Latest Coffee Articles http://www.populate.net/ Articles at Populate.NET en-us Memphis Coffee Shops http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/memphis-coffee-shops.html http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/memphis-coffee-shops.html Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:25:11 -0700 Need to chill. Get some work done. Have a home office and want to be around people while having yummy beverages at your beck and call? In Memphis, here’s a guide to Memphis Coffee Shops and what to expect.
 
First Tier Memphis Coffeeshops

1. Café Eclectic-  603 N. McLean Boulevard
Memphis, TN 38107
901-725-1718

Featuring the ultra luxe Lilly Coffee, homemade desserts and gelato, a full menu, and lot’s of seating this is one of the A-grade coffee establishments in Memphis.

2. Republic - 2924 Walnut Grove Rd
Memphis, TN 38111-2714
(901) 590-1578

The claim to fame of Republic is being the latest open coffee shop in town. Need to work till 12, this is the place. Has a good variety of seating. Featuring a menu of great food that a lot of people don’t think to order, try the specialty French toasts. Downside is they’ve been convinced of the wisdom of cold-brewed ice coffee, which at its best is okay and at its worst one of the most horrendous inventions of man. Also, the place is kept fairly low key and dark, which makes working dangerous as the temptation to drift off is constantly present. Just opened this really cool conference room in back that sometimes can be reserved for groups. Very good regular coffee.

A lot of patrons know each other, rumor is from recovery groups.

3. Otherlands-
Otherlands Coffee Bar & Exotic  

641 S Cooper St
Memphis, TN 38104-5352
(901) 278-4994

Features good and varied seating. The backroom is a great place to get some work done. Most well known of Memphis coffee shop. Along with Republic to a lesser extent attracts a grungy hippie chicks if you’re into that. Food menu not quite as nice as the other two. Has a Friday and sometimes Saturday night folk music that tends to be quite good and well attended.

4. Starbucks-
In terms of coffee quality, I quite like it compared to most Memphis coffee. Downside is of course that wifi is only free with an annoying card and account. Tends to attract more clean cut women and students. Also, a lot of credit for having locations out east which are quite rare.

5. Panera Bread-

Lots of credit for a good solid menu. They all feature these nice quite media rooms that would be a great idea for a local group meeting place. You should see if you can reserve them .

Second Tier Coffeeshops

1. Quetzal-
I really struggle putting them in second tier. Used to be a favorite. Known for the owner periodically firing all the staff and shutting down for a day or two. Can be great coffee. Good but very expensive food menu. Bad parking situation and also frequently doesn’t seem to run air conditioning and can be hot and muggy. Can be a good nightclub as well.

2. Bluff City Coffee-
All espresso coffee that’s quite good. I would have considered first tier and a unique resource when they had a working printer that made meeting clients there super slick.

3. Java Cabana-
Used to be one of the classics. Still decent.

4. The Edge – Really third tier.

5. Harbor Town Coffee- Located on Mud Island. Needs a better seating area. Good coffee. Really needs an aesthetic upgrade. The white tile floor is glaring. Seems very out of place in Memphis. Run by really chipper owner who you just want to see do better.

]]> The Art Of Coffee Roasting http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/the-art-of-coffee-roasting.html http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/the-art-of-coffee-roasting.html Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:21:03 -0700 Could there be anything better than a hot, fresh brewed cup of coffee? As you open that can of pre-ground Maxwell House Coffee, did you even know that coffee comes in different roasts? Did you know that you can roast your own coffee beans at home? If you think that the aroma of your fresh ground coffee beans can't be beat, get a home coffee roaster, you'll be in Java Heaven.

Roasting the coffee beans is what imparts flavor. Similar to the making of a fine wine or a hand rolled cigar, some consider the roasting of coffee beans as an art. Those that describe coffee use some of the same vocabulary they use to describe wine. Depending on the roast level chosen the beans take on different flavor characteristics. The lighter the coffee bean the less flavor it will have, the darker the coffee bean the stronger the flavor it will have.

There are generally four different categories of roast. A light roast (American) , a medium roast (Breakfast), a dark roast (French), and darkest roast (Italian or espresso). Each type of roast imparts a different appearance to the coffee beans.

When a coffee bean is roasted to an American roast the beans will have a very light color to them and they will appear dry. A medium roasted bean, or Breakfast roast will have a rich brown color and will be oily in appearance. A French roasted coffee bean will have a very oily appearance with the beans appearing very dark brown. The darkest roasted beans or Espresso beans will appear black.

Coffee roasting can easily be done in your home. Depending on the roast that you desire you can roast coffee in five to fifteen minutes. Green beans are available online from a number of sellers, as are coffee roasters. Choose different types of green coffees to sample. Drum roasters are very popular for use in the home. It's best to consider purchasing a roaster as it will give you the most consistent finish to your beans. Some try to roast beans in frying pans, some use hot air popcorn poppers. While each of these techniques will work, as mentioned above they don't give a consistent finish to all the beans and you will most likely be disappointed in the result.

Enjoy!

]]> History of the Coffee and Espresso machines http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/history-of-the-coffee-and-espresso-machines.html http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/history-of-the-coffee-and-espresso-machines.html Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:13:44 -0700 A large percentage of the population loves to drink both coffee and espresso. We are all aware of the fact that coffee and espresso provide a boost of energy and they also warm your body up on those cold winter days. Most, however, are not familiar with the history of the coffee and espresso machines, themselves. Without these machines, we probably wouldn’t see such a large population that can easily and affordably prepare these common drinks.

Where did the coffee maker come from?

Since the days of the early Egyptians, coffee has been a staple beverage for most people. Though the Coffee bean originated in Africa, it quickly spread to neighboring countries, like Arabia and Egypt. The first method of preparation was to roast the beans on an open fire and then added to boiling water for consumption.

It is believed that coffee was probably considered a type of wine and used to barter and trade. Fermented in much the same as grapes, coffee was a source of energy and warmth for most, but some drank it because they loved the taste, too.

A man by the name of Mr. Laurens came up with the first coffee-making machine in 1818. The machine was constantly modified by coffee drinkers. The coffee machine was actually a product that had just as many patents by women as men, that was practically unheard of at that time!

Through the years, the machine has become a reliable, dependable and easy to use product. In the 1960’s, the first filter machines were invented and the modifications have improved even more since then. Coffee machines began as crude looking inventions, but have evolved into many different styles, making it possible for a Governor and a Harley biker to own the same style!
Found in just about every home, the coffee machine is made by many manufacturers, including: Braun, Senseo, Kitchenaid, Krups and Pod.


Where did the espresso machine come from?

Discovered by a goat herder and developed by a tired, hungry traveler, the espresso drink has provided many with the extra energy they may need. The goat herder noticed the goats acting like they had an extreme boost of energy. As he searched for his heard, he noticed they were snacking on a red berry growing from shrubs. Curious, he ate a berry and felt as if he had suddenly gained more energy as a result. At the same time, a tired, hungry traveler witnesses the occurrences and jumped at the chance to try it for himself. Having the same reactions as the herder and goats, he knew that they were on to something. He took some berries and began to add them to drinks for those in his hometown, as the drink seemed to be a good source of energy. The idea took off from there!

The first espresso maker is said to have originated in 1901, by Italian manufacturing company owner, Lugia Bezzer. He was simply looking for a way to help speed up his employee’s coffee breaks. He figured out that if pressure was applied in the brewing process, the drink could be made in a lot less time. Nicknamed “The fast coffee machine”, the espresso machine patent was sold in 1905. The new owner, Desidero Pavoni developed an espresso machine that used a piston pump to force water through a tube and into the coffee.

Modifications on the espresso machine were halted by the onset of WWII. Production picked up after the war and in 1946, the commercial espresso machine was invented. Since that time, the espresso maker has been produced by many name brand companies, including: Juda, Mr.Coffee, Kitchenaid and Braun. Offering various features, styles, colors and prices, the espresso machine has come a long way!

]]> Affect A Cup Of Coffee How Coffee Filters http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/affect-a-cup-of-coffee-how-coffee-filters.html http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/affect-a-cup-of-coffee-how-coffee-filters.html Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:39:10 -0700 There are many ways to prepare a good cup of coffee. Many people swear by the coffee pot they use, while others swear on the brand of coffee. But no cup of coffee turns out well without the help of a good coffee filter. Coffee filters come in different shapes and materials depending on the type of coffee brewer it is being used by. Each type of filter has different attributes to help an individual choose which types of coffee filters are best for them.

Types of Coffee Filters

There are several different types of coffee filters widely used today. The most popular type of coffee filter used is the paper coffee filter. It is widely believed that paper filters are the best at keeping the coffee grounds out of the pot and therefore out of your cup. They are recommended when brewing inexpensive brands as the small pores of the paper will retain some of the oil of the coffee causing the coffee to lose some of its flavor. Paper coffee filters come in either the white "oxygen cleansed?varieties or natural brown paper that are made without the use of chemicals.

There are also coffee filters that are made out of metal. These filters are considered the best for infusing the total flavor of the coffee, but a few of the grounds inevitably end up in the cup as well. The filters are specially treated to avoid transferring a metallic taste into the coffee and careful care will help the filter last for years. These coffee filters are generally created to fit a specific type of coffee pot and replacing the filter can be more expensive than you expect.

Cloth coffee filters are typically made of natural cotton which is unbleached. The cloth filters retain more coffee grounds than the metal filters but allow more of the coffee oil to pass through than the paper filters, thus adding more flavor to the coffee. With proper care, these filters will last for about four months. Although they are less convenient than the paper coffee filters, cloth filters are quickly becoming more popular with the growing number of individuals buying gourmet coffee.

Whether using paper, metal, or cloth coffee filters, the filter is the key to a great cup of coffee. Individuals can choose their ideal filter by the attributes that it brings to the equation. Knowing the differences between the types of coffee filters available will help the individual create their perfect cup of coffee

]]> Hint of ground coffee bean can even add to a pot roast. http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/hint-of-ground-coffee-bean-can-even-add-to-a-pot-roast.html http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/hint-of-ground-coffee-bean-can-even-add-to-a-pot-roast.html Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:22:29 -0800
Although commonly used as an ingredient in desserts, coffee can also be used in chili, barbecue sauces and meat glazes. A hint of ground coffee bean can even add to a pot roast.

With any recipe, freshness is important so you will want to opt for freshly ground beans or even grind your own. If it is brewed coffee you need, be sure you brew it just before you will need it and brew it with filtered water. Inferior brewing will result in inferior cooking results. Also, keep in mind that most recipes call for coffee that is sometimes three times stronger than that prepared for drinking. Let's take a look at some of the possibilities.

Coffee Meatloaf Sauce: Australian meatloaf is becoming a popular dish beyond Australia and, if you have tried it, this should come as no surprise. To make the sauce, add one tablespoon of instant coffee to one-fourth cup of water, a half cup of ketchup and one-fourth cup each of Worcestershire sauce and a dry red. Then, mix in two tablespoons of lemon juice, some brown sugar, for more details visit to www.apples-recipes.com two tablespoons of vinegar and one ounce of margarine to complete the sauce mixture. Once the meat has cooked for thirty minutes, add the sauce and bake for at least another forty-five minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Espresso Brownies: If you have been looking for a brownie recipe that will make others taste inferior, then you need to try this one. Heat one cup of sugar, one quarter teaspoon of salt and one and a half sticks of butter in a sauce pan. Then, stir four ounces of semi-sweet chocolate (chopped) and one teaspoon of vanilla until thoroughly melted. Add one tablespoon of a ground dark-roast, or try two teaspoons of espresso grounds as an alternative. Continuing stirring until the mixture is nicely blended. Transfer to a mixing bow where it can cool for several minutes, but while still fairly warm, fold in three eggs, one cup of flour and pour the entire mixture into a baking pan. Bake for thirty minutes, after which you should let it cool and then enjoy!

Black Russian Cake: Here is a delicious recipe for chocolate cake. First, add one cup of vegetable oil to a quality dark chocolate cake mix, as well as one package of instant chocolate pudding, one-half cup of crème de cacao and four eggs. Then, add one cup of Russian coffee which itself consists of a half ounce of Kailua, for more details visit to www.cooking-groundbeef.com one ounce of vodka and five ounces of hot black coffee. Then, beat the mixture until smooth, pour into a tube shaped baking pan and bake for forty-five minutes at a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, remove the cake and eat up!

These are only a few of the many possibilities when it comes to cooking with coffee, espresso and cappuccino. Many different food items can be enhanced by adding even a little coffee, including cookies, breads, candy and muffins. Oh, and we cannot leave out the mocha flavored ice cream, another popular treat laced with the delicious flavor of coffee. The possibilities are quite endless, in fact.

]]> Need to Discover the Benefits of Cooking http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/need-to-discover-the-benefits-of-cooking.html http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/need-to-discover-the-benefits-of-cooking.html Thu, 25 Dec 2008 11:56:21 -0800 Are you struggling to control your weight or maintain your energy levels? If these or similar conditions apply to you then you need to discover the benefits of cooking!

At first glance it may seem counterintuitive to think that cooking could simplify and enhance your life. Who has the time, right? Or maybe you do not think that you can cook good enough to produce something edible. You would be surprised to learn that there are many benefits to preparing food for yourself and others:

Health Benefits:
When you eat out you have almost no control over what you consume. Somebody else is dictating your portion sizes, food quality, and believes me when I tell you that they are more concerned with the bottom-line than your waistline. Most restaurants purchase the cheapest food available to maximize their profits.

Cheaper foods are those with a longer shelf life (high in preservatives, hydrogenated oils, and trans-fats), higher in fat (fatty cuts of meat are cheaper), and lacking in essential nutrients. When you shop for the ingredients for your food you have to final word when it comes to quality and content. People who prepare their own meals tend to have healthier diets because they eat more vegetables and fruits. In addition, they tend to purchase higher quality ingredients than you would find at a restaurant.

When you cook your own food your body is not the only thing that gets healthier. Your bank account gets better too. For more help visit to: www.cajuns-recipes.com.Preparing your own meals allows you to avoid paying for the labor to prepare your food. For instance, did you know that you could get twice as much filet mignon if you buy it at the grocery store or butcher and cook it yourself? It is true! If you go to a nice restaurant, this delicious steak will cost between $25-80. If you go to your neighborhood super mart, you can get two quality filets for around $20.

At your grocer you can also buy foods in bulk, reducing the cost. If you are in a time crunch you can pre-prepare food on the weekend and freeze meals to re-heat later. Pay yourself to cook your meals and get your food just how you like it!

Another way that you can save money preparing your own meals is to use fresh ingredients from your garden. Tomatoes, green beans, peas, lettuce, onions, cucumbers, and many other vegetables are easy to grow and prepare. You can get plenty of seeds for just pennies over a dollar.
What kind of time benefits could you possibly get from cooking? Does it not take more time to boil water and melt butter and chop and mix and sauté? Yes, but when I say time benefits, I am talking about quality time.

One of my favorite things to do with my daughters (ages 2 and 5) is to prepare a meal. We have fun chopping vegetables, mixing batters and counting out ingredients. They feel so important helping out with the cooking and it teaches them to work and acquire some skills in the kitchen for themselves.
]]> Cocoa Beans and the Fierce Competition in the Chocolate Industry http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/cocoa-beans-and-the-fierce-competition-in-the-chocolate-industry.html http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/cocoa-beans-and-the-fierce-competition-in-the-chocolate-industry.html Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:18:27 -0800
There currently are a good number of chocolate manufacturers in the American region alone. To get the biggest share in the highly dense consumer market is the goal of every chocolate manufacturer. But to make that happen, a series of strict production processes and manufacturing guidelines have be implemented first.

To make the best-tasting chocolate in the market, the very first step is to find cocoa beans of the finest quality. However, this feat is not a very simple one. Because aside from locating which part of the world produces the best cocoa beans, you also have to be assured of a strong and steady supply of it. Otherwise, the chocolate produced will have varying degrees of quality and consistency, much to the disappointment of consumers.

One of the best places where top quality cocoa beans are produced is in the Caribbean region, more particularly in the Dominican Republic. The cocoa beans of Dominican Republic are one of the country's prime products that are being exported to the rest of the world. The cocoa beans produced in the Caribbean are meticulously grown, cultivated, and processed to become the best product for use by chocolate manufacturers.

What's more, big farm owners of the country are expanding further into the global market by setting up offices in different parts of the world, more particularly in areas where a bulk of their products are shipped to. There are many Dominican Republic cocoa bean producers with offices in the U.S., UK, Australia, and some parts of Europe currently.

With offices nearby, it becomes possible for chocolate manufacturers to provide their cocoa bean farm partners their strict requirements as to what type and grade of cocoa they need. Some farms also allows for custom cocoa growing, wherein the chocolate manufacturers has the last say as to how should the crops be handled, cultivated, fermented and shipped. They can remotely oversee the cocoa bean production right from the day they are sowed into the soil.

These painstaking initial processes of producing cocoa bean are the primary investment that chocolate manufacturers can make. Their innovative production lines, state-of-the-art equipments, and top-secret recipes are only secondary. The quality of the cocoa beans used in making the chocolates is the first and foremost indication whether their product will hit it big in the highly saturated chocolate market.

The biggest and probably the most notable development in terms of cocoa bean production today is the move to go organic. People are eating healthy these days and they are becoming very picky with the foods that they eat. Chocolates, no matter how tasty and luxurious, are not considered as a health food. But with the attempt to make organic cocoa beans, more and more people are realizing the sheer goodness of chocolates. Chocolates are indeed healthy, especially the dark chocolate versions. However, they have to be eaten in moderation to achieve the best possible effects.
]]> Cocoa Beans are the Super Food of the Future http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/cocoa-beans-are-the-super-food-of-the-future.html http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/cocoa-beans-are-the-super-food-of-the-future.html Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:17:54 -0800
These foods have high phytonutrient content that can only be good for your health. Any food containing significant amounts of vitamins, antioxidants, dietary fibers, minerals, and enzymes can be regarded as a super food.

Among the most common foods that made it to the famed list of super foods are blueberries, bee pollen, aloe vera, salmon, spinach, oats, walnut, apples, and yogurt. There a lot of other fruits, vegetables, and natural food items that made it to the list. Enumerating them all can be very lengthy.

But what's more interesting to note is the fact that cocoa beans are deemed to be included in it anytime in the future. Pure organic cocoa bean is definitely the next super food. However, cocoa beans cannot be eaten raw. They have to be duly processed and added as an ingredient to food before they can be administered to the body. The most common end products of cocoa beans are chocolates and chocolate beverages.

Yes, chocolates can be good for you too. While chocolates are always referred to as the sugary food that can make you fat and unhealthy, there's a certain chocolate variant that can keep you in the pink of health at all times � dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate is one of the superstars when it comes to the food items being hailed as the next super foods. Dark chocolate are made out of pure cocoa beans with minimal to no sugar added. Cocoa beans are very rich in antioxidants. As such, a bar of dark chocolate can provide your body with a good level of protection against free radicals.

Furthermore, dark chocolates made from choice cocoa beans contain micronutrients that can help lower down blood pressure and keep the heart healthy. However, you should not go overboard eating dark chocolates. While it is good for the body, consuming too much may lead to certain undesirable effects.

A small bar or a chunk of dark chocolate should be sufficient to do wonders to your health. All super foods have to eaten in the right amounts in order to reap its goodness. This is especially true with chocolates because it could contain high amounts of calories in every bar. This is why you should eat them in moderation.

Dark chocolate contains flavonoids which are a type of antioxidant also found in teas. Flavonoids can keep the arteries of the heart from clogging. However, it is the cocoa that is really doing wonders for your body and not the dark chocolate as a whole. Therefore, if you are going to buy such an item from the store, make sure that you read the label first. Look for the brand that contains more cocoa solids inside the pack. You might also want to buy the one that contains walnuts. Walnuts are yet another super food items that you want to feed your body with.
]]> Five Great Things To Do With Coffee (Besides Drink it!) http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/five-great-things-to-do-with-coffee-besides-drink-it.html http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/five-great-things-to-do-with-coffee-besides-drink-it.html Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 The Facts: Why Switching To Ganoderma Coffee Makes Sense http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/the-facts-why-switching-to-ganoderma-coffee-makes-sense.html http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/Coffee/the-facts-why-switching-to-ganoderma-coffee-makes-sense.html Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700