Origin: Northern Sumatra.
Roast (Agtron): Medium-Dark (na/44)
OVERALL RATING: 87
Notes: This coffee is certified organically grown and Fair Trade, meaning it was purchased from small-holding farmers at a “fair†or economically sustainable price. Keurig brewing devices were among the first single-serve coffee brewers on the market. Keurig now offers three home models with a wide range of coffees available in compatible “K-Cup†format. Green Mountain offers this particular coffee in an “Extra Bold†K-Cup, which means it contains more coffee than a normal K-Cup and brews a somewhat richer, heavier-bodied cup. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is one of the country’s leading specialty roasters, offering a particularly wide-ranging variety of origins and roast styles, including one of America’s largest selections of Fair Trade/Organic coffees. Visit “K-Cup Coffees & Teas†at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters for more information.
Blind assessment: (As brewed in a Keurig B60 single-serve brewing device using a “K-Cup†capsule at a cup volume of 5.25 ounces): Smoke and earth notes in the aroma are brightened by a hint of floral-toned vanilla. In the cup, low-toned acidity, substantial body, and continued smoke, earth and floral notes rounded by a quiet caramel sweetness.
Who should drink it: Keurig owners who enjoy the rich earthy-musty character of fine Sumatras.
[tags]fair trade coffee, organic coffeee, sumatran, k cups, green mountain coffee[/tags]
Coffee lovers the world over are unknowingly drinking coffee that was illegally grown inside one of the world’s most important national parks for tigers, elephants and rhinos, according to an investigative report released by World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Illegally grown coffee from Indonesia is mixed with legally grown coffee beans and sold to such companies as Kraft Foods and Nestle among other major companies in the United States and abroad.
WWF tracked the illegal cultivation of coffee inside Indonesia’s remote Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBS) all the way through its export routes to multinational coffee companies and the shelves of grocery stores across the United States, Europe and Asia using satellite imaging, interviews with coffee farmers and traders, and by monitoring coffee trade routes.
Trade of illegal coffee is possible because neither exporters nor importers have any mechanisms in place to prevent the illegal beans from entering the supply chains. Bukit Barisan Selatan, a World Heritage Site on the southern tip of Sumatra Island, is one of the few protected areas where Sumatran tigers, elephants and rhinos coexist. It has already lost nearly 30% of its forest cover to illegal agriculture, most of which is for coffee production.
Indonesia is the world s second-largest exporter of robusta, a kind of bean often used in instant and packaged coffee sold in supermarkets. At least half the country s coffee is exported through the port of Lampung, adjacent to the national park. WWF s investigation found farmers growing coffee on more than 173 square miles of park land (about two-thirds the size of Chicago) and producing more than 19,600 tons of coffee there each year. Most wildlife has already abandoned the sections of the park that have been illegally converted to coffee plantations. Illegally grown coffee is exported to at least 52 countries.
According to the National Coffee Association, approximately fifty-two percent of adult Americans drink coffee on a regular basis. Additionally, the United States is the leading consumer of coffee worldwide, consuming about 400 million cups of coffee per day.
For the millions of Americans who drink coffee, there are number of options from at-home coffee makers to buying it a restaurant or gas station.
Some people prefer quick instant coffee, others choose coffee brewers or coffee pots. For the people who are the only person in their family who like coffee, they choose to use a one cup coffee maker or a single cup coffeemaker.
For people who don’t drink much coffee, or for the only person in the household to drink coffee, one cup coffee makers are the way to go. One cup coffee makers are perfect for people who travel or who only want one cup. They are convenient and come with both a coffee cup and a reusable filter. One cup coffee makers are easy to program, so the drinker decides the temperature and strength of the coffee, and the already-measured coffee is brewed right into the cup. One cup coffee makers make just the right amount of coffee, so no precious coffee sits in the coffee pot, growing cold and bitter.
The price range of the one cup coffee makers is $15 to $75 , depending on the size, the features, and the quality of the product. The Senseo one cup coffee maker is only $60, and it makes a steaming hot cup of coffee in under 30 seconds at the preferred temperature and style. The parts are dishwasher safe, and it comes with coffee pods, both medium and mild roasts. The Black and Decker single serve is another one cup coffee maker that is only $50, allows the drinker to choose how much coffee they want – 7oz., 9 oz., or 14 oz., and it’s easy to clean. It also makes specialty drinks.
Coffee brewers make coffee by mixing coffee grind with water for a longer amount of time.
As a result, coffee brewers tend to provide a stronger, less-bitter taste. They also tend to bring out a better flavor than the more common coffee makers. On the other hand, since they brew the coffee longer, they are more difficult to clean. The important part about the coffee brewer is making sure the coffee is strong and hot so it tastes good instead of bitter.
One cup coffee brewers are an excellent choice for the person who wants one cup of good strong coffee on the way out the door. There are varieties of one cup coffee brewers, with prices ranging from $25 to $200. The AeroPress one cup coffee brewer is only $28, and is easily transportable. It’s easy to clean up and it makes a great cup of coffee. For $99 – $200 range, Keurig one cup coffee maker might not be as easy to clean, but looks classy and is programmable. The Keurig single cup brewers offer consistency and the ability to use your own ground coffee in their reusable filter.
And then there’s instant coffee. Though instant coffee usually has a bad reputation, it doesn’t have to be bad. It has a long shelf life, but is actually dehydrated coffee and tends to be bitter due to its lower-quality coffee bean. On the other hand, there’s just one step needed to make instant coffee: add hot water. Some people hate instant coffee, other people prefer it. Not only is instant coffee quick and easy, but it’s probably the easiest way to make a one cup coffee.
Whatever the coffee drinker’s preference, it’s always advisable to experiment in order to discover likes and dislikes. Experiment with the different types of one cup coffee makers and even instant coffee to determine the temperature, the strength, and the style or appliance preferred.
[tags]single cup, one cup, coffee makers, brewers, keurig, one cup coffee makers, single cup coffeemakers, [/tags]
