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Coffee is a favorite beverage around the world. Morning, noon, or night a fresh cup of coffee is satisfying. In recent years we have been introduced to a wide array of coffees include gourmet. Gourmet coffee is considered gourmet because it is freshly ground from the coffee beans. Learning to make a great cup of gourmet coffee at home is deeply satisfying and simple as long as you keep in mind a few simple tips.

For the best flavor you should purchase whole coffee beans from specialty shops only. Although larger grocery stores are starting to carry coffee beans, the specialty shops beans tend to be fresher and therefore have more flavors.

When you grind your coffee beans only grind enough for current needs. This will keep the coffee fresh longer. If you don’t have a grinder and buy the ground coffee, keep it in an airtight container. I t is important to close the bag or container tightly to keep the aroma in the coffee. Keep the coffee in a cool dry place, if you keep it in the refrigerator or freezer keeps it away from foods which produce a strong odor. The flavors may mix making the coffee bitter tasting. Try to use you coffee up in a few days to two weeks since coffee loses flavor quickly.

Water from the tap is fine although some people swear by fresh bottled spring water. No matter which type of water you choose, always use the coldest water possible. Water contains more oxygen the colder it is making the coffee richer and more flavorful. Do not use distilled water as it produces a flat cup of coffee.

Measuring your coffee is more a matter of taste than anything else. Generally it is recommended 1 teaspoon of coffee for every six ounces of water. Don’t trust the measurements on your coffeemaker. Measure out the water to get the best tasting gourmet coffee.

When brewing, the best cup of gourmet coffee is brewed using the manual drip method, a French press pot, or a vacuum pot. Traditional drip pots do an okay job but vary greatly from each other. Some of the best coffeepots are quite expensive but well worth the money. Your coffee should only be kept warm on the burner for twenty minutes, after that it will become bitter. You should brew your coffee no more than five minutes before you plan to drink it, after that transfer the coffee to a thermos or carafe.

Drinking gourmet coffee black will preserve the most flavor. Using creamer in your coffee will produce a richer creamier taste. Skim milk will not change the taste much unless you add a lot, therefore is not recommended. If you would like to add sugar raw sugar will add sweeter flavor than white. For artificial sweeteners Splenda is recommended as other sweeteners will add a bitter taste to your coffee.

Making a gourmet cup of coffee at home is pleasing and easy to do. The flavor and aroma will satisfy you as well as stepping into your favorite specialty shop. Enjoy your gourmet coffee to the fullest by following these tips!

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Delicious Gourmet Gifts at http://www.deliciousgourmetgifts.com

Coffee is not only universal, but controversial.

It is a strange fact that other people’s coffee often seems mysteriously to be more delicious than your own. This is possibly an extension of the basic premise that any meal you did not cook will seem excellent.

There are approximately a hundred ways to make coffee - (yes, there are!) - but there is probably only one way that suits you. Our personal preference is a Chemex - but in the past we have loved percolators - and in our extreme youth, we knew how to make delicious boiled coffee with an egg shell!

So the method of making coffee - and the particular blend that suits you - are a very personal matter with which you must cope experimentally. But since a good cup of coffee is distinctively American, this is worthy of your determined experimentation.

Coffee-makers are not exorbitant in price; you can afford to buy several different kinds for personal testing. (The ones you don’t like will be enormously helpful when you give a big party!)

Nearly all packaged coffees are similar in price; try one after another, until you find the blend you prefer.

Special coffees are a different matter. Generally available is an Italian Espresso coffee. French coffee usually contains a great deal of roasted chicory (in order to stretch the coffee which France does not produce in sufficient quantity), and is therefore slightly bitter.

Turkish coffee is a powder, brewed strong and served very sweet in small cups. It can be bought (by mail, if necessary) from Charles & Co., New York City.

Check out some of these coffee recipes to top off your gourmet dinner.

Cafe Au Lait

The true French cafe au lait is a balance of hot milk and strong coffee.

Heat equal parts of milk and heavy cream very gently in a double boiler - one cup each. Pour the hot cream-milk into one pitcher - and fill a second with fresh strong hot coffee.

Serve by pouring simultaneously from both pitchers into a coffee cup.

Mocha Coffee

4 squares bitter cooking chocolate

1 tsp ground cinnamon

4 cups strong hot coffee

Melt the chocolate and cinnamon in the top of a double boiler; gradually stir in the hot coffee, and distribute among four double-sized coffee cups. Serve with sugar and cream.

Cafe Royale

This is a do-it-yourself for guests: provide each with a large cup of strong hot black coffee - plus a bouillon spoon containing a lump of sugar, floated in brandy (as much as you can get in the spoon).

Light each spoonful of brandy; hold until the flames die, plunge into cup, then stir until the sugar dissolves.

Cafe Diable

An extension of Cafe Royale. This requires a chafing dish. In a heated chafing dish, mix.

5 whole cloves

2 thin slices of lemon peel and orange peel

1 stick of cinnamon

6 lumps of sugar

1 1/2 cup of brandy

Set this afire, and add four cups of strong hot coffee. Stir, and serve (with a ladle) in demitasse cups. As with eggs, every country in the world has its own method of serving coffee.

Austrian Coffee

Top each serving of coffee - either iced or hot - with plenty of sweetened whipped cream.

French Coffee

The slightly bitter, chicory-impregnated coffee used for a demitasse - brew it double strength - serve in the tiny demitasse cups, and provide a stick of cinnamon instead of a spoon. Sissies are allowed a lump of sugar - but cream does not go with this coffee.

Since all of these coffees involve similar ingredients, you can easily ask guests which coffee they prefer and make individual coffees for each.

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Coffee is one of the world’s most widely traded commodities, second only to oil in production numbers. So it comes as quite a shock that many coffee growers around the world are beginning to lose money and go broke. Why is this? Because the price of coffee is currently at a 30-year low, maintaining the vicious cycle of surplus production, falling demand, and falling prices that has plagued the coffee industry for the last few years. After the high demand for coffee of the 1990’s, many retailers are losing their customers to high caffeine energy drinks and healthier beverages.

For a few lucky members of the coffee industry, they can afford to invest the time and technology to specialize in a select few highly prized varieties of gourmet coffee. Coffee producers who can choose this option are ensuring the survival of their business and, in some cases, are thriving in their new niche. But a vast majority of the individuals in the coffee industry are not faring as well.

The Problem For The Coffee Industry

There are close to 25 million coffee growers in the coffee industry, with many of them located in the poorest countries of Central America and Africa. It is estimated that close to 600,000 coffee workers have lost their jobs in recent months, fueling a flight to find jobs for many able-bodied men and women. In some countries, such as Columbia, many in the coffee industry have chosen to switch to a more profitable crop like cocoa to save their businesses.

In Brazil, many of the largest producers for the coffee industry have cut their workforces by as much as 90%, mainly due to automating their production. Although this saves the average consumer a small amount of money when the product is purchased, it costs the region thousands, if not millions of jobs. Out of the $3.00 on average that a consumer pays for a canister of coffee, the coffee farmers earn an average of $0.35.

The biggest danger to the coffee industry is oversupply. While the supply is growing worldwide at an annual average of 3%, demand has grown at a paltry 1% in the same time frame. Many countries have increased their coffee production to gain a larger slice of the coffee industry, flooding the market with cheaper and cheaper products. Many retailers are also replacing the coffee beans in their blends with cheaper coffee beans to improve their profits. This proves to be a double edged sword as many consumers are turned off on the harsh quality of these new blends.

To revive the coffee industry, the supply must be reduced to meet the demand and higher quality products need to be the focus of the retailers, as this is the product that consumers want. There is no one fix that can immediately bring the industry back to the glory of the 1990’s, but with vision and focus, the major players can make a start at bringing back the coffee business. And everyone enjoys a good cup of coffee.

Find more Helpful Keurig Coffee Makers tips, advice Click Here: http://www.keurigcoffeemakerreviews.com
A Popular website that specializes in tips and resources to include Gevalia Coffee Review.

What is organic coffee? Organic coffee is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems reload and preserve soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and construct biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic farmers use only techniques and substances allowed in organic production.

What does it mean to be certified organic? In order for coffee to be certified and sold as organic in the United States, it must be created in accordance with U.S. standards for organic manufacture and certified by an agency accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. U.S. prerequisites for organic coffee production include:

1. It must have been developed on land without fake pesticides or other prohibited substances for three years.
2. There must have been a sufficient barrier between the organic coffee and the nearest conventional crop.
3. The farmer must have a prolong crop rotation plan to avoid erosion, the exhaustion of soil nutrients, and control for pests.

What is the size of the U.S. organic coffee market? Organic Trade Association data shows that organic coffee sales in the United States totaled approximately $89 million in 2005, up 40.4 percent from the previous year. Data collected by AC Nielsen during 2005 demonstrated organic coffee sales grew 54 percent through Nov. 6, contrasted to the same period in 2004, while non-organic coffee sales swelled only 8.5 percent. According to the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), at least 56 percent of U.S. forte coffee firms sell certified organic coffee.

Given the existing popularity of Starbucks and other specialty coffees, it may be surprising that U.S. per capita coffee use is only half of what it was in the mid-1940s. Man, was I surprised when I found this out. You would think with all the Starbucks and their competitors on every corner that coffee consumption had gone through the roof. ERS’s food availability data, a alternative for consumption, show a rise and fall in coffee consumption over the past century. Per capita availability of coffee in the United States peaked in 1946 at 46.4 gallons per person, compared with 24.2 gallons in 2005.

Data on per capita coffee accessibility are starting to mirror the mounting popularity of specialty coffees. Declining supermarket sales of coffee have been offset by increases in coffee use away from home. Private market research data show sales at coffeehouses increased by 97 percent between 1998 and 2003. Per capita coffee availability has risen almost 20 percent since its recent low in 1995. Fashionable coffee shops appear to have hit the mark for prosperous coffee drinkers desire for a cafe atmosphere that serves diverse, eminence coffee and coffee beverages, such as lattes, cappuccino, espresso, and frozen coffees.

So why would I want to consume organic coffee? I guess the bottom-line is that it is liberated of chemicals. Lord knows I put enough chemicals in my body from eating processed foods. I am your typical American, overweight, and enjoy eating foods that are preserved with preservatives that I can’t even articulate. My daddy would tell me of the times when he lived on a farm and how they used what they had to preserve their foods. Anyway, ingestion of coffee that is organic seems like a good idea. I guess I will have to go out and purchase some so I can experience the joys of drinking organic coffee. At least I am not one of the people who are contributing to the fewer consumption of coffee in the United States.

Jerry Johnson owns the Organic Coffee Store as well as several other successful web stores. He has a passion for sharing information that can make life easier for all of us. Visit the Organic Coffee Store for great deals on organic coffee.

Can you imagine starting the day without a cup of hot coffee to perk you up? A breakfast get-together with friends or an early business meeting will not be complete without mugs of coffee being passed around.

Coffee if one of the most popular beverages in the world. Its origin can be traced back centuries ago, from Ethiopa where it made its way onto Egypt and Europe. From then on, the preparation of coffee has become a tradition as well as a craze in the modern pop culture.

This stimulant drink is made of coffee beans, roasted to perfection and blended into the perfect hot or cold drink. There are basically two kinds of coffee plants: Robusta and Arabica.

Arabica is the older kind of coffee, which many think tastes better than the other variant.

Robusta, which contains almost half as much caffeine as an Arabica is much bitter tasting than its predecessor.

A lot of farmers in Central America, Africa, and Asian countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia depend on coffee planting as their main source of livelihood. Brazil is the largest coffee-producing country in the world.

Here is a quick run-through on how this addicting beverage is prepared:

1. Coffee plants are grown and once they mature enough, they are picked and harvested.

2. Once the coffee beans or coffee cherries are picked, they are sorted and dried. This is where the term ‘first pick’ came from.

3. After the coffee beans are sorted, they are either dried or aged, depending on the variety of coffee.

4. Then, the beans are either roasted or ground to make instant coffee, or the beans are sold by themselves for coffee to be made in your own home.

There are a thousand and one ways to prepare your coffee. You can use instant coffee and dissolve it in hot water for a quick, reviving cup during a long day.

It can also be prepared using the good old coffee machine where ground coffee is steeped through a paper filter, combined with hot water, to come up with the perfect brew.

There is also the more complicated espresso machines, which give the drinkers an added punch to their caffeine fix. These machines combine steam or boiling water with the ground coffee beans to produce a stronger aroma and flavor.

‘Go Loco over Latte Coffee’

When you go to any establishment specializing in coffee preparation, if you are not a coffee enthusiast, you might get confused with the unique language.

Terms like espresso, macchiato, java, espresso, shot, skim, whip, dry and foam are casually thrown around. They all relate to one’s personal preference on how they like to take their daily caffeine fix.

Cafe latte is one popular flavor of gourmet coffee.

This refreshing drink has three layers. First, one serving of espresso is poured over the cup or mug. This is followed by a generous serving of steamed milk. Lastly, a spoonful or more of foamed milk or cream adds the final touch to the perfect cup of cafe latte.

No matter how you prefer to take your coffee, be it black, with cream, or gourmet like cafe latte with all the exquisite and creamy toppings, there is no doubt that this beverage’s popularity will not wane anytime soon.

Dave Poon is an accomplished writer who specializes in
the latest in Food and Drink. For more information
regarding Latte Coffee please drop by at http://www.hotcoffeeplus.com/

What is better than a nice, warm cup of coffee to wake you up in the morning? Anyone? That is right, there really are not many other ways to warm and wake you up everyday.

A great cup of coffee can give you that extra rush of energy you need to not only get through the day, but to power through the day. However, visiting your favorite local coffee shop each and everyday can not only take a drain on your wallet, but also your sanity. Not only can coffee drinks cost up to $4 a cup, but when you are in a rush trying to get to work on time, you do not want to wait in line while someone in front of you can not decide if they want non-fat, 2 percent or whole in their coffee.

If you are like me, you like to save your money and spend it wisely. We all work hard for our green, so it is obvious that most people would want it spent in the smartest way. Your average cup of coffee (a medium at most places) will run you about $3.50 (on average). Doing a little simple addition, we see that $3.50 a day, five days a week equals 17.50 dollars. That is just for a week.

Granted, most people do not just drink coffee for a week and then call it quits. At this rate, have a cup of coffee everyday would cost you around seventy dollars a month, and up to 910 dollars a year. Imagine a way to completely eliminate these two factors from your life: insane coffee spending, and long lines at coffee shops. There has to be an answer, you say. Yes, yes there is; and I have it. The answer is simple: invest in an espresso machine!

With an expresso machine, you get the best of both worlds. First of all, you can make great coffee drinks in the comfort of your own home, whenever you want! Secondly, you save a lot of money in the long run by avoiding evil coffee shops like the plague. You might need to experiment to find your favorite drink, but anything that most coffee shops can make, you can make also! Experiment with different syrups, flavors of coffee, and methods of concocting your beverage of choice to find your favorite, signature drink that will have others lining up outside your door waiting for their coffee fix. There is an idea!

Espresso is a concentrated shot of coffee, much stronger than your average cup of black coffee. Espresso drinks are generally stronger and give a greater rush of energy and alertness than normal coffee. Most espresso drinks are mixed with other ingredients (syrups, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, etc.) to create mouth watering concoctions of coffee goodness! I can see it now, all you coffee lovers out there reading are drooling over the idea of a smooth cup of Joe right now. Go ahead, go get a towel, wipe up the drool and move on.

For any occasion, an expresso maker is a great investment. Depending of course on how much you are willing to spend on your espresso maker, you should quickly make it back and then some by not shelling over your hard earned cash to those coffee shops each and every day.

Your time and sanity are also not to be forgotten. Nobody likes waiting in lines, so just imagine how better off your life would be not having to stand in line at a coffee shop all day. Waiting, just waiting to shell over your cash for a few minutes of taste bud joy.

Now, before you run out the door in a mad dash, be sure to sit down and do some research about the many kinds of espresso machines out there (and believe me there are quite a few). Decide what kind of features you want, how much you are willing to spend for the extra frills (you know, the cool stuff that is nice to have but you do not really need), and finally, visit your favorite local store and just browse through them and decide on one you like. This is an investment, so obviously it is going to cost more than a few cups of coffee, but in the long run you are saving yourself money, time, and more money.

So what are you waiting for? I think I have presented more than enough evidence that an expresso maker is a great and probably necessary investment for any coffee lover out there. Make coffee in the comfort of your own home whenever you like, save tons of money, and even make plenty of coffee for all those get togethers and family events at your house! Get an espresso maker today!

Coffee Lover with interests in Expresso Maker and Expresso Machine products