“A mathematician is a device for turning coffee into theorems.”

-Paul Erdos

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This recipe for mocha latte starts like a traditional café latte, which in Americans is a lot different from what they do in Europe. So if you’re from Europe, read especially carefully to get the American nuances. Where you come from in most places in Europe, café latte consists of one part espresso and three parts frothed milk. The maker then pours both at the same time into a large bowl or wide brimmed cup.

Here in America, though, the base of the recipe for mocha latte only sometimes begins with the same proportions of espresso and frothed milk: one to three. Other times, the proportions depend on what other flavorings you add. For instance, if you add whipped cream as a topping, your café latte may consist of one part espresso to two and one half parts frothed milk. That extra half part becomes the whipped cream or other extra flavoring.

In our case for this recipe for mocha latte, our extra flavorings will be the chocolate that gives the drink its mocha name. We will also get a little crazy and add mint to the mix, sort of like a steamy bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream. Start with 1.75 ounces of chocolate syrup. Pour the chocolate syrup into a 12-ounce cup with 0.5 ounces of cream de menthe syrup. Then add 2 ounces of freshly brewed espresso, topped with the hot steamed or foamed milk. Stir, making sure to lift from the bottom. This will bring the syrups up. Top the whole concoction with a dollop of whipped cream, chocolate powder, and shaved chocolate.

Also, here’s another mocha coffee recipe.

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Coffee houses originated in Europe in the 17th century and quickly became popular throughout Europe. Their popularity spread to America and these shops soon became the meeting place for people to come together and share ideas and opinions. Political meetings, business mergers and many other high profile decisions found their answer over a cup of coffee in the local coffee shop.

The relaxing atmosphere has been the birthplace to many songs, poems and works of literature. Many popular authors and songwriters started out writing and even performing in local coffee shops. In past years the coffee shop was often the venue for unknown talent to share their musings with other people. There were poetry reading nights and folk music night along with times of solitude for reading or quiet conversation among friends. The coffee shop has been something different to many different people.

Today, the coffee shop still functions in much the same way. There might now be as many with poetry readings or folk music but they are still the place of meetings and decisions. Executives often meet in the early morning hours to discuss their strategies and seal deal while politicians often visit to shake hands and seem more like the local person than a politician.

Writers and other artists continue to use the coffee shop as a place to let their brains relax and produce their masterpieces. Internet access is commonplace in today’s coffee shop allowing people to sit and enjoy their coffee while continuing to work and go about their day answering emails and shopping while relaxing in the quiet atmosphere of the coffee shop.

Today’s coffee shops offer more than simply coffee. They usually have a variety of coffee drinks and hot teas as well as pastries and even sandwiches in some cases. They often have comfortable seating areas including sofas and private areas for studying and work. Newspapers, magazines and free Internet access are considered the norm and are used to entice people to become regular visitors.

In addition to selling freshly brewed coffee, coffee houses also sell gourmet coffee beans and all the coffee accessories needed to brew their delicious beverages at home. Many coffee shops have a signature blend that can only be purchased at their shop.

Coffee houses continue to be the popular gathering place of the neighborhood. Residents can get their favorite brew and head to the office or grab a comfy seat and play hooky for the day while they indulge in Web browsing and coffee drinking.

-Sharon Chapman

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Coffee beans are not true beans; they are in fact the seeds of the coffee plant. The berry of the coffee plant is where the bean is found and it is usually found in pairs. If there is only one coffee bean it is called a peaberry. The coffee bean is what makes the wonderful, hot beverage enjoyed around the world every morning. It is also where the caffeine is found that makes people want coffee. 

Although there are over 90 species of coffee bush, there are two beans that make up the majority of the coffee in the world. Coffea Arabica and Coffea Robusta are the two most popular coffee beans and comprise nearly all of the coffee that is grown and roasted. Coffee Robusta supplies approximately twenty percent of all coffee while Coffee Arabica supplies seventy-five to eighty percent.

Coffee Beans on the Branch in Kauai, Hawaii

The Robusta bush is easier to grow and cultivate than the Arabica bush and typically costs less than the Arabica bean. It also has more caffeine than the Arabica bean. The Arabica bean is preferred by many people for its taste and aroma. Many coffees on the market are a blend of the two beans.

Although the Arabica and the Robusta bean are the two major players in the whole coffee bean world, there are other species that are being used for coffee production. These include Coffea congensism, Coffea excels, Coffea mogenti, Coffea stenophylla and others. These are specialty coffee beans that are not as readily available as the Arabic and the Robusta but for can be found with some research on the Internet. Each one has its own unique flavor. If these beans become sought out by consumers they will become more widely available.

Gourmet coffee beans are simply Arabica or Robusta beans that have been cultivated and grown in ideal circumstances that create a unique tasting bean that is superior to others in its class. Examples of these include Jamaica blue mountain beans, Kona beans, and volcanica beans. Volcanica beans, for example, are only grown at altitudes of 3,000 to 7,000 feet volcanic mountain slopes. The volcanic soil, cool climate and moisture create the perfect conditions for growing and the resulting bean is a delicacy.

Whole coffee beans are one of the best ways to insure freshness when brewing coffee. Consumers can purchase beans and grind them as needed rather than buying ground coffee that quickly loses its flavor. There are many varieties of coffee beans to choose from starting with Robusta beans and going up to the exclusive Kona bean. Consumers can research whole coffee beans and find the one that suits their budget and their taste.

-Sharon Chapman

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Coffee roast is determined by how long the coffee is in the roaster, the temperature it is roasted at and what color the bean is after it roasts. It is defined as light, medium or dark and the flavor will be reflected by the roast of the coffee.

Coffee beans are green prior to being roasted. Roasting the coffee bean turns it into the chocolate colored bean most people are accustomed to seeing. Coffee roasters are masters of their art and have learned to know how to tell when the bean as reached its desired color. They are also adept at knowing how to manipulate the temperatures to reach the desired flavors by capturing the coffee bean’s many different essential oils that create its unique flavor. Light roasted coffee should have a slightly acidic taste with a citrus or fruity finish.

Light coffee roasts are not as popular as other coffee roasts. On one hand the resulting coffee is not as strong as medium and darker roast coffees while on the other hand some coffee drinkers say that light roasts capture more of the coffee beans true flavors.  This could be true because the beans composite makeup is more intact than one that has been roasted longer. Lighter roasts usually contain more caffeine than dark roasts because the caffeine has not burned off during a long roasting process.

Dark coffee roasts are popular roasts among many people. Dark roasted coffee beans spend more time in the roaster than other roasts and they are roasted at a higher temperature. Dark roasted coffee beans lose the majority of their true coffee bean flavor resulting in a much more consistent taste. Dark roasting can make an inferior bean taste like a higher-grade coffee bean. Dark roasted coffee is identifiable by its rich, full body and smoothness. Because it is roasted to the breaking point the acidity is less noticeable. The finish of dark roasted coffee is less noticeable than light roasted coffee.

Medium roasted coffee is the most popular coffee roast. This roasting process falls somewhere between dark roasted and light roasted coffee and is entirely dependent on the roaster. Creating a medium roasted coffee is an art form that creates some of the best coffees in the world. Roasters study coffee regions and learn the different flavors each bean has and then roast them to just the right color for the perfect coffee blend. Medium roast coffees have varying tastes that depend on which side of the spectrum the roaster leaned toward.

Which roast the consumer chooses is entirely a matter of taste. Some people like them all and don’t have a preference while others know exactly what they want when they walk in the coffee shop. The good news is that there is no right or wrong choice; there is a roast for everyone.

-Sharon Chapman

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While they may not be responsible for the actual drink, coffee shop owners around the world can thank the Italians for the popularity of the coffee house. The first coffee house opened in Venice in the 17th century and spread throughout Italy in a short amount of time.

Italian coffee is usually made from Arabica beans due to their full flavor. However in some of the southern areas of Italy a blend of Arabica and Robusta blends is used for making espressos stronger.

In Italy, just as in any other part of the world, great coffee starts with a great bean. However, the roasting process also has a huge impact on the flavor of the coffee. Italian coffees tend to have a rich brown color and the beans are not oily. This is in stark contrast to French roasted coffee which is very dark and oily.

The roaster must be a master at his art to get the coffee beans precisely the right darkness without burning them. Particularly in the case of blends because the Robusta beans need to roast longer than the Arabica beans. Once the roaster is satisfied that the beans are correctly roasted they are removed from the heat and allowed to air cool. Air cooling helps the beans to retain their flavor longer than water cooling.

Italian coffee that is brewed at home is typically made using a pot called a Moka or caffetiera. This steel pot goes directly on the stove and works much like a steamer does. In the Moka, as water heats the steam that is released is forced through the coffee grounds to make the coffee beverage. This is the most popular home coffee maker in Italy and makes a full-bodied cup of coffee that is quite tasty.

Italians take a lot of pride in their coffee and coffee drinks which is why there aren’t very many automated espresso and coffee makers around. They believe that making coffee the traditional way is the only way to get a true Italian cup of coffee.

Visitors to Italy need to be aware of coffee traditions and how coffee shops and bars operate. Tourists would not automatically know that patrons at the tables tend to pay much higher prices than patrons who are served at the bar.

Tourists, particularly American tourists might not realize that drinking coffee in Italy is not like drinking it in America. Americans tend to linger over their coffee taking their time and conversing. In Italy, when a caffe is ordered it is traditionally swallowed in one or two gulps.

Italian coffee is a delectable treat, especially if it is being enjoyed in a sidewalk cafe in Italy. This treat can be enjoyed without having to travel to Italy by simply purchasing Italian coffee blends.

-Sharon Chapman

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The French press is a very simple, easy to use coffee maker. Its only requirement is hot water and coarse coffee grounds. Because no electricity is needed to make the coffee, the French press ideal for campers and hikers who don’t want the added weight of a percolator.

The French press goes by many other names, including coffee press, press pot, and coffee plunger. In fact, in New Zealand and South Africa, the coffee is called plunger coffee reflecting that it was made using a coffee plunger.

A coffee plunger or French press is typically a one or two cup glass container that is narrow and cylindrical in shape. The lid has a plunger attached to it which has a mesh or fine wire filter on it. Some of the modern French presses are thermal insulated plastics with drinking spouts on the lid to make it a portable cup. Traditionally, the coffee plunger is made of glass and the coffee is poured into a drinking cup after it brews.

The brewing process is quite simple. The most important step in the process is getting the grind of the bean correct. If it is too fine it will simple pass through the filter on the plunger and muddy the coffee. A coarse grind is necessary to keep the coffee trapped beneath the plunger.

The coffee grounds and hot water are poured into the French press together and allowed to steep together for a few minutes. When the coffee is ready, according to the drinker’s preference for strength, the plunger is pushed down into the water and the coffee grounds are trapped beneath the plunger filter.

French press coffee is typically stronger and thicker than other types of coffee due to there being more solids in the water than there would be in a drip coffee maker that uses a paper filter. The mesh filter allows more of the coffee’s natural oils and flavors to seep through to create a richer beverage.

Because the coffee grounds are settled beneath the plunger the coffee should be poured into a coffee mug and enjoyed within about twenty minutes. Due to the higher concentration of natural oils in French press coffee, it will begin to break down and become bitter faster than other types of coffee brews.

French press coffee is ideal for individuals who like a strong, rich cup of coffee and don’t want to hassle with a full pot of coffee. It is also the perfect coffee maker for travelers who don’t have access to electricity or don’t want to pay the high cost of coffee while on vacation. College students love the ease with which they can get their jolt of caffeine and the French press is their late night friend. In the end, the French press is the perfect coffee companion for practically anyone.

-Sharon Chapman

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Organic coffee is coffee grown without the use of chemical pesticides or chemical fertilizers. It also includes coffee that does not have any chemicals involved in the processing of the coffee beans.

Coffee is one of the most chemically processed products on the market. There are chemical solvents used during the processing in addition to the pesticides and fertilizers that are used during the growing stage.

In order to be labeled as an organic coffee, the coffee plantation must not use any artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. They must instead rely upon natural remedies for pests and to enhance growth.

Coffee Berries on the Tree

In addition to this, in order to be certified and sold as organic coffee in the United States it must meet three making requirements:

1. The coffee beans must be grown in land that has not had artificial pesticides or herbicides used on it for at least three years. This gives the soil time to recover and guarantees the beans have no chemicals in them.

2. If there are other crops being grown nearby, the plantation must have a sufficient buffer space between the organic grown coffee and the traditional crop. This is to prevent cross contamination from water run-off or the air.

3. The plantation that is trying to become certified organic must also have a plan in place for sustainability, including crop rotation to aid in the prevention of erosion and the depletion of soil nutrients along with a plan for controlling pests organically.

Consumers can rest assured that the coffee is truly organic when the plantation goes through the process of becoming certified. The roasters should also be certified if they want to keep the organic certification listing. This means using water processes for decaffeinating coffee beans rather than chemical solvents. It also includes the use of only natural flavorings if the coffee is going to be flavored.

All of these practices help to keep the coffee that reaches the consumers cup free from chemicals that can harm their body. While on one hand it may increase the cost of the coffee, the overall cost savings to their health is worth the added cost to the coffee.

Organic coffee has become a large share of the coffee market. As this market share continues to grow other coffee plantations will have to adapt to the change and become certified to keep up with the changing tides.

-Sharon Chapman

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Coffee beans with flavor roasted in or added in after the roasting can be subtle with hints of vanilla or overtones of chocolate or they can be intense flavor-laden drinks that pop with the flavors of Irish Crème or Kahlua, to name a few. There appears to be no end to the flavors that coffee roasters and distributors are creating.

The first step in creating a flavored coffee should always be to start with a superior coffee bean. Flavoring an inferior coffee bean is going to produce nothing more than a poor coffee with added flavoring. Typically, the Arabica and the Robusta bean are used for creating gourmet-flavored coffee.

Cappuccino photo by Lea Csontos

The flavor for the coffee comes from flavoring oils made of natural and synthetic flavors created by professional chemists that specialize in flavor combinations. Natural flavoring oils can come from a variety of sources including nuts, berries, cocoa beans, vanilla beans, cinnamon, and other spices. There are also artificially created flavorings that chemists create based on the desired outcome wanted by the coffee company. Once the flavors are decided on and created they must be diluted before they are blended. This dilution is typically a solvent that will ease the blending of the oils with the beans to create flavored coffee.

The flavoring process occurs immediately after the cooling of the freshly roasted beans. The roasting process is important if the beans are to be flavored using oils. If the roast is too light the coffee will not have enough coffee flavor; on the other hand, if the coffee roast is too dark, it will overpower the flavoring. The goal is to get the roast precise so that the coffee and the flavors blend well together and complement each other.

The flavored oils are usually added before the beans are ground. The beans are placed in a tumbler or mixer and the flavored oils typically sprayed into the hopper or tumbler. The oils are sprayed very slowly to prevent areas of scorching. The beans are tumbled for varying amounts of time, anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. The roaster or coffee distributor will know the beans are ready when they have a glossy appearance.

Once the beans are properly flavored they are sent to either the packager for airtight packaging to insure freshness. These are then sent to gourmet coffee shops or retailers. The beans can also be sent directly to a grinder to be sold as ground flavored coffee.

Flavored coffee may not be everyone’s cup of Joe; however, there are many people who love their morning cup of Crème Brule while they enjoy their French toast. As long as there are people who enjoy flavored coffees there will be a flavor chemist somewhere dreaming up the next new flavor.

-Sharon Chapman

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There are many different coffee products that can be used as gifts, each one sure to please. There are coffee maker accessories, coffee makers, gourmet and flavored coffees and much more. The gifts listed here are just a few of the ideas for giving a coffee gift.

Coffee Club Membership: A coffee club membership is one way to guarantee that the gift is enjoyed over and over again. Coffee clubs deliver fresh, gourmet coffees directly to the recipient’s home on a monthly basis for as many or as few months as the giver chooses. Gourmet coffee clubs send a different selection of coffees each month along with the option to purchase those same coffees at reduced prices. If the recipient is particularly fond of certain coffees, the giver can often customize the gift to include only those types or to include only decaffeinated if necessary. Some clubs send whole beans while others send only freshly ground coffee.

Gourmet Coffee: If a coffee club membership is a bit more than necessary, a gourmet coffee selection packed in a pretty basket or box makes an excellent gift. Choose a coffee that the recipient would not normally purchase them self due to cost or a signature blend that they really enjoy. Sampler baskets can be created using sample packets of various gourmet coffees, add some biscotti or a sweet treat and the perfect coffee gift has been created.

Coffee Accessories: Visit the local kitchen store or gourmet coffee shop and browse the selection of coffee accessories that are available for gift giving. There are beautiful coffee carafes for keeping coffee warm, heating units to warm coffee at the office and a large assortment of coffee mugs and insulated cups. Milk frothers and steamers make a great gift for the cappuccino or latte lover while designer tampers make great gifts for the espresso maker. Permanent filter baskets that eliminate the need for paper filters are another great gift idea.  There are literally hundreds of gift ideas in the accessory section.

Coffee and Espresso Makers: If a nicer gift is needed, there are a hundreds of coffee makers that would make a great gift. Single cup brewers, espresso makers, French Presses and percolators are all different types of coffee makers that make wonderful gifts for that special person. When unsure what to get in terms of a coffee maker, a gift certificate to the shop is a great idea that lets the person choose their own.

Gift Cards: Coffee shop gift cards are another great gift idea for the coffee lover. These can be loaded with any amount and used for purchases in the coffee shop. Most coffee gift cards can be reloaded by the owner and used over and over again.

Coffee gifts are great to give and receive, especially with the variety of coffee products and accessories available on the market today. Give the gift that keeps giving every morning with a coffee gift.

-Sharon Chapman

Also, you can read more on coffee clubs at Gift of the Month Clubs.

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