin, they have distinct characteristics from each other and true blue coffee lovers are able to know and distinguish them one by one.

The only problem you will surely have is once you opt for Coffee Arabica, all the other inferior coffee won’t be enough for you!

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Posted by Olga Hartman - June 30, 2014 at 8:32 am

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Gourmet Coffee Essentials

Any coffee drinker would not be alien to the idea of gourmet coffees. But it can’t be denied that one gets curious as to what makes coffee become a gourmet coffee. One might consider the beans, the roasting process, the grinding, flavor as well as the freshness of the beans. The answer is all that has been mentioned above.

The true thing is that all of the aforementioned characteristics are greatly considered in making these types of coffees. After all, they won’t be called gourmet coffees if they did not possess any extraordinary attributes.

First to give consideration to are the type of beans needed to make these types of coffee. As you may have heard before two types of coffee are being sold commercially out there in the market, these are Robusta and Arabica. Robusta is the main type that is used to make every day instant coffee while Arabica is mainly used for gourmet coffees. What is the difference between the two? Unlike its Robusta counterpart, the Arabica is grown only in high altitude areas that are located in tropical as well as sub-tropical places in the world. These growing conditions coupled with the soil type are able to produce quality beans that are needed to make unique flavors that are commonly associated with gourmet coffees.

Like grapes need different regions to be able to be made into wine, there are also different areas these coffee beans need to grow at for them to be made into gourmet coffees. Many countries grow the Arabica but three major areas are to be considered the most abundant. These are the:

*South and Central Americas- The coffee beans grown in this area are known for its acidity, crispness, spicy side and the much needed quality. Some of the well-known coffee are the Columbian Supremo and Costa Rican Tarrazu.

*Africa and Arabia- This coffee are able to provide a variety of flavors, mellow taste and delicate balance between acidity and body. The gourmet that are famous in these areas are the Yemen Mocha and Kenyan AA.

*Pacific- These types of beans offer rich and full-flavored gourment coffees which include the Sumatran Mandheling and Hawaiian Kona.

Also these beans are roasted in various and unique ways greatly depending on where it is grown.

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Posted by Olga Hartman - May 20, 2014 at 9:22 am

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Single Origin Coffee

You can never compare a hot cup of gourmet coffee with a mere processed coffee you bought at a grocery store you came across on the street. They are worlds apart. They are different from each other in ways you can never imagine if you’ve never tried the former.

Gourmet coffee has a classic and typical taste and a unique and distinct aroma from the beans. The texture and the aftertaste that it has never fail to leave gourmet coffee lovers in a Zen place. Gourmet coffee is generally never bitter as compare to regular coffee. Like a good wine which is known to have a distinctive flavor, a quality gourmet coffee is prepared to give coffee drinkers a pleasurable experience every time.

Gourmet coffee marketing is also different from how regular coffee is marketed. They come in whole beans and they are almost always sourced from estates that are known to possess specific and unique characteristics.

If you are a true blue coffee lover like you claim to be, you should know the distinct properties of different estates. Every estate has its own unique characteristics, familiarize yourself around these stuff and you’re bound to know which properties work for your discriminating taste. Thus, your next coffee orders will be directed to a specific estate.

Gourmet coffee processing is way slower in comparison to ordinary coffee in order for the coffee beans to retain its full flavor and aroma. Take for example the Kopi Luwak you tasted from the Philippines. You probably found a muted acidity with an aroma of roasted nuts plus dark chocolate along with a syrupy and chocolaty aftertaste to it. The place where coffee is cultivated actually plays a big part on the taste, acidity, aroma, and aftertaste of a coffee bean.

That being said, coffee experts have come up with the concept of single origin coffee over the years. The same bean could have a different taste when it is being cultivated in different estates even in the same region. This is one of the reasons why an estate coffee is a step ahead of single origin coffee.

The soil where the coffee is grown as well as the climate, the species, the altitude, and the coffee processing methods define a single origin coffee.

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Posted by Olga Hartman - May 14, 2014 at 9:36 am

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Find Zen In Drinking Gourmet Coffee

Coffee hails from all the different regions in the world. Since coffee is and can be grown almost everywhere too, many cultures and nations have different approach to it. But how is gourmet coffee produced?

Coffee beans are from different parts of the world but they are processed in the same way of turning coffee beans into coffee. Beans are picked, dried and sorted out. Of course only beans that haven’t been broken or splintered into half are picked and packed for commercial use. The roasting process of these coffee beans is one of the, if not the most, important steps in coffee making. The coffee will end up tasting weak if the roasting process is not done well. Conversely, if the coffee has been roasted a little too much, the coffee will end up tasting burnt.

When you talk about gourmet, it means that a food or a drink has been made finer by having an expert judge and improve it.  Though anything improved usually means a higher demand and can mean a little bit costly compared to the usual ones.

Nonetheless, there are still other factors that one must consider for gourmet coffee. It is more than just roasting your coffee perfectly. Just like building a structure, any coffee maker must have a plan that ensures that client needs are met and delivered.

Be honest now, do you have those days when you feel like nothing can make you relaxed and stress free aside from treating yourself with flavored coffee or drinks? Roasters nowadays are able to add flavors to simple coffee, giving it a totally unique taste. Some of these examples are adding chocolate syrups, hazelnut, vanilla and even caramel. Anyone can be guilty of this. People are seemingly addicted to some childhood treats. And their coffee having a new exciting taste can be really satisfying and indulging.

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Posted by Olga Hartman - May 5, 2014 at 8:43 am

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Getting the Most Out of Your Decaf Coffee

As a true blue coffee lover, have you been sobbing decaf? There are rumors circulating that are good and bad about decaf coffee. Bad ones say not it contain harmful chemical, and there are ones that say there are coffee plants that naturally grow decaffeinated. Truth is, when you get the know-how of decaffeination process, you can then be able to make an educate decision in choosing decaf beans that are not only delectable, but they can be beneficial to the health as well.

One thing you should always make sure of so as to have a premium decaf cup of coffee is to have your beans always freshly roasted. You could come across a lot of websites that give decaf options of their gourmet beans that they usually freshly roast, hence making this the best way to go about getting your beans. Not to mention, buying decaf beans at the grocery store would mean that you are buying beans that have been sitting on the shelves for ages. The main reason behind this is because less attention has been given to decaf.

The process used in decaffeinating green coffee beans involves submerging them in water. This makes them swell, and they are usually soaked in a kind of solvent that could be either chemical or water. It will then be left to sit and make its way into the coffee beans, then it evaporates so as the green beans to dry out. This is by far the most effective in removing caffeine from coffee beans, but still seeing to it that it maintains its flavor.

Whenever you come across bag of coffee beans that have labels claiming they are naturally caffeinated, just know that they usually use ethyl acetate as a solvent that could be naturally found in vegetables and fruits, and Java, too.

It is even said that there is a new coffee plant that could potentially produce coffee with zero or little caffeine, which comes from Cameron. This is a tremendous way to grow specific plant varieties that have their own natural flavors that need not go through a decaffeination process, but it could have about 30% caffeine remaining. Is it legit? I don’t know. Let’s wait and see for ourselves.

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Posted by Coffee Guy - May 1, 2014 at 4:24 pm

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Scouting For Gourmet Coffee

Coffee is so famous that it is a much-loved drink of countless people all over the world, and it sparks interest in many of us, something most of us can share. Gourmet coffee beans may refer to the high-quality ones, but they may also be those that have improved flavors. Selecting such beans though is different from one individual to another. This will depend on the personal preference of the coffee buyer, whether they are looking for gourmet flavored beans, or ones that are grown in a certain area.

You can take advantage of them out of your local supermarket, but you’re not sure just how fresh and genuine they might be. Coffee houses may be quite expensive, but you can be confident they’re offering authentic ones.

Premium gourmet coffees are grown in ideal environmental conditions. Envision an island with a plantation in the middle of trees in which the air is crisp and clean since it is a long way away from other lands. The ground is fertile and the weather conditions are ideal. The water that the mountains of this island are receiving comes from the clean ocean which is why crops can mature without problems. Coffee beans have to be underneath shade trees that protect them from the harsh sun.

Prior to buying your gourmet coffee beans, you really should research options and rates about what type of coffee you specifically desire as there is an array of available options. Since every area has a different setting and environment, the coffee beans are all diverse.

It is possible to opt for a coffee bean based on its level of acidity, taste, and strength or robustness. Some gourmet coffee beans may have a tougher and full-bodied flavor while many could have a trace of spice.

By undertaking meticulous study, you are on your way to finding the ideal gourmet coffee beans that fit your taste buds. Oh, and taste testing won’t hurt, too.

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Posted by Olga Hartman - April 28, 2014 at 9:47 am

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Finding The Right Gourmet Coffee

Coffee is so popular that it is a favorite of many all over the world, and it sparks interest in all of us, something we all can share. Gourmet coffee beans may refer to the high-quality ones, but they can also be those that have enhanced flavors. The choice of these beans though differs from one individual to another. It depends on the personal preference of the coffee drinker, whether they are looking for gourmet flavored beans, or ones that are grown in a particular area

You can avail of them from you local grocery store, but you’re not sure just how fresh and authentic they could be. Coffee shops may be quite expensive, but you can rest assured they’re selling the real deal.

Premium gourmet coffee beans are grown perfect environmental conditions. Imagine an island with a plantation surrounded by trees wherein the air is crisp and clean since it is far away from other lands. The soil is fertile and the climate is ideal. The water that the mountains of this island are getting is from the clean ocean which is why plants can grow easily. Coffee beans must be under shade trees that protect them from the harsh rays of the sun.

Before purchasing your gourmet coffee beans, you may want to shop around about what type of coffee you particularly want since there is an array of options available. Since each area has a different setting and environment, so they are all diverse.

You can opt for a coffee bean based on its acidity, flavor, and strength or robustness. Some gourmet coffee beans may have a more robust and full-bodied flavors while some may have a tinge of spice.

By doing meticulous research, you are on your way to finding the perfect gourmet coffee beans that suit your palate. Taste testing won’t hurt, too.

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Posted by Olga Hartman - April 21, 2014 at 4:48 pm

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Brief History of Coffee Cultivation

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world today and one of the world’s most important commodities traded in the market. But did it ever occur to you how all the hype for coffee cultivation started?

The first coffee houses were opened in Mecca around 1100 AD, it has been said that trade ships brought the coffee beans to them. They created beverages s by roasting and boiling the beans which they called ‘gahwa’ meaning to prevent sleep. They initially made wines and medicines out of it, but later came up with the idea to make it a drink. Coffee became very famous in Arabia afterwards.

Coffee cultivation were Arabs’ pride since it was originally almost exclusive to them, but later on it reached the Dutch colonies in India and Java around 1615. Britain was the first country in Europe to open a Café in 1651. Around 1700, there were over 3000 coffee houses which had upper middle classes as customers.

Everywhere they went, they brought coffee along with them. It ultimately made its way into India, North Africa, the eastern Mediterranean, and then reached Yemen around 1400 AD.

Other countries wanted to cultivate these beans but the Arabs held control of it and were very uptight in guarding it. They even killed the seed-germ so nobody else would be able to grow the coffee if taken elsewhere. Thus, Yemen is where the main source of coffee stayed for several hundred years, but the beans were finally smuggled out by pilgrims and travelers in spite of all their efforts to keep the beans to themselves.

The Dutch were able to send some beans to Java (Indonesia) in the late 1600’s which made way for the worldwide spread of coffee cultivation. In the late 1700’s, coffee became popular across Europe and coffee houses opened in Italy, Austria and England. Coffee cultivation was brought by the French to Martinique around 18th Century, and just by the end of the century, there were already millions of coffee producers in Central America and South America .

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Brazil has become the biggest producer of coffee worldwide. It was so commercial that many countries, such as Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam and India, then started to plant coffee beans. Since early 20th century, US became the largest coffee importing country. Today, coffee is so popular that coffee shops can be seen almost everywhere.

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Posted by Olga Hartman - April 6, 2014 at 9:14 am

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Coffee for Culinary Purposes

Coffee used to be for drinking purposes alone, but not anymore. Coffee lovers just can’t get enough of it that they’re no longer satisfied with merely drinking it, they apparently came up with a brilliant idea and used it for cooking! Brilliant it is.

Before, after having brewed coffee and enjoying it, coffee grounds and leftover coffee are put to trash. But it’s not the case any longer, it can now be used as an essential food ingredient.

When using coffee for culinary purposes, some helpful and no-nonsense tips should be taken into consideration and followed.

Coffee is used in making dishes that have meat since it paves way for better absorption of flavor and spices. You can give pot roasts, stews, soups, chili, and beans some oomph to its flavor using strongly brewed coffee. To get fuller flavor, go for ground coffee beans instead of the instant ones. Since instant coffee is the polished version, significant aroma and flavor are less compared to the freshly ground ones. It can still be used in cooking though, turn it into an espresso and you’re good to go.

Also, when you plan on having it as an ingredient in a certain dish, make it much stronger than you normally would have if it was intended for drinking so the aroma and flavor will linger since coffee practically mellows down when cooked.

It can also be used in baking. A lot of pastries and cakes have coffee variants available in the market today. When making cookie dough, dissolve ground coffee using water or coffee liqueur. Flavoring it is all up toy, you can put in sugar, butter, pretty much anything you want. Like I said, coffee-flavored cakes are found everywhere. When making them, vigorously crush the coffee beans first.

Mix coffee only with white or unsweetened chocolate when making chocolate desserts. Otherwise, the chocolate flavor will overpower the coffee.

There are many other new ways to use coffee, cooking is just one of them. That’s how good coffee can get.

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Posted by Olga Hartman - March 24, 2014 at 8:54 am

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