Choosing Between Espresso and Infused Coffee Brewing
For the coffee veterans, the manner of preparation of their brewed coffee means a lot. Brewed coffee is entirely different compared to the usual concoction that people consume from the manufactured coffee powder anyone can buy in the nearby stores and supermarkets. Espresso and infusion of quality roasted coffee beans offers a more delightful experience for the top tasting coffee that every coffee addict is looking for.
The beauty of espresso is that aside from it regular preparation, it can be combined with other drink such as latte and cappuccino. Espresso preparation pressures the heated water through the coffee grounds and producing the said espresso brewed coffee drink.
Infusion is where the coffee grounds are saturated with fine water to produce the soluble flavors that brewed coffee preparation has today. Infusion caters more to the standard manner of preparation where coffee maker machines are used to produce the quality coffee drink in most homes and some establishments as demanded by the avid coffee drinker today.
Technorati Tags: espresso, infusion, coffee, coffee preparation
Coffee as a Socializing Tool
Whether a person would set an appointment for a meeting or a casual get together, chances are the first place that would come into mind are the local coffee bars that house the finest coffee blends today. There is no concrete reason for such coffee places to be the preference of most people. It just so happens that they seem to mix with meetings and functions for professionals who want to discuss and mingle for a couple of hours at any time of the day.
Something in having coffee perhaps instigates everything to lure the meetings and gatherings. If a person would think about it, coffee does not have any real impact on the expected outcome of the conversation. It has just been passed through generations and has become a common tradition for businessmen to discuss certain matters, business or personal, over a cup of coffee at places where it is convenient for both parties.
Technorati Tags: coffee, coffee drinker, coffee meeting
Coffee for Two on Valentine’s Day
Couples spending Valentines Day don’t have to look for anything that extravagant to spend the special day of the hearts. A simple coffee hangout with their favorite brews and mingling with some side order of deserts and pastries would be enough. The important thing is that lovebirds are together to savor the occasion of the hearts.
Besides, coffee shops are known to bring a sense of ambiance to most people who look for unwinding and comforting atmospheres today. Valentines is no different since it is an occasion that is not much ballyhooed compared to more significant occasions such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Regardless, Valentines is more about spending the quality time with someone special in your life and coffee or tea for two may be more than enough to cherish the moment. For all it’s worth, it would not be surprising to see most coffee shops filled with people enjoying Valentines Day celebration over a cup of coffee.
Coffee Recipes From the Food Network
Though coffee has been around for centuries, it often feels like it’s a new fashion trend because new coffee places keep popping up. These places have more than just your basic cup of coffee and definitely none of it is instant.
We have discovered that there truly are some people who are gifted with taste. They set the standard for food. They help please our palates. Thy help us become kitchen wonders just like they themselvs are. These are the chefs.
Chefs love coffee as much as we do. They use it in various recipes, not all of them drinks. The 2 recipes listed below are from the Food Network celebrity chefs that are a must try.
Coffee Granita by Alton Brown
- 2 cups lukewarm espresso or strong black coffee
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur
- 1 teaspoon orange or lemon zest
Directions:
Combine all ingredients and stir until sugar melts. Pour mixture into 9 by 13-inch metal pan and place on level shelf in freezer for half an hour. (Mixture should only come about 1/4-inch up the side of the pan.) Remove and use a dinner fork to scrape any ice crystals that have formed on the side or bottom of the pan. Return to freezer and repeat scraping every 20 to 30 minutes for 3 to 4 hours. Once mixture is thoroughly frozen, fluff with a fork and allow flakes to “dry” in freezer another half hour before serving. When served, the granita should look like a fluffy pile of dry brown crystals.
Scoop into goblets and top with barely sweetened whipped cream, add additional citrus zest if desired.
Cardamom Coffee Custard by Gale Gand, Host of Sweet Dreems
- 2 cups whole, 2 percent fat, or 1 percent fat milk
- 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
- 2 tablespoons dark-roast coffee beans, crushed with a heavy skillet
- 4 green cardamom pods, crushed
- 6 egg yolks
- 2/3 cups sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 whole coffee beans, for garnish
Directions:
In a nonreactive saucepan, bring the milk, vanilla bean, crushed coffee beans and cardamom to a simmer over medium heat. Immediately turn off the heat and set aside to infuse for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), whip the egg yolks, sugar and salt until pale yellow and fluffy. With the mixer running at low speed, mix in the cornstarch, then very gradually pour in the hot milk mixture, mixing it in as you go.
Strain the mixture through a fine sieve back into the saucepan, to smooth it and to remove the spices. Whisking constantly, cook over medium-high heat until thick and just boiling. When the mixture thickens, the whisk will leave trail marks on the bottom of the pot and the mixture will have a few large bubbles boiling up to the top. Cook just until no starchy taste or feeling remains. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter until melted. Pour into 4 custard cups, ramekins, or mugs and chill, uncovered, at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve chilled, placing a whole coffee bean in the center of each serving.
Technorati Tags: coffee, recipes, food network, sweet dreams, dessert, Gale Gand, Alton Brown
Coffee Carts, New York Streets and A Beautiful Film
The foreign film everyone is talking about today is about coffee. Well, actually its the poingnant story about a Pakistani man who pushes a coffee cart around Wall Street.
Written and directed by Ramin Bahrani, an Iranian-American who also worked as a coffee-cart-man himself, prestigious film festivals all over the world are touting this atmospheric film as a firm favourite of the year.
The film focuses on the life of Ahmad, a Pakistani immigrant who pulls his coffee-filled quilted metal cart around the Wall Street environs from dawn. He serves his coffee to friendly “suits”, but the story takes shape when he befriends a customer who is a fellow Pakistani.
“Man Push Cart” has a haunting score, brilliant cinematography and a universal message which transcends the boundaries of class and culture.
And most importantly, it will make you wonder, the next time you are at a coffee shop or more appropriately, coffee cart – about the person pouring your cup of java. Hopefully, you’ll end up asking him yourself.
