Coffee – Straight or Mixed? – A Purist Reforms

True coffee afficionados always drink their coffee straight, right? Wrong! There are, if anything, more blends and flavorings of coffee than there are of wine. Cast off your confines and let loose with the 101 different ways to enjoy nature's gift.

Coffee beans have been mixed and blended to create an innumerable variety of brews. Beans from one side of the world are blended with those from the opposite side both offering their unique flavor and when combined make for a delicious brew.

For example you can mix Indonesian beans with those from Columbia and the result will be a dark brew with in incomparable body and flavor. And these are not the only two countries that together create a great blend of coffee. Again, the possibilities are endless.

Mixing beans is not the only way to add variety. Many flavors can be added to coffee to make the ordinary extraordinary. The choices are endless chocolate, french vanilla, almond, and much more. Experiment a little to see what flavor you prefer.

When it comes to making a mocha, the variety of chocolates matches the different options of bean. A Yemeni with a touch of dark chocolate, melted and stirred well, will enhance an already wonderful foreign blend. Or, for those days when lighter is better, try an American roast with a bit of Ghiradelli milk chocolate. Yum.

Another way to add variety to the already endless variety of coffees available is to add liqueurs to your coffee. You will be delighted how this flavor will change your morning java into your evening friend.

When you a bit of fruit to your coffee and liquor you no longer have a beverage but a dessert that you can indulge in. Think of the flavors you can mix pears and apricots, Amaretto and chocolate. Imagine the relaxing pick me up you will get from this cup of coffee.

Cocoa and coffee is a traditional favorite for those who like their coffee cut. Even here the choices are not limited. Cold or hot, Mexican coffee and cocoa bean partners can pair up to make for a taste treat in summer or winter.

And the innovators of coffee confection don't stop there. The more audacious have gone so far as to offer a frozen cappuccino that wakes up the sleepy on a warm day. For added zing, try mixing with a chocolate mint flavoring.

January 09 2009 | coffee | No Comments »

Coffee – Specialty Coffees

In the 1930s, physicists started discovering a whole zoo full of exotic atomic particles. There were muons and kaons and who-knows-what-else-ons. When told of these, the famous physicist Enrico Fermi said: 'If I wanted to remember all that I would have become a botanist.' Ironically, later he invented the process used in atomic bombs.

This has almost become the case with types of coffee. There are so many wonderful varieties out there to try. But who can remember them all? We may not remember the names but we will not quickly forget the taste. Let's consider some uniquely names creations.

The Frappe is one ??" not spelled the way it sounds, the e is silent. Espresso with milk and sugar added and poured over ice. To make it interesting add a bit of crme de cacao and brandy. This is really a refreshing drink.

The counterpart to the innocent Frappe is the wicked Cappuccino Borgia, named for the famed poisoner. You'll just die for one of these quarter-cup peeled orange, one and a half cup chocolate ice cream dreams. Add also six tablespoons of orange juice and a quarter-cup milk to an espresso, blend and start speaking 15th century Italian.

Another sweet drink with an interesting name is the Calypso Cooler. You sweeten a rich cup of coffee with 2 cups of coffee ice cream and a few bananas. Add to that about 4 tbsp of rum and you're ready to dance.

Lets go Latin with the Caffee Zabaglone. This starts with an Italian coffee blend, dark roast. Take cup of Marsala; add 1 cup of sugar 4 eggs and a sprinkle of salt. Blend these together and heat until it is think. Then pour it over your Italian blend cooled to room temperature. This is one cup of coffee sure to wake you up.

But the ancestors of Rome have nothing on those of France in modern New Orleans. Add double strength American roast to a half-cup each of heavy cream, eggnog and bourbon and you have a Mardi Gras, with a silent 's'. Too bad the crowd isn't silent - it's 4 a.m. and I'm trying to sleep.

Cardamom Kaffee is a Scandinavian drink. It is a dark strong drink with a flavor borrowed from Turkey but perfected in this excellent blend. This Scandinavian recipe is a must try.

In your microwave heat the mixture of 1/8 cup of cognac 2 tsp of curacao and 2 tsp of sugar along with a cardamon pod which you have opened to remove the seeds. Heat for only 10 seconds and the put a match to it. Add your coffee and prepare yourself for something different!

Despite all the names, I have to give credit to the many creative inventors of all those different mixtures. They may not have invented huge bombs, but their products sure do give you a jolt!

December 26 2008 | coffee | No Comments »