The Art of Coffee

I recently read a great article about cooking with coffee. Now I have cooked with coffee before, but mainly desserts like Zaccardi’s Decadent Premium Espresso Blend Coffee Ice Cream. This article, “Coffee adds surprising kick to rubs, marinades” in the San Francisco Chronicle names many other interesting ways to cook with coffee from braising meats with strongly brewed coffee to incorporating ground coffee into meat rubs. I thought it would be interesting for our readers to reply with favorite recipes incorporating coffee. We are looking forward to finding some interesting recipes we can post on our web site and share with our fellow coffee lovers, and of courese, to try ourselves.

According to the National Coffee Association’s 2009 Coffee Drinking Trends survey, 5 percent more of us are brewing beans at home this year — resulting in the highest level since 2003. So what does this mean for frequent coffee drinkers? Well, with a bit of know how and the right tools, you can still get your favorite cafe java drinks at home. This summer, as you get the taste for iced coffees, try out these alternatives to taking a trip to the coffee shop:

Iced Coffee

At the Cafe: $3

At Home: First pour 1 pound ground coffee into a non-reactive container. Then slowly add 10 cups of cold water. Cover and let steep at room temp for about 10 hours. Strain well. Store coffee concentrate in the fridge and use gradually as you need. Serve over ice; add milk or sugar if wanted.

Iced Latte

At the Cafe: $3.50

At Home: First fill up a cup with ice. Add 12 ounces of cold milk and 2 shots of espresso. If you don’t have an espresso maker, you can always get one from Zaccardis.com at a great price.

Iced Chai

At the Cafe: $3

At Home: Use a Chai tea concentrate and mix equal parts Chai and milk. Add ice and serve.

Blended Coffee Drinks

At the Cafe: $4

At Home: Try some of the mixes available in your coffee aisle. For stronger flavors, add syrups or frozen cubes of coffee.

Daniel Young’s new book, Coffee Love – 50 Ways to Drink Your Java, is for coffee buffs who love to debate the merits of their favorite beans while analyzing brewing and serving methods.

According to a book review in the El Paso Times, Young does not take sides; he recognizes that coffee preferences are personal. His goal is education – in a delicious fashion – and he’s served up 50 simple recipes for coffee drinks from baristas around the world. Plus, there’s great passages on the love of coffee, cafes, and coffee bars.

Here’s a passage from the inside cover:
Throughout the book, Young’s engaging profiles and evocative photographs bring the coffee experience to life. You’ll visit fabled coffee shrines such as Café Sperl in Vienna, you’ll meet Bologna’s most accomplished barista, and you’ll learn the secrets of the world’s most distinctive coffee drinks. If you love coffee and want to explore many great ways to enjoy it, this book is your indispensable guide.

Well brewed, Young. Well brewed.

Perfection is an ideal that is seldom ever fulfilled, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t strive for it.  After all, a failure to perfect something can still yield positive results.  While you may never be able to make a cup of coffee that’s “just right,” a quality blend is far from impossible, and if you follow these tips (courtesy of the Chicago Tribune), you’ll see that this is true.

1.Ensure that your coffee beans are fresh.  This way, you’ll get the most flavor out of them.  Since exposure to air will significantly reduce their freshness, it’s a good idea to keep them in an airtight container.  Don’t store them in a freezer, however; the resulting condensation can compromise their integrity.

2.When brewing, stick to simple, non-electric methods.  This will allow for the most even extraction.

3.Consider investing in a good burr grinder and use it before you brew.  Propeller grinders are thought to produce uneven grinds.

4.For every six to eight ounces of water, use 2 tablespoons of coffee.  Measure carefully!

5.Don’t use water that you wouldn’t drink.  Filtered and bottled water should do the trick.

Days of hot weather are on the way. Are you ready to chill out and keep cool while still enjoying your morning cup of coffee? Coffee drinkers can still enjoy their morning java without feeling the heat by trying a great iced coffee recipe. To soothe your tastes for coffee and give you the perk you need in your day, try out this delicious caramel iced coffee recipe. It works great with any blend of Zaccardis Roasted Coffee and can be easily made at home to save both time and money. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

3 cups of crushed ice or ice cubes
1 ½ cups of cold coffee
½ cup of milk
½ cup of granulated sugar
2 tablespoons of caramel syrup
2 teaspoons of chocolate syrup
¼ teaspoon of salt
¼ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

Combine cold coffee, milk, sugar, caramel, chocolate syrup, and salt and blend on medium speed for 20 seconds. Next, add the vanilla extract and ice. Blend on high until the drink becomes smooth and creamy. Serve on its own or garnish with fresh whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa as a special touch. Serves two.

According to a recent statement from the California Milk Processor Board, two champion baristas are teaming up with the dairy giant to educate people on how to up their calcium by drinking lattes without having to spend $4 a cup at their favorite cafe.

“It’s all about being creative,” says Heather Perry, named United States Barista Champion in 2007 and 2003. “Making the perfect latte is not rocket science. You just need basic ingredients like coffee, tea or
chocolate and of course, the ingredient that binds everything together, milk.”

Perry along with Master Roaster and Barista Rafael Aguiar have years of experience experimenting with various latte recipes – from traditional to chai to “Latinized” drinks like the Tres Leches iced latte. These experts say coffee lovers don’t even need an expensive espresso machine to make their favorite drink at home.
“A simple $20 coffee press is sometimes all you need” says Aguiar. “It’s all in the way you blend the milk with the other ingredients to make a rich, flavorful latte.”
So increase your calcium levels and get your coffee fix all at once. Use one of our coffee presses to produce great coffee. Add just the right amount of milk and you’ve got a drink that’s top notch.

When you love coffee, you want nothing more than to achieve the perfect cup. So where do you start? You have the perfect beans. You have clean water. What’s the best way to brew? Coffee lovers: it’s time to try the French Press method to make your morning java for a taste of something better.

French press coffee makers have been growing in popularity amongst coffee lovers for the past few years. Leading coffee maker companies, like Bodum, have innovative the traditional glass design by offering unique, durable products that deliver the superior flavor of the French press only now with added ease of use and improved construction for a coffee maker that lasts a lifetime. The patented glass designs by Bodum are styled to be both elegant and functional, making for a versatile piece that’s perfect for making and displaying your favorite coffee brews.

Whether it’s decadent Kona or classic French roast, the Bodum French Presses from Zaccardis.com are ready to handle your brew. We promise – we’re the coffee experts!

When it comes to finding good coffee, sometimes one must travel the world before he or she can find the perfect cup to meet his or her tastes. To take you to an exotic island paradise, we’ve discovered the perfect recipe for Café Cubano, or Cuban coffee. This delicious blend of good coffee  and sugar is sure to delight even the most discriminating of taste buds.  So, are you ready for the trip?

Café Cubano

Step 1: Pour cold, filtered water into your Stove Top Espresso Maker. Be sure that your espresso maker is free from any deposits or scale, as it may affect the flavor.

Step 2: Fill the espresso maker with Cuban coffee grounds (if available) or your favorite coffee blend. Put espresso maker together and place on a hot burner.

Step 3: In a cup, add two teaspoons of sugar.

Step 4: As the coffee percolates, pour a small amount into the cup with the sugar to moisten. Rapidly mix the moistened sugar and coffee together until it is like paste.

Step 5: Once the coffee is finished brewing, pour it slowly into the cup while gently mixing it with the sugar paste. If done correctly, this will produce a nice froth.  Serve.

If you enjoy milk in your coffee or would like to try another fabulous recipe, you can always make:

Café con Leche

To make this yummy cup, all you have to do is take the coffee you made above and put it in a full cup of hot milk.

Enjoy!

When it comes to coffee, finding the best cup may take you around the world and back again. To simplify the task of finding fabulous coffee while traveling, WorldHum.com has released a story on the best cities in the world to drink coffee. Each of these choices were rated on criteria for environment, coffee quality, price, and several other factors that are sure to delight even the most discriminating java drinkers. Here’s their picks:

Vienna, Austria

The coffee tradition in Austria dates well into the 17^th century. Today, Vienna is known for it’s grand 19^th century cafes. Coffee in Vienna is more than just a drink – it’s an experience and a rite of passage.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Strong espressos and a friendly atmosphere draw millions of visitors to Amsterdam’s cafes and coffee shops each year. Not to mention, it’s very affordable to enjoy a good cup of joe in this exciting city.

Rome, Italy

For the finest espressos in the world, look no further than Rome to find the perfect serving. While tourists may enjoy the outdoor cafes, the real coffee experience lies in a walk-through event in less obvious locations. Just follow the lead of the locals and stand at the bar, order your espresso, and be on your way to enjoy the rest of the city.

Melbourne, Australia

Australia’s coffee capital owes much of its rich brewing tradition to an influx of Italian and Greek immigrants in the wake of World War II, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that Melbourne’s coffee culture really took off. Today, it’s now loud, proud, and incredibly rich in flavor.

Wellington, New Zealand

As the arts and culture capital of New Zealand, Wellington is known best for it’s creative setting – the perfect backdrop to enjoy cups of joe from some of the European-inspired coffee cafes and local roasters. As a matter of fact, Wellington is said to have more cafes per capita than New York City, so it’s easy to find a coffee treat.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

The entire culture of Argentina plays into the way people drink coffee in this beautiful country. Coffee-to-go isn’t the method of choice for most Argentinians, as they prefer to sit back and relax in cafes to drink some of the finest South American coffees.

Seattle, United States

Known best for it’s gray skies and Starbucks, Seattle is one of the finest places in the US to get coffee. However, contrary to popular belief, this fine coffee tradition lies not in the success of Starbucks, but in the spirit of local roaster, independent coffee houses, and a varied selection of beans.

So let us know, where do you find the best cup of coffee? We’d love to hear about it!

What makes coffee houses such appealing spots for people to congregate? For years, I never understood it. Whenever I walked into one, I witnessed hordes of people sitting around, conversing and laughing, some even without cups of coffee in their hands. Was it the atmosphere, the coffee, or a combination of both? I had no idea.

Now, in the past year, I’ve come to love them. I began to meet one of my friends (at his request) at a local coffee house on what eventually turned into a regular basis, and now I realize that there’s simply nothing better than sitting around with some of your best chums while sipping a hot cup of joe.

At Zaccardis.com, we are committed to bringing this warm atmosphere right into your home. Our various coffee makers and espresso machines allow you to brew your own java and enjoy it with the ones you love, all at your own convenience and comfort.

So, if you’ve been bitten by the coffee house bug, what are you waiting for? Pick up one of these fine devices today!