Recipes for Making Great Mochas

Depending on how we look at it, mocha coffee may be the tall drink made of coffee, cocoa and milk, often served with cream or, on the other hand mocha coffee may refer to the source.

Yemen is the source of true Mocha coffee. Some connoisseurs consider the Yemeni beans the best that money can buy. No doubt about it, for one reason or another, it is know the world over. Grown along steep terraced hillsides at an altitude of anywhere from 3,000 to 7,000 feet, the harvested fruit is a small, hard coffee bean.

The name itself originates from the Yemeni port town on the Red Sea. From the varieties available Mocha Sanani and Mocha Mattari are considered the finest. Due to the harsh hot dry climate, the coffee beans are as unique as its distinct taste. No doubt about it, authentic Mocha coffee is a pleasure to drink.

So, whilst many people may not be totally familiar with the origins of Mocha coffee, I think most people have heard about or tried and fallen in love with the drink.

Make your own Mocha coffee and enjoy the unique flavor and aroma

Mocha coffee is really easy to make and we are pleased to offer a couple of recipes to get you on your way. Basically all you need to do is add cocoa, sugar and milk to hot coffee, perhaps experiment with some other tastes and drink. Others prefer to actually mix the cocoa, sugar, milk and coffee in a saucepan and heat until it starts to simmer.

At this point, try adding a little vanilla extract. Pout into cups or glasses and top with whipped cream and cinnamon. The taste will surprise you, you will find the flavor wonderfully rich and very aromatic. In order to make things a little easier, these are the list of ingredients for two servings.

2 cups of coffee

1/3 cup of cocoa

2 cups of milk

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/2 cup of whipping cream

dash of cinnamon

Prepare the ingredients as mentioned above and the results will be a fantastic Mocha coffee that will put any coffee house's version to shame.


For more articles ranging from coffee beans to coffee making machines, just click over to All About Coffee Beans Remember, coffee is more than just a passion!
Article Source: Nicholas Webb

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.

Choosing a Coffee Grinder

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.

Control Over The Coarseness Of Grind

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.

By James Grierson/AZ Golf Alive

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.

Which Country Do you Want?

By Alice Lane


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.

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.

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