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Rumor has it
....coffee is really harvested by hand. In Brazil, from
April to September the "pickers" are at it.
...that the coffee beans actually start off as little
red cherries.
.. that green beans (un-roasted beans) can stay fresh for
years.
...more than 75% of Americans use the filter (drip style
coffee makers) method to make coffee
... that cappuccino is one third espresso, one third frothed
milk, and one third foam
... if express is a little to bitter for your taste, that
other coffee beans of a lighter roast, can make a delightful drink
...if you use flavored coffee, you need to clean you machine
more often than usual.
...that in the mid 17th century there were more than 2,000
coffee houses in England
...that in 1674 in England, the "Women's Petition Against
Coffee" which clammed that coffee made men "unfruitful" and threatened
the English race. Found support from King Charles II, he issued a proclamation
that coffee houses were "seminaries for sedition" and closed down all the
coffee houses. However politics hasn't changed much, because of the up
roar from the men he rescinded his order two days later.
... that nobody really knows who, or even where
made the first cup of coffee.
Know thy roast (some of
the terms the big boys use)
Light roasts - Half City or Cinnamon
Medium roasts - Full City, Breakfast, Regular, or American
Dark roasts - Continental, Vienna, New Orleans
The darkest - Italian, French, Espresso
Making a good cup of coffee
The coffee
Grind the beans as you need them. Once ground they can
become stale within hours. a whole bean may remain fresh up to 3 weeks.
Many people will freeze their beans to keep them fresh.
The works better with the lighter roasts, however the darker roast and
Espresso do not fair as well.
The Right amount of grounds
One of the most common errors made is not using enough
grounds. The basic guide lines is two tablespoons per cup.
Remember the term "cup" refers to the measuring unit,
not the thing you drink out of. Most coffee cups, better know as "coffee
mugs" are MUCH larger than the 6oz. cup.
The main ingredient - Water
Since most tap water has additives, or natural impurities
bottled or filtered water makes a better tasting coffee.
The brewing
No mater which method you use, the water should never
be boiling. Most coffee is brewed a 200 F.
Keep you coffee brewing equipment (coffee pot) clean!
Coffee releases oils when brewed, this after a time will affect the quality
of your brewing.
Brewing espresso
Coffee beans should be finely ground.
Use 2 teaspoons per 2oz.
Remember to tap the grounds, as a rule once if very fine,
twice if a little courser grounds.
Ice coffee
The coffee should be fresh, less than a couple of hours
old.
Coffee ice cube are make from regular brewed coffee,
while the drink its self is made a little stronger 2 tablespoon to 4 oz.
water.
Poor Man's tricks to coffee
Flavored coffees many times cost more, and have the same
short shelf life as any other coffee. Use bottle flavorings, they are cheap,
come in different sizes, many different flavors, and have a longer shelf
live then coffee. You can have caramel one day, with chocolate mint the
next.
If you can't afford the commercial coffee flavorings,
use a drop or two of your cooking flavorings. Flavors like vanilla, rum,
or even orange, can make interesting cups. Remember they won't be as good
as the commercial, but what the heck, if you can't afford it!
Espresso/Cappuccino
Can't afford fresh beans, your idea of buying coffee
is the cheapest can on the grocery store's shelf. Buy a cheap grinder
($10 at Wal-mart) place the grounds from your can and grind for about 10
to 15 seconds. Than load your machine that you bought at Wal-mart or other
discount store (under $35).
It won't be as good, but trust me not half bad either.
Also if you like cappuccino, only the true "sipper" will know the difference.
After all by the time you add the flavoring, milk, and foam, it's only
one third coffee.
Grocery store vs fresh
Since fresh coffee costs much more than grocery store
coffees. (Here I pay about $9.95 lb. for fresh, and $5.99 for a three pound
can). Try using the cheaper coffee in the morning when everything is crazy,
and you drink it to get a jump start on the day. Saving the fresh, for
that afternoon, or after dinner cup when you have time to enjoy the true
difference in the taste.
Cheating on guests
Many people drink espresso and cappuccino, because it
became a fad. They really don't know or care about the differences in the
qualities of coffees.
I you have some of those types of friends coming over:
1. Buy a few ounces of fresh beans for the ones who say
they like espresso, or may really know the difference.
2. Since most of these people always ask for a cappuccino,
grind some regular coffee up just before they are to arrive. Place the
grounds in a special cute little jar. They will never know the difference,
after you add the flavoring, milk, and foam
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