World's Most Bizarre Specialty Coffee
Anyone who lives in a big city these days has seen first-hand the proliferation of 4-dollar-a-shot coffee shops. Thanks to Starbucks and their like coffee has become the number 2 commodity in the world (petroleum is number 1).Grown in dozens of countries world wide the coffee 'bean' is actually the pit of a coffee 'cherry'. In normal circumstances the cherries are picked at the peak of ripeness and once the outer fruit is removed the coffee bean is ready for roasting, grinding and transporting to your local caf?.However, there are three small islands in the Indonesian Archipelago called Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi where this process takes a bizarre twist. You see coffee is coveted by not only by us humans but a local creature called a Palm Civet. The Palm Civet is a tree dwelling marsupial with a particular fondness for the local variety of coffee cherries.Of course, these cat-sized coffee aficionados don't have the time to peal the cherries and eat just the fruit, so they swallow them whole.
Well guess what comes out the other end? Yes that's right, a non-digested, semi-fermented coffee bean.It started as a way for locals who weren't brave enough, or too lazy to climb the coffee trees, to have coffee too (mind you some bravery is required to sift through mountains of Civet droppings for coffee beans!).Through the magic of international trade what was once a source of free coffee beans for impoverished locals turned into the most expensive beverage in the world. It is marketed as a coffee variety called "Kopi luwak". Kopi is the Indonesian word for coffee and luwak is their name for the coffee eating Civet.Kopi luwak sells for a whopping $75 a pound and it is estimated that the worldwide annual production is only about 500 pounds. Japan is the largest importer of this specialty coffee and it is now available in the United States and many other countries as well.The flavor of the coffee is described as complex and very rich. This special flavor is attributed to the natural fermentation process that occurs as the beans travel the length of the Civet's digestive tract.You can be sure that you won't be finding Kopi luwak for sale at your local Starbucks any time soon but if you are ever in a caf? and you notice the daily special is "Kopi luwak" and is going for $5 a cup, how could you not give it a try?.
Jon Symons is a coffee lover and writes about specialty coffee for http://specialty-coffee.oftheday.ca.Espresso Coffee Makers
The word "espresso" is derived from the Italian word for express. Espresso coffee is a blend of several different types of coffee beans from different countries. There are different varieties of espresso drinks such as cappuccino, caf? latte and caf? mocha. Espresso consumption in the United States has grown tenfold in the last decade. Espresso cafes and carts have become common sights in many cities.
To fulfill the growing demand for espresso, bookstores, grocery stores, laundromats, gas stations and malls have started to set up espresso machines.
Espresso brewing is defined by four "M's": macinazione- correct grinding of a coffee blend, miscela- the coffee blend, macchina - the espresso machine and mano - the skilled hand of a barista, the skilled espresso maker.
Precise control of each of the four "M's" can bring about the ultimate coffee experience. The beans are roasted and ground very finely, till it reaches a consistency like powdered sugar.
Coffee > Espresso Coffee Makers
Coffee To The Rescue. Two Coffee Roasting Companies Partner To Pour Out Relief To Hurricane Katrina Victims With Red Cross
San Francisco Bay Area, Calif., (ContentDesk) September 2, 2005 -- In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; called "the worst U.S. natural disaster in recent history," individuals and businesses all over the country are seeking ways to reach out and help the victims of the disaster in the New Orleans area. Andy Newbom of Barefoot Coffee Roasters and Jennie Reynolds of MoonBeans Coffee, two coffee roasters in the San Francisco Bay Area have partnered together to pour some relief into the areas hardest hit by hurricane Katrina. Partnering with the American Red Cross these two businesses are offering a free half pound of coffee to anyone who donates $10 or more to the Red Cross Hurricane 2005 relief fund. Between today and September 15th, come in to either coffee roaster and drop off your donation and pick up your choice of any half pound of artisan roasted coffee beans.
The pair hope to raise $8,000 to spread relief to the people of the New Orleans/Mississippi area.
Victims...
Coffee > Coffee To The Rescue. Two Coffee Roasting Companies Partner To Pour Out Relief To Hurricane Katrina Victims With Red Cross
Best UK Online Florist - Web User Magazine Award
(ContentDesk) February 4, 2006 -- Serenata Flowers are pleased to announce that they have received a Gold Award for best online florist from the UK's best selling Internet magazine, Web User, beating Interflora and Tesco.
As the UK's largest independent online florist, Serenata Flowers offer stunning flowers at...
Coffee > Best UK Online Florist - Web User Magazine Award
World's Most Bizarre Specialty Coffee
World's Most Bizarre Specialty Coffee
Understanding How Your Credit History May Affect Your Car Insurance Coverage
Many personal auto insurance companies consider your credit information when determining how much premium to charge for your insurance. So if you are calling around for new insurance, keep in mind that many insurers are looking at your credit history. I hope that we will be able to let you know why and how they do this. The reason that some insurance companies use credit information is because they feel there is a direct correlation between consumer's credit history behaviors and expected claims...
Understanding How Your Credit History May Affect Your Car Insurance Coverage World's Most Bizarre Specialty Coffee Coffee
Coffee > Understanding How Your Credit History May Affect Your Car Insurance Coverage
Tom Cruise Renounces Scientology; Becomes Muslim Fundamentalist
Tom Cruise, the biggest male box-office attraction in American cinema, that is, until he recently displayed a variety of astonishingly off-putting antics, has now taken another dramatic step in his imaginative quest to end his career, which was largely based on his once seemingly cute and innocent appeal.
Much to the dismay of his millions of fans, the film icon has renounced scientology and become a Moslem Fundamentalist.
Troubled by his apparently self-destructive...
Coffee > Tom Cruise Renounces Scientology; Becomes Muslim Fundamentalist
Chef Hats
Chefs wear distinct hats known as the toque blanche or, in more popular words, a chef's hat, while working in kitchens. One of the main reasons to wear a chef's hat is to stop any stray hair on the chef's head from falling into the dish being prepared at that moment. Many chefs wear a head net that covers the entire head and then put on the chef's hat on that. This locks the hair in place and provides no chance of that hair falling into one of the dishes about to be served to a customer.
World's Most Bizarre Specialty Coffee Coffee hats
Coffee > Chef Hats