Thứ Hai, 13 tháng 8, 2012

Where to Find Affordable Popcorn Makers


Popcorn is a wholesome snack. That is when you do not put too much salt or fatten it up with greasy butter. This is why, it is a incredibly good notion to invest on your own popcorn popper. When you adore this snack and you see oneself buying it continuously, then you'd be much better off making your own at home. This would guarantee that you would use the healthier oil and you do not load it up with too much flavoring. Fortunately, popcorn makers are fairly inexpensive specifically if you know the proper places to look. Here are some tips on where to look for inexpensive popcorn machines.

Discount Stores

One of the first places where you’d look for affordable popcorn makers would be in discount stores. As the name suggests, these are stores that sell products at much lower rates. They either sell brand-less items or phased out models. When looking for discount stores in your vicinity, check for quality and reputation. Ask about what shops have credible reputation and are popular for selling high quality merchandise. You need to save funds but you don’t want to wind up with a poor quality popcorn machine. You need to strike the balance between quality and price.

Garage Sales

Yet another excellent spot to search is at garage sales. You will find often plenty of garage sales held within your neighborhood or nearby residential places. That’s because folks keep on moving to new houses. You will often discover popcorn machines getting sold by household owners because these are too bulky to pack. You are able to have a chance to look upon a brand new and good quality popcorn machine in a garage sale if you are savvy enough. Make sure you examine the device cautiously as you do not would like to bring home something that does not function anymore. Do not forget to haggle with the cost at the same time. Some household owners would just like to get rid of their items without having too much concern concerning the cost.

On the net Retailers

A lot of people would need to agree that this is the greatest option among the 3. On-line, you will get affordable rates along with the perks of convenience and quick shopping time. That’s mainly because you'll be able to browse through hundreds or even thousands of possibilities with just a number of minutes or hours in front of the pc. The reason on-line retailers lower their cost is as a result of the stiff competition plus the truth that they have lesser overhead expenses to pay for. Bare in mind though that you can find some dangers in on the net shopping that you will have to be cautious about. For one, look for a reputable online shop that sells only the highest quality products. Then inquire about its security method. Purchase only from a store that's equipped with a secure transaction program so you do not bother about putting your credit card information in jeopardy. Spend ample time shopping around. Do not buy from the very first store which you see as you will discover plenty of possibilities on the net. Compare rates thoroughly and study the terms and conditions before having a purchase.
Timothy Wooledge is pasiionate writing about Foods. For more information in popcorn makers and

popcorn popper, please visit him online.

Source : articlecity[dot]com

Chủ Nhật, 12 tháng 8, 2012

The Complexity of Coffee: Aroma Profiling Isn’t Just for Wine

Proper Aroma/Flavor profiling is all too often neglected in Coffee. Coffee Aromas/Flavors are essential to understanding and appreciating coffee. As in wine, coffee gets its aromas or flavors from the soil and the climatic environment in which the coffee plant grows. The coffee variety (genetic) and the method in which the green coffee was processed also contribute to the aromas/flavors. Like wine, coffee has many variables which can affect its quality. Coffee crops can be harmed by insects, freeze and poor storage conditions during harvest, which may lead to moldy and sour flavors. It can also be contaminated during its processing such as in the depulping and washing of the coffee cherries, and lastly, during the final storage conditions where once again several defects can develop on the beans. These problems are not exactly the same but similar to those which occur during wine production. Coffee has different varieties, as does wine, which get their characteristics from the soil (terroir).  The core aromatic profile of the end product (in the cup) is defined by these characteristics and by the roasters. The coffee blender creates the finishing touch by assembling different roasts. This is very similar to what consulting winemakers do during the wine blending process. We talk about taste, aromas, flavors, acidity and body in coffee as we do in wine. The main difference between coffee and wine, taste aside, is that coffee is not rated by vintage. Unlike certain wines, roasted coffee does not keep for years. The fresher the roast, the more aromatic the coffee beverage will be. Let it age and you will create unpleasant tastes and aromas; this is especially true for the volatile aromas. The consumer also has an important hand in the outcome of her/his coffee experience as does the wine consumer. In wine, serving temperature, wine glass shape and proper food pairing play an important role in properly enjoying a wine. In coffee this process is a little different. The important factors are the grinding, blending and brewing process. The grinding size and the water temperature play major roles in the proper extraction of coffee aromas/flavors, as well as the quantity and quality of water used to prepare a good cup of coffee.  Ultimately, the coffee drinker puts her/his final touch to the coffee beverage. In coffee, over 850 volatile aromatic compounds have been catalogued to date. That said, most aromatic descriptions have been simplified or regrouped in terms of flavors and taste. Common flavors found in coffee are fruity, floral, earthy, buttery, caramel, nutty, spicy, smoky, etc. The classification of taste includes acid, bitter, body (thin, watery to thick, heavy). This simplification helps coffee drinkers express their preferences in a basic way. If one wants to gain further knowledge of coffee tasting, then it is imperative to recognize key aromas and flavors in coffee. Especially if you wish to narrow down the country of origin, variety and profile. One would then be able to differentiate between a Robusta from South East Asia with one from Brazil. This is something we have been doing for years with wine and which has been available to every wine aficionados for more than 30 years through le nez du vin (Wine Aroma Kits). Using the same methodology, Jean Lenoir, creator of the famous Wine Aroma kits, created two le nez du café (or make scents of coffee) kits. The first kit is an introduction that includes the 6 most commonly found coffee aromas:
(1) Garden peas, 2) Blackcurrant-like, 3) Butter, 4) Caramel, 5) Roasted peanuts, 6) Roasted coffee. The second, a more advanced and complete kit, contains the 36 most commonly found coffee aromas:
01) Earth , 02) Potato , 03) Garden peas, 04) Cucumber 05) Straw , 06) Cedar, 07) Clove-like , 08) Pepper, 09) Coriander seeds, 10) Vanilla, 11) Tea-roses/Redcurrant jelly, 12) Coffee blossom, 13) Coffee pulp, 14) Blackcurrant-like, 15) Lemon, 16)Apricot, 17) Apple, 18)Butter, 19) Honeyed, 20) Leather, 21) Basmati Rice, 22) Toast, 23) Malt, 24) Maple Syrup, 25) Caramel, 26) Dark chocolate, 27) Roasted almonds, 28) Roasted peanuts, 29) Roasted hazelnuts, 30) Walnuts, 31) Cooked beef, 32) Smoke, 33) Pipe Tobacco, 34) Roasted coffee, 35) Medicinal, 36) Rubber.
This unique and extensive collection of aromas will help you train your sense of smell and improve your enjoyment of coffee. The le nez du café (make scents of coffee) kits provide a common vocabulary to describe coffee aromas, taste and flavors because coffee deserves the same attention as wine. It is no surprise that most coffee roasters and specialists from the world over use le nez du café to train their sense of smell and better understand the aromatics behind coffee. So if you are passionate about your coffee and would like to become a better taster, understand where aromas and flavors originate and how they are associated with the varieties, le nez du café (make scents of coffee) kits are fundamental to the development of your coffee expertise. Disclaimer: Note that all Coffee Review blogs represent the opinions of the respective (and respected) authors of the blogs. They do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of Coffee Review or the collective wisdom of its editors and owners. This entry was written by:Sébastien Gavillet and posted on Friday, December 30th, 2011 at 2:29 pm and is filed under Coffee Business: Roasting and Retailing, Industry Issues and News, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Source : blog[dot]coffeereview[dot]com

Esmeralda Leon, Panama Geisha Auction Lot

  • Klatch Coffee

    Los Angeles, California
  • Esmeralda Leon, Panama Geisha Auction Lot

Roast: Medium-Light Review Date: August 2012
Origin: Cañas Verdes, Boquete growing region, western Panama. Price: $39.95/8 ounces
 

Blind Assessment: Intense, complex floral notes, from crisp lavender to sweet lilies, with an underlying nut-toned dark chocolate that suggests fine roasted cocoa nibs. Zesty orange citrus. Rich acidity; syrupy mouthfeel. The finish may be a tad too dry for some coffee drinkers but it is rich and deeply flavor-saturated.

Notes: This is an auction lot of Esmeralda Gesha from Hacienda La Esmeralda, the producer that first introduced the celebrated Gesha variety of Arabica to the world. Léon is a 2012 batch of Esmeralda Gesha; in this case a batch is defined as coffee that has been harvested together on the same date. With its generally elongated beans and distinctive floral and crisp, often chocolaty cup, the Gesha variety continues to distinguish itself as one of the world's most unique coffees. This Gesha was processed by the orthodox wet or washed method, in which both skin and fruit flesh are removed from the beans or seeds before they are dried. Klatch Coffee is an award-winning small-batch roasting company in the Los Angeles area whose resident barista and trainer, Heather Perry, won both the 2003 and 2007 United States Barista Championships brewing a Klatch Coffee espresso blend. Visit www.klatchroasting.com or call 877-455-2824 for more information.

Who Should Drink It: Those who can handle the price and the intensity: a Gesha on steroids.


Source : coffeereview[dot]com