Best Blends In The World
July 26, 2009
Taste of coffee varies from country to country. Similarly there are different types of coffees prepared in different regions. People’s choices of taste, flavour and aroma are also different. Connoisseurs of coffee who crave for South American blend will adjudge Brazilian or Cuban coffee as the best in the world. But British or European coffee drinkers will prefer their favourite mix like Espresso or Cappuccino. As such it is difficult to identify the best coffee in the world. It is possible to reach a consensus on the issue of determining the superiority of a particular brand or blend of coffee, from sales records of the products. Market surveys are best sources to obtain the consumption patterns of people and to ascertain their choices. The analysis of sales records and reports about the consumption patterns of the coffee enthusiasts will help to identify the best coffee in the world.
There are mainly two varieties of beans that are basically used to prepare the beverage. They are Arabica and Robusta. The first one is considered more superior in quality than the later one. However both are widely used for blending different varieties of coffee. Historically Turkey is well known for developing a unique coffee which was highly appreciated by people all over the world. Turkish coffee is brewed from Arabica beans and spiced with cardamom. The frothy Cappuccino with cream and chocolate as toppings is the favourite choice of people in the continental countries, UK and United States. Espresso which is of Italian origin is a strong black coffee and is a favourite beverage of International repute. It is made by passing steam under pressure through specially roasted coffee beans.
Coffee is grown and processed in many countries. Brazil is the largest grower of coffee. Brazilian coffee blends are well known for their unique tastes. Another South American country, Columbia is also a coffee producing country. Their blends are sweet and flavoured. Strongest blends of coffee are made by Cubans unlike the western counterparts. Malaysians and Indonesians have their speciality blends which will taste bitter. Differences or diversities in the tastes and flavours of coffee processed in different countries in the world are due to various reasons. Climate, soil conditions, fertilizers as well as the methods of roasting and brewing make the differences. Each of the country mentioned above developed brews which are distinctively different in taste, flavour and aroma.
In the contemporary market scenario, many multinational and transnational companies have ventured into coffee business. Several innovative blends are being introduced in the markets all over the world. These industrial giants procure best quality coffee beans from various countries to produce their unique brands of coffee products. Nestle is one example to point out. Similarly leaders in Food and beverage business have patented products which are patronized by coffee enthusiasts all over the world. Starbucks and McDonalds are among such enterprises. According to available records, McDonalds is the largest selling coffee if the total turnovers of the companies are taken into account. But Starbucks is identified as the most popular brand and the most expensive coffee sold in the markets today.
Benefits Of Green Tea
July 25, 2009
Green tea originated in China about 4000 years ago. Later the practice of drinking green tea became prevalent in Japan, Thailand and India. People considered green tea as a health beverage which has many therapeutic qualities. The drink is prepared from the leaves of a plant called Camellia Sinesis which was widely grown and cultivated in several provinces of China from the early periods.
Probably the original inhabitants of the land discovered that the tea extracted from the plant has some health benefits. This message might have slowly spread to the neighbouring regions. Drinking of green tea became a custom and tradition in those countries. In the subsequent periods of history, green tea got introduced in other continents also. In the recent past the use of green tea became prevalent in UK and Europe.
There are many varieties of the plant and they differ in characteristics depending on the region where they are grown. The soil conditions, climate and the methods of processing are contributing factors that decide the tastes and contents of the green tea. In China there are more than ten varieties of green tea, grown in seven different provinces. Similarly there are more than twelve well known varieties in Japan.
Sri Lanka, Thailand and India have also different varieties of green tea. Traditionally it is brewed by boiling the leaves in water. The ratio of tea and water will differ according to the type and strength of raw tea leaves. Temperature required to extract decoction varies between 140deg.F to 190deg.F. It takes a few minutes to brew perfectly but some verities require only thirty seconds for extraction.
Processed green tea products are available in ready to use forms. As in the case of coffee, green tea also contains caffeine. Decaffeinated green tea is also available. Green tea contains Catchechine Polyphenols which is the reason for its medicinal values. It is an antioxidant. Besides offering protection against certain types of cancer, experts claim that the green tea will prevent blood clot formation and also help to lower LDL Cholesterol levels. It is considered as an antidote against heart diseases. Some researchers have claimed that regular consumption of green tea will help to control body weight or obesity. Apart from the above benefits green tea helps to develop healthy skin and teeth.
The antioxidant properties of green tea have yielded multifarious health benefits. More than its curing capabilities it has preventive qualities. Many home remedies based on green tea are being widely used to prevent acne, mouth ulcer etc. It is claimed that green tea can enhance the metabolic rate in the human body. According to the promoters of Green tea products, it is a natural antidote against ailments caused by exposure to environmental pollution of air, gases and smoke. Many of the beauty enhancing products like lotions and creams based on green tea are also available.
There are many patented products of green tea sold all over the world. They are available in the form of liquid concentrates as well as in the tablets forms. It is considered as an effective tonic for strength and stamina.
What Is Healthy Coffee?
July 24, 2009
Coffee is the most popular beverage in the world today. According to reliable estimates 1.4 billion cups of coffee are consumed everyday. There is a school of thought that coffee drinking is injurious to health. A substance called caffeine which is present in coffee will cause health hazards, according to the experts who belong to the above group. But contrary views are expressed by other experts. They claim that coffee is not at all harmful if consumed moderately and caffeine is an energy booster.
They also contend that adverse impact of caffeine on health is negligible. Many elements contained in coffee are capable of countering the ill effects of caffeine. Some of the contents in coffee are in effect anti-inflammatory and anti oxidant. The pro-coffee lobby maintains that laboratory tests have indicated or supported the view that coffee can reduce risks of cancer due to its medicinal properties. Undeterred by such discussions and debates the number of coffee drinkers is soaring all over the world, if concerned statistics are indications to that.
There are some developments which encourage public consumption of coffee. Eco-friendly methods of farming are becoming popular throughout the world as a consequence of the threats to the universe by environmental pollution. Coffee growers, taking cue from the writings on the walls, have turned to organic farming. More and more coffee plantations are reverting to the practices adopted by ancestors. The use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and synthetic hormones are being gradually replaced by natural alternatives like compost manure, eco-based antipest compounds etc.
Not only the methods of farming but also the techniques adopted in the processing of beans are now undergoing changes in tune with the environmental concerns prevailing in the contemporary world. The products obtained from such environment friendly farming and processing are found more delicious and having improved flavour and aroma. Scientific tests proved that the organic coffee is more nutritious and free from toxic effects. Organic coffee, it is opined by experts, is safe even for children. The beverage, if used moderately will help to improve health conditions and offer protection against many ailments.
Another development is the introduction of herbal coffee. The new formulation is based on some herbal substance like mushroom found in the Orient, especially in China and Japan. Even though it is claimed that such products were used in the Far East for more than 2000 years, there are no authentic proof or historical evidence to support the contentions.
However Ganoderma Lucidum, the organic substance mixed with coffee is becoming popular in many countries. It is called Reishi mushroom or Chinese Ling Zhi. According to promoters of this Red Mushroom based coffee, it contains more than 200 active elements capable of enhancing health and fitness. It is stated that the herbal coffee contains Polysaccharides, Organic Germanium, Adenosine, Triterpenoid Ganoderic essence and many other nutritive contents. The product, if consumed daily will help to promote concentration, strong immune system, healthy skin and to induce deep sleep.
People have consumed coffee and its derivatives for many centuries. Many positive factors are attributed to them. Despite warning signals or apprehensions about adverse effects of coffee, no major health hazard has been identified as the consequence of coffee consumption. Billions of people in this world consider coffee as a health drink.
The Secret Behind A Perfect Brew
July 19, 2009
Some people believe that the secret behind a perfect coffee is the machine that does the job. A few others have a different view that the quality of the coffee depend on the skill of the person who makes it. The fact remains that both the above factors are equally important in bringing out a perfect beverage. Traditional methods of coffee brewing are still in vogue in many part of the world. Many of the coffee enthusiasts prefer those traditional styles of coffee making and enjoy the beverage produced with a human touch and care. Coffee was considered as an energy boosting drink by mankind ever since it was discovered in the 6th century. The techniques adopted to bring out the best out of the beans are many. Such techniques were evolved on the basis of experiences and experimentation.
No doubt, machines have made coffee brewing easier, faster and hygienic. But human handiwork is an absolute necessity to produce the best product. Selection of coffee beans is the first and foremost factor which needs human skill. It makes a lot of difference in the taste and flavour of coffee. Methods adopted in brewing are also important. The quality of water and milk are to be monitored. Cleanliness of the percolator or coffee machine play important role in enhancing the quality of the product. A combination of many such factors is vital to obtain a perfect brew.
Once the coffee beans are selected with a touch of expertise, the rest depend on the features of the machine as well as its condition. Maintenance of the machine is very decisive in this matter. Unclean machine with coffee residues and other impurities accumulated inside will cause negative impacts on the taste and flavour of the beverage. Some of the modern machines are featured with indicator lights to alert the user in this context. Regular cleaning to flush out residues is a must. To maintain the quality of water, certain machines are equipped with filters. Charcoal filters are ideal because charcoal has the property to absorb foul odours while filtering the water. Again, charcoal acts as a softener by eliminating the salts and minerals contained in the hard water. It is to be pointed out that the salts and minerals in the hard water will leave scales and crusts in the interiors of the machine.
The ratio of water and coffee is another important factor. The user has to adhere to the correct proportion, as suggested by the experts. It is advisable to maintain the strength of the brew at optimum level and then dilute it with milk if necessary. Care should be taken to change the coffee grounds after every brew cycle. Repeated use of saturated coffee grounds remaining in the machine will adversely affect the quality of the product. The techniques are very important in this context. Remember that coffee brewing is an art which require skills. It is better to avail advice and guidance from those who are experienced in the job. Boiled water should slowly percolate and drip through fresh coffee grounds to the pot below. In the case of Espresso, a combination of steam and boiling water pass through black roasted coffee to deliver the rich, frothy beverage.
Quality of the coffee depends on the ingredients, temperature of the water, cleanliness of the coffee maker and above all the proportion of coffee grounds and water as mentioned above.
Leaders Of Coffee Market
July 18, 2009
Despite the global economic slowdown, coffee market is able to remain buoyant, thanks to the strategies adopted by the industry leaders. In UK the branded coffee products recorded 15 percent growth in 2008. Indications are strong enough to conclude that 2009 will be a better year than the past. According to Allegra Strategies, the London based management consultancy service who conducted a survey to monitor the market trends, the number of branded coffee outlets in UK will reach 4000 which represents a five percent growth annually. However, the survey concludes with a rider that there is significant decrease in the consumer spending in this segment. But overall growth of coffee market is satisfactory when compared with trends in other sectors of economy. Allegra strategies is also hosting UK coffee leaders summit in the current year to help the Industry leaders to review the ground realities as well as to chalk out strategies for the future. The Industry summit will give an opportunity for leaders to meet and discuss all the aspects of coffee trade.
The leaders of coffee market have made remarkable contributions to maintain the momentum of growth in terms of quality and quantity. Trends in the global market have influence the developments of coffee industry and trade in UK. The competitive environment prevailing in global markets gave way to new acquisitions and expansions by the leaders. Innovative products are being promoted in the endeavours to retain the hold on the retail markets. Starbucks UK & Ireland has to its credit the ready brew ‘Starbuck VIA’ which has been adjudged as the most innovative coffee product.
Starbucks is a wholly owned subsidiary of US based Starbucks Corporation. It is the largest retailer of roaster coffee specialities in the market. The UK ancillary has a chain of coffee shops and they also franchises roasted coffee beans and Frappucinos. They have outlets in most of the supermarkets in UK. The company entered UK markets in 1998 and still reign supreme in coffee segment. Connection Catalyst Ltd is another coffee market leader with substantial presence in the retail market. Coinbra is promoting soluble coffee in collaboration with Louise Dreyfus which is a French group.
Nestle the global leader is retaining its hold in the UK coffee market. Nestle and Unilever group are engaged in ‘no holds barred’ tussle to retain supremacy in the field. According to some reports, Nestle has altered the flavour of their coffee to achieve the enhanced targets in their coffee sales. Kenco, the branded product from Kraft Food UK & Ireland is a product with substantial patronage in the global markets. Maxwell House also has their soluble coffee products in the UK markets. Another leader Carte Noire coffee has claimed market share of 94 billion cups of coffee annually.
There are many other well known names in the UK coffee markets. They are committed and dedicated in the cause of development of coffee trade. The leaders of coffee market abide by the ethical principles laid down and followed by the trading community world wide.
