George - too late for coffee?

So, I was searching on Youtube and found this classic clip from one of my all time favorite shows, Seinfeld.  I think I like the show so much because yes, it is quite humorous, but also I like seeing the difference in the way women and men think sometimes.

So in this clip, George was invited up to a date’s apartment for “coffee”.  Not thinking about what it could possibly mean (does coffee mean sex?) George declines the offer for some coffee talk.   I think I will watch it again, and fetch a fresh cup of coffee.  Happy Monday, all!

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Coffee Tasting Parties Are Delicious!

One morning as I was sipping my morning latte I was thinking of a fun”themed party” idea.  I’ve thrown many wine tasting parties in the past and also tea parties, but why not a coffee tasting party?  Often times my friends and I will meet at the local coffee house to chat and relax, so why not bring that into my own home!  Here are my thoughts on what my coffee tasting party so successful.

1. I sent out pretty little invitations shaped like coffee cups.  I went to the local Target and found cute and quite inexpensive invitations that simply stated “You’re invited!”.  I mailed the invitations three weeks before the date of the party.  I asked that guests would RSVP any regrets, otherwise I assumed they would show.

2. I set the party for early afternoon in mid-Autumn.  Who wants to drink a lot of caffeine late at night or when it is hot as hell out?  Well, probably a lot of people, but not me.  I think a cool Autumn day is more conducive to drinking hot, steamy coffee.

3.  I brought out my collection of eclectic cups, plates and accessories for the party.  I find that many people, like myself, have a hodge podge of cups, mugs and even plates.  It is perfect for throwing a coffee tasting party as everyone can pick and choose their dinnerware!

4. I had my trusty Keurig by my side!  I love the simplicity of the Keurig and how quick and easy you can brew many different kinds of coffee.  Another wonderful thing about Keurig is the fact you can brew a plethora of beverages.  Some of the guests brought their children, so I had no problem brewing up hot chocolate, apple cider and Chai tea for those who did not wish to drink coffee.

5.  I had a variety of creamers, sugars and additions on hand to sweeten up those cups of Joe.  I had little pitchers with skim milk, heavy cream and half and half.  I also offered brown sugar, raw sugar and vanilla scented sugar (purchased online).  I also had a couple different syrups in vanilla and hazelnut flavors.

6. I made sure to serve lots of snacks with the coffee tasting such as: coffee cake (duh!), donuts, biscotti, muffins and even some candied bacon apple tarts.

7. Last on the list is – have fun!  We talked, nibbled on sweets and listened to music.  It was a lovely and relaxing afternoon.

8. As a “thank you for coming” gift I gave everyone miniature bags of coffee.  My local grocery store sells them for a $1 and it brews one pot.  I put a little bow on each one and handed them to the guests as they departed.

After the party I received many thank you notes and emails about what a great time everyone had – and for me, that was the best part about the coffee tasting party!

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Customize your coffee: Create personalized beverages at home

(ARA) – Home personalization has extended to new heights, going beyond the trend of creating customized kitchens to creating customized beverages. Consumers are brewing up personalized specialty coffee drinks on par with those in high-end restaurants and coffee shops. In fact, “do-it-yourself flavor” is among the top 10 beverage trends of the year, according to The Food Channel, a leading online source for food industry trends.

This trend is due, in part, to the uncertain economy. Recent research from the International Food Information Council found that 79 percent of consumers cite price as a key factor in deciding which drink items to purchase in a store. With equipment and recipes readily available today, consumers are embracing this DIY trend and cutting costs by making their own custom drinks at home.

Whatever your taste preference, it’s easy to create personalized beverages for yourself, your family and guests to enjoy all winter long.

Hot-coffee indulgence.
According to the National Coffee Association, gourmet coffee continues to be a significant portion (37 percent) of total coffee consumed. If hot coffee is your way to pamper yourself, endless varieties are available, from classic French roast to Hawaiian Kona and New Orleans chicory.

Choose to brew your way.
To make great coffee, start with the right coffeemaker. Look for one that fills easily and lets you create large or small batches and different brew strengths. For instance, Calphalon’s Quick Brew 12-cup Coffee Maker offers both regular or bold custom brew settings – plus the flexibility to brew up to 12 cups at a time when you have a crowd, or just one to four cups for smaller groups. Brewing up to 25 percent faster than comparable standard coffee makers, the Calphalon Quick Brew 12-cup Coffee Maker won’t keep your guests waiting either.

Add creme to your cup.
Once you’ve brewed your coffee, personalize it further with coffee creamers. They’re available in everything from traditional vanilla, almond or hazelnut to enticing new combinations like honey-vanilla creme and white chocolate caramel latte.

Make it special.
Many specialty coffee drinks are also easy to make at home, such as mocha coffee, gingerbread coffee, almond coffee and Irish coffee. They can often be made with just a few simple ingredients from recipes on websites such as allrecipes.com and others, providing a fun way to top off a dinner party or savor alone by the fireplace.

Create a new blend.
Research shows more coffee lovers are buying whole beans and grinding them at home for a fresher, richer flavor. Take your coffee grinds one step further and become a true “Roastmaster” by creating a whole new blend of your own. Mix and match flavored beans or beans from different coffee-growing countries to develop new tastes and sensations you won’t find in your average cup of coffee. For peak flavor and the ultimate freshness, package your blend in an airtight container and store it in a dark, room-temperature location.

So go ahead and turn yourself loose in the kitchen. It’s easier than ever to customize your cup.

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International Delight Coffee Creamer

I am loving the holiday coffee creamers from International Delight.  They recently offered five seasonal flavors:  Gingerbread Latte, Peppermint Mocha, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Vanilla Spiced Rum & White Chocolate Raspberry.  I have tried every single one of these flavors and think they are fabulous!   The Gingerbread Latte is flavored with fresh gingerbread and creamy latte.  I like to use this in my vanilla flavored coffee.

Peppermint Mocha International Delight

This one is quite refreshing.  Peppermint and mocha flavors combine to harmonize a gourmet spin on coffee time.  I love this one and use it in my bold coffees.

Pumpkin Pie Spice International Delight Creamer

Thanksgiving, anyone?  This seems like the perfect creamer to wake up with on turkey day!  This delicious creamer combines cinnamon and nutmeg with creamy pumpkin pie spices.  Heavenly!

Vanilla Spiced Rum International Delight

This is the perfect creamer for everyday use.  Cozy up with warm vanilla and rich cinnamon rum flavor combination for a comforting cup of Joe!

White Chocolate Raspberry International Delight

This is a decadent treat!  The velvety white chocolate mixes well with the sweet red raspberry and the results are divine.  This is by far my FAVORITE holiday flavor.  They’re all so good though, I change it up pretty often.

Currently I have about four of these in my fridge.  I like how they turn an average cup of coffee into something special.  Get them while you can – they’re limited seasonal flavors!

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Bring back the “coffee klatsch”

(NC)—One pot luck, two office parties, three wine and cheeses, and the list goes on… Holiday entertaining has become rather predictable, but Laura Sliapnic, product developer in the coffee category for the President’s Choice brand, is encouraging Canadians to think outside the box for holiday celebrations this year.

“Invite your friends for a traditional German ‘coffee klatsch’!” suggests Sliapnic. “This custom originated in Germany in the 1880s and combines the words for coffee and noise. Just brew a variety of coffees, set out some pre-made desserts and you’re done. You still get the benefit of entertaining, but with less fuss than other typical holiday soirées.”

Like wine, coffee comes in countless varieties and each variety has its own complex and distinct flavour profile that pairs well with certain types of desserts. Here are Sliapnic’s recommendations to make every cup of java a joyful occasion:

You can learn about almost 30 different varieties of President’s Choice coffees and also find recipes and entertaining ideas online at pc.ca.

www.newscanada.com

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Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, chocolate and even some soft drinks. Statistics show that 80% of the world ingests caffeine on daily basis, over 90% of Americans consume some form of caffeine daily, the majority of which is through coffee, and coffee based drinks. Gravity may keep the planets in motion but caffeine seems to be what keeps people in motion.

Caffeine is the ingredient that is found in the coffee bean that makes coffee addictive. It can also be found in the leaves and fruits of many other plants. Mother Nature has used this ingredient to help keep insects off a variety of plants. The caffeine that gets the morning started in that hot coffee comes from the coffee bush plant.

Caffeine’s addictive properties come from it being a stimulant. When ingested it reacts in the central nervous system to increase awareness and alertness and stop drowsiness. The heart rate typically increases and the person may feel a burst of energy. Coffee also acts as a diuretic and causes increased urine production.

Caffeine studies have shown that moderate consumption of caffeine can increase physical and mental performance in individuals. Some studies suggest that moderate amounts can also increase physical endurance in athletes.

On the other hand, there are down sides to consuming too much caffeine.  Addiction to caffeine is probably the most common addiction. Coffee drinkers who decide to quit will often find themselves suffering from severe headaches and lethargy until their body adjusts. Drinking too much coffee can also lead to having jittery hands, a sign of being over stimulated.

The amount of caffeine that is considered too much is around 6,000 mg per day. Drip coffee contains anywhere from 115-175 mg of caffeine and a tall Starbucks coffee contains 240 mg. The average intake is approximately 280 mg per day, which would equate to two cups of home coffee or one tall coffee shop coffee.

Caffeine is the main reason most people drink coffee. While there are some people who like coffee simply for its taste, it would be a safe to assume that they started out drinking it for the caffeine and developed a taste for it. Some people eventually change over to decaffeinated coffee due to health reasons but they still crave their morning coffee regardless.

-Sharon Chapman

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Coffee is best known for being a pick-me up beverage that is often used to start the day. Many people will readily admit that they rely on their first cup of coffee to get their day moving. Coffee drinkers are a unique group. Each person has their own vision of what makes a great cup of coffee and they are typically adamant about how it is prepared. Some people will drink any coffee and don’t have preferences while others are insistent on certain brands or even flavors of coffee.

Coffee, like tea, can be served both hot and cold. While hot is the traditional manner in which coffee is served, iced coffee drinks have become quite popular and many non-coffee drinkers have found that they enjoy the iced version. Coffee drinks can be as fancy or as plain as the individual who makes the coffee.

Tea and tea drinkers are a different group of people. First, there are iced tea drinkers who won’t go near hot teas. Iced tea drinkers may also be coffee drinkers but aren’t always hot tea drinkers. People who drink hot teas describe it as mild and gentle, not overpowering and strong like coffee. The image that is often associated with hot tea is of a flower garden with ladies wearing wide-brimmed hats daintily sipping their tea while eating crumpets.

Tea drinkers have come a long way from the flower garden and hot tea has gained in popularity. Many offices today offer a variety of hot teas as well as coffee for clients. Hot tea comes in many different varieties, some of which are known for their calming effects while others are known for their antioxidant properties such as green teas.

Both tea and coffee are available in decaffeinated versions, which make it possible for people who don’t want the side effects of caffeine to enjoy their favorite beverage. While there are some tea drinkers who won’t drink coffee and some coffee drinkers who wouldn’t dare drink hot tea, there are some people who like both teas and coffees and don’t limit themselves to belonging to one group or the other.

Coffee and tea both have a place in the world of beverages and the majority of homes have at least one of the two in the cupboard, if not both. Freshly brewed hot coffee, a cup of hot herbal tea or a tall glass of iced tea, regardless of which one is requested the resulting drink is an acquired taste that is specific to the individual drinker.

-Sharon Chapman

As far as coffee goes, you can get your fill of it here!  But if you’d like to read more about tea, including tea recipes and more, visit JensTeaHouse.com!

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The top flavored coffee syrups offer dozens of flavors to choose from. This isn’t a trend in the coffee world started just a couple years ago in the States. Nope, professional coffee makers around the world have relied on all of these flavors for years to please their clientele. The best brands offer rich and natural flavors. The syrups should get this profound taste from pure and natural ingredients. The manufacturer takes the base ingredients, the natural fruits, nuts, spices, water and sugar, and makes them into a highly concentrated syrup. You’ll notice that this list of ingredients does not include any fat or cholesterol. All top syrups should be free of these bad compounds. Check the label of the syrup at your favorite coffee house to be certain.

Lately, with diabetes such a big worldwide concern, as well as the emergence of low-carb diets, the top flavored coffee syrup manufacturers have put out sugar-free line-ups. These don’t lose out on flavor. Many of your favorite coffee flavors will be a part of this new sugar-free line, including vanilla, hazelnut, almond, caramel, Irish cream, chocolate, raspberry, and amaretto. With these natural flavors, though, you won’t miss the sugar. Instead, most manufacturers are adding a blend of sugar free and calorie free sweeteners like Splenda, which is a natural sugar free sweetener. Now you have no choice but to enjoy your delicious triple mocha nut cappuccino with all of those delicious syrups added for rich and fulfilling flavor.

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I recently stumbled across Kikkoman Pearl® Soymilk, which is made with real, brewed organic coffee and tastes great hot or cold.

Pearl® Coffee Soymilk is made with preservative-free organic soybeans, organic cane juice as a natural sweetener, and fortified with calcium and vitamins A and D. One 8-ounce glass yields 6 grams of protein, and it’s low in saturated fat, cholesterol-free and lactose-free. 

Pearl® Soymilk is ideal for use in your favorite recipes. It can be used whenever a recipe calls for dairy milk. (In some recipes that rely on milk to “set-up” or thicken, you may need to add cornstarch to chilled soymilk before cooking to achieve a smooth, creamier consistency. Because soymilk is lower in fat, it will not thicken like dairy milk.)
 
Like most soymilk products, Pearl® Soymilk is available in “aseptic” cartons. These cartons keep the soymilk fresh without refrigeration until they are opened. An aseptic carton is a sterile, airtight specially-produced package made for keeping food products fresh without refrigeration. (Once a carton is opened, soymilk must be kept in the refrigerator.) Pearl® Soymilk will maintain its freshness and flavor for 7-10 days after it is opened.
 
Pearl® Soymilk is a product made and distributed by Kikkoman, a global food company. To find out where to buy Pearl Coffee Soymilk, click here.

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