by Vince Paxton

Imagine your profession as a ?cupper.? Yes, cupping does exist. In fact, professional coffee tasters enjoy the profession as an addition to judging contests, coffee buying and writing reviews, among other coffee-related tasks. But, sitting with several cups of Moonson Mysore coffee among other delicious flavors is a pleasure that can be experienced by anyone, not limited to only masterly cuppers.

A ?cupper? tastes and smells coffees for their flavor, body, aroma and acidity among many other attributes. A simple arrangement can help replicate the professional setting at home.

Be sure to have plenty of filtered water, as even the highest quality grounds can be spoiled with less-than-quality water. Water can have a stale taste to it when it has absorbed odors and been tainted with unpleasant tasting minerals such as sulfur or even mildew from the pipes. Avoid softened or distilled water also since it retains too much of the salts used to soften the water. Just stick with fresh, filtered water for the best taste and cupping experience.

It is useful to have a tray that can hold about a dozen small cups or cupping bowls, as well as a variety of measuring spoons or scoops. Of course, do not forget the coffee itself.

Begin boiling the water, and then grind the beans using a burr grinder set to different settings based upon the number of trials to take place. The fineness of the grind makes a significant difference in the final cup of coffee.

Prepare the coffee but allow samples to steep for several minutes. Generally, you will want two tablespoons of coffee per six fluid ounces of water, but adjust these measurements as you experiment. The water should stay around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, but the temperature can also be adjusted as you experiment with different combinations.

Now, filter the coffee or let it settle for a moment after which you can spoon out a taste and then smell. Enjoy the aroma for a moment, then taste the coffee letting it run over the tongue. Hold the taste for just a few seconds, and then spit the coffee into a nearby container.

You should now set back and think about that particular coffee?s profile. Did it have a woody taste and smell, or was it peppery or floral in flavor and character? It can be amazing how many different varieties of coffee there are, but a little knowledge of the origin of coffee grounds and beans should lessen any surprise considering the array of soil, preparation methods and climates.

Try coffees from different countries. For instance, you will notice that Kenyan AA is a rougher, darker coffee than Columbian which is more floral, whereas the Yemen Mocha is completely different from both offering the cupper a winey taste.

Try some of the different roasts which vary from very dark to light. Or, alter the grind from very fine to rough. Changing the grind or the roast in the same bean can make a big difference in the final coffee taste and texture. Some common attributes applied to a coffee?s profile refer to the acid (tart, somewhat dry), aroma (fruity, floral or herb-like), bitter, body, nuttiness, or sharpness.

About the Author:
 Mail this post

Popularity: 83% [?]

Technorati Tags:



by Jack Blacksmith

There was a time in America when there was drip or instant, sugar or milk. The name of the game was Folger’s. Soon enough, the world was brimful with choices including the Skybury from Australia to the Peaberry from kenya, from Barcelona to Kona. Thankfully there’s plenty of variety in options of style, country and blend to make the biggest coffee aficionado become confused.

Brazil, of course has been the world’s largest producer for more than a century now. A third of the countries land is suitable for coffee cultivation. Bahia and Minas Gerais produce some of the most aromatic blends from this South American country.

Though Colombia, is more famous it is second in volume and it is a sweet and light pleasure that comes in ‘excelso’ and ’supremo’ flavors. Coffees made from Narino or Popayan are the best in quality.

Apart these two big names in coffee production theres a world of different flavors that have their own specific colors too, only adding to the exhaustive list.

Mexico retains its pride of place to better known South or Central American plantations. The variety of small beans grown here produce a soft body and light acidity, producing a mellow flavor and taste. Cuba, with its extremely strong cafe cubano - tastes like tequila competing with Spanish cousins in the shock.

As the fourth largest producer of good coffee, Indonesia is known for its mature coffees. The warm, damp climate churns out a drink with deep body and less acidity.

Not to be cowed by its more famous neighbor, Malaysia brews its coffee in a muslin bag, used to filter grounds, producing a strong cuppa. Though low on grade Liberica should be experienced.

The small Thailand also punches in with a blend touched with chicory served with condensed milk and ice, of course for the breed that enjoys its coffee not warm. Think of Mauna Loa and Kona is aromatic, sweet and having a medium body. On the other hand, Sumatra’s Java is richly flavored. Kenya boasts of its beanya, cultivated at seventeen thousand feet high deep and smooth, and having a delicate aftertaste that beats all words!

The Europeans don’t take second place to anybody. The cafe au lait - half and half milk and coffee concoction is a hot favorite in France. Austria still cherishes the two-thirds dark, one-third regular traditional Viennese blend for generations now.

In 1901 Thanks to Luigi Bezzera and later M. Cremonesi in 1938, Italian espressos are to die for. They contain less caffeine compared to others, you can have two and without feeling guilty. Those looking for something lighter, can try out the weaker cappuccino and latte.

For me though, the good old American black is the coffee, the whole coffee, and nothing but my coffee.

About the Author:
 Mail this post

Popularity: 3% [?]

Technorati Tags:



by Leroy Calstard

If you are buying a small cooking appliance, you may want to consider the assortment that West Bend has to present. They are distinctively modestly valued and propose a good price. They make small kitchen devices that encompassed popular trends for a long time plus the most recent accepted kinds of small kitchen devices.

Coffee Center To brew hot coffee it the West Bend three-in-one coffee center that permits you, to also brew espresso and cappuccino. The coffee center is an good-looking model that has the ability to brew ten cups and it will also supply four cups of cappuccino or espresso. It is planned with a steam plunger that move back and forth as well as outward for frothing your infusions such as lattes, mochas plus cappuccinos.

The model is included in the removable basket that moves back and forth which makes it easier while inserting the filter and your coffee. The unit as well contains a pause key, preventing coffee from running as you remove the carafe. What’s more, this model has an adaptor that attaches to an espresso holder, which permits you to brew two cups of espresso at the same time. The decanter, the basket as well as the cover and the accessories for the espresso brewers are dishwasher safe.

Can Openers West Bend can openers are well-liked small kitchen appliances. They are good-looking and don?t take up a lot of counter space. The can also be installed under your kitchen cabinets to save space on your counter. They are planned with a cutting accessory finished from chrome and the accessory is dishwasher safe. West Bend can openers are made to open tall cans and these openers are designed with a routine shutdown. These small kitchen domestic devices as well come with a knife sharpener and a bottle un-capper. The can openers are made with an area inside the base for cord storage.

Smoothie Machine One more popular small kitchen appliance presented by West Bend is their excellent smoothie-making machine. The item is good-looking with a retro look. The smoothie machine comes with a 48-ounce glass container and the sturdy case is manufactured from cast metal.

Slushie machine The West Bend Slushie Express is one more of their popular small kitchen appliances. The Slushie Express can make a tasty slushie in about one minute. After the slushie has been created you simply turn over the blending pot and use it as a cup. Enjoy your slushie and with the cup that was planned for ease of grip. Stir Crazy Corn Popper The West Bend Stir Crazy Corn Popper will pop twenty-five percent more corn than other poppers and use the same measure of corn with less oil. Another benefit of the Stir-crazy corn popper is that it was designed with a non-stick popping finish. The Stir Crazy cover flips to become a serving bowl. The unit has West Bends Exclusive motorized stirring rod, along an exclusive built-in butter well. If you are looking around for some new small kitchen appliances for your residence, test out the products offered by West Bend.

About the Author:
 Mail this post

Popularity: 4% [?]

Technorati Tags:




Page 2 of 81«12345»...Last »