dimanche 18 août 2013

Discover Fair Trade Gourmet Coffee

By Essie Craft


A cup of java is the perfect way to start the day. It's a popular and well known drink. In recent years, there's been an explosion of interest in gourmet blends, roasts, and flavors. Most coffee comes from poverty stricken areas. Socially conscious consumers can enjoy this beverage with a clear conscious when they buy fair trade gourmet coffee.

Java can be brewed with hot water running through a filter containing ground beans. Or the ground beans can be boiled in water, and pressed through a sieve to separate the beverage. A freeze dried version of ground beans is dissolved in hot water for an instant beverage. Cream and/or sweeteners are usually added but some aficionados like their beverage served black.

Also called java, this has been a popular beverage in Africa and the Middle East since the 6th or 7th century. It was first traded to Europe around the 16th century, and made its way to North America around the 17th century. It's enjoyed for its bold aroma and taste and prized for the stimulant effects of caffeine, making it an especially popular morning drink. In addition to wakefulness, alertness, and increased concentration, caffeine offers some protection from kidney stones, gallstones, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Patients with high blood pressure and pregnant women are advised to consume this beverage sparingly, otherwise, a cup of joe is a healthy, as well as tasty beverage.

Most coffee is grown in remote locations where poverty is rampant. Historically, large plantations made use of cheap labor to maximize the profits of a few. Fair trade works with independent farmers and cooperatives. Producers are guaranteed a minimum price for their product. Trade is directly between producers and importers eliminating the middleman. In return, farmers agree not use genetically modified plants, to abide by regulations on the use of pesticides and herbicides, and agree to adhere to environmentally friendly farming methods. Fair trade farmers also agree to limit the use of child labor.

Gourmet drinks are made from high quality beans carefully roasted to just the right flavor. Plants from different regions will have a slightly different taste. Some delicate varieties of this plant can only be grown in small, localized regions so they are more expensive. Flavored syrups can be added for even more variety. Some popular syrups are caramel, English toffee, raspberry, vanilla, coconut, butterscotch, cinnamon, macadamia nut, and hazelnut.

Gourmet beverages use high quality beans combined with other tasty ingredients to create unique flavors. Espresso is made with the strongest flavored roast to produce a concentrated drink high in caffeine and rich in flavor. Espresso mixed with a cup of steamed milk is a latte. Espresso mixed with equal parts milk and milk froth is a cappuccino. Mocha is made with a taste of coffee, a little cocoa powder, and a hot cup of milk. Chilled milk and sugar is added to iced coffee for a refreshing summer beverage.

Fair trade gourmet coffee is grown in all the major coffee growing regions including Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Socially responsible organizations often choose this product for their break rooms. It's a popular choice for fundraisers. It can be purchased online, in grocery stores, discount stores, cafes, and restaurants.

When consumers buy certified fair trade gourmet coffee, they know the farmers have received a fair price for their labor. They also know the plants were grown using environmentally sound agricultural practices. Consumers get a high quality, bold tasting product grown, harvested, and processed using economically and environmentally responsible methods.




About the Author:



Aucun commentaire:

Enregistrer un commentaire