Many a coffee aficionado would turn up their nose at the thought of adding flavorings to their beloved black beverage. But, if you’re not an aficionado, and you didn’t pay exorbitant amounts of money for single-estate specialty coffee beans, then why not indulge in trying some of the fine coffee flavoring syrups, or flavored coffee beans available today? To help you make the most of coffee flavorings, here is a summary of the things you should know before buying.

**Coffee Flavoring Syrups**

Generally sweet, and always indulgent, coffee flavorings such as vanilla, hazelnut or amoretto can be found bottled in the form of coffee syrups. Added after the coffee is brewed, the advantage of using these syrups over using pre-flavored coffee beans is that your grinding and brewing equipment does not become tainted by flavor extracts on the beans.

About the only rule when using syrups to make flavored coffee is “don’t overdo it”. Remember, the flavor should complement your favorite drink, rather than overwhelm it.

Here are some general guidelines to help you buy only the best coffee syrups:

• Brix - the word ‘brix’ is used to describe the solids content of a syrup. The higher the brix, the higher the concentration of sugar and flavoring in the liquid. Many high-quality coffee syrups have a brix between 60 and 70 - that is, 60-70% solids. Higher concentration syrups will cost more initially, but you use less so they will last longer.
• Flavor vs. Sugar - even though a brix of 62 indicates a high quality syrup, you can’t be sure of how much of the solids content is sugar and how much is flavor without checking the label and/or taste-testing the syrup. Some manufacturers promote their syrups as adding ‘flavor without sweetness’. Your personal preference will dictate whether you prefer the sweetness. If you normally take sugar, you might find you do not need to add sugar if the syrup is quite sweet. Be aware of very thick, sticky syrups - these may be disguising a poor flavor extract with an overdose of sugar.
• Sweetener - you will find most syrups are flavored with cane-sugar. Other popular sweeteners include fruit-juice and corn sugar. Syrups that use other than cane-sugar are generally not as sweet - something you may or may not prefer. In any case, look for the “all-natural” statement on the label if you want to avoid artificial sweeteners.
• Preservatives - some syrups are preservative-free. The flavor may benefit from this - just remember that the shelf-life of these syrups will be shorter than those with added preservatives.
  Sugar Free or Low Carb - due to consumer demand, some companies are producing sugar-free coffee syrups. To be an informed consumer, you should check the label to determine whether these are unsweetened or artificially-sweetened and purchase according to your personal preference.
• Purpose - most syrups are general purpose, but some syrups will be labelled as baking, dessert or drink flavorings. They will vary in thickness, sweetness and flavoring depending on their purpose.

Once you get your syrup home, why not try:

• Combining syrups to create unique flavors
• Using syrups as dessert toppings
• Adding syrups to smoothies
• Adding syrups to soda water
• Using syrups as a glaze for meat or vegetables (fruit-flavored syrups are nice for this)
• Adding syrups to a salad dressing or vinaigrette

** Flavored Coffee Beans **

From caramel, to pumpkin pie, gingerbread, cinnamon or butterscotch, there are an abundance of pre-flavored coffee beans to sample and enjoy. Beans are generally flavored using essential oils, plant derivatives and other aromatic flavorings. The flavors are mixed with warm beans straight out of the roaster to ensure as much flavor as possible is absorbed by the bean. Most flavoring is 3% w/w (weight to weight) which is 1/2oz of flavoring to 1lb of coffee.

Here are some tips to help you buy only the best flavored coffee beans:

• You can tell the freshness of flavored beans by their appearance. Freshly flavored beans will appear glossy - very oily and wet.
• Be sure you are buying from a reputable coffee roaster to ensure your beans and flavorings are of a high quality. Some roasters may be adding flavor to low-quality beans thinking that their low-quality will be disguised by the flavoring. (This is usually not very successful - a bit like trying to cover up bad dessert with sugary syrup.)

Here are some reasons why you might prefer to try pre flavored coffee beans over coffee syrups:

• Aroma - the combination of the aromatic flavoring and the aroma of the bean itself can be quite exquisite. About 76 percent of taste is experienced through the nose, so the aroma makes for much of the flavored coffee experience. Consider it a kind of coffee aromatherapy.
• Sugar-Free / Low-Carb - most pre flavored coffee beans are flavored without using sugar. Even so, if sugar is contained in the flavoring, the amount of sugar in the final product is negligible. Being sugar-free also gives you the freedom to use sweetener of your choice.

** Making Your Own Flavored Coffee **

An inexpensive and more body-friendly (i.e. no sugar, no preservatives, no artificial anythings) way of adding natural flavor to your beans is to fill an airtight container with freshly roasted, whole beans. To the container, try adding any one or more of the following:

• Whole vanilla bean(s)
• Cinnamon Stick(s)
• Cloves and Nutmeg (use sparingly)
• Cardamom
• Citrus Peel (lemon or orange)
• Mint Leaves
• Alternatively, a simple sprinkle of cinnamon, or a dash of liqueur (Amaretto, Irish Creme) after your coffee is brewed can add the hint of flavor you’ve been craving.

SERBC Barista Competition 2005

Dan Kehn reports from the South East Regional Barista Competition for 2005, with photos from Jay Caragay to sate your appetite!
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Ever wonder how coffee came to be. The story as I have heard it goes; a shepard was out one day tending his flock when the sheep began eating a new berry. The sheep quickly began to act strange and almost seemed hyperactive. The shepard being a bit weary himself thought he would try the berry and see what happened. He a short time latter found himself to be alert and energetic. The word about this mysterious berry got out to the local monks who after some careful study discovered coffee.

Have you ever wondered if keeping you awake is the only thing coffee can do? Asthma sufferers may find that the theophylline in coffee may reduce their symptoms. Theophylline is know to be a bronchodilator. Coffee may also help reduce the risk of colon cancer by keeping a body regular.

In the summer months iced coffee is a special treat. A way to use your left over coffee and to create a delightful beverage, make ice cubes. Pour your left over morning java into an ice cube tray and freeze. You can flavor your cubes with syrup or chocolate to sweeten the drink. When you are ready for your iced coffee just substitute the coffee cubes for regular ice cubes. Your beverage will stay chilled and your coffee will not become watered down.
http://www.gourmayeats.com

About the Author

Shauna Hanus is a gourmet cook who specializes in creating gourmet meal plans. She has extensive experience cooking with easy to find grocery items to create delightful gourmet meals. Her meal plans are easy to follow and pleasing to all who eat them.
http://www.gourmayeats.com

Creamy Chocolate Coffee
Coffee drink recipe.

Choosing a good coffee maker is not a decision to be taken for granted. If you are going to spend money on your favorite coffee, you will want to make sure the coffee maker you choose is of good quality and has the features you want. The majority of coffee makers are generally quite good and you will notice no difference in the taste of your coffee from one brand to another. There are some basic features to look for when choosing a coffee maker and some luxury features that may give you a better tasting cup of coffee

The first decision you must make in choosing a coffee maker is what type of filter you would prefer. You can choose a basket type filter or a cone shaped filter, the difference in the two being different contact times between the coffee grounds and the water. A basket type filter seems to provide a longer contact time between the water and the coffee grounds, so if a basket filter is your preference, make sure you use coffee grounds that are fairly large. Cone type filters are generally less prone to spillage. If you are considering a gold tone filter, it will give your coffee a richer taste, but the upkeep may not be worth the small difference.

The color of your coffee maker is not a major concern, but keep in mind that if you choose a color that is pleasing to you, your coffee will seem to taste better. The only real issue involved in the color of your coffee maker is to remember that white stains easily and tends to look old rapidly. A dark color will look new a lot longer than a white coffee maker. Coffee makers with a pot that has a long neck will be harder to clean. If you cannot easily wash the coffee pot with soap and water, your coffee will taste stale over time due to the build up of residue that cannot be cleaned easily. Make sure your entire hand can fit inside the coffee pot to make cleaning easy.

Other than the basic features, which include color, filter, ease of cleaning, etc., there are some additional features that you may want to consider. If you don’t mind your coffee grounds being exposed to air overnight, a timer is a wonderful thing to have. Timers will allow you extra time in the mornings and if you choose a coffee maker with an attached grinder, the noise would probably eliminate your need for an alarm clock. A feature that is often overlooked is the shape of the housing around the coffee pot. Many manufacturers are making the housing larger so that the coffee in the pot stays hotter. The housing area in any good coffee maker should cover at least half of the coffee pot, the keep heat in.

In general, coffee that is freshly ground tastes better. Grinders that are attached to coffee makers are a bit of a hassle. They make the coffee maker harder to clean and the coffee beans are not always ground uniformly. If you want a coffee maker with an attached grinder, look for a burr grinder rather than a blade grinder. You may also want to look into a coffee maker with a built in water filtration system. Filtered water does tend to make the coffee taste better, but purchasing distilled or purified water can serve the purpose just as well as a built in water filtration system.

For the perfect pot of coffee, the water temperature needs to be around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. In general, the less expensive coffee makers do not reach this temperature. Most of the better brand names will advertise the temperature you can expect your coffee to reach while brewing. Choosing the right coffee maker is not easy. Make sure you purchase from well-known manufacturers. You will be able to find replacement parts and will be assured of an acceptable level of quality. Choose a coffee maker that meets your basic needs and any has additional features you desire.

About the Author

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 appliances and more.

CoffeeGeek and You.

Jeanette Chan, our News Editor, has something very important to tell all the readers of the CoffeeGeek website regarding the ongoing health and longevity of this website and resource.
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Teens band together to make Coffee House rock (The Times of Northwest Indiana)
HOMEWOOD | Once a month, teenagers of various religious backgrounds come to St. Paul Community Church of Homewood. They come for the coffee, the music and a place to hang out with friends.

Review of Kopi Luwak Gift Box
Kopi Luwak is the strangest and and rarest beverage in the world. The beans are collected from animal droppings, cleaned, roasted and ground. Odds are good that you won’t find this at your local Starbucks. AnimalCoffee.com has a gift box…

I had the pleasure of trying two flavors of Gabby Goodies Perfect Pot Coffee from Patty King (http://www.mygabbygoodies.biz/501). They are called perfect pots because the packages contain the perfect amount of coffee for one pot. Of course, you can adjust the amount of coffee or water to meet your preference.
When I opened the package, the sweet smell of flavored coffee filled the room. The Cookies and Cream flavor is rich, with a nice aftertaste of cookies (without all of the calories!) The Almond Amaretto has a wonderful almond fragrance and a taste to match. I can imagine it would be great iced with some milk and maybe even a splash of Amaretto liqueur. Some flavored coffees I ve tried smell good, but the flavor doesn t make it through the brewing. If you like flavored coffee, I recommend trying Perfect Pot coffee from Gabby Goodies. The 2 oz. foil packets come in 19 flavors and some are available in decaf.
Gabby Goodies offers a whole range of gourmet goodies including coffee, tea, cocoa, cookies, mixes and dips. Browse around Patty s site at http://www.mygabbygoodies.biz/501 to take in the full line of products.

About the Author

Shannon Barnard is the owner of K9 Bytes, Inc. She makes gifts for pets and pet lovers including handcrafted dog and cat collars, leashes and treats. Visit her online at: http://www.k9bytesgifts.com

MiniMoka Grinders - All, Magnus Arvidsson

Bottom Line: A very competent stepless adjustment low rpm grinder. Grinds very evenly.
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Today’s society is very familiar with fair trade coffee, yet it is unclear whether the true meaning behind the economic, environmental and social impact of purchasing and drinking it is understood. In order to comprehend the full impact fair trade coffee has on our society, one must learn what it means.

A small number of large corporations around the world control the production, trade, and retailing of goods and services. These large corporations firmly influence free trade, which has become the primary detriment to trading fairly. Through determination, these corporations have successfully convinced the world’s governments that loosening trade regulations and breaking down barriers to free trade will result in the rise of workers’ wages and benefits with the expanding foreign market.

The competition between large corporations to obtain control over the global market has resulted in reducing their cost by cutting jobs, wages, and benefits to workers. Corporate profits leaving the country rather than being reinvested locally hurts the workforce as well. Government and corporations have written several agreements to protect the intellectual and property rights of corporations. However, agreements to protect workers’ rights and the environment have yet to be enforced.

Coffee is a highly traded commodity in the world, second to oil. Over 25 million farmers and their families depend on it for a steady income. The fact that North American consumers pay $4 to $11 a pound for conventional coffee, which is the same coffee that is bought from coffee growers at $.80 per pound, clearly proves the coffee market is unfair. The involvement of the Fair Trade Organization has benefited these growers by helping them earn $1.12 to $1.26 per pound.

The Fair Trade Organization has been able to lower the cost by working directly with democratically run producer associations, worker-owned cooperatives, producers and growers. These efforts have resulted in the farmers and producers joining forces to achieve reduced costs, simplified credit access, fair pricing, fair working conditions and the ability to reinvest in the community.

Purchasing fair trade coffee means that you are giving a ‘voice’ to the coffee producers and farmers and empowering women and indigenous communities by returning the control of the coffee market into the their hands.

In comparing the cost of fair trade coffee to the traditional coffee, the elimination of the liaison between the growers has made the costs comparable. Even though the distribution costs of fair trade coffee is often higher in price than coffee purchased in the grocery store, the costs are equal to those of most gourmet coffees.

The controversy between corporations concerning equal pay and fair working conditions does not affect the high standards and quality of fair trade coffee. Coffee that is grown for the fair trade market receives a higher recognition in today’s market place. This is due to the coffee being developed organically (free from pesticides and herbicides). Consumers benefit from the indefinable reward of knowing their contribution helps the workers to defeat the corporations.

During your next visit to the grocery store, look for the Fair Trade Certified logo. This logo symbolizes that the Fair Trade Federation (FTF), which upholds the fair trade standards by requiring its members to meet strict criteria in order to achieve fair trade status, has licensed the product. Encourage your friends, family, and co-workers to purchase fair trade coffee on their next trip to the market. From the grower to the consumer, we all receive the benefits that fair trade brings to the community.

Making Sure the Seal Means the Real Deal
Edgar Munn discusses Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee.

Two Hours of Joint Solitude

Solitude in a Cafe? Chris Pluger offers this short essay of an exploration of the reasons why we go to cafes - even if it is to "be alone".
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