Coffee Indulgence

Bridal Teas

Karen — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:34:15 +0000

The date is set and your wedding plans are in full swing. With so many things to do, the really clever bride will suggest something simple and elegant for her Bridal Shower. Nothing is more unusual and inspiringly beautiful than a Bridal Shower Afternoon Tea. A change from the usual Bridal Shower Luncheon to the unusual Bridal Shower Afternoon Tea immediately sets the tone for a simple, but elegant event.Locating the perfect spot for your afternoon tea is the priority. A special tea room which accommodates private events is first and foremost. Call the Tea Room in the area of your choice, or ask friends or colleagues to recommend a Tea Room they have visited in the past. Talk with the owner, and be sure this is the coordinator for your special day. Next, plan a quick visit to meet with the owner to outline the details of the specifics for your Tea, including the menu, seating, and any extras including handicapped access, parking, and additional charges your plan may not include. Ask for ideas from their previously held teas. Their experience will set the tone for your special day! When looking over the Tea Room ask yourself these questions:

1) Is the room beautifully decorated before the event begins? Are there florals, ribbons, and bows? This will keep your expense to an absolute minimum if the Tea Room has a natural decor conducive to a Bridal Tea.

2) Are the Events Coordinator and Staff polite and courteous? Do they seem accommodating to some of your specific needs? With so many guests with specific dietary needs, your Tea Room Hostess must have flexibility to whatever degree they can accommodate you. If the answer is yes, to both of these questions, the rest of your planning will be a breeze!

3) Ask if the Tea Room can do more than the Tea, can they provide Hostess Gifts for the guests? If a Bridal Shower cake is being planned, can their pastry chef provide the cake? Can you meet with the Pastry Chef to go over the details? Let the Tea Room do as much as they can to make your planning easier and more affordable. Remember, if their Pastry Chef is preparing the pastries, chances are she can also provide a beautiful centerpiece cake for your future Bride.

Invitations to your Bridal Shower Tea should most always have the Tea theme, and definitely be in writing. (Email invitations are usually reserved for reminders about the date, but should not be used for the Afternoon Tea invitation, no matter how tight the budget is!) The recipient has had the stage set for her, and knows how detailed your planning is, by the invitation you send. Be sure that the Tea Room provides specific map directions to their location for you to include in the invitation envelope. If you are asking ladies to wear a hat, include that suggestion as well. Making your Bridal Shower Tea unforgettable is what makes the memories last a lifetime.

The photographs of the Bridal Shower Tea and your guests will be just as important. Remember gifts to a Bridal Shower Tea are sometimes so beautifully wrapped that they are actually a work of art. Be sure the Tea Room provides a Gift Table for you, and don’t forget to photograph the gift table before the Bride begins to open her gifts. With just a small amount of planning, and a Tea Room of spectacular proportions, your Bride will feel as though she has stepped into the land of enchantment for just a day. You will have planned a most extraordinary Bridal Shower Tea, without exhausting yourself or your budget. You, as the hostess, can step in and begin to enjoy an afternoon of elegance.

Black Coffee

Karen — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:58:56 +0000

Coffee lovers all over the world would fully agree with this one statement. Even though there are so many very popular beverages such as beer, wine, tea, none would be able to come even close to its reputation.Is Black Coffee Really So Good?

The question asked here is wrong; it should have read ‘what is not excellent about it?’. What indeed? Everything relative to this beverage is sinfully sensual - its rich taste, its flavor, its smell - everything. Besides, every time you have a cup of coffee you would immediately feel on the top of the world. Most coffee lovers with agree with me on this too. That is why a lot of people like to start their day with a cup of coffee and another one to boost up their energy in the afternoon.

If you are a coffee lover you would wholly agree with me when I say that coffee is one of the best stimulants and mood elevators than other type of stimulants ever known to humankind that does not fall under the category of harmful or illegal drugs. Yes, there is caffeine in it, who doesn’t know that?- but then you have caffeine in tea and other drinks as well but you would never be as satisfied substituting a steaming cup of coffee with that of any type of tea or drinks. To those who are not coffee lovers may say that coffee is addictive, it can be but no one will be drinking more than a few cups a day.

You might not know this, but there are more than forty types of coffee producing plants out there out of which only two are highly used for the brew you are so used to- one is the Arabica and the other one is the Coffee Robusta with the former recognized as the better among the two.

The Right Way of Brewing

Coffee is a very simple drink but it is not that simple to make a perfect cup. Connoisseurs of coffee would be very appropriate with the way their coffee tastes and to get that perfect taste, smell and feel embodiment you need to know a few basic things about brewing the coffee.

First of all pay a lot of your attention to the water - it should taste good (when you drink it plain) and it should be cold when you put it in the pot or coffee maker. This will give the coffee a fresh and rich taste. Do not use soft water when you are making coffee as you will end up with a flat tasting brew.

Have your coffee maker free of any dirt and residue as this would heavily disagree with the taste of the coffee- not in a good way. Make sure you check the filters every day, as well as the mugs, and all the other parts of the machine because if anything has stale remains of coffee or dust, it would spoil the taste of your coffee. Now you can brew your own perfect cup of black Coffee.

Popular Herbal Teas

Karen — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:15:32 +0000

Herbal teas or infusions have become increasingly popular in recent years. They are not thought of cures more as an aid to relieving symptoms and the effects of everyday illnesses. Their high vitamin and mineral content makes them a popular alternative to pills and as their current popularity demonstrates they make very refreshing and tasty alternatives to ordinary tea.There is a large variety that can be made at home or bought in health food shops and even supermarkets. Often sold as teabags these teas have to pass stringent safety and quality tests.

Below are some of the more popular varieties and their uses:

* Camomile tea - A popular tea that has been used for many years to ease indigestion, reduce anxiety and calm nerves, also said to help with insomnia.

* Elderflower tea - A comforting tea which is particularly helpful when suffering from colds, catarrh and flu. It is anti inflammatory and induces perspiration.

* Lavender Flower tea - A relaxing tea often drunk as a bedtime drink to aid sleep.

* Lemon Balm - Will ease tension without causing drowsiness, aids digestion and soothes feverish conditions brought on by heavy colds and flu.

* Lime flower tea - Eases stress and headaches, reduces nervous tension, induces calm and helps with sleep. Can have a mild tranquillising affect. Very popular in France.

* Nettle leaf tea - Popular as a tonic, it has a high mineral and vitamin content, particularly iron. Can relieve allergic reactions especially hay fever.

* Peppermint tea - Often drunk after heavy meals as an aid to digestion and reduce flatulence. It reduces nausea and is particularly successful, when combined with elderflower, in relieving the symptoms of colds and flu.

* Raspberry leaf tea - is mildly astringent which makes it popular as a mouthwash or gargle in treating throat infections. It is not recommended that it is used during early pregnancy.

* Rosemary tea - Often drunk at the start of day or when energy levels are starting to fall because of its highly effective power as a pick-me-up. Also effective in easing headaches and indigestion.

* Rosehip tea - Made from crushed rose hips it is very rich in Vitamin C which makes it popular in warding off colds and flu symptoms. It has a mild flavour that many users enhance by adding lemon juice.

The Evolution The Coffee

Karen — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:12:23 +0000

Coffee was so simple back in the day. You either wanted leaded (with caffeine) or unleaded (without caffeine). Today when you walk into a caffee shop, choosing a coffee beverage can be confusing. Knowing a bit of history on coffee and the options that are out there can help you get the coffee that is right for you. Some of your choices may be: an Espresso, a Latte, Mocha, an Iced coffee, or a Cappuccino. Almost all gas stations and convenience stores offer cappuccinos and gourmet coffees with a variety of flavored creamers as well.The coffee beverage was first introduced to the world in 1000A.D. but the first coffee shop didn’t open until the year 1475 in Turkey. It wasn’t until the year1601 that coffee finally made it to North America. In the year 1668 the coffee beverage become New York’s favorite breakfast beverage in place of beer and is now know around the world as a breakfast drink that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Many Different Options

There are many options available regarding the best way to make a good cup of Joe. You can buy coffee beans and grind them yourself or you can but them packaged already ground for you. The coffee beverage is also available in single packs much like tea bags, so one can enjoy just a single cup of the freshly brewed eye opener, instead of brewing an entire pot. And for those who don’t want to wait for the coffee beverage to brew, there are instant granules. This takes the guesswork out of making coffee and you can go as strong or as weak as you want to go. There are also powdered versions of cappuccinos as well.

There can be a few factors to consider when choosing the best coffee. Depending on your mood, the time of day and where you are will help you get your coffee fix. If your in a hurry and don’t have time to stop in a gourmet coffee shop then you might want to go to a drive thru. There you will get the tried and true coffee beverage. There are some coffees that are great for relaxing after a meal when you are kicking back with family and friends and there are some coffees that go best with desert. No matter what coffee beverage you choose, you are sure to get a delicious treat for your taste buds.

Tea For Healthy Skin

Karen — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:38:09 +0000

Want smooth, supple, wrinkle-free beautiful skin?Scientific skin care, lotions and potions… yes they’re all great, but have you ever heard the phrase “beauty comes from within”? Eating super foods will help promote healthy skin and you’ll look younger and feel better.

Incorporating green tea into your diet will help erase lines, keep your complexion glowing and give you beautiful skin.

Green Tea to diminish brown spots. Drink at least one to two cups per day. Not only is this healthy brew great for your diet and boosting your metabolism, it contains “catechins,” an effective compound for preventing premature aging and effects of sun damage. Green Tea is rich in antioxidants that fight off free radical damage and may reverse the effects of aging.

In summary, beautiful skin starts on the inside. First and foremost, drink water, drink water, drink water, green tea, or even black tea, in place of coffee. Then, try these super food secrets for healthy skin. They are sure to help you look and feel your best!

Green Tea Benefits

Karen — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:02:31 +0000

Many health products use extracts of green tea in their formulation; it has excellent antioxidant properties, widely used by drug and health product manufacturers. Using green tea weight loss products to burn off extra calories is claimed to be the most natural method and you won’t find a better source; one which can be purchased in liquid form, taken as tablets and even drunk as normal tea.In addition to weight loss functions, it can also help slow the signs of aging by helping to speed up the regenerative functions of the cells. However, weight loss treatments using it rely on the laxative and toxin purging qualities of the plant that speed up the metabolism. The way to stop fat from forming is by burning calories faster than they can be put on as excess weight, and this is where the product excels.

This said, green tea weight loss supplements still need the help of the person using them because if you are eating large amounts of junk food every day without any physical activity then you will still put on weight. Many people seem to think that its use will solve all their weight problems but the fact you are taking the product implies you are trying to improve your health by eating more healthily.

If you use green tea as a drink then the best time to take this is just before you retire for the night. It is possible that during the first two or three days, you may experience some bowel discomfort, but that is very likely to pass soon. This is not something to be concerned about as it only normally affects someone who has never taken green tea weight loss products before and then because the tea is improving the body’s metabolism. It doesn’t take long to see the results and if you follow your diet correctly; i.e. increasing your liquid intake, regular exercise and eating fruit and vegetables then expect to see good results within your first week.

Often, green tea is combined with other products to work more effectively and one such product is ginseng. Considered to be the root of life in China and Tibet, ginseng root brings the vitamin and mineral supplement the body needs during a detoxification period.

Getting back to a normal weight can be stressful but the addition of ginseng to the green tea helps provide extra energy and fortification by assisting the body’s own immune system. Green tea and ginseng have not been found to have any harmful side-effects even during periods of up to six months at a time.

Coffee in the Office

Karen — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:58:08 +0000

With the choice and variety of office drinks machine available today, choosing the most suitable one for your office can be difficult. I have already posted several articles discussing the pros and cons of different types of machines and in this article we discuss another ‘ the traditional office vending machine.Many years ago the basic office vending machine consisted of a table top unit containing several canisters of loose dried drinks ingredients, push buttons to select the drink and a simple coin mechanism to enable money to be collected.

A typical arrangement for the machine of ingredient canisters or hoppers would comprise of freeze dried coffee, powdered milk, drinking chocolate, sugar and one other ingredient usually soup. Tea was not really an option as the taste of instant tea was not of sufficient quality and despite improvement this still remains the case today.

A plastic cup was taken from a column, money inserted in the mechanism and the cup put underneath the various selections and a button pressed to select the ingredient required. A white coffee for example would require a 6 stage process to produce a drink that still had to be stirred. Coin inserted, cup taken, coffee pressed, milk pressed, sugar pressed and lastly hot water added by pressing the final button.

This format still forms the basis of many smaller budget office drinks machines today. The technology has improved, the taste and choice of the drinks is vastly superior but the concept remains the same.

Larger automatic machines still use different ingredient hoppers, but have incorporated the whole process into a single one button operation that dispenses the chosen beverage into the cup at a fixed position so there is no need for manual operation.

Generally these types of machines offer instant drinks only, so that tea drinkers are often forced to choice an alternative. This sort of machine is easy to restock as it is a simple matter of refilling the various canisters inside the machine with the appropriate product. However spillages do occur and it is important that a daily cleaning and hygiene process is undertaken.

Modern and more expensive office vending machines can offer fresh brew coffee and leaf tea options and serve fabulous tasting drinks. However the complicated brew process means that cleaning and maintenance is more involved and your service engineer will need to call more often. Machine, drink and service costs are all higher for fresh brew machines, so this needs to be taken into account.

It is always best to discuss your requirements with a reputable supplier who will advise the best solution to your office drinks needs and suggest the most appropriate style of machine to suit your particular office layout, taste and budget.

Chinese Prosperity Cake

Karen — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:00:34 +0000

Prosperity Cake, or Fa Gao in Chinese, is a classic Chinese New Year food. All the symbolic food that Chinese people eat during the Chinese New Year has an auspicious meaning. Check out the meaning of this one, and its recipe.

Prosperity Cake, or Fa Gao in Chinese, is a classic Chinese New Year food. All the symbolic food that Chinese people eat during the Chinese New Year has an auspicious meaning. This includes good health, good fortune, and good luck. Prosperity Cake, as the name hints, means that you will make good money in this upcoming year after eating it on New Year’s Day. In Chinese, Fa means becoming rich, and Gao simply means cake. Since Fa could also mean “rising” of batter in baking, make sure your Prosperity Cake rises and splits at the top when you make it with the recipe below! The more it rises, the more prosperous you will be!

Ingredients:

Dry white rice - 4 oz (or 1/2 cup)

Luke warm water (90F) - 5 liquid oz (or 0.6 cup)

Brown sugar - 2 Tbsp

Low protein flour (cake flour) - 3 oz (or 6.5 Tbsp)

Baking powder - 1 tsp

Directions:

1. Rinse rice to clean. Pour some water over rice and let soak in room temperature for 3 hours.

2. Drain off the water. Put the soaked rice with lukewarm water and brown sugar in a blender. Puree to smooth.

3. Combine flour and baking powder with the rice milk in step 2 and stir well.

4. Pour and distribute the batter into 6 baking cups. Steam over high heat until the batter rises and splits open at the top (about 30 minutes).

Enjoy this delicious, auspicious, and healthy Prosperity Cake and have a prosperous Year of the Rat!

Coffee Tips

Karen — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:14:35 +0000

Coffee Storage
Never store your coffee in the refrigerator. Coffee will absorb flavors and aromas from other food products in your refrigerator. Freezing coffee can also have a damaging effect, and we do not recommend this practice unless you will not use-up your supply of coffee for a prolonged period of time [two weeks or more]. Coffee should be stored in a clean, dry, airtight container, in a cool, dark place.

Dosage Tip
When making brewed coffee, allow 2 to 2 1/2 level tablespoons for each 6 ounces of water [3 tablespoons for 8 ounces]. For espresso, allow 7 to 8 grams for a single shot, and 14 to 16 grams for a double shot.

Buying Tip
When purchasing coffee, always ask when it was roasted. Many common misconceptions exist when it comes to judging the freshness and optimum time to experience a roasted coffee at its peak of perfection. Generally coffee is best if used a day or two after roasting, and if kept in an air tight container, flavor should not diminish significantly until after seven to ten days. Old coffee beans may appear very oily, will have little or no aroma, or will take on a somewhat unpleasant aroma.

Roasting Coffee In A Popcorn Popper

Karen — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 04:54:06 +0000

Yes, just as the title says - Roasing coffee in a popcorn popper.

I found this facinating article at CoffeeGeek.com that outlines how to roast coffee in a popcorn popper. Although this is a ’should not do at home’ type concept - risk of fire and all that - it is a concept that is sound and I can see how the popper would make for some great tasting coffee.

Check out the article.