Arabica Coffee Beans - Do You Know Were Your Coffee Comes From?
By Joseph Celestine
Here’s your chance to find out about arabica coffee beans. Do you wake up in the morning and head to the coffee pot? Or maybe you buy your coffee and you are up to a three latte a day habit? For many people the early morning jolt of caffeine is what gets them out of bed and heading off to work. People lay awake each night cursing that third cup of coffee they had this morning. Coffee and caffeine are often seen as the cause of sleepless nights or jittery hands. For others the taste of arabica coffee is what keeps them coming back for more. But do you really know where your coffee comes from?
Coffee has taken over America and is spreading to the rest of the world. Be it for the taste or for the caffeine people are lining up twenty-four hours a day for a fresh cup of coffee. Coffee houses are packed with people every hour they are opened, and some shops stay open all night. Coffee houses boast where their coffee beans were grown, where the beans were roasted, and how the beans are grown. We can also take the coffee house taste home by purchasing bags or beans at the shop or at the grocery store. Many major coffee shop chains now sell bags of arabica coffee beans in the grocery store. The arabica coffee is sold in a variety of flavors and grinds in our grocery stores and is considered by coffee experts of the highest quality coffees available on the market today.
The world of coffee can be very confusing, every place you goes calls the drink sizes different words, has different names for their coffee roasts, and tries to convince you that espresso is a bean. There are only two types of coffee beans; arabica and robusta. Arabica coffee beans are considered higher quality then robusta beans and appear to have less caffeine as well. The beans are roasted at different temperatures and to different coffee grades. The roasting is what creates the flavors and dark brown color we normally associate with coffee.
While sometimes truth is subjective, in the case of arabica coffee the truth about it is that there is less caffeine and better taste. If you drink a lot of coffee and enjoy smooth taste and less caffeine, choose arabica coffee. To determine if your favorite brand of coffee is arabica you may need to read the label closely. If it claims to be Columbian somewhere on the label you will probably find the arabica coffee note there. Columbia, Guatemala, and El Salvador only grow arabica coffee beans.
As you can see, not all coffee is crated equally. The next time you go for coffee you can feel more comfortable knowing that it is truly made from arabica coffee beans
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Celestine
May 9th, 2008 | Posted in Tips | No Comments
Coffee Roasters Are The Order Of The Day
By Leroy C. Calstard
offee roasters are an important device for processing green beans. Various kinds of coffee roasters are available in the market. And it comes in different shapes and sizes. Their prices also vary from a minimum of 24$ to a 1000$. But as we all know that prices depends mostly on the brand name. We will be discussing a few information about what to look for when one thinks of buying a coffee roaster.
A brief information
The simplest form of roaster comes basically as a sauce pan with a tight lid and a sturdy handle. It can be put up on a stove and the beans can be roasted in the pan. The handle is specially designed which allows the roaster to stir the beans while processing. It is important to keep on stirring the beans while roasting so that it does not get burnt at the bottom. While looking for a simple roaster one must not forget to buy a roaster which has a thermometer in the lid because controlling temperature is vital part of roasting. Roasting should always be done maintaining the perfect temperature. Fully automatic roasters are also available in the market where we just need to pour the beans, put on the lid and set the controls right and it will be done to perfection within a few minutes. These automatic devices have inbuilt thermometers, thermostatically controlled heating mechanisms, rotating canisters, timers for automatic shut off and it also controls the air flow but reduces the smoke in the process. These roasters happens to carry an expensive price tag on them.
Another type of roaster works just like a pop corn maker. When the beans are poured in the hot air circulates and thus the beans gets stirred up and gives an uniform roast. Some roasters have glass exteriors to let the user watch the process while controlling the roast. Some have filters which enables to remove the skins of the beans when it bursts open. Some roasters also have pre set modes of roasting beans.
The most significant feature of a coffee roaster is that it should circulate the air evenly and heat the beans uniformly. So different models have different designs to meet the exact combination. Another type of roasters are called drum roasters. The technique used by this device focuses greatly on the gravity to move the beans around rather than depending on the bottom stirrer. Now a days roasters are available where one can roast large quantity of beans. And the amount of smoke also increases simultaneously. So, good ventilation is needed while roasting a large quantity of beans. Since various kinds of coffee roasters are easily available in the market now, a little bit of experience can make the perfect roast.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leroy_C._Calstard
May 7th, 2008 | Posted in Tips | No Comments
Coffee - It is a Seed, Not a Bean
By Peter I. Wilson
Growing coffee requires specific conditions and does not allow very much room for alteration within the environment. The output for coffee is quite minimal. This can be surprising to most because it is grown on a tree that is found in over 70 countries. However, coffee is also a bit misleading. The coffee bean is actually not a bean at all, it is a seed. The seed is found in the center of a fruit. The trees that the fruit is grown on can reach almost between twenty and forty-five feet. The seeds in the fruit are typically found in a pair. However, there are a couple specific varieties that do only produce a single seed. The seed is quite similar looking to a cranberry. There is a sweet pulp and then this is covered by a membrane. The membrane is called a silverskin.
Almost all of the world’s coffee is grown within twenty five degrees north and twenty five degrees south of the equator. The appropriate temperature for coffee to grow is between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The ultimate amount of rainfall for the coffee is also about six inches a month or more.
Coffee should also be grown at over 3000 feet for high quality coffee. At this height the soil should be loamy and well draining. However, it is also important to have high humidity combined with a sufficient amount of cloud and mist. When the oxygen level is lower this allows the trees a longer period of time to mature. Most gourmet coffees are made with Arabica beans. These beans are the higher quality beans. However, it is quite common for coffee companies to use robusta beans or coffea canephora. Both of these are grown at lower elevations, but provide more disease resistance. They are considered to be a lower quality bean though.
Unlike grapes, which like lots of hot sun, and then produce the best wine; coffee is best with some wind and little light. This is often provided by intentionally planting coffee trees indoors. Once a tree has been planted it takes about five years until it can be used for crop. A single tree will produce about two pounds of coffee. Two pounds of coffee is around 2,000 beans. The beans are typically manually picked to ensure the highest quality beans are being used. The pickers learn to determine what a high quality bean is. Harvesting coffee has been around for a really long time and therefore, it is a tradition that should be learned and appreciated.
The coffee tree is in close resemblance to the Jasmine with this broad dark green leaves and flower. The trees that are found in Brazil and Mexico produce flowers between a six and eight week time frame. However, the trees that grow closer to the equator can produce flowers and blossoms while mature berries are growing as well. A tree can be harvested for the life of a tree which is around twenty years. The trees will blossom up to nine months depending on the environment. A good cultivation is thought be between about 6,500 pounds and almost 9,000 pounds in a hectare. Growers are hopeful for this kind of output. This is due to the new technology that is available. The coffee beans that are found in the inaccessible areas are brought down to be processed.
Coffee is the world’s second largest commodity. There is a process, an art, and an adventure behind every cup of coffee. Remember this next time your take a sip of your favorite java.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_I._Wilson
May 7th, 2008 | Posted in Tips | No Comments
How to Tell the Shelf Life of Coffee Beans
By Peter D Vizard
Before you are able to decide as to what is the shelf life of coffee beans, it is necessary to consider the type of coffee beans. When it concerns green coffee beans that have been stored in an environment that is dry, the shelf life could be as high as ten years. This is how such coffee beans have been called ‘aged coffees’ though at the same time it must also be mentioned that such aged coffee beans will lose their acidity and gain body when they have been stored for very long periods of time.
Roasted Coffee Beans
Roasted coffee beans have different needs with regard to shelf life. Such coffee beans will not last for more than two weeks even if the coffee beans are stored correctly. Also such coffee beans will begin to lose flavor and it is recommended that you should use this kind of coffee within a week of being roasted because after two weeks it will will have a weaker taste and poor quality.
The shelf life of ground coffee beans, which is said to have the shortest shelf life of all coffee beans, and it in reality will last for just one hour after which it will lose much of its flavor. Therefore you should only ground coffee beans an hour prior to consumption though of course the Arabs are used to grinding, roasting and brewing coffee beans in one single setting since this, according to them, shows the best flavored coffees.
However, no matter what the shelf life of coffee beans is, coffee continues to remain the most popular beverage and has endured centuries of competition from other drinks including tea and also, its popularity covers different cultures and geographical locations.
The knowledge of know how long the use as a guide for the shelf like of your coffee beans will be a good guide for you. Keep in mind that the beans will need, cool temperatures, a lack of light and low humidity to get the maximum storage time, at the same time not losing any quality. May you have many tasty coffees for years to come, Starbucks hopes you do 
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_D_Vizard
May 7th, 2008 | Posted in Tips | No Comments
