Friday, January 30, 2009
Iced Coffee
I start pretty much every day of my life with a hot cup of coffee. But sometimes it's just too darn hot to justify drinking a steaming hot beverage. On days like these I turn to iced coffee. I don't know how you feel about the subject, but I've always found iced coffee to be slightly coffee flavored water with some cream and sugar thrown in. My latest cup of "Iced Coffee" prompted me to search for an alternative. What I found was a very interesting do it yourself recipe for iced coffee that some of you may want to try. It's a bit of a process, but I feel like the coffee you get from it is worth the trouble. Click on the link below to see the article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/16/dining/16iced.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/16/dining/16iced.html
Friday, January 16, 2009
The Gourmet Difference
In recent years, Americans have been developing a taste for the finer things in life. We've been putting down mass produced goods in pursuit of gourmet, hand crafted creations. One example of this artisanal movement is a growing trend of gourmet coffee shops.
When visiting one of these coffee shops the drinker will notice the difference in a cup of espresso at once. First of all, and perhaps most importantly, only freshly roasted beans are used at these shops. Coffee served at these shops is richer and fuller than most normal cafes and the acidity is well balanced. The crema on top is darker and much longer lasting than from normal American cafes. This is due to careful brewing techniques that properly emulsify the sugars and oils in the coffee. Often the person who makes the coffee will pour it in a way that creates a pattern in the crema, such as a heart or leaf.
When visiting one of these coffee shops the drinker will notice the difference in a cup of espresso at once. First of all, and perhaps most importantly, only freshly roasted beans are used at these shops. Coffee served at these shops is richer and fuller than most normal cafes and the acidity is well balanced. The crema on top is darker and much longer lasting than from normal American cafes. This is due to careful brewing techniques that properly emulsify the sugars and oils in the coffee. Often the person who makes the coffee will pour it in a way that creates a pattern in the crema, such as a heart or leaf.
Natural Decaf
Good news for decaf drinkers! A new species of coffee plant has been discovered that is naturally decaffeinated. This plant is unique because it is the only decaffeinated species of coffee tree that is a variety of Coffea arabica, the species of coffee that makes up about 75% of coffee traded worldwide. That means this new species could be bred with popular varieties with relative ease. This would create a much better tasting decaffeinated coffee. Most decaf is created by using solvents to extract the caffeine. This can cause the coffee to lose its flavor.
Geisha
Hacienda La Esmerelda in Panama may have created the world's best coffee. Known as "Geisha", this coffee sells for about $99 per half pound. If this isn't the worlds best coffee it is certainly the worlds most expensive.
Since its 2003 debut, Geisha has won every contest it has ever been entered in. Tasters describe Geisha as being citrusy with hints of fresh jasmine. I'm no connoisseur, but that seems like an interesting flavor profile for coffee. The question is whether or not it is worth the money!
Since its 2003 debut, Geisha has won every contest it has ever been entered in. Tasters describe Geisha as being citrusy with hints of fresh jasmine. I'm no connoisseur, but that seems like an interesting flavor profile for coffee. The question is whether or not it is worth the money!
Ethiopian Coffee Ritual
The Japanese may be known for their elaborate tea ceremonies, but coffee is the ceremonial drink of choice in Ethiopia. An invitation to an Ethiopian coffee ritual is considered a great honor.
The ceremony involves burning incense and roasting the coffee in a small charcoal stove. After the coffee is done roasting the host will waft the smoke created from the roasted beans toward each guest. This allows the guests to sample the aroma. The lady who is hosting will serve the coffee in very small cups, pouring it from one foot over the cup. The coffee grounds are then brewed two more times. Sometimes these ceremonies can last over 2 hours!
The ceremony involves burning incense and roasting the coffee in a small charcoal stove. After the coffee is done roasting the host will waft the smoke created from the roasted beans toward each guest. This allows the guests to sample the aroma. The lady who is hosting will serve the coffee in very small cups, pouring it from one foot over the cup. The coffee grounds are then brewed two more times. Sometimes these ceremonies can last over 2 hours!
Coffee Quotes
I was surfing the web today and I found a site that was packed with coffee quotes. A lot of them had incredible insights about the significance of coffee in modern society... BORING! Here are some of the funny ones:
"I never laugh until I've had my coffee." - Clark Gable
"If it wasn't for coffee, I'd have no discernible personality at all." - David Letterman
"Starbucks says they are going to start putting religious quotes on cups. The very first one will say, 'Jesus! This cup is expensive!'" - Conan O'Brien
"Is it possible to get coffee-flavored coffee anymore in this country? What happened with coffee? Did I miss a meeting? They have every other flavor but coffee-flavored coffee. They have mochaccino, frappaccino, cappuccino, Al Pacino... Coffee doesn't need a menu it needs a cup." - Denis Leary
"I never laugh until I've had my coffee." - Clark Gable
"If it wasn't for coffee, I'd have no discernible personality at all." - David Letterman
"Starbucks says they are going to start putting religious quotes on cups. The very first one will say, 'Jesus! This cup is expensive!'" - Conan O'Brien
"Is it possible to get coffee-flavored coffee anymore in this country? What happened with coffee? Did I miss a meeting? They have every other flavor but coffee-flavored coffee. They have mochaccino, frappaccino, cappuccino, Al Pacino... Coffee doesn't need a menu it needs a cup." - Denis Leary
