Civet Coffee
If you want to add a bit of a fear factor moment to your coffee morning with your friends, ask them to drink some civet droppings with you. It will be quite a test of courage for some of them. Really though, there is nothing to be alarmed at. You are actually serving them coffee, but it is coffee that went through a more exotic process than your regular cup of Joe goes through.
It is called civet coffee. What makes this coffee most unusual is that it literally is the dropping of the palm civet. These furry little creatures love coffee cherries, particularly the reddest ones. They do have excellent taste, don’t they? They swallow them whole. While in their stomach, the cherries are processed by the civet’s stomach acids and ezymes. After a while the beans exit the civet body. The fruit has been removed but the beans are whole.
The resulting bean is has an aroma and flavor distinctly its own. The beans are cleaned and dried before roasting, if that’s on your mind. When roasted it results in oilier beans. The oilier the better is what the experts say. The result is coffee that tastes rather like dark chocolate with a hint of hazelnut.
Civet coffee has more than one source. The best known is Indonesia where it is called Kope Luwak. This exotic coffee sells for about $600 a pound.
Fortunatley Indonesia is not the only source of this special bean. The Philippines also sells this although it is simply called civet coffee or kape alamid (alamid is the local term for civet). You may also find some in Japan.
Trivia: By the way, civets aren’t monkeys. They are more like the mongoose or racoon. Some mistakenly think they are cats. So if anyone asks you to have cup of catdropping coffee or a “crappucino” as some call it, check right away if this is the source. If it is, you’re in for an interesting drink.
Technorati Tags: coffee, exotic coffee, civet, kope luwak, alamid, Indonesia, Philippines
Hospitals and Coffee
Ever noticed how during emergencies and stress, coffee is one of the most constant companions. Considering how the caffeine affects some by giving them the shakes (at this point they may have had too much caffeine), the loved ones waiting to hear good news about the patient often turn to a cup of joe to keep them company during the long, cold wait to hear good news.
If you are lucky, they have a coffee vending machine that actually turns out a decent cup. More often than not it is a barely passable facsimile of the brew we all love. Hopefully there will be bottled Frappuccino from Starbucks available.
Often the hospital has a canteen or a cafeteria where you can get a slightly better cup. Often, though, the pot isn’t as fresh as can be. This is usually your basic pot of drip coffee. Most feel that it will do. Don’t complain if that’s all there is right?
If you are going to be at the hospital a while the coffee might need spicing up. A good trick to improve the taste is to keep your favorite add-ons in little packets in your bag (make sure they are tightly sealed packs or bags so that they don’t make a mess in your bag). Cinnamon sticks or a small bottle of nutmeg can perk up your coffee but won’t be too heavy or bulky.
Thankfully your friendly neighborhood cafes are usually near to hospitals nowadays, if not actually in them. Keep an eye out. It might just be on a different floor from where you are. If you are lucky, they may even deliver so you won’t have to leave the side of your loved one even when you crave a cup of joe to steady your nerves.
Technorati Tags: coffee, coffee flavoring, coffee shops
Coffee Gift Ideas
A lot of people will say that they don’t know what to get their friends for a birthday or christmas. They want to give that perfect gift that fits perfectly in their budget. Sometimes that can be a tough thing.
For friends who just love drinking coffee, you can deliver them their favorite cup of Joe when they least expect it. You can get gift certificates from his or her favorite coffee shop, so that he or she can have their favorite drink anytime they would like.
Waking up to the smell of a perfect brew can be gift enough for some. Make him the best cup he’s ever tasted and he’ll be very grateful. That will get his day off to a good start.
A bag of their favorite coffee beans can be a perfect gift. If he doesn’t have a specific favorite, get him some of the Christmas gift packs that coffee shops make so that he can enjoy their special blend from home. Slip it into his stocking on Christmas morning and be prepared to make him a cup of his favorite brew. Have some christmas cookies ready to enjoy the coffee with.
Feel free to give any of the gadgets for making coffee as a gift. Go ahead and pick the ones that look unusual. You may think it is just a coffee press. She may think its treasure. Check out the available merchandise in your favorite coffee place. That will give you an idea. No one can ever have too many coffe makers. Besides, you never know what he doesn’t have in his collection or coffee tool kit yet.
If your friend enjoys making his own coffee, keep an eye out for a roaster or coffee grinder. These are useful tools for anyone who wants to really have the freshest cup of coffee. Feel free to find any quirky ones to add some laughter to his coffee making.
Technorati Tags: coffee, gift ideas, gift certificates, coffeemakers
People’s Sexiest Man
Don’t you just love a man with a sense of humor? George Clooney, People magazine’s choice for sexiest man of the year, stars in the ad for Nespresso. It just shows that he truly hasn’t let the title go to his head since he can poke fun at himself and point us in the direction of good coffee at the same time.
The ad called The Boutique has the Oscar wining actor overhearing two ladies chat about their favorite “dark, intense body”. He mistakenly thinks they are talking about him. Sorry, handsome, they meant the coffee.
Nespresso UK’s managing director, Brema Drohan, was very pleased that George Clooney chose to take part in their ad campaign. He says that George Clooney was perfect for the role. He has that air of sophistication and style that their coffee has.
George Clooney says that he is indeed a coffee lover. He informed his Nespresso bosses that he has Nespresso coffee machines in his US and Italy homes. It is always good when a person endorses something that they themselves actually own and use.
There’s no need to wait though to find out if Nespresso is the coffee machine for you. They’ve been in business for 20 years and yes, they do make some great coffeemakers. Check out the Nespresso Le Cube. It has nice,simple, clean lines that are perfect for any kitchen. They do make great gifts for your family and friends who love espresso. Do note that it uses coffee capsules though. For more information you can visit their website.
The ad is set to air at the end of this month in the UK, specifically on November 27, 2006. Enjoy the ad…(and your Nespresso).
Technorati Tags: coffee, coffeemakers, ads, George Clooney, Nespresso
Go Go Espresso
If you live in Port Charlotte, love coffee and don’t want to have to wait a long time for your drinks, check out the coffee of Go Go Espresso. Christina Rooney, owner of the store, says that they serve your made to order lattes or mochas in four minutes or less. You can even watch while they grind your beans for you if you want to check on the freshness of your coffee.
Go Go Espresso may not be a big fancy coffee shop but they do have more than just take out drinks. They do have some nice outdoor seating so you can savor your coffee (or tea) while reading a book or hanging out with some friends.
If you are too busy to come down to the store, check if you are within the area they deliver. Ms. Rooney says that they have limited delivery, and you may just be lucky enough to be within that area. You’ll be able to keep on with work and still get your latte.
If you are bound to do some last minute shopping over the holidays, you’ll be pleased to know that you won’t be deprived of your favorite cup of joe. Just for the holiday season their store will be open from 4 am to 7am. Now that’s customer service!
If you want to go and enjoy their latte, you can find Go Go Espresso at 3315-A Harbor Boulevard, on the northwest corner of Harbor and U.S. 41 in Port Charlotte.
Technorati Tags: coffee, cafe, Charlotte, Go Go Espresso
Organic Coffee
You often hear the term organic nowadays. For some, they wonder what all the fuss is about. Coffee is coffee, right? Well…yes and no.
Coffee is made from the same source – the beans from the coffee plant. Looking at them, you can’t tell the difference between the regular coffee and the organic coffee. They even taste the same.
The difference however is in how the coffee is grown. Organic coffee growers raise crops the traditional way – without chemicals or pesticides. These farms rely on more environmentally friendly methods to care for their coffee plants and get them through to a bountiful harvest. This year’s winner at the Kona Coffee Fest, Pearl Estates Organic Farm is an example of this.
Why should you consider choosing organic coffee? The answer is in the long term effects. Imagine that every time you drink your favorite cup of joe, you also drink some of the chemicals that went into raising the coffee plant. Not all chemicals are friendly to the human system. You run the risk of drinking in these harmful chemicals which actually are a slow poison, building up in toxicity in your body.
If health is high on your list, here is a good alternative you might want to try. Plus you still get a great cup of coffee anytime you want.
Technorati Tags: coffee, organic coffee, health, chemicals
Starbucks Card Goes International
If you are a fan of Starbucks coffee and want to be able to enjoy their brew without spending the cash in your wallet, then you should get a Starbucks Card. No more scrounging in your pocket for change and finding yourself short while standing at the register. You will be able to get your favorite drink without cash in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Thailand.
The concept was first launched in the US in 2001. A 100 million of these cards have already been activated. Any customer who gets a card can check their balance online. They will also be able to view their most recent transactions and receive information on new products through the online service.
If you feel that cashless is the way to go, check out the Starbucks Card. At least you’ll be able to order a Frappuccino in Thailand even if you don’t speak the language and have no money in your wallet.
Technorati Tags: coffee, cash, electronic payment, card, Australia, Thailand, US, UK, Canada, Starbucks
Healthy Coffee
Whenever you go for a check up, you are always asked if you drink or smoke. Coffee is on your doctor’s list of products not to drink (though he himself probably drinks the stuff). The main reason that doctors do not recommend coffee is because it dehydrates you and increases your acidity. You would need to drink 2 glasses of water just to counter the dehydration and 17 glasses of water to deal with the acidity.Who in the world drinks that much water regularly?
If you are looking for a healthier alternative check out the Gano Excel Coffee. Gano Cafe will satisfy your coffee cravings but thanks to its special formulation, you won’t need so much water to flush your system clean with after. The secret ingredient is Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi Mushroom) extract. This herb helps strengthen the immune system and increases the body’s resistence to illnesses.
For those who are afraid it tastes like mushroom, rest assured it doesn’t. It has the taste of Brazilian coffee, the beans from which it is made. You’ll get the full benefit of the herb without its taste. At the same time, you’ll be drinking coffee that tastes good yet contains only 1mg of caffeine per ounce. Try it for yourself. It sure beats decaf.
Technorati Tags: coffee, healthy, Gano coffee, water, dehydration, acidity, Reishi Mushroom
Growing Coffee At Home
If you love coffee so much, why not try growing your own. They are beautiful ornamental plants and have small, fragrant flowers. The bonus of course is that you’ll have your own beans available if you tend your plant carefully.
A coffee plant can grow to be a 50 foot tall tree if left to itself. Normally though, they are kept pruned to a mere 6 feet commercially. You will normally find them simply tagged as Arabica or Robusta at a garden store. You can grow them in containers so don’t worry about not having a garden.
No one can guaranty that you’ll have a good harvest (ask any coffee grower) so your plant may just supply you with beauty and a conversation piece. Who knows though; you may just end up like Pat Pearlman, this years Kona Coffee fest cupping winner.
Speaking of conversation pieces, try this coffee drink for something different about your cup of joe. Pour a halfcup of coffee over some ice cubes then add 1/4 cup carbonated water or cola.Garnish it with a strip of orange, lemon or lime and you r coffee soda is all set.
Technorati Tags: coffee, garden, plant, coffee recipe, Kona
Kona Coffee Competition
Hawaii’s annual Kona coffee competition just finished yesterday. This year, Pearl Estates Organic farm was chosen as the best tasting coffee in the top cupping competition. This must make Pat Pearlman, owner of the said farm (image on the left), proud. Second place was awarded to Pau Hana Farms while Kona Cafe came in third.
This is the 20th year of the annual competition. This year there were over 70 farmers competing. Each one brought in a 50 pound sample of their harvest, which must have been picked between June 1 to October 20 to be eligible. Five pounds of that sample would then be entered in the cupping competition. The coffee is then judged based on six categories: aroma, fragrance, nose, taste, body and aftertaste.
This year’s crop promises to be a good one according to cupping judge John King of Harold King and Co. He said that 80 percent of the entries make for great Kona coffee. That is definitely great news for those who choose Kona coffee for their daily cup.
Technorati Tags: coffee, Hawaii, coffee fest, cupping, competition
