Gourmet Coffee

Walk into any grocery store or supermarket and you will see organic products available on nearly every product in the store.  The growing demand for anything organic is increasing.  In spite of the down economy, and that includes Organic Coffee as well.

In 2007 the consumption of Organic Coffee in North America reached 84 million lbs ($1B).  Sure, that represents only 3% of the whole coffee market but that’s still a very impressive growth rate of 32% since 2000.

Organic Coffee is now grown in over 40 countries worldwide.  That is encouraging:  consumers have access to high quality coffee grown in sustainable agriculture and sound economic and environmental practices prove to be beneficial to small growers.

Many people love the taste of coffee and the social atmosphere of coffee houses, but just can’t handle the jitters and energy rush that accompanies that high caffeine content. Decaffeinated coffee is a great option that allows people to enjoy the warmth and comfort of a cup of coffee with the intense caffeine rush. There are many methods that companies employ to remove caffeine from their coffee beans.

One of the most basic methods of decaffeinating coffee is by steaming the green, unroasted beans and rinsing them with a solvent that works to remove caffeine. This process is repeated up to 12 times, removing as much as 97% of the caffeine. With over 400 chemicals contributing to the unique flavor of the coffee bean, no matter which method is used, decaffeination inevitably will alter the flavor a little.

Coffee has emerged into a social tool in the United States. If you ask anyone what their favorite Starbucks drink is, I’m sure they’ll have an answer. I’m a huge fan of the caramel macchiatos! But what’s even greater than its taste is they way people have learned to congregate around it; it’s become a symbol of unity. And the best part is, you don’t need designer coffee to make it a social event.

Brew up a batch of delicious mocha java coffee and stand on you local street corner, pot in hand.  Within five minutes of your presence I guarantee you’ll have neighbors galore at your side requesting a taste of that aromatic goodness. And based on how much they drink, they’ll probably bee nice and chatty too. Who would have thought it? Coffee – a delicious energy-infused beverage and a social atmospheric creator all in one.