Brewed Coffee

How to Enjoy That First Cup of Joe in the Morning

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Winter is almost here. As we wind down the last few days of Fall, the craving for those comfortable hot beverages calls to us. Hot chocolate, hot tea, and the most popular of them all, that steaming cup of joe. It’s a necessary part of quite a few people’s morning.

There are even memes that state the danger that exists if you choose to talk to someone before they have that first cup of coffee. With that said, avid coffee drinkers understand that there is a certain way to enjoy the first cup of coffee. [Read more…]

Why Green Tea is Japan’s Coffee

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The Japanese are well-known for leading a healthy lifestyle. When it comes to food, they are also particular about eating the right foods and in moderation.

One of the main components of a Japanese meal is the green tea. Known as a healthy drink, it is a part of Japanese tradition handed down from one generation to another. It also comes in different varieties such as the popular matcha, gyokuro, sencha and kukicha. In short, green tea is Japan’s coffee, the drink most preferred by the people in the land of the rising sun from morning until night. In fact, this is also served to guests as a sign of hospitality. [Read more…]

The Pleasure Of Coffee: Addiction or Just Enjoyment?

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There’s absolutely no doubt that coffee is one of the great pleasures of the world. But there is some matter of contention wondering where the balance is between enjoyment and addiction (mostly to the caffeine aspect, you could probably assume). So for those of us with coffee habits, it’s at least something to wonder about in passing.

Five aspects of coffee to look up as your pondering where you are on the scale of enjoyment or. requirement might be learning about the chemical nature of coffee, brushing up on the types of coffee that there are, going to tasting classes, browsing through research studies, and understanding that your tastes will change and develop as you get older. [Read more…]

Tips For Getting the Perfect Cup of Coffee Every Single Time

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It seems pretty natural to say that the world is full of a lot more coffee drinkers than non-coffee drinkers. Of course, you can then divide the categories of coffee drinkers down even further and you have the people who take it black, you have the people who take it stout, you have to people who take it black and stout, you have the people who like a little coffee with their cream, a little coffee with their sugar, and you have those people who prefer that they get their caffeine intake in a way that excludes coffee altogether.

This post is not for the people who prefer to get their caffeine in ways other than the magical elixir of life that is coffee. This post is for the people who live, breathe, dream, and sometimes even eat their coffee. It’s in their blood, it coats their kitchen counters, the aroma fills their home every morning at 8am sharp, and without it, the day doesn’t continue. If you fall into this category, here are tips for getting the perfect cup of coffee every single time-because you know how much of a struggle that can be:

Get the Right Machinery

In the world of coffee, not every press, coffee maker, espresso machine, or other contraption for making the potent brew is equal. There is no one way to make coffee, and limiting yourself to one method of getting the job done is not a way to live, as you’ll miss out on the fullness that coffee can have.

However, if you want the perfect cup of coffee every single time, you’re going to have to get the right machinery, and you might even have to make it yourself every morning to get it right. Do your research. Try different methods of brewing and see which appeals to you. The quality of a cup of coffee is measured in part by the machine doing the work, so this is a crucial first step to achieving perfection in your cup.

Know Your Measurements

Your recipe for perfection in a cup of coffee is all about measurements. If you don’t have the kind of personality where you abide by recipes, it would be good for you to actually get down a system of measurement.

It’s okay to wake up, throw some beans in the pot, put as much water in as you think you’re going to drink that day, and just splash some cream, sugar, and whatever else you like in the cup, but it’s a guessing game this way. If you want a perfect cup of coffee every single time, get out the tea spoons, pour the cream a spoon at a time, and take note of how much cream and sugar makes a perfect cup of coffee in your mind.

3 Common Characteristics of Awesome Coffee Shops

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You know when you’ve found one: the awesome coffee shop. These little spots brighten up the days of millions of people each day, and you’re one of their favorite customers. Still, if you’ve been a coffee drinker for more than a few months, you’ve definitely experienced some coffee shops that left you feeling like something is missing. This is a sad state to experience. No amount of caffeine can bring joy to the experience. But why are these coffee shops such a downer, and what makes a great coffee shop? Here are three common characteristics that great coffee shops all share.

1. They Keep Things Moving Without Sacrificing Quality. Most successful coffee shops are high-traffic places. In the future we’ll have automated services that spit out caffeine-beverages (they already exist in some markets), but it is going to be a long time before these services come close to matching the quality achieved by a skilled barista. Quality shops have experienced staff who can work fast without screwing up. They also don’t cut corners on ingredients or best practices. A quality coffee shop will seem busy (because it is!), but it won’t seem like the line is endless or the staff seem in over their heads. The person running the iPad POS will knock out dozens of orders every hour, and each one will arrive at counter or table at the peak of quality. It’ll seem like magic, but it’s just hard work and knowledge.

2. They Know Where to Spend Their Money. Coffee shop profit margins are tight – don’t let anyone tell you different. This is why so many coffee shops go for a “minimal” look inside. It’s not just looks, it’s impractical to spend money on expensive furnishings. Sometimes, coffee shops opt for the more expensive embellishments, but they do so at the expense of other important aspects of the coffee shop experience. Sometimes its employee pay, meaning that talented workers go elsewhere or experience burnout. Other times they don’t spend money on their core product, or don’t maintain their equipment. All of these factors can produce a mediocre product and a mediocre coffee shop.

3. They Make it About the Coffee…And the People. Every coffee lover has been to a coffee snob coffee shop. There, coffee nerds shiver in caffeine-induced titillation while watching the stream of espresso take on different shades, commenting on each. This is all well and good, but sometimes these folks can make the less enthusiastic feel out of place. Great coffee shops make a priority of coffee quality. They’re into it. They know what they’re doing. But they don’t make people feel stupid if they’re not as knowledgeable about coffee. Coffee has its place, and it’s beneath the importance of the customer experience.

There are other ways that great coffee shops do their thing, and there is diversity in this category as well. But there are certain characteristics that all great coffee shops share, and you know you’re in one the moment you step through the door. Drink great coffee, friends.

Can Coffee Be Addicting? The Pros And Cons Of Coffee

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Just like with eggs and milk, and probably numerous other food items over the years, coffee has gotten great press about the healthful things it can do for you, and it’s gotten negative press about the bad things it can do to you. So how do you know if you’re getting a good thing or a bad thing in your morning cup of Joe?

Well, if you’ve been drinking coffee for years, and it works for you, and your doctor hasn’t told you to stop, then why stop? It’s the caffeine in coffee that really gives it that bad rap. And those that say why drink it if not for the caffeine, may be missing the point.

It’s Heart Healthy, In Moderation

It isn’t the caffeine in your coffee that had articles within the last couple years going up all over online saying that coffee is heart healthy. In fact, many articles recommend drinking no less than three cups a day, and no more than five. That average gives people that drink coffee a better heart health advantage over those that don’t.

Exactly what it is in the coffee that helps the heart doesn’t seem to be specified, but who cares if it works?

Other Coffee Drinking Benefits

Not only has it been said that coffee can help improve your memory, but aside from all of that, each cup of coffee counts as your water intake for the day. That means that unlike things like soda and beer, coffee actually replenishes the water your system is made up of, just like drinking an actual glass of water.

If you are a caffeinated coffee drinker you’ll probably also notice the benefits of the extra energy that caffeine boost gives you, which can be helpful getting through morning meetings. You’ll find caffeine used in diet and weight loss products because it gives people energy.

Pregnancy And Caffeine

If you are a coffee nut and you are with child, you’re going to need to switch to decaf if you still want to get that taste each morning. Caffeine increases your blood pressure, because it is a stimulant, and this is something expectant moms don’t need. Studies say to at least cut far back on your caffeine, you don’t have to completely cut it out of your diet.

As you can see, coffee isn’t entirely the bad guy many think it is, although there is one sheer sign that caffeine is an addictive substance. If your body is used to that daily dose, a couple days off of it will give you a pretty bad headache that could last for days. But why stop if it can help your heart? Talk to your doctor and find out if caffeinated coffee is OK for you, depending on your current health situations.