What is fair trade coffee and why should it matter to you?

When speaking of fair trade coffee, it is first important to define the term ‘fair trade.’

Fair trade means that there exists a fair and mutually beneficial partnership between a producer of a good and the buyer of a good – in this case, the coffee growers and the companies that sell the coffee (buyers). The fair trade regulation was brought about due to the recurrence of instances where especially poor farmers had full stocks of coffee that they needed to sell in order to sustain their livelihood and make room for new coffee, and had no choice but to make the sale at a loss due to the low price offered by the buyers.

Fair Trade not only guarantees the farmers a minimum price of $1.26 per pound regardless of supply or demand, it also provides them with long term relationships with buyers, as contracts of 1-10 years must be signed between farmer and buyer in all fair trade agreements. These contracts benefit the farmers not only by providing them with stability, but because the international nature of the business allows them to be eligible for credit through the home country of the buyer. The farmers need this access to credit because they are often at the mercy of unscrupulous money lenders during their lean season, and typically have great difficulty getting out from under these unfair loans.

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There are, however, some arguments against fair trade coffee. In a theoretical sense, some believe that the institution of a set price and contracts may hurt the overall quality of the product, as farmers will see little incentive to innovate and improve standards of quality. Fair Trade proponents counter with the notion that the stability of fair trade brings more money for the farmers to increase the quality of their product and inspires a more holistic and even keeled ground for competition. Another argument against fair trade coffee is the fact that it ignores the rules of supply and demand. Whereas demand inspired pricing may see less stability in price, it could also result in greater profit spikes for the farmers. The argument against this stance is that demand based pricing is a risk not worth taking. Despite these arguments, even those who argue against some of the finer points of fair trade can still agree that in most cases the farmers are much better off than they were prior to the fair trade standard.

Regardless of the conflicting viewpoints, consumers should feel confident that coffee marked as fair trade was purchased in a way that was beneficial to the farmer and the coffee industry on the whole, and that in purchasing it they are doing their part to sustain a small coffee farm that may otherwise not be able to continue operation.

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About the Author:

This article was written by Jefferson Spooner on behalf of Larry’s Beans. He recommends you try Larry’s Beans coffee if you are interested in organic coffee and/or fair trade coffee.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – What is fair trade coffee and why should it matter to you?

Author: Matt LeClair

Making your own coffee grounds can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for a number of reasons including the fact that you are using your own resources and effort to make something that you really enjoy, you are saving a little money, and you’re creating the opportunity to make great tasting coffee. There are a few important tips for preparing your own coffee grounds that will help to keep your ground making experience joyful and rewarding.

One of the most important tips is to always keep enough coffee beans on hand to be able to make the grounds which will be used in making your coffee. If you don’t have any beans, then you can’t make any coffee, which is exactly what you are trying to avoid.

Second, you want to make sure you are storing your coffee beans properly so as to avoid any decrease in quality or freshness of the coffee beans being ground. One great way to keep your coffee beans fresh and stored properly is to use sealed containers like Tupperware, or an even better solution than this would be to use a vacuum sealable container. This would ensure that all of the air is removed from the storage device and no freshness is taken away from your coffee beans. Your coffee is going to taste much better if it is fresh so it is highly recommended that you do not store your beans in a container where air can get in.

Finally, when grinding your coffee beans, always make sure that they are completely ground to the max. This will guarantee that you will get the most grounds and the most flavor during the coffee making process. This the flavor depends so much on the quality of the grounds, it is important to make sure that you have done the best possible job of grinding the beans. You can make sure this happens by allowing your grinder to run a little bit longer than the recommend time.

If you would like to prepare the best possible coffee grounds that you can, but you’re just not sure what the right plan of attack would be, just keep these few tips in mind and you’ll be well on your way to being successful at it.

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About the Author:

Search for information on the coffee bean grinder and more at CoffeeBeanGrinderplus.com.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Tips For Grinding Your Own Coffee Beans

Author: Natalia Harrison

If you’re spending hundreds of dollars every month on espresso, gourmet coffee and cappuccino then it may be high time that you invest in an espresso machine for your home! With the average cup costing roughly five dollars for a grande made by your favorite barista, just think of how much money you would save by making your own cup!

With the increase in popularity of gourmet coffee houses and Starbucks, manufacturers have begun making espresso machines for the home. Not only do these machines look great, but they are also capable of making espresso that is equally good if not even better than your favorite coffee shop!

There are several different types of espresso machines, I will go over them in detail for you:

Automatic espresso maker: If you want all the espresso but without all the fuss, then an automatic machine is for you. You don’t have to bother with grinding your beans or tamping them down because it does the work for you. Solis, Gaggia and Saeco are some of the top brands, they are usually easy to clean and have larger water tanks as well.These are really top of the line, so be prepared to spend money on them. If you’re looking for a budget model, then the automatic espresso maker is not the one for you.

Steam Driven Espresso Makers: Steam driven machines are on the cheaper end of the spectrum, and believe me – it’s for a reason. The general consensus on this style of home espresso maker is that they aren’t really powerful enough to make a decent shot of espresso. Most consumers report a bitter, burned taste. If you are an espresso enthusiast, then you know that a bitter tasting shot is a huge no-no.

Piston Driven Makers: If you can get you can get your hands on an original piston driven espresso machine, hold on to it! The original espresso maker invented by Gaggia in the late 1930’s was driven by a piston. They are considered antiques today, and while they are not used often -they make the best foamy tops.

Pump Driven Espresso Makers: The pump driven maker is like the modern day relative of the piston driven models. If you really enjoy the process of making espresso at home, from the grinding of the beans to the tamping down – then pump driven models are best for you. They are more powerful than steam driven machines and hit pressure up to five times greater than their steam counter parts.

About the Author:

For more information on the best espresso maker or home espresso machines, visit us at CoffeeAndEspressoMachinesOnline.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Best Espresso Maker – Automatic Espresso Maker, Pump Driven Or Steam Driven?

What looks like espresso, tastes like espresso, but is not actually made from coffee? It’s called Red Espresso. Red espresso is rooibos tea, also known as red tea. It’s produced in a way that is suitable for use in espresso machines, which means you can also use it as a base for espresso-type drinks like cappuccino and caffe latte.

Rooibos tea is a South African herbal tea that is naturally caffeine-free and renowned for its health benefits. While rooibos tea is rich in antioxidants and minerals, red espresso has ten times more of both properties because of its patented grind and preparation method.

Red espresso is ideal for :
- someone who likes to be the first to try new things
- a coffee lover wanting to cut down on caffeine
- a tea drinker looking for an extra special tea experience
- pregnant ladies

Red espresso can be used with all the typical espresso/coffee making methods, including :
- espresso machines (like the La Pavoni lever machine)
- stove top moka pot
- french press
- filter coffee makers

Buy Red Espresso Rooibos Tea Espresso

[ via The Epoch Times ]

Author: Joyce Kaaland

Coffeemakers that are all about flavor are the French press coffee makers. This is the belief of many coffee connoisseurs. They believe that the best way to make a pot of coffee is by a French press model of coffee maker. A fine screen, usually of nylon or steel mesh, is pressed down on the coffee grounds after they have steeped directly in hot water.

French press coffee makers come in non-electrical and electrical models. The electrical model allows you to boil and brew your coffee (or tea) all in one carafe. A solid state heating element boils the water in just 4 minutes, faster than on a stove or in a microwave, and will automatically shut off once the water reaches a full boil. The brew cycle is shorter than most conventional coffee makers thanks to the unit’s ability to brew at the optimum temperature of 195 -205 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in superb flavor and aroma. The ingenious German-made Cordless Electric French Press brews this way and comes with a boil-dry alert, safe Lid Lock system for easy pouring, heat-resistant glass carafe, easy-to-clean stainless filters and an extra lid for use as a hot pot. This Chef’s Choice Electric Cordless French Press coffee maker has an 8 cup capacity and the cord stores in the base.

The non-electrical French Press coffee makers usually use a fine screen to press down on the coffee grounds after they have steeped directly in hot water. An electric tea kettle is a fast and convenient way to have the right water temperature. After the water comes to a boil, wait one minute and the water should be between 195 and 205 degrees, again, just the right temperature for the best flavor and aroma. The grind of the coffee cannot be forgotten here. Remember, whole coffee beans that you grind yourself give you the freshest ground coffee all of the time. The grind of the beans needs to be a much coarser grind so that it won’t clog the filter of the French press plunger.

French Press coffee makers come in different brands. The Bodum is the most popular. It makes the most French Press coffee makers and was the first company to make French press coffee makers. There glass beakers are temperature safe borosilicate glass or polycarbonate with stainless steel. There Columbian French Press is a double-walled stainless steel thermo press. This means it is a thermally insulated pot so the coffee you make will stay hot for up to 2 hours. This feature makes this a durable and practical coffeemaker that is great for small group settings at home or at an office. Other brands include the BonJour, which offers a selection of 9 French Press coffeemakers. Many of BonJour’s French press coffee makers have a secondary filter on the lid that further filters the grounds from the coffee. Some of them are made of glass and others are metal. The Trudeau Chrome Coffee Press 17 oz. will join the 34 oz. size in late November; both use stainless steel filters. All French press coffeemakers come in various serving sizes from a 3 cup to12 cup size; remember a cup is between 4-6 ounces. Bodum also offers French press coffee maker travel mugs.

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About the Author:

Joyce Kaaland is the owner of coffeemakersshop.com. I have designed kitchens for churches and know what appliances are best based on the purpose of the kitchen, wants and space.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – French press Coffeemakers to Consider

Author: Joe Jefferson

Before delving into the history and lore of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee, we need to review the main types of coffee, which are predominantly either Robusta or Arabica varieties. The difference stems from the type of coffee plant. Robusta coffees are easier to cultivate – and its production exceeds that of Arabica coffees — but are less flavorful and less consistent in quality. Accordingly, Robusta coffees are considerably less expensive. Most national coffee blends available through retailers and supermarkets are Robusta coffees. Arabica coffees, on the other hand, are well known for consistent quality, bold flavor, and intense aroma. Premium coffees marketed as single origin coffees – Kenyan, Costa Rican, Sumatran, for example – are almost universally of the Arabica variety. Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is an Arabica coffee.

Coffee found its way to Jamaica in 1728 when Sir Nicholas Lawes, Governor of Jamaica, imported Arabica seedlings from the island of Martinique. The new home was a natural and coffee production expanded. Unfortunately, Jamaica coffee productions also has its origins – as with other plantation crops – with the abhorrent practice of slavery.

This extraordinary coffee is grown in the majestic Blue Mountain range in Jamaica reaching approximately 7,402 feet at the highest peak. The Blue Mountains dominate the eastern third of Jamaica, located between Kingston to the south and Port Maria to the north. The upper reaches of the mountains are preserved as forest while the lower slopes are dedicated to coffee production. An incredible mix of rich soil, cool and misty conditions, high rainfall and good soil drainage yields a very high quality coffee. The foggy conditions are believed to slow the growth of the coffee, thereby producing a more dense (and flavorful) bean.

Only coffee cultivated in this mountainous range is permitted to hold the Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee label, which is a globally protected certification mark under the administration of the Jamaica Coffee Industry Board. Coffee grown at elevations between 3,000 and 5,500 feet has been traditionally known as Jamaica Blue Mountain. Coffee grown at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 feet (910 m) is called Jamaica High Mountain, and coffee grown below 1,500-foot (460 m) elevation is called Jamaica Supreme or Jamaica Low Mountain.

Following a post-war increase in production that threatened to ruin the quality reputation of Jamaican coffee, the colonial British government instituted the Jamaica Coffee Industry Board in 1950 to maintain and standardize the quality and consistency of Jamaican coffee in a world class manner. Upon achieving independence, the new Jamaican government continued to invest in coffee cultivation. Jamaican coffee is hand picked and supervised at every stage of pulping, drying, hulling, sorting and grading according to the Board’s regulations. All Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is wet-processed. Every export shipment is “cup quality” tested by certified tasters on the Coffee Industry Board staff. All shipments of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee must be approved and certified by the Board

What should one expect from a cup of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee? Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is known for its sweet, rich flavor and a remarkable lack of bitterness. Often considered the most balanced and complete cup of coffee. Combined with its refined taste, the intense aroma adds to its allure as the world’s best coffee. Some critics, though, claim that production increases – fueled by foreign investors – have led to Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee being no better than other premium Caribbean coffees. Nonetheless, after two centuries of production, its fame and price is still upheld by coffee connoisseurs around the world.

The only way to know whether Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is really worth the extra price, which is generally between three and four times more expensive than other premium coffees, is to try it yourself. Perhaps, a subtle suggestion or hint for your next birthday or a holiday gift will provide you the opportunity

Buy Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee

About the Author:

Joe Jefferson is the resident coffee expert at World Trader Coffee, which is proud to offer online both regular and peaberry varieties of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee as well as a wide selection of gift packages of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee: The Best Coffee in the World?

There’s no denying it, the world’s addicted to coffee. It’s amazing how often the sweet, dark nectar crops up in movies- here’s our top 10, in association with Strong Vend coffee machines.

10. Amelie: Professional do-gooder Amelie engineers the frisson between cafe regular Joseph and tobacconist Georgette by spilling coffee all over her so she’ll dash to the bathroom while he’s in there. Not to forget her clever use of the coffee steamer to disguise the vociferous nature of their… Erm… ‘Fun’.

9. You’ve Got Mail: Tom Hanks gives a rousing speech on the ‘higher’ purpose of Starbucks for the indecisive of society: “The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don’t know what the hell they’re doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino.”

8. Dante’s Peak- In the midst of a major natural disaster, Linda Hamilton’s character sets about wooing Pierce Brosnan with endless cups of coffee from her coffee shop which she personally delivers. Later in the film he admits: “I’ve never cared for your coffee.”

7. The Bucket List- Jack Nicholson’s character has a taste for the finer things in life, including one of the world’s most expensive coffees known as Kopi Luwak. Having refused to drink the coffee, Morgan Freeman later reveals its unpalletable origins: the coffee is made from the excrement of an Indonesian marsupial (the Luwak).

6. Best In Show: This movie pokes fun at the horrifying ubiquitous nature of the Starbucks coffee shop: “We met at Starbucks. Not at the same Starbucks but we saw each other at different Starbucks across the street from each other.”

5. Heat: The film that finally sees De Niro and Pacino on camera at the same time, even though they had both already starred in Godfather II. The movie culminates in a scene where the two adversaries reflect on their chosen paths over coffee in a truly memorable film moment.

4. The Devil Wears Prada: Never has an actress spent so much time running across New York collecting endless cups of hot Starbucks as Anne Hathaway for her nightmare of a boss, Runway Magazine’s Editor in Chief.

3. The Big Heat: In one of the most gruesome movie moments ever, the sadistic and cold-blooded Vince Stone throws a pan of boiling coffee over his girlfriend’s face. The audience never see the attack as the camera stays fixed on the stove the pan has been snatched from, however we hear her screams as the coffee splatters across her cheek, permanently disfiguring her.

2. Pulp Fiction: In a rush to clean up the ‘mess’ in their car, Vega (John Travolta) and Winnfield (Samuel L Jackson) head to Jimmie’s place. Whilst Winnfield compliments Jimmie on his exceptional coffee, Jimmie dismisses him: “I buy the gourmet expensive stuff because when I drink it I want to taste it. But you know what’s on my mind right now? It AIN’T the coffee in my kitchen!”

1. When Harry Met Sally: Who could forget the infamous coffee shop scene in which Meg Ryan really shows off her lung capacity. The scene culminates in the immortal line: “I’ll have what she’s having.”

About the Author:

Find out more about Strong Vend’s bean to cup coffee machines and products at http://www.strongvend.co.uk

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Top 10 Coffee References in Movies

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