Drink a Cup of Micro Roasted Coffee

Have you heard about micro roasting? It's been said that micro roasted coffee might be some of the world's best coffee. The way in which these beans have been roasted is that the correct temperature has been applied during the right amount of time in order to bring out the coffee bean's exotic flavors.

Historically some roasters have treated the beans to simulate a variety of flavors such as hazelnut or vanilla. Drink a cup of micro roasted coffee and you'll realize that it's a very complex flavor. Instead of simply getting a caffeine kick, you're able to enjoy a wonderful flavor. Once you taste a micro roasted cup and the ordinary cup, you will be able to tell the difference as you re-taste that regular coffee. You won't ever go back to that store stuff.

What Sets It Apart

Time met technology and time moved forward evolving big coffee factories utilizing machines, which roast and package huge batches of beans for societal consumption. This kind of mass produced coffee is easy to make and it's cheap. Having tasted a cup of micro brewed coffee, you see the reason for the difference in price. The micro roasted beans are roasted with a close control by a roast master. Relying on their five senses, a highly skilled artisans micro roasts the best coffee.

When a batch of beans gains the perfect degree of roasting. It is checked by taste and judged as a fine wine. The brew master checks the roast by color, smell, and taste. When it comes to micro brewing the connoisseur is the human element in the making of the best coffee on earth. It beats the machine made stuff hands down.

The coffee roasting machine produces roasted beans for the mass market. Micro roasted coffee is produced in a roasting drum that turns continuously ensuring that all the beans are roasted evenly. In the micro roasting process, cooling utilizes air rather than water. This is different than in conventional coffee production. Water in the cooling process will alter the taste and add weight to the beans. The added weight translates into a greater cost for you the customer. It means you're paying for less. Micro roasted coffee benefits you the customer in its attention to detail.

Bear in mind that not all beans require the same amount of roasting. Micro roasting allows the roast master to assure that each batch is roasted proper. Roasting only small batches of beans. Quality of each roast will be maintained. Once you've tasted coffee roasted in micro batches, you won't be able to go back to your regular beans. Another way of stating this is why would you want to give up something this good?

By Cliff Eppalton

Italian Coffee - Drink For All Occasions

Many people enjoy a cup of coffee, whether it is their morning pick-me-up or an after dinner beverage. And Italian coffee is an essential part of the Italian lifestyle and meal plan. It could be the marketing campaigns, but when many people picture Italy, they picture a finely dressed couple sipping coffee on a terrace.

And while the marketing may be a bit of an exaggeration, it does have some basis in reality. Take a walk down the streets of Milan, Rome, or other major Italian city and you are sure to see many people drinking Italian coffees while reading their paper or heading off to work.

Not An Italian Native

While certain Italian coffees may have earned international recognition, it is important to note that the coffee beans themselves do not come from Italy. The coffee that is so widely popular comes from beans grown elsewhere in the world. In order for coffee beans to thrive, they need a warm, humid climate that cannot be found along the Italian shores. Therefore the producers of Italian coffees are required to get their beans from along the equator, from places in Africa, the Americas, and Asia.

While Guatemala and Colombia are some of the more well known coffee producers, they do not do the bulk that Brazil does. Brazil produces the most of the Arabica beans that are produced in the region. The robusta beans come from the Asian producers, most commonly from India and Vietnam.

The Roasting Process

The Italian coffee that the world knows comes from the skillful roasting and blending that is done at the numerous coffee outlets throughout Italy. The raw beans are shipped in, and the roasted and blended according to the taste. From there the ground beans are left to the skills of the barista, who must control his coffee machine properly in order to get the superior coffee product that most consumers expect.

Coffee Machines

Many enthusiasts of Italian coffee will choose to brew their own at home. However, it takes a serious coffee drinker to afford the fancy equipment that is commonly seen in coffee bars. Even if you have the money and the space to own a commercial machine, it takes years of skill to learn how to operate it properly to get a perfect cup. So if you are not planning on becoming a professional coffee barista, you ought to be able to get a decent cup of Italian coffee using a high quality machine designed for home use. Most of these are relatively easy to use and will allow you to get the most out of your beans without a lot of skill required.

Buying Beans

Of course if you are planning on brewing Italian coffee at home and do not live in Italy, finding the proper coffee beans can be a bit of a challenge. However, thanks to the internet, you can now order beans from around the world. For the best results, order in small quantities. Keep the coffee stored in airtight container in a cool part of the kitchen. This will help to guarantee a fresh cup every time that you brew it.

By Anna Fiori

Popular Types of Coffee - An Introduction

There are so many different types of coffee available it can be hard to know what to choose. This is especially the case if you are new to the coffee world and not sure what you're going to like. There are two types of beans -- Robusta and Arabica -- with the majority of high quality beans on the market being Arabica. You will see certain brands advertising 100% Arabica due to their superior taste and quality. However under the category of Arabica there are countless varieties of roasted coffee from which you can select.

For example there are light roast, medium roast and dark roast coffees. Light roast is smooth and mild, gentle on the palate and the stomach. Most light coffees are going to be low in acid and therefore easier for many people to drink. However some people may find light roast too bland. Medium roast is a bit more balanced and robust, ideal for any occasion from morning until evening. Dark roast is for those who enjoy a slightly bitter, smoky, strong coffee.

European caffeine beverages like espresso and cappuccino are quite popular with many gourmet drink lovers. Espresso actually refers to a dark roast coffee prepared in a certain way. First made in Italy, espresso comes in small cups usually one ounce in size. Cappuccino is a frothy beverage that takes two shots of espresso on average and features a thick foam on top. If you enjoy a cappuccino you may also enjoy a latte, which is made with espresso and milk. These beverages can be found in coffeehouses everywhere or even prepared at home.

You can prepare your own espresso, cappuccino, latte or traditional coffee using a pod machine and compatible coffee pods. The pod system is preferred by many because it is easier to use than a traditional drip coffeemaker. These machines prepare your brew one cup at a time, with no guesswork and very little mess. Rather than having to dump wet grinds you just toss the used pod in the trash. There are all kinds of different pods out there to ensure every coffee lover gets their favorite type of coffee made by their preferred brand. Pod machines include the Black and Decker Home Cafe, the Philips Senseo and the Tassimo Home Brewer to name just a few.

By Royle Kaufman