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Coffee
Facts
Species of coffee
There are two main species of coffee Arabica and
Robusta Arabic coffees grow best at altitudes above 3,000 to 6,000
feet above sea level. These beans are also known as high-grown or hard
- beans. Arabica is considered a higher quality bean which is more
aromatic, heavier in body, a more pronounced acidity and more
flavorful brew than your lower-grown coffee. Robusta coffees grow at
lower altitudes below 2,000 feet above sea level. Robusta is less
flavorful and aromatic than higher grown coffee. These beans are less
expensive and usually used as filler in caned coffee, or made into
instant coffee.
The coffee tree
A coffee tree can grow up to15 feet (usually maintained
at 8 feet) and it takes nearly four years for a tree too mature. These
trees are aromatic and produce white flowers. The flowers produce a
coffee cherry that resemble a cranberry. Coffee cherries are harvested
when they become nice and ripe. The cherries are shaken loose or hand
picked (for better quality) and transported to processing plant.
Overripe cherries and green ones are removed after sorting. Each
coffee cherry produces two green beans. Coffee beans are the seeds
contained inside the red coffee cherry which is also known as the
coffee fruit. The best beans are screened for size, density and
discoloration.
Approximately 2000 coffee cherries make up a pound of
coffee and since there are two beans in a cherry that's 4000 or about
50 beans per cup.
The coffee bean
The coffee beans aroma and many characteristics of
taste are affected by: country, region, temperature, altitude,
rainfall, soil, The proper growth and the ripeness of the bean when
picked, bean quality (grade, size and appearance). The age of the
coffee (green) can even makes a difference. Roasting the coffee beans
and the length of time of roast also effects the taste (hoping the
roaster is accurate enough bring out its unique flavor) The grind
(course, perc, drip, auto drip, fine, espresso and Turkish). The
proper brewing method (percolator, press, drip, espresso, Turkish
(which one is best?). (cleaning your equipment occasionally will help
a great deal) Water quality (filtered preferred) Finally the time when
you actually drink your coffee
Coffee beans contain moisture, roasting on average can
cause a 20% loss of bean weight. Moisture {that} is forced out to the
surface and gives dark roasts there oily appearance. The roasting
process causes the bean to double in size.
Slow roasting takes about 15 - 20 minutes. This will
bring out the unique flavor characteristics of each coffee. Roasting
in small batches is the best way to get great tasting freshly roasted
coffee. Where as commercial roasters will compromise the flavor and
quality of the coffee in a three minute roasters. They do this to meet
productivity and price point rather than better tasting coffee.
Coffee does not require refrigeration; in fact it's not
a good idea to store your coffee in the refrigerator because coffee
absorbs flavors and aromas from other food products. To keep your
coffee fresh we recommend storing it in an airtight container or
zip-lock bag. If you're not going to use your supply of coffee within
a month then you can store it in the freezer. If freezing is
necessary, make sure to use an airtight container or zip-lock bag. (
Do not store dark roasted coffee in the freezer)
A high percentage of coffee is consumed stale (even
purchased stale) due to improper handling. Proper storage can help
coffee beans stay reasonably fresher Roasted coffee is a highly
perishable product and starts to lose small amount of flavor within
weeks. Refrigerate or freeze them? If not consumed in more than two
weeks, you probably should freeze them. This slows down the chemical reaction that
causes the beans to stale. Do not freeze dark roasted beans that have
an oily surface. These oils on beans will jell, and destroy the flavor
Even when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator the
pores of the bean absorb small amounts of odors Brewed coffee will
lose its flavor in 30 minutes or less.
GRINDING COFFEE AT HOME:
There are two types of grinders:
Blade Grinders: Blade
Grinders are most commonly used at home and are also known an used as
a spice grinder. Blade Grinders have a tendency to heat and burn the
beans and destroy the flavor (Giving your coffee that not so pleasant
burnt taste). To help prevent this grind for short period and stop
wait few seconds then grind again and do this until desired grind.
There is no precise way to adjust a blade grinder. Coffee should not
be stored in the grinder and must be cleaned regularly.
Burr Grinder: Burr
Grinders flakes or crush the beans apart and the grind can be
adjusted. Not all store burr grinders are set exactly the same these
grinders also must be adjusted for proper setting and must be cleaned
regularly. If you get your coffee ground at your local coffee shop, be
sure that they have at least two grinders, one for your single origin
coffees and one for flavored coffee. That way you do not get your
chocolate mixed in with your Costa Rican.
Making a cup of coffee
Grind enough for each pot or cup. It is important to
grind properly for each brewing method. The finer the grind you will
get a much more flavorful and stronger cup of coffee.
Use fresh cold water (filtered if possible), 2 level
tablespoons of coffee per 8oz of water. or a full 3/4 cup scoop for a
64oz. coffee pot.
If your coffee tastes too strong or bitter adjust the
grind or amount of water used. Grind coarser for milder flavor. Use 45
oz of water to a 1/2 cup of ground coffee, add hot water to your
brewed coffee pot. It may sound sill but use but it works. When you
use less coffee and more water the coffee is over extracted which will
results in a bad tasting coffee.
Other Facts
Coffee contains more than 1,000 chemical compounds.
Coffee is one of the top ten most recognizable odors.
Antioxidants in Coffee
Antioxidants are found in coffee and its immediate
aroma after brewing. During the brewing process, the antioxidants
released are just as potent as vitamins C and E. A scientific report
from the University of California found the antioxidant level in a cup
of coffee contains the same amounts of antioxidants as in three
oranges.
The antioxidant found in coffee and its aroma could
help prevent cancer and heart diseases, diabetes and cataracts. Want
the most benefits from coffee? Drink it as soon as possible.
Caffeine in a cup of coffee
Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in
seeds, fruit or leaves in more than 60 species of plants, such as
coffee, tea, cola nuts, cocoa beans.
The amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee may vary due
to serving size, brewing method, variety of plant, brands, etc.
There is about 100- 200 milligrams of caffeine in a
regular drip 8oz.cup of coffee.
Decaf. has about 2-4 mg. Espresso has 75-100millagrams
of caffeine one serving(1.5-2oz).
An 8oz. cup of tea can contain any where from 25-110
milligrams of caffeine.
Instant tea has about 20-30mgs
Caffeine stimulates the heart and respiratory systems,
the central nervous system, cardiac muscles, and is also diuretic. As
a stimulant coffee has a very fast reaction time. Coffee increases
mental alertness and activity which can improve reaction time such as
driving. Coffee was originally used as a medicine to treat asthma, hay
fever and depression. Coffee helps relax the bronchial muscles which
help to relieve asthma attacks. Caffeine increases the potency of
medicines such as aspirin. It is used in treating migraines by
constricting the dilated blood vessels and thereby reduces the pain.
Does espresso has less caffeine than a regular cup of
coffee? Yes and no.
A cup of espresso (approx. 1 ½ oz.) has about as much
caffeine as a cup of coffee.
Caffeine in espresso per milliliter is higher than a
regular cup of drip coffee.
Be aware that Espresso is prepared by using twice as
much coffee per cup, resulting in a much higher content of caffeine.
Darker roasted coffee tends to have less caffeine and less acid than
lighter roasted beans. During the roasting process some of the
caffeine and the acids are burned off.
Caffeine stimulates the body much quicker when taken in
a concentrated dosage, such as a cup of espresso.
Yes, of course coffee can affect your sleeping pattern
and may even prevent us from falling asleep. But, drinking coffee
before going to sleep could also cause intense dreams and give us the
ability to remember them in better detail.
What's the most expensive coffee in the
world?
Don't think to hard now. The paradoxurus is an
Indonesian marsupial that eats the very best coffee "cherries" off the
bush. Their selectivity is so renowned that locals retrieve the intact
beans from their feces. They are sold as Kopi Luwak, which beats out
Blue Mountain as the most expensive coffee in the world.
A pound a coffee will yield 50-60 cups. Acidity is a
pleasing sharpness that accents the flavor and adds life to the
coffee.
Do you like
Coffee Ice Cream?
Take an old pepper mill (clean pepper mill out good)
and pour in some coffee that has already been ground into the mill,
set it to fine and grind on top of vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Any
coffee will work fine but I think Dark Roasted Sumatra is the best to
use. This makes a real true flavored coffee ice cream without that
artificial taste. |
