All About Choosing the Right

Coffee Beans

Ah, coffee. When we hear this word, we think of relaxing moments in comfortable coffee houses, sipping a nice, steaming cup of gourmet coffee while talking to a close friend. We think of cold mornings on the couch, getting warmth from coffee as we plan to go about our days. We also think of the taste and aroma of this precious beverage that provides comfort during those long, stressful nights at work. These feelings and emotions are just part of the reason why it is important to select the right coffee beans for you. People have different tastes in coffee, and could prefer anything from your cheap, supermarket-variety of coffee beans to your more expensive, high-end gourmet coffee beans. This article will help you select the right coffee beans for you so you can get the most from your favorite beverage.

Taste Is Everything

Coffee does not all taste the same, as you probably know. There are many different flavors and varieties of coffee, just like wine, that make each blend and brew different. For example, the traditional coffee taste is acidic, slightly bitter, and strong. Lately, though, flavored coffee that has fruit incorporated into the taste – like strawberry, peach, and plum – has become popular and widespread. Also, some types have an “earthier” taste, while others taste less earthy and more sweet. Of course, any cup of coffee can be made to taste with creamer, sugar, and milk, but you should first choose a coffee blend that has the tastes you prefer.

Location, Location, Location

Like wine, coffee does vary by region and location. The area in which the coffee beans are grown will directly impact how the coffee beans taste. For example, coffee grown in Colombia is more acidic and stronger than, say, mild, light-bodied coffee from the Santos region in Brazil. There are dozens of coffee-growing regions in the world, but while this may seem confusing, it is actually one of the best parts of drinking coffee! It is a lot of fun to test out new and different varieties for just the right cup of java for you.

How Strong is Too Strong?

Coffee beans vary in strength and intensity. Generally speaking, the darker the coffee, the stronger the flavor will be. Coffee typically ranges from light to medium to dark, with the darker varieties packing a stronger punch. Some people prefer the strong, acidic and bitter taste of dark types (known as black coffee), and also appreciate the increased amount of caffeine for a bigger kick. Some people, though, prefer lighter types that are easier on the palette and stomach (which is ideal for people who may be sick or have chronic stomach problems). Chances are, if you do not like strong flavors in general, light-bodied coffee is your best bet.

There are plenty of great coffee beans out there, from gourmet coffee beans to simpler varieties. Whatever your tastes may be, there is undoubtedly a coffee bean out there for you. All you have to do is experiment a little – which does not sound that bad at all! So, the next time you pick up a nice cup of joe, think of these tips and pick your favorite bean to savor and enjoy.

 

 

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About Organic Decaf Coffee

If you have never heard about organic decaf coffee, you are in for a treat. Many coffee lovers around the world may, at some point, want to enjoy the wonderful taste of coffee without the caffeine kick to it. Others may not be able to consume caffeine, yet still want to drink a nice, steaming cup of java. Fortunately for these people, decaf coffee was created. Then there came the question of chemicals and pesticides used to make coffee, which caused some people to hesitate from drinking coffee. Again, fortunately for these people, organic decaf coffee was made. This article will tell you all about organic decaf coffee: what it means, how it is made, and what it can offer you.

About Organic Decaf Coffee: Defining Organic

In this day and age, people are increasingly becoming attracted to the notion of organic food. Thousands of pounds of chemicals, such as insecticides, fertilizers, and pesticides, are used to grow our food every year, anything from wheat to tomatoes to corn. Coffee, too, is affected. Furthermore, some coffee growers in tropical regions around the world have destroyed mass amounts of rainforest in order to plant coffee plants. This, too, is destructive. Organic decaf coffee is designed to take care of that.

Coffee that is classified as organic has to meet requirements in order to earn the label ‘organic coffee’. One of these requirements is that no pesticides or insecticides are used on the plant at any time. Another requirement is that no artificial fertilizers are used, either. (Natural fertilizers are fine.) Organic decaf coffee should also be planted in environmentally-safe locations, without clear-cutting or slashing and burning. The point is to grow coffee naturally, without the use of any chemicals or other artificial processes.

About Organic Decaf Coffee: Making it Decaf

You may be wondering how coffee is decaffeinated, especially if it has to be organically processed. The answer to that is simple: decaf coffee makers use something called the Swiss water method. In each coffee bean is caffeine, which is water-soluble. This means that caffeine can easily be removed from the bean by using water. Some, however, use methylene chloride to extract the caffeine, which is more efficient and cost-effective. This, though, exposes your decaf coffee beans to chemicals that you may not want in your beverage. Therefore, the Swiss water method is used.

Coffee makers take unroasted green coffee beans are soaked in hot water, then removed. The hot water removes the caffeine. This liquid is then passed through carbon filters that prevent the caffeine from passing through. The water that does pass through contains coffee solids that are used to soak another batch of beans. In this manner, the caffeine is the only thing to be removed from the bean during this final stage, leaving the flavor intact. With the Swiss water method, you can organically extract caffeine from your coffee beans without using any chemicals at all – and still having a great tasting batch of coffee beans.

About Organic Decaf Coffee: Cost and Value

You may have heard that organic foods tend to cost more than non-organic foods. While this is true, the price difference is not that much. Besides, with organic foods you get something that cannot be measured: health and peace of mind from eating foods that are completely natural. Therefore, the cost is balanced out by what you get for the extra money you spend. So, the next time you are in a coffee shop and see organic decaf coffee on the menu, pay a few more pennies and grab a cup. You will be doing yourself – and the planet – a favor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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All About Decaf Coffee Beans

If you are like me, sometimes you are already wired and just want a cup made with decaf coffee beans for the taste. Do not get me wrong, now; coffee is a great pick-me-up for in the morning. But sometimes, people just want to drink a nice cup of coffee and enjoy the flavors and taste without getting the caffeinated jolt that comes with it. Thus, decaf coffee beans were created. This article will tell you all about decaf coffee beans and how they give you the great flavors of coffee without the kick.

The Principle Behind Decaf Coffee Beans

Decaf coffee beans are normal coffee beans that have had the caffeine removed from them via a variety of methods. Coffee has a tremendous amount of caffeine, enough to perk just about anyone up. But some people cannot take too much caffeine, and just want to drink coffee. Others may not want the caffeine kick at that moment. For these people, decaf coffee beans were made. Note that removing the caffeine from beans results in a slight loss of flavor in some cases, but the vast majority of the time, you will not notice a difference in the taste at all. Now we will discuss five different methods for creating decaf coffee beans.

Decaf Coffee Beans Process #1: the Swiss Water Process

This method was created by the Swiss in the 1930′s (but the only plant still operating is in Canada). Green coffee beans are soaked in hot water, which causes the caffeine to leave the bean. The water (containing coffee solids and the caffeine) passes through a filter made of carbon, which lets everything pass through except for the caffeine. This water is then filtered again with new beans. This is repeated over and over again until almost all of the caffeine has been removed.

Decaf Coffee Beans Process #2: Direct Method

In this method, the coffee beans are steamed for half an hour. They are then rinsed over and over again with a chemical known as methylene chloride (or dichloromethane or DCM), over a 10-hour period. Ethyl acetate may also be employed. After removing the solvent, the beans are rinsed off and are ready for roasting. Most decaffeination facilities use DCM because ethyl acetate is more difficult to extract and use.

Decaf Coffee Beans Process #3: Indirect Method

With the indirect method, the beans are soaked for a longer time in hot water – around 10 hours. The beans are then removed and ethyl acetate is used with the water, which in turn is used with another batch of beans. After a certain number of repetitions, the caffeine is almost completely removed from the beans and is in the solvent itself.

Decaf Coffee Beans Process #4: Carbon Dioxide Method

The fourth method of the five discussed in this article involves the use of compressed carbon dioxide. Beans that have already been steamed are subjected to what scientists call supercritical carbon dioxide at extremely high pressures – resulting in the carbon dioxide being in the stage between liquid and gas. At this point, one of two things may be done. The pressure is lowered so that the carbon dioxide can evaporate. Or, the CO2 is run through filters made of charcoal or water to get rid of the caffeine. The facility then uses this mixture for another set of beans. This method actually works better than water to get the caffeine removed without chemicals.

Decaf Coffee Beans Process #5: Triglycerides Method

This last method may sound complex, but it is actually fairly simple. The maker takes unroasted coffee beans and soaks them in water. This makes the caffeine come to the surface of the bean. The beans are then placed in a solution containing coffee oils, which strip away the caffeine. The beans are then dried off, and no caffeine remains. This method is particularly popular because coffee oil is the solvent – which means no flavor is lost.

 

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Gormet Coffee Beans-Coffee Holidays

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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