Archive for June, 2012

Coffee Rating:
4.0 out of 5 coffee cups

Mexican Chiapas Whole Bean Coffee
Medium Roast, Organic & Fair Trade, Shade Grown
Price: $11.99

Coastal Roasters was generous in sending us nine half-pound free whole bean coffees to sample from their line of organic, fair trade coffees. Coastal Roasters is a very popular coffee company on the east coast with many dedicated coffee fans, and there is a good reason why: Coastal Roasters coffee is delicious! Coastal Roasters works with growers, importers and other roasters to source the finest kind of beans available. Coastal Roasters roasts their coffee beans to order and local coffee delivery is free. Coastal Roasters concentrates on coffees from growers that are organic, fair trade, shade grown, bird friendly, mountain water processed, and are associated with the Rainforest Alliance.

Coastal Roasters coffees include the Sakonnet Signature series (proprietary blends, including their best sellers); coffees from the Americas (Mexico, Central America, and South America); coffees from Africa and Arabia; and coffees from Indonesia. The Coastal Roasters coffee packages we received have a resealable top which is very handy, and the coffee artwork on the packages is wonderful. The whole bean coffees we received to review are impressive, we think you will find this coffee impressive as well.

Coastal Roasters ships anywhere. Whole bean coffee is available or you can choose coffee ground to specification. Due to the re-construction of Coastal Roasters website, all orders can simply be placed by contacting them by phone. Contact them via email and they will be happy to email a complete and current menu. You can email Coastal Roasters at coastalroasters (at) gmail.com, or phone them at (401) 624-2343.

When opening the package of whole beans the Mexican Chiapas coffee beans have a nutty, spicy aroma and the smell is inviting. The Mexican Chiapas whole bean coffee was brewed with a French Press and it was tasted with and without half and half.

The Mexican Chiapas when brewed is a medium roast coffee that is smooth with a deep, rich flavor and slight acidity when the coffee cools. Mexican Chiapas tastes nutty with hints of chocolate as you drink the coffee. If you like a darker coffee but don’t like the bitterness French Roast often has at times, Mexican Chiapas is a great choice for a strong flavored coffee with minimal bitterness. This is a coffee you want to savor, it is full-flavored and perfect for anytime of the day, or as your get-up-and-go morning cup on the weekends. Mexican Chiapas is a great coffee you’ll enjoy for your everyday coffee drinking routine.

Coffee Rating:
4.0 out of 5 coffee cups

Costa Rica La Minita Estate Whole Bean Coffee
Premium Estate Coffee, Medium Roast, Shade Grown
Price: $14.99

Coastal Roasters was generous in sending us nine half-pound free whole bean coffees to sample from their line of organic, fair trade coffees. Coastal Roasters is a very popular coffee company on the east coast with many dedicated coffee fans, and there is a good reason why: Coastal Roasters coffee is delicious! Coastal Roasters works with growers, importers and other roasters to source the finest kind of beans available. Coastal Roasters roasts their coffee beans to order and local coffee delivery is free. Coastal Roasters concentrates on coffees from growers that are organic, fair trade, shade grown, bird friendly, mountain water processed, and are associated with the Rainforest Alliance.

Coastal Roasters coffees include the Sakonnet Signature series (proprietary blends, including their best sellers); coffees from the Americas (Mexico, Central America, and South America); coffees from Africa and Arabia; and coffees from Indonesia. The Coastal Roasters coffee packages we received have a resealable top which is very handy, and the coffee artwork on the packages is wonderful. The whole bean coffees we received to review are impressive, we think you will find this coffee impressive as well.

Coastal Roasters ships anywhere. Whole bean coffee is available or you can choose coffee ground to specification. Due to the re-construction of Coastal Roasters website, all orders can simply be placed by contacting them by phone. Contact them via email and they will be happy to email a complete and current menu. You can email Coastal Roasters at coastalroasters (at) gmail.com, or phone them at (401) 624-2343.

When opening the package of whole beans the coffee beans have a nutty, herby aroma and the smell is inviting. Costa Rica La Minita Estate is one of Coastal Roasters premium estate coffees. Costa Rica La Minita Estate whole bean coffee was brewed with a French Press and it was tasted with and without half and half.

Costa Rica La Minita Estate when brewed is a medium roast coffee with very good flavor. The coffee is noted as being milder in acidity than other Tarrazu region coffees, tasting the coffee it is definitely smooth with herbal tones, not too strong, and has no trace of bitterness. Costa Rica La Minita Estate has a mellow, herbal flavor that is perfect for coffee lovers who need more than light roast but find a dark roast is too acidic for them. Costa Rica La Minita Estate’s smooth taste makes it a great cup of coffee suited for your daily java or to savor over the weekend. Like all of Coastal Roaster coffees Costa Rica La Minita Estate is an excellent brew and a cup you’ll enjoy every time you drink it.

Do you dream of Italian espresso? Want to immerse yourself in Italian coffee? This coffee infographic from Charmingitaly.com lays out a map of every Italian coffee imaginable. Just click on the 50 types of Italian coffee link below the infographic to get a close up look at Italian coffees.
 50 types of Italian coffee: espresso, cappuccino and many more

50 types of Italian coffee: espresso, cappuccino and many more by Charming Italy

Coffee Rating:
3.5 out of 5 coffee cups

Fort Barton Whole Bean Coffee
Light Roast, Shade Grown
Price: $11.99

Coastal Roasters was generous in sending us nine half-pound free whole bean coffees to sample from their line of organic, fair trade coffees. Coastal Roasters is a very popular coffee company on the east coast with many dedicated coffee fans, and there is a good reason why: Coastal Roasters coffee is delicious! Coastal Roasters works with growers, importers and other roasters to source the finest kind of beans available. Coastal Roasters roasts their coffee beans to order and local coffee delivery is free. Coastal Roasters concentrates on coffees from growers that are organic, fair trade, shade grown, bird friendly, mountain water processed, and are associated with the Rainforest Alliance.

Coastal Roasters coffees include the Sakonnet Signature series (proprietary blends, including their best sellers); coffees from the Americas (Mexico, Central America, and South America); coffees from Africa and Arabia; and coffees from Indonesia. The Coastal Roasters coffee packages we received have a resealable top which is very handy, and the coffee artwork on the packages is wonderful. The whole bean coffees we received to review are impressive, we think you will find this coffee impressive as well.

Coastal Roasters ships anywhere. Whole bean coffee is available or you can choose coffee ground to specification. Due to the re-construction of Coastal Roasters website, all orders can simply be placed by contacting them by phone. Contact them via email and they will be happy to email a complete and current menu. You can email Coastal Roasters at coastalroasters (at) gmail.com, or phone them at (401) 624-2343.

When opening the package of whole beans the coffee bean aroma is nutty and inviting. Fort Barton is a South American breakfast blend, light roast coffee drinkers will like this coffee. Fort Barton whole bean coffee was brewed with a French Press and it was tasted with and without half and half.

Fort Barton is Coastal Roasters original breakfast blend and one of their best sellers. Fort Barton coffee when brewed has a nutty aroma. Fort Barton is a good cup of coffee, a light roast with a deep nutty, herby flavors that lingers when sipping the coffee. For coffee drinkers who prefer a lighter roast Fort Barton is flavorful, a bright, lively light roast with a little edge to it (in a good way). This light roast coffee will wake you up in the morning and help you face the day. Fort Barton is a great choice for coffee drinkers who prefer a light roast coffee for their daily cup of coffee or anytime of the day or night.

Coffee Rating:
4.5 out of 5 coffee cups

Fogland Fogcutter Whole Bean Coffee
Signature Coastal Roaster Coffee, Shade Grown
Price: $11.99

Coastal Roasters was generous in sending us nine half-pound free whole bean coffees to sample from their line of organic, fair trade coffees. Coastal Roasters is a very popular coffee company on the east coast with many dedicated coffee fans, and there is a good reason why: Coastal Roasters coffee is delicious! Coastal Roasters works with growers, importers and other roasters to source the finest kind of beans available. Coastal Roasters roasts their coffee beans to order and local coffee delivery is free. Coastal Roasters concentrates on coffees from growers that are organic, fair trade, shade grown, bird friendly, mountain water processed, and are associated with the Rainforest Alliance.

Coastal Roasters coffees include the Sakonnet Signature series (proprietary blends, including their best sellers); coffees from the Americas (Mexico, Central America, and South America); coffees from Africa and Arabia; and coffees from Indonesia. The Coastal Roasters coffee packages we received have a resealable top which is very handy, and the coffee artwork on the packages is wonderful. The whole bean coffees we received to review are impressive, we think you will find this coffee impressive as well.

Coastal Roasters ships anywhere. Whole bean coffee is available or you can choose coffee ground to specification. Due to the re-construction of Coastal Roasters website, all orders can simply be placed by contacting them by phone. Contact them via email and they will be happy to email a complete and current menu. You can email Coastal Roasters at coastalroasters (at) gmail.com, or phone them at (401) 624-2343.

When opening the package of whole beans the three bean blend coffee bean aroma is strong and inviting. Fogland Fogcutter is Coastal Roasters signature coffee and their best seller, and is made up of a three bean blend of light, medium, and dark roast beans. This special coffee blend takes up to an hour to roast, longer than other Coastal Roasters coffees. Fogland Fogcutter whole bean coffee was brewed with a French Press and it was tasted with and without half and half.

Fogland Fogcutter coffee when brewed has a strong, full-bodied flavor with a rich mouth-feel as you drink it. Fogland Fogcutter is a great coffee blend, an excellent cup of coffee with deep flavors of chocolate and sweet fruit. Fogland Fogcutter offers a smooth cup of coffee with no bitterness, it is the kind of cup of coffee you look forward to drinking each day. Fogland Fogcutter is ideal for your daily cup of java, or for that special relaxing cup of coffee during the weekend. Fogland Fogcutter is one of my favorites of the Coastal Roasters coffee line, try it and you’ll understand why it is their best selling coffee.

three single-use paper coffee cups

How can we rationalise the cost of Nespresso, Tassimo, Cafissimo and most other single serve espresso and filter formats?

The reality is we can't…but we are!

The beautiful dichotomy which is the human psyche allows us to not necessarily hold two divergent opinions at one time…but certainly to rapidly change our minds according to our environment.

Ask Mum how 20 years ago she would have calculated the cost of coffee and it would have been a simple task, along the lines of a jar of her favourite instant was £1 and a packet of the special roast and ground for high days and holidays was £1-50….

Now go on to any high street and ask the average under 30 year old dude and ladette about the price of coffee and suddenly its priced in 'magic and very profitable' cups… £1-50 a cup McDonald's £2 a cup Costa, or even £2-50 a cup Nero.

It's a marketers dream…!!There has been a gigantic shift in the market place in just the last 10 – 15 years. Let's not forget that in the mid 1990's coffee consumption amongst the 15 – 24 year age group was in a seemingly terminal decline—what to do…? Much wailing and gnashing of teeth!

The truth is that the big brands unable to grasp the purple cow stampeding all around themselves did nothing and carried on blithely marketing ATL, BTL and anywhere else TL… it was the gourmet coffee bar chains which changed the game plan.

Meantime, the corporate machines, intent on driving more revenue and delivering loyalty whatever the method, focussed on lock and key domestic coffee systems…Nespresso and Senseo were the first serious entrants into this arena…

Today the two approaches have collided and suddenly we have the corporate lock and key systems benefitting from the 'nirvanic' price inflation and value assessment which the gourmet espresso chains have cleverly foisted upon the market place.

How else can you explain a population now willing to pay upwards of £60 for a kilo of coffee?

And the result of this? Well, would you believe that in 2011, 7% of ALL coffees consumed in the USA were made using a single serve system? Almost doubling from 2010's showing at 4%.

Single serve coffee accounts for 25% of the US coffee market value.

And quite unbelievably 26 Billion Nespresso capsules have been sold since it was introduced in 1986.

In the 13 week run up to Christmas 2011 Keurig sold 4m of its K Cup closed system brewers and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters sold more than $715 million in K-Cup packs…!

It's mind boggling, it's ludicrous…it is the marketing beast at work in its own uncontrollable and beautiful way and we, dear coffee drinker and consumer, are of course being subjected to just the smallest tad, the slightest chink of being ripped off…And do we mind…well the simple truths are do we know and do we care?

About the author: This article was written by Guru (Andy Grelak) who writes for aromocoffee.co.uk, the UK’s leading online retailer of 44mm E.S.E espresso coffee pods, Senseo Coffee pods and Dualit Nespresso capsules.

Image courtesy Openclipart.org