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Posted by Kenneth Breeze on May 27, 2010 at 1:19 PM under
• 0 commentsYou’ll hear lots of coffees referred to as an Arabica coffee, but what exactly does that mean? Well, essentially, it means that the coffee originated from a coffee plant that originally came from Arabia. The legend of Arabia is that a goat herder named Kaldi originally discovered coffee on the Arabian Peninsula. He noticed how his goats had a heightened sense of energy after eating the coffee beans, and so he took the coffee back. From there, legend (and many morning-addictions to a cup of joe) was born.
 Science has now proven that the first traces of coffee came from Ethiopia before being transported to Yemen, but the bean origin keeps its original name of Arabica. However, needless to say, most of the coffee grown in Northern Africa is the Arabica variety.
Many of the coffees that you buy from regions very far away from the Arabian Peninsula actually are varieties of Arabica coffee that have migrated or were brought by traders. Arabica coffee actually accounts for approximately eighty percent of all of the world’s coffee production, so chances are that what you’re drinking in an Arabica coffee.
Arabica coffee grows best at high elevations and somewhat drier climates (within reason, everything needs water to grow). It’s a perfect coffee for the temperature and geographic conditions of the tropics of Central and South America, and most of the coffees that you get from that region will be Arabica.
Compared with the other variety of common coffee (robusta), Arabica coffees have less body, but they are also less bitter and have a fuller flavor, making them, by far, preferred for consumption.
Most of the coffee that you’ll find at iCoffeeGourmet is of the Arabica variety. While it sounds fancy to say something is an Arabica coffee, it really just means that your coffee is made out of the normal kind of coffee bean. The quality of your coffee is really controlled by many other factors including where it’s grown, the roasting process and the weather conditions the year it was grown.
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Posted by Kenneth Breeze on May 26, 2010 at 1:36 PM under
• 0 comments Coffee, for the most part, is fairly high in acids. That means that if you suffer from regular heartburn, coffee may not be your friend no matter how much you may love it. For some people, their doctors will even tell them that their heartburn problems mean that coffee just can’t be a part of their lives! Can you imagine? However, there are some options for making your coffee love more heartburn-friendly.
Be aware, by the way, that doctors are still a bit conflicted on the role of coffee on heartburn. Many doctors believe that the acids in coffee do cause heartburn, but there’s also a school of thought that says that it’s just that coffee stimulates the release of acids in the stomach. If the latter is the case, then reducing the acids in your coffee isn’t going to help. However, it’s worth a shot!
Buy a Cold Brew Coffee Maker: These coffee makers brew coffee using cold water, just like it says. There’s evidence that less acid is released with the coffee when it’s cold brewed. You can then heat your coffee up after it’s been brewed. You’ll get less acid and feel better!
Try JAVAcid: This is an additive made with licorice, calcium and fiber, all of which reduce the amount of acid that your stomach makes. In good news, though, it doesn’t impact the flavor of your coffee.
Drink African and Pacific Grown Coffees: There are obviously exceptions to every rule, but generally African grown coffees and coffees grown in the Pacific regions will have less acidity than South American and Central American coffees.
Switch to Espresso: The taste of espresso may be stronger, but in reality espresso has both less caffeine and less acid content than coffee which is brewed using a longer brewing method.
You’ll need to experiment and see which solutions ultimately lead you to a place where your coffee drinking and your acid sensitivities can live in the same world. These four tips are a great place to start though!
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Posted by Kenneth Breeze on May 25, 2010 at 11:28 AM under
• 0 commentsFlavored coffees are a lot like wine! They make you feel great after you drink them, and you can create a great taste sensation by pairing them with the right dessert! Here are our ten favorite flavored coffee and dessert pairings.
Raspberry Coffee: Much like fruit and chocolate, raspberry flavored coffee will go best when paired with a dark chocolate dessert. Consider a nice dark chocolate torte for the ideal pairing.
Southern Pecan Coffee: The sweet and nutty flavor of this coffee goes great with offsetting a classic southern dessert like a Louisiana Syrup Cake or New Orleans beignets.
White Chocolate Coffee: White chocolate is always great to pair with fruit. Consider a peach and mango cobbler to go with this richer, deeper sweet coffee.
Irish Cream: The best thing to do with anything Irish? Pair it with something Irish! Pair this one with an Irish Brambrack!
Maple Nut Coffee: Our personal favorite, Maple Nut coffee is ideal with apple pie, particularly if that apple pie is a bit heavy on the cinnamon.
Peppermint Coffee: Of course we’ll say pair peppermint with chocolate! Who wouldn’t? We think the fun nature of peppermint coffee goes great with either chocolate cookies or chocolate cupcakes decorated with real peppermints.
Cinnamon Vanilla Coffee: This one is great with fruit dishes as well, particularly apple ones! A great coffee match for an apple or berry cobbler!
Coconut Coffee: Obviously perfect for pairing with tropical desserts, and the more fresh fruit that’s involved the better. Make a fruit parfait with delicious mango or other fruit flavored cream in between the various layers. You’ll feel like you’re in the islands.
Chocolate Mint Coffee: We haven’t recommended a one-to-one match, but in this case we will! This coffee should be served with a mud pie!
Almond Amaretto Coffee: A bold coffee should go with a creamy dessert. This one is great with tiramisu or crème brulee.
These are our suggestions, but you may find something better by exploring the many flavored coffees available at iCoffeeGourmet and coming up with your own ideas!
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Posted by Kenneth Breeze on May 24, 2010 at 12:30 PM under
• 0 commentsE verybody knows that ninety-nine percent of all people appreciate coffee as a gift. And, of course, we love when people give coffee as a gift. However, if you’re giving somebody coffee for an occasion, it can sometimes be a tiny bit complicated. After all, do you know what kind of brew that person likes? Do they like a more bitter coffee? A stronger coffee? A coffee with a milder flavor? Unless you’re buying a highly premium coffee that you know you can’t go wrong with, purchasing a coffee for a person whose taste you don’t know can be a challenge. That’s why we recommend buying a flavored coffee when you’re purchasing for a gift. Here are some suggestions for no-fail flavored coffee gifts.
Chocolate Flavored Coffees: In addition to being a yummy combination of two great flavors, a chocolate flavored coffee is a great gift idea because who doesn’t like chocolate? You can make just about any host, hostess, or other gift recipient happy with the gift of a chocolate flavored coffee. For the best presentation, put your chocolate flavored coffee in a basket with some real chocolate.
French Vanilla Flavored Coffees: On the flip side of the chocolate coffee is the French Vanilla coffee. We recommend this one because it’s a “safe” gift choice. French Vanilla is one of the most popular flavors of flavored coffee or coffee syrup. It’s almost impossible to disappoint somebody with a French Vanilla coffee gift. We think it’s just as nice for presentation to put this in a basket with some chocolate for an entire chocolate and vanilla theme!
Hazelnut Flavored Coffees: Again, this is one of the most popular flavored varieties, and it’s also got such a distinctive taste that it’s sure to delight. Just be sure that your gift recipient brews it while you’re around too so you get to enjoy! We think a great presentation is to pair this with some hazelnut cookies.
There are literally hundreds of varieties of flavored coffees to choose from, and they all make great gift ideas. Pick the one that best suits the taste and personality of your gift recipient and then make somebody’s day with an unexpected present!
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Posted by Kenneth Breeze on May 21, 2010 at 4:36 PM under
• 0 comments You may first be asking yourself, “What’s Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, and why should I care?” Well, if you like coffee and are looking for some of the most decidedly tasty coffee out there, then you need to know about Jamaican Blue Mountain varieties of coffee.
Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee refers specifically to coffee that’s grown in the Blue Mountain region of Jamaica (between Kingston and Port Antonio if you’re a geography lover). That part was probably obvious! The coffee is noted for having a mild flavor with a slightly sweet taste and a lack of bitterness that many coffee lovers appreciate. Blue Mountain coffee also has an intense aroma. This is largely due to the ideal growing conditions in the Blue Mountains. The climate in that region is cool and misty with a high rainfall count, but the rich soil has excellent drainage. In short, ideal coffee growing conditions.
However, because Blue Mountain coffee is grown in a very limited geographic region, it’s actually quite rare. The sad news for lovers of Blue Mountain coffee is that is supply and demand scenario has made it one of the most expensive coffees in the world. Actually, over 80% of all Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is exported to Japan, making it even harder to find for the Stateside coffee lover.
If you’re shopping for Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, make sure it’s got the globally protected certification mark (see picture). If it doesn’t have that mark, it means that the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica hasn’t actually certified and confirmed that the coffee that you’re drinking is actually from the Blue Mountain region, and you may be paying premium prices for a less premium product. There are other similar varieties of Jamaican coffee, such as Jamaican High Mountain coffee, that have similar beans but are not actually Blue Mountain coffees.
As a fun fact, and another reason that Blue Mountain beans can be rare, the Blue Mountain beans are also used as the flavor base for Tia Maria coffee liqueur.
Looking for Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee? Guess what? We have it at iCoffeeGourmet!
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Posted by Kenneth Breeze on May 20, 2010 at 12:39 PM under
• 0 commentsThe unique taste of cinnamon and the favorite flavor of coffee are two of the best tastes in the world to combine together. Various versions of cinnamon coffee have been popular at local and chain coffee shops for years now. But there are some great cinnamon coffee recipes that you can make at home as well. Here are two of our favorites.
Cinnamon Spiced Coffee
This recipe results in a spiced coffee with a distinct cinnamon flavor that you can make easily in a traditional coffee brewer with no syrups or espresso machines needed.
Ingredients:
- 2/3 of a cup of medium brew coffee grounds
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ¼ of a cup of granulated sugar or firmly packed brown sugar (we prefer the brown sugar)
- Six cups of cold water
Directions
- Place the sugar in the bottom of the carafe of your coffee maker
- Place both the coffee and the cinnamon in the filter brew basket of your coffee maker
- Brew your coffee
- Stir the coffee well when brewing is complete.
- Serve immediately with milk and additional sugar if desired.
 Maple Cinnamon Coffee
This is another recipe that you can easily make in a traditional coffee brewer without needing specialty ingredients.
Ingredients
- Six Tablespoons of medium brew coffee grounds
- ½ of a teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ½ of a cup of maple-flavored syrup
- Four and a half cups of cold water
- Whipped cream
Directions
- Place the coffee and cinnamon in the filter brew basket of your coffee maker
- Pour the syrup into the coffee pot/carafe of your coffee maker
- Brew your coffee
- Stir the coffee when brewed to properly mix and blend the syrup
- Serve immediately with whipped cream
You can also consider making a cinnamon based coffee drink using a cinnamon flavored syrup or cinnamon coffee as well. And, of course, you can find all the nice medium-brew coffees that you need as well as flavored syrups at iCoffeeGourmet.
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Posted by Kenneth Breeze on May 19, 2010 at 12:54 PM under
• 0 commentsThere are tons of special coffee drinks that you can make by using special flavored syrups for your coffee! Imagine your favorite drinks from the local coffee shop, but made more affordable. And also imagine the ability to make coffee drinks that you only imagined. We love playing around with coffee flavoring syrups and various recipes. Today, we’re going to focus on two of our favorite recipes that use almond flavored syrup.
 The Almond Joy Latte
In addition to an espresso coffee, you’ll need milk, almond syrup, mocha syrup and coconut syrup. The end result should be a drink that tastes deliciously like the popular candy bar. Here are the directions.
- Steam your latte milk
- Pour ¼ of an ounce of almond syrup, ¼ of an ounce of mocha syrup and ¼ of an ounce of coconut syrup into your coffee mug
- Add two shots of freshly brewed espresso to the mug
- Stir the coffee and syrup to blend
- Fill the remainder of the mug with steamed milk, leaving ½ of an inch of room at the top
- Top with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles
Almond Cinnamon Coffee Latte
This coffee tastes like a tasty baked treat! You’ll need espresso, sugar, milk, almond syrup and cinnamon. Here are the directions:
- Steam your latte milk
- Pour ½ of an ounce of almond syrup into a mug
- Add one teaspoon of sugar to the syrup
- Add two shots of freshly brewed espresso
- Stir well to blend the syrup and espresso and dissolve the sugar
- Add the steamed milk, leaving ½ an inch of room at the top
- Top with a few shakes of cinnamon and/or a cinnamon stick
And then you can get creative! Think of your favorite almond-flavored treats and then imagine how you can construct a coffee drink that will emulate those flavors. Have fun figuring out how to use syrups to make your coffee experience unique as well as to treat your friends and family!
You can find almond and many other flavored syrups for coffee at iCoffeeGourmet!
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Posted by Kenneth Breeze on May 18, 2010 at 9:23 AM under
• 0 commentsCoffee and Italian Culture
If you’ve ever been to Italy, or you know a serious Italian family, then you know that Italians take their coffee very seriously. In fact, there are serious rules that Italians apply to the art of drinking coffee. If you’re planning a trip or even just trying to impress an Italian, here are some things that you need to know:
 Milky Coffee Drinks are ONLY for the AM: If you’d like to enjoy a cappuccino, latte or other milk based coffee drink with an Italian roast coffee, by all means do so, but only in the morning! Those drinks are not for after meals! Italians can’t stand the thought of hot milk hitting a full stomach. Straight coffee is for after meals.
Do NOT Get Fancy with Your Coffee: Unless you are ordering un caffe alla nocciola in Naples (a frothy espresso with hazelnut cream) or a marocchino in Milan (basically an upside down cappuccino), coffee is served as coffee. Don’t add mint, vanilla or other flavors and toppings. That’s like putting soda pop in wine.
Don’t Call it Espresso: Espresso is the default. It’s what coffee is. When you order a coffee in Italy, you’re going to get a single dose espresso which you will be expected to drink in one shot, usually without sitting down. The Italians love their coffee and drink lots of it, but they drink it in small quantities and quickly. There is no venti sized sipping coffee to the true Italian. Also, you are going to receive your coffee at a drinkable temperature. If you’ve gotten used to steaming hot coffee, then that is not very Italian of you!
In many ways, coffee is to the Italians as wine is to the French. There are expectations about how and where you drink it, and you will be pinpointed as a tourist or non-Italian if you vary from these! We say “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Embrace the coffee rules of Italy if you’re going to be spending any time around true Italians.
You can, of course, find a variety of Italian roast coffees at iCoffeeGourmet!
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Posted by Kenneth Breeze on May 17, 2010 at 1:13 PM under
• 0 commentsIf you’ve heard the buzz about Kona coffee but aren’t sure what makes this coffee so unique and special, the answer is simple! Kona coffee is exclusively grown in a small area of the Big Island of Hawaii (In fact, the Hawaiians call this coffee “Kope”) that is rich in minerals from volcanic ash and has perfect weather for coffee bean cultivation. That combination makes Kona coffee have a unique flavor that can’t be replicated by other types of coffee.
 GeographyThe area of the Big Island where Kona is grown is only forty square miles and produces only two million pounds of pure Kona a year, making Kona one of the rarest types of coffee available. The weather of the area features sunny mornings, clouds or light rain in the afternoon and mild nights. This means that the Kona beans get proper sunlight, proper moisture and are never exposed to harsh elements. Because the area of land in the Kona district is at the base of two volcanoes, the soil is porous and rich in minerals for ideal growth.
What is a Kona blend? Because Kona is so rare and often so expensive, many coffee retailers (including iCoffeeGourmet) offer Kona blends as well. These coffees combine a pure Kona with a Columbian or Brazilian coffee to make them more affordable while also giving consumers a Kona taste. Typically, these blends will be about 10% Kona beans.
iCoffeeGourmet Kona Products
iCoffeeGourmet features three different Kona products for your pleasure.
If you’d like to experiment with a Kona blend, we’ve got one! There’s also a Kona Greenwells that combines the flavor of Hawaiian macadamia nuts with it. Finally, Kona Fancy is our premium Kona coffee.
If you’ve ever been to Hawaii and had a cup of Kona while watching the sun rise over the ocean, then these coffees will take you right back there. If you’ve never been, then trying a Kona coffee is a great way to replicate the vacation you’re dying to take! Either way, hang ten and enjoy some of Hawaii’s best.
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Posted by Kenneth Breeze on April 1, 2010 at 6:49 PM under
• 0 comments
(think simple, but guilty pleasure)
Keep your guilty pleasures. Because it appears that when we treat ourselves to a little escape and indulgent convenience it may be not only good for our psychological health, but part of a good strategy to weather tough economic times. In fact, during times of recession, it is reported that though people may reduce spending overall, that they continue to find ways to escape, whether it be a night out to the movies, a new novel or music selection, or having their favorite food delivered. The trick is to simply find new experiences that deliver enjoyment while saving money. And we don’t have to look further than our love affair with gourmet coffee to show you new ways to indulge and renew your spirit, your senses and your pocketbook.
Keep your Guilty Pleasures, but Take Back your Budget
Our small guilty pleasures help us to maintain our emotional balance during times of change. And there is a way to do this while saving money. “There is a definite shift happening”, according to Specialty Coffee Association of America. “Consumers are preparing more coffee at home while still trying to enjoy a quality cup, but the focus on quality remains strong”. This is being driven by consumers’ desire to still enjoy fine coffee, but save money where possible.
Shake Up the Daily Grind
Whether you plant something new in your garden or rearrange your furniture, find ways to introduce variety in order to see and appreciate your everyday world in new and interesting ways. Coffee lovers are rediscovering the joys of brewing gourmet coffee at home and now have the convenience of iCoffeeGourmet, an on-line coffee store offering over 250 hand selected coffees from all over the world. Many iCoffeeGourmet drinkers take advantage of iCoffeeGourmet Coffee Club which delivers a different variety to your doorstep every month.
Stay True to You
During times of uncertainty, variety energizes our outlook, but it’s the comfort of our individual rituals which anchor us and remind the day that we are in control. So honor your morning breakfast coffee ritual with quality ingredients and presentation. Grind that fresh espresso and add your favorite flavored syrups. Keep what’s uniquely yours to help keep your head in the game.
Reduce the Background Noise
We could all benefit with one less thing to think about these days. Take advantage of on-line coffee delivery. iCoffeeGourmet finds the highest quality coffee beans for you, so you don’t have to comb through unknown or inferior brands at the grocery store. One more thing is checked off your list, off your mind and waiting for you on your doorstep. What a nice surprise!
Be free
Coffee Bean International VP, Joe Prewett says, “Newly liberated from old purchasing patterns, coffee drinkers have consequently become very open-minded about discovering new resources for specialty coffee and equipment”. You have to admit, there is something very freeing about not being one of the franchised masses. You can be your own iCoffee Gourmet and you deserve it.
Whether you’re a newbie or a skilled barista, iCoffee Gourmet has everything you need and want to know about premium, organic, decaf or fair trade coffees, gourmet espresso beans, espresso machines, coffee makers or coffee grinders. Get yours today @ http://www.iCoffeeGourmet.com. Remember to sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter to get digital coupons, specials, recipes, discounts, contests and much more.
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Posted by Kenneth Breeze on April 1, 2010 at 5:56 PM under
• 0 comments
Loan money for Lattes? Have we lost our minds? Comparing the cost of designer drive-through vs. iGourmet home brew.
College kids are dipping into their college loan funds to support expensive designer coffee habits. And they are not alone. We all rationalize these “small purchases”. Hey, what’s $4 when I need my afternoon pick up? But when you add all of these impulses up over the course of a week or a year, you see the crazy hit to your budget. For example, if you purchase a gourmet coffee and muffin every morning, over the course of one week, you could be spending $50-$70. Up to $2,000 per year. Wow, vacation money. Who knew?
Start packing because you have gourmet coffee options that are at least 20 times less expensive. When you shift from by the cup to by the pound, here is how the savings break down:
A pound of gourmet coffee (16 Ounces or 1 Lb.) divided by 1 1/2 ounces comes to roughly 10 pots of 10 cups (6 Ounce cups) equaling 100 cups for the cost of one pound of gourmet coffee beans. At the average of 1.5 tablespoons per 6 ounce cup and average size of 12 ounce coffee mug, you can expect 50 cups of home brewed coffee per pound of gourmet beans.
iCoffee Gourmet’s per cup price ranges from about .12- .20 cents for the highest quality coffee from all over the world. It will definitely get you thinking about your next vacation. Enjoy.
Whether you’re a newbie or a skilled barista, iCoffee Gourmet has everything you need and want to know about premium, organic, decaf or fair trade coffees, gourmet espresso beans, espresso machines, coffee makers or coffee grinders. Get yours today @ http://www.iCoffeeGourmet.com. Remember to sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter to get digital coupons, specials, recipes, discounts, contests and much more.
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Posted by Christine Breeze on March 29, 2010 at 10:39 PM under
• 0 comments Have we lost our minds? Comparing the cost of designer drive-thu vs. iGourmet home brew. Loan money for Lattes?College kids are dipping into their college loan funds to support expensive designer coffee habits. And they are not alone. We all rationalize these “small purchases”. Hey, what’s $4 when I need my afternoon pick up? But when you add all of these impulses up over the course of a week or a year, you see the crazy hit to your budget. For example, if you purchase a gourmet coffee and muffin every morning, over the course of one week, you could be spending $50-$70. Up to $2,000 per year. Wow, vacation money. Who knew? Start packing because you have gourmet coffee options that are at least 20 times less expensive. When you shift from by the cup to by the pound, here is how the savings break down: A pound of gourmet coffee (16 Ounces or 1 Lb.) divided by 1 1/2 ounces comes to roughly 10 pots of 10 cups (6 Ounce cups) equaling 100 cups for the cost of one pound of gourmet coffee beans. At the average of 1.5 tablespoons per 6 ounce cup and average size of 12 ounce coffee mug, you can expect 50 cups of home brewed coffee per pound of gourmet beans. iCoffee Gourmet’s per cup price ranges from about .12- .20 cents for the highest quality coffee from all over the world. It will definitely get you thinking about your next vacation. Enjoy. Stimulus Act: Click for a immediate savings
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Posted by Kenneth Breeze on March 29, 2010 at 6:00 PM under
250 hand selected coffees, coffee beans, coffee blend, coffee delivery, escape, espresso, fine coffee, flavored syrups, grind, icoffeegourmet club, morning coffee, speciality coffee, variety
• 0 comments Keep your guilty pleasures.
Because it appears that when we treat ourselves to a little escape and indulgent convenience it may be not only good for our psychological health, but part of a good strategy to weather tough economic times. In fact, during times of recession, it is reported that though people may reduce spending overall, that they continue to find ways to escape, whether it be a night out to the movies, a new novel or music selection, or having their favorite food delivered. The trick is to simply find new experiences that deliver enjoyment while saving money. And we don’t have to look further than our love affair with gourmet coffee to show you new ways to indulge and renew your spirit, your senses and your pocketbook.
Keep your Guilty Pleasures, but Take Back your Budget
Our small guilty pleasures help us to maintain our emotional balance during times of change. And there is a way to do this while saving money. “There is a definite shift happening”, according to Specialty Coffee Association of America. “Consumers are preparing more coffee at home while still trying to enjoy a quality cup, but the focus on quality remains strong”. This is being driven by consumers’ desire to still enjoy fine coffee, but save money where possible.
Shake Up the Daily Grind
Whether you plant something new in your garden or rearrange your furniture, find ways to introduce variety in order to see and appreciate your everyday world in new and interesting ways. Coffee lovers are rediscovering the joys of brewing gourmet coffee at home and now have the convenience of iCoffeeGourmet, an on-line coffee store offering over 250 hand selected coffees from all over the world. Many iCoffee drinkers take advantage of iCoffee Club which delivers a different variety to your doorstep every month.
Stay True to You
During times of uncertainty, variety energizes our outlook, but it’s the comfort of our individual rituals which anchor us and remind the day that we are in control. So honor your morning coffee ritual with quality ingredients and presentation. Grind that fresh espresso and add your favorite flavored syrups. Keep what’s uniquely yours to help keep your head in the game.
Reduce the Background Noise
We could all benefit with one less thing to think about these days. Take advantage of on-line coffee delivery. iCoffeeGourmet finds the highest quality coffee beans for you, so you don’t have to comb through unknown or inferior brands at the grocery store. One more thing is checked off your list, off your mind and waiting for you on your doorstep. What a nice surprise!
Be free
Coffee Bean International VP, Joe Prewett says, “Newly liberated from old purchasing patterns, coffee drinkers have consequently become very open-minded about discovering new resources for specialty coffee and equipment”. You have to admit, there is something very freeing about not being one of the franchised masses. You can be your own iCoffee Gourmet and you deserve it.
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Posted by Ken Breeze. Author James Grierson/AZ Golf Alive on December 31, 2009 at 5:00 PM under
• 0 comments
A coffee grinder is a must have for anyone who loves coffee, for tow simple reasons: freshness and control over the coarseness of the grind.
FRESHNESS
To keep coffee as fresh as possible you need to minimize it's contact with air. Air is one of coffees worst enemies as it destroys delicate flavors by turning the natural oils present in coffee rancid.
If you have a coffee grinder at home you can grind your coffee beans as you need them.This preserves their freshness, as a whole coffee bean has a much smaller surface area than that of a ground bean and therefore is less exposed to air.
The actual process of grinding releases many of the coffees aromatics; as you grind you can smell this in the air.If you don't quickly use these grounds then you are going to lose this aroma and deprive your cup of valuable flavors. This is another good reason to only grind coffee on demand.
COARSNES CONTROL
Different coffee makers require a different coarseness of ground coffee. For example: an espresso machine, witch has a short brewing time (less than 30 sec.),needs a very fine powder-like grind; whereas a cafetiere, which has a long brewing time (3-4 min.), needs a much coarser grind. With your own coffee grinder you get to control the coarseness of the grind as you can adjust the grinders settings. So if you find your coffee taste bitter, a result of over-extraction, then you can adjust the grind to a coarser setting; and if your coffee tastes flat,a result of under-extraction,you can adjust the grind to a finer setting.
Whether you’re a newbie or a skilled barista, iCoffee Gourmet has everything you need and want to know about premium, organic, decaf or fair trade coffees, gourmet espresso beans, espresso machines, coffee makers or coffee grinders. Get yours today @ http://www.iCoffeeGourmet.com.
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Posted by Alice Lane/AZGolf Alive! on December 3, 2009 at 5:00 PM under
• 0 comments
When you stop at you local grocery store to purchase your coffee, you may or may not know where it came from. People who are quite particular about their coffee tend to choose their country depending on witch region it was harvested.
Others simply want a cup that tastes good no matter where it comes from.All we know is that we thoroughly enjoy whatever your local fair trade coffee supplies provide use with.
The main coffee growing region are located in Central and South America, Central Africa and South East Asia. The countries in these regions supply the entire world with their java. The coffees from these regions each have their own distinct characteristics in their aroma and flavor, depending on how the beans have been processed.
Brazil is the largest green coffee suppliers on the market today. Vietnam and Colombia follow as second and third respectively. You may have also heard of Kona coffee, witch is grown on the big island of Hawaii, and is one of the most expensive and most sought after coffees today. Mexico, Uganda, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Jamaica, Indonesia, Kenya and Panama also produce coffee. Millions of people living in third world countries count on the java productions as their sole source of income.
Whatever you decide to drink, the next time you take a sip, savor the flavor and appreciate just how far that coffee traveled to get to your home. Coffee is consumed by nearly ninety precent of adults living in North America. So if you are one of those individuals how can't seem to get enough to this wonderful beverage, make sure to click on iCoffeeGourmet Coffee today for a wide selection and to buy coffee online.
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Posted by Ken Breeze on June 19, 2009 at 8:00 AM under
• 0 comments
 In the supermarket you have alot of choices. It is fair to say that there are thousands of companies in the coffee industry. So, how do you decide which is right for you? Do you start at the supermarket and buy every single brand of coffee on the shelf? Well, before you do that let me clue you in on the freshness of supermarket coffee.
Typically, after the coffee completes the roasting process it sits in a warehouse for about two weeks. Then the coffee is loaded on a truck and transported to a distribution center where it sits from about 48 hours to a week depending on which supermarket chain wants it the most if at all, and then it is shipped again to another distribution center owned by your favorite supermarket where again it sits until your store orders it. It then gets transported once again to your supermarket where it sits until you buy it. If the coffee is a number one seller like Folgers it sits for no more then a week, but if it is an uncommon name brand it may sit for months. How is that for freshness? YUK!!!! As my kids would say! The real catch is that the comsumer believes that they are buying a full one pound bag of coffee, but read the fine print. Almost every company sells their coffee in 12 oz bags shorting you 4 oz. This is done for less expense on shipping a truck load of coffee.
What are the alternatives to supermarket coffee? If you desire fresh roasted coffee then you need to buy straight from a roastery. Many roasteries are different, but most of them have by far fresher coffee then any supermarket. Before you purchase from a roastery call them or email them and ask when will your coffee be roasted. If they respond by saying "we have coffee already roasted" then you may want to try somewhere else. The roaster that tells you that they roast it just prior to shipping is selling you very fresh coffee.
You may ask, what is the cost difference between supermarket coffee and a roastery? Cost always vary, but if you think that $8.95 a lbs to $35.95 a lbs is to much then you probably will never have a great cup of coffee that leaves your palate screaming for more. I personally can't stand the taste of stale coffee. I only drink the good stuff.
Author - javajake Source - Free Articles
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Posted by Ken Breeze on June 9, 2009 at 8:00 AM under
• 0 commentsUsed coffee grounds have been discarded as trash by millions of people around the world. Is there another use for your used grounds? The answer is "yes," and the more you learn about the used coffee grounds the more sense it makes to use them as a fertilizer. My Grandmother taught me years ago the secret of used coffee grounds. She said that the grounds give your plants more life. I always wondered what she meant by more life. Then as I watched her plants grow I seen some amazing things. Her tomato garden was huge, and much larger than our neighbors. Tomatoes the size of a softball grew in her garden and at a fast pace. When the neighbors would inquire as to her secret she said I have rich soil. She did not lie; because due to those used coffee grounds her soil was rich indeed.
Used coffee grounds are a great fertilizer for gardens because of their high nitrogen content. Of all the mineral nutrients in the soil, nitrogen is generally the most difficult for plants to acquire. The reason plants have difficulty is because of the way they acquire the nitrogen. It is primarily thru their roots, which are buried in the soil. Most plants depend on mineral forms of nitrogen in the soil, and this is where your coffee grounds come into place. Your used grounds give your soil the added nitrogen that your plants need. Coffee grounds also contain potassium, phosphorus, and many other elements that aid in plant development. Many rose gardeners report that used coffee grounds aid in their roses development. Reports also add that when used coffee grounds have made their roses more colorful and larger than normal. In fact, when added to a compost pile used coffee grounds compost very quickly.
Nitrogen is a component of all proteins, and is crucial to life. In several studies, plants that have a nitrogen rich soil grew faster and larger then plants that grew in natural soil. It is clearly wiser to save those used coffee grounds and use them in your gardens or household flowerpots. If you are not using used coffee grounds you are wasting a great resource.
Author - javajake Source - ArticlesCircle
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Posted by Ken Breeze on April 1, 2009 at 8:00 AM under
• 0 commentsAnnouncing the Grand Opening of Our New Online Shop! Sign up for our free monthly newsletter filled with coffee shop reports from around the world, specials, coupons, recipes and much more. We are offering free shipping on all orders over $75! Happy shopping!
Whether you’re a newbie or a skilled barista, iCoffee Gourmet has everything you need and want to know about espresso machines, coffee makers, coffee grinders, premium coffees and gourmet espresso beans. Get yours today @ http://www.iCoffeeGourmet.com.
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Posted by Ken Breeze on March 6, 2009 at 8:00 AM under
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We are proud to announce the opening of our online coffee shop. Here you can find everything about and around coffee. Beans freshly roasted, coffee shops in Phoenix, Scottsdale and around the world.
We hope to engage you into a dialog of on-going comments and feedback on what coffee is all about in your world and how we can grow an online coffee store in our global village. So ponder for a moment how we can make an online shopping spree the best experience you could ever have in an internet coffee house. Tell us what coffee is to you. Email us what would make you hang around for a while or why you would tell your friends. What you would expect to see, read and buy in an internet coffee house.
Cheers,
Ken & Christine Breeze
www.iCoffeeGourmet.com
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Follow us on Twitter: @BreezeCoffee & @iCoffeeGourmet
Subscribe to our Blog @ www.breezecoffee.blogspot.com
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Posted by Admin on December 28, 2005 at 12:00 AM under
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