Coffee Academy

Coffee roasters vary in almost every way from extremely technical to very simple.  The cost varies as greatly as the styles you can choose from.   Certain manufactures are trusted to make a quality product and these are not always the most expensive.  But in addition to quality and cost there are other factors to be considered.

What part will you play in the process?

Some roasters are designed very simply and leave more of the technical work to you.  They merely serve as the heating device while you are responsible for measuring and mixing to get the desired result.

The simple models seal tightly to keep the heat and steam inside.  They have a handle specifically made to allow you to swirl the beans and the steam keeping everything in motion so that the beans do not cook to the bottom and the heat is evenly distributed. 

Even in this simple set up, be sure to look for ones that have a thermometer in the lid. Temperature control is important for proper roasting.

At the other extreme are roasters that do it all for you. Pop in a pre-determined volume of green beans from a bag, close the lid and walk away for a few minutes.

This sophisticated type of roaster has everything built in and removes all guess work.  It has a temperature gage which constantly monitors the heat and adjusts itself accordingly. There is no need for stirring because there are built in mechanics that keep the hot air circulating and the beans in perfect motion.  These models even shut themselves off when the beans are ready.

Even the fanciest high tech roasters or coffee makers do nothing for the inevitable cloud of smoke in the room that goes along with roasting coffee.

Efficient air circulation and heat

Air roasters work by rotating hot air in through the beans while also keeping the beans in motion.  This will roast your coffee beans evenly and in some models even clean away the unwanted residue left over when the shell of the bean expands and bursts.

Most allow you to watch the process through a glass exterior, to judge the degree of desired roast. Frequently they have pre-set amounts on the dial ranging from light to dark.

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From its origins in Ethiopia, where the main coffee production is still from wild coffee tree forests, coffee consumption has spread throughout the world. But because of its requirement for ample sunshine and rain, the plants from which beans are produced grow only in tropical or sub-tropical regions.

Though it is enjoyed around the world it is produced only in areas close to the equator.  This product is harvested on a grander scale than almost all other products.

Columbia is known for its great coffee.  Because of this you might think that they are the majority of all copy produced comes from Columbia.  But surprisingly that is not the case.  The majority of all coffee in the world comes from Brazil.  They produce 28% of all the coffee consumed.  Columbia is the second largest producing 16% of the coffee consumed in the world.  Next is Indonesia at 7% and then Mexico at 4%.

Part of the coffee trees prejudice is that it prefers areas of high altitude.  That being said the tree has been acclimated to produce fairly well in other areas as well.

In Brazil, the plantations cover huge areas and employ hundreds of workers to tend the plants. In Colombia the rugged mountains and poor economic conditions mean transportation to processing centers is still largely carried out by mule or Jeep.

Can anything grow on a volcano?  Coffee sure can.  The Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii proves to the perfect location for coffee trees to thrive.  The hot tropical sun and afternoon rains make for the perfect environment.

The islands of Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi in Indonesia produce a great deal of the world’s coffee and have for many, many years.  Like Columbia, their methods are primitive, but this does not hinder the growth of hundreds of acres of coffee trees or their production.

Plantations in Mexico, by contrast to Brazil, are primarily small farms but with over 100,000 of them the total still makes the country a serious factor on the world market. Most are located in the south, in Veracruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas with the special Altura beans indicating their origin in the high altitudes.

Vietnam in recent years has rapidly been challenging Indonesia’s position as the Tonkin area recovers from decades of stagnation. First planted with arabica trees in the mid-19th century by French missionaries, the small plantations now produce robusta, one of the two main types of plant.

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There’s nothing to beat a hot cup of coffee on a cold, winter morning, and what makes coffee even more likeable is the attractiveness of the coffee mug!  Available in every conceivable material from plastic to ceramic and in a riot of colors, shapes, and designs, coffee mugs can reveal a lot about you. So, choose them with care keeping in mind when and with whom you intend to have your coffee.

Did you know that lots of people actually collect coffee mugs? They aren’t as expensive as coins or stamps, and keeping them in a showcase in your living room can lead to some interesting conversation. Even if you’re the practical, workaholic type you could buy different types of coffee mugs to zest up your life! 

Choose mugs in a variety of materials like ceramic, porcelain, stainless steel, enameled metal, and plastic.  As for color, choose outside colored mugs, inside colored mugs, plain mugs with colored rims and handles, and mugs that change color. This last mentioned variety is heat sensitive and changes color when a hot liquid is poured into it. If you travel a great deal, but want to add a personal touch to your coffee, get a travel coffee mug. A stainless steel one would survive the bumps and jerks of travel and, don’t worry, you won’t burn your fingers because the handle is plastic!  These mugs also come with a plastic lid, and you can request custom decorations on them. However, not all decorations can be seen clearly or may not look attractive given the gray exterior of stainless steel mugs.

You are spoilt for choice as far as designs and decorations are concerned. If you are an avid football fan you could choose a football team mug, or if chess is your point of interest, you can get one with a chessboard design. To beat Monday morning blues, keep a stock of mugs in bright colors. You may choose funny or inspirational quotes and have them engraved on your mug. If you love to relax over coffee with your spouse after a day’s hard work, you could use mugs with romantic messages and symbols!  You can even create your own personalized coffee mugs that say something about you!

Lots of adolescents and adults never grow out of cartoons. If you have such persons in the family or in your friend circle, bring out coffee mugs that have cartoon characters on them. Movie buffs, don’t despair, you can get coffee mugs with a poster of your favorite movie on the exterior.

Be innovative. Don’t use coffee mugs just for serving coffee! If your child throws a tantrum every time you serve a glass of warm milk, buy some superhero or Disney coffee mugs and you’ll have him waiting eagerly for milk time. Coffee mugs are also a great gift item because they are utilitarian, attractive, and inexpensive. You just need to know the interests and preferences of the person you are going to gift the mug to. The designing firm will take care of the rest! You don’t even have to leave your home to order custom coffee mugs these days. Just check out various firms over the Internet and send a digital image file; a click of the mouse is all you need to order personalized coffee mugs. Technology has helped coffee lovers in other ways too. Most of the coffee mugs today are microwave safe, so enjoy your mug of hot coffee without a care in the world!

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With the millions of coffee drinkers worldwide there is a rise in demand for not only organic coffee but also for organic flavored coffee. Many coffee growers have discovered alternative and safe ways to improve the growing process. They now use organic fertilizer and other earth friendly ideas to enhance and protect their plants.

Organic coffee - what is it exactly? This is coffee that is grown without using enhancement chemicals. It has been done that way since time before chemical companies intruded. Farmers plant the seeds, irrigate the roots and let the sun do the rest.

Natural and organic are not interchangeable. Other truthful claims, such as free-range, hormone-free, and natural, can still appear on food labels. However, don’t confuse these terms with “organic.” Only food labeled “organic” has been certified as meeting USDA organic standards.

As with the majority of organic products, organic coffee takes more time to come to term. This means that organic coffee costs more than your general store brands. In some instances, 12 ounces of organic coffee can be sold for $1.00 per ounce.

Organic coffee, like other organic or all natural foods, is sold in an entirely different section of your local supermarket. This type of coffee is sold in caffeinated and decaffeinated as well as flavored with vanilla, chocolate hazelnut or anything else you can think of that regular coffee comes in. Organic flavored coffee (like other all-natural products) must contain a seal indicating it is, in fact, organic. This is an FDA classification and cannot be overlooked.

For us, high quality extends beyond the excellence of our roasts. It includes high quality in the growing and methods of farming, and fair and respectful treatment of those who grow our fine coffee. By supporting Fair Trade Certified products provides an additional opportunity for us and our customers to have a meaningful impact on the working and living conditions faced by many who grow, harvest and process coffee throughout the world.

Each year over 40 million gallons of chemical pesticides, untold millions of gallons of herbicides, and billions of pounds of fungicides are used by the international coffee industry. Do you see how you are saving the earth by supporting organically grown coffees?

The use of organic coffee or other products will not allow you to live longer, that is a guarantee that cannot be made. These organic products can help you live healthier lifestyles. Healthier lifestyles can lead to longer life. So the next time that you are in the grocery store or other large food center look at all of the organic food you can buy and realize that you can be feeling better and living a healthier, more enriching life than you were before switching from non-organic foods to organic.

For more information visit Coffee Nutrition also go to Coffee Bean Organic

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Long ago it was realized that there was a way to enjoy a cup of coffee that you love without the caffein that you wish to avoid.  It has become a very common thing to decaffeinate coffee.   Does the decaffeinating process change the flavor of the coffee?  Can you tell the difference? 

If processed and prepared well, studies have proven that there is very little difference in the taste of regular coffee drinks and decaffeinated coffee.  What is the decaffeinating process? 

One necessary step for removing caffeine is exposing the coffee beans to hot water and then passing them through methylene chloride. 

When picked from the tree the coffee beans is removed from its fruit and rinsed thoroughly to remove the pulpy fruit from the bean.  

The beans are then washed thoroughly then soaked in methylene chloride.  Most people are unaware how much exposure to water their coffee has had before they receive it. 

Because of the processing that the coffee beans go through at times the taste may be altered a bit.  It may be more due to the process than the lack of caffeine that makes you notice a difference in the flavor. 

To decaffeinate the beans using chemicals they must first be steamed to open up the pores of the beans.  This allows the caffeine to be pulled from the bean when soaked in methylene chloride.    

Another method is to place the beans in hot water for a longer period of time.  After several hours the beans can be removed.   The time in the hot water pulls the flavor and the caffeine out of the bean and into the water.  Then the methylene chloride is added to the water to remove the caffeine from the water.  The beans are then returned to the water to so that the flavor that still remains in the water can be reabsorbed into the beans.  

In another decaffeinating process charcoal is used instead of methylene chloride.  The beans are placed in hot water for hours and then removed the same as with the process described above.  However, this time to remove the caffeine from the water the water is strained over charcoal.  The caffeine from the water binds to the charcoal so that the beans can be replaced in a caffeine free bath in full flavored water.

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As the first coffee maker, the Turkish Ibrik was fairly basic but it did a fantastic job of producing strong, aromatic coffee.  The Ibrik was a simple design, a copper container with a long handle and grooved tongue.  Coffee is still served this was in many parts of the Middle East today.

For those more interested in drinking a beverage than eating coffee grounds, a wide variety of automatic coffee makers are available from the plain to the esoteric. Here are a few things to look for…

The drip coffee machine is one of the most popular type of automatic coffee makers available today.  Water is poured into the top of the machine, it then filters over the coffee grounds after beiing heated by an electric coil.  The filtered coffee then collects in a glass pot that sits on a heating plate at the base of the machine.

But beyond these basics, there are a few features it’s useful to have.

Controls have proliferated to the level that many machines look like a modern stereo. LCD screens display the time, the time to brew, temperature, a timer and several options even more unmentionable.

The auto shut-off feature available with most modern automatic coffee makers is possibly one of the most useful features.  Knowing that you can remove the coffee pot from the hot plate at any time to pour a cup of coffee and not have drips all over the hot plate is very reassuring.

Controlling every aspect of how your coffee is prepared is now very easy to do with the automatic coffee makers available today.  Waking up to a freshly prepared pot of coffee, just how you like it is now a reality.  All you have to do is set up the machine the night before and wake up to perfect coffee every morning.

Everyone loves the smell of coffee, and it is very comforting to come down into your kitchen on a dark, cold morning and smell the fresh brewing coffee as well as seeing the little illuminated display telling you your coffee is ready.

Coffee ‘pods’ are a recent development within the coffee world and coffee makers.  They are small, pre-measured paper containers of coffee.  You put the pod in the machine and the water filters through the coffee just like traditional coffee makers.  One major benefit of the coffee pods is that the cleaning of your coffee machine is so much easier.  Once the pods has cooled, you just take it out of the machine and throw it in the bin.  That is it.  Coffee pods are essential for the busy coffee drinker who hates to clean up.

A water filter can prove to be a really useful addition to your coffee machine.  If the water where you live is not that great then the water filter will only improve the quality of your coffee.  Of course the water filter may increase the price of your coffee machine, but can you really put a price on the perfect cup of coffee?

Permanent coffee filter styles can be had, but with the pods they’re much less important. Debates rage over the environmental impact and the taste effect of the paper from the pods. Vote your conscience.

With so many brands to chose from and a bevy of coffee machines available it may seem like an impossible task to finally decide on your faultless coffee maker.  But you can take pleasure in that fact the once you have chosen you can enjoy your perfect cup of coffee whenever your want for a long time to come.

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When I think of “coffee beans”, instantly I think of the coffee industry’s biggest heavy hitters like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts to name a few. My senses are aroused with thoughts of a hot, steamy and rich cup of java. The strong intoxicating exotic smell and distinct taste of a good cup of coffee is often a secret indulgent for most. th century in the highlands of Ethiopia. After being introduced, coffee consumption spread quickly to the Muslim world followed by Europe and later the Americas. The history of coffee that followed after has certainly been interesting and controversial. Coffee in earlier years has been associated with religious ceremonies in Africa and Yemen as well as being associated with rebellious political groups in Europe. The cultivation of the coffee bean has caused much debatable conversation in the past due to certain medical effects and conditions that have been disputed many times over throughout the years.

Coffee was first discovered and consumed around the 9

A coffee bean is the seed of a coffee plant. Coffee beans contain endosperms that contain caffeine. Once the coffee seeds have been removed from the plant, the seeds are roasted and this process causes several physical and chemical changes. The coffee bean is then brewed to create the ever popular product and beverage known as coffee.

Coffee is one of the world’s largest traded commodities after oil. The coffee bean is a primary source of income for many third world countries mainly African countries and much of Central American countries. Coffee beans from different countries have different characteristics such as flavor, aroma and body, such as the well known coffee originating from Colombia as an example.

Brazil is the largest coffee exporting country and in recent years Vietnam has inched in at a close second. The legendary Colombian coffee is rated third largest in export.

In our modern society of recent times there are many different variations and presentations of the coffee beverage. There is the common brewed and roasted hot cup of coffee, the espresso, café latte, cappuccino, café macchiato and the iced coffee served cold. To match so many variations of the coffee bean, the marketing distribution of coffee has many unique creative forms aside from the traditional self brewed method. The roasted coffee bean can be distributed as instant coffee, freeze dried, canned coffee and coffee is being sold right out of vending machines.

Yaser Dorri, an American scientist, has proposed that the smell of coffee can restore and increase appetite. Our civilized society may want to reconsider our much anticipated ritual of an after dinner coffee. Our evolving society may want to possibly embrace the thought of coffee as what it truly is a stimulant that if going to be incorporated in your daily dietary consumption should be best utilized in conjunction with a healthy and positive needed acceleration and or stimulant in your body’s system and process. Simply put; coffee before dinner would be more logical and practical. Coffee as a stimuli at night is not favorable unless intentional. Remember with any consumption; being responsible and moderate will always keep you safe and healthy.

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It is the fear of heartburn that often makes people shy away from coffee. Causing of heartburn upon consumption of coffee is a common problem that many people face. However, the flavor and aroma of coffee can be so inviting that many persons risk heartburn to enjoy their favorite piping hot coffee drinks of various types. Indeed, it is difficult to stop coffee buffs from sipping in their favorite drink.

The real cause of the heartburn arising after drinking coffee needs to be ascertained. It has been opined that the heartburn is caused by the effect of the acids of the stomach leaking into the esophagus where they are not supposed to be. As a result of the esophagus lining coming into contact with the stomach acids irritation is caused at the linings and heartburn is felt as a result of the acid irritation. Taking in of caffeine has been observed to be a reason for such heartburn. Upon consumption of a caffeinated drink like coffee the body tends to produce more acid and the extra acid produced go into the lower esophageal sphincter. So, the high caffeine content of coffee can be help responsible for causing or aggravating heartburn.

A new technology has been developed referred to as the Hevla technology that seeks to address the problem of heartburn arising upon coffee drinking. Ardent coffee lovers can now get to find a ray hope in the way that the technology can help enable production of caffeine free coffee drinks thus negating the possibility if any caffeine induced heartburn arising.

The Hevla process seeks to steam coffee beans at a high temperature. This helps eliminate the caffeine content of the coffee beans while keeping the great taste and aroma of the coffee intact. Using these specially treated coffee beans to prepare single serving of coffee using one cup coffeemakers can deliver in a short time a cupful of piping hot coffee for you that has great taste and aroma and is free from the harmful caffeine.

Since only select few persons would be opting for decaffeinated coffee it is best to prepare the decaf for one person at a time using one cup coffee makers. Usage of one cup coffeemakers will also ensure quicker preparation of coffee and the fast delivery ensures that the taste and aroma of the coffee is kept just perfect while drinking. So, using the Hevla process to treat the coffee beans and employing a special machine from among the one cup coffee makers of the day will assure a wonderful coffee drinking experience sans the risk of heartburn.

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It may be that you are the only coffee drinker in your home. In such case it may be best for you to opt for one of the one cup coffee makers available on the market today. This could be a great addition to your home and kitchen. These are special coffee machines that are designed for individuals who want a cup of coffee at a time for themselves but do not wish to make a whole pot in order to secure the one cup.

Indeed, preparing a whole pot of coffee for one person can be a big waste that is unnecessarily made. Making use of the single cup coffeemakers or one cup coffeemakers can help do away with this loss making. No wonder why they are becoming more and more popular. Their rising demand has led to the setting up of even single serve espresso machines.

It is said that in order to get the best taste and flavor the freshly brewed coffee ought to be served within twenty minutes of brewing. If a longer time elapses between the brewing and drinking then the coffee drink may well turn bitter or burnt tasting and the flavor of the special coffee beverages get ruined. So, the one cup coffeemakers are the best in case of single servings since they immediately dispense the coffee that it brews for one cup and thus ensures that the perfect taste is not lost.

One cup coffee makers work faster than standard coffee machines and most brew a cup in less than a minutes’ time. So, you can get your favorite coffee drink readied nearly as soon as you wished to get it brewed.  

Single cup coffee makers can be used with canned or freshly ground coffee beans. The single serving coffee makers usually come with a reusable coffee filter built in thus doing away with the need for using paper filters. The reusable coffee filters are also presumed to deliver better results in terms of flavor and aroma.

Also, one cup coffee makers also deliver an excellent single serving of tea. For making tea using the machines, the water may be heated in the machine and the tea bag put into the cup as usual. Alternatively, the tea bag can be placed into the filter and the water is to be run through like in case of coffee preparation.

Single serving espresso machines are available, too, coming in stainless steel or aluminum models. The stainless steel models, though comparatively more expensive, are considered preferable as there are considered to be health risks associated with brewing in aluminum containers. The single serving espresso machines of the day are small and lightweight. They are perfectly suited for preparing espresso drinks while traveling.

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One cup coffee makers (or single serve coffee makers) are much in demand nowadays. The reason for their growing popularity is that they eliminate the need to bear the hassles involved in brewing a ‘pot’ full of coffee when only a cupful is needed. The preparation of a whole pot of coffee that can be pretty wasteful is thus avoided. The main objectives that the one cup coffeemakers achieve are quick brewing, lessening of flavor and taste loss owing to prolonged retaining of the coffee and of course dispensing of the right amount of coffee that is needed.

Now there are even the one cup espresso makers on offer that aim at offering single servings of espresso beverage. This can enable you to brew and treat yourself to the perfect espresso drinks while doing away with the need to brew in excess.

There are a number of concerns that offer the single serving coffeemaker models. Notable among these are Phillips and Keurig. Many a model of the one cup coffeemakers of the day are manufactured by Phillipe Senseo and Black and Decker. Consumers who have used these products have praised their functionalities. Hence, these can be deemed to be worthy offerings in the market that you too can think of opting for.

Some popular choices among the one cup coffeemakers are the Senseo pods. It is their speed of brewing and delivering and convenience and ease of handling that sets them a class apart. Besides, these require little service. However, it has been learnt that the coffee pods that are used in the machine are not easy to find in the retail stores and they also do not come in a great variety. Shopping for the requisite pods can be made from Melitta or Senseo online is the way out to ensuring securing of the pods.

The Black and Decker concern provides some kind of coffee mug too with purchase of their one cup coffee makers. The single serving coffee makers that they provide are comparatively priced lower. The models make use of coffee filters to brew the automatic drip coffee. Some of the most popular one cup coffeemakers are the Senseo Single Serve Coffee Machine, the Black and Decker Brew ‘N Go, the Melitta MES1R, Keurig B50 and Mr. Coffee SSP10. Some among these models are programmable while the others are not. Any of these can be judiciously chosen keeping in with personal preferences of features.

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