February 21st, 2008
It never ceases to amaze me how much the world loves hot, iced and even frozen coffee drinks. It’s like they can’t get enough caffeine. People are sipping lattes in the morning, cappuccinos in the afternoon and frapuccinos at all hours of the night. So what does all this mean? Well, basically it means that now is the time to start pondering the notion of starting a coffee shop of your own. This is an excellent way to make a great income. All you need to do first is a little research on coffee supplies and your area.
Before starting a coffee shop of your own, it’s a good idea to scope out your environment. The location of the coffee shop is key. Seek out a venue that’s ideal for morning and afternoon commuters. On the way to work in the morning is when so many people want a latte or iced coffee beverage. So naturally starting a coffee shop near the commuting traffic is an excellent idea. Better yet, in this day and age a drive-thru can’t be beat. Folks love convenience, and the more convenient you make it for them to purchase a coffee and be on their way, the better. On a separate note, starting a coffee shop in a very rural area is not always such a wonderful concept. You have to make certain you have the potential consumers at your fingertips. Without the customers, your coffee shop will never make it. Running any business is dependent upon proper location and customers. So do not make the mistake of starting a coffee shop in an area that lacks both.
Costs of supplies will naturally be a factor when opening a coffee shop. Take a moment to think about all the things you’ll need. A general list of coffee shop supplies consists of; plastic cups, straws, napkins, several types of milk, coffee beans, a variety of syrups (normal and sugar-free), snacks and obviously a high-end commercial espresso machine. While these are just the basics of starting a coffee shop, it’s prudent to remember that these supplies can add up quickly; so be sure to shop around when seeking supplies for your new coffee shop.
Posted in General, coffee, coffee types | No Comments »
February 21st, 2008
Java is where it’s at! There’s no denying the popularity of coffee. Back in 1992 when Starbuck’s made the decision to start up, the coffee shop business has sky-rocketed. I can’t even begin to imagine how many coffee houses are in America alone at this point. Not that I’m complaining either. I enjoy the variety. I especially love the small “nook in the wall” coffee dives. Some have proven to produce amazing lattes. Think of Starbuck’s like a fast food chain, and some of these little guys as gourmet restaurants. That’s the difference I’ve noticed. While Starbuck’s strives for the uniform approach, others truly try to make an excellent cup of joe. Naturally this is the difference we commonly see between large and small businesses. Why should the coffee shop business be any different? I will say that once you find that remarkable coffee house, you get hooked.
There’s always room for more. Have you noticed this with the coffee shop business? I came to this realization while living in Oregon. There you will find more coffee shops than you can shake a stick at. However, most of them stay in business, because there’s always room. Starbuck’s didn’t boot the little guy out; they simply paved the way. Because of this massive chain, many small coffee shop businesses were able to open up and do well. Now here’s the kicker. It’s a daily habit for us! This is the secret to coffee shop success. We all want our caffeine fix every day, and that’s why they all keep so much business.
Posted in coffee, gourmet coffee, coffee types, fresh coffee | No Comments »
February 21st, 2008
Up until the last decade, coffee beans were something that most people took for granted in this country. Basically, in the morning you would have a fresh cup of Joe. As long as it was freshly brewed coffee, it was good enough. No one really worried about the roast, the variety, or the source of the coffee beans. Oh sure, there were a few connoisseurs – there always are – but in general, one cup of coffee was more or less accounted equivalent to another.
It is amazing how quickly things have changed. Nowadays, people can pay a huge amount of money for gourmet coffee beans. Is there a difference? Is it worth it? Well, yes and no. On the one hand, there are major differences between different coffee roasts. The acidity, the richness of the flavor, the thickness of the coffee, and various characteristics of the smell all vary greatly between one coffee bean and another. Even the way you have a coffee roasted can make a really big difference in the way the flavor comes through. Yet beneath all of this, there is one simple fact that people often forget – the only thing that matters when evaluating the taste of a cup of coffee is your own taste!
Posted in coffee, gourmet coffee, coffee beans, fresh coffee | No Comments »
February 21st, 2008
I love coffee. I absolutely love it and have several cups everyday. I also suffer from stomach problems and have for many years. About eight years ago I was diagnosed with an ulcer and have since been diagnosed with acid reflux disease. I was surprised to find out that acid reflux disease runs in my family and I began to think that it was more a matter of genetics than anything else. After several discussions with my primary physician, I had to rethink this assumption and instead turn my focus on my own habits and diet. Perhaps my zealous love of coffee was doing me some harm.
It is no secret that coffee can be very acidic. Because of the amount of coffee I tend to drink I had to wonder if all the coffee was causing or, at the very least, exacerbating the acid reflux. To test this theory I begrudgingly went in search of low acid coffee. I was only able to find one brand of low acid coffee at my local grocery store. It was Folger’s Simply Smooth. Many of you I am sure have seen the commercial for simply smooth and the slogan “welcome back the second cup.”
Posted in coffee, espresso, gourmet coffee, decaf, fresh coffee | No Comments »
February 21st, 2008
Everyone who appreciates a good cup of coffee knows the value of having the right equipment to make it. The Bodum Coffee Company was founded in 1944 in Denmark and is still a family concern. The first of their own products, the Santos Coffee maker, came on the market in 1958 and is still available today. The company produces kitchenware and tableware but is mostly known for its French coffee presses.
These products are both functional and stylish and will look good in any kitchen or café. Everything is designed with flavor in mind. The Bistro Nouveau coffee or tea glass is made from heat resistance glass and has a black, plastic handle. The glass keeps coffee and tea warm and can also be used for soup. The glasses are suitable for cleaning in the dishwasher.
Posted in Coffee Machines, Coffee Makers, coffee | No Comments »
February 6th, 2008
Is Coffee Just Coffee?
If you are like me, coffee is just coffee. I do not care if it comes in a little packet or from one of those fancy coffee bars, I will drink it anyway.
Now it may seem that people like us just are not coffee connoisseurs, but that is not what I have found. I think we are true coffee lovers. We will drink it anytime and any way because we like it so much. And when given the opportunity for really good coffee, that is even better.
For the best coffee, you really have to make it fresh at home and grind your own beans. Ground coffee loses its optimal flavor in about 2 days but whole beans maintain their best flavor for 2 weeks. Coffee grinders are essential for fresh flavor at home and the best type is a burr coffee grinder.
Posted in Coffee Grinders, coffee, coffee beans, coffee types | No Comments »
February 1st, 2008
You’ve surely come across a Bunn coffee maker at some point or another. I know I’ve seen plenty of them in restaurants and diners many times before. You see, the Bunn coffee maker is more of a professional product. They’re a nice upgrade from that Mr. Coffee you have sitting on your counter.Try dealing with a steel machine after having that plastic one for so long. It’s a nice nuance to any kitchen. I can remember back in the day when my father first purchased a bunn coffee maker. He had always been a serious coffee drinker. He never wanted anything added to his java. It was all about the distinctive coffee flavor. He would sit and sip it as black as he could get it. No cream, no sugar, no cream substitutes, no nothing. Only black caffeinated liquid goodness. He said he loved to feel that coffee aroma pouring through his sinuses so he could smell the rich beans.
I was surprised at the way they used to make coffee before the Bunn coffee maker. He let me in on the old-time secret. They would basically boil water over a camp fire and then pour in a load of coffee grounds. Of course my question was, “Did you drink the coffee grounds?” He laughed and informed me that when the water was black, he would then drop in a couple raw eggs, which would basically collect all of the coffee grounds. Now that’s funky. Fortunately these days he has upgraded to a contemporary Bunn coffee maker.
Posted in Coffee Machines, Coffee Makers, coffee, coffee beans | No Comments »
January 29th, 2008
Buying Bulk Coffee
Coffee lovers generally go beyond the one cup of java daily and by buying bulk coffee it means that the lover of the coffee bean should not run out in the foreseeable future. In purchasing bulk coffee, as with many bulk items, there is a price break when buying more coffee. If a person drinks a significant amount of coffee then buying a larger amount of coffee will save money in the long run.
There are many advantages of buying bulk coffee as there is a monetary savings, many varieties to choose from, many retailers to buy it, and it makes a great gift. There are many ways to buy bulk coffee whether they be at a local coffee shop, a gourmet one, large retailers, the supermarket, or online. Wherever you buy coffee,there are usually many options to the types of coffee to choose from.
Bulk coffee is a great option for the coffee lover and one cup a day drinker as well as it saves money, can come in a gourmet variety, ensures freshness, and the coffee will last.
Posted in Coffee Grinders, coffee, coffee beans, caffeine, fresh coffee | No Comments »
January 22nd, 2008
Why Brazil Coffee Is So Good!
Coming from the largest coffee producing country in the world, you know that a cup of Brazil coffee is going to hit the spot. It comes in a range from cheap mass produced coffee to the best espresso brewed coffee bean. When producing Brazil coffee the fruit is removed from the coffee bean. This is accomplished by four different methods and it is not uncommon for all of the methods to be used the same farm. It is also common for all four methods to be used during the same harvest of the coffee as well.
These beans are grown at a lower altitude than other coffee beans of the world that are grown in places with higher altitudes such as Central America, Columbia, and East Africa. These other coffee producing areas grow their coffee at around 5,000 feet in altitude while Brazil coffee is grown at around 2000 feet. The growth of Brazil coffee in lower altitudes brings about a low acidity of the coffee bean as the beans of the Brazil variety are round, sweet, and well nuanced while the others produced at higher altitudes have beans that are big and bright.
Posted in General, coffee, espresso, coffee beans | No Comments »
January 15th, 2008
Looking For A Quality Coffee Maker!
Are you currently searching high and low for a quality, yet affordable coffee maker? Have no fear ladies and gentlemen. That ideal drip pot is out there. You just have to pop open your Google search engine to find it. Sort through a plethora of coffee producing machines. Anything from drip pots to espresso machines are available. If you’re not interested in a fine black and decker coffee maker, then maybe you should check out some of the other reliable brands such as Braun. Either way, make sure you do some serious shopping around before you make that final purchase. One thing you can always count on with cyberspace is getting the best deal possible.
Have you ever owned a black and decker coffee maker? These are quality machines, folks. My grandparents had one and it never quit on them as far as I know. Now that’s a pretty decent machine considering they were born around 1918. You see, it’s all about the quality. We all want to find and purchase quality, well-built products, regardless of what they’re for. And if we can do it for a low price, this is ideal. What coffee maker is in you kitchen? How well is it working for you these days? If you’re constantly having trouble with it producing a fine cup of coffee, then maybe it’s time to consider a black and decker coffee maker.
Posted in Coffee Machines, coffee, espresso | No Comments »
|
|