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Tuesday, June 26, 2007

How Starbucks Made...

Top Ten Coffee : How Starbucks Made Coffee History

To sum it all up the Coffee Giant know as Starbucks Coffee, made a huge impact in all of our lives, from the way we drink our coffee, to the type of coffee we choose. Coffee was never such an idealized item until Starbucks Coffee company showed up and capitalized the entire industry, instead of ordering a plain coffee with cream and sugar we know have a wider variety to choose from including, cappuccino, espresso, different coffee flavors, irish cream, french vanilla, and others, there is just so much more it's incredible. Even though all this was available before the Coffee Mongol commercialized coffee completely, it didn't have much interest with any of us. And then the phenomenon, Now we cant seem to live without all these wiled coffee flavor's.

Lets take a step back in time:



At the beginning when the coffee giant first started out in Seattle in 1971, Starbucks coffee was just three friends with a passion for fresh gourmet coffee, Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl and Gordon Bowker, they opened a small shop and began selling fresh-roasted, gourmet coffee beans and brewing and roasting accessories.

In 1980 Zev Siegl wanted out to explore his opportunities elsewhere. By that time Starbucks coffee was the biggest roaster in Washington with six different stores. In 1981 the little coffee giant managed to get the attention of Howard Schultz, a plastics salesman that noticed the huge supply of plastic drip coffee thermoses they were buying from Hammarplast.

Starbucks Coffee 1982, history was marked forever when Baldwin hired the highly energetic Schultz as the new marketing developer. It was not long after that he was sent on a business trip to an international housewares show in Milan, Italy 1983. Schultz was amazed and amused with the vibrant coffee culture of Italy. In another town nearby Verona, Schultz had his first caffe’ latte’ and, as he noticed people at the cafe talking and laughing exiguously while sipping on their coffees in the luxurious surroundings, ideas starting flowing.

In what he describes as an epiphany, the idea hit him, "I could start a community gathering place like the great coffee house of Italy in the United States?" he thought to himself. This idea would place Starbucks coffee history into the annuls of business journals for many years to come.

Latter on, while back in the united states, Schultz's idea did not go over well with Baldwin and didn't think it would be a good idea to wager over into the restaurant business aswell distracting him from his original goal of selling whole coffee beans. However, he did let him try out a small espresso bar in the corner of one of the coffee stores. It was an immediate success and Schultz branched out on his own and opened Il Giornale, a coffee house named after Italy’s largest newspaper, ‘The Daily’.

1987 Starbucks coffee was up for sale and Schultz managed to raise $3.8 million by convincing investors of his vision, one hundred and twenty-five outlets in the next five years. Schultz modified the Starbucks bare-breasted mermaid logo into a more socially acceptable figure, changed the name of Il Giornale to Starbucks and converted the six existing Starbucks coffee roasting shops into a more elegant, suitable coffee houses. Starbucks coffee history was just starting to take form.

Shultz reached his goal and more by 125 stores in 5 years, 1992 there were 165 cafes up and running. Today there are more then 8,000 stores in 30 different countries and annual revenues over $7.5 billion.

Monday, June 25, 2007

High Quality...

Top Ten Coffee : High Quality Coffee Beans

Getting a great cup of coffee is a combination of many different reasons. These reasons include what equipment you use, if the equipment is clean, the water used and its quality, when the coffee beans you use were roasted and ground, and how high of quality the coffee bean is. When it comes to getting that perfect cup of coffee, the coffee bean quality is the most important of all.


A good thing to remember is that to find high quality coffee beans you have to look for them. Those cans or jars of coffee you find on the shelves of your supermarket are not going to be at all fresh. Think about it, would these manufacturers have or take the time to roast, grind, and ship their coffee all over the country and still preserve freshness? No, what you get are beans that are old and extremely low quality.

When you are looking to buy coffee and buy freshness, you want to be looking for one hundred percent Arabica coffee beans. Sometimes these can be found in your local supermarket, but specialty coffeehouses are more popular for a completely Arabica blend.



When you do buy coffee beans from a specialty coffeehouse, you want to look at the blends that are popular and faster moving. This will ensure the blend is stocked regularly, giving you the best chance to get maximum freshness. While in the supermarket, you will want to look for vacuum-sealed package. These typically come with expiration dates, which ensure that you will get the best possible freshness.

Some supermarkets grind coffee in-house, if you are looking for that kind of coffee bean, you will want to ask workers when the coffee was ground. The best thing to do is if they cannot tell you, go elsewhere. You could even get excellent coffee beans and grind your own coffee; this is the best possible freshness you could ever get. Remember to use the coffee grounds within a day, to keep that freshness.

By Danny Brown

A Guide ...

Top Ten Coffee : A Guide to Gourmet Coffee

Even a Coffee Bean or San Francisco Coffee outlet frequenter won’t be able to master the art of appreciating true gourmet coffee unless they know the history and info about gourmet coffee. Oh, of course, you don’t have to an EXPERT to enjoy and understand gourmet coffee, but knowing a little bit more than the grocery store owner who sells instant coffee would help you appreciate the taste, smell and absolute heaven that gourmet coffee fans know gourmet coffee is absolutely capable of.

Gourmet coffee is nothing like wine. With wine, the longer you leave (some wine, anyway), the better the taste, the higher the quality and the pricier it is. But with gourmet coffee, freshness says a lot. If possible, get coffee beans that have been roasted no more than 1 week before. And if you’re going to learn how to appreciate gourmet coffee, only buy 100% Arabica coffee.

It’s pretty hard to find freshly roasted coffee bean on the shelves of the local supermarket. Chances are, the coffee beans that you’re consuming today have been roasted at least 3 months back. One way to counter this problem is to buy the whole bean in batches and grind them with a home-coffee grinding machine as and when you need it. It’s really easy with the kind of machines they have today, so, if you want to learn how to appreciate gourmet coffee, grind it when you need it.

Once you’ve purchased the gourmet coffee beans, don’t just leave out there in room temperature. What you should do with gourmet coffee beans is to store them in an air-tight container in the fridge if you’re planning to use it soon. However, if you’re going to keep it, store the gourmet coffee beans in an air-tight container and keep it in the FREEZER.

You need the right grinder for the right brewer. Generally speaking, you can use about 2 tablespoons of gourmet coffee powder for 6 oz of water. Adjust the way you make your cup of gourmet coffee according to the way you like to drink your gourmet coffee.

With wine, the country where the grapes are grown makes a difference. With gourmet coffee, not only is the country of origin for the gourmet coffee bean makes a difference, the company that sells the gourmet coffee beans matters too. Buy only from reputable companies for gourmet coffee.

And one last thing about gourmet coffee is this – learn to enjoy it, appreciate the smell, love the taste, experiment with it and you’ll soon see the wonder of gourmet coffee. If you’re hurrying off for work in the morning, forget about gourmet coffee! During the morning rush, just stick to instant coffee.

By Dakota Caudilla

Find The Best...

Top Ten Coffee : Find The Best Coffee Makers On The Market

Finding an automatic coffee maker that suits your needs can be trickey. Automatic coffee makers can be used for regular coffee, espresso, or even lattes. No matter what you like, you can find something to fit your coffee tastes. You can even find automatic coffee makers that have grinders built right in and some can also timed so that your coffee is all ready for you as soon as you wake up!

If you take good care of your coffee machine it will last longer. Always turn it off when you aren’t using your machine so that it lasts longer. The more coffee you drink the more often you will have to replace your machine. You can also clean your machine by running water with one cup of vinegar through the machine. This will help clean the interior of the it and keep your coffee tasting better. After using the vinegar solution make sure you run water through it several times to get rid of any vinegar residue.

You can also save time in the morning by purchasing a coffee maker that has a timer on it. You can make your coffee at night and then it will brew for you at whatever time you would like. If you need to hit the road at 7 am, then set your coffee to brew at 6:30 and you’ll be awake and alert by the time you hit the road. You can also buy coffee makers that stop when you grab the pot. So if you are in a real rush just pour your coffee even if the whole pot isn’t ready yet. Don’t worry, the flow of the coffee will stop automatically for you!

Shop around to find the coffee maker that is best for you since they come in so many sizes and shapes. If you are into home décor than find one that will suit your kitchen or personal tastes. Some coffee machines make a single serving and others make tons of cups so get one that is suitable for all the coffee drinkers in your household. You can also find something small and portable if you travel often and want your coffee machine with you where you go!

By Johnathan C. Bakers

6 Delicious ..

Top Ten Coffee : 6 Delicious Coffee Recipes

Do you love coffee? Most of us do. In this article we will provide you with 6 recipes to enjoy your coffee a different way. We hope you enjoy it.

Irish Coffee

1 teapsoon of suger

1 jigger of Bushmills Irish Whiskey

2/3 cup of coffee or flavored Irish Creme coffee

1/4 cup of heavy cream, lightly whipped

Prehead the glass with hot water. Dump the water out and add the hot coffee with the teaspoon of suger and stir. Add the jigger of whiskey, and top with the whipping cream. Dark coffee's are best for this recipe.

Spiced Orange Coffee

1 teaspoon fresh, grated orange peel

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

5 whole cloves

Regular amount of your usual coffee or try Swiss Chocolate Orange flavored coffee

Add the above ingredients together and brew as normal. Place a slice of orange at the bottom or your cup. Pour in coffee and add suger and cream to taste. Top with whipping cream and sprinkle with a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon if so desired.

Mint Cocoa Coffee

1 ounce of chocolate mint liquear

Dash of shaved chocolate

Whipping cream (optional)


Regular coffee or try Dutch Chocolate Decaf flavored coffee

Brew your regular coffee, add the 1 ounce of liquear into your cup. Add some whipping cream if desired and sprinkle with shaved chocolate.

Coffee Milkshakes

1 pint of coffee ice cream

2 teaspoons finely ground coffee

1/2 cup light rum (optional)

4 to 6 scoops vanilla ice cream


Instant coffee powder

Spoon coffee ice cream into blender. Add rum and finely ground coffee. Blend on high until creamy smooth. Pour into tall glasses, adding a scoop of the vanilla ice cream to each glass. Sprinkle lightly with instant coffee powder.

Frosty Mochas

1 cup of freshly brewed coffee

1 pint of vanilla ice cream, softenend

6 tablespoons of chocolate syrup

1 cup prepared cold coffee

Blend hot coffee and chocolate syrup in blender. Blend until smooth. Cool the mixture to room temperature. Pour the mixture into a medium bowl. Add the softened ice cream and cold coffee. With a rotary beater, beat until smooth. Spoon into tall glasses and serve immediately.

Nogged Coffee

1 cup of coffee or try Pumpkin Spice flavored coffee

1 egg yoke

1/2 cup of cream

Dash of nutmeg

Beat the suger and egg yoke together. Place cream in a saucepan and heat over low setting, do not burn. Wisk the egg mixture into the warmed cream, heat until hot. Add coffee to mugs and top with the cream mixture. Garnish the coffee with nutmeg.

By Merrie Schonbach

What Coffee Pods?

Top Ten Coffee What Are Coffee Pods?

People drink coffee to stay awake and get more things done. But how can you get more things done if you’re waiting around for your coffee to brew. Oh sure you can go buy a cup of coffee but at some point you going to want a cup at home. With a coffee pod maker you’re only 30 seconds away from an excellent cup of coffee.

Senseo was one of the first coffee pod makers available. And having sold more than 10 million units in four years Senseo is definitely here to stay. A coffee pod looks just like a round tea bag. It works like this. You fill the coffee maker with water, place a coffee pod in the receptacle, hit the button and thirty seconds later you have a great cup of coffee. A patented method that uses a special spray head and mild pressure to balance the ratio of coffee to water while brewing creates a rich frothy cup of coffee.


If you’re looking for great tasting coffee that’s convenient and time saving then try pod coffee. Coffee pods are available in different brew strengths including dark roast, medium roast and mild roast. You can usually buy a package of 72 coffee pods for less than twenty dollars. Since you can also buy a 33 oz can of coffee grinds for about five to 10 dollars at the supermarket, coffee pods are not for budget minded coffee drinkers. That large can will definitely contain a lot more than 72 cups of coffee. But remember you’re paying a premium for a no mess, no measuring, easy cleanup, ready in thirty seconds, cup of a coffee. For some people that’s money well spent.

Cleanup is a breeze, just discard the pod. Since the coffee grinds are enclosed in a pod instead of a filter there’s less of a chance of spilling them all over your kitchen floor. The pod receptacle is even dishwasher safe.

Another reason to buy a coffee pod maker, especially a Senseo, is that the machines are so good looking. They are sleek, stylish and will look great on your countertop.

Coffee isn’t just for breakfast anymore, it’s an all day long affair. Why not make coffee pods part of your daily routine?

By Anthony Tripodi

Coffee Bean ..

Top Ten Coffee : Coffee Bean Roasters

Excellent coffee will come in handy if you consider purchasing a coffee roaster at home. Coffee lovers have a variety of brands of sizes of coffee roasters to choose from for home brewing. Nothing beats freshly brewed coffee, brewed right in the comfort of one’s home. You may also create your own coffee concoctions and regale your family and friends.

However, it is important to consume coffee from a roaster at once to experience great flavor. Green coffee beans stay fresh much longer than those that have been through a roaster. Green coffee beans stay fresh as long as six months while those that went through a roaster lasted for only a week. Why is this so? Within a week coffee from the roaster oxidizes. Upon cooling, the roaster continues with its internal chemical process.

Once the coffee is already ground, you cannot be assured of its freshness and quality unless laboratory results show you the facts, whereas, if you have your own roaster, your green coffee is guaranteed one hundred percent fresh, which in turns save you money and frequent trips to the grocery store or to your favorite coffee shop.

You will discover that once you have your own roaster, all the other coffee you have tasted will pale in comparison. Ground coffee from the grocery normally contains fillers, diluting its flavor.

Roasters employ different processes prior to giving you that delectable cup of coffee. An air roaster should not be used for a very long time, as compared to drum roasters, since they transfer heat very quickly in a high-velocity stream of air. A drum roaster, on the other hand, needs to conduct and convert heat coming from the coffee at a slower rate to prevent it from being baked and scorched by heat.

So take your pick from among the roasters advertised on the Internet, and be assured of quality coffee anytime, anywhere.

By Josh Riverside

Italian Coffee

Espresso, caffè normale and cappuccino are types of Italian coffee, and one might wonder if there are as many types of coffee in Italy as there are pastas. Quite surprisingly, there are and just like pasta, Italian coffee is also an art form linked to many customs and traditions. Be it a caffè corretto shot down like a drink, a cappuccino and brioche that would make a lovely snack, or a granita di caffè con panna to chill off from the hot noon sun, Italy has a coffee drink for every occasion and every mood.

The most famous of the Italian coffees are the cappuccinos -- the café corretto and café latte. Cappuccino is prepared with espresso and milk. A cappuccino is commonly identified as 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk and 1/3 frothed milk. Cappuccino is preferably served in a ceramic coffee cup to retain the heat, instead of glass or paper that is a comparatively poorer heat retainer. Café corretto is a coffee "corrected" with a measure of grappa, cognac or any other alcoholic content. Latte is Italian for milk, and café latte refers to coffee prepared with a larger measure of hot milk in it rather than coffee.

There are many other styles of Italian coffee, and they have all become world famous. In fact, Italy is the coffee house of the world, and has contributed to the entire world many different styles of coffee that have so become a part of our culture and lives. Even espresso had its origins in Italy. It was from Italy that Starbucks got most of their coffee recipes and rose to fame quickly in the West. Despite all the progress and spread of the coffee culture, Italy still remains the coffee capital of the world.

By Alison Cole

The History..

Top Ten Coffee : The History of the Coffee Maker

Coffee makers date all the way back to the Turks in 575 A.D. But it wasn't until 1818 when the first coffee percolator was created.

This coffee pot became known as the "cowboy pot" because so many cowboys had begun using it. between the years of 1835 to 1850, coffee makers began to completely saturate the marketplace. Everything from glass balloons, to pressure steamers, to grinders and roasters had all started to become available.


In the year of 1890, the Manning-Bowman Percolator started to get distributed in the United States. These percolators were made out of linen with a cloth that had to be cleaned after every use.

It wasn't until 1912 that a paper filter was finally introduced. This help coffee makers explode in popularity since the clean up was so much easier now. in 1960 is when coffee pots with disposable filters began being used commercially.

It was 1972 when coffee makers really took off though all thanks to Mr. Coffee and his automatic drip process with disposable filter. And today, Mr. Coffee is still the largest coffee maker in the world.

Mr. Coffee has stayed at top as number one because they are always adapting to the needs of the consumers. For example, in the year 1977 the price of coffee skyrocketed and tripled in price. So Mr. Coffee invented a coffee maker that used less coffee grounds but kept the same great taste everyone loved.

The design pretty much stay the same from then until 1979 when a timer was added. Now coffee lovers could set their coffee maker to brew automatically each morning. Hooray!

In 1989 Mr. Coffee meet the demands of the consumers once more and came out with the first coffee maker that only made four cups of coffee. In that same year Mr. Coffee also launched the worlds first ice tea maker.

Coffee continues to grow in popularity and demand. No matter where you are in the world, you are sure to see someone enjoying a cup of fresh coffee.

By Ryan Woodward

Benefits of Coffee

Coffee is a beverage that is prepared from roasted coffee beans. Coffee beans from different places have their distinctive characteristics like flavor, caffeine content, body or mouth feel, and acidity. To turn the coffee berries and its seeds into roasted coffee, a lot of processing and human labor is required. The processing of coffee involves Picking, Defruiting, Drying, Sorting, Aging and Roasting.

Benefits of Consuming Coffee :

Asthma sufferers may find that the theophylline in coffee may reduce their symptoms.
Coffee may also help reduce the risk of colon cancer by keeping a body regular.
Coffee is consumed by students while preparing for exams because it makes them more alert and even boost the learning abilities and powers of reasoning.
The effectiveness of painkillers, especially those taken for migraine, is increased by drinking coffee.
In men, it can reduce the occurrence of gallstones and gallbladder disease.
Coffee may help to reduce the risk of a number of diseases and ailments that includes Type II diabetes, Parkinson's, colon cancer, cirrhosis, depression and much more.
Coffee reduces the incidence of heart disease. Coffee represents by far the largest source of valuable antioxidants in the diet.
Coffee is the early morning energizer that helps you to begin your day in high spirits.

In the summer months iced coffee is a special treat.For superior taste, cold coffee with different flavors is consumed. Expresso, Doppio and Macchiato, Long Black, Caffe Freddo, Latte and Cappuccino are some of the varieties that will be a treat to your taste buds.

By Ekta Verma

Gourmet Flav...

Top Ten Coffee : Gourmet Flavored Coffee

Coffee tastes great by itself, but for an extra special taste sensation, try gourmet flavored coffee. There are many flavoring substances which can be added to coffee to give your daily cup of Java an out of the ordinary flavor experience.

Some flavors are natural enhancers that go together with coffee like bees and honey. Rum and chocolate have been added to coffee for almost as long as coffee has been produced. Some of the newest gourmet flavored coffee includes vanilla, macadamia, and even peanut butter!

Not all these flavors are everyone's “cup of tea”, but the taste sensations of gourmet flavored coffee give you a new outlook on Java juice. Try out some of these special flavors -- you may find a favorite that you always come back to.

Just look at some of these types of gourmet flavored coffee -- apricot cream, Black Forest cake, Café Napoleon, chocolate raspberry, Jamaican rum, Southern pecan and vanilla hazelnut. The names by themselves makes your mouth water.

Coffee is flavored by adding flavoring substances after it is roasted. The flavoring substances are highly concentrated and only a small amount is used in gourmet flavored coffee. Be careful when buying flavored coffee -- be sure to buy from a reputable company. Some companies use the flavoring process to hide the taste of inferior quality coffee.

The flavoring used in gourmet flavored coffee loses its strength when exposed to air. Always keep the coffee beans in a tightly sealed container for maximum flavor. For the best cup of coffee, grind the beans right before brewing.

You can make your own special blends by combining various gourmet flavored coffee. Adding a touch of flavored coffee to your regular coffee beans adds a special taste that is uniquely yours. The sky is the limit! You can have a new flavor of coffee every day!

By Hans Dekker

A Gift Of Coffee

Giving a gift of coffee is made easy with today’s gift baskets. A coffee lover is sure to enjoy a gift as this, as they are filled with other fine goods as well. Many gift baskets of today also include hot cocoas and teas. There are some that include gourmet coffee, if the basket is made specially or if one makes it themselves.

The gift baskets that are presented today, are themed and most have a theme that it is centered around, gifts for him, gifts for her, children, golf, fishing and many other themes. Most of these themed gifts have a gift of coffee or tea included, however they are not centered just for the coffee lover. Most of the themed gift baskets only have one or maybe two packs of coffee, and nothing else that is in relation to coffee.

Giving a coffee lover a gift such as the gift basket, Coffee Connoisseur, is sure to show them you appreciate them and respect their love for coffee. A gift like this includes: several assorted gourmet coffees, honey straws, cookies, creamer, and stir spoons. This is the perfect gift for them, as it has everything included for a cup of coffee except mug and hot water.

This gift would also be a great gift for a husband and wife. There are enough goodies to share. By sharing a gift as this, the buyer will save money and will show the recipients they are cared about. Show the coffee lover you care by sending a gift of coffee!

By Michele Rogers

How To Clean ...

Top Ten Coffee : How To Clean A Coffee Maker

Ever wonder how to clean a coffee maker the right way? Drip coffee makers need to be cleaned at least once a month to keep your coffee tasting good.

Cleaning your coffee maker takes away hard water mineral deposits, old oils from previously brewed pots and other impurities that can make your coffee taste bad.

A mixture of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water is the best way to clean a drip coffee maker. Mix a full pot of the vinegar and water mixture, pour it in your water reservoir and turn the coffee maker on.

Once the mixture has run completely through, it's important to turn the drip coffee maker off and let it cool for 15 to 20 minutes.

Pour the vinegar and water mixture down the drain. If you are cleaning a coffee maker that hasn't been cleaned regularly, repeat this step again with a fresh vinegar and water mixture.

Next, rinse the pot out thoroughly with warm, plain water. Then, fill the water reservoir again with clean water and turn the coffee maker on to start the rinsing process.

To make sure all of the vinegar and water solution is completely gone repeat the rinsing process one more time after letting the pot cool for 15 to 20 minutes.

This is how to clean a coffee maker the right way. Cleaning your drip coffee maker on a monthly basis will make it last longer and keep your coffee tasting the best it can possibly be.

By Gary Gresham

Coffee Beverage...

Top Ten Coffee : The Coffee Beverage - Chicago Style

Coffee used to be just coffee. You used to have a choice of either black or white, with or without caffeine. Today when you decide which coffee beverage to indulge in choosing a coffee beverage can be very confusing. Some of your choices may be: an Espresso, a Latte, Mocha, an Iced coffee, or a Cappuccino. In Chicago they have a very strong special coffee which is very popular amongst the locals which is called Intelligencia coffee. It is a very potent coffee which is full of flavour and can be purchased almost anywhere even at gas stations and convenience stores. The best coffee house in my opinion is in Illinois and can be found at 3123 North Broadway Street.

The History Of The Cup Of Coffee

The coffee beverage was first consumed back in 1000A.D. but the first coffee shop didn’t open until the year 1475. In 1601 coffee finally made it to North America. In the year 1668 the coffee beverage became New York’s favorite breakfast beverage in place of beer and is now know around the world as a breakfast drink that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

You can buy coffee beans and grind them yourself or you can but them packaged already ground for you. The coffee beverage is also available in single packs much like tea bags, for those who don’t want to wait for the coffee beverage to brew, there are instant granules. There are also powdered versions of cappuccinos as well.

There can be a few factors to consider when choosing the best coffee. Depending on your mood, the time of day and where you are will help you get your coffee fix. If your in a hurry and don’t have time to stop in a gourmet coffee shop then you might want to go to a drive thru which can be found in coffee house in Chicago. There you will get the tried and true coffee beverage. Here are a couple of Chicago coffee houses you could try.

By Sharon Price

Coffee Grinders

Top Ten Coffee : Types Of Coffee Grinders And How They Work

When walking down the coffee aisle of most grocery stores, you will find a coffee grinder that customers use to grind coffee beans. A coffee grinder has also become a popular home appliance as the popularity of espresso and other coffee drinks has risen in the last two decades. Even the large number of coffee shops has not diminished the need of many coffee drinkers to grind their own beans in a coffee grinder.


A coffee grinder will grind roasted coffee beans into grounds that are either fine or coarse. By grinding your own coffee, you choose how you want the grounds.

A coffee grinder can produce fine or medium grounds which are best for traditional coffee makers. Those who love espresso will want to grind the beans into a fine grounds, which is similar to sugar or salt. Coarse coffee grounds are good for percolators or vacuum brewers.

A coffee grinder comes in two main types. The first type of coffee grinder uses rotating metal blades. These blades on the coffee grinder chop up the coffee beans.

The bladed coffee grinder allows the consumer to control the type of grounds. The type of grounds the bladed coffee grinder makes depends on how long you grind the beans.

Another type of coffee grinder uses a grinder wheel. This is called a burr grinder. To get coarse or fine grounds, you move the burr on the coffee grinder. Many people say this type of coffee grinder allows you more control as to the type of grounds you make.

The cost of the burr grinder depends on the type of wheel, whether it is flat or cone-shaped. The burr coffee grinder with the cone-shaped wheel rotates slowly and the coffee grinder will clog less.

You can chose a coffee grinder that works in two different ways. The manual coffee grinder comes with a crank on its side. You must move the crank on the coffee grinder to grind your coffee.

But if you don’t want to do that much work to have freshly ground coffee, you will want to purchase an electric coffee grinder. The electric coffee grinder is the most popular coffee grinder on the market today. Many electric coffee grinders are small and inexpensive so you can carry them anywhere to grind your perfect cup of coffee.

The advantages to grinding your own coffee with a coffee grinder are many. You can grind coffee that suits your taste and not rely on pre-packaged coffee grounds.

A coffee grinder can be found in most retail stores and online auction sites. A coffee grinder will range in price from about $20 to several hundred dollars. The coffee beans can be purchased at a grocery store or at a specialty coffee shop.

How you want your coffee to taste and the type of coffee you brew will determine the type of coffee grinder you will need to purchase. The type of brewer you use to make your coffee will also determine the type of coffee grinder.

By Samantha Davis

Best Gourmet Coffee

Top Ten Coffee : Best Gourmet Coffee - From Espresso to Exotic

One of the reasons for the worldwide popularity of coffee is that the number of variations it can be prepared in. It is a very versatile drink and can be adapted to suit a range of palates. If you are not very familiar with the kinds of coffee which you can choose from, here is a quick list with the USP of the coffee mentioned along with it. But what is the best gourmet coffee?

Espresso: this is probably one of the most common coffee concoctions available across the world. Espresso is black coffee and requires a stream of steam which is passed over the coffee beans. Usually you need a machine to do this and espresso really brings about the right flavour of the coffee beans. You should like the bitter sweet taste of coffee to enjoy a cup of espresso.

Cappuccino: this is probably the most common style in which coffee is made. The taste of a good cappuccino is totally lip smacking and some times people just cannot start their day without a cup of cappuccino. The taste is a quite mild and there is cream as well as some chocolate and nutmeg powder added to enhance the flavour of the coffee.



Exotic coffees: Apart from cappuccino and espresso which are the two most common types of coffee, you can get a wide range of exotic coffees and these depend mostly in the country you are located and on the innovation of barista (person who makes the coffee). Turkish coffee, dancing coffee, coffee with blends of local spices and coffees with liquor are just some of exotic coffees that you can choose from.

One of the most popular types of coffee is the cold coffee. Cold coffees are excellent during the hot sweltering months and a favorite with most teenagers. Talk about specialized gourmet coffee! So if you are itching to have cup of coffee now, you will need to make up your mind on which one is the perfect cuppa!

By Jocelyn Meadows

Coffee Gift Ideas

Top Ten Coffee : Coffee Gift Ideas For Coffee Lovers

In recent years, coffee has become much more than just a drink, it's a ritual. In fact, coffee is possibly the most consumed beverage in the world after water. Because coffee is enjoyed by millions of people daily, it is no surprise that it also makes for a perfect gift.

If you use your imagination, you can assemble a wide variety of coffees and prepare it as a unique gift for a coffee lover. Moreover, the gift of coffee is easily combined complimentary items making it the perfect present for almost any occasion.


Because there are such a wide variety of coffee flavors available today, why not assemble an assortment of coffees and present them as a gift. Coffee lovers enjoy sampling new flavors and by presenting an assortment of coffees as a gift, he or she can experience a different coffee experience each and everyday.

Another great coffee gift option is giving the gift of a coffee club membership. Most all coffee club memberships will provide the recipient a new blend of coffee each month instead of offering all the flavors at one time. In addition, the majority of coffee club memberships last for a year and the coffee is delivered directly to the members doorstep.

Gourmet coffee shops are also a great source for coffee gifts. Along with preparing coffee blends flavored to your exact taste, better Gourmet coffee shops stock unique coffee cups, special sugars and creams, and even gift baskets so you can present your gift in style.

How about giving the gift of a coffee maker or coffee accessories? There are plenty of great resources available on the internet where you can find excellent deals on coffee machines such as the Tassimo Coffee Maker or the Keurig Coffee maker. Also, great coffee accessories such as a customized coffee mug or a coffee grinder make excellent gifts for any coffee drinker.

The great thing about giving the gift of coffee is that it can be as simple or unique as your budget or imagination allows. With so many people who are coffee lovers, the gift of coffee is perfect for a wedding gift, a birthday present or just about any occasion.

By L.K. Reid

Gourmet Coffee...

Top Ten Coffee : Gourmet Coffee Beans

You can be a coffee lover without knowing much about coffee beans, but learning a little bit about the different types of coffee can help you get the perfect cup every time. There are many types of gourmet coffee beans. The way they have been grown in processed has a huge effect on their taste. Here's a little bit of information for getting the best from your gourmet coffee beans.

Coffee is a common agricultural product of many tropical countries. There are two main species of coffee plant – Arabica and Robusta. Gourmet coffee beans are mostly Arabica because of their superior flavor and smoothness. Many blends, however, include Robusta coffee beans to give an edge to the coffee.


After the coffee is picked, it must be roasted. Roasting makes the green coffee beans expand in size and changes their color to a light to dark brown. Lighter roasts reveal more of the flavor of gourmet coffee beans, while darker roasts take on the flavor of the roasting process itself. After roasting the coffee should be kept in vacuum packed containers to minimize flavor loss.

Gourmet coffee beans must be ground to the correct fineness to bring out the most taste. Generally speaking, a fine grind will result in a full-bodied cup of coffee, but coarse grinds are used when making coffee with coarse filters like the French cafetiere.

Once the coffee has been ground, there are many ways to brew a cup of coffee. No matter whether you prefer espresso, drip, perked, or pressed, you need to start with high-quality gourmet coffee beans to get a good cup of coffee.

You can buy gourmet coffee beans in many types of blends. Most blends are a mixture of dark and light roast coffee beans and can be ground to suit the type of coffee maker you use. Freshness is important when making good-quality coffee. Fresh ground coffee beans will give you the best tasting cup of coffee.

By Hans Dekker

Coffee, the ...

Top Ten Coffee : Coffee, the World's Most Popular Drink

A lot of people enjoy drinking coffee in the morning. I know that I can wake up without having first cup of coffee. Sometimes I get up at 6 a.m. and by seven I already have 2 cups of coffee finished. Coffee is a drink that is roasted from seeds that come from the coffee plant. Generally speaking it served hot but sometimes it served over ice. I like my coffee black and hot, my wife enjoys having an iced coffee with a little cream in the middle of the afternoon. Something that's really interesting is the fact that coffee is the second most commonly traded item in the world, only petroleum leads it.

I first got started drinking coffee whenever I was a land surveyor. One of the other workers and I used to drive up and down the road and he always had a thermos of hot coffee. The funny thing was is that it was the worst coffee that could ever have been made but I got used to it and now I really have an appreciation for a good cup of coffee, but I also can enjoy a lousy cup of coffee too. The coffee maker that we have right now is one of the single coffee cup pod machines. It's really great, and very convenient considering that we have three different coffee drinkers at our house. I'd like to have my cup of coffee first thing in the morning, my wife enjoys having hers chilled in the afternoon, and my father in law enjoys his throughout the day.

Originating in Ethiopia around the ninth century seeking coffee was exported to both Egypt and Europe. Coffee is a strong stimulant, and that is probably why most people enjoy drinking coffee in the mornings in order to wake up. So no matter whether you drink it black, with sugar, or with cream, enjoy your coffee, the world's most popular drink.

By Steve Miers

Hawaiian Coffee

Top Ten Coffee : Hawaiian Coffee
It is commonly believed that the Governor of Oahu, Chief Boki, was the first to introduce coffee to the Hawaiian Islands in the year 1825. While on a British warship, he acquired the coffee plants from Rio de Janeiro. The first coffee plants were planted and flourished in the Manoa Valley in Oahu. Since then, the growth of coffee plants has spread all over the islands, including the Kona Coast, which now produces the world famous Hawaiian or Kona coffee.


The perfect blend of all the six elements comprising of rich soil, proper elevation, cloud cover, sunshine, rain and a moderate slope helping in the drainage of the roots provided by the Hawaiian islands, have ensured an ideal environment to produce some of the richest coffee in the world. The season of growing coffee starts in January and continues until the month of June. Every year the coffee growers wait patiently for the blossoms after the early rains that eventually produce coffee berries. Under the close watch of the farmers, the coffee berries ripe in the trees before they are individually harvested. Each phase of coffee making is looked after meticulously, starting from roasting and flavoring to dry milling. The typical Hawaiian coffee is rich in its color, density, and acidity with a great flavor.


The Hawaiian Islands, being the only state growing coffee in the US, produce an average of seven million pounds of coffee every year. While the Kona coffee remains one of the most favored around the world, a majority of the other islands have also started growing coffee now. Apart from the Kona coffee, some of the top flavors of the Hawaiian coffee include Kauai's coffee, Ka'anapali Maui coffee, Haleakala Maui coffee, Molokai's coffee, Waialua coffee and Macadamia Cream to name a few.

Due to its taste and overwhelming popularity, the Hawaiian coffee is very expensive, although the experience of tasting a quality cup is worth the money.

CoffeeBy Alison Cole

History of Coffee

Top Ten Coffee : Following the History of Coffee

The following paragraphs summarize the work of the history of coffee experts who are completely familiar with all the aspects of coffee history.


Of the drinks available to people today, few are as famous as coffee. Perhaps the best source of caffeine short of the new energy drinks being developed, coffee is popular in a variety of places, from the home to the office, from small coffeehouses to swanky restaurants.

The history of coffee can only be tracked a little more than a thousand years, a relatively short period of time compared to alcoholic beverages, which have been consumed since prehistory, and tea, which goes back to over a thousand years BC. Despite this, coffee has spread throughout the world as a popular beverage. A look at the history of coffee will help to show how it became so widespread.


African Origins

The history of coffee begins sometime around the 9th century, with its origins in Ethiopia as a beverage. The legend of coffee is that Ethiopian herders noticed that their goats were especially perky after eating the berries of a particular bush, and thus got the idea to consume it as a stimulant. The reality is that coffee probably had already been developed as a drink by the 9th century as a natural result of cultivation of plants. From Ethiopia, the drink spread to North Africa, including Egypt.



Middle Eastern Success

The introduction of coffee to Egypt make it accessible to ports with trade to the rest of the Middle East, where coffee became a popular drink by the 1500s. Shortly after its introduction, Muslim authorities placed a ban on the drink due to its stimulant properties. But much like prohibition in the United States, the ban on coffee didn’t last and was later rescinded. At this point in history, though, tight controls on such a commodity were in place. Though coffee in its roasted form began to be exported to Italy and other European Nations, unroasted seeds and plants were forbidden to be exported.


Colonization and Coffee

This tight control over the export of coffee plants didn’t last. This period of the history of coffee ended when Dutch traders smuggled coffee seeds out of the Middle East in the 1600s, where it was planted on the island of Java, which is still a major exporter of coffee today and also shares its name with a nickname for the drink. Interestingly enough, as coffee plants spread to other European colonies, another century into the history of coffee, in the 1700s, the plant was smuggled to Brazil, which is still the largest exporter of the drink.

Coffee in America

The history of coffee in the United States follows that of early wars. Introduced there in the 1700s, coffee’s popularity didn’t take off until the Revolutionary War, when tea was scarce and colonists turned to other drinks. The drink again gained in popularity during the war of 1812 for similar reasons.

But the time when the history of coffee developed to where it was an American fixture seems to be during the Civil War, when demand was high enough that it became cemented as a beverage in many American households. Through colonization and wars, the history of coffee seems to follow that of the history of people, and its widespread popularity throughout the world shows that it is truly an international sensation.

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of the history of coffee. Share your new understanding about the exciting history of coffee with others. They'll thank you for it.

By Roland Jefferson