Gourmet Coffee

Although coffee tastes great, like any other crop, its cultivation can have a serious impact on the environment. A great way to limit the environmental impact of the coffee you drink, and the amount of chemicals you intake, is by opting for organic coffee. Organically grown products are grown without the use of harmful fertilizers and pesticides, and are cultivated in a sustainable manner.

By purchasing organic products, you are supporting the farmers who choose to employ “green methods” in their cultivation and reduce the amount of pollution that is caused by irrigation and harvesting. Organic crops also promote sustainability of the soil and water supplies where they are grown, as well as preserving the surrounding wildlife. Organic products may cost a little more, but the extra price is worth it.

For the best tasting coffee at home, you should buy whole bean coffee rather than coffee that is already ground. Grinding the coffee beans releases the freshest taste and delicious aromas of the coffee, and the longer it sits around after being ground, the less fresh and delicious it will taste. That’s why it’s best to use a coffee grinder to grind the coffee right before you brew it. Not all coffee grinding is the same, however. Here are a few tips.

The coarseness of the grind will determine how fast the brew cycle is. Water takes more time to pass through finely ground coffee than it does through coarsely ground coffee. These different brew cycles drastically alter the taste of your coffee. You should grind your whole bean coffee to a medium grind for drip coffee, and you should use a good grinder that consistently grinds beans to a certain grind. You also want it to be efficient so that it generates little heat, which can literally burn the beans and alter the taste of the coffee.

If you drink the same old coffee every morning, you might enjoy your routine and never venture to try other kinds. But sampling some gourmet coffee could change your whole outlook on coffee; you may never go back! If you’re hesitant to go out of your way to buy gourmet coffee, consider that you’d still be saving money by buying gourmet beans or pre-ground coffee and making it at home instead of stopping at a coffee shop every morning. Keep track of your coffee purchases for a month and see how much money you could save – and how much better quality coffee you could enjoy – by buying gourmet coffee to make at home.If you decide to explore some gourmet coffee brands to find one you love, keep in mind a few ways to store your coffee to keep it tasting best. If you buy coffee in bulk, keep it in the freezer to keep it fresh.

Otherwise, storing coffee in an airtight, room temperature container works. To keep coffee fresh at room temperature, you want to eliminate: oxygen, water, excessive heat, direct sunlight and other flavors. This means a solid (not see-through glass) canister with an airtight lid would work great, as long as it’s stored away from heat sources (oven, microwave) and sunlight (windows). Never store coffee in the refrigerator! Water particles from the moist environment will rob your coffee of flavor, and flavors from other food can seep into it. With special care, gourmet coffee can taste just as good from the first cup to the last.

In order to create the delicious beverage, coffee beans must first be ground and brewed.  The grinding of the roasted coffee beans can be done at a roasters, in a grocery store, or in the home.  They are most commonly ground at a roastery and then packaged and sold to the consumer, though whole bean coffee can be ground at home.

 Coffee beans may be ground in several ways. A burr mill uses revolving elements to shear the bean; an electric grinder smashes the beans with blunt blades moving at high speed; and a mortar and pestle crushes the beans.

Let’s face it, coffee can be expensive, and drinking plain old black coffee from a generic store brand isn’t the same. But because gourmet roasted coffee can cost more, some people opt for the generic coffee brands. However, gourmet coffee can be affordable on even the most modest budgets, but it’s important to know where to purchase. For example, never purchase gourmet roasted coffee from an independent coffee house or small retailer, as it will be overpriced to cover their operating costs. In addition, these independent coffee houses and smaller retailers tend to have a smaller selection and might not have all the gourmet coffees people want.

When purchasing gourmet roasted coffee, it’s best to purchase from an independent online retailer. These establishments don’t have huge operating costs, and thus, the coffee tends to be cheaper. In addition, because the internet fosters competition, the coffee tends to be even cheaper. There are some worries about shipping costs, but if purchasing multiple orders, the shipping costs are minimal. There also tends to be a greater selection online than in a conventional store.

We all know that coffee drinks from stands and cafes are expensive, and those expenses can add up at the end of the month. For example, if a person were to spend $5 on a coffee on all the weekdays, at the end of the month that number would be in the range of $100, at the end of the year, $1200, and when looking at a number like that, even on a median household income of $66,000 per year, that’s a little less than 2% of total income, and 4% if you have a spouse that drinks the same amount of coffee! When thinking about it this way, it’s a little ridiculous to imagine that 4% of a household income can be devoted to coffee. Instead of purchasing all those expensive coffee drinks, buy an espresso machine for the home and purchase your own espresso coffee beans, creamer, and other flavored ingredients.

Doing this can save a lot of money throughout the year, as the ingredients for coffee cost far less than purchasing the finished product at a coffee stand or café. Next time you’re thinking about purchasing that coffee drinks, avoid it, and purchase an espresso machine instead, and enjoy delicious coffee at home while saving money!

Oh my! That’s what I say every time I walk into the perfume section of a major department store. I get so overwhelmed with all those smells that I can hardly stand it. My nose can’t take it either. Whenever I leave the store I am all stuffed up and can barely breathe.

I recently learned a technique that helps clear lingering aromas from you nasal passages – smelling espresso bean! Who would have guessed that these little black beans could offer so much relief? I bring them to the mall every time I go shopping now - just in case I have to walk through the perfume section.

When it comes to waking up, everyone loves the jolt of caffeine that comes with a hot cup of coffee in the morning.  However, for some people, drinking caffeinated coffee is not an option, but they still love the flavor, taste, and aroma of coffee, and thus switch to decaffeinated.  But most who have tried it know, decaf coffee just isn’t the same as caffeinated coffee.  It lacks a certain punch and often it leaves you unsatisfied in the morning. 

Luckily, there is help with this predicament in the form of flavored decaf coffee.  Imagine combining coffee with those sensual flavors like hazelnut, almond, or even caramel.  You might start to drool just thinking about it!  Flavored decaf coffee, with its extra kick, tends to replace the missing flavor from regular caffeinated coffee.  It’s a great option for people who like coffee but don’t want that sudden jolt of caffeine and the inevitable crash afterwards.

Coffee exported from Colombia accounts for about 12% of the world’s coffee (by value) and is imported by a great many countries around the world.  Colombian coffee began in the early 1800s, and Colombians began trading the coffee with other countries in the mid 1800s.  The coffee is grown in the lush soil of the Amazon rainforest; a location that provides a habitat to a majority of the world’s animal and plant species.  The harvesting process for Colombian coffee is also quite unique, and involves several hundred individuals hand picking the berries, packing them, and sorting them. 

With the environment where they are grown and the care that goes into their harvesting, roasting, and packaging, it’s no wonder that Colombian coffee is considered the best all over the world.  When purchasing Colombian coffee, you’ll want to ensure that it is 100% Colombian, otherwise you’re only getting about half the full effect! 

Diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people around the world, however, with modern medical advancements the condition is livable and treatable.  With proper care, the effects of diabetes can be mitigated to the point where it’s barely noticeable.  Depending on whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, insulin injections might be necessary.  However, with all diabetics, eating healthy is a central part of wellness.  It’s important to avoid consuming excessive sugars, and also to make sure that you eat regular and full meals.  It also might be necessary to avoid caffeine by switching to decaf coffee, and avoid Starbucks all together. 

By monitoring your eating and dieting habits, it’s likely that your blood sugar won’t ever dip too high or too low and cause a diabetic reaction.  With diabetics, consistency is key in dieting, eating, and exercising habits.