Mountain Perks Coffee » Coffee

Why Is Mountain Grown Coffee So Good?

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:51:10 +0000

Many companies who tout their coffee on television talk about how their coffee is mountain grown. This has probably left you wondering, “Is mountain grown coffee really that much better?” The short answer is yes, mountain grown coffee has a much better flavor than coffee grown elsewhere.

There are many factors to delicious coffee and one of the more important factors is the climate in which the coffee is grown. Coffee that is grown naturally generally has a better flavor than coffee beans that were grown in full sun with the aid of fertilizers. Partial sun is also a great environment for the coffee to grow at the best rate. Beans from coffee trees grown in full sun tend to not have as desirable flavor as those from trees grown in the shade. The higher elevations of the mountains keep the coffee plants at around 70 degrees which is a prime growing environment for coffee.

Probably the most desired coffee is Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. At a price of $26-$40 per pound, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee isn’t just expensive, it comes with a beautiful, well balanced flavor with medium acidity and perfect body. The unique soil and perfect climate conditions in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica are unrivaled throughout the world. The geology and topology of this area provides the ideal location for coffee growth, but the area is fairly small which lends to higher prices in coffee.

Coffee trees not only grow best at high altitudes, but the beans they produce are much higher quality than beans from a coffee tree growing in other conditions. Since many coffee trees grow best in shade, plants that grow in shade produce better flavored beans than those in full sun.

Coffee trees also grow best with moderate winds. Areas that meet the needs of coffee trees are usually tropical and sub-tropical environments as these areas also experience heavy rain which is also necessary for the growth of perfect coffee beans.

What’s The Difference Between Coffee and Espresso?

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:52:31 +0000

Many people do not understand the difference between coffee and espresso. There are actually very distinct differences between the two. Espresso is actually just a way of preparing coffee and coffee is really just a beverage made from roasted coffee beans. Espresso is made by forcing hot water at a high pressure through finely ground coffee. “Coffee” in the sense of your average cup of joe (or drip coffee,) is made by the use of gravity to move water through coffee grounds. The coffee beans used to make a regular cup of coffee are the same beans that are used for espresso.

Drip coffee is made by pouring hot water onto ground coffee. Steam and pressure are involved in the process of making espresso. Because of how espresso is prepared, it cannot be matched by drip coffee. Espresso is much stronger than a regular brewed cup of coffee which lends to its use in many popular coffee drinks. While the differences seem small, espresso is much more desirable than drip coffee in coffee drinks because it has much bigger flavor in a smaller volume. If drip coffee were used in a fancy coffee drink, after all is added, the flavor of the coffee would taste kind of watered down. This is why espresso offers much more convenience versus drip coffee for coffee shops and cafes.

Coffee ground for espresso is extremely fine. It is also as fine as dust, whereas coffee ground for drip coffee is not as fine. Those who make espresso tightly pack the coffee and then the espresso machine forces approximately 1.5 ounces of hot water through the finely ground coffee. Drip coffee makes use of coarsely ground coffee. This process also makes use of hot water. One myth about espresso is that it contains a ton of caffeine. A shot of espresso contains no more coffee than a cup of drip coffee. In fact, a cup of drip coffee contains more caffeine!

The Best Way to Clean Your Coffeemaker

admin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:55:59 +0000

Coffee is made up of various components such as oils that bring out the wonderful flavor of the bean. These amazing oils also can make a coffee maker quite dirty. These oils cannot be simply rinsed with water, either. Many people are unsure of what to use to clean a coffee maker. They don’t want to use chemicals because this can harm their bodies since residual chemicals could be left in the coffee maker after cleaning it.

A coffee maker needs to be cleaned at least once a month. Luckily, there are many household products that can be used to clean a coffee maker without the worry of harmful chemicals. Vinegar is a non-toxic household item that is very effective in cleaning coffee makers. Baking soda is another method that will have to be used more often as it doesn’t have as lasting of an effect as vinegar. Bleach is another method, but is best for just the coffee pot and not to be run through the machine.

Vinegar is probably the best option when it comes to cleaning a coffee maker because of its acidity. The acidity in vinegar helps get rid of lime, mineral build up, and residual oils left from beans. To use the vinegar method, soak the coffee pot with vinegar. Also, run vinegar through the coffee maker. After doing this, rinse off the coffee filter holder. Also fill the coffee maker with plain water and run this through. Repeat with fresh water until the vinegar flavor is gone.

Drip coffee makers should be cleaned monthly. By using a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts water in an amount to fill the coffee pot, those cleaning the coffee maker can get the coffee maker clean. The mixture should completely run through the coffee maker. Those with a clear coffee pot will be able to see all the coffee, oils, etc that the vinegar was able to remove. Regularly cleaning a coffee maker ensures the best flavor in coffee.

How to Buy a Coffee Maker

admin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:18:16 +0000

Anyone who has had a great cup of coffee knows that a great cup of coffee comes from a great coffee maker. Those looking to buy a coffee maker will want to get a good coffee maker so the coffee they brew is superb. Also, a good coffee maker will be sturdy which means it will last a long time. There are some important things that anyone buying a coffee maker should keep in mind as they shop around.

The buyer must ask themselves how often they plan on using the coffee maker and how large of a coffee maker will be needed. It is also important to know what type of coffee maker to purchase. The most popular type of coffee maker is the drip coffee maker. These tend to be the lowest in price, too. It is also a good idea to keep in mind what features are important on a coffee maker as many machines come with a variety of buttons and knobs that fulfill various coffee related tasks.

There are several things the buyer may want to look at while shopping for a coffee maker. Many popular coffee makers are popular for a reason, they work! Buyers may want to consider one of the more popular models. Price must also be considered as coffee makers can start at a low price of $15 and range up to hundreds of dollars. It is also important to consider how sturdy a coffee maker is when purchasing it. Many people have only a small space in their kitchen. It is a good idea to find out how much space the coffee maker will take up.

There are various sources that shoppers can look at to make sure the coffee maker they are planning on purchasing is as good as it looks. There are many places where buyers can view ratings of different products based on how the products work and what kind of service the manufacturer provides to buyers. It’s a good idea to search the Internet for product reviews on coffee makers to get opinions from actual people and not advertisers.

What’s So Special About Kona Coffee?

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:21:18 +0000

There are many types of coffee throughout the world that have made the region they come from very popular such as blue mountain coffee from the blue mountains of Jamaica. Another widely popular coffee is Kona coffee which is produced in the Kona district of Hawaii. Kona coffee has a very rich flavor which is due to the location and the environment in which this coffee is grown and cultivated. In the Kona district of Hawaii, coffee farmers take great care to make sure that the quality of their coffee is top notch. This allows for an amazingly flavored bean. Because of the unique, rich flavor of Kona coffee, there is a high demand for it.

Many coffee connoisseurs can tell whether or not a coffee bean used to brew their coffee was of high quality. Since the beans that make up Kona coffee are very high quality beans hailing from a great growing environment, many of these coffee connoisseurs agree that Kona is an amazing coffee. Kona coffee has a full flavor with a subtle spice that coffee drinkers enjoy as a unique twist. Because of this, Kona coffee is one of the more highly ranked coffees in the world.

Kona coffee is grown in an area known as the Kona Coffee Belt. This area contains beautiful windy mountains. The soil here is extremely fertile and is well drained because of the volcanic compounds in the soil. This area receives 60 inches of rainfall each year which makes for perfect conditions for growing coffee. The Kona Coffee Belt is only about 30 miles long and one mile wide which lends to coffee that can be fairly high in cost because of the high demand for it. The Kona region of Hawaii offers a unique climate which bright and sunny mornings which allow the plants the proper amount of sunlight to grow. Clouds cover the area in the afternoon which helps in protecting the plants from too much sun. Because of these perfect coffee growing conditions, Kona coffee can grow to give the rich flavor that coffee connoisseurs crave.

The Amazing Health Benefits of Coffee

admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:30:00 +0000

Coffee is known for its drawbacks such as staining teeth, but are there any benefits that coffee offers? Actually, coffee offers many benefits. These benefits far outweigh the negatives when it comes to drinking coffee. Because of this, coffee has become popular among those watching out for their health.

Studies have shown that those who regularly drink coffee are less likely to develop type two diabetes. Other studies have shown that those who regularly drink coffee are less likely to have cardiovascular problems. Coffee has also been found to be rich in antioxidants. There are many other reasons that coffee is healthful, thus leading to an increased consumption of coffee.

Research has shown that coffee is very healthful and that these benefits not only outweigh any risks, but they far outweigh any risks! Those who drink 1-3 cups of caffeinated coffee each day reduce their chance of developing type two diabetes to single digits.

Coffee has also shown to offset some of the damage that coffee drinkers get from other problems such as smoking or the drinking of alcohol. However, drinking coffee does not necessarily make smoking and drinking alcohol healthy.

Coffee has also been found to help manage asthma. Coffee has often been used for those having an asthma attack when medication is otherwise unavailable. It has also been found to stop headaches, boost moods, and in some cases it has even been found to prevent cavities.

Because of the benefits of coffee, it is quickly becoming the latest health food craze. There are many reasons for the increased consumption of coffee. For example, those who drink coffee regularly (1-3 cups per day) are 25% less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who drink less coffee or do not consume coffee at all.

Some studies have shown that, because of the antioxidants in coffee, those who consume it are at a lower risk to develop certain types of cancer which include cancer of the colon, mouth, throat, and esophagus. Coffee has also been found to help prevent against endometrial cancers. Those who drink coffee are also less likely to have cavities, gallstones, and cirrhosis of the liver which is a dangerous condition caused by the drinking of alcohol.

Those who drink coffee are also less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, or to commit suicide. These are just a few of the reasons that coffee consumption has become a part of health food crazes.

K-Cups and Coffee Pods?

admin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:32:32 +0000

Many people who drink coffee find themselves on the go all the time. Because of this, many companies have come up with solutions for these people to live their fast paced lifestyle but still be able to enjoy a good cup of coffee. There are two main products on the market that allow those with a fast paced lifestyle to enjoy a cup of coffee. These products are known as k-cups and coffee pods.

These products are different from each other, but they both offer convenience and time saving when it comes to making a cup of coffee. K-cups are pre-measured portions of ground coffee that are sealed in air-tight plastic cups which seals in the aroma and flavor which allow for portioned coffee and maximum freshness. Coffee pods are very similar in that they are pre-measures, but there are more flavors of coffee available in this type and these can be used with any coffee pot. Because of this, coffee pods are perfect for anyone with any budget.

K-cups often have to be used with certain coffee makers whereas pods can be used with practically any single serve coffee maker. Because coffee pods are available in a large variety of flavors, they are more popular than k-cups. Coffee pods are also popular because they don’t have to be enjoyed with a particular coffee maker. Thus, those using coffee pods can try different brands without being stuck with a particular brand just because they bought a particular coffee maker.

Because of the fast paced lifestyle of many Americans, the growth of k-cups and coffee pods has increased in recent years. K-cups and coffee pods owe their popularity to the busy lives of Americans. Single serve coffee makers are now in high demand because of coffee pods and k-cups as these allow each person in a household to enjoy their own type of coffee and not be bound to the type of coffee others in the house enjoy. Americans enjoy their coffee and k-cups and coffee pods make enjoying a cup of coffee easier.

The Quest for a Good Home Espresso Machine

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:36:45 +0000

An espresso machine is a must-have for anyone who enjoys coffee. What an espresso machine does is brew a very potent form of coffee. Many coffee lovers call this an espresso shot. Espresso shots are used in many popular coffee drinks that can be found at cafes around the country.

There are many parts that make up an espresso maker. An espresso machine contains a boiler, a filtration system, and a steam device that is often used to steam milk for drinks such as cappuccino. There are many different styles of espresso machines and they come in a variety of prices. There are many deluxe espresso makers, but there are also many lower shelf makers which allow anyone to own an espresso maker regardless of the price range they can afford.

There are three main types of espresso machines. There are manual machines, semi-automatic, and super-automatic. Those planning a purchase on an espresso maker should look into what each type offers them so they can get the best machine to fit their needs. A super-automatic machine is very popular because it requires the least amount of work for those making espresso.

Those who wish to be their own barista, should consider a manual espresso maker. Regardless of the type of machine chosen, the buyer should place importance on the quality of the machine so they can get a machine that lasts.

The use of espresso machines in homes is become increasingly popular with the recent rise in cafes around the country. While these machines are popular, there are many factors that need to be considered when making an investment in an espresso maker. Those looking to buy a good, solid espresso maker should look at spending around $200.

It is important for the buyer to select a machine from a manufacturer that offers support in the case that the espresso maker does not operate properly. This is one of the many reasons that those looking to buy an espresso maker should make sure they select a well-built model made from a trustworthy company.

Percolator Coffee–Better than Drip?

admin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:39:16 +0000

Percolator coffee pots were extremely popular in early to mid 20th century. While electric coffee pots have become more mainstream than percolators, percolators are still popular. Percolators offer many benefits that electric coffee pots do not. Since a percolator does not require electricity to work, they are popular at picnics and among those who enjoy camping. Percolators are also more friendly to the environment than electric coffee makers because they do not used electricity and they use less water.

Using a percolator is very easy. To use a percolator, fill it with the desired amount of water. Then put the coffee basket on the pump stem before putting it in the percolator. Add the desired amount of coarsely ground coffee in the coffee basket and then put the cover on the basket followed by the percolator top. To prepare the coffee, put the percolator on the stove (or fire for those camping) and cook over medium heat. When the coffee is done, remove the percolator from the stove and enjoy!

There are many guidelines that those who have never used a percolator should follow. Those brewing coffee with a percolator should make sure that the percolator doesn’t get too hot since the coffee can burn which can ruin the flavor. Those using a percolator should also be careful not to leave it on the stove or fire for too long. This can also cause the coffee to burn and ruin the flavor. The optimal time to heat the coffee is eight minutes.

Using coarsely ground coffee is best as more flavor can be pulled from the coffee by using ground coffee than beans. While these guidelines may seem strict and make percolating coffee not seem worth the trouble, it is! Coffee from a percolator is much better than coffee from a drip coffee maker and no other type of coffee maker can match the rich flavor and aroma than coffee from a percolator. Because of this, percolators remain popular even after the introduction of easy-to-use drip coffee makers. The flavor of percolated coffee is simply unrivaled!

Choosing a Really Great Coffee Travel Mug

admin — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:35:40 +0000

A large portion of the US population finds themselves on the go. As coffee goes hand in hand with this lifestyle since it is what jump starts the day for many Americans, it’s important for coffee to be portable. A travel mug is a common companion of people on the go as is provides a safe way to carry coffee.

There are many different types of coffee mugs and each has a different use so it’s a good idea to take care in selecting the perfect coffee travel mug. A good coffee mug has a cover that allows it to be spill-resistant, but also allows for easy drinking. As many Americans commute in their cars, the mug should be able to fit in a car cup-holder. The commute can be long for many, so an insulated cup that can keep coffee hot for their trip is worthwhile.

Those looking to buy a travel mug should consider a few things before making the final selection. Many people have preferences as to what their mug is made of. Travel mugs are made from different materials including stainless steel, plastic, and ceramic. It’s a good idea to consider the benefits and pitfalls of each material before making the final purchase.

It is also a good idea to take a look at the lid. Does it look like something that could leak? Is it easy to use? These are important questions when it comes to buying a travel mug as there is nothing worse than a leaky mug that is hard to drink from. The care requirements must also be considered. Is the mug dishwasher safe or does it need to be washed by hand? It is important to follow the cleaning instructions for the mug so that it lasts.

Travel mugs are very popular and they come in a variety of styles to fit nearly all tastes. Prices on mugs vary depending on the features that it includes and the company it is purchased from. Mugs made from stainless steel are often the more expensive types, but offer a healthier option.

It is also important to consider a mug with double wall insulation as they keep beverages hot or cold for several hours longer than a mug that is not insulated. There are many different choices in coffee mugs and they often make the lives of those using them easier when it comes to enjoying a cup of coffee to jump start the day.