The Incomparable Premium Gourmet Coffee

The Premium Gourmet Coffee Blend

Coffee has top choices when it comes to quality in taste and flavor. Of course, coffee enthusiasts know the difference of what is considered “rich gourmet” as compared to “instant” blends.

The latter one can easily mix anytime, since its powder content is already manufactured to suit the need of the fast-paced consumers who won’t take the time to use their coffee makers. The flavour may be good, but there is usually a lack of distinction in its taste and finish.

Then, there’s the prime choice of premium gourmet coffee that one can only get from grinding the finest coffee beans available in the market. There is much more substance when the hot concoction hits one’s taste buds, effectively separating itself from the ordinary and blasé category.

What makes a premium gourmet coffee blend? Its source comes from a mix of various superior-quality Arabica coffee beans that give a unique odour and taste. There are many of them to choose from in the market, with varying results from their different roasting styles and origin. One can easily distinguish the difference when they take a sip from a cup of gourmet coffee blend, its richness and texture combined with the intoxicating fragrance, at the same time doing wonders to the coffee-drinker senses.

Premium Coffee Delight

Now how can one achieve just the perfect cup of premium gourmet coffee?

First, one should carefully choose the right kind of blend that suits the palate. Some like their coffee beans dark and oily; others are more into light-roasted ones that are not so strong yet still able to give that certain kick. Finding them should not be that hard as there are a variety of kinds to choose from.

The next crucial step is to grind them just enough for the oils to blend in together with the beans, not necessarily for them to dissolve into a cloud of small particles as this would lose the rich taste of the bean essences. One must be careful not to overdo the grinding process in using a blade coffee grinder. One must be particular of when the beans reach a certain consistency.

A liberal amount is then recommended to be put into the coffeemaker, and by liberal, it may mean the more the better, or according to one’s definition of what better is. The usual coffee aficionado already has an idea of how rich he wants his cup of coffee to be.
Whatever delightful concoction the drinker may produce, one thing is sure: a premium gourmet coffee will never disappoint the senses.

This site is hosted by (click on the graphic for more information)

Return from Coffee to Home Page

Coffee with Bill & Sheila

Simple Gourmet Coffee

There are a number of countries that produce coffee and new regions are converting their crops to the mighty bean as our demand for different tasting coffee increases. We are also adding more exotic flavourings to our coffee. It comes as no surprise that the number of coffee shops and stores that sell coffee beans and all the associated paraphernalia to be able to make our own perfect coffee at home.

Coffee houses are a great place for us to go and relax with friends and family over an expertly made cup of coffee. We often ignore how much effort has been put into our drink by the coffee maker that roasts the beans, grinds them up and then uses the exact quantity required to brew a satisfying cup of coffee for us. There are a number of techniques involved in making a cup of coffee and a lot of us are happy to leave someone else to make it for us. The equipment used is only part of the story; you also need to practice with various quantities of coffee and water until it reaches your optimum strength.

We are almost overwhelmed by the huge variety of types of coffee that are available. Not only does the coffee taste different depending on the country and region that the beans were grown in but also from year to year. This is due to the changes in weather from one coffee growing season to another.

If you go to a specialist coffee shop you are likely to be confronted with a huge selection of flavourings that you can add to your coffee to make it even more to your liking.

The strength and bitterness of the coffee can be adjusted by using different quantities of water and coffee, adding sweeteners and milk as well as adding milk. One tip for lowering the bitterness level is to never use boiling water as this scalds the coffee and gives it a bitter taste. Always use water that is just below boiling temperature when making your coffee.

Everyone has their own opinion about what makes the perfect cup of coffee but you will find your own technique through trial and error.

author:Dana Goldberg

Coffee with Bill & Sheila

Roasted To Excel Premium Gourmet Coffee

Coffee at Its Finest

Some people who find slurping coffee in specialty shops as an indulgence would definitely agree to the fact that these samples of rich concoction is worthy of the amount paid. There is nothing quite the same to the taste of specially brewed premium gourmet coffee with its unique aroma that, to some, is synonymous with being serenaded by an orchestra while lying on a luxurious hammock.

Such is the experience of coffee connoisseurs who have met their match of the perfect cup of premium gourmet coffee. Since there are a variety of coffee beans to delve our eyes upon, it usually takes several tries before one can decide which should be a regular partner in our early morning habit.

There are folks who like the popular dark roasted coffee beans while some are into the light roast that they find are just right for their taste. The rest are in the middle ground of medium roasted coffee taste. It all comes down to personal preference, when all is said and done though. Trying it all to conclude at a decision is not a bad idea for those who are searching for their personal finest choice of coffee.

Placing a Premium on Gourmet Taste

These roasted beans differ in the way they are prepared, along with the flavor they distinctly bring:
1. Dark roast – Usually a popular choice for those wanting a strong taste of smokiness to their cup of beverage; this comes out of being roasted longer than the other types of beans. The burnt flavor has a finish to it that could really perk up the sluggish coffee drinker on the way to work.
2. Medium roast – The choice of those wanting a slurp that does not necessarily send them up and about in a second. This type of roasted beans usually produces a flavor that is about right for the drinker who likes to the take time enjoying his cup for its natural taste.
3. Light roast – As its name implies, this produces a drink that is neither strong nor overly rich in flavor, but offers a natural whiff of coffee taste that is just about enough to be savored by coffee junkies.

Coffee drinkers who have long since determined what their top choices are would really put the premium on a gourmet coffee cup that is just the exact match to their daily grind. Nothing quite beats the moment of drinking premium gourmet coffee that has been prepared well by baristas who know their business or simply by someone at home who has that flair for excellent taste. Wherever one may be having a blast drinking their premium gourmet coffee, in their offices, in a coffee shop or while lounging at home, it definitely is a little taste of heaven.

Coffee with Bill & Sheila

Gourmet Coffee The Best Information

If you are really fed up with having the hum drum coffee all the time. Then it’s time to recompense yourself with something diverse and exciting. Why not spritz up your morning routine with a cup of exquisite “gourmet coffee”.

The dictionary definition has gourmet food down as this, “Gourmet food is that which is of the highest quality, perfectly prepared and artfully presented.” If you want the maximum quality food you go to a star class restaurant, but if you want the premier quality coffee, this can be achieved by you at home. That gourmet meal is in all probability staying at the restaurant where you ate, unless you become friends with the chef and invite him over, but as for the cup of gourmet coffee you can make it where ever you desire.

Gourmet coffee is more expensive than the standard supermarket brands, but there is simply no comparison in the quality of the coffee. If you are wealthy then you could enjoy such gourmet coffee whenever you wanted, otherwise it would be a nice thing to keep for weekends or whenever you had special company over for a visit.

To make your own gourmet coffee, start with the coffee beans. Gourmet Coffee beans can be purchased in several forms, by the pound or by the kilo and so on and there are several varieties from which to choose. Some of the most admired gourmet coffee beans include Kona, Jamaican Blue Mountain, and Sumatra types.

Coffee beans are similar to wine in that they name the coffee beans after the region of origin. In the world of wine you have the well-liked Sonoma wines which come from Sonoma Valley in California. In the world of coffee the equivalent would be Kona coffee beans which come from Kona, Hawaii.

Kona coffee beans are developed in rich volcanic soil and the placid tropical climate of the Kona coffee belt on the west side of Hawaii. It has a superbly full, rich and silky flavour with little or no bitter after taste. Be sure that you buy Kona coffee beans and not a Kona blend. A Kona blend can legally be labelled as Kona with as it consists of as little as 10% of actual Kona coffee bean.

The next thing you will need to do is grind your gourmet coffee beans. Ground coffee starts to lose its flavour once it has been grinded and exposed to the fresh air.

So to keep the optimum freshness you will only grind what you need for that one gourmet cup of coffee. You will want to grind your coffee beans until they are extremely fine, but don’t pound them into dust. If the ground coffee is to fine the heat of your coffee machine with dry up all the oils of the coffee bean and it is this part that gives the gourmet coffee its exquisite flavour.

Another key element in good coffee making is to clean your coffee machine on a daily basis. A clean coffee machine makes a major distinction in the final taste of your coffee. At least once a month pour a mixture of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water into your coffee maker. Allow the mix to travel through the complete brewing process. Repeat the procedure again using only water this time to rinse out any junk or vinegar left inside. Do this until the smell of vinegar is no more.

Now your work is finished and it is time for the coffee machine to pull its weight. Use clean filtered water and fill the coffee maker to the desired level. Use about 6 ounces of water for every 2 heaping tablespoons of coffee. Turn it on and hang around while it brews. You will want to present to soak up the delightful aroma.

Everyday coffee is perfect for everyday use. But every once in a while you should treat yourself to something special. And what better way to start a special than that with a special cup of coffee. Gourmet coffees can really jazz up your day.

Gourmet Coffee Beans – a Brief Overview

The coffee plant has two main species. There is the Coffea Arabica, which is the more traditional coffee and considered to be superior in flavour, and the Coffea Canephora known more commonly as Robusta. Robusta tends to be higher in caffeine and can be grown in climates and environments were Arabica would not be profitable.

Robusta is also typically more bitter and acidic in flavour. Because of this Robusta tends to be less expensive. High quality Robusta is also used to blend espresso for more bite, and to lower costs.

A little known fact is that some coffee beans improve their flavour with age. It is the green unroasted beans which are aged; the typical length of time is 3 years, though there are some houses which sell beans aged to 7 years. Aged beans have a fuller flavour and are less acidic.

Growing conditions, soil types and weather patterns during the growing season all contribute to the flavour of the bean, creating the differences in flavour from points of origin, such as Kenya or Brazil. However, roasting adds its own flavour, sometimes to the point that it is difficult to tell where the beans originated from, even by experienced cuppers.

The lighter the roast the more the natural flavour of the bean remains. This is why beans from regions such as Kenya or Java are normally roasted lightly, retaining their regional characteristics and dominate flavours. There is a method of roasting in Malaysia which adds butter during the roasting producing a variety called Ipoh White Coffee.

Beans roasted to darker browns begin to taste more like the method of roasting than the original flavours. Dark roasts such as French or Vienna Roasts tend to completely eclipse the original flavour. Roasting to whatever degree, while adding stronger flavour does not affect the amount of caffeine of the bean.

Fry pan roasting was popular in the 19th century, since the beans were normally shipped and purchased still in their green state. You simply poured the green coffee beans in a frying pan and roasted them in the kitchen. This process took a great deal of skill to do in a consistent manner. Fry pan roasting became much less popular when vacuum sealing pre-roasted coffee was perfected. However, in order to vacuum seal roasted beans, you had to wait for them to stop emitting CO2, as roasted beans do for several days after the roasting process. What this meant was that vacuum sealed coffee was always just a little stale as the flavours begin to turn bitter and deteriorate in just about a week after roasting.

Home roasting is once again becoming popular with the creation of computerized drum roasters which help simplify the process. There are some people who have found methods of effectively roasting beans using their hot air popcorn makers.

The region the bean is from as discussed before is a primary factor to the type of flavour you can expect from the brew, though it is very true that ‘new’ or unexpected tastes come from every region.

Arabia and Africa grow their coffee beans in high altitudes in the rich black soils of Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Tanzania. The flavours of these beans are distinct and of legendary status.

The Americas coffees are grown in near rainforest conditions in areas such as Colombia, Costa Rica and Guatemala. Coffees of the Americas tend to be very well balanced and aromatic.

The Pacifics includes coffees from Sumatra, Java, New Guinea and Sulawesi, which are as various in flavours as the islands they come from.

Then there are the exotics such as certified Jamaica Blue Mountain and certified Hawaiian Kona. These are rare indeed and can go for as much as $60.00 per pound.

author:Jerry Powell