The world’s finest coffee beans come from prime growing regions at high altitudes where Arabica coffee plants thrive in the cooler temperatures. The sensitive plants must be cared for properly and then the coffee cherry must be harvested at peak ripeness, then the processing and roasting must follow exacting standards, then shipped to you quickly.

Then you must store the coffee properly and brew it properly - then you are ready to enjoy the best coffee beans in the world in the perfect cup of coffee.

It all starts with the coffee beans, and the following are the very best coffee beans in the world, respected for their overall gourmet qualities including body, aroma, acidity, sweetness/bitterness, and aftertaste. Here are the world’s most respected coffee beans.

Old Brown Java Coffee is ranked among the world’s best coffee for its unique taste. It is an aged and monsooned coffee that is grown in East Java on the fine old colonial estates along with Old Government Coffee and Old Java Coffee. When the coffee beans are monsooned they are left out to be exposed to the warm and wet winds during the monsoon season. This gives the green coffee beans (beans that have been milled though not roasted) a distinct color and mutes their acidity while creating a deep quality to the flavor.

Tanzania Peaberry Coffee - Peaberry coffee beans come from coffee cherry that contain one whole bean rather than the much more common two half-beans, and the result is a more concentrated flavor. This fine gourmet coffee is cultivated on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro and also Mt. Meru in Tanzania, home to some of the best coffee in the world. Offering a medium body and a pleasant acidity with tones of fruit, expect a very rich coffee with notes of black currant and chocolate followed by a long-lasting and distinctly sweet aftertaste. To enhance the sweetness of the aroma try a medium roast Tanzania Peaberry, which also reveals suggestions of coconut and pineapple. In the tradition of the region the overall flavor quality also reveals wine notes and creates a velvety sensation on the palate.

Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee - This is a wonderfully sweet flavored coffee with fine tastes and aromas reflecting one of the world’s premier coffee growing regions around six thousand feet above sea level in Ethiopia. Known for its delicious fragrance and spice notes, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe has a light to medium body and is a wet processed coffee. The acidity is vibrant and bright, and floral notes infuse the aroma. Chocolate comes through in the finish along with nutty qualities that rank Yirgacheffee among the best coffee in the world. Try a medium roast to accentuate the brightness and delicacy of this gourmet coffee, or a medium-dark roast for a sweeter taste.

Sulawesi Toraja Coffee - Cultivated in the Sulawesi highlands this gourmet coffee has an expansive taste and a wonderful multi-dimensional quality with a good body and exceptional balance. Enjoy the fruit notes as well as tones of chocolate in the taste, and the bright acidity along with a rustic sweet quality making this one of the best coffees on Earth! Try a dark roast to appreciate this fine coffee’s deep and brooding quality that ranks it among the finest coffee in the world.

Hawaii Kona Coffee - This is a gourmet coffee grown in the United States, which is quite rare. The unique Kona Coffee Belt growing region is located on the fertile volcanic slopes on the island of Hawai’i at elevations from about two thousand to three thousand feet above sea level. Kona coffee beans provide a delicate and light cup of coffee, very well-balanced and with a distinct complexity in both its taste and aroma. The body of the coffee is medium and the acidity is quite bright. Wine tones and spice enhance the experience, as does the aromatic finish. Enjoy the best of Kona coffee at the annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival or anytime you are on the Big Island you can take a Kona Coffee Farm Tour. Other gourmet Hawaiian coffees are now being grown in Puna, Hamakua, Hilo and Kau.

Best Coffee In the World continued: Savor Your Coffee!

Ethiopian Harrar Coffee - This spicy gourmet coffee has a full body and is one of the finest of all African coffees. There are three main varieties of Ethiopian Harrar including the Longberry which is the biggest of the region’s coffee beans, the Shortberry which are slightly smaller coffee beans, and the Mocha Harrar which comes from the relatively rare peaberry coffee beans. Ethiopian Harrars are known for their fruit and floral qualities in the fine acidity, winey flavors, and a pungent and heady aroma. Enlivening this gourmet coffee are spice notes including compote, cinnamon and cardamom. Ethiopian Harrar’s also tend to have a long-lasting finish that lingers deliciously on the palate.

Costa Rica Coffees - Among the best coffee in the world are several Costa Rica coffees including the highly respected San Marcos de Tarrazu Coffee that is grown in the interior region of the country where the fertile mountain soils create a complex coffee with delightful aromatics that cause these gourmet beans to be ranked among the best coffee in the world. Also respected is the Costa Rica Monte Crisol with its delightful sweetness and crispness in the acidity along with blueberry tones and buttery qualities in the aftertaste. If you want to enjoy the fullness of the coffee’s fruity and vibrant qualities then try a Medium-Dark Roast. A very robust coffee from Costa Rica is Costa Rica Alajuela Coffee.

Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee - Cultivated in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica at elevations between three thousand and fifty-five hundred feet above sea level, this premium gourmet coffee is wet processed creating a wonderful sweet, refined quality that is creamy on the palate - many aficionados claim this is the single best coffee in all the world. The taste of Jamaica Blue Mountain is complex and the body is typically quite full. Along with the silky mouthfeel the coffee offers a delightfully vibrant acidity and the coffee almost totally lacks bitterness. Look for the floral tones in the bold aroma along with herbal notes. Of particular gourmet quality are the peaberry coffee beans of Jamaica’s Blue Mountain region, and these are often sought out for the finest espresso blends.

Brazil Cerrado Coffee – With a mild acidity and good body, this coffee soothes the palate. The balance is excellent and the taste reveals tones of caramel, particularly in the light-roast Brazil Cerrado, and notes of chocolate revealed in the darker roasts. Cerrado is cultivated more than 800 feet above sea level and considered by many to be among the world’s best coffees. Another premium gourmet Brazil Coffee is the famed Brazil Bourbon Santos Coffee.

Java Arabica Coffee - This is a distinctly heavy-bodied coffee with a medium level of acidity and herb notes in the lingering finish. Enjoy this gourmet coffee’s earthy taste with a clean and yet thick character. Java Arabica is wet processed and is cultivated on Java Island in Indonesia at about 1,400 meters above sea level. The aftertaste exhibits notes of smoke and spice with overall sweetness that makes this coffee respected by many as the best coffee in the world, or at least in the top ten. Smooth on the palate, the finest of the Java Arabica crops are cultivated on five old coffee states that were originally established by the Dutch government in the 1700s.

Sumatra Lintong Coffee - Respected for its delicious sweetness and earthy qualities as well as the complexity of its aroma, Sumatra Lintong typically has a medium body and mild acidity. It is cultivated in north central Sumatra in the Lake Toba area in the Lintong region. This may be one of the less heralded top gourmet coffees in the world, coming from one of the world’s best coffee growing regions for fine Arabica coffee.

Mocha Java Coffee - This traditional blend combines the respected Indonesian Java Arabica coffee with Arabian (Yemen) Mocha coffee. The smooth and bright qualities of the Java are a perfect complement to the intense Mocha coffee which may be quite wild in its nature. When combined the two coffees create the perfect balance which is why this is the world’s oldest and more esteemed blend widely considered to be the best coffee blend in the world. Read more about how these two coffees came together by chance in the hulls of the old sailing ships in the World’s Best History of Coffee.

Guatemala Antigua Coffee - With a full body and notes of spice this coffee resembles other gourmet coffees of Guatemala and offers the finest in mouthfeel with a velvety richness. If you want to accentuate this coffee’s smoky qualities then try a Dark Roast. Guatemala Antigua coffee is cultivated between four and five thousand feet above sea level and includes the Strictly Hard Bean grade coffee beans which are some of the finest Arabica varietal beans, mostly of the Catuai (Coffea arabica var. catuai), Caturra (Coffea arabica var. caturra) or Bourbon (Coffea arabica var. bourbon) varietals, all creating a distinctly fine Guatemala coffee that is ranked among the best coffees in the world and the pride of the Americas.

Kenya AA Coffee - Last but not least, Kenya AA is cultivated at more than six thousand feet above sea level. This highest grade of Kenya coffee (determined by coffee bean size and quality - see Kenya Coffee Grading) is known for its good body and richness of flavor along with a delightful acidity with notes of citrus and berry. Most lists of the world’s best coffees will put Kenya AA at least in the top five. Highlights include the floral tones that exude from the aroma and carry into the aftertaste.

These are more coffees that may be ranked among the world’s best. Some would say that India coffee including Monsooned Mysore Coffee belongs on the short list of the finest world gourmet coffees, while others would want to add some particular Papua New Guinea coffees such as  New Guinea Sigri Coffee. For more great coffees see The Best Coffee In the World.

Thank You for Visiting Kona Coffee Roasting and reading about the very Best Coffee In the World! Enjoy Your Premium Gourmet Coffee!

Also see: Best Coffees In the World

Sea Nymph Remains Dominant Starbucks Logo Image

Now dominating the logo completely is the traditional sea nymph image while the words “Starbucks coffee” around the logo have been eliminated.

One reason for the change is that Starbucks now sells many products besides coffee and is increasing its international appeal while broadening its consumer product offerings.

The Top Ten Coffees in the World

Iconic Starbucks Logo Changes Over Time

The iconic logo was first altered in 1987 when the bare-breasted Siren’s color was changed from brown to green and became slightly more modest and stylized. The images was again refined in the 1990s as the company was expanding rapidly.

Today the Starbucks siren will have to go solo, no words to keep her company. In an effort to enter a new level of brand recognition - think Apple and Nike - Starbucks wants the logo to speak for itself without any words.

This is the fourth time that Starbucks has altered its logo and it has finally pared it down to the mystical sea mermaid all on her own.

New Starbucks Logo Continues to Embrace Company Heritage in 2011

According to the company’s CEO Howard Schultz, the new logo “continues to embrace our heritage in ways that are true to our core values and that also ensure we remain relevant and poised for future growth.”

New Starbucks Logo 2011 continued:

And poised for future growth they are, with a variety of new products including their already very successful Via instant coffee product - which has generated $200 million - and intentions on a major move into the single serve premium coffee market.

Also see: Starbucks Locations Grow in 2011 - New Logo, Products

Also see: Five Best Coffees In The World - Best Coffee Beans

Starbucks Growing Rapidly Around the World in 2011

With about 17,000 stores around the world including 11,000 in the United States, Starbucks is also growing rapidly with 1,000 new stores coming in China, stores opening soon in India, and about 100 to 200 new stores opening annually in the United States.

The new Starbucks logo is said to liberate the Siren from the outer ring which makes her more of a true welcoming face greeting customers worldwide.

Starbucks FAQ - 2011 Starbuck Coffee Information

Starbucks Unveils New 2011 Products for Specialty Coffee Lovers

Along with the new logo Starbucks unveiled a new cocoa cappuccino, a new coffee blend called Tribute and some miniature baked goods known as Petites.

Starbucks continues to be known primarily for its fine whole bean, fresh-roasted premium coffee of the Arabica varietal, and for changing American culture and now exerting a worldwide influence creating legions of gourmet coffee lovers.

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Starbucks Logo Changes as Company Unveils New Products and Stores

Starbucks is on the road to opening 1,000 new coffee shops in China where it holds a 70% market share, and will also soon be opening coffee shops in India.

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Starbucks Coffee 2011-2012 - Starbuck Locations Expand, Starbux Revolution, New Starbucks Logo

Also in this group of emerging economies are Brazil and Latin America, helping to drive up demand for Arabica coffee leading to increasingly higher prices for green coffee beans (unroasted coffee beans) on the world market, as well as spiraling coffee futures prices as disappointing harvests have caused supply concerns.

Brazil’s demand for specialty coffee is growing so fast that the country will likely overtake the United States in coffee consumption in 2012 and will be keeping more than half of its own coffee by 2015.

Also see: World’s Best Coffee

Starbucks Logo Change - Starbuck Logo Meaning 2011-2012

Coffee Price Increase 2011-2012 - Coffee Prices - Coffee Shortage Due to Emerging Markets

Starbucks Logo Change 2011 - New Focus On Starbucks Nutrition continued:

Meanwhile Starbucks is growing, with plans to open about one hundred to two hundred stores in the United States each year as well as major international expansion.

In addition Starbucks will be offering more products on supermarket shelves - in addition to the successful Via instant coffee product - and will be developing a large consumer products division including an entry into the single serve coffee market.

New Focus On Starbucks Nutrition - Starbucks Logo Change 2011

Starbucks scaled back during the recession, closing 900 stores and changing some its major strategies and practices.

Today Starbucks is growing rapidly in many markets with no end in sight, and also just enjoyed the most successful quarter in its 40-year history.

Also see: Starbucks Stock - Starbucks Coffe - From Starbux, Starbuck to Starbucks History and Gossip

Caffeine in Coffee - Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms - Caffeine Side Effects

Starbucks Nutrition Facts - A Sampling of Starbucks Nutrition Information

Starbucks has stated that “Health and Wellness” will be a future focus, in various products from its teas to its foods. Here is a sample of some basic Starbucks nutrition information including espresso coffee drinks.

Starbucks drinks come in Tall (Small), Grande and Venti. A Tall Caffe Mocha has 402 calories and 29 grams of fat, 30 grams of carbohydrates and 10 grams of protein.

A Starbucks Blueberry Muffin has 360 calories with 10 grams of fat, 64 grams of carbohydrates and 6 grams of protein. A Grande Nonfat Vanilla Latte has 230 calories with no no fat, 42 grams of carbohydrates and 14 grams of protein.

A Starbucks Multigrain Bagel has 400 calories with 9 grams of fat and 65 grams of carbohydrates along with eighteen grams of protein.

Starbucks Calories and Starbucks Menu Items

If you want a Tall Skinny Latte then you will be ingesting 90 calories with no fat, 14 grams of carbs and 9 grams of protein. A Non-fat Tall Latte has 100 calories with 0 grams fat, 15 grams carbohydrates and 10 grams of protein.

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including Pod Coffee Makers and Coffee Pods, and Coffee K-Cups.

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Five Best Coffees In The World - Best Coffee Beans

Starbucks 2011

Best Coffee Quotes and Funny Quotes About Coffee

Barista Resume

After garnering $7.9 million last week the auction only earned $7.5 million this week, with prices dropping from $355 to $352 for a fifty kilogram bag of green coffee beans.

Also see: Buy Coffee Online - Best Coffee In the World

Best K-Cup Coffees

Kenya Coffee Volume and Price Decrease

For a fifty kilogram bag of Kenya’s finest grade, the esteemed Kenya AA Coffee, the price decreased from $537 to $472. The AB grade of Kenyan Coffee declined also, from $433 to $405.

Volume of Kenyan coffee sold also decreased to seventeen thousand fifty kilogram bags of coffee beans this week from the eighteen thousand bags of the previous week and this is projected to decline again next week to around ten thousand bags once the auction begins taking place fortnightly.

Also see: The Top Ten Coffees in the World

Coffee Prices Rising Due to Arabica Coffee Shortage in 2011

Coffee Prices Drop in Kenya While Other Commodity Prices Hit New Highs continued:

The high worldwide prices for coffee are bringing great benefits to Kenya and making up for lower coffee production. Meanwhile the global price of coffee reached a multi-year high with no large new supply sources projected to halt the price increases.

Surge in Prices for Soft Commodity Markets Including Coffee

Soft commodity markets surged this week due to higher oil prices as well as a United Nations warning about the potential of another food-price spike. The Dow Jones/UBS Commodities Index reaching the highest intraday level in about three years.

There was also a report issued by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization this week about the price index rising 2.2 percent in February of 2011 which set a new record in both nominal and real terms since the agency’s price record keeping began in 1990.

What happens in the soft commodity markets in the near future depends largely on harvests that will be occurring in the next few months. There is also continued concern about the the effect of large quantities of corn and sugar for use making biofuels, including about one-third of the U.S. corn crop.

Also see: Best Coffee 2011-2012 - Best Coffee Beans

Best Coffee - Interesting Coffees of Asia, Indonesia and the Pacific

Best Coffee - Interesting Coffees of Africa and Arabia

Political Unrest Exacerbates Coffee and Commodity Price Rise Situation

Meanwhile political unrest in the Middle East and Northern Africa - and in particular Libya - sent crude futures spiraling further upward, six percent for the week. On Friday oil futures reached their highest level since Sept. of 2008 when they hit $104.60.

Food supplies continue to be tight as prices rise not only to increased demand and disappointing harvests due to bad weather and other causes, but the tight supplies are also being exacerbated by speculative buying in anticipation of higher future prices, which in itself contributes to higher prices.

Numerous countries are also protecting their own food security with export bans and other measures that are also contributing to tight supplies and higher prices.

Also see: Starbucks Barista Job Description - Starbuck Barista Job Tips - Starbucks Mission Statement

Commodity Prices Continue To Reach New Highs

This week’s cotton commodity price on the Intercontinental Exchange hit $2.1270 per pound for a benchmark May contract, a record high that tops off a one hundred percent increase in the last 6 months largely due to poor harvests in Pakistan, China and India.

Price increases are being passed on to consumers and this is causing many consumers to consider other less expensive (e.g., man-made) materials for their clothing.

Coffee Price Increases - Commodity Price Increases - Market Update

Best Coffees of Asia - Emerging Markets Asian Coffees

Best Coffees of Africa - Emerging Markets African Coffees

Cotton Supply Not Meeting Demand - Similar to Other Commodities

Meanwhile massive new plantings of cotton are taking place to meet demand and worldwide coffee production is expected to climb to a record 127.5 million bales in the coming season while the current high level of demand is expected to somewhat dampened by the higher prices (this remains to be seen).

Industry analysts have noted that the cotton items on store shelves right now was produced using cotton that cost about half as much as today’s prices, since cotton typically takes about six months to work its way through the supply chain to the manufactured product for sale at the store.

Furthermore, most analysts cannot envision the retail items selling for twice the price in the current market, and thus there may be a fundamental shift in the marketplace.

Commodity Prices Hit New Highs - Coffee Prices Drop in Kenya

Coffee Prices Continue Climbing - Commodity Prices Going Up

Meanwhile Arabica coffee beans climbed today to their highest levels since 1977. This price rise - May delivery ending at $2.7280 per pound - was largely attributed to concern about disappointing coffee harvests this year and next year.

According to the International Coffee Organization this year’s coffee supply should increase 9.5% overall to 134.8 million sixty-kilogram bags of coffee. However a big increase in demand by Brazil and other emerging economies will keep supplies tight.

[Also see: Best Coffee In The World.]

Discover the Finest Premium Gourmet Coffees

Join Our Specialty Coffee Community

Also see:

Market Watch 2011 - Investing in Emerging Markets

Coffee Quotes - Funny Quotes

Adventures of a Civet Coffee Hunter

Best Coffee Makers

Comprehensive Coffee and Espresso Glossary - History of Coffee

Scholars of coffee will appreciate the Coffee and Espresso Glossary and the World’s Best History of Coffee.

Starbucks 2011

Funny Quotes

Emerging Markets Driving Commodity Prices Increase In 2011

Barista

Commodity Prices Rising 2011 - Commodity Definition, Emerging Markets Driving Demand

Barista Resume Example - Sample Resume For Baristas

Best Coffee Quotes and Funny Quotes About Coffee

Barista Resume

Also see: Five Best Coffees In the World

Surging Demand for Commodities in Emerging Markets

A huge increasing overall demand for commodities by the emerging economies of Asia and Latin America seem to be the primary driver of rising commodity prices. Most prominent among these developing nations are China, Brazil, Russia and India.

The demand being created by these emerging markets and their huge and rapidly-growing middle classes is creating a fundamental change in commodity markets.

For example these countries are now vying for the best best coffee beans with Europe and the United States and this has been a primary factor in driving up coffee prices, and in particular the specialty coffee (Arabica coffee bean varietal) beans.

Political Unrest and Inflation Fears Drive Up Commodity Prices

Food prices have been rising quite rapidly for months with a renewed price spike occurring due to political unrest in North Africa and the Middle East.

Inflationary fears have led many countries to begin to make a serious effort to increase their own food inventories for the purpose of national food security. Between June and November of 2010 rice, wheat and corn rose 26% in price and then continued increasing.

And in the last few weeks it wasn’t just feeder cattle, live cattle, lean hogs, corn, rice, wheat, oats, soybeans, hogs and coffee that have shown recent large price increases, it’s also cotton, lumber, platinum, natural gas, crude oil and heating oil, among others.

Inclement Weather Crimping Supplies and Driving Up Commodity Prices

A drought in the Black Sea area led to poor harvests in 2010. This was just one of numerous problems with recent harvests including floods and fires. In Latin America hot and dry weather harmed wheat, corn and soybean harvests.

Also see: The Top Ten Coffees in the World.]

Coffee Price Increase 2011, Coffee Shortage, Commodity Prices Rising

Increase in Commodity Prices Exacerbated by Government Export Bans

When Russian enacted a ban on wheat exports and India banned onion exports it exacerbated the commodity price increase issue. Government export bans are continuing to place upward pressure on commodities as countries deal with inflationary fears and try to ensure they can meet their own internal demand in the future.

Fluctuating Currencies Contribute To Commodity Price Increases

When currencies fluctuate it complicates the issue of rising commodity prices. While the price of a commodity may go up in one country it can go down in another at the same time if due to a currency fluctuation of a particular country.

Commodity prices may rise for a particular commodity, such as poor coffee harvests in Colombia and Brazil as has occurred recently, but typically if a whole range of commodities is going up in price at the same time it is a sign of growing worldwide demand for commodities overall.

Influx of Investor Funds Leads To Commodity Price Pressures

Due to the attractiveness of commodities in a potentially inflationary economic environment, a large amount of money has flowed into commodity markets in the last year including money from index funds.

This surge of investor money has had the effect of further driving up commodity prices with many investors betting on future price increases (e.g., buying Coffee Future in anticipation of a future price increase for coffee).

Coffee Shortage, Commodity Prices Rising - Coffee Price Increase 2011

Rising Oil Prices at Heart of Commodity Price Increase Woes

Perhaps the most pervasive effect on consumers comes from the sharp price spikes in oil. An increase in the price of oil affects virtually every other  commodity and consumer product due to the use of oil in transportation of goods.

Consumers also see the price rise at the gasoline pumps and thus have less disposable income to spend on other things, creating a drag on the economy and stifling growth.

The traded energy commodities include not only crude oil, natural gas and ethanol but also heating oil, propane, Gulf Coast gasoline and Brent crude.

Coffee Shortage  Causing Coffee Price Increases in 2011 - Commodity Prices Rising

More Commodity Price Rises Due To Various Factors

China’s recent large purchase of more soybeans has also placed pressure on food prices along with rising purchases by domestic livestock and ethanol producers. In recent weeks wheat and corn sales by United States exporters has seen an increase.

Approximately 1/3 of corn production in the U.S. was used to make ethanol which tends to be more profitable than using the corn for food. This has caused corn prices to surge at the same time other food products have been rising including soybeans and wheat. Ethanol production depends upon corn, crude oil and natural gas.

The fundamental structural changes now taking place in the commodities markets is primarily driven by the large and rapidly growing demand for commodities being created by developing nations (e.g., emerging economies) including China, India, Latin America and Russia.

For example, in these countries the consumption of Arabica coffee has increased way faster than the global average. The large middle classes of these countries now want their fine cup of coffee each day, and they are willing to compete with the United States and Europe for the best coffee beans.

Along with some supply issues, this has created a distinct shortage of Arabica coffee which is now favored worldwide not just for fresh-brewed coffee but also for espresso coffee drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.

On the Big Island’s southeast side in the Puna region they’re growing some great coffee. So great in fact that it has been rivaling the renowned Kona Coffee in coffee cuppings and coffee tasting contests.

Coffee has been spreading to numerous regions of Hawaii in recent years as new optimum growing areas are discovered, coffee plants are cultivated and crops are harvested.

Puna Coffee - Hawaii Coffee Growing Regions continued:

In Puna there are now more than one hundred and twenty-five acres being farmed in coffee, mostly with the coffee plant varietals Typica and Caturra along with some Moka coffee plants.

Total coffee production in Puna is about fifty thousand pounds of coffee cherry annually. After processing this results in about ten thousand pounds of roasted coffee. In comparison, the Kona region produces about 2.5 million pounds of green coffee beans (unroasted coffee beans) each year.

Also see: Best Coffee Beans In the World

Most of the Puna coffee farms are around 3 acres and are located in a region known as Hawaiian Acres which sits at elevations ranging from about one thousand to twenty-five hundred feet above sea level.

Also see: Best Coffee 2011-2012 - Best Coffee Beans

Puna Coffee Packs A Punch - Hawaii Big Island Coffee continued:

Taste Profile of Puna Coffee

Coffee grow in Puna on the Big Island is respected for its full body and heavy character with nutty overtones. A medium roast is recommended, giving it a resemblance to Yemen Mocha Coffee.

Puna coffee is a well-rounded coffee displaying a good body, aroma, acidity, bitterness, sweetness, and aftertaste.

For more information see: Kau Coffee; Hamakua Coffee; Hilo Coffee; Oahu Coffee; Maui Coffee; Molokai Coffee; Kauai Coffee; Hawaii Coffee History – Kona Coffee History.

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Best K-Cup Coffees

If you have never tried Civet Coffee you are in for a unique experience. From its fine aroma and smooth, clean flavor to the coffee’s exceptionally low acidity, Civet Coffee adds a new dimension to gourmet coffee.

Civet Coffee is notable for its natural lack of bitterness which means that the Civet beans only require just a light roasting (since roasting is done to remove bitterness).

Also see: Best Coffee 2011-2012 - Best Coffee Beans

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[Also see: Adventures of a Civet Coffee Hunter and Top Ten Reasons To Drink Animal-Processed Coffee!]

Light Roasting Lets Civet Coffee Shine in the Cup

The benefit of the light roasting is that the coffee’s fine flavors and aromas, including the origin flavors, are preserved and shine through in the cup allowing you to experience the taste of fine coffee like never before.

This is what makes Civet Coffee one of the World’s Most Expensive Coffees and also has it often listed among the The Top Ten Coffees in the World.

Kopi Luwak, Civet Coffee, Kape Alamid, Motit Coffee and Jacu Bird Coffee continued:

Quite sweet and full in the cup, the coffee is brewed from coffee beans that have been gathered up from the ground after passing through the Civet’s digestive tract where the coffee cherry (fruit) around the coffee bean is mostly digested. Then the coffee beans are evacuated and gathered up by the coffee farmers and typically washed and sun-dried.

Civet Coffee - Kopi Luwak - Kape Alamid

Civet Coffee is known as Kopi Luwak in Indonesia while it is known as Kape Alamid in the Philippines in the Tagalog regions, and known as Motit Coffee in the Cordillera.

In the Philippines Civet Coffee includes both Arabica (Coffea arabica var. arabica) as well as Liberica Coffee and Excelsa beans. Civet Coffee is sold by the cup in many coffeehouses in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Also see: Five Best Coffees In the World

Asian Palm Civet - A Misunderstood Coffee Producer of Kopi Luwak

The Civet is a rather misunderstood animal in the sense that many people consider it a type of cat, monkey or weasel, which it is not.

The Civet is a small mammal and there are numerous varieties, though the most common type utilized for the coffee-picking and digesting prowess is the Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus).

In addition to Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, countries that produce significant amounts of Civet Coffee include Sumatra, Java, Bali, Sulawesi, and East Timor. Served in coffee houses in Vietnam, that country has seen Civet Coffee rise to the point where a Simulated Civet Coffee industry has developed.

Sumatra the world’s largest regional Civet Coffee producer and utilized mostly Arabica varietal coffee plants.

Jacu Bird Coffee, Kape Alamid, Motit Coffee and Kopi Luwak - Civet Coffee continued:

Wild Civet Coffee and Farmed Civet Coffee

Civet Coffee may be wild Civet Coffee that is gathered up from unfenced areas where Civets roam among coffee plants, or it may be farm-produced Civet Coffee which may be produced in a variety of ways within caged areas.

The varieties of farmed Civet Coffee are numerous though a prime distinction of different farmed Civet Coffees is whether the animals are allowed to pick the coffee cherry directly from the tree.

Kopi Luwak coffee continued:

Discerning Civet Knows How To Choose the Finest Coffee Fruit for Delicious Kopi Luwak - Civet Coffee

Many believe that the fine quality of Civet Coffee derives in part from the fact that the Civet animals are instinctually aware of how to choose the very ripest and finest quality coffee beans from the coffee plants, and thus this careful selection results in a high quality coffee.

Farmed Civet Coffee may constrain Civets within large fenced areas with coffee plants in which case the Civets will still be able to select the quality beans from the plants.

Other farmed Civet Coffee, however, keeps the animals caged and then feeds them coffee beans that have previously been picked by the farmers. This method takes away the Civet’s ability to select quality beans from the coffee tree, a natural selection process that allows the animal to choose the finest beans.

Also see:

Buy Coffee Online - Best Coffee In the World

Starbucks Barista Job Description - Starbuck Barista Job Tips - Starbucks Mission Statement

Porous Coffee Beans Affected By Civet Enzymes

Coffee beans are porous, and researchers believe that enzymes in the Civet’s stomach penetrate the coffee beans and begin chemical processes that reduce the bitterness and create the fine qualities of Civet Coffee.

In particular, it is believed that certain proteins which give most coffee somewhat of a bitter taste are changed by the enzymes, and broken down into components with the result that the coffee is less bitter. Other highlights of the fine coffee beans may then shine through more fully since the coffee is just given a light roast.

The washing and sun-drying of the Civet Coffee beans helps to rid them of any contaminants such as E Coli, as does the roasting. While some have expressed concern about using coffee beans that were passed by an animal, the beans themselves are not known to have caused any sickness.

Kopi Luwak, Jacu Bird Coffee, Kape Alamid, Motit Coffee - Civet Coffee continued:

Jacu Bird Coffee Offers Another Pre-Digested Animal Coffee Product

Another interesting gourmet coffee is the famous Jacu Bird Coffee which is expelled by the Brazilian Jacu bird, an herbivorous bird that likes to eat ripe coffee cherry and deposit the coffee beans known for their slightly earthy taste. The quality is helped by the fact that the coffee plants are Arabica and grown organically, and many are shade-grown coffee trees.

Jacu bird coffee beans are notable for a distinct dry fragrance before brewing. The brewed coffee offers up a very full-bodied yet mild coffee with wet aromatics and a nutty sweetness along with notes of milk chocolate and molasses. The finish is long and lingering, often exhibiting hints of peanut and black pepper.

For more Kopi Luwak Civet Coffee information see:

Civet Coffee Body, Flavors, and Aromatic Qualities;

Civet Coffee From Tree to Cup

Civet Coffee FAQ

Indonesian Civet Coffee

Vietnam Civet Coffee

Philippine Civet Coffee (Bantai Civet Coffee and Arengga Civet Coffee).

Civet Coffee – What Happens to the Bean in the Civet’s Stomach

Beware of Fake Civet Coffee

World’s Best Coffee Quotes

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Barista Job Description

Discover the Finest Premium Gourmet Coffees

Also see: Five Best Coffees In The World - Best Coffee Beans

Do you love that espresso at the local coffee shop and would like to make it yourself at home. Do you want to learn how to make espresso better than anyone ever in the history of espresso! Read on!

Before we get started, check Out this Classic Irish Coffee Recipe!

Get a good espresso machine (espresso coffee maker). There are many great choices but don’t get a cheap one. See the link for you choices and all of the pros and cons of the different types of espresso machines. The machines provides pressurized extraction so you can get all the fine flavors and aromas from the compressed bed of roasted, ground coffee.

Two

Get some really good coffee beans meant for espresso which means they have been given a Dark Roast or Espresso Roast.

Three

Make sure the beans were shipped and stored properly in a cool, dry dark place though not in the freezer or refrigerator. Ideally they were just roasted.

Four - How To Make Espresso

The grinding of the coffee is very important and needs to be appropriate for you particular espresso machine. In general the grind will be very fine so it can produce a very robust shot of espresso with a thick consistency and intense tastes and aromas. A burr coffee grinder is best, and in particular a conical burr grinder. Follow the instructions in Grinding Coffee For Espresso to make sure you get it right. A good grind can make all the difference. By the way, never use coffee that was pre-ground as most of the fine nuances have already dissipated.

Five

Take the portafilter off of the espresso machine and run it under very hot water. Some machines will automatically pre-warm the portafilter. It is crucial that the brewing temperature of the espresso is not lowered by a cold portafilter which would disrupt the proper extraction.

Six - How To Make Espresso

Place the pre-warmed demitasse so that the espresso flows directly into the demitasse from the spout of the espresso machine. Fill up the portafilter of the espresso machine with roasted and ground coffee and apply a tamp, or compaction, with firm pressure and just a very slight twisting motion.

This will provide the ideal compaction while avoiding any weak spots where the water may blow through and cause under-extraction. Now clamp the portafilter into the espresso machine and hit the brew button of the espresso machine.

Seven

Observe closely as the espresso begins to brew and pour from the spout of the espresso machine. The espresso should be a deep brown color, somewhat like maple syrup, and now comes the most crucial part of espresso brewing, deciding how long to brew the shot.

Try brewing for twenty-two seconds to begin and then you can fine tune from there. The goal is to avoid a weak shot due to insufficient extraction while also avoiding excess bitterness by excess extraction.

A proper extraction will bring out the coffee’s fine aromatic oils and pleasant flavors. The espresso shot should have a fine intensity and a concentration of flavors that can be consumed “solo,” all at once, and with ceremony!

Eight - How To Make Espresso

Troubleshoot all of the various components that go into making the perfect espresso shot including checking the brewing temperature, the fineness of your grind. Also make sure your burr coffee grinder and your brewing equipment is very clean with no leftover residues that may taint the perfection of your espresso brewing process.

Make sure you are using freshly-roasted, freshly-ground coffee and make double sure that it is stored properly. Double check that you are getting the particular roasting of the coffee beans that you desire. Grind the coffee just before you brew it.

Watch the stream of espresso as it emerges out of the spout. If the espresso is streaming out too slow then perhaps you ground the coffee to fine, or perhaps you compacted it too much.

Barista Job Description - What Is A Barista

Changing one or both of these items can help to fine tune the shot so it streams out properly. If you allow it to flow very slowly the result will be an espresso shot that is over-extracted, and it will likely be very dark and perhaps bitter.

Nine

Double check the crema of the coffee to make sure it forms properly atop the espresso in a light brown layer that helps retain the intensity of the espresso shot.

You should start to see the crema flow from the machine after about one-third of the shot has been poured. The finest tastes and aromatic qualities of the shot are in the fine cells of the crema.

During the last third of the espresso shot pouring you should be able to see the shot separating into layers. Make sure the body of the espresso isn’t too dark as it might taint the shot with a burnt, over-extracted flavor. This might occur if you tamped the coffee too firmly or used too fine of a grind size.

The heart of the espresso at the bottom of the demitasse shouldn’t be so light that it is watery and blends with the body. It should separate cleanly. Weak shots can be fixed by using a finer grind size or tamping the coffee more firmly.

Ten

By experimenting with your particular espresso machine and you will be able to fine-tune and control all of the variables that go into pulling a perfect espresso shot. When learning how to make espresso be patient.

The flavor should be concentrated and intense with just the right amount of sweetness. The caramel-colored crema on top should be infused with the finest of the specialty coffee’s aromatic properties. See more tips on proper espresso grind size and follow the Technical Specifications for a proper espresso.

In the end it is the barista who decides on how to adjust and control the various factors in the given situation to produce the finest espresso. A true barista is a coffee artisan creating an excellent shot of espresso.

Now Enjoy Your Fine Espresso!

It’s best to drink your espresso within the first thirty seconds, and all at once. This is the Italian tradition of consuming it “solo” and enjoying the espresso at the very peak of its intensity and freshness. This is also the best way to appreciate the subtle nuances of the espresso.

Also see World’s Best Coffee Quotes

More Tips on How To Make Espresso

Barista Resume

Barista Job Description

Barista 2011

Great Espresso Drinks

How To Make Coffee

A Coffee Guide for the Ages!

Also see All About Coffee for information about coffee plants and coffee cherry and the world’s finest gourmet coffee beans.

Coffee and Espresso Brewing Equipment

Also included are full details about Coffee Makers (Automatic Drip Coffee Makers, Single Serve Coffee Makers, Coffee K-Cups, Pod Coffee Makers, Coffee Pods, T-Discs, and French Press, (also see Best Coffee Makers), and Espresso Machines (including Pod Espresso Machines) as well as Instant Coffee and Decaffeinated Coffee.

Premium Gourmet Coffee - The Process Farm to Table

Learn about coffee harvesting, processing, grading, roasting, grinding, packaging, storing, brewing as well as the coffee beverage itself. Also covered is Organic Coffee, Fair Trade Coffee, Bird Friendly Coffee and Shade-Grown Coffee.

Appreciating the Finer Points of Coffee

Discerning coffee lovers will be interested in coffee flavors and qualities including the coffee’s body, aroma, acidity, bitterness, sweetness, and finish or aftertaste). You can also learn about coffee cupping (professional coffee tasting), read great coffee quotes and then take the coffee quiz.

Brewing the Finest Espresso

Tips on espresso brewing can be read about beginning with Pulling A Perfect Espresso Shot and Steaming and Frothing Milk and then reading the Barista Guide to Perfect Lattes and Cappuccinos which includes information about Espresso Drink Recipes.

Also see:

Five Best Coffees In The World - Best Coffee Beans

Barista Job Description - How to Make Espresso

Coffee Quotes - Funny Quotes

The Coffee Party Movement

How To Clean A Coffee Maker

Latte Macchiato - Barista Tips for the Perfect Macchiato

The Three Strangest Types of Coffee - Enjoy a Unique Cup of Coffee

Crema - Essence of Espresso Shot Expressed in Crema

Calories in Coffee Drinks - Know Your Coffee Calories

The tighter supply of coffee in 2011 will mean that consumers will be more likely to see prices go higher, and traders in coffee futures will see markets surge even more, if there are any further disruptions in the supply chain.

Much bad news regarding coffee crops in major producing countries - Brazil, Columbia, Tanzania, Kenya - has already been absorbed by those who must set prices and decide on purchases in the world’s coffee markets.

For example, the 2011 harvest in Brazil is expected to be down about twenty-five percent from 2010. Recent coffee harvests have been lower than expected in Kenya, Brazil, Vietnam, Columbia, Panama, and Central America.

Drought and Recovery in Tanzania’s Coffee Market

The recent drought in Tanzania has hurt that country’s coffee plants and now Tanzania is involved in massive replanting efforts that are expected to increase its coffee harvest from 70,000 tons to 100,000 tons per year by 2015.

When Tanzania’s benchmark coffee prices climbed five and one-half percent at the January 2011 auction it attained a price of $261.72 for a fifty-kilogram bag of the premium AA Arabica grade, up from $248.02.

Meanwhile Tanzania’s coffee production decline 9%. Tanzania is highly respected among gourmet coffee lovers for its many fine coffees including Tanzania Kilimanjaro and  Tanzania Peaberry.

Kenya AA Coffee Prices Surge on Nairobi Exchange

Other problems on the supply side of coffee include the real estate pressures affecting central and western Kenya which have led to the uprooting of coffee plants and which have caused a surge in coffee prices in that country.

At the end of 2010 the well-respected Kenya AA coffee beans drew record prices on the Nairobi Coffee Exchange.

Green Coffee Bean Stockpiles Decreasing Rapidly

Green coffee beans stockpiles went from 3.1 million bags at the beginning of 2010 to 1.7 million at the end on the New York Stock Exchange (green Arabica). In coffee producing countries stockpiles dropped to about 12 million bags.

In early February Starbucks warned that increasing coffee prices were going to cut into its profits though it had purchased all the beans it needs for 2011 and had raised prices in late 2010.

The benchmark Arabica bean contract on the ICE futures exchange reached a 13-year high in January, 2011 putting it up more than 80% since June of 2010 with coffee futures rising more than 70% in 2010. From the fall to the summer the increase was about 40%.

The primary reason for this was the anticipation by traders of future price rises on Arabica coffee.

Money from funds has flowed into the the Intercontinental Exchange where coffee futures are bought and sold on the New York Coffee, Sugar and Cocoa Exchange which handles Arabica Futures and the London Futures Exchange handles Robusta Futures.

Arabica coffee futures scheduled for March delivery rose to $2.4225, the highest since 1997, amid increasing demand worldwide for Arabica coffee, which is generally considered to be of a higher quality than Robusta coffee.

To meet the rising demand for coffee worldwide it is estimated that an extra 30 million bags will be required over the next decade. In 2010 coffee consumption will likely exceed demand by about 5 million bags.

If the U.S. economy rebounds along with other world economies this number it may fuel even more demand for the more expensive Arabica coffee and the global specialty coffee market.

Starbucks Profits Rise 44% Though Concerns About Current Profits

While Starbucks was recently able to report profits rising forty-four percent along with a five percent increase in international same store sales. The company raised prices at the end of 2010 and has held off on more price increases despite the rapidly rising price of coffee beans.

The company is also dealing with significant price increases for other commodities including bread and milk. Add that to the coffee price increases of nearly 50% in the past half-year.

Finally add in some anticipated lower than expected coffee production in major coffee producing countries - Brazil, Columbia and Vietnam - and folks, we have what you call a coffee shortage.

Certainly the markets will deal with any significant coffee shortage over time, and while Brazil is in a “weak year” next year will be a “strong year.”

And the La Nina weather pattern plaguing Central America and South America coffee crops will hopefully dissipate, and the massive plantings going on in Tanzania will come to fruition (this may take five years).

And Columbia’s rejuvenation efforts in replacing many coffee plants will lead to higher production (again, this may take some years). Coffee production will most certainly make a valiant effort to catch up to demand.

The International Coffee Organization recently reported that coffee growing countries have experienced a rise in temperature of about one and one-half degrees on average, and that this is having a significant effect on Arabica coffee farmers.

Arabica coffee plants are much more sensitive than the lower quality Robusta plants which can be grown at lower elevations. It is the Arabica plants that produce the finest gourmet coffee beans.

Another announcement came from the Columbian National Federation of Coffee Growers noting the country’s second straight year of lower coffee harvests along with higher coffee prices.

Since Columbia one of the world’s main growers of hand-picked Arabica coffee along with Brazil (which is also seeing decreased harvests), it has caused some concern in world coffee markets and in particular, the specialty coffee market.

Columbia’s 2010 coffee production was about 8.9 million bags which was a marked decrease from the expected production of about 11.5 million pounds. This comes after a dismal 2009 in which only 7.8 million bags of coffee were harvested which was the lowest harvest in thirty-three years.

Another problem besetting Columbia’s coffee industry is a fungus that has become a problem due to the excess rains and high humidity. The coffee crops have been affected by this coffee leaf rust (also called roya) which attacks leaves of the Arabica coffee plants and causes lesions that affect overall yield and can severely damage the coffee plants.

Somewhat alarming is the fact that the coffee leaf rust has been creeping up into higher elevation areas where it was not previously a problem.

The La Nina weather pattern affecting the region has also proved to be a problem in Costa Rica and Guatemala and this weather is expected to continue at least for some time into 2011.

Coffee Demand Growing Around the World

Meanwhile demand will continue to grow, about two percent annually worldwide but much faster in some major new and emerging markets with huge and fast-growing middle classes. These are India, China, and Brazil. And these are the precise customers likely proving the point that coffee is rather inelastic when it comes to price increases.

They want specialty coffee, premium coffee, whole bean coffee - call it what you like, they want good coffee. And they also want good espresso, and specialty coffee drinks like lattes, cappuccinos and mochas.

And they don’t mind paying more for it. When Starbucks raised prices last year in the U.S. and China it didn’t seem to sway people’s habits one bit. Of course at some point there is likely to be an effect on demand if prices rise too high though no one has yet found that point.

Starbucks Opts To Retain Market Share and Build Customer Base

Starbucks seems to be trying to hold off at this point in trying to find out, instead trying to retain market share by holding prices steady and letting the customer base grow.

The shortage of Arabica coffee bean varietals is driving the price increases causing the shortage which extends its reach into Robusta markets. The specialty specialty coffee market is comprised primarily of Arabica beans though Robusta is blended in to some espresso blends. Companies such as Starbucks and Peet’s use Arabica coffee beans.

Also see: Coffee Prices Going Up

Sweeping Coffee Price Increases Across the Board

Peet’s Coffee & Tea increased coffee prices in September of 2010 due to the 35% increase in green coffee bean prices since the start of 2010.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters rose North America coffee prices as much as fifteen percent in October of 2010 including Coffee K-Cups which are brewed in Keurig single serve brewing systems.

These Coffee K-Cups are sold under various brand names including Newman’s Own Organics, Tully’s Coffee, Caribou Coffee, Timothy’s Coffee and Green Mountain.

Kraft ( the parent company of Maxwell House and Yuban) raised their coffee prices in December of 2010 including a 12% increase Maxwell House and Yuban coffees (which are roast and ground).

J.M. Smucker, the parent company of Folgers (the top-selling packaged coffee in the U.S.) and Dunkin’ Donuts, rose prices in January, 2010 about 10% because of higher costs for coffee beans. In May of 2010 and August of 2010 Smucker also raised prices, four percent and nine percent respectively.

China and India are Strong Emerging Coffee Markets

In China, where Starbucks controls about seventy percent of the market share, demand has grown at about forty percent in two years. China tripled its sales from 2004 to 2009.

Recently Starbucks announced a deal with India’s Tata Company to enter India’s coffee market which is increasing its demand by about five percent annually.

Brazil will soon surpass the U.S. in coffee consumed and by 2015 will keeping half of its own crop. Indonesia recently saw a nearly twelve percent decrease in coffee exports.

India will be keeping more of its own coffee to meet internal demand. The country is well respected for its India Monsooned Malabar Coffee and India Mysore Coffee) among many other fine coffees.

The rapid increase in the number of gourmet coffee lovers will likely continue to fuel demand and put pressure on worldwide coffee supplies including the specialty coffee products of Bird Friendly Coffee, Organic Coffee (e.g., Fair Trade Coffee), and Shade-Grown Coffee.

Professional coffee tasters, coffee reviewers and the specialty coffee market in general are a bit worried that a sustained shortage of Arabica coffee beans along with huge price increases will produce an incentive for more blending with Robusta and a general decrease in the quality of products being offered as specialty coffee.

What is the perfect cup of coffee, the perfect espresso? It’s all in the brewing! What taste do you prefer? Some fresh-roasted Ethiopian Yirgacheffe brewed using a French Press?

Or two hearty shots of espresso extracted just perfectly due to optimal tamping and pressure and with a thin, golden brown crema on top retaining all of the shot’s intensity! This double shot is consumed “solo” with ceremony!

Perhaps you like to open one eye as you awake so sleepy in the morning already smelling the fine aromas of coffee wafting through the air due to your trusted Automatic Drip Coffee Maker.

Maybe you prefer efficiency and fire-up your Single Serve Coffee Makers for that perfect cup. Or you like your Pod Coffee Maker to brew up the fresh-sealed Coffee Pods.

Also see: Best Coffee 2011-2012 - Best Coffee Beans

Best K-Cup Coffees

The Top Ten Coffees in the World

What’s that you say? You are a Coffee K-Cup lover. Fabulous! Isn’t it wonderful how they come in so many varieties and flavors including including gourmet coffees from many different countries and also organic coffee and Fair Trade coffee.

Maybe you are hooked on the newer coffee T-Discs which make it so easy to enjoy the fruits of the fruit of the coffee plant, the revered bean that is nurtured in far-away soils, carefully processed and dried, and shipped across the world to you for you specialty coffee enjoyment.

[Also see: Espresso Guide]

Coffee Makers, Espresso Machine, Coffee Machines 2011

Many old school gourmet coffee lovers, and certainly now new school as well, love the French Press for brewing up a fine cup of coffee.

French Press is actually the name of a coffee brewing method as well as the name of the piece of coffee equipment (a coffee brewing device) which allows coffee grinds to steep directly in hot water before the spent grounds are separated from the brewing coffee by pushing down on a mesh plunger to the bottom of the coffee pot.

Properly brewing premium coffee allows you to savor all of the coffee’s best qualities including the body, aroma, acidity, aftertaste, bitterness, sweetness).

Coffee connoisseurs want to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee and so they need to choose their favorite type of coffee maker from the traditional French Press and automatic coffee machine to newer methods that show promise in providing a great cup of coffee.

[Also see: Best Coffee In The World.]

Pods For Espresso and Coffee

A pod is pre-packaged coffee or espresso, and they are made for pod coffee brewers as well as pod espresso machines. Espresso pods are pre-tamped and individually packaged, as are coffee pods, which preserves the freshness of the roasted and ground coffee. These two specialized types of coffee machines produce high quality brewed espresso and coffee.

[Also see Coffee Guide]

Pods are placed directly into the machine and usually the coffee is within a perforated filter so there is no mess. The pod just needs to be removed from the brewing machine and then discarded. Another distinct advantage of pods is that there is a consistency from cup to cup.

Coffee K-Cups - Premium Gourmet Coffee from Around the World

Coffee K-Cups provide individual servings of coffee as well as various other products including soups, hot chocolate, tea and more. A K-Cup comes in a small plastic container with a tin foil lid. The K-Cup brewing machine punctures the lid and the bottom and forces hot water through so that the coffee flows out the bottom into your waiting mug.

There are hundreds of K-Cup choices including most of the world’s top specialty coffees such as Guatemala, Sumatra, Brazil, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Kenya and Mexico. Also available are flavored coffee K-Cups as well as and coffee blends in K-Cups.

[Also see: Best Coffee In The World.]

Coffee T-Discs Provide a Precise Brewing Method

The innovative new T-Disc is a coffee pod individually packaged and including a specialized barcode readable by a T-Disc coffee maker to determine precise brewing instructions, with brewing typically taking 30 to 60 seconds to brew.

For each type of coffee there is a specific amount of water used, brewing time, temperature, and for specialty coffee drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos which require milk, the amount of milk to be dispensed.

Your Complete Guide to Gourmet Coffee

For excellent coffee knowledge see All About Coffee for information about coffee plants and coffee cherry and the best specialty coffee beans.

Espresso Machines and Coffee Makers

Also included are full details about Coffee Makers (Automatic Drip Coffee Makers, Single Serve Coffee Makers, Pod Coffee Makers, Coffee Pods, Coffee K-Cups, T-Discs, and French Press, (also see Best Coffee Makers), as well as Espresso Machines (including Pod Espresso Machines) as well as Instant Coffee and Decaffeinated Coffee.

Specialty Coffee From the Farmers to Your Table

Learn about coffee harvesting, processing, grading, roasting, grinding, packaging, storing, brewing as well as the coffee beverage itself. Also covered is Organic Coffee, Fair Trade Coffee, Bird Friendly Coffee and Shade-Grown Coffee.

Also see: Best Coffee Beans In the World