Coffee FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee
Coffee drinkers often want to know more about some of the topics covered by this blog. If you have any questions you would like to see added to our Coffee FAQ, please use the comment form to ask them. We will do our best to answer them.
Here are some of the questions we gotten about growing, processing, and making coffee.
Q. Why do I need to know where the coffee was grown?
Different regions produce different kinds of coffee beans. The flavor of coffee beans is affected by the weather, the soil composition and even the amount of sun on the beans as they ripen. Beans from each coffee growing region have a different flavor. Some coffee sellers blend beans from different regions like Mocha Java blend, which combines beans from Yemen (Mocha) and the island of Java. Coffee connoisseurs some times create their own blends.
Q,What kind of coffee is dark roast?
Dark roast coffee doesn’t refer to the kind of coffee bean, but rather to the way the coffee bean was roasted. After being harvested, the ripe coffee beans are roasted. There are medium and dark roasts. Typically, dark roasts have a more robust flavor than medium roasts.
Q. How can I make a great cup of coffee?
Coffee always starts with the beans. Chose a bean and roast you like. For the best coffee, buy whole beans and grind them yourself in a coffee grinder as you need them. Store unused beans in a cool, dry place, in a tightly sealed container. If you purchase ground coffee, keep it in the freezer in a sealed container. Depending on your preference, you may use a drip coffee maker or a percolator. Most people prefer to use unbleached filters in drip coffee makers for better flavor. Make sure your coffee maker is clean. Start with cold distilled or filtered water. Chlorine in tap water can affect the coffee’s taste. Measure the coffee at about a level tablespoon per cup. If you like your coffee weaker, you may add a little less. Now just turn on the coffee maker and wait.
Q. What is Espresso?
Espresso is an Italian method for making coffee. The process of making espresso starts with dark roasted robust beans which are ground very fine and packed tightly into a special drip style coffee maker. The hot water is dripped slowly into the ground coffee producing a very strong dark brew. Espresso is typically served in special tiny cups, or by the shot.
Q. What is cappuccino
Cappuccino is espresso blended with steamed milk, usually about half espresso and half milk. Never use cream when trying to make cappuccino, because it should have foamed milk on the top and cream doesn’t foam when steamed. Low fat or skim milk works well. Usually a little nutmeg or cinnamon is sprinkled on top.
Q. What is a Latte?
A latte is basically cappuccino with more milk. Latte is a shortened form of the Italian caffelatte, which means coffee with milk. The international latte was actually invented in the late 1950s in Berkeley,CA. at the Caffe Mediterranean. Where cappuccino is about 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk and 1/3 foam, you make latte with about 1/3 espresso and 2/3 heated milk.
Q. Why should I buy organic coffee?
Organic coffee growers use only natural fertilizers and no chemical pesticides. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not good for the environment, may not be good for you and can affect the taste of the coffee. Organic coffee growers use environmentally friendly farming techniques which are better for everyone.
Q. What is Fair Trade Coffee?
Most coffee growers are small farmers in Asia. Latin America,Africa and the Caribbean. They labor long hours and often aren’t paid fairly for their crop. Fair Trade growers are members of a cooperative that insures that the growers receive fair compensation for their work. Fair Trade coffee was the first fair trade product to be introduced into the United States. There is an independent system which monitors the product to make sure that it was produced under the conditions of fair trade. Peace Coffee only uses Fair Trade coffee beans.
Q. Isn’t Fair Trade organic coffee a lot more expensive?
If you are already buying premium gourmet coffee, Fair Trade organic coffee will not be more expensive. Actually, it may be less expensive than some gourmet brands. You may want to shop around for the best prices. Peace Coffee is an excellent buy. Green Mountain Coffee offers great gourmet coffees that are Fair Trade and organic. Fair Trade coffee is a better buy in the long run because it insures the survival of the small farmers who produce the best, hand picked coffee beans.
Q. Is there any instant coffee that tastes like real coffee?
Although some people scoff at the very idea of ever drinking instant coffee, there are occasions when it is the best option available. It’s a good idea to have some on hand for when you really need it. For quality instant coffee, try Taster’s Choice, Folgers , JFG and Egberts.
Q. I like flavored coffees. Can I buy flavored organic beans?
You don’t have to buy flavored beans. There are organic flavoring oils available that you can use to flavor any beans. Chose a coffee and roast that you like, than follow the directions on the flavoring oil to make your own delicious, organic, flavored coffee beans.
Q. What is chicory and why is it added to coffee?
Chicory is a wild flower and herb with references that date back to ancient Greece. It has a pretty lavender blue flower and grows wild in Europe and the United States. Anyone traveling in the southeast US may have seen it growing along roadsides. For use in coffee, the root of the plant is dried, baked and ground up. It adds flavor to coffee and is thought to kill intestinal worms. It has been used as a coffee substitute. In many Mediterranean countries, India and the American southeast (especially New Orleans) chicory is routinely added to coffee for flavoring. For more information, read our post about a Taste of New Orleans.
Q. How is camp coffee made?
When you are camping you usually don’t have access to electricity. To make camp coffee you will need a stove top percolator or moka pot. Check with camping supply stores for percolators. The coffee for percolators has to be ground coarser and the fine particles need to be sifted out. Moka pots use the same grind as most drip pots. Fill the pot with water, put coffee in the filter and boil for about ten minutes. Great coffee without electricity.
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