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If you prefer your coffee really sweet.

            You are an extra sensitive person with regular mood swings. You constantly dream of an ideal life and wish for the better. You also feel the need to be that somebody for someone.

If you prefer delectably “just-right” coffee.

            You like you life to be, well, ‘just right’ since you are not a perfectionist. You dislike struggling and highly competitive situations. You take care of your own health really well and tend to expand your knowledge all the time.

If you prefer really hot coffee.

            You are one of those people who effortlessly find happiness for themselves. You love being lively and energetic. You are an active yet flexible person. You always learn from your own experience and share it with other people.

If you prefer cool coffee.

            You love surrounding yourself with lots of friends. You love to be relaxed and hassle-free but when you work you put your heart and soul into it. You know exactly when to get serious and when to have fun. And that makes people around you happy!

read more http://coffee-forlife.blogspot.com

       It’s somewhat amazing to know for yourself, and tell what your loved ones or your friends are actually like through such simple everyday life things. Did you know that your preference for the way you like your coffee

 could identify what type of person you or your loved ones actually are? This might sweeten your relationship with them a bit more. Interested? Keep reading.

If your prefer bitter coffee.

       You are a rather serious type of person who focuses highly on what you do. You are also a great thinker, a business-minded type of person. You tend to feel stressed from time to time because you try so hard to achieve what you are doing.

If you prefer sweet, creamy coffee.

        You are an open-minded person with a big heart. You love having fun in everything in your life. You are also a lively and somewhat naughty person. You are on the side of justice and hate taking advantage of other people (and being taken advantage of). You are also one of those people who will always stand up for their own rights.

If you prefer coffee with a strong aroma.

          You are a very selective person who only chooses the best thing for yourself. You cautiously choose everything in your life. You are a very protective and loving friend. You also have a clear perspective about everything around you.

 If you prefer mild coffee.

          You are a peaceful person who loves tranquility. You pay a lot of attention to health and hygiene issues. You love soothing and consoling feelings both physically and mentally. You respect people’s opinions and avoid arguments when unnecessary.

read more http://coffee-forlife.blogspot.com

Have you every wondered why companies may offer you free coffee samples? Well there is one main reason and that is so you can taste how good it is and purchase their brands. You may think well if that is the case and I sign up for these complimentary cups of Joe will these companies spam me or mail me a bunch of junk all the time. Usually this is not the case so you can feel free to try there products and choose for yourself which ones you want to purchase on a regular basis. This also stands true for restaurants and coffee shops that have these offers. They want to be the place you pick for your cup of Joe on your way to work every day.
Offering these complimentary tastes gives you the opportunity to decide for yourself what your favorite flavor is. You also do not have to fear being contacted a lot some may ask for your opinion and others may continue to send you free samples of other products. When this is the case you can stop these contacts if you choose to. But when it comes to receiving something from these companies it is usually to get you as a regular customer so bugging you is not necessarily in their marketing plan. Even restaurants and coffee shops that offer complimentary tastes of their best flavors or new flavors will let you enjoy in peace.
When you find places that send out gift cards or coupons for free product that is awesome. Because you will get to select exactly what you want to try without restrictions. When you receive free coffee samples you may just very well choose that company because of its willingness to give something out for free. There are many promotions out there that include cups of Joe being giving away. These promotions are not just limited to regular or decaf, but some give you a choice of cappuccino.
Restaurants are in competition for your business yes for that morning cup of Joe. Many are changing to give you more options and are even putting cream and sugar in the cup for you. There have been many offering a taste of this and a taste of that all for no charge. Just so you can see for yourself which company has the best product so you can stop in anytime you want to purchase a cup of Joe in their establishment.
You may think it is a trick but if you find a product you like are you not more willing to buy it and when you try it for free you are not out anything. You will be able to choose the right cup for you with no hassle and no cost. Finding the brands, flavors and places you are interested in will help you narrow it down when it comes to making your choice of the complimentary sample the company is offering. Free coffee samples can be a great tool to find which cup is for you.

Bored of your usual coffee? Fed up with latte or cappuccino? Then why not try something a bit different?
In order to make your own unusual speciality coffee drinks or to produce them in your catering establishment you will need a few extra ingredients.
In addition to your espresso beans, sugars, milk and chocolate dustings that are used to make most standard coffee drinks you will need to purchase a supply of cherries, almonds, hazelnuts, whipped cream and ground cinnamon. These will probably suffice for most recipes and of course not all are required for every recipe.
The main ingredients that you will need however are flavoured syrups. These special syrup flavourings are available from good coffee retailers or can be ordered over the internet easily enough. If you run your own establishment then your usual coffee supplier will probably stock these items and can deliver them with your usual coffee order.
There are several makes of flavoured syrups available depending on which country you are from, but my particular favourite are the 1883 de Philibert Routin brand from France. The most common flavoured syrups are vanilla, chocolate, amaretto, cinnamon, caramel, Irish Cream and hazelnut, but more exotic and unusual flavours are available for more elaborate recipes.
Why not start with a couple of flavours and build up a collection as you get to know and experience various recipes.
There are many recipes freely available on the internet which you can try out as well as experimenting and perhaps designing your very own!
To get you started here’s a couple you may want to try out.
We assume you have you own espresso machine with steam wand and are familiar with steaming and foaming milk.
Mochanilla
Ingredients:
16 ml chocolate syrup
16 ml vanilla syrup
1 shot of espresso
6 oz (180 ml) cold milk
Whipped cream
Cocoa powder
Method:
Mix together the two syrups and the milk in a jug. Steam foam the mixture. Pour the espresso into a 12 oz (250 ml) glass, and add the steamed milk mixture. Add whipped cream to the top and garnish with a sprinkle of cocoa powder.
Bistro de Paris
Ingredients:
8 ml hazelnut syrup
Double shot of espresso coffee
Whipped cream
Shaved hazelnut
Method:
Into a 6 oz (180 ml) add the hazelnut syrup. Add a double shot of espresso and stir. Top with whipped cream and garnish with shaved hazelnut.
Try making these at home for a delicious change or offering them at your own catering establishment as an alternative – you may be surprised at how popular they will become.

The coffee, espresso, and tea that Europeans sip in their cafés hasn’t changed much

over the years. But stop at a coffee house in the U.S. (there are probably two on the

next block), and that 10-calorie beverage has likely morphed into a 500-calorie

milk shake. Here’s how to keep your coffee break from turning into a Big Mac break.

Like their fast-food cousins, Starbucks and

other coffee sellers put nutrition numbers

on their Web sites, but not their menu

boards. If Starbucks did, here’s what you’d

see.

?

A grande (16 oz.) nonfat Caffè

Latte (two shots of espresso with steamed

milk) is a bargain when it comes to calories

(160), saturated fat (0 grams), and

calcium (some 450 milligrams). But

you’ll add:

•

70 calories for flfl avored syrups (unless

you get no-cal, sugar-free Hazelnut or

Vanilla),

•

100 calories for whole milk instead of

nonfat, or

•

50 calories for soy milk.

If you’re not careful, your bargain can

balloon to a whole-milk Vanilla Latte

with 320 calories and 7 grams (a third of

a day’s worth) of sat fat. Oops.

Bonus: get any grande nonfat latte iced

and you’ll save about 50 calories.

?

The mix of steamed

and foamed whole milk that’s added to

the espresso supplies a grande with just

150 calories, but who needs 5 grams of

saturated fat in their coffee? Stick with

nonfat milk and you’ve got a 100-calorie

Best Bite with around 250 mg of calcium—

20 percent of a day’s worth.

?

A grande White Chocolate

Coffee has been around for centuries. This demand has prompted various companies to make blenders for commercial and personal use such as those produced by the Bunn Corporation. Bunn O Matic Corporation has been in the business of making coffee makers and other household appliances for 50 years. In fact, some would say this firm is a pioneer in the industry because it introduced the use of disposable paper coffee filters that is a standard for most of the machines today. The basic type is called the single pot warmer. It is ideal for one or two people to use especially when they have to stay up late at night studying or cramming for an exam in college. There is the 8-cup carafe version that will work if there are many people drinking coffee in the household. The most affordable coffee machines are made of plastic. Those who want something durable can try getting the stainless model that can make up to 10 cups. This model can get everything ready in less than 10 minutes and allows users to program it the night before so coffee will be ready in the morning. There are two important features that Bunn has over other brands. First, it has a brewing reservoir that keeps the water at a temperature of 200 degrees at all times. This makes it easy to just fix up a new batch and serve it to those who want another cup. Second, the machines operate on a three-minute cycle to prevent coffee from tasting bitter which is often the complaint of customers. Lastly, it also has a spray head that can’t be compared with those on the market. This ensures that coffee is suspended evenly so people will be able to enjoy the taste that goes to each cup. The Bunn Coffee maker can be bought in major appliance stores or online. The basic models will go from $30 to more than a $100 depending on the features the customer wants. The right one depends on how much you can consume. Customers should read the manual to be able to learn how to keep it in it’s top condition. This will allow the user to enjoy memorable mornings with this appliance producing java, espressos or even cappuccinos until it is time to replace this perhaps with something better in the future.

Starbucks didn’t invent espresso but they revolutionized the way we look at it. From cappuccinos to lattes or just a straight shot of espresso, coffee and coffee drinks have become the drink of the morning. You can find a coffee shop on just about every corner in every town. However, with the cost of coffee on the rise and the world economy on the decline, espresso coffee machines have boomed in sales.

Buying an espresso machine for your home should be researched before you run to the nearest big box store and grab the first one off the shelf. You should decide ahead of time how much you are willing to invest in your espresso maker. They can range in price from under $50 to well over $1000. It all depends on what you are looking for.

There are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you determine how much you are willing to spend. As a general rule of thumb they are:

* How often do you plan on using the machine? If you know you are going to use it on a daily basis you will want to purchase a machine that is sturdy enough to hold up to repeated use. You should also look into one with a warranty in the event that it is damaged.

* Do you want a fully automatic machine that does everything for you? If you want your espresso machine to do everything but drink your espresso for you, be prepared to pay a premium price. If however you don’t mind adding the coffee to the machine and other small steps, you can save a lot of money.

* How much room do you have for the espresso machine? Espresso makers range in size from countertop models to ones that take up the space of a small refrigerator. Keep this in mind as you shop.

Types to Choose From

With those basic questions answered you are now ready to decide what kind of espresso machine you want. There are five basic types of machines to choose from, ranging from the simplest to the most complex and automated.

* Stovetop espresso makers, sometimes called stovetop percolators are great for the occasional espresso drinker or for campers who want their shot of caffeine even in the woods. The drawback to the stovetop espresso pot is that it only makes one cup at a time. It must cool between cups and it doesn’t form that wonderful crema that espresso drinkers love.

On the plus side, they are very inexpensive. You can pick on up around $20. They are very portable and take up no space. They can also be used without electricity, for example over a campfire.

* Piston driven espresso makers are based on the original espresso makers from long ago. They are the reason for the wonderful crema we have all come to know and love. The piston driven espresso machine requires more manual labor. This is where the term ‘pulling a shot’ originated.

* Pump driven espresso makers are the most popular variety of espresso makers for commercial use. An offspring of the piston driven maker, they are typically plumbed to a water source and use a timing device to insure that every shot of espresso pulled is of the same quality.

* Automatic and super automatic espresso machines are the newest makers to hit the market. These machines are capable of doing everything, even grinding the coffee beans. They are also the most expensive, most complicated to repair and usually take up the most space.

Automatic espresso machines do produce a more consistent shot of espresso than other machines and don’t require your assistance to do anything. They are also more capable of adjustments than other machines, allowing you to have espresso they way you want it every time.

Purchasing an espresso maker for your home can be a money saving investment. Your initial purchase may seem expensive, but making sure you are getting a quality product that will bring you years of espresso enjoyment will pay for itself in no time. And you will impress your friends and guests with the great coffee drinks you prepare for them.

Coffee is one of America’s favorite energy boosters. With 70-100mg of caffeine per cup, it can give you the liquid lift you¹re looking for when you’re trying to pull an all-night study session or you just need to wake up and start your day. Though coffee can be very tasty – and comes in several hundred flavors and styles including various mochas, cappuccinos and espressos – it¹s not as healthy for you as tea. Tea, in general, is a good thing, but right now we’ll talk about green tea in particular, and why it is a healthy alternative to coffee. We can start with that one word: caffeine.Pharmacologically, caffeine is a stimulant, and its properties are what makes coffee both a blessing and, for some, a bit of a curse. For the uninitiated, taking that first sip of espresso can feel almost like a rush of adrenaline, and can elevate both energy levels and mood. However, caffeine has a dark side, too. It¹s called “crashing.” As the effects of the stimulant wear off, it can cause a person to feel tired, anxious, dizzy and/or nervous. Caffeine can even cause the heart to behave erratically in some individuals. Some people may still be in denial concerning this matter, but the plain, unambiguous fact is that caffeine is a strong, mildly addictive drug.Green tea, on the other hand, is much healthier. Because it contains a little less than half the caffeine of coffee, it can still give you a mild jolt if you’re looking for one. However, the caffeine is just one of four key constituents in green tea (the others: tannin, essential oils and vitamins) and therefore works differently in your system than does the caffeine in coffee. The good news is that the caffeine in tea works “synergistically” with the other components to stimulate the circulation and metabolism. As more oxygen is circulated through the brain, muscle functions improve, mental activity increases and reaction time decreases.An effective elixir, naturallyThe tannin in green tea works with the caffeine to bring about a relaxing and stabilizing effect. This is because the caffeine is absorbed more slowly, thus doing away with the dread “caffeine shock” coffee drinkers know so well. In addition, the L-theanine in green tea – an amino acid, found only in tea plants and some mushrooms – has been shown to stimulate production of alpha brain waves. The alpha state that the L-theanine promotes is likened to one of “relaxed awareness,” in that it has a decided calming effect on the body without causing drowsiness or diminished mental functions.Of course, among the most beneficial parts of drinking tea, as apposed to coffee, is the level of antioxidants that it contains, higher even than some fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants act as “cell bodyguards,” protecting you against harmful sun, pollution and even stress, by reducing the production of the oxidating criminals known as “free radicals.” Tea also contains polyphenols, which numerous studies have shown to be of value in treating cancer, countering blood disease and lowering high cholesterol levels.As we have seen, however, avoiding or limiting the intake of caffeine, although a positive step for many, is not the only reason for choosing green tea (or any other kind) as a replacement for coffee. Particularly for those of you who are attempting to balance all the areas of your life – mental, physical, emotional, spiritual – and be consistent in your new healthy habits, integrating green tea into your diet can have a number of positive effects, remedial and ongong.News from the laboratoryGreen tea just happens to be the tea that, arguably, is most laden with health-promoting attributes. Among the antioxidants it contains is a powerful polyphenol called catechin. Catechin has been shown to possess antibiotic properties due to its role in disrupting a specific step in bacterial DNA replication. The National Cancer Institute reports that, “In the laboratory, studies have shown tea catechins act as powerful inhibitors of cancer.” So, although coffee can be quite tasty and gives you a rush of energy, it¹s not as healthy as the alternative, tea. Tea can be tasty, still give you a pleasant lift if you want one and benefit your body, too.The most important thing, if you are doing research in a quest for a treatment or cure for yourself or a loved one, is to “stick with the science.” Anecdotal evidence, stories from patients and even physicians, has a definite role, particularly in pointing out new directions for research, as well as for the refinement of current applications. The results of clinical trials, of course, are essential to the standing of any claims made for any pharmaceutical, nutraceutical or cosmeceutical. The standard the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses is “safe and effective.”Be careful that you do not start diagnosing and prescribing for yourself, without any objective input from one or more real, professional health practitioners – doctors, medical chemists, pharmacists or specialists in other, recognized emerging fields. It is important to have a complete health and wellness plan, and not simply react to changing physical symptoms and conditions.Take a proactive approach, whether it is green tea or some other supplement or combination of them, by doing your homework and getting good advice. Be careful to balance taking charge of your “physical destiny” with the humility inherent in negotiating with both fate and nature. The fact is, you can change your destiny, with nature’s help. Green tea, among many other good things, can help you in a lot of ways.

Receiving free coffee samples may be just as easy as choosing your flavor. That’s right many companies and brands are waiting to hand you that complimentary cup of caffeine. You may find offers in your grocery store, in the Sunday paper and online. Some offers may ask you to fill out a small opinion form or survey but once you do that your complimentary cup will be in your hands. Many times companies want to know what you think because ultimately they are out to find out what the customers like so they can be their favorite caffeine supplier. When you know how to find these offers you can make take advantage of them and enjoy that complimentary cup of caffeine.
Sometimes you will find offers in the newspaper coupons for free cups of coffee when you use this coupon or a coupon offering a free sample. You may even find a free sample waiting for you already in your paper. Another way in your local community you may find free coffee samples and that would be in a grocery store. They may actually have a complimentary cup waiting on you or they may pass out a sample of the product they are promoting. Specialty coffee shops or places that are changing there coffee menu’s may also pass out complimentary coffee to customers for them to try what they are changing to. This allows you to see if it is something you want to come back for and if it is you may go back there because of the small gift.
The internet may not just be the most popular place to find these freebies but it may also be the easiest. You will not have to wait until the next coffee shop opens, or Sunday when the paper comes and who knows if there will be what you are looking for in the coupons. So choosing to search the internet for those freebies of caffeine may help you find the flavor for you and a deal you weren’t even looking for. From the top brands in coffee to specialty beans you can choose your favorite and try a new flavor if you want to. Not only are there samples and coupons that can be sent to you but some restaurants and brands offer gift cards for you to try their products.
Most of the time all you have to do is give your address information and they will send you the complimentary product they promised. Finding a way to find out if you like a certain flavor can be done when you try a taste of flavors you think you will like. Not only will you find just the regular flavor, but you can find cappuccino offers as well. Searching the internet will lead you to the right sample taste that will lead you to your new favorite morning or evening cup of caffeine. Free coffee samples can lead you to your new flavor or even your new place to purchase and drink it on the spot.

Cappuccino or espresso? Mocha or latte? A glace at any coffee shop menu board is enough to send your head spinning. Choice is good.

One important factor however, that is often overlooked is consideration of how the coffee was sourced. Many coffee houses and restaurants today offer coffees that have been sourced from ethical sources, where care has been taken to ensure the third world farmers and their families have not been exploited, and that their basic human requirements including, healthcare, accommodation and schooling has been provided for.

In addition many such ‘ethical’ coffees are produced in a way that does not harm the environment and is farmed from sustainable sources, including water and wildlife conservation.

Each of these organisations have a slightly different slant on the subject and have their emphasis on different aspects of ethical drinks. This might be the livelihood of the farm-workers, care of the environment, traceability of supply, commitment to the future etc.

The number of such organisations promoting the ethics of sustainable farming is increasing all the time.

How do you know which to use? Fairtrade certified, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ, Ethical Tea Partnership, The Cocoa Partnership, Max Havelaar or even bird friendly coffee!

In general you pay slightly more for a genuinely ethically sourced beverage, than the house coffee from ‘standard’ sources and the degree of premium varies.

It is not just coffee of course, but tea, hot chocolate and many cold drinks are now promoting themselves as ‘ethically sourced’

Look out for the official logo of these organisations promoting ethical and sustainably sourced hot beverages and do your own due diligence.

A sensible approach would be to do some research on the internet about the various organisations and see which you prefer to be assocaited with.

Another thing to take into account is what criteria is used for a given beverage ingredient to be approved. Fairtrade for example insist that 100% of the ingredients are sourced from Fairtrade approved official sources, but the Rainforest Alliance logo is allowed to be placed on packaging of products where only a minimum of 50% has been ethically sourced.

It can be a bit of a jungle out there, but all of the reputable organisations do a fine job of promoting the awareness and support of third would producers and care of the environment.

Make sure you always insist on ethically and sustainably produced coffee and other hot beverages and enjoy your drink with a clear conscience.