Coffee--Everything You Need to Know From Arabica to Zanzibar
With a gourmet cup of coffee costing almost as much as a luncheon sandwich these days, more and more people are making their coffee at home from an "old fashioned" drip coffee machine.
Thanks to Starbucks and the other vendors out there, coffee from a can or a jar just doesn't work anymore.
Coffee has become the second most valuable item of international trade, just behind petroleum.
Worldwide, coffee lovers drink 2.25 billion cups a DAY!
To satisfy that thirst, the world's coffee growers, each year, produce about 6 million tons of green coffee beans and ship them to thousands of coffee roasters around the globe.
People who drink coffee range from those interested only in the caffeine "buzz," to the true aficionado, who, like wine connieseurs, are concerned with color, taste, quality and aroma.For valuable tips about coffee roasting and brewing, information about the latest scientific health studies dealing with coffee, and hundreds of articles, recipes, and locations to buy the best beans at the most affordable prices please visit http://www.coffeefolks.com Whether you order a cup a "joe", some hot "java" or a caffe macchiato, the primary ingredient remains the coffee bean.
Coffee begins on a tree in a warm climate where rainfall is about 50 inches a year, the soil is well drained and preferably volcanic (this is why Hawaiian Kona coffee is so highly prized).
The fruit of the coffee plant is called a "cherry" and is appropriately red in color.
The heart of the cherry, generally two beans, is separated from the husk by hand and then air and sun dried.
Separating the bean from its outer husk, called "hulling" is done either mechanically or by hand.
These green beans, as they are now known, have a shelf life of about two years.The mythical story on the discovery of coffee and its use by human beings, involves an Ethiopian goatherd named Kaldi.
Kaldi watched in awe and amusement as his flock behaved very strangely each time they ate the bright red fruit from a special plant.
He tried the berries and found himself suddenly alert and full of energy.
The following day Kaldi reported his experience to a Muslim holy man at a nearby monastery who later gathered some berries which he found to have a bitter taste.
Hoping to improve their flavor he roasted them in a fire, crushed them with a stone and boiled them in water.
Almost immediately after trying his new concoction, his brain became more active and he was able to stay awake all night without being tired in the morning.
News of this miracle berry drink spread rapidly throughout the Middle East and by the 16th century, European travelers were praising the drink in their journals.
The secret was out!Most gourmet coffee is produced from Arabica beans which results in a coffee rich and full, providing an intense and fulfilling taste experience.
Unlike Robusa coffee, which is considered inferior in taste, aroma and body, Arabica beans grow at higher elevations which means that they take longer to mature thus allowing the beans to produce more of the oils which give coffee its remarkable flavor.
With tastes including caramel, chocolate, nutty, earthy, spicy or even floral, gourmet coffee has something for nearly every palate.It is the roasting process, however, correctly described as both an art and a science, that is essential to the outcome of any coffee.
Roasting gives coffee beans their characteristic dark color and intense aroma.
The heat cracks the beans, releasing the rich oils hidden inside.
Roast at a temperature that is too low, and the bean becomes sour.
Roast at too high a temperature and the bean is burnt with a the taste of wood ash.
The darker roasts produce the espressos, while the lighter roasts yield the more mellow morning coffees.Grinding the coffee, another critical phase in preparing the "perfect" cup, should be done at the last possible moment, just
before brewing.
Utensils should be clean and the water cold and untreated.
A good rule of thumb is a ratio of about one tablespoon of ground coffee to every six ounces of water.
Of course individual tastes vary, so adjust accordingly.The Internet is a tremendous source for the refined drinker of gourmet coffee. In addition to buying the world's greatest beans online, there is easy access to the miscellaneous accessories necessary to prepare the ideal beverage.
Coffee can be both a food and a pleasure and with a little online help the perfect ingredients can be easily gathered.P.S. In Italy, espresso is considered so essential to daily life that the price is regulated by the government.For an urnful of information, trivia, history, tips and advice about coffee, or if you are looking for a special gift, coffee accessories, or a unique coffee recipe visit http://www.coffeefolks.
My Book Contains "No Artificial Growth Hormones"
I don't usually get too excited about what I read in the news.
After all, what can I do about it?
But one item I recently saw made me jump up out of my chair.I rushed over to my clever lawyer's office."Look at this!" I proclaimed as I burst into his office.Clever Lawyer said nothing.
His client echoed his words with her ruby red lips.I placed the newspaper on his desk."Happy Guy, what are you doing here?" he wanted to know.
"We don't have a meeting.""Just look at this headline." I demanded, ignoring his irritating obsession with minute details.
"We should take action immediately."Slowly, Clever Lawyer picked up the newspaper and read the headline.
His eyes returned to me. "This says that Monsanto is suing Oakhurst Dairy for labels on their milk reading 'no artificial growth hormones'.
What does that have to do with you?""Don't you see?" I asked incredulously.
"Monsanto makes rBST, an artificial hormone for milk cows.
Fruit baskets > My Book Contains "No Artificial Growth Hormones"
Growing Vegetables in Containers - The compact solution
Container vegetable gardens are a great alternative for those that don't have access to backyards. There can be a range of reasons to grow your vegetables in containers...easy access to the kitchen, safer environments for children and the handicapped or just lack of a yard to use for gardening.Vegetable gardens in containers can also be extremely attractive and serve the dual purpose of style and function around your patio.The no dig vegetable garden can be just as successful in containers provided similar guidelines are followed. Drainage is vital so ensure your containers have appropriate drainage holes to allow water to escape. If they don't, the plants will literally 'drown' and will be susceptible to diseases. They also need a sunny space.
The advantage with vegetables grown in containers is that you can move the containers around to follow the sun if no one spot in your patio or garden is suitable.Vegetables grown in containers will need some additional attention. Their...
Growing Vegetables in Containers - The compact solution
Fruit baskets > Growing Vegetables in Containers - The compact solution
Keeping away from heart problems
Question : I AM in my early 30s and recently I went for a blood test. The results showed that I have an elevated blood cholesterol level. I was advised to take a fish oil supplement to prevent cardiovascular disease. Can you tell me which fish oil supplement is good for me? Answer : PREVENTION is always better than cure. If the cholesterol level is not well-controlled, it may lead to cardiovascular disease later.
Excessive cholesterol in the blood will increase the risk of atherosclerosis and eventually lead to heart attack or stroke. Fish oil is the richest source of Omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Clinical studies have shown that regular intake of fish oil can reduce the risk of a fatal heart attack by 20 per cent and lower elevated triglyceride levels. A high-grade fish oil concentrate is sourced from fish such as sardine and anchovy that are caught from clean waters. These types of fish have a shorter life cycle and are...
Keeping away from heart problems
Fruit baskets > Keeping away from heart problems
Practice extreme self-care.
At times when life seems to be getting us down or we're going through a period of stress and uncertainty, it's important to take special care of ourselves!- Take time out. If you can get away from your usual environment then do so. Go away for the weekend or even a day ? do something different or something you enjoy and do it just for you.- Spend time with people you care about. Your friends and family know you best and will be supportive and there for you. It's wonderful how you find true friends when the chips are down.- Treat yourself.
Get pampered or whatever allows you to indulge yourself. Book a relaxing massage, get retail therapy, savour a glass of your favourite wine or spend a whole day reading a book.- Look after your body. At times of stress our eating habits change. We're more likely to reach for packaged or convenience foods. Buy fresh fruit and vegetables and provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to be able to deal with the stress.
Your...
Practice extreme self-care.
Fruit baskets > Practice extreme self-care.
Fruit baskets Coffee--Everything You Need to Know From Arabica to Zanzibar
Fruit baskets perfume Coffee--Everything You Need to Know From Arabica to Zanzibar
Fruit baskets Coffee--Everything You Need to Know From Arabica to Zanzibar