Erudite Coffee

Coffee - Tastes From Around The World

2010-03-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

Coffee - Tastes From Around The World

Author: Wesley Johnson

The world loves coffee, but people show it in different ways. When a person walks into a coffee store in the US, the options may initially seem overwhelming. However, if all coffee styles from many nations around the world were also available in those same stores, there would not be enough room on the walls to list them. To learn more about different coffee cultures from America to Ethiopia, keep reading.

Coffee Americano or American Blend

American coffee typically is one of two different styles - a Cafe Americano and a basic, medium-roast Arabica blend.

A cafe Americano refers to a shot of espresso mixed with a cup or mug full of hot water and a splash of cream or sugar to taste. Meanwhile, the classic American blend of coffee is typically an Arabica bean medium roasted. The medium roast increases the sweetness of the taste, cuts down on the harshness of a dark roast and boasts a minimal acidic level.

European Coffee

The term "European coffee" generally refers to any dark roast, or a French roast in particular. The beans are roasted until they're black and the coffee is often more bittersweet than the more common American roast.

Normally, a European roast refers to an espresso roast where the beans are roasted specifically for an espresso, which are then used in cafe au lait, espresso shots, frappucinos and other coffee drinks. This is a very strong coffee, reflected in the taste.

Turkish Coffee

Turkish coffee refers to which is prepared by boiling the very finely ground, powdery coffee in a pot with boiling water. The coffee is then served in a cup and the grounds, or dregs, settle to the bottom. Ideally, the coffee is started with cold water and boiled over a long heat to achieve a perfect foam.

This type of coffee is routinely served in Turkey, the Middle East, North Africa and the Caucasus region.

Ethiopian Coffee

Ethiopians often consider their land to be the birthplace of coffee, and has an intricate coffee ceremony that is very much a part of its culture.

Typically, the coffee is brewed by roasting raw or green beans over hot coals or a fire. Then, each guest may waft the roasting smoke toward themselves to sample the aroma. Next, the roasted beans are ground using a mortar and pestle.

The grounds are subsequently boiled in a special pot called a jebena. Once the coffee boils up into the neck of the pot, it's then poured into another container to cool off and then put back into the jebena. Finally, a filter is placed over the spout of the jebena and the coffee is poured and served.

Traditionally, the coffee is served all at once. The host will pour the coffee into all the cups on a tray and without stopping. Once brewed, the grounds are later used three more times.

Coffee is such a popular drink around the world. Many cultures have their own unique versions that people love for the aroma, flavor, caffeine effect, and social atmosphere it helps to provide.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/coffee-tastes-from-around-the-world-440521.html

About the Author

For additional informative details on coffee and enticing flavors that explode your taste buds, please visit http://www.coffeetryst.com, a popular site with insights on coffee options, such as flavored decaf coffee, gourmet coffee gift baskets, almond flavored coffee, and many more!

Coffee, for more than just drinking

2010-03-25T11:19:00.001-07:00

Coffee Markets Spread Betting – 10 Key Facts

Author: Daniel Jones

If you are looking to spread bet on coffee then there are a few facts that you should note.

1)The two main types of coffee that are traded are Robusta and Arabica

a.Robusta is generally traded on the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange (LIFFE)
b.Arabica is generally traded on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)

2)Arabica Facts

a.Arabica is also known as Coffea Arabica or Coffee “C” when referring to coffee futures
b.When Arabica coffee cherries ripen they fall to the ground and spoil
c.Arabica accounted for around 60% of world coffee production. Brazil and Colombia produce the majority of the world’s Arabica supply

3)Robusta Facts

a.Robusta is also known as Coffea canephora and Conillon
b.It is considered to be of a lower grade than Arabica. It has twice the caffeine and produces an inferior taste
c.The Robusta plant is easier to take care of and has lower production costs. When its coffee cherries ripen they remain on the plant
d.The Robusta plant is less susceptible to disease than Arabica
e.The Robusta plant can grow in areas where Arabica cannot
f.Robusta accounts for approximately 40% of global coffee production. Vietnam and Indonesia produce 50% of the world’s Robusta

4)According to the International Coffee Organisation (ICO), last year saw coffee production down 7% to 118,000 million bags

5)Coffee is measured in 60kg bags

6)As Anthony Grech of IG Index recently reported “It is also important to note that the production of both coffee types, as with any agricultural commodity, is primarily dependent on weather conditions, harvesting practices and disease. Therefore monitoring these variables, particularly in the major coffee producing countries, will provide an understanding of coffee supply and its intrinsic value, when compared with demand”

7)Key players in the market are Procter and Gamble, Kraft, Nestle and Sara Lee. Together this ‘Big Four’ buys most of the world’s raw coffee. Therefore monitoring the buying habits of these companies would help provide a better understanding of coffee demand. From a micro perspective, marketing and profit margins and also play an important role in driving demand

8)You can spread bet on both Arabica Coffee “C” and Robusta with spread betting companies like WorldSpreads and IG

9)Note that coffee is traded in US dollars. That means one of the biggest factors affecting the price is the exchange rate, just like Crude Oil and Gold. Because coffee is traded in US Dollars then, all things being equal, Coffee will tend to follows the dollar exchange rates. If the Dollar goes down against the Euro, the price of Coffee should go up and vice versa.

10)Finally, it is worth noting that demand for coffee is considered to be price inelastic. This means that when coffee prices increase, individuals do not proportionally reduce their coffee consumption, and when coffee prices decline, consumer demand for coffee does not proportionally rise to any great extent

Before you start trading coffee note that spread betting carries a high level of risk to your funds. You can lose more than you initially invest. It may not suit all investors. Only speculate with funds that you can afford to lose. Ensure you understand the risks and seek independent financial advice if and when necessary.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/investing-articles/coffee-markets-spread-betting-10-key-facts-665336.html

About the Author

Based in the heart of London’s financial district, Daniel Jones is a professional commentator for some of the leading financial spread betting and spread trading websites.

Coffee History

2010-03-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

History of the Coffee Bean

Author: Grant Eckert

Whether you call it java, mud or a shot in the arm, an estimated 2 billion cups are consumed every day around the world - making coffee the most popular drink in the world. Coffee today is produced in over 50 countries and is the second most valuable export after oil. And to many of us - it's simply what we need to get us started in the morning.

Coffee is older than most people think - archaeological evidence suggests that humans were enjoying the taste of the coffee berry around a hundred thousand years ago. One legend has it that a goat herder in Ethiopia observed his goats eating coffee berries and he decided to taste them himself - noting the stimulating effect. Shepherds consumed the coffee by grounding the beans and mixing them with animal fat.

By around 600 AD, the coffee bean had made its way to what is now the country of Yemen, where it has been cultivated ever since. From 1000 AD, Arabian traders grew and cultivated the coffee bean on plantations - they called their new concoction qahwa meaning "that which prevents sleep". Arabia controlled the coffee trade for many centuries as they introduced a law that prohibited the exporting of beans that could germinate.

Despite this restriction, the coffee bean somehow found its way throughout the Middle East - to Persia (now Iran), Egypt and parts of Northern Africa. Coffee beans also found their way to the Mysore area of India - where descendants of those original plants flourished until the early 20th century. In many cases, the beans were literally smuggled out of Arabia.

At first, coffee was not enjoyed for its taste, but more as a supplement or source of nutrition. When the coffee bean found its way to Turkey, the Turks began to drink it for its flavor - frequently adding such things as cinnamon or anise. The Turks were also the first to roast the beans over fires and boil the crushed beans in water. And what is generally considered to be the world's first coffee shop was opened in Istanbul - known as Constantinople at the time - in the 15th century.

The Dutch were the first to transport and cultivate coffee beans on a commercial basis. With coffee beans smuggled out of Arabia, they established plantations in Ceylon and one of their colonies - Java. Today, Indonesia is the world's third largest producer of coffee.

The coffee bean was introduced to Europe during the 17th century. At one point, the beverage was more popular than tea in England and was used as an antidote to the widespread alcoholism of the time. Coffee houses sprang up in such places as Vienna, Paris and London, frequented by the wealthy and fashionable. The Austrians are credited with the practice of adding milk and sugar to coffee.

In France, Louis XIV built greenhouses to protect his precious coffee beans from frost. And in the New World, coffee was also a popular drink - the newly formed American colonies declared coffee to be the national drink. Not everybody approved; the Catholics declared coffee should be banned - despite the Pope confessing to being an avid coffee drinker.

Today, there are actually more than 60 varieties of coffee in the world, although the beans used for coffee are one of two types - Robusta and Arabica. Around 75% of coffee beans produced are Arabica and are cultivated in Brazil and Central America. Robusta beans produce a stronger blend of coffee and are cultivated in parts of Asia and Africa as well as Brazil.

Chances are high that your coffee beans come from Brazil, the world's largest producer of coffee. Brazil produces almost 30% of the world's coffee and also has some of the most advanced processing techniques in the world. In 2006, the gross value of coffee production in Brazil was almost 5 billion dollars and the industry employs several million workers.

Coffee isn't usually associated with Asia, but several Asian countries have started to cultivate the coffee bean. In recent years, Vietnam has become a large producer and some of the African coffee producing countries still produce excellent coffee - in particular Kenya and Tanzania

Some countries have also started to cultivate specialized coffee beans - Kenya produces a fruity coffee and Indonesia produces the Kopi Luwak - a coffee bean that has been passed through the digestive system of a civet. And Ethiopia - where the coffee bean was perhaps first discovered - is home to a bean that produces a coffee flavored with chocolate, ginger and orange.

So whether you prefer your coffee beans with milk, with sugar, strong or with no caffeine - take a moment and enjoy a cup of the world's most popular drink.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/coffee-articles/history-of-the-coffee-bean-267027.html

About the Author

About Author:

Grant Eckert is a freelance writer who writes about topics pertaining to the food and beverage industry such as Coffee | Coffee Beans

Manual Coffee Grinders Let You Enjoy Freshly Hand Crafted Coffee

2010-03-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

This is a great article on manual coffee grinders. I like this article because, it focuses on one of the most important aspects of coffee; the experience. A manual coffee mill is particularly beneficial for those interested in how to make the perfect cup of Turkish coffee, since the grind is such a crucial part of making Turkish coffee.

Manual Coffee Grinders Let You Enjoy Freshly Hand Crafted Coffee

Author: Coffee Daydreams

Do you grind your own coffee beans? Maybe next time you would want to try a manual coffee mill to enjoy hand crafted ground coffee.

Even if you like your current electric grinder here are some reasons to try out a a manual coffee grinder? Probably for the same reason that some people enjoy working with old fashioned hand tools instead of the latest high tech electric version. It is great to feel like an old fashioned craftsman.

If the idea of actually feeling the beans being ground appeals to you, read on. If you prefer to buy ground coffee, you will still find this enjoyable to think about how coffee used to be made.

This of this as a way to transport yourself back to a simpler time, when the only way to grind coffee was with a manual coffee mill. What should you look for in a manual coffee grinder today?

How to buy a manual coffee grinder

First, be sure to buy a new grinder. Don't mistake a decorative grinder for one that will do the job for you reliably and consistently. Many coffee grinders are just decorations. They were never meant to be used to grind coffee, and they may even be contaminated with who knows what if they are vintage grinders.

Second, avoid inexpensive grinders. A manual coffee is a precision instrument, with a hardened steel grinding mechanism designed to crush and grind coffee beans consistently and reliably. You should look for a coffee grinder with a five or ten year warranty. You can plan to spend between $50 to $75 for a mill that will last years, if not a lifetime.

Grinding your coffee by hand

With your quality mill, you will quickly grind coffee for about six cups of brew in just a couple of minutes. You will vary the grind based on how you plan to brew your coffee: coarse for a French press, fine for espresso, and in between for a drip brewer. The finer the grind, the longer it will take you but it this is easy and fulfilling work as you feel the beans being crushed and releasing the fresh coffee fragrance to enjoy.

A special mill for Turkish coffee

If you make Turkish coffee on your stove top, you need extremely finely ground beans, almost powdered.

Regular hand coffee mills won't grind beans finely enough. You will need a special Turkish coffee mill. You can expect to pay a bit more for a quality manual mill for Turkish coffee, probably around $75 to $100.

Should you buy a manual coffee grinder?

If you are deciding between an electric coffee grinder and a manual coffee mill, which should you buy? That depends on you. I would buy the electric one first, but make sure it is a quality mill that uses the burr style instead of blade style grinder. Also, buy one that grinds at a lower speed to avoid building up static electricity that makes the coffee stick everywhere. We have more ideas for choosing the right electric grinder on our site at Coffee Daydreams Best Coffee Grinders

Then I would buy a manual grinder. Use it for the days when you feel like enjoying simpler pleasures in life. When you want to add to the coffee experience and the hands-on feel of taking whole beans and applying some of yourself to the coffee making process.

When you relax and enjoy the results of your hand ground coffee beans, you will experience a bit of the ongoing adventure through the years, enjoying different coffees and trying different techniques, always learning, always growing in your coffee skills and appreciation.

For more about coffee and how to choose the best coffee makers, you can visit CoffeeDaydreams.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/coffee-articles/manual-coffee-grinders-let-you-enjoy-freshly-hand-crafted-coffee-828682.html

About the Author

Dennis Toman is a coffee enthusiast and the author of Coffee Daydreams, a site dedicated to helping people enjoy the coffee of their dreams. You can visit CoffeeDaydreams.com for more about gourmet coffee, and how to choose the best coffee makers.

The Abosolute 10 Greatest Tips for Purchasing a Home Espresso Machine

2010-03-12T09:36:00.000-08:00

The Abosolute 10 Greatest Tips for Purchasing a Home Espresso Machine

Author: MarkusYannies

Choosing the right home espresso machine can be a difficult task but with some basic knowledge and wisdom of how a coffee and espresso maker works, how much they cost, and specific features you get for the money, selecting the right option is easy. One point is clear. If you are spending money at a coffee shop at least 3-4 times per week the payoff on a home espresso machine is well worth the investment:

Let’s do the math:

1. Average cost for a coffee specialty drink such as an espresso or cappuccino: $3.50
2. Number of trips to the Coffee Shop per year: 52 weeks * 4 visits per week = 208 yearly visits
3. Yearly Cost: $3.50 espresso drink cost * 208 yearly visits = $728 Annually

For $728, one can purchase a full-featured super automatic espresso machine. Ok, now that you see that an home espresso machines is good investment, let talk about some tips on how to buy one:

1. Decide what type of espresso drinks you like. Do you like a cappuccino or mocha or just a straight shot of espresso? How about a regular cup of coffee? The choices for home espresso machines will vary greatly. Most super automatic espresso coffee machines can brew you a strong cup of coffee just like you find at the coffee houses as well as the espresso drinks. Perhaps you would like to choose between regular coffee and decaf in which case a bypass doser on the home espresso machine is a good option. Choose between a super automatic, semi automatic, or automatic home espresso machines. The most popular type of espresso machine is a super automatic espresso machines.

2. Cost. While many people like to have all of the bells and whistles, buying a quality espresso machine is much like buying a car. Do you need heated seats if you live in Arizona? Same principle. Decide on what type of drinks you like, find a machine with those features and set a budget. The most common question we get is how much do I have to spend for a quality machine? If you are spending $750 - $1,000 on a fine brand super automatic such as Saeco or Gaggia, you will be purchasing a quality home espresso machine with standard features suitable for most people. If you want the highest quality espresso drinks, a semi automatic espresso machine such as a Rancilio or Pasquini are priced in the $700 to $1,500 range. Semi-automatic espresso machines are a bit more work but results are outstanding. All excellent choices.

3. Popular Espresso Features. Milk based drinks – If you love the lattes, mochas, and cappuccino’s make sure you buy a machine with two boilers or dual heating elements. Using a single boiler is ok for standard espresso drinks but a dual boiler will produce the fastest steam. This is typically a feature that separates the cheap $100 - $200 espresso machines from the quality home espresso machines.

Adjustable water volume and coffee dose - Some machines will only have the ability to adjust the water so the more water you have the weaker the cup. Having both an adjustable doser and water volume gives you the most control. Excellent features to have especially if want a standard cup of coffee.

Digital or Analog (dials) – There is much debate on which is better to have. This comes down to a personal choice. With digital machines, your options are greater and you can really get dialed in on the coffee / water ratio. You also get statistics on your home espresso machine and most digital espresso machines will tell you when to clean it. Another key feature digital machines typically have is the ability to regulate when the machine is on or off.

View Quality http://www.moderncoffeedesigns.com home espresso machines

Other important features:

Look for a large water reservoir typically over 40 ounces.

Cup height adjustment – make sure your cup will fit. Most espresso cups are 4 – 6 inches.

Water filter – espresso machines with a water filter will produce better coffee and keep you machine in better condition. Water filters are highly recommended.

Bean hopper size – Get a machine with a minimum or 8 ounces. You do not want to be filling the bean hopper every day.

Cup Warmer – Coffee maintains its best flavor when poured into a heated cup.

Grinder Settings – Make sure the espresso machines have at least 3 grinder settings. This is essential for dialing in the right grind.

Heat up time – you do not want to be waiting over 5 minutes for an espresso machine to heat up. A good machine will be ready for a second cup of espresso is just under 1-2 minutes after the initial heat-up.

4. Size and Construction – Make sure you have adequate counter space for the home espresso machine. These espresso machines are generally larger than a typical coffee pot so make sure you measure. Also, having a movable base will allow you to pull the machine out to fill it with water and beans. Almost all of the super automatic home espresso machines body’s are made of heavy duty plastic or stainless steel. The inside boilers are either stainless steel or aluminum. Often people make the mistake of thinking the plastic is not as durable but in reality, it is. It is what is on the inside that counts. A stainless steel boiler will offer years of service if properly maintained. The espresso machines of today feature sleek, modern designs. If you are purchasing a semi-automatic espresso machine, consider stainless steel because of all of the interaction with the machine. If you choose a super automatic, a plastic design with stainless steel or aluminum boilers is sufficient.

5. Proper Cleaning and maintenance – The number one problem with home espresso machines is scale build-up. If you own a quality machine, regular descaling and back flushing is not recommended, it’s required. What I mean is that if you want to maintain your warranty, you must complete these maintenance items. It takes about 15 minutes each month but will keep your machine operating for years. Don’t let your machine sit idle for a long time with water loaded as the minerals in the water can cause issues in the boilers and metal components.

6. Water and Coffee – Buying quality coffee and using filtered water will provide the ultimate coffee experience. Many espresso machines have built in water filters such as the Aqua Prima Water Filter. If you use tap water and cheap brand name coffee don’t waste your money on a quality espresso machine. Fine coffee and filtered water contribute significantly to the quality of the brew. Use a coffee such as Lavazza or Gaggia especially made for a higher end coffee espresso machine.

7. Choosing where to buy a home espresso machine – You can buy these machines from many of the major stores but the issue is support and buying guidance. You simply cannot call the “red dot” store or “overstock” stores and expect to find someone that is knowledgeable about quality espresso coffee machines. Try calling one of the major chains for support and they will refer you to the manufacturer. The truth is that your retailer should be able to answer most questions and get you technical support if you need it. You are not going to get the level of support from a big chain store or large e-tailer.

Today’s home espresso machines are sophisticated machines. Buy the machine from a reputable online retailer who specializes in espresso machines or coffee makers. Retail stores that specialize in espresso and coffee machines have knowledgeable staff that can assist you with questions, problems, tips, and service. And guess what, the prices in the espresso coffee machine specialty stores are typically less because of the volume of machines they sell.

Choose a store that has a Better Business Bureau accreditation so you can be sure you are buying from a reputable dealer. Beware of stores that do not specialize in coffee and espresso machines. Where is the best place to find the best cup of coffee or espresso? It is your own kitchen of course. Happy shopping.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/the-abosolute-10-greatest-tips-for-purchasing-a-home-espresso-machine-895038.html

About the Author

Markus Yannies recommends the gaggia platinum swing and quality
saeco espresso machines

View a Quality coffee and espresso maker

More on Coffee Pods

2010-03-11T16:39:00.001-08:00

I tought this article on espresso pods was the perfect follow up to the last article on tips for making a quick cup of coffee.

Make Brewing Easy With Espresso Coffee Pods

Author: Masni Rizal Mansor

For anyone who enjoys coffee and espresso drinks, having to go to your local café every time you want to enjoy a quality drink can be cumbersome and expensive. Equally as cumbersome is the process of making espresso drinks at home. The time it takes you to measure out the espresso, press them into your machine, make your drink and then clean up can be quite cumbersome.

Fortunately for café fiends, there is a middle road between your nearest barista and brewing your own espresso. Espresso coffee pods are a quick way for you to brew quality espresso/coffee drinks without a lot of work or clean up. And they certainly won't break your bank like purchasing a latte every morning on your way to work.

What Is An Espresso Coffee Pod?

Espresso coffee pods are like pre-packaged coffee filters. The espresso or coffee is sandwiched between the filter paper, forming a pod about two inches in diameter. You use them in the same way that you would brew coffee in a traditional home coffee pot, only without the hassle of having to measure out grounds. You just pop the espresso or coffee pod into a compatible machine, and your work is done. Clean up is just as easy, since the only thing you have to do is throw away the espresso/coffee pod and rinse out your machine.

Equipment

If you already own an espresso machine, you're in luck. Espresso coffee pods are designed to work with your existing equipment, so there's no need to have to purchase anything new. Basically espresso coffee pods are just making the process a lot faster and easier for you. If you don't currently own an espresso machine, and were deterred from making an investment in one because of the work involved, you can now consider owning your own machine and using espresso coffee pods.

With the growing popularity of espresso coffee pods, you should be able to find most of your favorite espressos and coffees available in pod form. Everyone from Nestle to Starbucks has started packaging coffee in this way. Espresso coffee pods save you time, without skimping on quality. You can still brew quality espresso or coffee, and you can enjoy that fact that is has already been packaged for you to brew right away. What are you waiting for? Start enjoying great espresso without all the hard work!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/make-brewing-easy-with-espresso-coffee-pods-109378.html

5 Ways to Quickly Make a Halfway Decent cup of Coffee

2010-02-25T10:06:00.000-08:00

This cartoon continues my campaign against instant coffee. I understand instant coffee has a loyal fan base, but I just cannot get on board, and I will not apologize for it. I am not saying I get up every morning and make a gourmet cup of coffee from scratch. There are times when coffee is drank out of necessity rather than for the experience, but there are better ways to make a quick cup of coffee without stirring in the flavor crystals.
Hmmm… that may actually make a good blog post.

5 Ways to Quickly Make a Halfway Decent Cup of Coffee

1. Prepare everything the night before. You may or may not lay your clothes out at night before you go to bed, but it is amazing how a few seconds of preparation the night before can save minutes in the morning. Apply this same principal to your coffee; by taking out the filter from the morning before (don’t act like it isn’t still in the coffee brewer). Pre grind your coffee and place it in a filter in your coffee brewer, Fill the brewer’s reservoir with water, place your mug with a spoon in it next to the coffee brewer.

2. Go through a coffee shop drive through. The key is ordering something simple. If you order some crazy double mocha, caramel, cappuccino, with whip cream and butterfly shaped chocolate drizzle on top it may take a little longer than a single origin dark roast.

3. Use coffee pods. I have never been a huge fan of pods, mainly because they infringe on the coffee experience. However, we are going for speed without sacrificing too much quality here, and coffee pods are probably the quickest alternative to instant coffee. They offer a wide variety of roasts and flavors, and honestly there are several brands that do not taste half bad. Certainly, better than the "left over coffee grounds taste" of instant coffee.

4. Invest in an auto drip brewer with a timer. I would recommend getting a single serve brewer so you can place your travel mug right under the brewer. If you are going to use coffee pods this would be a good time to get a machine that accepts them. Look for a coffee brewer that has an alarm type timer, so you can set the coffee brewer to start a few minutes before you will be ready for your cup of coffee in the morning. This way you just walk and grab your freshly made cup of coffee and you are out the door.

5. Don't do these things to save time making coffee. Do not use instant. Do not make a full pot of coffee and place your mug under the drip (It will taste nasty). Don’t microwave yesterday’s coffee (I’ve seen it done). Do not reuse yesterday’s grounds.

Some techniques, like pre -grinding coffee 8 hours in advance are not ideal for making great coffee, but the intention is to give you some ideas to make your coffee quicker while minimally sacrificing coffee quality.

Coffee and Humor

2010-02-24T15:17:00.001-08:00

latte art cartoon
Originally uploaded by Sir_Dydimus

One of my favorite things when I still had my coffee shop the Bean Counter, was to draw cartoons on a dry erase board. They would usually incorporate daily specials, and customers really responded well to them. Something I love about coffee is that it goes well with so many things: Milk, pastries, chocolate, and humor.

Anyone who frequents independent coffee shops knows that humor is an integral part of many coffee shops, even some of the chains coffee shops get in on the action.

Cartoons, puns, and witty quotes often adorn chalk boards; it must have something to do with coffee’s ability to awaken our creative mind. Since this blog is all about bringing the coffee shop experience into your home, I encourage readers to incorporate humor into their coffee drinking at home.

I have invested in a few tools to help me transfer my cartoons to the computer. Unfortunately, I was unable to transfer my copy of Corel painter to my new computer, so for no I am will have to make do with Microsoft paint. I thought I would kick off my return to coffee shop cartooning with this one about latte art and the perils of training new baristas.

I love coffee and I love illustrating cartoons, and I love writing. Turns out this blog lets me do all three. Whether I am any good at these things has yet to be determined.

Space Coffee

2010-02-22T20:17:00.000-08:00

Alright, it has been awhile since I have posted anything. I have been pretty busy the last few months. I logged in today for the first time in quite some time. I was surprised to see traffic has actually increased significantly. I don’t think it’s fair to leave tens of people waiting for new coffee content.

First a few updates. My Sonofresco coffee roaster refurbishing project has been on the same hiatus my blogging has been on and because of a few technical issues probably will stay that way for a bit. Actually, that may be my only coffee related update.

Since I have been away awhile I thought I would put up a quirky coffee video. I came across this video on youtube the other day. Okay so maybe I haven't been that busy if I have time to watch videos of astronauts drinking space coffee, but I am glad to see that our astronauts have found a way to drink coffee in space. However, I think I will put off career as an astronaut until they figure out how to pull a decent shot of espresso in micro gravity.

Cell Phone That Makes Coffee

2009-09-01T20:33:00.000-07:00

Okay this is completely fake, but impractical, and a cell phone probably wouldn’t make very good coffee, but let's be honest you know Mac thought about it.

Hawiian Kauai-Reserve attempt #1coffee review

2009-08-16T13:59:00.000-07:00

So I tried the last of my Kauai-Reserve coffee I roasted on Friday, you can read about the roast attempt here. The first pot I brewed didn’t turn out well I was using the coffee brewer at work, and me and this particular Bunn auto-drip do not always get along. Today went much better using my stovetop espresso maker.

I was surprised how this roast tasted. It was clean yet rich with chocolate and caramel tones. This batch of coffee had the taste of a darker roasted coffee even though it was roasted just a shade past cinnamon. It was a truly enjoyable cup of coffee, but as I predicted it had a touch of bitterness in the finish, because of the extended roast time.

I am anxious to give this origin another shot. I am going to roast on the stovetop next time. I think having greater control over temperature throughout the roast of this coffee will allow me to remedy the problems with bitterness. The fact that this cup was not only drinkable but actually enjoyable after the raost fiasco, has sold me on Hawiian coffee and the price tag it comes with.

Is It Normal to Watch Latte Art Videos on Youtube for an Hour

2009-08-15T20:32:00.001-07:00

So I spent the last hour on Youtube watching latte art videos because I am such a cool person. I have to admit that even when I had my coffee shop and was pulling espresso shots twelve hours a day I was never that good at latte art, something that always upset me. I see latte art as a true measure of a barista’s skills. Don’t get me wrong I was able to pull a great shot of espresso and steam milk; it was just that my art was more abstract in nature.

I was really impressed with some of the videos that are circulating right now. I have always been a bit obsessed with latte art and considered myself a bit of a purist. I believe that the barista should only get to manipulate the milk when it is being poured. No, going back and defining lines with chocolate sauce or things of that nature.

After watching a few videos today I may have changed my mind a bit. I am still not a big fan of using chocolate sauce, but I think I may be coming around on some slight manipulation of the foam.

This barista’s latte art bear really impressed me. The barista does manipulate the foam some after pour the milk but the bulk of the latte art is complete and it is only some small detail he adds. The most impressive part is that he completed all the shading during the pour.

Great Instrunctional Video on Steaming Milk

2009-08-14T13:48:00.000-07:00

Found a great step by step video on steaming milk. I was thinking about it after listening to the conversation in the wine/coffee bar I wrote about on Thursday and thought I would post something that was actually informative on the subject. I thought about writing a long winded article on the step by step instructions, but learning to steam milk is really a visual process (or maybe I’m just being lazy).

Okay I won’t be completely lazy and offer some general advice for learning to steam milk for cappuccinos and lattes (you steam the milk for cappuccinos and lattes the same, the difference is in how you pour it.)

The first step when learning to steam milk is to go out and by a couple of gallons of milk. Your going to waste a lot of milk in the beginning. I would suggest starting with skim milk to build your confidence and move up to whole milk when you are comfortable with the milk steaming process, plus skim is usually cheaper. When you steam milk a chemical process takes place that the fat in milk plays an integral part in. This is why whole milk is an infinitely richer when steamed but also harder to steam properly.

Okay so you have your milk. At this point I am going to let the video do most of the explaining since I think it covers all the steps pretty well. I will add a couple notes first, though. The demonstrator does not use a thermometer. It is possible after steaming lots of milk to determine when to stop by the sound the milk makes, but in the beginning stick to using a thermometer to avoid burning your milk. The other note and this is personal preference is that I felt the demonstrator emphasized the tapping a little too much. It is helpful to knock the pitcher against the counter a couple of times, but doing this too much or too hard can have an adverse effect on your steamed milk.

This video is geared a little more towards training a professional barista, but I think it is just as informative for the home barista

Hawiian Kuai-Reserve Roast Attempt #1

2009-08-14T12:10:00.000-07:00

I just finished roasting 100 grams of Hawaiian Kauai-Reserve from Burman Coffee Trader’s. I roasted in two separate batches since my Sonofresco is still out of service.
I should probably take this opportunity to update everyone on the Sonofresco refurbishing project. Everything was going swimmingly until I ran into a few seized hex bolts. They have been stripping all my Allen wrenches. Hopefully I can get to the hardware store soon and resolve the problem. So in the mean time I was relegated to my popcorn popper.
Okay back to the Kauai-Reserve. I was unable to get the beans to reach second crack and called it off at about thirteen minutes. This roaster usually brings coffee beans to a French roast in less than ten minutes. The Hawaiian Kauai-Reserve coffee beans were just past a cinnamon when I stopped the roast. They must be an incredibly dense bean. I think these green beans would have done better on the stove top in my whirly pop. Oh, well I will let them set and see how the taste. I suspect they will be better since I let them roast so long without progression.
Kind of bummed about it since I was looking forward to trying this origin, I will try again tomorrow on the stove top. Sorry no pictures either, down to my camera phone right now and could not get pictures to upload.
To Read the review of this coffee roast click here.

Coffee Rant

2009-08-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

So I am sitting in a wine/coffee bar right now. It is very nice, but maybe a little too trendy and hip and ultimately cold for its own good. I like wine/coffee bars, partly because of the crowd they draw. I am sitting next to two men and a woman. One of the men is trying so hard to impress his companions with his knowledge of coffee and everything else. He was explaining the difference between steaming milk and what he referred to as foaming the milk. He told his friends that steaming was a process that used steam and foaming used air. I think what he meant was frothing not foaming milk. Steaming and frothing are indeed two separate processes used to create foam in milk. He then proceeded to talk about all other kinds of nonsense from the origin of the Americano to the best way to hang cabinets.
Of course however humorous I find his stories, I have to concede to fact. Coffee culture is rife with misinformation and conflicting definitions. The second is as I sit here alone in a wine bar on a Thursday night drinking some weird rotation of coffee and beer, can I really talk that much smack?

How to pick a coffee roaster

2009-08-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

Thought I would write a quick article on picking a coffee roaster, not a actual roaster but a company that roasts coffee. I truly believe that finding a coffee roaster you can develop a relationship with can enrich your coffee drinking experience. Finding a knowledgeable and passionate coffee roaster with an operation small enough that they have time to take out and talk and educated their customers is so important. Coffee roasters are wealth of coffee knowledge, and generally cool people.
So what should you look for when picking a coffee roaster?
There are a few elements I think are important when picking a coffee roaster. They should be local, fair trade, and passionate.
A local coffee roaster has many benefits for the consumer. The first is they will be able to get your coffee to you much quicker which means the coffee will be fresher. Many small coffee roasters will take orders on Monday, roast on Wednesday, and deliver on Friday. This means your coffee was roasted to order and is as fresh as possible. This means tastier coffee. The second way a local roaster benefits you is by contributing to your local economy, which is the economy that affects you the most.
You should look for roasters that offer fair trade coffee. It may not be realistic to find a roaster that offers exclusively fair trade or organic coffee, but they should at least be making an honest effort and appear to be responsible coffee purchasers. By doing this you are contributing to the economy of others and making it more fair and sustainable.
Passionate and knowledgeable, this one is a little tricky since it would be hard to find a coffee roaster that didn’t claim to be passionate about coffee. I would recommend finding a roaster that is small enough you can talk with those involved in the roasting process. You will be able to tell if they truly care about the coffee they are producing or if they are just punching the clock. Ask questions about the coffee they roast. Do they know what the climate conditions where affecting the crops they purchased from? Are they knowledgeable about the regions and farms their coffee is grown on? Even if you can’t meet with them in person send an email or call them on the phone. A good coffee roaster is always happy to talk about coffee.
I want to point out to that I think it is important to try coffee from different roasters. Of course this all take a back seat to taste. That is the point of coffee after all. If you find a coffee roaster over the internet that you can’t get enough of, then who I am I to tell you to switch.

Dulce Moldova: The Unofficial Coffee Drink of Moldova

2009-08-09T14:59:00.001-07:00

Dulce Moldova
Originally uploaded by Sir_Dydimus

I just returned from an incredible trip to Moldova, a country situated between Romania and the Ukraine. Moldova is traditionally known for its wine, which was very good, but this is not a wine blog.
The coffee culture of Moldova is interesting. On the one hand there are no shortages of coffeehouses. On the other there is an abundance of instant coffee. Over the years I have come to realize that many of the rituals and. To me it is the coffee equivalent of licking the bottom of an ashtray, but I digress. nuisances coffee enthusiast undertake have only a marginal effect on the taste of coffee and can forgive the average coffee drinker for not caring about them. Instant coffee is not one of those things. It truly makes me retch
Other than the instant coffee, Moldovans actually treat coffee with a great amount of respect. They love coffee and drink it often, but you will not find quick service coffee shop were people rush in and out. The coffee houses are places to meet, relax and enjoy coffee with friends. Of course it does it hurt that they all serve alcoholic beverages as well.

All the coffee houses I visited had a wait staff and menus at the table (I would like to note that as a former coffee shop owner, I have great respect for any coffee shop owner that has table service at their establishment since makes running a profitable shop very difficult.) On the other hand I actually saw Nescafe instant coffee on the coffee shop menu.
The Region was at one time occupied by the Ottomans so Turkish coffee is quite popular and done well. Espresso based drinks were a little more hit and miss, but overall very good. My one complaint would be that latte based drinks seemed to be made with skim milk as the default. Personally, I don’t feel a cappuccino can be made properly without whole milk.
One coffee house served a drink called the Dulce Moldova, or sweet Moldova. The waitress insisted I try it. It was made with drip coffee, hazelnut syrup, and some kind of brandy I think. It was topped with whip cream and some crushed nuts. It sounded alright on paper, but the flavors did not come together, and it gave me heart burn before I had swallowed any. On the other hand my girlfriend’s drink was coffee condensed milk and I can’t remember the third ingredient (sorry I’m a bad blogger.) It had strong citrus tones and was more deserving of the name Dulce Moldova
On my way back to the States, I flew through Moscow, I did drink coffee there but it was only in the airport and I would not want someone judging the coffee in the United States based one shot of espresso they had at the airport so I am not going to do that to another country. I’ll leave it at that.
Sadly I had the opportunity to go to Turkey but had to cut my trip short to return to work. My girlfriend has been sending me reports of all the incredible coffee I’m missing out, maybe next year.

Does Coffee Prevent Skin Cancer?

2009-07-13T16:01:00.000-07:00

I recently came across an article published on wireprnews.com reporting on a study showing caffeine may help prevent skin cancer. Researcher discovered that caffeine destroys damaged cells by blocking a specific protein that leads to the destruction of these cells. Researchers said the study showed caffeine reduced the amount of damaged cells by 50%.

Being a former health care professional, I do not want to give the idea drinking coffee will prevent you from getting skin cancer. Yes, you still have to put on SPF: ridiculous strength, when you are going out into the sun for prolonged periods, and take all other recommended precautions. I just thought it was nice to know, our beloved bean is giving us a little bit of extra protection.

The link provided below will direct you to the full article:
http://www.wiredprnews.com/2009/02/28/caffeine-and-skin-cancer-protection_200902282556.html

Don't Forget the Mug

2009-07-10T13:54:00.001-07:00

This is a brief article on the importance of preheating your mug. This incredibly simple step is almost never done. Even good coffee shops miss this one frequently. Pay attention next time you go to your local coffee shop. See if they preheat their porcelain cups before they pour drinks in them or if they preheat their cups before they pull shot of espresso into them. Chances are they do not.
There are two reasons this step should not be overlooked. Coffee served in a preheated mug stays warmer longer. This is a particularly helpful tip for making your travel mug last longer. The coffee I brewed at my coffee shop stayed hot longer if I brewed them in a pre-warmed decanter.
More important though is the effect pre-warmed containers have on espresso. Espresso is more sensitive then brewed coffee. It is served in a smaller volume and more concentrated. Whenever there is a variance in temperature, it will cause the espresso to become bitter. This becomes particularly evident if you have ever tried to make iced coffee, but that is another article.
All it takes is a little rinse of your mug and coffee pot with some hot water before you pour or brew and your coffee with markedly less bitter and stay hot longer.

Sonofresco Coffee Roaster Refurbishing Project

2009-07-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

I purchased a used Coffee Kinectics roaster about a year ago. It was pretty beat down when I got it. It was sitting in the back of a restaurant salvage warehouse. I got a great deal on it but it needs quite a bit of refurbishing.

Of course Kinetics is now Sonofresco. It is a nice little air roaster that roasts 1 lb. batches. The advantage of this over the hot top or other similar home roasters is its overall output capabilities are commercial. The downside is price and it needs to be run outside or ventilated. The good news for me is after all my expenses for this roaster won’t have set me back much more than a hot top and I will be able to run a small commercial coffee roasting operation.

Over the last year I have been perfecting my roasting skills with more Spartan home roasting devices. I am finally ready to begin my rehab project of the Sonofresco coffee roaster. As you can see in this picture it needs quite a bit of work.

Besides general cleaning I have identified the three main components that need to be replaced. The heat sensor, the roast chamber, and the fuel source needs to be converted from natural gas to propane, since I am not equipped for natural gas.

You can see the roast chamber was in a pretty sorry state.

I ordered a propane intake to replace this natural gas valve.

So that is the current state of my coffee roaster. I spoke with a rep for Sonofresco today and a new heat sensor, roast chamber, and propane conversion kit are on their way. I will post updates to my coffee roaster refurbishing project.

How to Store Your Coffee

2009-07-07T16:05:00.000-07:00

Whether you roast your coffee or buy it at the store chances are you have more than one serving on hand at a time. This means you are going to have to store your coffee. Which also, means you have to know how to store your coffee. Bad news, there is a lot of bad information on coffee storage. The good news, coffee storage is a simple process and the trick is there really is no trick.
So how should you store your coffee? You want to store your coffee in a cool dry place and out of direct sun light. You want to use an airtight container preferably one with a one-way exhaust valve.
Coffee lets off carbon dioxide after roasting until the moment it cupped. Drinks like espresso actually give off carbon dioxide during and after being brewed. That is what the crème on top of the espresso is, but I digress. You can purchase coffee storage containers that have these built in or you can built one yourself with a Tupperware type container, an Exacto knife, a straw, a balloon, and a hot glue gun. I’ll provide the basic directions on how to make a cheap coffee storage container, but you’ll have to find and arts and crafts blog for tips on decorating it.
Okay so you have your storage container purchased or improvised. You have placed your coffee beans in a safe cool dry environment. How long will they stay fresh? The important thing to remember is that coffee is an art not a science (although there is actually a lot of science surrounding it). I have heard experts say you can store whole bean coffee any from a month to six. I do not recommend buying more than a week’s worth of coffee at one time. This is mainly because the coffee you buy at the store has already been sitting on the shelf for a weak and it might have been sitting in storage at the roaster for a month before that. If you roast your own coffee, I would not recommend roasting more than a week’s worth either but you can wait to start the clock until the beans flavor has matured. This is anywhere from 12 hours to 2 days depending on the blend and roast profile. If you are storing ground coffee, don’t, but if you must I would not keep it more than 15 minutes in open air or maybe a day if stored properly. Ground coffee has more surface area exposed which makes it a much better medium for brewing, but also means it goes stale much faster.

Water: You're Coffee's Canvas

2009-07-06T20:16:00.000-07:00

Think of water like a canvas for your coffee. The canvas underneath is not the focal point of a painting, but a painter takes great care to use a quality canvas before he begins his painting, because what is underneath the painting will have a marked affect on how it looks. Okay I’ll it leave at that before this article takes a turn for the ridiculous, and I think I’ve made my point that water is an important component to a good cup of coffee. So let us look at how to improve our water at home.
I used an inline filtration system with six filter tubes at my coffee shop. This is a critical reason why you can never seem to get your drip coffee as good as your local coffee shop, even though you may be using the same coffee beans as them. You can purchase these for your home, and if you are handy could probably install it yourself. If you do, you will need to the change the filters at least every 90 days. If you are not as handy, there are several other options requiring zero handyman skills available.
The easiest of these options is to purchase purified water. You can purchase it by the gallon at your grocery store or even have it delivered. This is an easy option but is not kind on your pocket book.
You can purchase secondary filtration systems for relatively cheap and they require little to no installation. Some attach to the end of your faucet and require minor installation. I prefer the pitcher type filters. These are as easy as filling up a pitcher to use and since you keep these pitchers in the refrigerator; your water will be at a lower temperature than out of the tap, which will give your final product a cleaner taste. Of course, with either one of these filtration methods you will have to regularly change the filter for them to be effective. The manufacture of the filter system you purchase should provide guidance on this.
Even though water may not be the star of the play that is your cup of coffee, remember the supporting actors need direction as well. You would so not paint on a dirty canvas why brew with unfiltered water.

How to Make the Perfect Cup of Turkish Coffee

2009-07-05T21:16:00.000-07:00

Turkish coffee can be defined by two main characteristics. The first is the grind. Turkish coffee’s grind is finer than any other type of coffee. The grind has a baby powder consistency. The second is the way Turkish coffee is brewed. Turkish coffee does not utilize a filter in its brewing process. It is also brought to a boil not once but twice and sometimes a third time. These two factors create several unique quirks about Turkish coffee. The first is how you grind the beans. The second is how you pour Turkish coffee and the third is how you drink it. The good news is none of these techniques are particularly complicated, and in fact they are all pretty simple.
We will start with the grind. Turkish coffee is one of the few coffees I condone buying pre-ground. This is because getting the right consistency can be tricky but is critical to the final product. However, purist will find that grinding Turkish coffee is not rocket science. The most important thing to realize is that the grocery store coffee grinder will not get you even close. I know it has a Turkish coffee setting , but that setting will not even produce a good espresso grind. If you want to brew your own Turkish coffee, you will need to purchase a Turkish coffee mill. These mills often double as decorative pieces. If you do decide to grind your own Turkish coffee, you will not regret your decision.

Before you brew Turkish coffee, you will need to purchase a few items. Do not worry they are all relatively inexpensive. Unless of course you opt for the more decorative pieces which are available in great variety. The first thing you will need is an ibrik, this is the pot you will use to brew Turkish coffee. It is sometimes called a cezve. You will also need a set of demitasse cups. These are the small cups that Turkish coffee is traditionally served in and because of the coffee's consistency play an important role in its enjoyable consumption.

To brew Turkish coffee:

1. Add cold water to the ibrik, measure with a demitasse cup.

2. Add one spoonful of Turkish coffee per cup.

3. Stir the coffee

4. Add the coffee to medium high heat source and watch the coffee throughout the whole process. This is critical.

5. You will notice a film form on top of the coffee when it begins to roll over remove from the heat source.

6. Let the coffee sit for about 30 seconds.

8. Place back on heat source until it begins to roll again. You can drink your Turkish coffee at this point.

9. If you prefer sweeter coffee. Remove from heat source add sugar and reheat one more time before serving.

10. Let the Turkish coffee sit for about 30 seconds before pouring. This allows the sediment to settle on the bottom of the ibrik.

To pour the Turkish coffee set up the demitasse cups. Fill each cup a third of the way up. Then make another pass filling each cup to the top. When you drink Turkish coffee also leave the bottom fourth of the coffee remaining in the cup, since this will be largely sediment.

Here is a great video showing the process: