Coffee Facts To Stimulate Conversations

When enjoying that next cup of coffee at a social gathering, date or at work there are certain facts about coffee that can be shared. These simple coffee facts may help others to appreciate their cup of coffee even more as well as possibly impressing others with the sharing of these coffee facts.

These interesting coffee facts can be compiled under three basic headings. Those headings could be coffee drinkers themselves, historical facts about coffee and the economics of coffee.

Coffee Drinkers

When sharing coffee facts it may prove interesting to other people the popularity of drinking coffee. For example if sitting with others at work during the coffee break you might state, in an offhanded way, that a person who enjoys their coffee spends a lot of money on that pleasure. In fact the average person spends enough money on coffee every year to purchase a round trip airline ticket to Florida.

Or when sharing coffee facts you can talk about the time commitments of people in obtaining their coffee. For example, while waiting for coffee at the local coffee shop, you could share with those around you that the average person who buys coffee through the convenience of store with a drive-through window will spend as much as 45 hours a year waiting in line.

Historical Coffee Facts

In addition, there are many historical coffee facts. One of those interesting facts could be that the first coffee house to open up in Europe was in the city of Venice. This first coffee shop opened in 1863 and mainly catered to the rich.

Another coffee fact that may impress people may be the knowledge that it takes five years for a coffee tree to mature. In addition, the average output of a coffee tree equates to one pound of roasted coffee per year.

In regards to trivial coffee facts, the individual sharing the information can talk about reading coffee grounds. This piece of information can be followed up by saying that Chase and Sanborn, in the late 1800’s, actually put on a flier instructions on how to read the coffee grounds found in the bottom of a coffee cup.

Or, a little known fact is the invention of instant coffee. This was discovered in 1906 by a Belgian who lived in Guatemala. His name was George Washington. The person sharing this coffee fact could ask if anyone knows who invented instant coffee. Interestingly enough you could declare that it was George Washington.

Economics Of Coffee

For those who are business minded, some interesting coffee facts could include the fact that coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world and that it is second only to oil.

In addition, the question could be asked regarding which country is the largest producer of coffee. Some may answer Guatemala, Columbia or Arabia. However, the answer is Brazil where 30 to 40% of the coffee is produced.

Iced Coffee Drinks

When one thinks of having a cup of coffee, one generally thinks of a cup of hot coffee. Generally, people drink their coffee black or with cream or sugar or both. In addition, because of the rise in the popularity of specialty coffee shops, coffee drinkers can have their cup of coffee prepared in a variety of ways. Some of these ways include drinking an espresso, latte, or having coffee infused with variety of flavors. Some of those flavors include caramel macchiato, white chocolate, pumpkin spice, etc.

However, drinking coffee that is iced can be particularly refreshing especially during the summer months. Two such iced and sweetened coffee drinks include the Caffè Shakerato and the Chocolate Biscotti Shakerato

Pre-Preparation

Prior to preparing those iced coffee drinks, it may prove beneficial to follow a few suggestions and steps to formulate that perfect iced coffee drink. The first suggestion is that your iced coffee drink needs to be made from fresh coffee. This is due to the fact that coffee begins to oxidize following the brewing process. This chemical breakdown leaves the coffee tasting stale which detracts from the flavor of the coffee.

In addition, a practical tip is to chill the glasses that will be used for the iced coffee drinks. Also, when using a flavoring in the coffee drink use a sugared syrup rather than sugar. This is because syrup will dissolve more slowly.

Caffè Shakerato

One delicious iced coffee drink that can be prepared and enjoyed is the Caffè Shakerato. The ingredients to prepare this drink call for the use of espresso, ice cubes, a sugared syrup, a teaspoon of coffee liqueur, a couple of drops of vanilla extract and a slight twist of a wedge of lemon.

Simply fill a cocktail shaker or other portable mixing device with ice cubes. The number of ice cubes should fill the shaker at least half-way. Then take two shots of espresso coffee and pour over the ice in the shaker. Once all of the ingredients have been poured into the shaker, shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. When completed pour this refreshing iced coffee drink into an appropriate glass and enjoy.

Chocolate Biscotti Shakerato

Another sweetened iced coffee drink is the Biscotti Shakerato. This drink is prepared by filling a shaker halfway with ice cubes. The next step is to add one tablespoon of chocolate syrup and then follow this ingredient with 8 ounces of cold milk (2% milk is preferable). The final two ingredients to be added is the addition of two shots of espresso and one tablespoon of hazelnut syrup.

Then simply mix the ingredients together by shaking vigorously for about thirty seconds. Pour out the iced coffee drink into a large glass and prepare to be refreshed.

Coffee Cakes—A Great Way To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

A brunch party or afternoon tea would not be complete without a coffee cake (also known as Kuchen or Gugelhupf) to finish off the meal. At one time, coffe cakes were simply sweet cakes that were to be eatern with coffee. However, over the past centuries, coffee cakes have evolved into a dessert all their own. With many varioations, it is impossible to find a coffee cake that you don’t love!

A History Of Coffee Cake

Unlike other desserts and sweet treats, the coffee cake was not invented. It began as a concept, which most likely originated in Northern or Central Europe during the sixteen hundreds. This area was known for its sweet yeast breads; thus, with the introduction of coffee, the concept of coffee cakes became common.

Traditional coffee cakes were simple, made with basic ingredients such as flour, eggs, yeast, sugar, dried fruit, sweet spices, and nuts. However, recipes have evolved to produce the coffee cakes we know today. These cakes often incorporate cheese, yogurt, sugared fruit, and cream fillings.

Delicious Recipes For Coffee Cake

It is easy to find many tasty recipes for coffee cakes in any cook book. Here is a very basic recipe that uses Bisquick baking mix. Not only is this recipe delicious, but it is very easy as well!

The ingredients you will need to make this cake include: 1 egg, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 cups Bisquick baking mix, and ¾ cup of milk. You will also need to prepare a topping for the cake, using 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 2 tablespoons margerine or butter, ¼ cup sugar, and 2 tablespoons of Bisquick baking mix.

To begin, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Next, blend the 1 egg, 2 tablespoons of sugar, ¾ cup of milk, and 2 cups of Bisquick baking mix. Beat forcefully for 30 seconds, mixing completely. Grease either a 9 inch layer pan or a 8 inch square pan, and spread the mixture in the pan.

Next, create the topping by blending the ingredients together using your fingers. The consistency of the topping should be crumbly. Spread the topping on the cake, and then bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes.

After remove this delicious cake from the oven, let it cool before serving. Make sure to serve it with a nice, hot cup of coffee!

Twisting And Tweaking

The variations on coffee cake recipes are numerous. You can tweak and adjust most recipes to fit your personal tastes. The adaptability of these recipes are part of what make coffee cakes so appealing!

The Ingredients Of Coffee Cake

When one is invited to have a cup of coffee and enjoy coffee cake they may be surprised to learn that coffee cake does not contain coffee. Coffee cake is so named because it is a delicious treat that goes well with a cup of coffee.

In addition, there are a variety of coffee cakes on the market or that can be made from various recipes. For example there are apple streusel, sour cream or banana walnut coffee cakes, etc.

One traditional coffee cake is a cake made from cinnamon. This coffee cake can be made from a simple recipe. When following this recipe there are basically two steps in the process. Those steps begin with the gathering of the ingredients and following the preparation steps.

Ingredients

Being organized is a key strategy when starting any project. The baking of a coffee cake is no different. Therefore, it is important to assemble the ingredients needed along with the appropriate cooking utensil.

First of all the baker will need a pan to pour the coffee cake mixture into. A bundt type cake pan should suffice.

Then, assemble together the needed ingredients. Those ingredients should include 2 cups of warm water, two packages of bulk yeast or the equivalent of 4 teaspoons, ½ cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ cup of cooking oil. In addition, to the mixture, 2 eggs will need to be added, 5 to 6 cups of flour, 1 cup of sugar and 6 tablespoons of butter. Also, as an added flavor, the ingredient to make a delicious coffee cake is the addition of cinnamon. 3 teaspoons of cinnamon should be sufficient.

Preparation

Once the ingredients have been gathered together they can be combined to comprise the coffee cake batch. The first step in the process is to dissolve the yeast in warm water. This combination of yeast and water should be allowed to stand for a couple of minutes.

Following this first step, add the sugar, salt and cooking oil. Stir these ingredients together.

Following these steps add in the eggs and beat vigorously to ensure the eggs are properly mixed in. After the eggs have been added, mix in one cup of flour and stir till the mixture is smooth in texture. Following the addition of one cup of flour add in two additional cups and stir in the mixture till the batter is smooth. When this step has been completed add in enough of the remaining flour so that the batter is sticky to the touch.

Once this process has been completed the batter should be placed aside for roughly 20 minutes. During this 20 minutes take the opportunity to lubricate the cake pan and prepare the glaze for the coffee cake. This can be accomplished by mixing the sugar and cinnamon together and melting the butter.

After the 20 minutes has elapsed take the dough and pull out lump portions equivalent to the size of a small egg. Take these small portions of dough and roll them into smooth balls between the palms of your hand. The rolled balls of dough should then be glazed in the melted butter and rolled in the cinnamon and sugar.

After this preparation, place the balls into the pan. Don’t pack the rolled dough too tightly. Add the dough until completely gone and layer the dough if needed. Allow this dough to rise by placing in a warm area for about 45 minutes.

The last step is to bake the dough in an oven for 40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

From Coffee Beans To The Coffee Drink

Coffee is a very popular beverage around the world. People drink it in different ways depending on preference. Some like it hot or cold or with cream while others like it strong. Although, it is usually a breakfast beverage for most, others also drink it any time of the day.

The Coffee Process

Coffee comes from the seeds of the coffee plant. The seeds or the coffee beans undergo a process that prepares them for drinking. The process starts with the coffee berries being picked from the tree and defruited. Defruiting means the fruit is taken away and only the coffee beans are left. They are then dried and then sorted after which the coffee beans are sometimes aged or roasted directly.

The beans turn dark when undergoing the roasting process because the sucrose in them is caramelized. Some people prefer to do the roasting of the dried beans themselves at their home. Roasting brings out the flavor of the coffee beans because the heat it is exposed to turn carbohydrates and fats into aromatic oils. Roasting also burns off the moisture in the beans and also the carbon dioxide.

After the roasting, coffee beans are typically ground to make them ready for consumption. A Turkish grind is a straightforward process of making coffee where the ground coffee is mixed directly with water. This procedure makes very fine textured ground coffee. Other ways of preparing the ground coffee is using the percolator or coffee maker.

Kinds Of Coffee

Espresso is made by forcing very hot but not boiling water through compacted ground coffee. A stronger flavor is made and there is more coffee bean matter in the drink. This process results in a stronger flavor so most espresso drinkers use very small cups to consume this.

For those who do not wish to be encumbered by the long process of percolating or making coffee from ground coffee, there are several alternatives. These are pre mixed coffee, available in canned form. Some varieties come already sweetened or already mixed with creamers. Other coffee drinks, which are pre-mixed, come in plastic bottles or cans.

Another quick alternative is to use instant coffee. Instant coffee is coffee granules that have been freeze dried or dried into soluble powder. These powdered coffee forms just need to be mixed with water and other ingredients depending on the drinker’s preference.
Many people like the convenience of just adding the granules to hot water compared to percolating, which may take time.

Some coffee producers also make their roasted coffee decaffeinated. This takes out the caffeine from the coffee beans but still leaves the flavor and aroma.

The Coffee Bar Is For Everyone

A coffee bar is an establishment that focuses on serving coffee and tea along with light snacks. In many cases, they serve as a center for social interaction, much as a bar that serves alcohol does. Individuals use these places as locations to work, congregate, read, and entertain one another. Some of more popular places may have a designated night for poetry readings and other similar audience participation events. Many individuals under the age of twenty-one use a coffee bar as a meeting place for their friends, since they are too young to enter a bar that serves alcohol.

Food In A Coffee Bar

Many people choose to purchase something to nibble on while consuming their cup of premium coffee. The food choices in a coffee bar can encompass a wide variety of foods. In most cases, the food found in these establishments is limited to pastries, muffins, cakes, and biscotti. In other coffee bars, the establishment serves a range of hot foods and sandwiches along with the basic fare. Larger establishments typically have a larger variety of food than the smaller establishments. The type of food eaten is typically chosen to compliment the type of coffee purchased.

The Coffee Bar Model

The typical coffee bar is modeled after the coffee houses of the Italian-American immigrant communities of major cities in the United States. These were usually individually owned until Starbuck mainstreamed the model of the standard coffee bar in America. The standard coffee house is a fairly simple affair. There is a counter for service where individuals can order their coffee and any accompanying food items. There are cozy tables and chairs sparsely interspersed into the main area, and many have a raised stage for evening entertainment.

The coffee bar is quickly becoming the new face of drinking establishments, since it is patronized by a wider variety of individuals than the ones that frequent bars that serve alcohol. They have started to serve as the center of cultural exchange in many communities, fostering healthy debates and artistic inspiration. They also serve as a venue for entertainment and are an excellent place to see local talent showcased. Many professional workers routinely meet at a coffee bar to relax and unwind with their peers.

The coffee bar has been around for many years, but has gained a lot of popularity in the last few. Now, a large percentage of Americans can boast that they regularly frequent a coffee bar, whether it is owned by a national chain or an independent retailer. In most cases, a coffee bar provides the best coffee around.

The Magic Of Coffee

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the entire world along with water and tea. It is made from roasted coffee seeds or beans. People usually drink it hot but there are some who prefer it cold while others add sweetener, milk, cream or nondairy creamer to their preference.

The Origin Of The Beverage

Coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia around the 9th century when shepherds noticed their flock consuming some of the beans in the pasture. The goats appeared to have an increase in their energy level after consuming them. From there, the beverage spread to Egypt, Yemen and finally reached Turkey, Persia and parts of Africa in the 15th century.

Eventually, the beverage reached Europe and in 1690 the Dutch succeeded in smuggling plants into Europe, in spite of the Arab prohibition of taking plants and roasted beans away from their land. The Dutch grew this smuggled crop in Java, which was their colony at that time. It eventually reached the Americas and although, the Americans initially did not take to it, they gradually accepted it and the demand grew from there.

Kinds Of Coffee

Coffee plants come in two main species, Arabica and Robusta. It is said that Arabica is the better tasting brew but Robusta is sometimes used to substitute it, to cut cost. There are other species of the plant and these are coffea libereca and coffea esliaca. Most of the Arabica beans come from 3 major regions, namely, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

The beans or seeds must be roasted before it can be sold. To do this, the fruits or berries must be picked from the tree, dried, sorted out and sometimes even aged. As they are roasted, they turn dark due to the natural occurrence of caramelized sucrose. When coffee is decaffeinated, the caffeine, which was extracted from the beans, are sold to pharmaceutical companies.

The roasted product must undergo grinding before it can be mixed with water and consumed by people. Grinding usually occurs at the factory but some people prefer to grind their whole beans themselves. Instant coffee is either freeze-dried or dried into soluble powder for easy and less time consuming preparation. Other types of coffees are in cans, ready to drink and pre-mixed with sweeteners and sometimes cream is already added.

Coffee Tasting
Coffee tasting or coffee cupping is experiencing the tastes and aromas of brewed coffee as connoisseurs. Anybody who wants to do it can do it; they just have to go through the motions of the professionals. The taster sniffs deeply at the aroma of the beverage and slurps it so it spreads towards the back of the tongue. Attempts to measure the taste, more specifically the texture or so called mouthfeel, the acidity and balance or the harmony of flavors of the beverage.

Homemade Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans

It wasn’t too long ago that a simple cup of coffee consisted of ground coffee beans placed in a brewing apparatus. Once the hot water was filtered through the ground coffee the preparer was rewarded with a fresh and flavorful cup of coffee. However, even though a simple cup of coffee is still available, there are many variations and flavors that are available to the coffee lover.

Some of those variety of flavors include caramel macchiato, white chocolate coffee, pumpkin spice, etc. It seems that the list of flavorful possibilities is endless.

Additionally, a real treat for chocolate lovers and coffee drinkers is chocolate covered coffee beans. Any reputable coffee specialty store or Internet web site supplier can make these chocolate covered coffee beans available to the consumer. However, those individuals who are adventuresome and want to make homemade chocolate covered coffee beans the process is fairly simple.

That process includes selection of coffee beans, the purchase of chocolate and following the steps in making this delectable treat.

Selection Of Coffee Beans

The key ingredient that is the difference between good and excellent homemade chocolate covered coffee beans is the selection of the right coffee bean. Therefore, it is important to buy coffee beans that are of optimum quality.

High-quality coffee beans can be purchased at grocery stores, but probably a better place to purchase the coffee beans would be a coffee specialty store. In addition, the Internet can prove to be a smart place to shop especially if the individual has discerning tastes for quality and wishes to have a variety of coffee beans to choose from.

Selecting The Chocolate

The next important step in making homemade chocolate covered coffee beans is the selection of chocolate. The best type of chocolate to choose it is that chocolate that made specifically for dipping. In addition, the selection of chocolate to be used for the dipping process can include chocolate chips and squares.

Once the type of chocolate has been selected the next step is to choose your favorite chocolate flavor. Examples of choices available include white chocolate, milk chocolate as well as the dark or semi-sweet chocolate.

Process

Once the coffee beans have been selected and you have decided on your choice of chocolate it is time to begin the dipping process of making chocolate covered coffee beans. That process begins with melting the chocolate.

When melting the chocolate it is important to keep in mind two important considerations. The first consideration is to make sure that you do not burn your chocolate. Therefore, it is important to melt the chocolate at a proper temperature. That melting temperature should be at a low heat and the melting chocolate should be stirred often.

Another consideration is to make sure that you do not mix water with the chocolate. This combination will produce lumps in the melted chocolate mixture.

Once the chocolate has been completely melted the coffee beans can be dipped in to the chocolate. After the coffee beans have been dipped into the chocolate they need to be set aside in order for the chocolate to harden. This process can be accelerated by placing the chocolate covered coffee beans in the refrigerator.

Counting The Calories In Coffee

These days, it seems like everyone is on some type of diet. Low fat diets, low carb diets, and low calorie diets are the most popular diets with the American public today. With low calorie diets, the number of calories in every item that the individual eats, even the calories in coffee, is added together to make the individual aware of how many calories they are eating during the day. Knowing how many calories are being consumed helps the individual manage their diet and reduce the amount of calories they eat over the course of a day.

Variables That Affect The Calories In Coffee

Counting these calories correctly can be difficult. Take the calories in coffee for instance. The calories in a cup of coffee can differ widely from person to person because there are many variables that can change the number of calories in your cup. One major difference that can change the number of calories in coffee is the size of the cup. One person may define a cup of coffee as an 8-oz mug full, while another may classify it as the 12-oz Styrofoam cup that they pick up every morning on the way to the office. To get an accurate count of the calories in coffee, a standard measurement is 8 fluid ounces or 1 Cup.

Another variable that affects the amount of calories in coffee is the specific type of the coffee. Flavored coffees generally have many more calories than a cup of plain black coffee. Differences can also range between specific brands and styles, such as Columbian Roast or Breakfast Blend. The number of calories in coffee brands is typically indicated on the label of the coffee container for consumer review.

The amount of calories in coffee has a lot to do with how it is prepared for consumption. Calories are added with each spoonful of sugar or creamer used to make the coffee more palatable. Just remember, as more things are added to the coffee, the calorie count rises. One of the additions that add the most calories is whitening agents such as cream, milk, or creamer. Depending on the amount used, an individual can add between 40 and 90 calories to eat cup of coffee with whitening agents alone.

Many of the additives used to flavor coffee, such as vanilla syrup or chocolate syrup, can also add to the calories in coffee. These flavored syrups can add 70 calories or more per shot added to the coffee. Some of these flavorings do come in sugar-free varieties, so opting for the sugar free flavorings will reduce the amount of calories in coffee drinks. By remembering that these agents all add calories to your cup of coffee, you can effectively manage your diet and reduce the amount of calories in your coffee.