Where in the World is your Coffee From?

Coffee drinking has become very popular around the world, especially since it’s available on nearly every street corner coffee shop and quick mart. Coffee beans are grown in many regions between the Tropic of Cancer to the North and the Tropic of Capricorn below the equator. Coffee can grow anywhere from sea level up to about 7,000 feet, which leads to many different possibilities to satisfy any taste. However, the highest quality grades of coffee are grown at the higher altitudes. There are... Read more »

Why We Pay Any Price for a Good Cup of Coffee

What is the appeal of the coffee shop? What makes people go to coffee shops everyday? Why do people pay the outrageous amounts of money for a cup coffee they can just as well make at home? Simply enough, it’s because people just love coffee! They love the taste and the smell of the hot liquid craved by so many. It’s that “eye-opening” sensation you get from that first cup of coffee of the day. Of course, everyone has a favorite so the tastes and smells of the coffees and... Read more »

Coffee Harvesting: The Process

Are you an avid coffee drinker? If so, do you know how your coffee is harvested? Actually, most people have no idea where their favorite delicious drink comes from! A coffee tree will produce its first full crop when it is about five years old. With the proper care and attention, it should produce consistently over the next 15 to 20 years. On average, most trees yield about 1 pound of coffee cherries annually. At harvest time (this will vary depending on the region of the world the coffee is grown),... Read more »

Coffee Machines: Making the Perfect Cup

There are basically four types of coffee makers on the market today: the drip, the vacuum, the French press, and the stovetop. Each requires a different type of preparation and a varying amount of time and involvement on behalf of the user. However, having different types of coffee makers allows the user to find his or her particular taste and preference and make coffee at home. Drip coffee makers: The drip coffee is the easiest and most common coffee maker used today, partly due to its simplicity... Read more »

Planning The Perfect Barbeque

So you believe you’re ready for a great weekend featuring your own unique talents at the barbecue grill. Before you even think about throwing a slab of meat on smoldering briquettes, there are important steps to follow in preparation for that special cookout; steps that could make the difference between success and failure! You gotta have a plan! Nothing great has ever been accomplished without some kind of a plan! You should have everything in order before you start, getting all your ducks... Read more »

How To Safely Survive Your Next Holiday Party

You should be concerned about your personal safety at your holiday parties. I am going to discuss this topic in a frank matter[not sugar coated]. In doing so, I am making some general assumptions about the behavior of many holiday party goers in today’s society. It is common nowadays to attend more than one holiday party in the months of November and December. With that said, whatever type of party you attend; remember that drugs and alcohol DO NOT mix. Their use can have an effect on your... Read more »

Cooking for Vegetarians at Thanksgiving

Many people worry about having vegetarian guests over for Thanksgiving, especially as the Thanksgiving dinner is a traditional meat eater’s feast. If you’re hosting Thanksgiving at your house this year remember that most vegetarians do not need a “meat equivalent” at Thanksgiving. Traditionally Thanksgiving has been mostly about the food, but more importantly it’s about families, friends, togetherness, happiness and peace. If this is your first time hosting a vegetarian... Read more »

Holiday Smoked Turkey Surprise!

Tired of the same old traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners that you’ve had each year since you could walk? It’s time to break tradition and do a little something different this year! For your holiday dinner, spice up the feast; smoke a turkey and surprise the crowd!! The folks over for dinner will love it and you’ll receive a round of applause for cooking such a scrumptious dish. Once you’ve heard applause from an overwhelmed audience cheering your smoked turkey,... Read more »

Have a Very Chocolatey Christmas

Chocolate is a great gift for the holiday season. Romantic, delicious, professional, fun… chocolate can make whatever impression you want it to. Chocolate is hugely popular as a romantic gift. High quality chocolates have a delightful scent and taste even better. A beautiful box of fine chocolate can express your feelings very well and is almost always appreciated. Don’t limit yourself to chocolate in boxes for romance. Think about a romantic evening in front of the fire with hot chocolate.... Read more »

The Health Benefits Of Drinking Coffee and Tea

It seems as though every week a new articles surfaces about the pros and cons of drinking either coffee or tea. One week caffeine is a mortal enemy, the next a tolerable friend. Likewise, green tea surfaces as a miracle cure all, only to fade to a questionable metabolic stimulant. If you enjoy either coffee or tea, here are some things to consider. According to an article released last year by ABC News, Study: Drinking Coffee Has Health Benefits, coffee is America’s number one source of... Read more »