Woman + Coffee = Less Depression

Another study concerning depression and coffee was released and it is no surprise that coffee helps people with depression or those who are likely to become depressed.  This is not new news but it reinforces that idea of something in coffee makes you a happy person, jut like chocolate.  Now there's a great mixture, chocolate coffee.

Albert Ascherio of Harvard School of Public Health  headed the research team that studied a group of women for 14 years dating back to 1976 and measured their coffee consumption during that period.  They classified the women according to how much coffee they drank and followed them for an additional 10 years.  That is a very long time and I really have to hand it to the team for do this for  24 years.
The  team studied more than 50,000 women enrolled in a health study of nurses. The women had an average age of 63, and none were depressed when they enrolled in the study. 

The conclusion of the studies are as followed

1.Women who drink four cups of coffee a day are 20% less likely to become depressed               than women who rarely drink coffee.

2. Women who were in the top fifth of the overall caffeine consumption, chocolate and soft drinks also had a 20%  lower risk of depression that the bottom fifth.

Known Facts

Caffeine is the most popular central nervous system stimulant in the world, and coffee consumption accounts for about 80 percent of caffeine use. Drinking coffee offers a boost of energy for a short time, so in order to maintain the natural 'HIGH' more coffee must be drunken.  Maybe that is why most coffee drinkers  love their coffee first thing in the morning and one in mid morning.  It is cheaper that the energy boost drinks!

Ascherio said there have been very few studies that look at the long-term effects of coffee consumption. One smaller study in Finland showed men who drank a lot of coffee were less likely to commit suicide.
And Ascherio's own team has shown that drinking a lot of coffee may be protective against Parkinson's disease in both men and women.  He said it is not yet clear how coffee might protect against depression, but there are some hints.

Animal studies have shown that caffeine protects against certain neurotoxins and brain receptors that respond to caffeine are concentrated in the basal ganglia, an area that is important for both depression and Parkinson's disease. 

Final Conclusion

      Drink coffee..........Eat chocolate..................enjoy your day!
But remember to eat and drink in moderation or the pounds will show and you will be bouncing off the walls!

Visit  http://www.blackgoldcoffeecompany.com/  for the quality coffee(roasted and green) at quality prices.

Enjoy your day and your coffee!

Deanna,  Morning Cupper

Your local Barista is working on Labor Day!

Today is Labor day and most of us are not working and enjoying the day off.  Around the world, coffee shops are open and the one person who makes sure that each customer's day starts off right is the Barista.  They comes in and work on providing the highest coffee drink quality to their customers.  They are always concerned about the quality of their coffee product and will ask the customer if in doubt about the coffee request. 

Yes... there are some that are just serving coffee for the paycheck and don't really care and you can probably name a dozen or so of that type but there are some who are really passionate about their trade and take it seriously.  The sad reality of this person is that some coffee shop owners do not realize the value of their talents and pay as little as possible.  They look at the bottom line of the day's recipts as a check of success or failure and then there are those who look at their employees and what they offer to the customers as a check of success or failure.

StarBucks Coffee is one corporation that seems to believe in the first check and not the second.  Hire the Barista and pay them peanuts.  In Chile, last month, some Baristas went on strike for better wages.  They were being paid minimum wages and working long hours.   They took a stand against their employee and I hope them did well.  They have unionized in that country and I have to say that this is a good think for workers in this area of service.  I am not a big fan of unionized labor but in some area of the work world you need this in order to make a decent living wage.   I have to appland some Baristta's in the states that staged a 1 or 2 days strike in order to bring to light what StarBucks Coffee is doing in Chile.   

So.... when you go into a coffee shop and order a latte or espresso to go, tip your barista and thank them for being there. 

Enjoy the day!

Deanna, Morning Cupper

For fresh roasted coffee and green coffee beans for home roasters

      Fresh Roast...Fresh Coffee...Fair Price

                                                 http://www.blackgoldcoffeecompany.com/

Multinational coffee companies march into the coffee farms with bags of cash!

This was not a surprise to hear that the major coffee companies have send their teams of coffee buyers with bags of cash into the coffee farms.  Let just say, they are marching to a different beat and the sound is money! 

Rising coffee prices have upended  the coffee trade and Kraft,  Nestle and Ecom Agroindustrial Corp. Ltd have send out teams of coffee buyers to 'woo' the small farm coffee producers to sell their coffee directly to them instead of going through the proper channels of the cooperative.     Cooperatives were formed years ago in order to have the small farmers to pool their coffee and to give them a bigger say at the bargaining table and a higher price for coffee.  Now. with the demand for coffee at a historical high because of increased demand( China, India) and back-to-back poor harvests in Central and South American, the big guns have come into the farms and offer to pay cash on the spot and at higher prices.   These companies for years played by the rules of the cooperatives like the rest of the smaller buyers but when they see that they may have to actually compete for coffee,  they changed the rules of play.  The cooperatives is a stable entry of business for the coffee farmers and they are there in good times and bad times to work with them. 

The high coffee prices will not last for long because the weather is good and harvest is coming in bigger and they will disappear as they always do when the price of coffee falls and the farmers who danced with them in the past will not have a partner in the future.  Hopefully the coffee farmers will wise up and see that a long term relationship with the cooperatives is better than  a one night stand with the multinationals.

FYI:  one lb. of coffee is equal to 60-70 6oz. cups of coffee.

Enjoy your coffee and remember that the best coffee is fresh roasted coffee.

Deanna,   Morning Cupper

www.blackgoldcoffeecompany.com

Your store for fresh roasted coffee and home roasters green beans...

Coffee Prices Hit 34 Year High

Well..  I saw it coming down the road late last year and it was only time that the increase in coffee prices would hit us in the pockets.  During the past 12 months alone, those prices rose by 145% which has led to retail price increases. Some of the big coffee companies have already increased their coffee prices three times during the past year.  There are other smaller companies that have not raised their prices but getting pretty close to doing so.  Don't be surprise to see your favorite coffee shop pries increase  5 to 10 cents.  You can only hold the line on prices for so long before making a lost.

Numerous nations are struggling to sustain their coffee crops while demand keeps rising. As a result, inventories have fallen to their lowest levels since the International Coffee Organization (ICO) started tracking this data in the 1960s.  Over the past three years, Columbia largely drove the rally in the coffee market . It suffered from a string of bad crops, partly due to heavy rains and partly due to its program to replant coffee trees.  Coffee trees do not live forever and replanting will ensure continuous supply of good quality coffee.
Meanwhile, Mexico is suffering a bad crop due to low temperatures and Brazil, the world’s top coffee exporter, could have a small harvest of low quality beans as well.  Most industry insiders say Arabica bean coffee prices are headed to at least $3 a pound.

Don't forget that BlackGold coffee company has NOT raised its prices on roasted or green coffee beans.  Check the website for the best prices.

 Deanna Helie, Morning Cupper

Coffee prices are increasing this year

It was only time before the cost of coffee beans would hit us in the pocket.  The bad weather in the Indonesian coffee region and in Colombian region has pushed the demand for these regional coffees up.  Another factor in the coffee market this year is the increase demand of coffee in two developing countries, China and India.  More people are able to afford coffee in these countries and this has increased the demand of coffee.  You will probably notice a cost increase for Colombian coffee as much as $1.00 per lb.  The Indonesian coffee as well is on its way up as much at 1.00 per lb.   Just like anything in the commodity markets, if the demand increases and the supply decreases, prices go up.  Hopefully next year it will become more stable ( weather wise) for these two regions and coffee prices will go down.

Even with the price increase, it is still a good purchase to order fresh roast coffee and enjoy the rich, fresh taste of fresh, ground coffee. 

For fresh roasted coffee: BlackGold Coffee Company
Best prices on green coffee beans for the Home Roaster Community:BlackGold Coffee Company

Enjoy your coffee!

Deanna

Organic Coffee. What is behind the labels

Not all organic coffee is the same when it comes to cerification.   Organic coffee does cost more because the money is being past to the farmers at a higher price, and the growth of organic coffee( shade grown) may be slower and thus getting it to the market is limited.  While your coffee selection comes down to personal taste, learning what the label on the bag may justifiy the cost.

USA Certified Organic:  Grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers

Bird-Friendly: Grown using shade management practices, to foster conditions on coffee plantations that provide good bird habitats

Fair Trade: Small farmers get a fair price for their coffee  and are encouraged to use practices without the use of harmful pesticides or child labor.


For the best prices on roasted coffee and green coffee beans(home roasters) visit: blackgoldcoffeecompany Enjoy your coffee.

Morning Cupper

Deanna

Coffee Bean Chronicles - Everyone does not have same taste!

Good Morning;

I have noticed that there are a few people in our coffee industry that insist that their taste descriptions of coffee is scripted in stone and if you disagree, you are wrong.  People who have been in this industry for a long time think they have the perfect palate and they are the only ones who can tell a good bean from a bad bean.  They are wrong and should take noticed that the world of coffee does not revolve around them.

Everyone has a different taste palate.  Someone may taste taste chocolate and spice in their coffee roast while someone else may taste citrus and smokey in their coffee.  It means that people's taste are different and that what makes the coffee industry so interesting.

I am always amazed on the ways that home roasters roast their coffee.  I talked to one home roaster who visited her brother, who roasted coffee in a hot popcorn popper and feel in love with taste of fresh roasted coffee.  She become a home roaster upon returning from her brother and roast decaf and reg.  She does her own blends and she loves it.  The best part is the saving in cost of buying coffee from the store.  Nothing beats fresh roasted coffee.   She did the research, and she is enjoying it.   She does a bold or full city roast and if she likes her blend, good for her!
Coffee roasted within 24 hours ago has an amazing rich taste and the taste as compared to store coffee is like night and day.

So... if you read that a certain coffee is bad or that coffee has a certain taste; don't take the word as final. Explore and find out if this a true taste of the coffee for you.   Many people are distanced away from certain coffee when they read a review and never question why.    This industry is not a pure science and one person's review is not the final word, it is just their opinion.

Do your own roast, enjoy exploring the blends and what works for you!

For the best prices in green coffee beans and roasted coffee visit:

http://www.blackgoldcoffeecompany.com/

Morning Cupper

Deanna

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

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

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

http://www.blackgoldcoffeecompany.com/

Coffee Bean Chronicles - ICE COFFEE!!!

Most of us are straight coffee drinkers. Some like it black, some like it with sugar and cream and other like it with sugar, cream and a flavor to jump start their day. Summer is just around the corner and what better way to enjoy your coffee,but on ice. Yes, ice coffee is wonderful and made correctly, your preference will be ice coffee instead of tea. To make a good pitcher of coffee may take some time but it is worth the time. Brew your favorite blend or origin and store it in a container to cool down before putting it in the refrigerator. As it is cooling add the sugar and cream and any flavor that you like. I like a little rum in mine! When the coffee is at room temperature, place it in the refrigerator for later in the day for ice coffee. Can't wait... throw some ice in a cup and enjoy or pour ina chilled mug and place a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!

The types of coffees will make a difference, so I recommend a Brazil Santos or a Costa Rica SHB EP or Costa Rica Tarrazu for a deep, rich taste; Ethiopian Yiragette or Indonesian Sumatra for lighter coffee. These coffees do not loose their taste when cold.

Believe it or not, fresh roasted decaf. Costa Rica is a hit too.

check out the great selections of high quality coffees: http://www.blackgoldcoffeecompany.com/

Your place for fresh roasted coffee and green coffee beans for the home roasters

Happy cupping and enjoy your day!