Is Coffee Going Green?

By Amy Kreydin

Coffee consumers are becoming more interested in knowing where their coffee beans are coming from and how fairly traded the products are. These concerns are driving the market to produce more organic and fairly traded coffee beans around the globe. From women-owned coffee plantation to worker-owned co-ops, green coffee is a growing trend.


The Scoop On Organic Coffee

Whether you want to reduce your impact on the earth or just avoid any nasty chemical residues in your morning cup of java, organic gourmet coffee is appealing.However, there are so many misconception about organic coffee that it's best to do a little research first.

Better For The Planet?

Fortunately for those who chose organic for eco-conscious reasons, these coffee really are earth-friendly.Certified organic coffee is grown without harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides and utilizes sustainable crop rotation, which is healthier not only for the planet, but for those who live and work near coffee plantations.Many of these coffees are also"shade grown"or "bird friendly", meaning they`or grown in the forest shade where coffee naturally grows.No forests were cleared.Many fans of organic gourmet coffee find the traditional growing methods produce a more flavorful coffee.



Better For Your Health?

Organic gourmet coffee is certainly no worse then others, but getting the real health benefits is a little more complicated then the ads may suggest.
First of all, the fruit of the coffee tree absorbs most of the pesticides but that part is discarded and only the seed("bean")is used.Beans are then dried and roasted at the temperatures high enough to destroy most of the chemical residue,Problems occur when you buy beans that were roasted overseas.before coffee is allowed across the U.S. border, It's fumigated with chemicals.Sence it's already been roasted, there no further step to remove those chemicals before they end up in your cup.The solution?Buy green organic coffee beans and roast then at home.You may be surprised how affordable home roasters are.
Organic coffee is a treasure not only for it's flavor, but for the peace of mind you'll have knowing you java habit isn't harming the environment or loading up with carcinogens.Even better, if you look around a little, you'll be able to find organic coffee for a price comparable to that of any other coffee. We all need an affordable treat now and then and for me it's gourmet coffee.

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.

Coffee Harvesting: The Process

Are you an avid coffee drinker? If so, do you know how your coffee is harvested? Actually, most people have no idea where their favorite delicious drink comes from!

A coffee tree will produce its first full crop when it is about five years old. With the proper care and attention, it should produce consistently over the next 15 to 20 years. On average, most trees yield about 1 pound of coffee cherries annually.

At harvest time (this will vary depending on the region of the world the coffee is grown), the coffee trees are filled with coffee cherries. They will be ready for picking when they are bright red, glossy, and firm. An un-roasted coffee bean is basically the pit of the coffee.

The coffee cherry has a skin that is very thick and has a slightly bitter flavor to it. The fruit under the skin is very sweet, having a texture very similar to that of a grape. Under the fruit layer is the parchment, which is covered by a thin, slippery, honey-like layer, called mucilage. This parchment serves as a sort of protective area. After removing the parchment, there are two translucent bluish-green coffee beans, which are coated with a thin layer called the silver skin. Most coffee cherrieshave two beans, but 5% to 10% of the time only one bean is produced. When a coffee cherry has only a single coffee bean, is called a peaberry.

The ripe cherries are harvested from the coffee tress by using one of the following methods: selective picking, stripping, or mechanical harvesting. Selective picking involves picking by hand only the ripe cherries from the tree and leaving behind the unripe beans to be harvested at a later time. On the other hand, stripping involves collecting the ripe and unripe cherries. The third method, mechanicalharvesting, collects all the beans using a harvesting machine. The method used will depend on many factors, such as time, cost effectiveness, availability of workers, length of the harvest, difficulty of harvesting conditions, and availability of water.

After being harvested, the coffee beans must then be processed either by dry-process, wet-process, or the pulped natural method. In the dry-process, the coffee beans are allowed to dry while they are still in the cherry. This produces a coffee heavy in body - sweet, smooth and complex. A relatively new method is wet-processing. This process removes the four layers surrounding the coffee bean, which results in a coffee that is cleaner, brighter, and fruitier. The pulped natural method involves "pulping" a coffee bean, but emitting the fermentation stage to remove the silver skin. This method offers a coffee that is sweeter than wet-processed coffee, yet has an acidity of a wet-processed coffee. The pulped natural method can only be utilized in countries where the humidity is low.

Coffee is harvested during the dry season, which will vary from country to country and region to region. Coffee in Brazil, for example, can be harvested between March and October; however in Columbia it is harvested between October and February and then between April and June.

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. Don't forget to sign up for our blog, newsletter , Facebook fan page and a chance to win a weekly free coffee giveaway.

Autor: matth02 Source: ArticleCircle

Why We Pay Any Price for a Good Cup of Coffee

What is the appeal of the coffee shop? What makes people go to coffee shops everyday? Why do people pay the outrageous amounts of money for a cup coffee they can just as well make at home? 

Simply enough, it's because people just love coffee! They love the taste and the smell of the hot liquid craved by so many. It's that "eye-opening" sensation you get from that first cup of coffee of the day. Of course, everyone has a favorite so the tastes and smells of the coffees and blends will vary from person to person. But from the first sip to the last, people love coffee. Some might argue that it's the stimulating affect of the caffeine of the coffee bean that keeps them coming back again and again; however, those who drink decaf still can't seem to get enough either! 

Another reason people love coffee is the social factor: people love people! A coffee shop is a great place to meet people and socialize - just like on our Twitter site. You walk in for a cup of coffee in the morning and your chances of running into someone you know are very high. Who's not happy after they their first cup of coffee? 

A coffee shop is a great place to have a business meeting. You could meet either for breakfast, lunch or after work and it's not as formal as the boardroom. A coffee shop is also very convenient for college students. Most coffee shops are open around the clock; there's always one on campus (or just around the block). And who doesn't need the caffeine to keep the creative fires burning! 

Coffee beans and blends and other coffee condiments make great gifts. Different coffee types and accessories can put a smile on a gift recipient's face. 

For many people, stopping at the coffee shop is just part of the morning ritual they couldn't do without - almost like putting on socks. It is a quiet time to relax before starting the day, a time to stop and read the paper, think about plans for the day, or make a few decisions. Life is busy and hectic, and time for a coffee is time to relax and unwind or to get charged up for the day ahead. 

Other than the love of coffee, the socializing and the rituals, going to a coffee shop is just plain easier and more fun than making the coffee at home. You don't have to worry about grinding the beans or working the coffee maker. You don't have to wait for the coffee to be ready. You don't have to clean up. All you have to do is walk in off the street, place your order, and in minutes you have a great tasting cup of coffee just like you wanted. What could be better?

Author: matth02Source: circlearticle

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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.

Coffee Grinder Machines Guide

Freshly grinding coffee beans prior to brewing is one of the most important steps to a great cup of coffee. Grinding the coffee beans properly and to the proper consistency for the brew you desire is essential. There are two main types of coffee grinders on the market today, namely the burr grinder and the blade grinder. 

Blade Grinder:
The blade grinder is the cheaper of the two grinders and runs about $20. The blade grinder has a single blade that looks and spins like a propeller. Blade grinders do not have settings. Basically, the longer you grind, the finer the grind becomes. You need to "eye-ball it" to see when it has become the grind you want. Blade grinders do a decent job for drip coffee makers, but for espresso or coffee drinks that require very specific grinds, the blade grinder would not be recommended since it does not grind consistently. When using the blade grinder, the coffee picks up a static charge. This causes the coffee to stick everything, making the blade grinder a very messy tool. 

Some name brands of blade grinders include Braun, Bodum, Capresso, and Cuisinart. Although blade grinders are uneven and messy grinders, they are very cost-effective if you are willing to make the trade off! 

Burr Grinder:
The burr grinder is the more expensive of the two grinders and sells between $60 and $125. When purchasing a burr grinder, you can get one of two types of burrs: flat burrs or conical burrs. The coffee beans are drawn between the two burrs and crushed into a uniform size. The burr grinder has settings that allow an exact coarseness or fineness of grind to be selected. Burr grinders grind the coffee into uniform size and consistency, which is why they are recommended for espresso, but can also be used for other types of grinds as well. 

Some name brands of burr grinders are Cuisinart, Baratza, Bodum, Bunn, Capresso, Gaggia, Isomac, KitchanAid, Krups, Mazzer, Pasquini, Rancillo and Solis. 

The extra money for the burr grinder would be well spent since you would be getting a better quality cup of coffee and the clean up would be quick and easy! Both grinders are available with either a dosing or non-dosing option. The grinders can dispense the coffee in usable amounts with the pull of a handle usually located on the side of the grinder. The non-dosing grinders will grind directly into a ground coffee container or coffee receptacle. As with any tool you need to find the one that best fits your needs and lifestyle.

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.

Author: matth02 Source: Free Articles

Learn A Few Tricks Of The Coffee Trade

For those of you who hate coffee for reasons I can't possibly understand there here is something you may like. My wife on occasion makes home crafts and the thing she makes that I like the most are her coffee scents. This is so simple yet very appealing, and the cost is under $20.00. Here is what she does. She takes a large glass bowl and fills it with whole coffee beans. This part is up to you. My personal favorite is the Sumatran Dark Roast, but my wife likes vanilla flavored coffee instead. She then gets a vanilla scented candle and lights the candle and places it in the middle of the bowl full of beans. When the candle wax hits the coffee beans the room starts to smell like Vanilla Coffee. It is a relaxing smell that lingers for hours, and our guests love it. My wife even sends them as gifts, and our family and friends really do love it.

A Coffee Can Grill
Let's say you have kids and you are going camping. Did you know that your used coffee cans could be used as a grill? Yes! A coffee can grill! Let me explain. The first thing you do is take an empty coffee can and wash it inside and out. Then dry it completely. Take a can opener that you would use to open a can of juice, and start punching triangle holes every 1 inches to allow for venting. Take the plastic lid and place it over the side you just punched to prevent it from getting dirty. Pack a candle (unscented) about 3 inches wide by 5 inches tall. This is a cool project for the kids. When you set up your campsite and are ready to eat light the candle and remove the plastic lid from the coffee can. Then place the can over the candle and let it sit for about 7 minutes. Place a ground beef patty, or hamburger patty on top and cook it the way you like it, and "Presto!" You have just used your disposable coffee can grill. My kids love it!

An Under The Hood Blower
If you have teenage boys that are ready to drive then listen to this cool trick I did when I was 17 years old. I took a large Folgers coffee can and using a hole punch I punched a hole in the center of the can. I then emptied the coffee in the trash, because I can't stand Folgers coffee. Then I went to the junkyard and found a fan motor with fan blades attached for a Chevy S-10 pick-up. Most of the fan motors for GM are the same, but the Chevy S-10 was what I used. I then made holes in the can for the screws that hold it in place, and the fan blades in the center. After cutting out the center with a pair of tin snips I placed the fan motor inside the can. I then took the can to my car and looked for a place on the firewall to mount it. After mounting it using a modified u-bolt made from threaded rod heated and bent I began to measure the distance from the can to my air intake. I drilled two holes in the can one at the top on the side and one in the bottom. I used silicone and a 2 PVC elbows ? was its size and found hoses that I ran from the can to my intake and the other I secured to the side of the firewall leaving it connected to the can only. I ran my power source to the fuse box and ran a toggle switch to the fan motor. 

This was a fun project, because it challenged me every step of the way. I attached this unit to my 1973 Pontiac Lemans GTO. It had a 400 big block with Headman Headers and a Crain Fireball 2 race cam. Did I mention the 4 speed standard transmission? When I was in 4th gear I was doing about 60 mph then I flipped the toggle switch and floored it. My tires chirped and I went back in my seat. My speedometer on the car went to 120 mph. I promise you it was buried past that. I was at an old abandoned airport runway when I tried this, and I recommend not racing in any public place. It is illegal and you can hurt or even kill people. A fast automobile can be a dangerous thing. Use common sense before testing this on your car. I have to warn you if your block is made of cast aluminum you could over heat and blow a rod. My friend did this to a Ford Escort GT 1989. The head was badly warped and the bearings were fried. 

Coffee cans are very useful. I have used them for storage of nuts and bolts, or any other hardware items I may have. My kids store pencils and crayons in them. Many people store childhood memories in them kind of like a time capsule.

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.

Author: javajake Source: articlecircle

Coffee Gifts - Top 5

Looking for a gift for a coffee drinker in your life? They are probably just about tired of getting the same old coffee mug. But, if coffee is their way of life, there are many gifts that you can give them to allow them more convenience and better flavor. Here are some things that you should think about.

* Grind Out An Idea. Does the coffee drinker in your family like to purchase fresh coffee beans and then grinds them before bringing them home? If so, then why not purchase a coffee grinder for them. Use web consumer reviews to help you choose the best one because there are many. These are fairly straightforward pieces of equipment. But, going with a low end version is not going to be a good choice for gourmet coffee beans.

* The Coffee Gadget. There are many gadgets out there that are just amazing. There are those that are made for coffee too. To find them, look at your options on some of the coffee websites. For example, an excellent choice would be a coffee mug/burner that plugs into the cigarette lighter of your car. If your coffee lover takes his coffee to work or drives a lot, then this is the ultimate. It keeps coffee hot and fresh while you are driving. You can even find single cup coffee makers that will actually brew a cup of coffee from the cigarette burner.

* Nothing Says Love Better Than Chocolate. What does chocolate and coffee have to do with each other? Let's face it. They are just born for each other. Gourmet chocolates are an excellent compliment to coffee. If you don't want to go that route, look for those candies that are made with espresso in them for an even bolder taste and experience.

* Pack A Basket. Pack a gift basket with coffee varieties, with chocolates, with a variety of creamers and maybe even a mug. They are sure to take full advantage of this as coffee drinkers.

* Coffees from around the world? Many coffee drinkers love the richness, the flavor and the aroma of coffee. But, there are hundreds of different flavors. They come from all over the world and can offer more pleasure to the taste buds than you would have thought. You could provide them with a selection of coffees from around the world. If they like gourmet blends, then go for those. The good news is that there are many great options offered online. You literally can get a great cup of coffee on some of the online coffee markets!

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.

Author - sayush Source: articlecircle

Interesting Facts About Supermarket Coffee

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