Espresso, by definition, has a more dense consistency and a higher amount of dissolved solids, per relative volume, than ?regular? coffee. Espresso is also normally measured in shots, whereas regular drip coffee is measured in cups. It is not just a concentrated cup of coffee that contains a greater amount of caffeine than a regular cup of drip coffee. Of course, if you drank twelve ounces of espresso shots, it would certainly contain more caffeine than twelve ounces of drip coffee, but often people assume that just because they are drinking espresso, even at one or two shots, that they are consuming a lot more caffeine than if they drank a regular cup of coffee.

So, if you are spending the extra dollars on espresso drinks for the sake of getting more caffeine, then you are wasting your money. Most coffee drinkers have discovered what they like best and pretty much stick with that. Some have chosen espresso, and some drip coffee, and there is an appreciation for and pleasure found in both. One is not better than the other, but each holds their own aura and attraction about them.

If you are into coffee making, then you are going to have to try making espresso drinks sooner or later, especially because espresso drinks are such a fad these days! If you really want to get fancy about it, you can buy an espresso or cappuccino maker ? which many times do work better when you are working with espresso coffee. Though there are several standard recipes for espresso drinks, such as cappuccino or lattes, you should feel free to experiment. Start with a shot of espresso and work from there, adding such things as milk (hot milk is best), and different types of spices and flavorings. The sky is the limit, and you may just invent a new espresso drink during your coffee making experimentation that your friends will rave about. Espresso can be expensive, however, so try to experiment with different espresso drinks that you will probably be willing to drink, even if you don?t think that they?ll be a big hit.

John Gibb is the owner of coffee making sources , For more information on how to make coffee check out http://www.cofeemaking-sources.info

Brazilian coffee ? The country of Brazil produces more coffee than any other area in the entire world. The hot, humid climate and rich soil of Brazil is perfect for large coffee plantations. Brazilian coffee has been famous for many years and it wasn?t too long ago that most coffee drinkers simply assumed that the coffee they were drinking came from Brazil. Though it may be different these days, with many people being more conscious of where their coffee was grown, Brazil is still the largest supplier. Before the new coffee craze in the United States, most exported Brazilian coffee was a blend of high-quality and low-quality beans ? with the focus being on keeping the price of coffee low. These days, however, with people being more discerning about the coffee that they drink, a lot of the coffee that comes from Brazil is very high-quality, with advancements being made all the time in flavor enhancement. Coffee from Brazil can definitely hold its own these days against any other ?specialty? coffees.

Columbian coffee ? Running a close second to Brazil, the country of Columbia is a major coffee producer. Columbian coffee ranks right up there with Brazilian coffee in terms of richness and flavor, as their climates and soil compositions are very similar. Many times coffee producers will combine Columbian and Brazilian coffees to make unique new blends that are very pleasing to the palate.

Hawaiian coffee ? the only state in the entire United States that produces and exports coffee, Hawaii has been renowned for the special rich flavor of its coffee beans. The famous Hawaiian ?Kona? blends have been a favorite of coffee lovers for many years, and for good reason. No matter how coffee makers from other areas try, they cannot completely duplicate the unique flavor of Hawaiian coffee. Many people say it is the combination of the perfect weather, and the rich soil that has been produced by a history of volcanic activity.

There are many more countries and areas that produce coffee, and for each area that coffee is grown, the flavors can all be different, if only subtly. Those who are interested in trying all of the different types of coffees out there, from many different areas, should do some research. They may discover coffees that they?ve never tasted or even heard of before. For coffee lovers, this can be quite an adventure!

John Gibb is the owner of coffee making sources , For more information on how to make coffee check out http://www.cofeemaking-sources.info

It is best to start with the basics. Cappuccinos and lattes are variations on espresso. They differ only in their ratio of espresso to steamed milk. Neither requires its own separate kind of bean.

The inexperienced shopper could easily be fooled into thinking that there are countless assortments of beans to chose from and be overwhelmed. Sometimes, unscrupulous marketers with take advantage of this common myth so they seem to have a larger inventory. In reality, there are only two types of beans available commercially: Arabica and Robusta.

Arabica is a high altitude bean, grown at 2,400 feet above sea lever or higher, characterized by a smooth, yet slightly acidic, taste. It is usually grown in eastern Africa and Central and South America. Robusta grows in the lower altitudes of Southeast Asia, central Africa and Latin America and has a more potent, sometimes bitter taste.

There are many methods and opinions about the best way to roast beans, but the basic process involves exposing green, raw coffee beans to high temperatures, usually about 480 degrees Fahrenheit, for seven to 12 minutes. The heat alters the beans, manipulating their natural bitterness and acidity. The beans become more bitter and less acidic the longer they are roasted.

There is no one right way to roast or grind beans for espresso. In fact, espresso is usually made with a blend of beans of different colors and consistencies. It is not uncommon for different geographical areas to favor a specific blend. For example, in northern Italy, they prefer espresso roast in the medium range, while California tastes lean toward the darker, French roast.

You are not likely to find the freshest beans in a grocery store, and you can bet on that when in comes to pre ground coffee. The best you can do in that situation is pay close attention to the expiration date. You should have better luck finding fresh beans in a coffee house, especially one that roasts in house. Naturally, they will need to roast more of the most popular, fastest selling bean more often, and it is probably the most popular for a reason. Perfect freshness comes from grinding your own just roasted beans immediately before brewing.

Quality beans are a good place to start, but by no means is that the only factor to consider when making espresso. Other things to think about are the time lapse between grinding and brewing, the time lapse since roasting, the condition of equipment and water quality. What makes the best espresso will likely be an endless debate, but the endless options ultimately boil down to a matter of preference.

Corinne Waldon has written many articles on the subject of coffee. Corinne writes for The Coffee Site where you can find many gourmet coffee resources at your finger tips including coffee related forums, directories, reviews and more.

What Machine Should I Buy?
There are many types of espresso machines available, which vary in quality. The really good ones control the temperature of the water to within a few degrees of what is considered optimum.

How Long Does It Take To Make An Espresso Shot?
It shouldn’t take much longer than 20-30 seconds to make a rich shot of espresso. You can pull a shot of espresso into a pre-heated glass to maintain the right temperature of your drink. Milk based espresso drinks such as cappuccino also make use of steam wands built into the machine which steams and froths the milk.

Does A Portafilter Make It Taste Better?
Bottomless portafilters have the added advantage of ensuring the espresso does not contact metal during the process of extraction. Greater volume of espresso will flow using a portafilter and many people think it tastes better.

Types Of Espresso Machine
There are many different types of Espresso machine. Here is a summary: -
?Stovepot Espresso Maker – Portable but overextraction can produce a burnt taste.
?Steam Espresso Maker – Operate by steam pressure. End result is similar to stovetop espresso maker.
?Automatic Espresso Machine – Pump automatically turns off and brew pressure is released through a valve
?Super Automatic Machine – These machines automatically grind the coffee and are a breeze to use. You just fill the hopper and reservoir.

Many also include automatic frothing devices. These models are very popular for home use.

Article by Daniel Tewkes of http://www.espressomachineinformation.com ( The espresso coffee information resource )

There are times, however, when making a fancy cup of coffee is out of the question. Perhaps you are out roughing it in the wilderness, you forgot your stove-top percolator, and you still want at least a good black cup of coffee but aren?t sure what to do. Believe it or not, there is a trick to coffee making that doesn?t include electricity or even a stove-top percolator.

Of course, even if you are lacking a coffee maker or a coffee pot, you are still going to need your basic ground coffee, and you are going to need a heat source. Hopefully, if you are on a remote camping trip, you still remembered the coffee, even if you didn?t remember the stove-top percolator; and of course, most campers have campfires or camping stoves fueled by some type of gas. It can actually be a rewarding experience to use some old-fashioned ingenuity when it comes to the simple act of making coffee without a coffee pot; it helps us remember that we are not always slaves to modern technology.

The method you can use to make yourself a cup of coffee is to use a couple of paper towels, a regular pot or pan, and a cup ? either a coffee cup or any cup that can hold hot liquid. Place a couple of paper towels over the cup, and then place some coffee grounds on paper towels. Heat the water over your campfire or on your camp stove until it is boiling, and then carefully, and slowly, pour the heated water over the coffee grounds and paper towels so that it filters into the cup. The more slowly you pour the water in, the stronger your cup of coffee should be. If you don?t think the coffee is strong enough the first time, carefully remove the paper towels with the coffee grounds on top, pour the liquid from the cup back into the pan, put the napkins or paper towels and coffee grounds back on top of the cup, and repeat the procedure. It shouldn?t take more than two times to make a strong enough cup of coffee. This may seem like a long and tedious procedure, but you?ll get your cup of coffee, and you?ll probably feel rather proud of yourself!

John Gibb is the owner of coffee making sources , For more information on how to make coffee check out http://www.cofeemaking-sources.info

When the monk reached his monastery his fellow holy men also decided to try this new and enchanting beverage. Soon the endless hours of prayer no longer seemed so wearisome, in fact they became easy to endure with the help of this exciting new drink. Coffee, had now well and truly arrived and the news began to spread! Its widespread consumption first commenced in the wilds of the Ethiopian outlands before then moving on to the heart of Arabia . Here it was to be held as a holy delicacy but was eventually to be unlawfully exported by a trader by the name of Baba Budan. In no time at all word of its qualities began to spread and coffee was to evolve into one of the most valued drinks ever known to the human civilisation. Its hard to believe that each year we consume a staggering four billion cups and there are many among us who would not contemplate starting their day without it.

Although coffee is usually thought of as a sleep suppressant there are many who think that it also has many health benefits. It is said that folk who suffer from the complaint of asthma and drink coffee have an average of at least 25% less symptoms due to a substance in the coffee named theophylline. This is known to be a bronchodilator which helps those who suffer with the disease to breathe a little more easily. Drinking coffee on a daily basis is also thought to help lower your chances of developing colon cancer. This is also by a figure in the region of about twenty five percent.

Its curious that the vast majority of folk have no idea of the different tastes and delights that this king of all drinks has to offer us. One of the swiftest growing trends of the last few years has to be the rising popularity of buying coffee via the internet. Never before have we been able to so easily get hold of such a large and voluptuous variety of blends, tastes and tantalising aromas from all over the world. With the aid of the wonderful web, trekking around the local neighbourhood to try and find some new exciting coffee blends has became a thing of the past. Sitting at home I can now search out an almost infinite variety of coffees from all over the world and order them at the click of a mouse. I tend to place numerous orders via the web and I always make a point of recording blend, country, and from exactly whom I purchased.

Now you know the history of this magical bean I hope that if in the days to come you are thinking of visiting your local coffee shop you recall the information you have read on this website and make the most of this wonderful drink. Go on and try some new varieties. Not only will you impress your friends, your tastebuds will be thrilled as well.

Latte or Cappuccino?

Valerie Shapero is the owner of Fuzzy Coffee, Inc. which is a premier source of information about coffee. For more information, go to: http://fuzzycoffee.com

Coffee, for Americans, is three hundred years old. In the East it was widespread at every level of society, since the earlier era. The most notable dates point to around 800b.c. However, Homer, and according to Arabian tales speak of a mysterious bitter black beverage with powers of stimulation that could have been this drink.

About the year 1000, coffee was being used for medicinal purposes. In 1400 a Yemeni goat herder observed his flock eating reddish berries, then becoming excited and restless. After relating his observations to a monk, they boiled the berries and made a beverage that could disperse sleep and weariness. No matter how it actually was created, the fact remains that the coffee plant started in Africa, in an Ethiopian region known as Kaffa. From there it spread to Egypt, Yemen, and Arabia, where it became a part of daily life.

In the late 1500s coffee was a commodity, being sold in Europe. However, due to an increasing demand for the new beverage, and high taxes on shipping, there was experimentation with growing the crops in various other countries. Much later, around 1727 coffee growing started in Northern Brazil. By the 20th century, various forms of coffee were developed for the public.

Decaffeinated coffee was first founded in 1903 when Ludwig Roselius, a German coffee importer, gave a batch of damaged coffee beans to researchers. They developed the process of taking the caffeine out of the beans without losing any flavor. This was marketed in the 1920s.

Instant coffee was first mass produced from the invention of George Constant Washington, an English chemist living in Guatemala. While waiting for his wife one day to join him outside for coffee, he observed on the spout of the silver coffee urn, a fine powder, which looked to be the condensation of the coffee vapors. This excited him and led to his founding of soluble coffee.

In 1906 he started experiments and put his invention, Red E Coffee, in the markets in 1909. Nestle’, in 1938, trying to aid Brazil with their coffee surpluses created freeze-dried coffee. Nescafe was started and first introduced into Switzerland. Instant coffee became a fad after 1956 when commercial television was the new craze.

And now in the US alone, 400 billion cups of coffee a year are consumed. Coffee is one of the world’s largest commodities, second only to oil. From a remote area in Africa, to millions of shelves and homes worldwide, coffee has became a fixture everywhere.

The author has been a passionate coffee drinker for many years. She has tasted coffees from all over the world, and believes in serving and entertaining her guests with only the best.

She has catered hundreds of events and affairs and is known for her attention to details, especially regarding picking the perfect coffee.

Irene D. Hope is founder of All Special Coffee an excellent resource site dedicated to information about coffee.

Making a latte is all a part of the fun of having an espresso machine. While some people like to drink espresso shots right out of the machine, most people would prefer to make a latte or cappuccino to sit and enjoy with a good book, or good friends and conversation!

The espresso machine will grind your espresso beans fresh for every cup, giving you the fresh taste latte lovers have come to recognize as an integral part of the latte. Depending on your particular brand of espresso machine, you?ll probably dispense about 7 grams of espresso into the handle. Once you?ve extracted the espresso shot into the provided espresso shot pot (usually stainless steel, with a pouring spout), you can start steaming your milk!

The basic recipe is 1 to 2 ounces of espresso to 8 fluid ounces of milk. Put your milk into the frothing jug, and slide the entire container over the steam arm nozzle. Make sure you keep the nozzle as close to the bottom of the container as possible to avoid making a lot of foam out of your milk. Use a thermometer so you know when the milk reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Now you are ready to pour your steamed milk into the serving cup. A glass latte cup will look the best, and really impress your friends! Pour the steamed milk into the glass, using a spoon to hold back most of the foam that forms on the top of the milk. Once you?ve filled your cup with the milk, allow some of the foam to lie on the top for a ?professional coffee shop latte? look.

Your final step to preparing a latte at home is to take your espresso shot and pour it slowly down the inside of the latte serving glass. Some of the espresso will mix with the milk at the bottom of the glass and some will layer itself in between the milk and foam. You?ll have cloudy areas and several different shades of ?latte brown?, making for a wonderful presentation that rivals that of the best coffee house. Only you won?t be paying $4 a cup, and you can make it and drink it in your pajamas if you want to!

If you really want to make the presentation impressive, place your guests? lattes on a cute little serving tray, with a decorative plate of fancy cookies. Biscotti?s are typically served with lattes, but you can be creative and serve anything you like. Maybe you could make some tiramisu using your espresso to make it from scratch for dessert, and enjoy slices of tiramisu with your homemade lattes! Your guests will want to come for dinner all the time once they experience your after dinner lattes.

This article has been provided courtesy of Kitchen Junkie. Kitchen Junkie offers great kitchen articles available for reprint and other tools to help you get the best bargain on kitchen gadgets and more.