With coffee being one of the most popular drinks all over the world, there's no wonder that there are a great deal of combinations that use it together with other flavors for some of the most delicious of results. Just as coffee has become an important ingredient in many types of dessert, the same observation can be made about the large number of coffee drinks that are served in bars, restaurants or in the coziness of your home. Here are a few suggestions about how to make some excellent coffee drinks to spoil yourself with or to impress family and friends at parties.
One of the most frequent coffee drinks relies on the combined effect of caffeine and alcohol, with the impact of the latter drastically reduced. Some great beverages are based on coffee and rum or cream liqueur varieties; chocolate also works great in the combination, particularly the dark kind, with at least 55% cocoa content. All you need to do is prepare some fresh coffee and add the rum or liqueur as well as the hot chocolate and mix them. The best way to serve it is warm, and you may also feel like adding a little cream for both the aesthetic effect and the taste it gives to such coffee drinks.
Among the large number of coffee drinks that are served in pubs and restaurants, we also need to mention a the sugar-caramel latte that also works great for home making. The best type of sugar to be used for the matter is cane brown sugar; add it in some milk while stirring with a whisk, then pour coffee and caramel sauce continuing to mix the combination. From the coffee drinks you may have tried, this one really works great either served cold or warm, not to mention that it is both tasty and easy to prepare.
Amaretto is one more of the many coffee drinks worth mentioning here; it mainly relies on the flavor and properties of very strong coffee, served hot in combination with whipped cream, or milk froth. You may add sugar depending on the taste, but the sweeter you make it, the more likely it is that the coffee flavor should fade. The latest trend in bars is to serve this kind of coffee drinks in wine glasses, preferably with a straw, otherwise you may enjoy drinking it with a mustache and have fun with your friends.
About the author:
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Chess for Years. For More Information on Coffee Drinks, Visit His Site at COFFEE DRINKS
Showing posts with label Coffee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coffee. Show all posts
A Few Suggestions About How To Make Some Excellent Coffee Drinks To Spoil Yourself With
Author: admin Posted under:
Coffee
0 Comments
By: Jim Cameron
For years, the idea of roasting your own coffee beans has been kept a mystery by the coffee roasting industry. It had been deemed “too hard” or “too complicated”. Well these are new times and the truth is out; it’s easy, fun and economical and can be done in a number of ways using items you probably already own! There is nothing like a cup of coffee, which has been freshly roasted, ground and brewed to perfection. There are a growing number of enthusiasts who are roasting their own coffee beans and enjoying the benefits of truly fresh coffee at about one-third to one half the price of beans from your local coffee shop. All that is needed to roast your own coffee beans at home is green coffee beans, available from a number of sources, an oven, cookie sheet, oven mitt, metal colander and a wooden spoon. Preheat your oven to 500F, spread raw beans evenly one layer deep on a cookie sheet, place on middle rack of preheated oven and watch them roast. In about 8-10 minutes there will be a crackling noise and smoke with a coffee essence. At this point the roast moves quickly and you need to pay close attention. About 2-3 minutes after the crackling, your coffee beans should be at the shade you like them. Carefully (using the oven mitt) remove the cookie sheet from the oven and pour the beans into the metal colander. Stir the beans with the wooden spoon to help cool quickly. Do this over a sink or outside, as there is chaff that comes off the beans during roasting. And remember; NEVER leave your roasting coffee beans unattended. Almost any appliance used to pop popcorn can be used to roast coffee beans. The hot air poppers are great, however, you may want to roast outside or in your garage as they blow the chaff out and can be messy. There are a number of manufacturers of home coffee roasters, including several that use a gas grill and rotisserie. The internet is full of sources to purchase raw beans, but you want to make certain the supplier you use knows their beans and “cups” their coffee before selling it to you (see supplier list below). Many other sources can be found using your favorite search engine. If you’re interested in using a gas grill to roast your beans there are several manufacturers of drums fitted for gas grills that work great (See suppliers below Green, raw coffee beans last for years when properly stored. This allows you to build a collection of fine coffees to choose from as well as buy larger amounts of the great coffees and save more money. Keep your bean collection in a cool, dry place out of any direct sun light and they will last until you roast them. As coffee ages it loses acidity and becomes more mellow. Many like the rich mild cup of a coffee that has had a couple years to rest and mellow. More important than the year of the crop is the quality of the bean, the preparation at origin, transportation and warehousing in country of consumption. If all of these things are done correctly, your green coffee will last for years. Suppliers who know how to cup samples of coffee beans are able to determine if all of these criteria are done correctly before they purchase the beans. Home roasting is one the fastest growing hobbies in the country and for good reason. It’s fun, easy, saves you money and delivers a cup of coffee like you never thought was possible. Join in the fun and start roasting your own coffee beans. ------------------- List of reputable suppliers: Green Coffee Beans www.u-roast-em.com Gas Grill Roaster/conversions www.rkdrums.com Electric countertop Roasters www.freshbeansinc.com How to build your own roaster info@u-roast-em.com Best book on home coffee roasting Home Coffee Roasting by: Kenneth Davids ------------------ Jim Cameron is a 30-year veteran in the specialty coffee roasting industry. Jim has authored many articles on various aspects of the industry and traveled abroad to speak at international gatherings of coffee professionals. Semi retired, Jim now writes on the subject of roasting and makes green coffee beans available to the home roasting market at his web site: http://www.u-roast-em.com
About the author: Jim Cameron is a semi retired Specialty Coffee Roaster who now shares his love of coffee and his love of Costa Rica. His company in the USA sells these beans in raw "green coffee" form to the home roasting trade. He has a home and a small real estate business in the Southern Pacific side of Costa Rica on the OSA Peninsula.
For years, the idea of roasting your own coffee beans has been kept a mystery by the coffee roasting industry. It had been deemed “too hard” or “too complicated”. Well these are new times and the truth is out; it’s easy, fun and economical and can be done in a number of ways using items you probably already own! There is nothing like a cup of coffee, which has been freshly roasted, ground and brewed to perfection. There are a growing number of enthusiasts who are roasting their own coffee beans and enjoying the benefits of truly fresh coffee at about one-third to one half the price of beans from your local coffee shop. All that is needed to roast your own coffee beans at home is green coffee beans, available from a number of sources, an oven, cookie sheet, oven mitt, metal colander and a wooden spoon. Preheat your oven to 500F, spread raw beans evenly one layer deep on a cookie sheet, place on middle rack of preheated oven and watch them roast. In about 8-10 minutes there will be a crackling noise and smoke with a coffee essence. At this point the roast moves quickly and you need to pay close attention. About 2-3 minutes after the crackling, your coffee beans should be at the shade you like them. Carefully (using the oven mitt) remove the cookie sheet from the oven and pour the beans into the metal colander. Stir the beans with the wooden spoon to help cool quickly. Do this over a sink or outside, as there is chaff that comes off the beans during roasting. And remember; NEVER leave your roasting coffee beans unattended. Almost any appliance used to pop popcorn can be used to roast coffee beans. The hot air poppers are great, however, you may want to roast outside or in your garage as they blow the chaff out and can be messy. There are a number of manufacturers of home coffee roasters, including several that use a gas grill and rotisserie. The internet is full of sources to purchase raw beans, but you want to make certain the supplier you use knows their beans and “cups” their coffee before selling it to you (see supplier list below). Many other sources can be found using your favorite search engine. If you’re interested in using a gas grill to roast your beans there are several manufacturers of drums fitted for gas grills that work great (See suppliers below Green, raw coffee beans last for years when properly stored. This allows you to build a collection of fine coffees to choose from as well as buy larger amounts of the great coffees and save more money. Keep your bean collection in a cool, dry place out of any direct sun light and they will last until you roast them. As coffee ages it loses acidity and becomes more mellow. Many like the rich mild cup of a coffee that has had a couple years to rest and mellow. More important than the year of the crop is the quality of the bean, the preparation at origin, transportation and warehousing in country of consumption. If all of these things are done correctly, your green coffee will last for years. Suppliers who know how to cup samples of coffee beans are able to determine if all of these criteria are done correctly before they purchase the beans. Home roasting is one the fastest growing hobbies in the country and for good reason. It’s fun, easy, saves you money and delivers a cup of coffee like you never thought was possible. Join in the fun and start roasting your own coffee beans. ------------------- List of reputable suppliers: Green Coffee Beans www.u-roast-em.com Gas Grill Roaster/conversions www.rkdrums.com Electric countertop Roasters www.freshbeansinc.com How to build your own roaster info@u-roast-em.com Best book on home coffee roasting Home Coffee Roasting by: Kenneth Davids ------------------ Jim Cameron is a 30-year veteran in the specialty coffee roasting industry. Jim has authored many articles on various aspects of the industry and traveled abroad to speak at international gatherings of coffee professionals. Semi retired, Jim now writes on the subject of roasting and makes green coffee beans available to the home roasting market at his web site: http://www.u-roast-em.com
About the author: Jim Cameron is a semi retired Specialty Coffee Roaster who now shares his love of coffee and his love of Costa Rica. His company in the USA sells these beans in raw "green coffee" form to the home roasting trade. He has a home and a small real estate business in the Southern Pacific side of Costa Rica on the OSA Peninsula.
Coffee, the drink of choice to start, end, and get through the day for millions. If you are reading this then you are probably one of those millions, or is it billions? Either way, there are a lot of us that would never dream of getting through our day without this wonderful brewed beverage.
When you think about it, coffee may be one of the driving forces in our world. How many works of art, great pieces of literature, business ideas, government policies, or anything else for that matter were fueled by this beverage? Thinking like that boggles the mind.
As much as coffee is used to fuel the day for so many, nothing can bring the day of a coffee lover to a complete and jarring halt than a badly brewed or stale cup of coffee. The good news is, anyone can make a terrific cup of joe. Here are some things to remember while preparing that next pot.
The first thing to keep in mind is the tool of preparation, the coffee maker. Do some research and take your personal preferences into account. There are so many drip, percolator, French press, and espresso machines out there, you need to find one that is top notch. Luckily, finding a good product is not hard.
Percolators are almost obsolete. Drip coffee pots usually are of pretty good quality, and many people have their favorite brand names. Espresso machines can be a bit more tricky, always do your research as the quality is different from machine to machine.
You may look at French press pots and wonder what could go wrong. Well, is it a large pot? Do you need a thermal French press, or will the decorative glass pots suffice? I once had a French press pot with a two part plastic lid that trapped water between the pieces, which then stagnated. So even French presses should be scrutinized.
Also, check out the new one serve devices out there. You know, the machines that use various (pods) of coffee. Be careful though, these are not usually favored by hardcore coffee lovers.
After finding the right coffee maker, you should now look to the most important of ingredients to a great cup of coffee, the bean. When possible, buy whole beans, preferably freshly roasted. This however is not within the time constraints or budget of all.
If you have to buy ground coffee, buy the product in the smallest amount you can find and buy often. Coffee goes stale fast, and the difference between a good, fresh cup and a cup made from stale grounds is staggering. But fresh, buy small, and buy often and you ca not go wrong.
Water, the fluid of life. Here is where a lot of people ruin their coffee experience. Water used for coffee production should be clean and cold, and preferably filtered. Tap water has chemicals and a taste that can alter your brew. Try your best to use already filtered water, or check out some of the newer coffee makers with built in filters. Your taste buds will thank you.
Now, you have your maker, your ground coffee, your clean water, now you have to put it all together. The amount of coffee to use is personal to each drinker. Some people like strong coffee and others not so strong. Notice I did not say weak, as no self respecting coffee lover would tolerate a weak brew.
If you have a drip pot, try a rounded tablespoon, up to two for a stronger brew, for each 6 oz cup. The same can be used as a guide for French press pots. The single brew machines and espresso makers usually have guidelines to follow in brewing.
So you are now enjoying your favorite brew, and you have dialed in your favorite method of producing that brew, now what? Well, you want to keep that brew at a high quality level, thats what.
Clean your pot regularly using soap and water. If this is not enough to remove the residue from old batches, then try baking soda or vinegar. Look to the user guide that came with your maker, especially if you use an espresso machine, as you may need to do special cleanings from time to time, such as lime removal.
Always make sure that your water filter is up to date. Most filters need to be changed once a month, but if you are a heavy user, the filter may need to be changed more frequently.
It is not hard to make a great pot of coffee. I know this article may seem a bit much to some people, but for a such loved beverage, it is worth it. Once you have the perfect cup, there is no going back to the mediocre.
Enjoy your brew!
Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/
About the Author
Before buying a coffee maker,check out the award winning Presso at Presso America. Focusing on the area of coffee makers, and espresso makers, Anthony Sastre writes articles for Presso America
When you think about it, coffee may be one of the driving forces in our world. How many works of art, great pieces of literature, business ideas, government policies, or anything else for that matter were fueled by this beverage? Thinking like that boggles the mind.
As much as coffee is used to fuel the day for so many, nothing can bring the day of a coffee lover to a complete and jarring halt than a badly brewed or stale cup of coffee. The good news is, anyone can make a terrific cup of joe. Here are some things to remember while preparing that next pot.
The first thing to keep in mind is the tool of preparation, the coffee maker. Do some research and take your personal preferences into account. There are so many drip, percolator, French press, and espresso machines out there, you need to find one that is top notch. Luckily, finding a good product is not hard.
Percolators are almost obsolete. Drip coffee pots usually are of pretty good quality, and many people have their favorite brand names. Espresso machines can be a bit more tricky, always do your research as the quality is different from machine to machine.
You may look at French press pots and wonder what could go wrong. Well, is it a large pot? Do you need a thermal French press, or will the decorative glass pots suffice? I once had a French press pot with a two part plastic lid that trapped water between the pieces, which then stagnated. So even French presses should be scrutinized.
Also, check out the new one serve devices out there. You know, the machines that use various (pods) of coffee. Be careful though, these are not usually favored by hardcore coffee lovers.
After finding the right coffee maker, you should now look to the most important of ingredients to a great cup of coffee, the bean. When possible, buy whole beans, preferably freshly roasted. This however is not within the time constraints or budget of all.
If you have to buy ground coffee, buy the product in the smallest amount you can find and buy often. Coffee goes stale fast, and the difference between a good, fresh cup and a cup made from stale grounds is staggering. But fresh, buy small, and buy often and you ca not go wrong.
Water, the fluid of life. Here is where a lot of people ruin their coffee experience. Water used for coffee production should be clean and cold, and preferably filtered. Tap water has chemicals and a taste that can alter your brew. Try your best to use already filtered water, or check out some of the newer coffee makers with built in filters. Your taste buds will thank you.
Now, you have your maker, your ground coffee, your clean water, now you have to put it all together. The amount of coffee to use is personal to each drinker. Some people like strong coffee and others not so strong. Notice I did not say weak, as no self respecting coffee lover would tolerate a weak brew.
If you have a drip pot, try a rounded tablespoon, up to two for a stronger brew, for each 6 oz cup. The same can be used as a guide for French press pots. The single brew machines and espresso makers usually have guidelines to follow in brewing.
So you are now enjoying your favorite brew, and you have dialed in your favorite method of producing that brew, now what? Well, you want to keep that brew at a high quality level, thats what.
Clean your pot regularly using soap and water. If this is not enough to remove the residue from old batches, then try baking soda or vinegar. Look to the user guide that came with your maker, especially if you use an espresso machine, as you may need to do special cleanings from time to time, such as lime removal.
Always make sure that your water filter is up to date. Most filters need to be changed once a month, but if you are a heavy user, the filter may need to be changed more frequently.
It is not hard to make a great pot of coffee. I know this article may seem a bit much to some people, but for a such loved beverage, it is worth it. Once you have the perfect cup, there is no going back to the mediocre.
Enjoy your brew!
Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/
About the Author
Before buying a coffee maker,check out the award winning Presso at Presso America. Focusing on the area of coffee makers, and espresso makers, Anthony Sastre writes articles for Presso America
By Gary Gresham
When you enter a coffee house, you have a multitude of drink choices like latté, cappuccino, straight shot and caffé mocha just to name a few.
Sometimes knowing what to order can be overwhelming unless you know what you are getting. After all, who wants to pay an outrageous amount of money for a mystery drink that you may not even like?
So PerfectCoffees.Com has come to the rescue, and after you read this, you'll have a basic understanding of how the most popular coffee drinks are made and what they are made of.
Most coffee drinks start with espresso and espresso is just coffee that is brewed a certain way. It is finely ground to almost a powder then very hot water is forced through the grounds under intense pressure.
The brewing process is timed so that the flavorful and aromatic oils are extracted from the coffee and not the bitter components. This produces a strong flavored, but not bitter, concentrated shot of coffee.
Straight Shot
The straight shot refers to espresso coffee and the secret to good espresso is the extraction time, volume, and golden crema which is a thick light brown layer of frothed coffee oils that float on top of a properly extracted espresso.
The short shot or ristretto is extracted to a volume of three-quarters of an ounce. The shorter restricted pour magnifies the essence of the coffee and the chance of any bitter elements being extracted is minimized. If you have ever ordered an espresso shot in Europe they usually serve the ristretto.
The long shot or lungo is extracted to a volume of one and one-half ounces.
The double shot is a 2 ounce shot using twice as much coffee in the portafilter.
The correct way to serve a straight shot is to extract it directly into a warmed demitasse cup. The warm demitasse cup will keep the straight shot warm and prolong the crema. A straight shot is best enjoyed immediately after brewing.
It is rare to see people drinking straight shots of espresso in the US. Most people here drink variations using steamed milk mixed with the shots to make the different coffee drinks listed here.
Espresso Macchiato
The Espresso Macchiato starts with a shot of espresso and then a small amount of foamed milk is spooned over the shot. Macchiato in Italian means "marked," as the espresso is marked with foam.
Espresso Con Panna
This is an Espresso Macchiato using whipped cream in place of the foamed milk. The drink gets its name Con Panna which means "with cream."
Caffé Americano
The Caffé Americano is a drink similar to American brewed coffee. It is made with a single or double shot of espresso combined with 6 to 8 ounces of hot water out of an espresso machine. The result is a very smooth cup of coffee that is much hotter than brewed coffee.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino is made with a fluffy, wet foam, mixed with espresso coffee upon the pour to create a blend of the two flavors. Cold milk is essential, as is expertise in the foaming process. Cappuccino has a large volume of foam making it a light weight drink and less filling.
Caffé Latté
Caffé Latté is similar to the cappuccino but with much less foam and more steamed milk. A latté is made by holding back the foam with a spoon while pouring the frothed milk from the steaming pitcher. The caffé latté is completed by being topped with a small amount of the held back foam.
Caffé latté gets its name from the addition of coffee to milk. For an iced latté, cold milk is combined with the espresso and then the ice is added.
Caffé Mocha
A caffé mocha is made by adding powdered or chocolate syrup to a hot shot of espresso and blended. Steamed milk is then be added to the espresso-chocolate mixture and usually it is topped with whipped cream.
Iced mochas are made with cold milk and the ice added after the coffee and chocolate have been blended.
Flavored Coffee Drinks
Some popular coffee flavors are: vanilla, Irish creme, almond, hazelnut, caramel and fruit flavors such as orange and raspberry. These drinks usually start with a flavored syrup that is mixed with hot espresso and stirred. Then steamed milk is stirred in like in a latté.
An iced version of these flavored coffees made with cold milk instead of steamed makes a delicious cold drink in the summer months.
So now that you know what's in the basic coffee drinks, try one you haven't tasted yet. Who knows, you might find a new favorite.
Copyright © 2004 PerfectCoffees.com. All Rights Reserved.
This article may be re-published "as is" (unedited) as long as the author's bio paragraph (resource box) and copyright information is included. The URLs in the resource box should be set as hyperlinks if used on a web page.
About The Author
Gary Gresham is the webmaster for www.perfectcoffees.com where you can purchase quality coffee, tea, cups & mugs, coffee gifts and delicious desserts online. He offers a free monthly coffee newsletter at www.perfectcoffees.com/newsletter.html.
Gary@perfectcoffees.com
When you enter a coffee house, you have a multitude of drink choices like latté, cappuccino, straight shot and caffé mocha just to name a few.
Sometimes knowing what to order can be overwhelming unless you know what you are getting. After all, who wants to pay an outrageous amount of money for a mystery drink that you may not even like?
So PerfectCoffees.Com has come to the rescue, and after you read this, you'll have a basic understanding of how the most popular coffee drinks are made and what they are made of.
Most coffee drinks start with espresso and espresso is just coffee that is brewed a certain way. It is finely ground to almost a powder then very hot water is forced through the grounds under intense pressure.
The brewing process is timed so that the flavorful and aromatic oils are extracted from the coffee and not the bitter components. This produces a strong flavored, but not bitter, concentrated shot of coffee.
Straight Shot
The straight shot refers to espresso coffee and the secret to good espresso is the extraction time, volume, and golden crema which is a thick light brown layer of frothed coffee oils that float on top of a properly extracted espresso.
The short shot or ristretto is extracted to a volume of three-quarters of an ounce. The shorter restricted pour magnifies the essence of the coffee and the chance of any bitter elements being extracted is minimized. If you have ever ordered an espresso shot in Europe they usually serve the ristretto.
The long shot or lungo is extracted to a volume of one and one-half ounces.
The double shot is a 2 ounce shot using twice as much coffee in the portafilter.
The correct way to serve a straight shot is to extract it directly into a warmed demitasse cup. The warm demitasse cup will keep the straight shot warm and prolong the crema. A straight shot is best enjoyed immediately after brewing.
It is rare to see people drinking straight shots of espresso in the US. Most people here drink variations using steamed milk mixed with the shots to make the different coffee drinks listed here.
Espresso Macchiato
The Espresso Macchiato starts with a shot of espresso and then a small amount of foamed milk is spooned over the shot. Macchiato in Italian means "marked," as the espresso is marked with foam.
Espresso Con Panna
This is an Espresso Macchiato using whipped cream in place of the foamed milk. The drink gets its name Con Panna which means "with cream."
Caffé Americano
The Caffé Americano is a drink similar to American brewed coffee. It is made with a single or double shot of espresso combined with 6 to 8 ounces of hot water out of an espresso machine. The result is a very smooth cup of coffee that is much hotter than brewed coffee.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino is made with a fluffy, wet foam, mixed with espresso coffee upon the pour to create a blend of the two flavors. Cold milk is essential, as is expertise in the foaming process. Cappuccino has a large volume of foam making it a light weight drink and less filling.
Caffé Latté
Caffé Latté is similar to the cappuccino but with much less foam and more steamed milk. A latté is made by holding back the foam with a spoon while pouring the frothed milk from the steaming pitcher. The caffé latté is completed by being topped with a small amount of the held back foam.
Caffé latté gets its name from the addition of coffee to milk. For an iced latté, cold milk is combined with the espresso and then the ice is added.
Caffé Mocha
A caffé mocha is made by adding powdered or chocolate syrup to a hot shot of espresso and blended. Steamed milk is then be added to the espresso-chocolate mixture and usually it is topped with whipped cream.
Iced mochas are made with cold milk and the ice added after the coffee and chocolate have been blended.
Flavored Coffee Drinks
Some popular coffee flavors are: vanilla, Irish creme, almond, hazelnut, caramel and fruit flavors such as orange and raspberry. These drinks usually start with a flavored syrup that is mixed with hot espresso and stirred. Then steamed milk is stirred in like in a latté.
An iced version of these flavored coffees made with cold milk instead of steamed makes a delicious cold drink in the summer months.
So now that you know what's in the basic coffee drinks, try one you haven't tasted yet. Who knows, you might find a new favorite.
Copyright © 2004 PerfectCoffees.com. All Rights Reserved.
This article may be re-published "as is" (unedited) as long as the author's bio paragraph (resource box) and copyright information is included. The URLs in the resource box should be set as hyperlinks if used on a web page.
About The Author
Gary Gresham is the webmaster for www.perfectcoffees.com where you can purchase quality coffee, tea, cups & mugs, coffee gifts and delicious desserts online. He offers a free monthly coffee newsletter at www.perfectcoffees.com/newsletter.html.
Gary@perfectcoffees.com
