A COFFEE CUP- A Gift For All Occasions

Purchasing a coffee cup is a great gift idea for all occasions. You may want to consider giving someone you care about a coffee cup. It makes a great gift because it is so unique and can be customized to accommodate every occasion. The coffee cup can be purchased in a variety of shapes and sizes, in all sorts of colours and patterns, including slogans and logos that are bound to impress or get a laugh from the recipient of this excellent gift idea. Try giving a coffee cup to a loved one today and watch their face light up as they begin to enjoy a hot steaming cup of tea in their brand new speciality mug.

The coffee cup or mug could that would be bought for a birthday or anniversary could be printed with the date of their special day printed on it or the coffee cup could have Christmas designs embellished on it to make a unique Christmas gift. Giving a Christmas cup near the holidays is a great way to get people to feel that Christmas spirit year-round as they drink from their gift cup. Another great way to give a coffee cup would be a christening gift as you could commemorate the occasion with a photograph of the child on the coffee cup to give to the child when they are older.

There are also cups that represent local sports teams, organizations and charities. These make great gifts and can also be used to raise money for the sports fan or social club. You can choose a colourful and creative design featuring their favourite sports team’s logo and work from there to create an awesome gift experience.

Personalized cups: These types of coffee cups can be made personal to whatever extent you want to. They can have a photograph of someone or some special place printed on it or even a love poem or a picture of your pet. Imagine the exciting humour of drinking a cup of coffee from a coffee cup with your face on it!

Great Additions

Along with your coffee cup, there is a variety of coffee-related gifts you can consider giving. Easter is a good time to give a coffee cup as you can fill the cup with an egg or chocolates. You could also add coffee beans or tea in the mug as part of a package and string it together with a special bow. You can also give matching coffee equipment or other items that work well with the cup such as coffee-makers or speciality coffee tools such as a grounds press that helps crush those beans into luscious ground coffee. The possibilities are endless in terms of giving a gift to the coffee lover in your family, so try it out with a basic coffee cup and work your way up. Your friends and family will be impressed at how thoughtful you can be!

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A Brief Look At COFFEE History

A photo of a cup of coffee. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Coffee is probably one of the most popular beverages consumed by adults, yet many do not know coffee history very well. Understanding coffee history will make you appreciate that rich aroma you love so much. According to Arabic legend, an Arabian goat herder was going about his daily activities when all of a sudden his flock of goats began dancing around a green leafy plant. The plant appeared to have cherries growing from it, the goat herder decided to give this fruitful plant a try. 

He noticed that he was experiencing a stimulating effect that allowed him to stay awake for hours. Once he let others in on his secret, they began using coffee for the same reason. It is said that once introduced to a priest, he began promoting coffee and its effects throughout the monastery for continued prayer sessions. Low and behold, we had an eye-opening beverage that would soon become a frequent pick me up favorite.

Coffee History Begins in Ethiopia

Although many believe the goat herding legend as to be true in discovering coffees history, others need a more evidence than this to believe in when it came to discussing the history of coffee. Scientists have discovered botanical evidence that proves that coffee Arabica began in Ethiopia and then was somehow taken to Yemen, where it was then served up in the Mecca in one of the very first coffee houses in history since the 6th century. It became more of a personal favorite used for enjoyment, rather than putting it to use for its stimulating effects.

America Loves It

Wherever it originated, coffee is a popular choice for hot beverages. The number of coffee houses open for business now is amazing. There is one on every corner in America and is served in a variety of different ways. You can know get coffee drinks hot or cold, with or without flavoring and it is made to order. Many prefer instant coffee when serving coffee in their homes. This shows just how far coffee has come since its history began.

Coffee, Coffee, and More Coffee

Now it seems as though we are obsessed with coffee, you can find it everywhere. Coffee candy, coffee ice cream, coffee syrup, coffee creamers and the list will continue to grow. With coffee being such a favorite, did you ever stop to think that we had an Arabian goat herder to think for this rich-tasting drink we all enjoy so much?

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A Good COFFEE MUG Makes The Difference

Drinks at the beach 1933 coffee mug (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Everyone has their favorite and you are no exception when it comes to your favorite coffee mug. It is special and you like the feel of it in your hands and are really disappointed if someone else in the family is already using it for their beverage.  What makes a good coffee mug? Who knows? Each person has their own special likes and dislikes; however, there are literally thousands of different ones to choose from.

There are coffee mugs in every shape and size imaginable. They are now insulated and can be covered, are stackable, ceramic, stainless steel, travel sizes, and the majority are dishwasher safe. They can be small and hold about 6 ounces or very large holding over 20 ounces. There is no unique type, style, color or size to them, so, what makes these so special to the user?

Actually, there is nothing more comforting than holding a steaming hot mug of coffee. Sitting back and smelling the fresh scents from the newly brewed coffee that you just poured is delightful and it can soothe you after a long day or refresh you so that you can move on and accomplish more work.

Have you noticed that more and more companies are giving away personalized mugs to their customers? What better way to advertise your products and services than by giving away an item that everyone uses every day. These products can be purchased from numerous companies that will allow the organization to select a color and a special logo and the more they purchase the lower the cost for each.

Many companies order thousands when using them as a promotional gift.

There are even organizations that will give each employee their very own as an award or bonus—a way of saying thank you for the hard work everyone has accomplished over the past year. This is just a little token of appreciation that goes a long way with employees and, they can also be used as promotional advertising.

People are even decorating with coffee mugs. They have shelves in their homes where they proudly display antique ones that have been handed down for generations or that they have collected over the years. There are special cup hangers that you can attach to a wall so that you hang it by the handle and set up a pattern to display them in such a way as to enhance their beauty. This is an inexpensive way to decorate and to also show your collection. They could even be souvenirs of places the family has visited and vacation in over the years. It can be a constant inexpensive little memory of a special time that is in their home.

No matter what your preference in coffee mugs, to use or to display them, each person has their own special one-and heaven forbid that it ever gets broken. Some people when they have a favorite go back and get another one, exactly like the first, just in case. If you do not have a spare, you can always get another, but nothing will ever replace the look and feel of your favorite coffee mug.

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CAPPUCCINO: Basic Information

Cappuccino is a cup of coffee with fresh milk and milk foam bubbles burst on the top of cup. The milk foam bubbles burst acts as the insulator and keep the heat of the coffee for a longer time. The color of Cappuccino is dark brown. Normally, the cappuccino is served in the porcelain cup. It is better than the glass or paper cup. Cappuccino is a name that from the color of the robe of priest in Roman Catholic called “Capuchin”. It always drinks in the morning with breakfast. And now, cappuccino is modified to serve by the chain stores and the other manufacturing.

Cappuccino (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Type of Cappuccino

Base on the mixture ratios of the cappuccino

1. Traditional Cappuccino

It is the espresso with the hot foam milk on the top. The Thick of foam milk is about 1 cm.

2. Cappuccino Chiaro (Light Cappuccino or Wet Cappuccino)

There is more milk ratio than the normal cappuccino.

3. Cappuccino Scuro (Dark Cappuccino or Dry Cappuccino)

There is less milk ratio than the normal cappuccino.

How to make a cup of cappuccino

Compositions

1. Roasted bean = 8-10 grams

2. Fresh milk = 4-6 ounces

3. Coffee cup = 6 ounces

4. Chocolate or cinnamon powder

5. Sugar

Method

The important point in making the cappuccino is the milk with foam bubbles. The skilled barista who has acquired some level of expertise in the preparation of coffee should be pay attention while creating the milk foam bubble burst in each type if cappuccino.

1. Use one by tree of coffee volume in a cup.

2. Heat the fresh milk with 60 grade Celsius or lower.

3. Make the fine milk foam bubbles burst in suitable volume.

4. Add one by tree cup of warm milk in the cup.

5. Use a tea spoon for take the milk foam bubbles burst on the top of coffee until the edge of cup.

6. Before serve, sprinkle the top with chocolate or cinnamon powder.

Ice Cappuccino (Cappuccino “Freddo”)

The method is similar to hot cappuccino. Ice cappuccino is cappuccino that serves with ice. The ice has to fine to small molecule. The glass volume should be 8-12 ounces and cylinder shape. Put cappuccino in fine ice and add the milk foam bubbles burst on the top about one of three from the edge of the glass. Before serve, coffee maker ought to wait a moment for cooled glass of cappuccino. And do not forget to put a stick in the glass. The drinkers should drink all in one time because if the ice melt, the taste/flavor will change.

How to drink Cappuccino

1. Never stir Cappuccino with spoon.

2. Normally, no need to add sugar because the Cappuccino is pretty sweet already. But if you want sweeter, add sugar a tea spoon and stir with gentle. Never use syrup as sweetener in Cappuccino because milk and syrup will incompatibility.

3. Smell the flavor of Chocolate or cinnamon powder before drinking.

4. After drinking, the foamed milk will stick at the bottom of the cup. If no foamed milk stick means the method of making coffee is not good enough.

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ESPRESSO Making Is An Art Form – Here’s How To Make A Great Cup!

Ever wondered what the secrets are to making Espresso as good as the coffee house baristas do? 

Well stay with me a while and I will give away some of their trade secrets so you too can master the art of making a great cup of espresso.

Home espresso machine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The most important ingredient in making a good tasting espresso is to use pure fresh filtered or rain water. Regardless of what quality coffee grounds you use it won’t override the associated taste of poor water. For most of us chlorine and other chemicals in our tap water will put us at a real disadvantage. It might surprise some to know water can get stale so make sure it hasn’t been sitting around in plastic containers or in the fridge for too long before you use it.

To make a new brew of espresso remember to use very hot water with an optimum temperature of around 203F (95C) or nearly boiling water. If you don’t want to get too technical using a thermometer, just switch the jug off as the water is starting to boil and then count to ten. That has always worked for me.

Of course the next most important ingredient is the coffee. These days there is an abundance of choice and sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. I like to be a little adventurous and try coffees from different countries all over the world. Each one has its own unique flavour. Some I like and some I don’t go back for a second go.

One of my favorites is Arabica coffee which comes from the high country in Brazil or Bogota. Some people like to roast the green beans themselves while others are content to buy them freshly roasted.  Either way it is important to make sure the beans are fresh and have a good aromatic smell to them.

Also Robusta is one you might like to try.  This variety has more caffeine but is a little less full bodied flavour than Arabica. Generally it should be used for those quick pick-me-up cups but it’s not at all suitable for an espresso that is to be savoured.

Once you start exploring different types of coffee, blending is something you might like to try your hand at.  A blend of 70% Arabica and 30% Robusta is a great favorite of mine because it takes away the heavy chocolate taste of the Arabica and gives a mellower and more creamy texture to the brew. Women more often enjoy this blend as it is milder in flavor and is not such an assault on the taste buds. In Australia you can find this blend already ground in the MAP brand (red packet).

From personal experience let me tell you adding a grinder to your kitchen appliances will open up a whole world of espresso coffee tasting for you.  Being able to buy beans of any type and bring them home and finely grind them yourself is essentially a defining experience.

Another important point is that the quality of the espresso machine you buy will of course affect the quality of the espresso coffee it produces. Here I should remind you to look for a machine that is easy to clean and maintain as well as one that generates heat by boiler or thermoblock and is capable of producing pump pressure of 9 bar or better. A thermoblock heats water as it passes through the machine on the way to the pump. For a really professional and satisfying brew it is best to avoid the cheaper units that rely on steam to create pressure.

Now that we know all that we are ready to make a top cup of espresso.  For the best results pre-warm the equipment by running clean water through the machine is a good idea. Then when you turn the machine on, let the water heat, before running a cup through with no coffee to warm the surfaces and flush the system.

Next you can add the freshly ground espresso roast and then tamp it down slightly with the back of a spoon, just like you would in a tobacco pipe till you feel some springiness - but the coffee shouldn't scatter about.

Then put the hopper in the machine and place a warmed espresso cup at the outlet. Now comes the good part, start the machine and in about five seconds you will have a steady stream of beautiful espresso coffee.  For a double shot it will take about 20 seconds to complete.

Making cappuccino is easy this way as all you have to do is warm half a cup of milk in the microwave for about 90 seconds, froth it with the wand and add it to the espresso. If you are like me and love the froth use full cream milk rather than reduced fat milk as it froths better.  To make it just like a bought one, sprinkle some cinnamon over the top.  However if you really want to create a sensation you could shave some chocolate or sprinkle cocoa on the top. For the sweet tooth you will probably need a teaspoon of sugar.

In a nutshell the secret to making a good cup of espresso at home that tastes just like one from your favourite coffee shop is to start with good quality coffee, keep your equipment nice and clean, use fresh water, don't burn the roast and make sure you grind it properly.

Enjoy.

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• Inspired by Coffee(interiorsbystudiom.com)

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COFFEE - Avoiding Brewing A Bad Cup

Vacuum coffee brewer
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If a good cup of coffee was so easy to make by simply just throwing in your choice of coffee grinds into water and then into your percolator, then you could settle for just any quality of beans.  Unfortunately a bad cup of coffee is so very easy to make.  However, making a truly tasty and fresh cup of java every morning requires you to do things properly before you drink it.

Fresh water that is cold is your first port of call.  Pour it into your coffee machine for that perfectly delicious brew.  Avoid water that has been pre-boiled or comes from your hot tap.  The best results come from filling your machine with filtered or bottled water, especially if your plumbing is old.  This is especially important in areas where there is an abundance of highly chlorinated or hard type water.

Water temperature is another critical aspect that will affect the final results.  Your water should be between 195° to 205° only.  Overly hot water can make your coffee far too bitter.  Would you drink that? Overly cool water cannot draw out the wonderful flavour, and usually no colour.  You might as well drink boiled water, right?

If you use a coffee press in the morning, bring your water to a boil for a minute, add it, turn on the machine, and let it do the rest.  Drip coffee machines can also benefit from scalding the pot ahead of time with pre-heated water.  This simple procedure is used for tea making, too.  You should pour the water into the pot and swish it around to warm it up.  Then pour it out and let the coffee drip in.  This further emphasises the flavour and the aroma.

Of course, the most important aspect is having the proper grind for your machine.  Don’t let anyone tell you that you can use any grind.  There are two main types of grinds, specially designed for the pressing pot or the electric or bunn coffee makers.  Whether you grind your beans yourself or buy them locally ground, the press machine needs about 10 seconds of grinding to produce medium or coarse grinds.  You can pick up fairly cheap blade grinders anywhere.  Electric types and drips need grinds that have been process for fifteen to twenty seconds to get a fine to medium grind.  Whichever you use you will rewarded with the perfect cup of coffee.

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