Thought for Food

I saw three coffee trees growing in a coffee shop window this week. I think it would neat to serve coffee that you had grown yourself. I imagine you would need a good warm indoor spot for them through our winters.

Did you know that you can grow your own coffee beans? Well, you can! Be advised that it takes four ‘4’ years before you’ll be able to harvest your first, very own, beans or cherries if you will. On the plus side of things, during that four years and there on, you will enjoy a very pretty evergreen type shrub that sports a very pretty white flowers that have a pleasant fragrance.

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The Gourmet Sleuth has done a little detecting and dug up clues to solving the mysteries of Starbucks recipes. (I’m sure there’s a couple of jokes embedded in that phrase.) Among the links are recipes for these standard beverages plus some that I’ve not seen in Starbucks around here.

There are also some pastry recipes. Again, Starbucks in this area have pastry supplied by a local bakery, so I’m not sure what constitutes a “Starbucks” pastry.

• Java Chip Frappucino
• Mocha Frappucino
• Double-Strength Coffee
• Frappuccino (Starbucks Clone)
• Recipe(tried): Starbuck's Frappuccino
• Recipe: Starbucks Chai Tea
• Starbucks Caramel Macchiato
• Starbucks Frappuccino
• Starbucks Frappucino II

GourmetSleuth.com - Starbucks Copycat Recipes.

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A few simple steps will go a long way to ensuring you brew a great cup of coffee each time.

1. Keep your equipment clean. A solution of vinegar diluted in water will prevent impurities tainting your coffee.
2. Measure your portions. Two tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water. Be consistent in this measure, regardless of the number of cups you are brewing.
3. Use fresh-ground coffee. Oxidization is the enemy of freshness. Grind the coffee immediately before brewing.
4. Use filtered water. Coffee is mostly water: the better the water, the better the coffee.
5. Use the correct temperature. Coffee should be brewed with water at between 195 and 200 degrees F.
6. Store in an air-tight container. Brewed coffee stays fresher longer when kept in an air-tight thermal carafe.

Technorati Tags: Coffee, Brewing, HowTo, Beverages

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Alex Lopez-Ortiz and Daniel Owen have compiled an extensive collection —click here for Frequently Asked Questions about Coffee— of coffee-related FAQ. From brewing basics and definitions through to home roasting and even growing, this site provides answers and/or links to more detailed sites, organized into the following categories.

1. How to brew the ultimate drink
2. Preparation Methods
3. Peripherals and Secondary Storage
4. Home Coffee Roasting
5. Do it Yourself
6. Miscellaneous
7. Coffee Recipes
8. Flavoring
9. Espresso Drink Names/Terms

Frequently Asked Questions about Coffee

If you have questions about caffeine, check out their site, Caffeine FAQ.

Technorati Tags: Beverages, Recipes, Tips+and+Tricks, Home+Roasting+Coffee, Brewing+Coffee, Espresso

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by: Gary Gresham

Want to brew the perfect cup of coffee?

Here are 3 simple tips that will make a difference in every single cup you drink.

Tip #1 Clean Coffee Pot

A clean pot is essential and can make a world of difference in the taste of your coffee. Old oils from previous batches of coffee and soap residue left on the pot makes coffee taste bad.

Baking soda and water work well for cleaning coffee mugs and pots. Be sure to rinse extra good so no residue is left behind.

Tip #2 Clean Filtered Water

The water you use for your coffee will affect the taste more than anything. Coffee is 99% water so use clean filtered or bottled water free from chlorine and other minerals that will affect the taste of your coffee.

Using stainless steel or gold mesh filters instead of paper filters will also make your coffee taste better. Paper filters release dyes, chlorine and bleach that affect taste. If you insist on using paper filters buy the unbleached, brown paper filters.

Tip #3 Use Fresh Quality Coffee

Quality coffee costs more but will consistently produce better tasting coffee.

For the best results use quality, whole bean coffee and grind the coffee beans just prior to use. You might think it's an inconvenience compared to ground coffee, but once you taste the difference you'll never go back.

If you still want to use ground coffee, make sure you use a good, drip grind coffee.

Use 2 level tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water. This can be adjusted for individual taste preference. Make sure to spread the grounds evenly in the coffee filter so full brewing is achieved.

Drink your fresh coffee right away for the best flavor. Coffee will break down quickly if left on a heat source. Coffee should never be reheated or microwaved.

A clean, preheated air pot or stainless steel Thermos will keep coffee hot for about an hour without hurting the flavor.

If you follow these 3 simple tips, every cup you brew will be perfect coffee.

Copyright © 2004. PerfectCoffees.Com. All rights reserved.

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