7 Steps for World Class Gourmet Coffee

One of the most vital aspects of coffee drinking is the level of the coffee that you start off with.,Purchase a quality coffee grinder. Some of the best grinders available today are easy to use and simple to clean up..

7 Steps for World Class Gourmet Coffee

For a change of tempo, a good cup of coffee would be nice. It does take some time and some energy to find a great cup of gourmet coffee these days. If you do know of a perfect coffee shop, you are one of the lucky ones. But, did you know that you can in effect make a healthy cup of coffee on your own from home?

Here are 7 simple steps that you can take to produce the perfect cup
of coffee every time.

Start with grade. One of the most vital aspects of coffee drinking is the level of the coffee that you start off with. If you have a favorite flavor, then purchase whole beans in that flavor. If you can do this, it will enable you to get the freshest coffee on the earth.

Grind away. Purchase a quality coffee grinder. Some of the best grinders available today are easy to use and simple to clean up. By grinding your own coffee beans, youll be able to only grind what you need, meaning that you will have complete freshness in your coffee.

Store It Right And Tight. It is very important to store your coffee tightly. Air oxidizes the coffee and can make it to get bitter quickly. Metal canisters can also allow a metal taste to get into the coffee, making it taste bad.

The top solution is for a plastic or ceramic air tight container for your coffee and coffee beans. Also, store it at room temperature because the moisture in the fridge or freezer can make it go bad faster.

Getting To The Coffee

The Maker. The coffee maker that you use is also fundamental. No matter what style that you go with, you can get a good cup of coffee out of it if you take the important steps to keeping it fresh.

For example, you should insure that the coffee maker is kept clean after each use. In fact, youll need to make sure that you detail clean it, with the help of vinegar, every so often as well. Your preferences will in the end determine which style of coffee maker you will use. Make sure that it uses a permanent filter in it.

Even In The Water. Even the water that you use is important to the quality of the coffee you will get from it. It is essential that you use water that is free from chlorine and minerals.

Often, using bottled water rather than tap water will improve the grade of the coffee. Also, keep the water nice and hot. A good temperature for the water is about 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Produce The Right Amount. It is also substantial for you to use the right quantity of coffee beans and coffee grounds in the maker. Too many and you will have a very strong cup of coffee and too few will make it to be too weak. Follow the directions provided by the coffee producer for the best cup of coffee.

Lastly and probably the most crucial aspect of getting a great cup of gourmet coffee is to make sure to enjoy your coffee when it is hot and fresh. Most restaurants are told to keep coffee for less than thirty minutes, but at home, the best coffee is the coffee that hasnt sat for more than twenty minutes.

By Expert Author: John Thompson
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/

Sweet And Creamy

prefer vanilla latte. To me, it's sweet and creamy, but it still gives a lot of room for the fresh ground coffee taste***Some people like to always keep enough selection of latte syrups and coffee creamers ...

Sweet And Creamy

If you delight to get another cup of coffee, no problems about that! Coffee is now on every street corner everywhere in the country.

And if you are a big java drinker, feel at home. You are one of those who look to a fine caffeine beverage everyday to start their morning the right way. Coffee is now the bomb!

What makes coffee very great these days is the mad selection. There are now so many coffee mixtures that your head spins thinking of them. With all the expresso-based lattes that are available, you will surely find one that will impress you.

These days, what is important is the syrups and coffee creamers galore.

I don't know what your favorite cup of coffee is. But for me, I always prefer vanilla latte. To me, it's sweet and creamy, but it still gives a lot of room for the fresh ground coffee taste.

This is where it beats many of the new-age coffee creamers and syrups because they woefully fail to do that.

If you have ever tried a hazelnut or amaretto latte you will notice that the flavor of the syrup is very powerful; herein the true coffee taste doesn't shine through.

This is what some people prefer. For example, my wife is in love with the infinite syrups and coffee creamers that she has. In her words, she wants her coffee to be sweet and creamy and also with a hint of coffee flavor.

Of course she's not alone in this preference. Many people have different tastes and prefer different things from other people. This is the reason why the variety of coffee creamers and flavor is so fantastic.

Some people like to always keep enough selection of latte syrups and coffee creamers everywhere in the kitchen as a random break from the norm. This helps when company arrives. People always love selection, that is why it is said that "variety is the spice of life".

Whether or not they like a nice espresso drink or just a cup of drip coffee, they can find syrups and coffee creamers that will pleasantly compliment either.

I don't know about you, but I prefer keeping a few rich coffee creamers handy in my refrigerator in case my parents pop in. Like all parents, they are old-school coffee drinkers and always prefer perking fresh pot each morning.

All the new craze of cappuccinos, lattes, and iced coffee drinks haven't done anything for their retro tastes.

Do you notice how they laugh at us when we drink iced lattes with whip cream? Whichever, you can always find a decent selection of latte syrups and coffee creamers for your pleasure, either at your local grocery store or online.

By Expert Author: Bill Johnson
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/

Coffee - To Drink Or Not To Drink?

one cannot feel how fast one's body is getting rid of caffeine, it is advisable not to take more than 4 cups of coffee a day... the minor change in blood pressure due to their morning coffee is likely to be harmless for most people, drink 2 cups or less of coffee per day...

Coffee - To Drink Or Not To Drink?

Is coffee really bad for our heart? This is a question that coffee lovers keep asking their doctors hoping to get an answer that can allow them to drink as much coffee as possible. This is also an issue that is continuously debated over the years. Unfortunately, there is still no conclusive evidence on the connection between coffee (caffeine) and heart disease. From time to time, contradicting reports were released.

For example, a study, conducted by University of Athens and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in June 2005, found that coffee drinkers' major blood vessels were stiffer than those of non-coffee drinkers. As such, the researchers urged those people, who have high blood pressure or other risk factors for heart disease and drink more than three cups of coffee a day, to cut down on coffee consumption. On the other hand, a report, published in Circulation Journal in May 2006, showed that coffee drinkers did not have a higher risk of heart disease, even for those whose coffee intake exceeding six cups per day.

Yet another interesting research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in March 2006, reported that caffeine in coffee is unhealthy for some but beneficial to others, depending on a "gene" that determines how fast the chemical is metabolized. The study that was conducted by the University of Toronto on 4,024 study participants living in coffee-rich Costa Rica between 1994 and 2004. According to the research, slightly more than half of the participants had the slow version of the gene while the other half had the fast form. Individuals who had the slow-acting gene, as little as two cups of coffee a day is associated with an increased risk of heart disease: two or three cups of coffee a day increased the risk by 36% while four or more cups a day increased the risk by 64%. For those who had the fast version of the gene, there was no increased risk, even with four or more cups a day. More surprisingly, it is also found that individuals under 50 years of age who were fast metabolizers, consumption of as little as one to three cups a day was associated with a "lower risk of heart attack". Those with the fast-acting gene who drank two to three cups of coffee a day had a 22% reduced odds of having a heart attack, but consuming four or more cups a day did not further reduced the risk.

The study also revealed that the liver enzyme cytochrome P450 1A2 which is responsible for metabolizing caffeine, has slow 1F version and a fast 1A version. However, as tests to determine which form of gene one carries are not readily available, one cannot feel how fast one's body is getting rid of caffeine, it is advisable not to take more than 4 cups of coffee a day.

In general, the minor change in blood pressure due to their morning coffee is likely to be harmless for most people. However, researchers also warned that caffeine has a greater effect on blood pressure in people with a family history of hypertension or with borderline high blood pressure. If you are not sure which research is accurate or which gene you belong to, just stick to the lowest recommended one: drink 2 cups or less of coffee per day.

By Expert Author: Ng Peng Hock
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/

Espresso Drinks - The Classic Category

Espresso Drinks - The Classic Category, Espresso:Espresso Ristretto (US); Short (Pacific); Corto (Italy),Espresso Lungo (Italy, US), Long (Pacific),Espresso Romano (US; Italian-American): Espresso con Panna (Italy, US):..

Espresso Drinks - The Classic Category

The focus here is to look at the various espresso-based drinks that make up the classic Italian and Italian American cuisines, hence providing a complete list of the "Classic" Espresso Drinks.

Espresso is an Italian term, which refers to a particular type of brewing method. Here, very hot, but not boiling, water under a lot of pressure is forced through ground coffee powder. Espresso has grown so immensely popular over the years that it is more than just a way to make coffee. It is a complete coffee cuisine. And with the espresso technology being taken on by other countries and cultures outside Italy, one cuisine has become numerous cuisines. The basic component of these cuisines is always the coffee being brewed the espresso way. Variation is in the other components added to the coffee namely milk, chocolate and in the United States, an increasing variety of syrups and garnishes.

The different espresso cuisines include the:

1. Classic northern Italy cuisine;
2. Italian-American cuisine (developed by Italian-Americans in the United States);
3. Postmodern cuisine (United States Seattle-style cuisine);
4. Cuban cuisine and
5. other Latin American cuisines

This article aims to focus on the espresso-based variations that make up the first two cuisines. These can be referred to as the Classic espresso beverages:

The Classic Category:

1. Espresso:
a straight 1 ounce, referred to as a 'shot'. Black coffee and is usually drunk with sugar.

2. Espresso Ristretto (US); Short (Pacific); Corto (Italy):
of a standard espresso shot. Hence also called 'shortened' espresso. This is the "small is beautiful" espresso drink that is even denser and more aromatic than the normal espresso.

3. Espresso Lungo (Italy, US), Long (Pacific):
An extra long pull letting about twice the amount of water pass through 1 standard shot, giving a relatively over-extracted and weaker tasting drink. This term is not used frequently in US since by Italian standards, most American servings are already considered long.

4. Espresso Romano (US; Italian-American):
Standard espresso, but served with a twist of lemon on the side of the cup.

5. Espresso con Panna (Italy, US):
1 standard shot, topped with whipped cream and an optional topped of unsweetened chocolate powder.

6. Double (US); Doppio (Italy):
2 espresso shots in one cup. Also known as 'double-shot'.

7. Cappuccino:
1 standard shot of espresso, topped by hot steamed milk and milk froth. A well-done cappuccino in the classic Italian-American cuisine consists of about 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk and 1/3 pretty stiff foam. In cappuccino, the hot frothed milk is always added to the espresso coffee. And like most espresso drinks, it is usually drunk with sugar.

8. Caf?(c) Latte (US):
1 to 2 shots of espresso and 3 times as much hot milk. Latte has a greater proportion of milk to coffee than cappuccino does. Hence, it has a weaker and milkier taste. To prepare Latte, the milk and coffee is poured simultaneously from either side of the glass.

9. Espresso Macchiato (Italy, US):
1 standard shot, but topped with a small amount of milk steam foam.

10. Latte Macchiato (Italy, US):
Hot frothed milk is first poured to a glass, followed by slow dribbling of the espresso. In other words, the coffee 'stains' the milk. Notice that in case of cappuccino, the milk and froth are added later to the coffee; in latte, milk and coffee are poured at the same time into the glass, whereas in latte macchiato, the coffee is poured into the milk and forth. Thus creating a layered effect, which can be viewed through the serving glass.

11. Caf?(c) Mocha (US):
In the Italian American cuisine, this is prepared by mixing 1 standard espresso shot with 2 ounces of thick strong hot chocolate and lastly topped with hot frothed milk. On the other hand, more and more American cafes are preparing mocha by merely adding chocolate fountain syrup to a caf?(c) latte.

By Expert Author: Michael Russel
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/

Espresso - Brewing the Perfect Shot at Home

Creating the perfect espresso at home can be challenging, but well worth it. Brewing espresso properly takes a little more care and knowledge than just brewing a cup of coffee....

Espresso - Brewing the Perfect Shot at Home

First, make sure you have the proper machine for espresso. There are many home machines on the market, from small inexpensive models for around $30, to ultra fancy $2000 models. They type you get will of course depend on your budget and what you are looking for, but keep in mind that getting quality espresso will usually result in paying at least several hundred dollars for a machine. The functions to look for in a quality machine include: - a hot water tank that will heat the water to around 190F. - It should have an adjustable pressure meter on it. Good espresso is pulled when the pressure gauge reads around 9 atmospheres. - If you are going to be making milk based drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos, you will want a milk steamer wand. Separate hot water tanks for the espresso and steamer are best, as the pressure won't be depleted for the espresso when you steam the milk.

The next most important item is the coffee itself. You want the freshest coffee you can find. And it should be whole bean. If you are going to take the time to brew your own espresso, really make it worthwhile and grind it yourself! You can either purchase your coffee at a local coffee house, or through mail order. Try to only order as much coffee as you will be using in a week or two. Contrary to popular belief, espresso does not have to be extremely dark roasted coffee. The best espresso can come from a more medium to dark roast than a very oily bean. Too dark and your espresso may come out bitter. Also, if you are drinking milk-based beverages, don't buy a light roast, as you need the espresso to be able to cut through the milk.

And speaking of grinding, you will want a particular type of grinder - a burr grinder. The common grinder available (and the cheapest) is a blade grinder. While these certainly do the job of grinding coffee beans, the resulting grounds are uneven in texture. Espresso really requires a fine consistent grind, since pressure is used to brew the espresso, rather than just seeping through the grounds. Burr grinders grind the coffee through rotating discs, which create an even grind. The burr grinders are also adjustable, so you can play with the grind that works best with your espresso machine. And don't run flavored coffee through your burr grinder, it can gum up on the parts and cause the grinder not to work properly. Save the flavored coffee for your blade grinder.

The perfect amount of espresso for a shot is 7 grams exactly. This much espresso will should give you a shot pull of around 20 seconds, which is just about the ideal amount of time to create the best shot.

Sound a little complicated? It's not - once you start making the espresso properly for yourself, you will never go back to your old way of brewing! A little knowledge and preparation will result in espresso that will rival any local coffee shop!

By Expert Author: Michael Russell
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/

Espresso - A Taste of Italy in Every Sip

Italians are proud of their tradition and do know what a good espresso means...Espresso Americano can be consumed with milk and sugar....

Espresso - A Taste of Italy in Every Sip

Traditionally served in a "demitasse" - a special cup with a capacity of 3 oz. - as a shot, espresso is a special drink: a mouthful of sensations and flavor. Espresso defines the very essence of coffee.

Italians are proud of their tradition and do know what a good espresso means. When asked, they'll even define the true test of a perfect espresso: when you ad sugar to it, the sugar should remain at the surface of the cream for thirty seconds before sinking. Are you ready to start counting? Customarily espresso is drunk in one sip. But what if you want to double the pleasure? Well, you could just order a second espresso, or order a Doppio from the start. An espresso doppio means, in Italian, a double shot.

Espresso Americano, as the name suggests, is a type of beverage consumed in the "American style". Practically what you do is add hot water over a traditionally prepared espresso to make a full regular cup. Espresso Americano can be consumed with milk and sugar.

For a richer taste, there are other espresso recipes you might want to try. Espresso topped with a spoonful of whipped cream is also known as espresso con panna. Or maybe you'll find tastier a macchiato: espresso topped with milk foam. An espresso Romano is a traditional espresso shot with a twist of lemon. For a hot summer day, try a Granita: freeze sweetened espresso and then crush it. This is a perfect topping for ice cream specialties as well.

You can also enjoy espresso in various cocktails. A classic espresso cocktail is the Espresso Martini. To prepare a drink for two you need 7 oz vodka, one espresso shot, ?? oz Kahlua and ice. Shake vodka and crushed ice for about 30 seconds, then add espresso and Kahlua and give it another two or three shakes. Let it stand for about a minute and then strain into two martini glasses. Garnish with coffee beans.

Another vodka-based espresso cocktail is called simple: Vodka Espresso. Shake one shot of vodka, one espresso shot, two teaspoons of castor sugar and ice cubes for thirty seconds. Strain into a glass and layer one shot of Amarula Cream on top.

Another tasty cocktail with espresso is the Mocha Martini. Let's say you've forgotten to drink your espresso shot and now it's cold. Why waste such a delicious beverage? Use it in a cocktail: shake one shot cold espresso, one shot bourbon, one shot cocoa liqueur and one shot Amarula Cream with crushed ice. Strain into a chilled glass and then float half a shot of double cream in the center. Garnish with cocoa powder.

As you see, espresso is an amazing drink that can ad flavor to many other drinks. One may be able to even define espresso as a sip of Italy: sensual, romantic, full of flavor, appetizing, mysterious and passionate. You can enjoy this beverage in its traditional form, or let your imagination discover new possibilities. Chefs even use espresso to improve the taste of certain cakes and ice cream, create syrups and much more. Why not create your own espresso-based recipe?

By Expert Author: Michael Russell
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/

Coffee Drink Recipes From Around The World

Grown all around the planet but especially in Ethiopia, the Middle East, Columbia and Brazil, coffee seeds are extracted, dried, and then roasted..Coffee beans, consisting of caffeine and a variety of oils....

Coffee Drink Recipes From Around The World

Coffee is the second highest imported commodity in todays industry, right behind petroleum. This beverage has become so widely used that many coffee-derivative drinks have been produced and consumed for years. Below are a few everyday coffee drink recipes.


The first drink would, of course, be coffee. Grown all around the planet but especially in Ethiopia, the Middle East, Columbia and Brazil, coffee seeds are extracted, dried, and then roasted. The system in preparation is complex, but the coffee drink recipe for coffee is simple: Coffee beans, consisting of caffeine and a variety of oils indigenous to the particular environment in which the beans are extracted.

One coffee drink, called Ca Phe Sua, cosmopolitan in Vietnam comes in two variations Ca Phe Sua Da (coffee, milk, and ice) and Ca Phe Sua Nong (coffee and milk hot). The coffee drink recipe for the first consists of the simple method of blending dark French Roast with a quarter to half percent of condensed milk and then pouring, through a small drip filter, over ice. The coffee drink recipe for the second is related, but ice is withheld, leaving only hot Ca Phe Sua.

The famous and widely consumed Espresso, invented and developed in Italy and cosmopolitan all over Europe, has a wide array of coffee drink recipes. Only a couple of them are described here.

A formal Italian Espresso is constructed by forcing moderately hot water through high pressure (nine to ten atmospheres, or bars) into extremely fine-ground coffee to create a drink thicker in consistency than regular coffee and composed of a variety of vegetable oils, proteins, sugars, and reddish-brown foam called Crema.

Espresso has very little water. The coffee drink recipe for Caffe Americano (American Coffee), an American version of Espresso, has a higher degree of water and is assembled similar to the drip-brew fashion.

The coffee drink recipe for Latte (Italian for milk) is a simple one: Caf a Latte, meaning Coffee and Milk, is composed of one-third Espresso and two-thirds steamed milk, poured together simultaneously into either side of the drinking cup. Caf Lattes typically have foam floating on top.

The Frappaccino is a popular drink sold by the Starbucks coffee chain. This coffee drink recipe is as follows: one-part soluble coffee is blended with water, which in turn is mixed with an one-part proprietary liquid comprised of milk, sugar substances, and caramel flavoring and then ultimately with ice. A Frappaccino has a milkshake consistency, an enduring coffee flavor, and is chilled before drinking.

All of these and many other coffee drink recipes are available on the Interweb or in various recipe books. For those who love coffee, these coffee drink recipes will leave mouths watering!

By Expert Author: John Thompson
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/