Some of the facts coffee , myths, and trivia about coffee!

Coffee! For those who love it, it's not something easily given up. Perhaps because this beverage is so popular, facts, myths, and trivia surround it. Some are true, some aren't, and some are just fun facts. 

So let's take a look at some of the facts, myths, and trivia about coffee!

1. Coffee Houses and Shops

You may think that coffee houses and coffee shops are a modern invention, but actually, King Charles II of England proclaimed a ban on coffee houses way back in 1675! The reason for the ban? King Charles II feared that his enemies were meeting in these coffee houses to plot against him.

2. Mocha = Chocolate?

When you hear "mocha," you probably think of a beverage that's a chocolate-coffee combination. But actually, "Mocha" is the name of a port in Yemen, and it is here that coffee beans from Africa are transported. So "Mocha" has to do with the origin of the coffee bean you're drinking, not whether or not it contains chocolate.

3. How Much?

The US is the top coffee consuming nation in the world, with 400 million cups consumed daily. 

Top 4 tips for Coffee-Grinding Tips and Facts

The debate over whole beans versus ground beans will probably never be resolved; there are some tips and facts about various kinds of grinds and the best use of each. And there are some pros and cons to using whole beans and using ground coffee.

So here are some coffee-grinding tips and facts.

1. Whole Beans - Pros and Cons

Whole coffee beans hold their flavor longer, because the essential oils within the bean are not exposed to air. Grinding it yourself for each cup or pot results in a fresher, more flavorful cup of coffee. Whole beans also have a much longer shelf life, about ten times longer than pre-ground coffee, possibly making whole beans more economical.

Another advantage to whole beans is that you can choose the coarseness of the grind yourself, depending on the results you're aiming for. You will have to purchase a coffee grinder, though, and it will increase your preparation time.

2. Ground Coffee - Pros and Cons

As soon as coffee beans are ground, their essential oils (where the flavor and aroma are) become airborne. (That's why it smells so good!) So naturally, those essential oils floating around in the air are not making it into your cup. Consequently, pre-ground coffee tends to be less fresh and flavorful. If you tend to consume coffee quickly, however, pre-ground may work for you - sources say you have about nine days for ground coffee to retain its freshness after it's opened. And of course, pre-ground coffee is faster to make and more convenient.

"Health Benefits of Green Coffee Bean "

Health Benefits of Green Coffee Bean Extract

Green coffee bean extract is touted for its anti-oxidant, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity properties. Let's have a look at the different ways in which this green coffee extract benefits the human body.

Anti-aging Benefits
The chlorogenic acids present in the green coffee bean is an antioxidant, which means it destroys the free radicals formed in the body, as a result of metabolism. These free radicals if left as they are, destroy cell membranes and conduce to symptoms of aging. By destroying these harmful free radicals, green coffee bean extract actually slows down the onset of aging. Test results also show that green coffee extract has double the rate of oxygen radicals absorbing capacity, as compared to grape seed or green tea extract. Read more on antioxidants in coffee.

Reduce Blood Pressure
Animal research reveals that chlorogenic acids present in the extract also help alleviate high blood pressure levels. Based on this finding, further research was conducted on humans. The one month experiment done on people with mild hypertension showed that consumption of green coffee extract supplements were seen to have their high blood pressure levels lowered. When taken at a dose of 185 mg, the extract was most effective in treating hypertension. Thus, this extract is helpful in treating hypertension.

Promotes Weight Loss
Scientist Hiroshi Shimoda and his team from Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical Company (Japan) in their research on green coffee bean extract found that green coffee bean extract promotes weight loss. This weight loss is due to two chemical compounds naturally present in the green coffee beans. Because these coffee beans are unroasted, they have not lost their natural chemicals, which are otherwise lost after roasting.

These natural chemicals are caffeine and chlorogenic acid, which together conduce to weight loss. The caffeine from the coffee releases fatty acids from stored body fat, while the chlorogenic acid assists the liver in processing the fatty acids more efficiently, thereby resulting in weight loss. Shimoda continues to state that; "If a human consumes one kilogram per day of food (2.2 pounds) containing 10 grams (.35 ounce) of green coffee bean extract for 14 days, the increase in body weight may be suppressed by 35 percent."

Boosts Metabolism

easy way to Roast Coffee Beans at Home

How to Roast Coffee Beans at Home?

All you need is some dry, fresh green coffee beans available in almost any store, and an oven. Don't have an oven? No need to fret! Coffee roasting can even be done on a modest frying pan. After procuring the apparatus, pre-heat your oven/pan, put on your mittens and place the beans on the heat. The next, very important step is to take in the delectable aroma as the beans roast. But mind it, do not lose yourself or the beans may burn! Within 10 - 20 minutes, depending on how you like 'em, the beans will be ready and look the familiar brown color. Once they start becoming greasy, releasing the oils, you know that you're almost there! Take them out of the oven, and once again, you have to exercise a good deal of self-control to prevent yourself from touching those tempting beans. Wait for them to cool, clean out the excess oil, and ground them. And voila! Your home roasted beans are ready to brew!

Of course, if you want the perfect coffee, you have to earn it! You initially will have to go through the 'trial-and-error' method to get to the coveted cup. The experimentation can be with the origin of beans and with the amount of roasting you need. Simple difference really. For general knowledge purpose, there are two main kinds of coffee beans, the ones that are grown in the highland areas and the ones grown in lowland areas. Highland area beans tend to be more aromatic, milder and have a better flavor than those grown in the lowlands. Lowland grown coffee beans are stronger and have a slightly less aroma. Secondly, the taste of the coffee also depends upon how much you roast it. The more the roast, the stronger it is. So if you're a greenhorn dabbling with coffee beans for the first time, you'd want to do a bit of playing with the coffees. But don't forget to keep notes, or you might end up losing your secret formula!

Home coffee roasting is an art, practiced all over the world by the connoisseurs of the coffee, who can only be satisfied with the perfect cup. So if you are simply dissatisfied with the existing variety or even want to try different combinations of the beverage, go on! All you need is a handful of raw beans, a pan and just a few minutes.

CUNDI COFFEE

CUNDI COFFEE 
 
Organic certified by the USDA and Fair Trade certified
100% Arabica coffee beans used
Comes in 1, 2 and 4 pound sized packets
Dark and medium roast available
Price range between $12 to $50

Ethical Bean Coffee

Ethical Bean Coffee 

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Canadian coffee manufacturer
Certified as organic by the QAI
Fair Trade certified
Flavors include: rocket fuel/lush/mellow/decaf/exotic/bold/classic/sweet espresso
Comes in 12 ounce packets
Price range between $10 and $25

Caffe Ibis

Caffe Ibis

USDA certified, QAI (Quality Assurance International) certified and Fair Trade certified
Coffee available in 12 ounce and 5 pound sized packets
Coffee flavors include: Highland Sumatra/Logan Canyon Blend/Decaf Organic French Roast/Organic Aztec Dark/Organic Café Femenino
Average price range is between $10 to $ 15

Equal Exchange

Equal Exchange 

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100% Arabica beans used
Comes in 10, 12 ounces, 1 and 2 pounds sized packages
Coffee types include Origin/Flavored/Decaf/Espresso/Blends
Flavors include: Toffee Caramel, Sumatran, Peru French, Mexican, French Vanilla and lots more
Product range includes organic teas, sugar, chocolate and cocoa
Price range between $30 and $50

Mount Hagen Organic Instant Coffee

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Mount Hagen Organic Instant Coffee


USDA certified organic coffee of German production
Made from 100% pure Arabica beans
Instant coffee also available in decaf blend
Available in 3.5 ounce bottles or single serve sticks of 1.76 ounce
Approx 1 jar yields 60 cups of coffee
Price range between $20 and $60

Rogers Family Organic Coffee

Rogers Family Organic Coffee .

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100% Arabica bean coffee
Fair Trade certified coffee
Company buys from other farms and has 6 organic farms of its own
Different varieties of coffees, from custom blends to single origin to decaf and flavored
Special "Rainforest Blend" combines coffees from Mexico, Guetemala, Colombia and Indonesia and comes in a 3 lbs bag
Coffee comes in 12 ounce or 2 pound sized packages
Average product price range between $5 to $26

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

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Coffee from 3 different continents - the Americas, Africa and Asia (Indonesia)
100% pure Arabica beans used
Fair Trade Certified products
The company that developed the ecotainer™ - alternative natural material cup as opposed to paper cups
Select from 5 different grind types like Turkish/Infusion/Espresso
Organic coffees also available in K-Cups, single or in packs of 24 cups
Choose from a wide variety of flavors like Country Blend/Wild Mountain Blueberry/Sumatran Reserve among others
Average product price between $9 and $20

Marques de Paiva

Marques de Paiva

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Brazilian coffee house established in 1895
Organic certification by the USDA and Fair Trade certified
Roasting plants produce zero carbon dioxide emissions
100% pure Arabica beans are used
Comes in family sized 40 ounce bags or smaller 12 ounce and 10 ounce packets
Roast types include: Lighter Roasted/Medium/Dark/Decaffeinated
Average product price range between $15 and $25