Baristas Do More Than Pour Coffee

Lots of Know-How Goes into Making Perfect Latté, Steamer

By Linda McCarty
The Winchester Star

Athletes aren’t the only people capable of entering “the zone.”

When things are really hopping at the Piccadilly Daily Grind in Winchester, barista Jason Clementi can easily slip into that magical place of efficiency.

Clementi, 25, considers himself fortunate that he can go there because he often finds himself juggling several orders at once, especially in the early morning hours and at lunchtime.

In addition to coffee-related beverages, Clementi stays busy making sandwiches, toasting bagels, or wrapping up homemade muffins for customers, many of whom he knows by name and what they order.

One early morning customer always wants a Red Eye, which is regular coffee with a shot of espresso to give it that extra bit of caffeine.

“Then, there’s another customer who comes in about 7 a.m. and always gets a really big vanilla latté every morning.”

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The Good And Bad Of Coffee

by Brock Parker

If you were seen with a cup of coffee in your hand 20 years ago, you might have received a lecture on how bad it was for you. However, new studies suggest a few cups can be very beneficial as long as you don't overdo it.

"Moderation may be three cups per day, up to maybe six," said Dr. Robert Keith, a nutritionist at Auburn University.

That little boost of energy every day could prevent some diseases.

"What they find is that people who drink coffee get significantly less type two diabetes, so coffee seems to have a protective effect on that disease," said Keith.

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Strange but True

Staff
Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) _ Inmates in Michigan’s prisons will have to pay for their own caffeine fix next month.

In an effort to save $250,000 this year, state officials are cutting off the supply of free coffee to inmates at state prisons and people in boot camps and correctional centers.

Corrections Department spokesman Russ Marlan said inmates can still buy instant coffee at prison stores, but he didn’t know how much they charge. The cost-saving effort begins after March 1.

“We’re looking at everything that can reduce costs without jeopardizing public safety,” Marlan said Monday. “There is no nutritional value to coffee.”

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So what is the truth about coffee?

by CHERRY MASLEN, Daily Mail

Is coffee good or bad for you? A recent study shows coffee is more addictive than previously thought, while others show a cup can have health benefits.

In our report, we look at the truth about coffee.

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Coffee drinkers have lower liver cancer rates

By RANDOLPH SCHMID
Associated Press

Researchers in Japan have discovered some eye-opening news about coffee: It may help prevent the most common type of liver cancer.

A study of more than 90,000 Japanese found that people who drank coffee daily or nearly every day had half the liver cancer risk of those who never drank coffee. The protective effect occurred in people who drank one to two cups a day and increased at three to four cups.

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Coffee drinkers have lower liver cancer rates

By RANDOLPH SCHMID
Associated Press

Researchers in Japan have discovered some eye-opening news about coffee: It may help prevent the most common type of liver cancer.

A study of more than 90,000 Japanese found that people who drank coffee daily or nearly every day had half the liver cancer risk of those who never drank coffee. The protective effect occurred in people who drank one to two cups a day and increased at three to four cups.

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Why Home Roast?

INeedCoffee.com

by Ryan Jacobs

Roasting your own coffee may seem difficult, troublesome, or even a ridiculous notion. I contend that it is neither difficult nor troublesome; and the only thing ridiculous is settling for less than the best coffee possible. There are so many reasons to roast your own coffee, but I will summarize what I think are the most compelling reasons.

The Freshness

Personally, I think the best reason for home roasting is that you have full control over the freshness level of your coffee. Having coffee at its freshest really makes a huge difference in the quality of the cup you will drink. I liken it to the difference between home-baked cookies and store-bought cookies. I guarantee that the first batch of coffee you roast in your home will taste better than the coffee roasted in Seattle two or more weeks ago or even that of your local coffee supplier. Also, consider this: right now you probably buy your coffee by the pound, so you only get to enjoy one type of coffee at a time. If you roast your own coffee, you can buy many different types and blends of green coffee. Green coffee is very easy to store, and since you can roast small batches, you can literally try a fresh, new roast each day.

It's Easy

Roasting coffee is easier than you can possibly imagine. It has been compared to boiling water or toasting bread. Just buy a small batch of green beans over the internet and locate a few, common household items. Once you have your supplies, you can have fresh roasted coffee within 5-15 minutes, depending on the roasting method and roast preference.

It's Economical

Green, unroasted, coffee beans generally cost half the price of what you would pay for the same kind of bean roasted. If you are an avid coffee drinker, you can really save money by roasting your own. Furthermore, unlike homebrewing kits or bread machines, you don't have to make a large equipment investment. I started home roasting by purchasing a West Bend Poppery II hot air popcorn machine. They retail for around $20 US. There are more advanced roasting devices that you can invest in, but you'll get great coffee from any of the available roasting methods.

Published with kind permission of INeedCoffee.com

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