Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Coffee Bean Chronicles - Happy Holidays from BlackGold Coffee Company

As we near the end of the year, we would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.  The past 24 months have been very challenging for some people and next year will be a very interesting one.  Celebrate this holiday in moderation and slow down.  Enjoy the holidays with friends and family and  if you don't get to do everything you wanted to do, there is always next year.   Remember that the simple things in life are always the best.

Visit your locally owned and operated coffee shop; sit and enjoy an hour or so with a smooth, rich cup of coffee with a good friend or a good book. 


   Deanna
   morning cupper

Monday, December 13, 2010

Coffee Beans Chronicles - Trouble in Ivory Coast = higher cocoa prices

If you have not heard through the news or radio, the African country of Ivory Coast had their elections and the past president refuses to step out even though all parties watching the election indicated that he did not win the election.  This may not seem important to you now but the Ivory Coast is the one of big producers of  cocoa and if civil unrest occurs, the cocoa export from this country may be slow down or even stop.

Now... you are probably asking yourself why I should be concern now?  I drink coffee ..oops.. I do love my mocha java and I just have to have my espresso shot with chocolate and whip cream!   If you drink coffee with any type of real cocoa additions, your price of your coffee drink may go up.   It should not go up but it may!

Supply of cocoa should be OK for 6 months and the brokers have stocked up on the event of civil unrest after the elections, so the price should NOT go up but you know how people love to play on fear!  Your coffee shop should have enough cocoa products for a few months, so prices should not go up,. cocoa or coffee.  

So, if you notice that the price of your favorite coffee  has increased, left a comment and include the name of the shop, locations and the coffee drinks that have increased and we will investigate.  The one thing that I hate is when coffee shop manager/owners  use fear to justify the increase in coffee prices.

Enjoy the winter weather with a good HOT cup of coffee and remember...

Fresh Roast...Fresh Coffee...Fair Price
http://www.blackgoldcoffeecompany.com/
Chamblee, Georgia, USA



the morning cupper
Deanna

Monday, November 29, 2010

Coffee Bean Chronicles - Coffee is Good for your Brain!

I read this article with evening and I would like to share it with you.  Coffee is good for you!

There are few health benefits that are associated with coffee. At the same time, there are many health risks with it. Let’s keep the health risks aside for a moment and let’s check one more proved health benefit of drinking coffee.
According to the scientists, a cup of sugar sweetened coffee a day could boost your brain performance. They believe that the consumption of caffeine and sugar at the same time could supercharge the brain functions.  A team of scientists from University of Barcelona, Spain, has conducted some series of tests on the combined effect of caffeine and sugar. This team studied the brain scan reports of 40 study takers who were divided into four groups.  All the four groups were asked to take sweetened coffee, coffee without sugar, sugar on its own and just plain water.

After analyzing the reports, the scientists have come to a conclusion that the combined effect of caffeine and sugar did boost the two key areas of brain which are responsible for “attention and working memory” by consuming little resources. (comparatively)



So a cup of sweetened coffee in the morning could prepare your brain well for a busy day ahead!

If you aren’t a fan of sweetened coffee, you can still get this benefit by taking a sugary snack along with your cup of coffee.


Source: Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental (Journal)

   Enjoy your morning coffee and remember for the best coffee and prices visit:
                                                BlackGold Coffee Company

Monday, November 1, 2010

Coffee Bean Chronicles - Support Your Local Coffee & Tea Shops This Holiday Season

Most of us are enjoying the cool fall weather and planning to venture out for holiday shopping.  Most of us will pass a StarBucks, SeattleBest or another corporate franchise coffee shop in our area of shopping.  While these shops offer good sweet coffee drinks remember to support your locally own and operated coffee & tea shops in your area.  These shops offer great coffee and tea drinks that can match up to the corporate shops.  These shops are owned by local people like you and during this time of a low economic recovery,  your local businesses are more at risk of closing down than the big bucks coffee shops owned by corporations.  

Now.... I am not saying that all locally owned and operated coffee & tea shops are good; there are good ones and there are bad ones, but think about where your money will go after you hand it over to the cashier,  back into your community or out of your area.

During this holiday season, think of visiting your local coffee & tea shop, stop in and enjoy a quiet hour or so with a good cup of coffee or tea.
                            REMEMBER...A GOOD CUP OF COFFEE IS IN THE TASTE OF IT BEING NAKED. 
                                                      A GOOD CUP OF TEA WILL RELAX YOUR INNER SELF.
Enjoy and Drink!
Deanna, Morning Cupper

Monday, September 27, 2010

Coffee Bean Chronicles - Live longer - drink coffee!

 I came across this article today that I think you would like to read.     My mother is 89 years old and still going strong mentally and physically.   She drinks 4 to 6  cups of coffee a day and she loves her toast!  Maybe  there is a indirect link to longevity...  Toast, coffee, game shows and radio.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm maybe not smoking may also be a good for you!


Enjoy your coffee

Deanna, Morning Cupper
BlackGold Coffee Company
Chamblee. GA.
www.blackgoldcoffeecompany.com 
Fresh Roasted Coffee and a fair price. 
We roast per order to guaranteed the best, quality roasted coffee!

============================================================================================


A unique investigation into the factors helping people reach 100 years of age has shown that even those with blood pressure concerns are healthier after a daily cup of coffee.


Researchers leading the study at the University of Athens have suggested that the daily consumption of coffee could hold the secret to a longer life. The conclusion has been based on the marked improvement that coffee has on the elasticity of the arteries, helping to prevent their ageing and thereby warding off potential heart disease.

During the scientific investigation, those participants that drank one to two cups of coffee per day demonstrated greater elasticity in their arteries than those who consumed little or no coffee at all. The almost 500 people involved were between the ages of 65 and 100, had diagnosed high blood pressure and were inhabitants of “longevity island” – a small Greek island, Ikaria, where a reported third of people live to reach their centennial birthday.
The island has apparently been a sought after destination for health conscious tourists for a number of years, due to its hot springs fabled for their alleged benefits on joint and skin conditions. This has been supported by the viewpoint of modern day experts who claim that the Mediterranean diet, involving olive oil, local honey and herbal teas, also has a strong part to play in ensuring optimal health, particularly cardiac health.

Since coffee is such a widely consumed commodity in Greece, the Athens-based researchers have turned their attention to the link between coffee and longevity, with their results showing a positive correlation at one to two cups per day.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Coffee Bean Chronicles - Coffee prices may rise in a coffee shop near you!

It has been noted that the Brazil and Vietnam coffee community is hoarding their coffee releases to force prices to go up.  The good, old, basic economic principle of supply and demand game.  They can not hold out for a long time because their competitors in the market, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica as well as the African coffee communities will have an open door to sell more coffee.  

The coffee that you are buy at your coffee shop has nothing to do with the market because there is a good chance that the coffee was purchased before the price game.  Coffee price games have been going on for a short time and if the price of coffee stays at a high level for 6 months or more than maybe the cost of  a cup of coffee will be 5 cent more. 

For the coffee shop owners... there is REALLY no true excuse to raise the cost of a cup of coffee now or within the next 6 to 8 months.   Let's be fair about this... the price of preparing a cup of regular coffee is around 7 cents and maybe 10 cents for the mocha, latte, double whip cream and chocolate hit coffee.  In my opnion, coffee prices should NOT rise unless the greed factor is involved.


Best prices on fresh roasted coffee and green coffee beans for the home roaster community:BlackGold Coffee Company

Enjoy your coffee and your day!

Deanna, Morning Cupper

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Coffee Beans Chronicles - The smooth taste of Indoesnia Sumatra Lintong

Fall is coming fast and I love to wake up in the morning and sit outside with a hot cup of coffee. I finished roasting a large amount of  Sumatra Lintong as a medium roast and had some left over to enjoy.  Indonein coffee is not  brass and bold as South American coffee but it is  balanced and  rich coffee. I made myself a mug and did  2 scoops for 6 oz. in the french press. The coffee was goof but a little bit too strong for me.  I added a cube of sugar and cream and it was wonderful.  The sugar seemed to bring out the smooth, sweet taste of the coffee and cream added to lip smacking richness.  It was heaven. This coffee tasted better as it cool down and it really exploring with  rich taste within 5 minutes of the brew.
The lesson I learned is if the coffee is too strong, add sugar and/or cream to bring it to your level of enjoyment.    Great coffee.... one of the best of the Asian/African coffee community.

Visit us at   http://www.blackgoldcoffeecompany.com/    
 We offer high quality roasted coffee and green coffee beans to the home roaster community.

Enjoy the morning and the fall season.

Deanna
The morning cupper

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Coffee Bean Chronicles - Top 10 Reasons to have a coffee bar at your wedding

The summer maybe on its way out but fall weddings are just around the corner.  Most weddings have the one thing in common and that is the reception.    This is the time where everyone eats, drinks and becomes very merry into the wee hours of the night.  To change the 'same old reception'  add a coffee bar and have alcoholic and non-alcoholic coffee drinks along side the wet bar.    This is becoming a popular item and something that everyone may need before the drive home!



1. Coffee stimulates conversation and camaraderie. Think about some of the fantastic discussions you've had with friends while drinking a latte or frozen mochaccino at your favorite coffee house.



2. Espressos, cappuccinos and other specialty coffee drinks are elegant. A specialty coffee bar adds sophistication and flair to your event.



3. A specialty coffee bar says you care about your guests. The plain ol' cup of joe served at most receptions can't compare to drinks prepared to order by a trained barista.



4. A coffee bar is a great addition to regular bar service. For those guests who need some sobering up, there's nothing better than a double espresso to do the trick before you send them on their way.



5. Think "affordable luxury" when you hire a specialty coffee caterer. In most cases, an hour or two of unlimited service costs less than you spend on an amazing wedding cake.



6. "Your guests expect good coffee." Quality coffee is not a fad.



7. The inclusion of specialty coffee is seen as a healthy and socially responsible. Many folks are seeking out non-alcoholic beverage alternatives.


8. Offering a coffee bar in lieu of an alcohol bar may reduce your insurance costs at the reception facility. Check with your wedding planner or banquet coordinator.


9. Create buzz about your event like no other service can, literally. Leave a lasting impression on your guests.



10. Coffee drinks can be customized to reflect the theme of your event. From naming a drink after the bride and groom to adding a custom monogram, specialty coffee can be personalized to wow your guests.



Remember..... for the best fresh roasted coffee and green beans for the home coffee roaster, there is only one place: http://www.blackgoldcoffeecompany.com/


Enjoy the rest of the summer and a good cup of coffee....

Deanna
The Morning Cupper

Monday, August 9, 2010

Coffee Beans Chronicles - HOT August days are ahead

We are finally nearing the end of a hot and humid summer in the south and I will be happy when I can walk the dogs before sunset! One thing tht is very important during these days and not to let yourself get dehydrated.  Coffee and tea can dehyrated you and with the hot weather among us, drinking too much coffee or tea and not enough water may do you more harm than good.

Now... I am not saying to stop drinking your favorite beverage but tone it down alittle and add more water to your drinking habits during the day. You will have more energy, feel less tired and able to enjoy the outside without getting run down.

Remember..... for the best fresh roasted coffee and green beans for the home coffee roaster, there is only one place: http://www.blackgoldcoffeecompany.com/


Enjoy your summer

Morning Cupper
Deanna

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Coffee Bean Chronicles - Dog Days of Summer!

The dog days of summer are finally here and if you live in the south, you can sure feel it starting in the morning.    For those who don't know the history of the "Dogs days of Summer", let me enlightened you.   The earth rotates in a tilted position around the sun and around July 3, the earth is the closest to the earth in the Western Hemisphere.  At the same time, the constellation, Sirus the Dog can be viewed next to the sun; thus the Dogs Days of Summer.  The Dog Days of Summer is from July 3 thru August 11.
The heat is hot these days and the best way to enjoy  your coffee is with ice cream.  Free roasted coffee mixed with vanilla ice cream is fantastic.  I have found that Brazil Santos, bold roast and Tanzania Peaberry, medium roast, ground in equal amount is a good blend with vanilla ice cream.  The fresher the coffee the better with this recipe.  I ground the coffee very fine as if I am making Turkish or espresso coffee.  Place a few  scoops of vanilla ice cream in a mixing bowl, add the coffee and mix it until the ice cream has a medium brown color, add more or less to suit your taste.
Oh....  add some chocolate syrup also and the ice cream explores with coffee and chocolate!   I freeze my coffee, if I have any left over and enjoy it over peaches!


So...  buy your coffee roasted fresh and remember BlackGold Coffee Company always roast coffee per order to guaranteed freshness.
Visit the website for specials and great prices: http://www.blackgoldcoffeecompany.com/

Live one day at a time and enjoy it.

Morning Cupper,
Deanna

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

CoffeeBean Chronicles - Summer Coffee - what a treat!

Well... it is now officially summer and the focus for drinking will be cold.  Ah, yes.. in the morning it is still the best way to start the day with a good cup of hot coffee but as the day progress, so does the temperature!   When it is 90 degrees or hotter and you have been working outside it is always a good idea to drink plenty of ice water but when you are finished and enjoying the fruits of your daily labor; sit down, put your feet up and and enjoy a tall glass of ice coffee.  Ice coffee can be as fancy or plain as you like it.  I prefer ice coffee over vanilla ice cream and crushed ice.  It is like a coffee slurpee but with ice cream.  AH!!!  It is so good.  Some may like ice coffee with chocolate syrup and crushed ice.  Mmmmmmmmmmm.....  that is so good and it cools you down fast.  

It is easy to make ice coffee and anyone can do it.  Make a pot of your favorite non-flavored coffee.  Flavored coffee does not taste as good cold( my opinion).  Pour the coffee in a glass or plastic pitcher and place it in the refrigerator for a 2-4 hours.  A good time to make the coffee is in the morning, so it is ready when you are in the afternoon or evening.

Add you favorite sweeter, syrup. ice cream or just drink it straight with cream.  It is a great summer drink!

Enjoy your coffee and your summer!

Check out our website for great coffee prices We have slashed our roasted and green bean coffee prices because our cost have fallen!  
                                                  Fresh Roast...Fresh Coffee...Fair Price
                                                           BlackGold Coffee Company

The Morning Cupper
     Deanna

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

CoffeeBeans Chronicles - Decaf Coffee is not what you think!

The thought of drinking decaf. coffee makes some people's nose turn up and back off a little.  The thought of a cup of coffee with very little caffeine is unheard of for many but the awful aftertaste would make people run for the hills.   Most people who drink decaf. coffee are required to drink non-caffeine drinks due to various health reasons and one of them is breast cancer. 

Decaf. coffee is not 100% caffeine free. It is totally impossible with our current processes of decaffeinating.  There are three major ways to decaffeinated coffee.  The chemical process is probably the cheapest and the taste of the coffee tells all!  If you like the taste of chemicals in your month, go for it.  I prefer the Swiss Water process.  It does not use chemicals and it may be more expensive that the chemical process but the taste is better and acceptable.   The new kid on the block is the CO-2 process.  This process  removes 99% of the caffeine, just like the other two processes but the beans are not as cooked, thus the coffee beans are not as dark.

 I looked into this and did some test roasting of coffee beans of CO-2 and Swiss Water process.  The CO-2 beans were lighter in color that the Swiss Water but the end results was extremely close.
The taste of both batches of beans, bold and medium roast were the same.  I could not taste any difference.  The difference is the way the beans are roasted.  Since the beans are semi-cooked due the decaffeinated process, the roasting time is slower and shorter.  

Good decaf coffee is fantastic and if the coffee beans are roasted right and grind to a medium texture( sand between your fingers), you will enjoy a great cup of coffee and probably will not miss the high-octane coffee.

Afternoon  is the good time for decaf coffee for many.  You get some caffeine, the great smooth, rich taste of coffee and you don't have to worry about staying up all night!!

Try a cup of decaf. coffee, but be warn that now all decaf coffees are good, so do your research.

 BlackGold Coffee Company sell high quality decaf. coffee beans, both green and roasted.  Try some today and enjoy the change.. 

Enjoy your day and coffee...
The Morning  Cupper
         Deanna

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

CoffeeBeans Chronicle - Spring is around the corner

For some of us, spring is finally here and for others it is a few more weeks of cold and snow.  This has been a cold and long winter for all and I hope you have enjoyed the strong balanced South American coffees during these months of winter.  When I think of winter, I think of comfort food and South American coffees because the two represent the bold, rich, warmth of sitting in front of a fire or enjoying the friendship of a few during the winter evenings.

Spring is the awakening of the sleepy bear or lion and the feel of warmth from the sun and longer days.  It is the light stepping of people that  remind me of the lighter body coffees.  The African and Asian coffees remind of of spring and summer, lighter in taste yet they hold the same outstanding richness of the South Americans.  They do not have the heavy body as their couisins across the sea but they are equal in richness and taste.  Start your spring by tasting the lighter body coffee and expand your horizon of coffees today. You never know what you are missing if you don't explore today!

Ethiopian Yirgatheffe, Tanzania Highland Peaberry, Indian Monsoon Malbar, the Indonesia twins, Sumatra Lintong and Sulawesi are just a few that have a rich coffee taste but a lighter body.

Enjoy your coffee and your day!

Deanna Helie
Morning Cupper
Visit our website for fresh roasted coffee at a fair price and coffee green beans for the home roasters.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

CoffeeBean Chronicles - Coffee isn't just for drinking!

A recent study published by the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry has found that the smell of freshly brewed coffee can actually lift the spirits.  So sniff and sip away and enjoy your coffee in the morning.  Not only is this good for you but doing it the 'simple way' can also perk up our garden and your plants.  Here is a gradening tips from an avid gardener(me!) who hates to throw anything away that may help my backyard!

Perk up your Plants
 Coffee gounds are only slight acidic and most of the acid is removed when brewing the coffee.  Worms love this ground mess, so add your grounds(cold of course) to the soil or if you have a compost pile, add the filter and all.   I mix my grounds with the soil around my roses and they love it.  If you are a tea drinker, do the same with the tea bags.  The tea is nitrogen-rich and a boost to the compost pile.  I have a small compost pile and the worms seems to sniff it out because when I place my coffee grounds in the pile with some leaves or cabbage leaves, it is packed with worms within a month

If you are not going to feed your compost pile or plants with your coffee grounds after making coffee, store them is a glass plastic container in the refrigrator for a few weeks.  Just make sure they are cool when you store them.


On that note.... enjoy your coffee, enjoy your day and enjoy your garden.
Check out our website for store coffee specials, information and great prices.
We sell green coffee beans to home roasters as well as fresh roasted coffee!

Deanna
Morning Cupper
http://www.blackgoldcoffeecompany.com/

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Coffee Bean Chronicles - Coffee New Perks for Cancer Prevention


You have heard and read many times about how various fruits, vegetables, drinks, and exercise are good steps for prevention of cancer. I would like to pass this bit of information about coffee.
For those of you who drink 4-6 cups a day and have been told to cut down the coffee, REJOICE!!! You are on the right track for cancer prevention.
A new study of 60,000 women shows that those who drink 4 or more cups of coffee a day cut the risk for endometrial cancer by 25 percent. Not bad for the morning brew, ah!
Men benefit too, a recent research suggests a 60% drop in the risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer among those who drink 6 or more cups of coffee daily, compared with men who don't drink coffee.

Coffee has been ranked 6th. within the top 10 food with the highest antioxidant content per serving. (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)

1. Blackberries
2. Walnuts
3. Strawberries
4. Artichokes ( prepared)
5. Cranberries
6. Coffee
7. Raspberries
8. Pecans
9. Blueberries
10. Cloves (ground)

enjoy your day and your coffee!
The Morning Cupper
Deanna

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Coffee Bean Chronicles - French Press Coffee



The new year has rolled around again and it is time to try something new. Brew your coffee with a French press instead of your old way. If you have not tried this method of making coffee, you are in for something fantastic in taste, easy to clean and not expensive.

For single or two person households, this is a perfect match for a cup of coffee in the morning without a lot of fuss and time. It is a fast, convenient way of making a good cup of coffee. You can buy French Press coffee makers for 1 to 8 cups, multiple colors or plain glass and thermal. This is great way to entertain your guests when you have a small group and wish to serve fresh coffee fast. French Press coffee makers has been around for years and are becoming more common.

We, Americans are big drip coffee drinkers for a long time but I feel this year is the year that not only the use of the French Press for coffee making will be greatly increase in the household but coffee shops will embrace this as a single table server for their customers. What a better way to serve hot, fresh coffee!




Here are some tips on making a good cup of coffee using the French Press.

1. Grind your coffee to a medium/fine texture(sand texture). Remember the finer the grind the less amount of coffee to use. Experiment to find your level of grind texture. There is no such thing of a perfect grind. People's taste are different and so are their coffee grind!

2. Scoop 1.5 to 2 teaspoons of coffee per cup into the French Press.

3. Heat your water to boiling and fill the French Press to the full cup level mark. Less water in the French Press produces stronger coffee.

4. Put the French Press plunger on the top of the grounds and let it brew for 4 minutes. When 4 minutes have arrived, gently and slowly press the plunger down to the bottom of the press and let it sit there for a few seconds. You will noticed that the coffee is settling down.

5. Reward yourself with a good cup of fresh coffee. Refrigerate any leftover coffee for later.


I enjoy a bold roast of Brazil Santos or medium roast of India Monsoon Malabar.

Remember to choose your coffee and experiment to find your perfect cup.




Sincerely, The Morning Cupper

Deanna


Visit our website for the best prices for green beans and fresh roasted coffee!http://www.blackgoldcoffeecompany.com/