Coffee & Tea

What is Chagra?

Sat, 12 May 2012 14:38:53 +0000

Chagra is tea, but it isn’t just any old tea. In a way, it’s a particular type of old tea. But it’s totally unlike pu-erh or aged oolong. You probably wouldn’t want to drink it, but it does have plenty of other uses, both traditional an contemporary.

OK, enough with the enigmatic statements! If you want to learn about chagra, check out my new chagra definition. Enjoy!

Photo (c) Marko Goodwin
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Article source: http://coffeetea.about.com/b/2012/05/07/what-is-chagra.htm

Ethiopian Coffee Culture

Sat, 12 May 2012 14:34:09 +0000

My article on the Ethiopian coffee ceremonyhas long been one of the most popular article on About Coffee / Tea. Clearly, a lot of people are interested in learning about this fascinating aspect of coffee! I recently decided to research and write about a related topic — the history of coffee in Ethiopia, and its cultural role there. In the course of writing about the subject, I learned quite a few things I never guessed to be true. For example, coffee used to be mixed into a sort of energy bar and made into a fermented drink akin to wine. Crazy!

Learn more about the history and culture of coffee in Ethiopia in my new article, Ethiopian coffee culture.

Photo (c) Marko Goodwin
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Article source: http://coffeetea.about.com/b/2012/04/30/ethiopian-coffee-culture.htm

Keurig B155 Single-Cup Coffeemaker Review

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 10:21:16 +0000

The Keurig B155 Single-Cup Coffeemaker is an easy to use coffeemaker that accepts single-serving “K-Cups,” such as those in this K-Cup Variety Pack. It is one of the better K-Cup coffeemakers on the market, but you may want to consider all the pros and cons to the Keurig B155 before buying one. You can learn all about the benefits and the down sides to buying a B155 in this Keurig Single Cup Coffeemaker Review.

Photo (c) Marko Goodwin
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Article source: http://coffeetea.about.com/b/2012/04/09/keurig-b155-single-cup-coffeemaker-review.htm

What is Bai Lin Gong Fu?

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:37:59 +0000

Bai Lin Gong Fu is a rare type of black tea from China. In an interview, Jennifer Wood from Canton Tea Company shared her expertise on this unusual tea type and explained how it differs from machine-made black teas. Learn more in this Bai Lin Gong Fu QA.

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Article source: http://coffeetea.about.com/b/2012/04/25/what-is-bai-lin-gong-fu.htm

Cold-Brewed Coffee

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:36:25 +0000

Preparing cold-brewed coffee takes extremely little effort and no added heat. As if that’s not enough incentive to try it out, it also tastes delicious (even without sugar). And, I’ve explained how to make cold-brewed coffee in a step-by-step tutorial.

Try it out. Change your whole perspective on iced coffee. Share your recommendations for making cold-brewed coffee with other readers in the comments below. Most of all, enjoy!

Photo (c) Marko Goodwin
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Article source: http://coffeetea.about.com/b/2012/04/23/cold-brewed-coffee-2.htm

Thinking about your own coffee shop?

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:21:12 +0000

Is opening a coffee shop right for you? Maybe! Maybe Not! Opening a coffee shop will definitely provide you with many opportunities and challenges. Are you looking for a way to supplement your current income. Did you know that for less than $500.00 you can start a coffee service company that generates you over a $1,000.00 a month by only working a few hours a week?

If you wanna learn more, follow this link!

Taza Chocolate’s Mexicano Coffee

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:12:36 +0000

Coffee meets hot chocolate in Taza Chocolate’s incredible Mexicano Coffee chocolate discs. Even though the weather is hot, you can still eat these Counter-Culture-coffee-bean chocolates plain or use them in iced hot chocolate. Read the full review of Taza’s Mexicano Chocolateon About Coffee / Tea.

What are your favorite coffee-flavored chocolates? Share with other About.com readers in the comments below!

Photo (c) Marko Goodwin
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Article source: http://coffeetea.about.com/b/2012/04/17/taza-chocolates-mexicano-coffee.htm

Tea and Health

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:09:56 +0000

There are so many health claims out there surrounding tea, particularly claims about which type of tea is ‘healthiest.’ To clarify what is known for sure about tea and health (as opposed to what is thought to be true based on limited studies or traditional use), I interviewed Douglas Balentine, Director of Nutrition and Health at Unilever North America. He shared his expertise on medical research on tea and talked about the health benefits of tea in general, as well as the health benefits for specific tea types. Learn more in this QA on tea and health.

Photo (c) Marko Goodwin
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Article source: http://coffeetea.about.com/b/2012/04/02/tea-health.htm

How to Foam, Froth and Steam Milk

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:08:12 +0000

If you’re learning to make make espresso drinks, tea lattes or milk steamers at home, then learning to foam, froth and steam milk properly will help you make better drinks. This new recipe collection includes guides to making foamed milk, frothed milk and steamed milk, plus more general tips for heated, texturized milk.

Baristas and coffee aficionados, do you have tips for making better foamed milk, frothed milk or steamed milk? Share them with other readers in the comments below!

Photo (c) Lindsey Goodwin
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Article source: http://coffeetea.about.com/b/2012/03/28/how-to-foam-froth-steam-milk.htm

Best Iced Tea Recipes

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:05:33 +0000

I’m currently in central India, where it’s pretty much always hot, but I can tell that the weather is getting warmer back home because the page views for my top ten iced tea recipes has spiked. Despite the weather here, I’m sampling various kinds of hot chai, but I hope that the folks back home can enjoy some of my favorites from the recipe collection, like Watermelon Iced Tea, Iced Citrus Black Tea and Sparkling Apricot Iced Tea.

Do you have a favorite iced tea recipe from the collection? Recommend it to other About Coffee / Tea reders in the comments below!

Photo (c) Stash Tea
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Article source: http://coffeetea.about.com/b/2012/04/11/best-iced-tea-recipes.htm