1. There are two basic species of coffee, Arabica and Canephora. Of these two, the Arabica species produces varieties such as Typica, Bourbon, and Ethiopian heirloom variety. Typica is the original coffee plant which is believed to have originated and discovered in Ethiopia. Bourbon has its origins with the Typica variety and is a tad sweeter. The Canephora species produces Robusta beans. Robusta is sometimes mixed with Arabica and used for espresso because of its high caffeine levels. (Robusta has almost double the caffeine as Arabica!) 2. How much coffee can you pick in a day? Most Arabica coffee is picked by...

You may be kicking off your day off with the most complex food in your diet. Your morning cup of coffee contains an extremely complex chemical makeup. Coffee is actually so complex that scientists have devoted a great deal of time and research to understand it. Many factors influence the flavor, aroma, and texture of your beverage. Everything from the origin of the coffee plant itself to processing, roasting, storage, water, and brew methods construct the specific accent of your coffee. This is why coffee comes in so many varieties and flavors. “Coffee is a language in itself.” —Jackie Chan...

Northwest Indiana has been awash in craft breweries for a few years, but the newest wave of artisan beverage makers are putting out coffees more complex than any barrel-aged porter or Belgian Farmhouse Ale. A growing crop of local coffee roasters have sprung up across the Region as part of the so-called Third Wave of Coffee, a long-percolating movement that aims to elevate coffee into an artisanal foodstuff like craft beer. Coffee by Gillespie in Dyer, Dagger Mountain in Valparaiso, and Maple City Roasters in Michigan City all have been growing as consumers gravitate toward higher quality, more sophisticated coffee....

If the piercing sound of an alarm isn’t enough to wake you up in the morning, the fragrance of tropical fruit brewing may be the incentive you need to get going. Wait… tropical fruit… brewing? No, this is not a new trend. Since the 15th-century people have been brewing the seeds of a fruit which has a similar appearance to a cherry. This fruit grows in tropical regions and comes from a plant called a coffea tree. You may have been referring to these seeds as “coffee beans.” There are a variety of factors that determine the quality and taste...

The advent of a new year often brings new resolutions. Many popular resolutions seek to improve health, fitness, or involve learning something new. My new year's resolution combines those three—my resolution is to drink better coffee. New Year's Resolution #1 : Begin with better coffee beans. Coffee may be the primary sources of antioxidants in your diet. Coffee actually contains more antioxidants than fruits and veggies combined. On top of that, caffeine from coffee can improve physical performance by up to 12 percent. Start your day with a cup of coffee and you can put a check mark next to...