Jun 04 2010
Coffee Store
A trip to a specialty coffee store is a day of luxury for the coffee connoisseur. This is not the local coffee shop where lattes and cappuccinos are sipped while reading the paper. This is the all-encompassing coffee lover’s must-have shop. Coffee accessories and beans of every kind can be found here and the true coffee lover can spend hours perusing the aisles for new gadgets and special coffee blends.
The specialty coffee store carries some of the top coffee beans from the best plantations around the world. They will usually special order beans if they don’t carry them in stock. In addition to regular coffee beans they also carry a large variety of flavored coffee beans and can get green coffee beans for home roasting.
The variety of coffee makers that the coffee store carries is immense. From single cup French press coffee makers to complex cappuccino makers there is bound to be a coffee maker to suit every household. Some people like to have a French press for one cup of coffee and a coffee maker for when they need more than one cup. Other people prefer to have a single-serve coffee maker that serves both purposes.
Milk frothers and steamers are available to create creamy coffee drinks without using a cappuccino maker. These can be small, individual appliances or simple speed stirrers to froth milk after it has been steamed perfectly in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Coffee grinders are another item that can be found in the specialty coffee store. These are available in automatic or manual versions from small to large. Coffee grinders can be burr conical or metal blade and can have a pulsating action or pre-set grinding times. Larger versions of the coffee grinder feature storage area for the coffee beans as well.
Along with grinders, customers at the coffee store can also find tampers to help pack the coffee into their espresso makers or coffee filter basket. Baristas know the importance of packing the coffee in tightly using the tamper and some have their own favorite one that is weighted just right for them.
Thermometers and thermometer clips are another important tool in making the perfect cup of coffee. While most coffee makers have preset temperatures, there are occasions when a thermometer is necessary, such as when steaming milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
Coffee stores carry practically anything that can be used when making coffee and more. There are scoops and specialty spoons, flavored syrups and creamers, mixing glasses and pitchers and dispensers of every size and shape imaginable. Homeowners and business owners alike can outfit their coffee area with everything needed to create a cozy, coffee haven.
-Sharon Chapman