3 Tips to Get You the Best Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans

People who discovered chocolate covered coffee beans would positively swear that there was nothing more sinfully tasty that this combination. The number of fans for this type of coffee is growing fast and its popularity is a great indicator to its amazing taste and flavor.

Do you plan to buy or make chocolate covered coffee beans? Read on to find out what you should do to get the best there is.

When you plan to buy chocolate covered coffee beans you need to be careful so that you get the best that money can buy. There are three very critical aspects to which you should pay attention when you buy this type of coffee, i.e. the quality of the coffee beans, the quality of the chocolate and the quality of cooking.

The Quality of the Coffee Beans

If you want the best possible chocolate covered coffee beans; you need to start from scratch. The basic ingredient is coffee; unless the quality of the coffee beans you choose is high you cannot expect the end product to be qualitative. The best would be to choose the type of coffee beans you normally use for this purpose. In case you have no preference, take a few beans of whatever coffee is available and test each type separately with the chocolate to find out which one gives you the most delightful taste.

The Quality of the Chocolate

Milk chocolate is the most popular choice for chocolate covered coffee beans today, but you could experiment with other types of chocolate such as white chocolate, dark chocolate, bitter chocolate and so on. Whatever type you choose ensure that you get the best quality there is for best results.

The Quality of Cooking

You have the best beans and the best chocolate and now all you need to do is cook it. A lot depends on the way you cook it, so be careful. The temperature of the chocolate should be just right so it would not get stuck to the bottom and burn for which purpose you need to be very vigilant when you cook it, especially when you do it in a microwave oven. Your aim should be to get the chocolate just soft enough so you could roll the beans in it.

If you are doing it for the first time, take care that you do not burn your hands when you roll the beans in chocolate. This is another reason why the cooking temperature should be just right.

Size Matters when Choosing Coffee Beans

From working adults to college students, coffee is a necessity. It wakes them up and keeps them going. On most mornings, lines at coffee shops can be seen trailing out the doors, and for those owning the business, it can be a very lucrative investment if the coffee is good.

But what exactly is coffee, and how is it produced? The soul of coffee is in the coffee beans. Coffee beans, botanically inaccurate, are the seeds of the coffee plants. Coffee cherries usually contain two of the flat pits positioned with their sides together. Coffee plants are harvested for the sake of the beans which contain caffeine, the essence of the coffee and the reason it is such a desirable export for many countries around the world, and the reason that coffee processing is such an important venture.

Unlocking the Secrets

The processing of coffee beans begins with picking. All coffee is harvested by one of two means: strip picking or selective picking. With strip picking, the entire coffee crop is harvested at once, either by machine or by hand. This results in a mixture of ripe and unripe cherries, meaning that the coffee beans are not always at the peak of their flavor. This method is usually employed by lower-end coffee companies. Selective picking means that workers pick only the red, ripe coffee cherries. The resulting coffee is smooth and fragrant, and also a lot more expensive. Either way, picking is one of the most important steps in coffee production, as without it, the coffee beans will never be unshelled.

The actual processing of coffee beans can be wet or dry. Wet processing required the use of specialized equipment, and results in the fruit being removed from the beans before they are dried. Wet processing helps to preserve the beans; meaning that the green coffee produced is less defective. The resulting coffee is higher-end and more costly. When the coffee beans are immersed in water, bad or unripe fruit floats and ripe fruit sinks. While some of the pulp is removed during this process, the rest has to be removed either by the ferment-and-wash method or the newer mechanical demucilaging.

Dry processing is the oldest and most natural method of processing coffee beans. After harvesting, the entire cherry is cleaned and dried in the sun on tables. Once in the sun, the cherries are turned by hand to make sure that they dry evenly and do not mildew; it can take up to four weeks before the fruit is dried completely. Dried cherries are stored in bulk until they are sent for milling where they are hulled, sorted, graded and bagged. Hulling results in the removal of all of the outer layers of the dried cherries, leaving only the coffee beans behind.

The Allure of Flavored Coffee Beans

The History of coffee is as colorful as that of the human civilization, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It is shrouded by legends and story that dates back up to a thousand years. What is certain though is that coffee was originally found in Ethiopia and Yemen. At that time only the leaves and flowers were brewed into a tisane and drank by the natives.

1000 years ago, with coffee trees growing in southwest Arabia the Arabs, came up with the idea of roasting the beans found inside the sweet tasting coffee cherries. It was then that the coffee bean drink was born.

How Flavored Coffee Beans Came to be

Most people think that flavored coffee beans are a modern discovery. In reality however, the tradition of flavoring one’s coffee is as old as time immemorial. Some hundred years back coffee in the middle east was not just black or white. The Middle Eastern would flavor their coffee with nuts and spices to give its flavor an added boost.

Companies have capitalized on the modern world’s clamor and dependence on coffee. Brilliant marketers preyed upon the consumer’s craving for every single flavor that nature can offer. Before, coffee was spiced up by adding different flavored syrup imaginable. The usual syrup flavors are strawberry, dulce de leche, hazelnut, amaretto, Irish crème, almond, French vanilla and a whole lot more.

Today, with all the technological advances flavored coffee beans are made by coating the coffee with the desired flavor during the roasting process. Because it is coated, the flavors actually extend the bean’s shelf life. As pointed out, flavoring ones coffee is not a new trend, but the boom in gourmet coffee has increased the popularity and hungry for the most exotic flavored coffee beans.

The Perfect Bean

To make a great tasting flavored coffee bean, the right kind of bean used is crucial. A single bean is flavored by compounds such as aromatic oils, sugars, organic acids, mineral salts, carbohydrates, and other chemicals that include caffeine. Those mentioned are just a few of the 800 diverse compounds which lend coffee beans its intoxicating taste and aroma.

The essence of the bean’s taste is an evidence of the region it was grown in and the roasting process it underwent. Generally Arabica coffee beans are used to make flavored coffee beans due to its bitterness and low levels of acidity.

Incidentally the Arabica is also considered as the best coffee variety that ever existed. The Arabica is highly prized and the earliest type of coffee that was cultivated by man. The Arabica is used and not the Robusta bean because Robusta is harsher, not as mild, not as aromatic, and not as enticingly tasty. There are some coffee manufacturers who aim for a more interesting mix; they combine different kinds of beans from different regions to create a highly individualized blend.

The Best Places to Find Gourmet Fresh Coffee Beans

There is nothing more enjoyable than a good cup of coffee made from fresh coffee beans. You can get coffee at various cafes and coffee houses around the world, but the best way is to buy your own fresh coffee beans, a good coffee maker, and make your own brew of coffee right at home.

Fresh Coffee Beans Company

If you are looking for the finest fresh coffee beans, you should definitely check out the Fresh Coffee Beans Company. They are a company that wants to ensure that their customers will all be enjoying great coffee every day. Coffee is their passion and they are proud to offer home coffee roasters for a range of different budgets and a variety of needs.

They never keep coffee beans longer than a week so you are always ensured the newest, freshest beans on the market.

Misty Ridge Coffee Beans

Another company offering fine, fresh coffee beans is the Misty Ridge Coffee Roasting Company. If you appreciate excellent coffee made from fresh roasted coffee beans in local coffee houses then you will definitely want to visit the Misty Ridge Company. They offer a fantastic variety of premium coffee and coffee blends direct from the source.

They actually only roast enough coffee beans to sell fresh every week so you know that you are getting the best possible coffee, each and every time.

The Mad Roaster

Another great company for coffee beans is The Mad Roaster. They are all about fresh coffee, and what makes them so different from most other coffee companies is that they do small batch roasting. By roasting in small batches they are able to make minute adjustments as needed to temperature, roasting time, heating rate, and so on.

This means that they make the highest quality brews of coffee, each and every time. They roast in small batches so that the best taste of each single bean comes out.

They offer a wide selection of gourmet coffee beans, and even advice and tips on how to brew your coffee and some great coffee recipes that you can use right at home.

The important of using fresh coffee beans is undeniable, and whether you are brewing coffee for a group of people or just a cup for yourself at home, you will want to make sure that you come up with the finest, freshest tasting coffee, which can only be done by using the freshest coffee beans you can find.

Gourmet Coffee Beans Offer Taste and Quality

If you love coffee (and who doesn't?) gourmet coffee beans can offer you the ultimate drinking experience. There is one thing that all coffee drinkers will agree on: everyone has different preferences when it comes to choosing coffee. And that's why gourmet coffee beans are able to increase your pleasure of this drink. No matter what taste you are looking for in that perfect cup of coffee, gourmet coffee beans can satisfy you ever time.

What is Gourmet Coffee?

Gourmet coffee can also be referred to as premium or specialty coffee. What separates it from supermarket brands are the gourmet coffee beans. These beans get their unique flavor from the place in which they are grown. Most coffee experts agree that the best beans grow in the rich soil on the slopes of volcanic mountains. A high altitude and moist climate are also factors in producing the best gourmet coffee beans. These beans actually get their distinctive taste and aroma from these special growing conditions, drawing out the best of the soil and environment in which they are planted. What that means to you is a superior taste.

Perhaps at this point an explanation is needed about coffee blends. Most of the traditional coffee you will find on supermarket shelves is really a blend of different coffee beans plus some additives to improve the taste. Gourmet coffee beans are pure, taken directly from the plants that have received the best of nature and that were grown in the most ideal conditions upon earth. Gourmet coffee beans from Hawaii, Costa Rica and Jamaica are among the most notable.

Yes, these beans are more expensive than a store-bought brand, but they are worth the extra price. In fact, some coffee manufacturers are trying to lure the true coffee connoisseur with imitations of Hawaii's Kona coffee. But one sip of the imposter will be enough for a coffee lover to spot the difference. The gourmet coffee beans from Hawaii have a rich taste that is also low in acid.

The Blue Mountain Coffee from Jamaica is prized among many coffee drinkers. These gourmet coffee beans have an intense taste with a fruity flavor. One cup of this coffee will convince you of its superior and matchless quality. As with any product, you get what you pay for. And with these coffee beans, you get the richness of Mother Nature in every cup. Gourmet coffee beans are a treat that you shouldn't pass up. These beans will enhance your coffee drinking experience and take your taste buds to the next level of excellence.

Think Green for Coffee Beans

Everyone nowadays is thinking green, and when it comes to coffee beans, it's a good place to start. Basically, the term "green coffee bean" refers to coffee beans that have not been roasted. Coffee lovers are learning that the taste of their favorite beverage will be enhanced if they roast their own beans. Does this sound complicated or time-consuming? It isn't difficult to roast green coffee beans and you will find that this extra step makes drinking coffee a more worthwhile and wonderful experience.

Buying Green Coffee Beans

Everyone knows that coffee is only as good as the beans that were used. When selecting green coffee beans, there are a few things to look for. The first is to notice their overall appearance. They should all be around the size, shape and color. This would indicate the presence of quality control. It also tells you that the coffee producer is serious about the beans and went the extra step to inspect the green coffee beans before packing them.

Most importantly, the color of these beans should all be similar. This tells you that they have all been dried to the same level and that they are all from the same batch. Yes, this makes a tremendous difference when you bring them home and roast them. Don't be afraid to pick up a handful of these green coffee beans. Trust what your eyes and nose tells you about them.

Before purchasing green coffee beans, you may want to do a little research about where the beans come from. Different environments produce different tasting coffee. Coffee plants derive their taste from the soil and the growing conditions. Coffee from Hawaii tastes differently than coffee grown in Jamaica.

Read up on the various tastes that are available and then search for coffee that was grown in the region of your choice. At this point, you may be wondering where to buy green coffee beans. You can search online for reputable sellers or you can start by asking friends, family or co-workers. Look for a store that sells a sampler pack that will allow you to taste and choose the types you most enjoy.

Other Benefits

Besides a more flavor-filled cup of coffee, roasting your own green beans has other benefits. You can safely preserve and store them for more than one year. This could allow you the opportunity to buy in larger quantities and therefore save some money. And let's not forget how popular you will become once word gets out that you roast your own coffee!

Advantages Of Organic Coffee Beans

Organic coffee beans are very common these days compared to about a decade ago when people were just starting to realize the value of organic products. Physically, there is no difference between organic coffee beans with other kinds of coffee beans but inside is a world of difference.

Organic coffee beans are grown without any use of chemical based pesticides and fertilizers. This means that these coffee beans are environment friendly because their growth has no negative impact on their surroundings. These kinds of coffee beans are also less apt to produce negative side effects or disease in people because they have not been exposed to harmful chemicals in both their growth in coffee trees and their production processes.

Many coffee growers who specialize in organic coffee production know the importance of maintaining a safe environment for the habitats that their coffee trees grown in. By doing this, they ensure that their coffee trees live longer in that habitat and that the habitat is maintained to the advantage of the coffee trees.

Roasting Organic Coffee Beans

Organic coffee beans can either be roasted or not roasted when you purchase these. There are many advantages of roasting your own coffee beans and one of the main advantages is roasting the organic coffee beans to your preference. The longer and darker the organic coffee beans are roasted, the darker and stronger the flavor of the coffee becomes. Many coffee experts recommend a certain time for home roasting. Approximately 13 – 15 minutes is allotted for most roasted beans. There is actually no difference in roasting coffee beans which are organic from normal coffee beans.

The constant turning of the organic coffee beans is necessary to evenly roast them. Uneven roasting will result to an unstable coffee flavor. If you have lost track of the time, you can base your roasting on the appearance of the organic coffee beans. As you approach about 13 minutes of roasting, you will notice that the beans turn greasy or shiny. When all beans have become greasy this is a sure sign that the roasting is successful and that you can end it already.

Healthier Flavor and Body

Organic coffee beans can also be perceived to have a more natural flavor due to the non chemical based process of growing and producing them. These organic coffee beans may be slightly more expensive than others but the health advantages that you get from them are far more important than money.

How To Make Your Own Roasted Coffee Beans

Coffee is one of the most drank beverages in the entire world. It is among the top five beverages that people drink daily. We get the coffee beverage as a result from grinding roasted coffee beans and then processing the coffee grounds with water to create the divine drink that we have now. Roasted coffee beans are the result of an art form of roasting.

Roasting Your Own Beans

Roasted coffee beans are achieved by exposing the green coffee beans to heat and waiting for the sugars in the beans to come out. The first step to having your very own roasted coffee beans is to pick the beans that you wish to home roast. There are actually just a few kinds of coffee that are quite popular. Arabica is one of the most highly utilized coffees because of the flavor.

After choosing the beans that you wish to make roasted coffee beans with, you have the option of choosing when to roast your beans and how many to roast. You can actually roast the whole lot and then store the roasted coffee beans somewhere cool and dry. Do not grind them all at once because grinding the coffee releases the natural flavors. It is better to grind them in batches for your brewing pleasure because freshly ground beans have more flavor compared to those which have already been ground and stored.

To make tour own roasted coffee beans, pick an appropriately sized pan for roasting the beans. Make sure that there is still some space left for turning the beans for an even roasting. Unevenly roasted coffee beans will create a weird flavor of green, unroasted beans and fully roasted beans. Turn on the heat at low to medium and start to continuously move the coffee beans around the pan to promote even cooking or roasting.

At around 15 minutes, your roasted coffee beans will have a glazed or greasy look. This is because of the oils and sugars that have been released by the exposure to heat. The roasted coffee beans can no be safely transferred to a flat surface covered with tissue to absorb any excess oils or moisture. When the roasted coffee beans are cool enough to touch, you can place them in an airtight container for storage although some people don't mind if their roasted coffee beans are exposed to the air. This is because the flavor is locked in due to the roasting. The process of grinding the coffee beans will release the flavor and make it ready for brewing.

Shelf Life Of Coffee Beans Varies According To Type Of Coffee Beans

Before you are able to decide as to what is the shelf life of coffee beans, it is necessary to first of all consider the type of coffee beans because different types of coffee beans will obviously have different shelf life for individual coffee beans. Thus, when it concerns green coffee beans that have been stored in an environment that is dry, the shelf life of such coffee beans could be as high as ten years, and in some instances, even more. Furthermore, this is how such coffee beans have been given the name of ‘aged coffees’ though at the same time it must also be mentioned that such aged coffee beans generally will lose their acidity as well as gain body when they have been stored for very long periods of time.

Roasted Coffee Beans

On the other hand, roasted coffee beans have a totally different profile with regard to shelf life of such coffee beans and they will normally not last for more than two weeks provided the coffee beans have been properly stored. Thus, once this shelf life of roasted coffee beans has been exceeded, such coffee beans will begin to lose whatever flavor they had and thus it is recommended that you should brew this kind of coffee within a week of them being roasted because after two weeks they will turn stale.

Another type of coffee for which you may want to learn more about pertains to the shelf life of ground coffee beans which in fact is believed to have the shortest shelf life of all coffee beans and it in reality will last for just one hour after which it will lose whatever flavor it had. Thus, you should only ground coffee beans an hour prior to consumption though of course the Arabs are used to grinding, roasting and brewing coffee beans in one single setting since this, according to them, shows the best flavored coffees.

However, no matter what the shelf life of coffee beans is, one thing that has endured the test of time is that coffee continues to remain the most popular beverage and has endured centuries of competition from other beverages including tea and furthermore, its popularity transcends cultures and geographical locations.

So, it is very necessary that you ensure that coffee beans are properly stored which in turn means that by preventing high temperatures, humidity as well as light from affecting the coffee beans, you can at least ensure that the shelf life of coffee beans will last till its maximum limit and also ensure that no unnecessary damage is done to the coffee beans.

Storing Coffee Beans: Try Not To Use Your Freezer

When it comes to best means of storing coffee beans, many theories are going to hit you each of which will ensure that your coffee beans continue to retain their freshness and flavor. The simplest theory suggests that when storing coffee beans, it may be best to place ground coffee in the freezer until it is consumed at a later time. However, before you put your coffee into the freezer based on this theory, it would be worth your while to first of all check whether it is indeed the best way of storing coffee beans.

Universal Idea?

Of course, the universal idea is that by freezing foods and even coffee beans, you can ensure that such items will last longer while also being able to retain their freshness. Thus, on the face of it, freezing is a great way to store things such as fruits, vegetables and meats as well as breads as they will prolong the life of such items. In addition, freezing also preserves the minerals and vitamins found in foods and thus is a good method – but only for foods.

The trouble is that when you begin storing coffee beans in a freezer it may not work in this case because coffee beans are averse to moisture and light as well as air and heat. The problem is that when you freeze your coffee beans it may actually rob the coffee beans off their flavor since coffee beans have already been roasted to improve their flavor and the cold will affect the taste of the unfrozen coffee.

Coffee beans are actually porous and though freezing works well with other foods, when it concerns coffee beans the porous nature of the coffee beans makes them absorb flavors from other foods kept in the freezer and so when you then drink your unfrozen coffee, it may actually end up having a garlic flavor!

Furthermore, the same porous nature of coffee beans makes them absorb moisture which will make the beans lose their flavor and also when you place and replace the coffee beans from the freezer it will cause absorption of moisture. Thus, if you feel that you want to use the freezer when storing coffee beans, makes sure that you only use the freezer just one time.

Even then, when storing coffee beans in a freezer you also risk losing the aromatic oils contained in roasted coffees and that in turn will rob the coffee beans off their flavor which is another reason why you need to think again when it concerns storing coffee beans in your freezer.

The best thing you can do for storing coffee beans is to buy just enough coffee as is required for personal and family use and which will be consumed in not more than two week’s time. That way, you won’t have many problems with where to store your coffee beans.