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Organic Coffee Is The Healthy Choice

   Subscribe To Our Feed Sun 12 Jul 2009

Coffee is the most popular drink in the entire world. It is traded more than any commodity except for oil. The coffee market is rapidly changing as the world becomes more conscious of the environment and of many of the farming practices used in the past hundred years. Organic coffee is quickly gaining ground in the competitive coffee market.

Coffee has been used for over a thousand years. Ethiopia appears to be one of the first areas to identify the miraculous qualities of coffee. It didn’t take long before coffee spread throughout Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Back then the growing methods weren’t as well thought out as they are now and the idea of organic ceased to exist (perhaps because crops weren’t yet doused with chemicals).

Today we recognize the importance of thoughtfully growing our crops in a way that protects the ecosystem and keeps consumers healthy. Organic coffee is grown in a way that keeps toxic chemicals out of our bodies and out of our rivers and streams.

Companies that want to grow organic coffee must gain certification according to the regulations of the Organic Food Production Act. This Act lays out the guidelines that growers must follow to become certified and it also explains the method by which growers will be tested to ensure they follow these guidelines.

Organic Coffee Can Only Be Grown In Certified Fields

The fields for organic coffee production must pass stringent guidelines. It isn’t enough that farmers forego the use of chemicals but they must also grow on land that has been chemical free for at least three years in a row. This is to make sure that any coffee displaying an organic coffee label is truly chemical free.

Consumers will notice right away that organic coffee costs a bit more than non organic coffee. This is because the certification process takes time and money to complete. Farmers have to use new growing methods and convert their old land to chemical free land. This can take years and sometimes certification must be attempted repeatedly until it is finally granted.

Since organic coffee is grown without the aid of commercial fertilizers it is important to protect the nutrients in the soil. To do this many farmers plant tall trees near organic coffee crops to protect the fragile nutrients in the topsoil form the damaging effects of direct sunlight.

Many a coffee expert will agree than even without regard to the health and environmental benefits, organic coffee is still a superior product. Its flavor isn’t corrupted by the impact of unnatural chemicals and so organic coffee offers the highest quality taste.

Why Choose Organic Coffee?

   Subscribe To Our Feed Sat 11 Jul 2009

Coffee is the most popular drink in the entire world. It is traded more than any commodity except for oil. The coffee market is rapidly changing as the world becomes more conscious of the environment and of many of the farming practices used in the past hundred years. Organic coffee is quickly gaining ground in the competitive coffee market.

Over a thousand years ago a lonely goat herder in Ethiopia first discovered the coffee the plant. It didn’t take long before people discovered they could make a marvelous beverage from the plant that would wake them up and keep them going day after day. The use of coffee spread throughout the world faster than wildfire.

Today people are considered by the environmental and health effect of many twentieth century growing practices. For the health conscious consumer, organic coffee is the only choice. Organic coffee is grown without toxic insecticides and herbicides. The fertilizers used are all natural and consumers don’t have to worry about being slowly poisoned.

The organic coffee companies today have to gain certification by following the guidelines of the Organic Food Production Act of the early 90s. This certification process ensures that growers don’t use toxins while growing though rigorous testing procedures.

Organic Coffee Can Only Be Grown In Certified Fields

The fields in which organic crops are grown must first be certified organic. This can be a time consuming process because a farmer may have used pesticides or heavy fertilizers for years which leads to a build up of these compounds in the soil. Before becoming certified, farmers must maintain chemical free land for three consecutive years. This ensures that past toxins won’t affect the new organic coffee crops.

Consumers will notice right away that organic coffee costs a bit more than non organic coffee. This is because the certification process takes time and money to complete. Farmers have to use new growing methods and convert their old land to chemical free land. This can take years and sometimes certification must be attempted repeatedly until it is finally granted.

Since modern fertilizers usually aren’t used when growing organic coffee, crops are often grown in the shade of large trees to protect the soil from sunlight. The delicate nutrients in the topsoil can be easily destroyed by the sun’s rays.

Many a coffee expert will agree than even without regard to the health and environmental benefits, organic coffee is still a superior product. Its flavor isn’t corrupted by the impact of unnatural chemicals and so organic coffee offers the highest quality taste.

Coffee and Gifts; Two Words That Go Well Together

   Subscribe To Our Feed Fri 10 Jul 2009

When you want to spend time with friends or someone special, its best to do it with these two things - coffee & gifts. Asking for a coffee is simply asking someone to spend time with you. Asking for a coffee is the most common question for a date. And if gifts accompanies the date, what a beautiful combination it will be, it will make the person feel glad that you want to spend the time with him/her.

You can make a gift out of a coffee mug, by wrapping it up around by colorful papers & ribbons. You can also gift someone a beautifully decorated bucket, filled with various types of coffee grown around the world. This gift will be most adorable & will be kept as a memorable one. The different coffee beans will make your environment full of pleasant odors.

To really show your friends your appreciation, locate unusual bread or coffee cake recipes. If your friend really likes a certain flavor, try to find recipes that include their favorite flavor as an ingredient. Bake a batch of bread or coffee cake and wrap it in a gorgeous tea towel. Don’t forget to tie the towel with a ribbon. Attach a little charm and the recipe. Remember to include a set of coffee cups and a cute mini butter knife.

If your loved one is fond of cooking, then you may gift him some kind of kitchen appliance which may be used to make his/her favorite dish. For example, if your loved one likes coffee, you may gift him/her a coffee grinder along with different types of coffee beans, so that he/she can make his/her favorite dish. This kind of gifts may feel unusual but it will be full of fun & happiness for your loved one.

If you fancy yourself as a gourmet cook, why not throw a coffee tasting party on a cold winter day? Decide if you want your guests to know what coffee they are drinking, or if you will have “blind” taste tests to introduce them to new blends and roasts. Make some wonderful treats that go well with coffee; maybe something with cinnamon, allspice or nutmeg. Try tea cakes, coffee cakes or breads cut into tiny shapes. Gather a variety of coffee, from mild to robust and remember to include some exotic flavors. Have different sweeteners on hand such as sugar, honey, and non-sugar alternatives.

Since the other senses come into play when enjoying coffee, set the table with soft materials for the table covering, whole coffee beans for aroma and texture and play music that fits your theme. Take the time to set an atmosphere of relaxation, friendship and enjoyment so your friends know you are happy to have them there.

Put together little parting gifts in beautiful bags. You can put samples of coffees in small cello bags tied with ribbon. Gourmet coffee stores sell spoons coated with chocolate and other flavors that could be tied to the bag as an embellishment. Include a handwritten note telling your friend some things you appreciate about them.

Coffee, gifts and friends, what a wonderful combination! Enjoy the little things in life with those that you love, share your thoughts and feelings over a cup of coffee and you will find that the world may not be so overwhelming after all. It’s all in how you approach life, and a good cup of coffee is a great place to start!

Hot or Cold, Specialty Coffees Are Quickly Growing In Popularity

   Subscribe To Our Feed Thu 9 Jul 2009

Making a superb gourmet coffee all starts with beans. Gourmet coffee beans are mostly Arabica because of their supreme robust flavor and smooth texture. Arabica beans are considered the premium bean in the coffee industry and the demand is high which makes it much pricier than other beans. Arabica coffee beans are the most prominently grown and provide approximately 60% of world coffee production. One reason the beans are so expensive is that the Arabica plant is very sensitive to unfavorable conditions such as frost, pests and disease. What leads people to wait in long, long lines for a cup of gourmet-brewed coffee beverage? Just what are espresso, cappuccino and macchiato?

Espresso coffee is one of the most popular coffee drinks in the world. This type of coffee goes back about 100 years and since its birth people have found that this is a delicious, yet intense way to enjoy the flavor of coffee. Espresso coffee is characteristically thicker in consistency than drip coffee having a higher amount of dissolved solids than drip coffee in the same amount of volume. The serving size is usually measured in shots which are around one fluid once in size. Espresso coffee is much richer and more concentrated than filter coffee and is the base for a cappuccino or latte.

Cappuccino is a delicious, luxurious coffee beverage that is enjoyed by coffee lovers the world over, combining creamy, frothy texture with distinctive espresso flavor and aroma. Cappuccino is named for the resemblance of its color to the robes of the monks of the Capuchin order. Cappuccino is a cup of espresso coffee with fresh milk and milk foam bubbles burst on the top of cup. The milk foam bubbles burst acts as the insulator and keep the heat of the coffee for a longer time.

A Cafe Latte equal parts espresso and steamed milk. The steamed milk is poured over the espresso. Remember, the order of building the drink is important. A latte is basically a diluted cappuccino with almost entirely steamed milk and a dollop of foam on top. Cafe latte is simply the Italian words for “coffee and milk”.

A Cafe mocha is a variant of a cafe latte Like a latte, it is typically one third espresso and two thirds steamed milk, but a portion of chocolate is added, typically in the form of sweet cocoa powder, although many varieties use chocolate syrup. Mochas can contain dark or milk chocolate.

Cafe Amricano or simply Americano is a style of coffee prepared by adding hot water to espresso, giving a similar strength but different flavor from regular drip coffee. The strength of an Americano varies with the number of shots of espresso and the amount of water added.

Now here is an interesting variation which would probably be more appealing to American consumers; cafe corretto. This is an Italian espresso that is modified by adding grappa, an Italian liqueur or brandy. This results in a coffee beverage that provides a distinctive flavor sweetened by the addition of the alcohol. When making this beverage, any liqueur can be added to the espresso to modify the taste. This drink is typically served as an after dinner drink. Its main purpose being to aid in digestion of heavy meals.

The reawakened craze in coffee shops, kiosks and coffee carts can be confusing with menu boards listing numerous gourmet treats in various sizes. Baristas move with lightning speed from espresso machine to flavorings to steaming milk to counter with the talent of circus jugglers. Ordering your first latte takes a lot of courage, but once you get over the initial fear factor, you will be hooked for life.

Slimming with Oolong Tea

   Subscribe To Our Feed Wed 8 Jul 2009

Wu Long Tea is a fantastic product and well worthwhile implementing in your daily routine. You may have come across this well known Chinese Tea from an appearance on Oprah with Dr Oz. Wu Long Tea is partially oxidized. Wu Longs taste is more like green tea than black tea and is usually drunk on its own without milk. You will also find that the quality of Wu Long loose leaf tea is superior to Wu Long tea bags.

For centuries there have been some incredible claims for the properties of Oolong tea, and not just about weight loss. According to some it lessens signs of aging, increases energy levels, improves your teeth, even reduces hair loss. It is also considered beneficial improving the immune system…the list continues.

This is a truly amazing product and well worth sourcing to bring into your life’s every day routine. Find some on the net at wulongteahouse.net or simply go to your local Asian speciality store. Research so far has indicated that Wu Long Tea boosts the metabolic rate and definitely assists with weight-loss.

By increasing the metabolic rate you will find that you also have more energy. This is worth considering if you feel lethargic or suffer from low energy levels. A Japanese journal claims that this tea can increase the body’s ability to burn fat. This declaration has increased the demand of Wu Long Tea, and it is meant to be scarce in supply.

It is usually thought that this tea is extremely expensive. Oolong Tea does vary in price from being inexpensive to over $20 for a very small quantity. Higher quality Oolong can be recognized as being more greener with tinges of green. A weeks supply will usually set you back around $5.

All tea come from the same type of plant, Camelia sinensis. The differences in taste and colour are due to the way the leaves from the plant are processed. Oolong Tea tends to be an in between colour…more brown, with the higher quality teas showing tinges of green.

If you are looking for a solution to loose weight, or just want to improve your health then consider strongly incorporating a few cups a day into your routine. I can personally recommend Oolong Tea as being extremely beneficial. From being a regular coffee drinker I have for years felt sluggish with low energy levels. Dont get me wrong ..I adore coffee, but drinking Oolong as a replacement has made a noticeable difference.

Want to give Oolong a try then start by replacing a couple of regular cups of coffee a day with this sensational drink. They have been at it for hundreds of years in China where its amazing properties are well known. You may want to visit oolongteahouse.net to find out more.

Coffee Hits All The Right Spots

   Subscribe To Our Feed Wed 8 Jul 2009

Coffee is the number one beverage in the world. Gourmet coffees and traditional brewed coffees are enjoyed by people in every city and town, every morning, afternoon and evening of every day. Scandinavia has the world’s highest per capita annual coffee consumption, 26.4 pounds. Italy has an annual consumption per capita of only 10 pounds.

No matter how you like your coffee, whether it be black, frothy cappuccino, latte, espresso, hot or on ice, the selections available to tempt your taste buds is enormous. The average annual coffee consumption of the American adult is 67 gallons, over 600 cups. In fact, specialty coffee sales are increasing by 20% per year and account for almost 8% of the 18 billion dollar U.S. coffee market. Statistics show that among coffee drinkers, the average consumption in the US is around 2.3 cups of coffee per day. Also, studies find that over one-half of the population, equivalent to approximately 150 million Americans, now drink specialty coffees on a daily basis.

The United States is the world’s largest consumer of coffee, importing 16 to 20 million bags annually (2.5 million pounds), representing one-third of all coffee exported. More than half of the United States population consumes coffee. An astute business person should seriously consider the gourmet coffee business as a recession-proof opportunity.

Based on research by the National Coffee Association and The Specialty Coffee Association of America, the average price for an espresso based drink is $2.85, while the average price for brewed coffee is $1.38. The average espresso drive-thru business sells approximately 200-300 cups of sspresso and coffee based drinks per day. The studies show that men drink as much coffee as women; each consuming an average of 1.6 cups per day. Women tend to be more concerned about price than their male counterparts.

Over 53 countries grow coffee worldwide, but all of them lie along the equator between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

Some interesting coffee facts: The beans used in gourmet coffee are full of antioxidants that offer protection against the radicals that are present in our bodies, thus reducing risks of heart disease and cancers . Regular coffee drinkers have about one-third less asthma symptoms than those non-coffee drinkers. So says a Harvard researcher who studied over 20,000 people.

Special studies conducted about the human body revealed it will usually absorb up to about 300 milligrams of caffeine at a given time. This equates to about 4 normal cups. Additional amounts are just cast off, providing no further stimulation. Also, the human body dissipates 20% of the caffeine in the system each hour.

Coffee is increasing in popularity every year. This is a great business to get into. Coffee is the number one commodity in the world next to oil. You would be hard pressed to find any other product that has such universal appeal with such an extraordinarily high profit margin.

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