Gourmet Coffee

The term “Mocha Java” is thrown around haphazardly in the coffee world, but it actually refers to a specific blend of beans. Not to be confused with a café mocha—which is a latte with chocolate—the Mocha in Mocha Java refers to an Ethiopian port for shipping coffee. Conversely, the Java is a reference to the island of Java, which is located in Indonesia.

Mocha Java coffee is a blend of beans from the two counties. Coffee beans from Ethiopia have a distinctive citrus flavor that meshes perfectly with the rich, full-bodied coffee of Java. The Mocha Java blend has a deep, full body while maintaining a medium roast and balanced acidity.

It’s understandable in this economic climate that you’d search for way to save money. Many people are cutting back in ways they wouldn’t normally expect. Something like a morning cup of cofffee has people busting out their calculators and determining what a cup of joe before work will set you back on a monthly basis. Making your own coffee in the morning is an easy way to save money, but many people are intimidated by the prospect.

In my experience, one of the main deterrents for people who are considering to brew their own coffee is the assumption that it won’t compare to the beverage they order from their local coffee shop. And while you may not be able to replicate the drink exactly, advancements in home brewing technology allow anyone to create delicious coffee beverages. Just be sure to purchase premium 100% Colombian coffee or another quality product and grind the beans yourself, as this will ensure the freshest flavor.

In lieu of a traditional wedding, my fiancé and I decided to take our nuptial on a beach in Hawaii. We had originally planned to get married in my hometown of Des Moines, but when we started considering the cost of the venue, dress, cake, catering…it just didn’t seem like a practical way to celebrate the rest of our lives together. In order to bring some of our closest relations, we allocated some of the money we had set aside for the wedding to help with airfare and accommodations.

Our ceremony took place on the beach, with my uncle performing the ritual. After the ceremony, we had dinner at a local restaurant and spent the rest of the night—and the week—enjoying ourselves at a secluded resort on the Big Island. I wanted to be sure that all of our guests left with a lasting memento of our ceremony, so I created Hawaiian-themed wedding favors, complete with everything from macadamia nuts and espresso coffee beans, to a picture frame adorned with seashells.

Coffee is certainly an acquired taste, and when I first started drinking the beverage on a regular basis, I was repulsed by the acidic flavor. But, like many people, I choked down coffee every morning in order to give my body a much needed jolt of caffeine. After a while however, I developed a passion for java and I found myself consuming several cups each day.

It quickly became apparent that my body was being inundated with caffeine, and I often had trouble falling asleep at night. Instead of kicking my coffee habit altogether, I decided to start adding decaf coffee beans to my machine later in the day. Now I can still have a boost of caffeine in the morning and switch over to decaf in order to get to bed at a reasonable hour.

After-dinner coffee has been a tradition for hundreds of years, and while coffee in itself is a luxury, many people opt to augment their brew with a potent potable. Liqueurs are the traditional favorite, as they have a sweet, unassuming flavor. These coffee hybrids tend to be rich and decadent, served by themselves are as an accompaniment to dessert. One of the mainstays in this ongoing relationship between coffee and liquor is the traditional Irish cream coffee.

While you can certainly embellish the recipe, a basic Irish cream coffee is simply one cup of coffee and a liberal shot of Irish cream. You can enhance the taste of your beverage by using gourmet coffee beans that have been infused with Irish cream.

There’s nothing better than a relaxing Saturday morning. Unlike Sunday mornings, there’s no worry of having to be at work the next morning. It’s just you, your newspaper and your steaming cup of hot coffee. If you’re feeling adventurous, maybe you can try your coffee with a kick. Here’s a coffee recipe that will knock your socks off:

Sassy Mexican Coffee
~ 1 oz. coffee-flavored liqueur
~ 5 oz. hot black whole bean coffee
~ 1 ½ oz. whipped cream
~ 1 tsp. sugar

Pour coffee and liqueur into and Irish cup and sweeten to taste. Gently float the cream on the top and sprinkle with grated chcolate.

Like most American workplaces, my business would be much less productive if coffee were removed from the equation. From the moment the day starts, employees are lining up in the break room to get their morning dose of caffeine. I’ve noticed that my administrative assistant, Rebecca, is constantly refilling her insulated coffee thermos. It seems to bolster her chipper attitude and impressive work ethic.

That’s why I was inspired to buy Rebecca a coffee-themed gift for her birthday earlier this year. I searched online for a collection of beans from gourmet coffee brands and stumbled across one with a bold selection of beans from around the globe. Watching my assistant open the gift, I knew I had made the right choice.

If you asked 10 different hosts the secret to pulling off a successful dinner party, you’d likely get 10 different answers. Still, the concepts of hospitality and accommodation would undoubtedly come up at some point. It’s up to a host to make her guests feel at home for the duration of the soiree, and that means always having scrumptious food and tasty beverages near at hand.

The hors d’oeuvres should be flavorful but not too exotic, as you don’t want to put anyone off. Always ask around to see if any special dietary restrictions need to be factored into the preparation of the main course. Don’t serve a vegetarian some beef bourguignon by mistake. It’s traditional in some households to serve coffee with dessert, but not all guests like a shot of caffeine just a few hours before bedtime. That’s why you should set aside some flavored decaf coffee just in case.

One coffee that is recognized worldwide for its high quality and distinct taste is Colombian coffee. The European Union has even granted it a Protected Designation of Origin in 2007 because of its unique flavor. When roasted, it has a bright acidity, heavy body and very aromatic. That is why the United States, Germany, Japan, Switzerland and The netherlands are importers of this coffee.

There is even a logo that was created back in 1959 that will identify that the coffee is from Columbia. Juan Valdez, his mule Conchita and the Columbian mountains are the familiar symbols of Colombian coffee. When you see this logo, you are sure of the origins of the coffee and have approval from the National Federation of Coffee Growers. So, when you buy your coffee, make sure you see Juan Valdez on it first.

Chocolate lovers enjoy it when they find new ways to get pleasure from their favorite food. Give the delightful gift of chocolate flavored coffee to a chocoholic friend. If you’re a chocolate lover yourself, you’ll love these delicious gourmet coffees that are carefully mixed to balance the chocolate and coffee tastes for a most satisfying blend.

These fine coffees are packaged by the pound but are also available in 2 oz. samplers and pillow pacs. They are perfect for brewing 10-12 cup pots of exciting and aromatic beverages. All chocolate flavored coffee comes with no added sugar so you can fully indulge yourself without any guilt.