Coffee 101: Fun Facts About Java

Coffee. Java. Cup of Joe. We have a lot of nicknames for the caffeine-packed brown liquid that is the life source to many. The truth about coffee is that there are a lot of things to know about it. Some of us drink coffee and do not know much more about it than it is delicious, wakes us up, and it comes from that machine over there. However, we plan to change that! We plan to educate you on the finer details about the stuff and make you a smartypants about coffee.

• The first thing you should know about coffee is that the bean we roast, grind, and brew actually grows inside little red berries; the beans are the pits of the berry. Some people affectionately refer to the berry as coffee cherries; yes, the berries are edible. So yes, you are consuming “fruit” when you have a cup of Joe; the coffee bean shares many similarities with the Brazilian acai berry, true story. As a national online coffee distributor, we think it is cool that we are technically distributing fruit. You are welcome for your health.
• Hawaii is the only state in the United States that grows coffee commercially. Coffee is commonly grown in areas of the world that are near the equator, like Brazil, Vietnam, etc. and Hawaii is the only US state that has the right climate to brew the stuff. Kona coffee is the popular coffee from the state.
• In Turkey, if your spouse did not provide you with coffee, it was grounds for divorce (beh-duh-tince!). This custom is not practiced anymore but at a time, it was. Still, watch out for the times when you brew some single cup coffee without making some for your spouse.
• The country to produce the most amount of coffee crop is Brazil, followed by Vietnam, and then Colombia. Brazil produces nearly twice as much crop as Vietnam and Colombia, on average; Brazil’s crop is a third of the crop in the entire world.
• It would take about 100 mugs of coffee to create a lethal dose of caffeine. Obviously, the amount differs for your caffeine tolerance and your body size, but on average, it would take approximately 100 cups.
• Most of the coffee enjoyed in the world is Arabica; nearly 70 percent of coffee on the market is Arabica. Robusta is at 30 percent. Robusta has nearly twice the caffeine that Arabica has.
• The Americano was created during World War 2 when American soldiers would order their espresso with water to dilute it; they thought the European way was too strong.

Now you can feel smart when drinking coffee because of all the cool facts you now know about the beverage.

Coffee & Dessert: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

You are going to love indulging with some of these caramel apple cheesecake bars with your morning coffee and you will not be disappointed. These will send you into food heaven.

This recipe is incredibly easy and well worth it. The ingredients you need are:

Crust:

• 2 cups of flour
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 2 sticks of softened butter

Filling:

• 3 packages of cream cheese 
• 1 cup of white sugar
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 3 eggs

Apple mix:

• 3 peeled Granny Smith apples-- diced
• 2 tbsp of white sugar
• 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp of nutmeg

Topping:

• 1 cup of brown sugar
• 1 cup of flour
• 1/2 cup of Quick Oats
• 1 stick of softened butter
• Caramel sauce

Here are the directions for making the best dessert to pair with your fresh ground coffee:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. LIne your baking pan (9x13") with foil and overhang on the sides a bit
3. Add flour and brown sugar to a medium sized mixing bowl 
4. Mix in butter with two forks, or use a nice pastry blender, until your mix is nice and crumbly
5. Press the mixture into the prep'd plan
6. Put in the oven for 15-20 minutes
7. Add in your cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar in a large mixing bowl
8. Mix this until it's smooth
9. Add in the eggs, one at a time
10. Pour the mix into the crust
11. Add in your apples, sugar, and cinnamon to a medium sized mixing bowl
12. Coat the apples in the sugar and cinnamon
13. Place apples over the cream cheese mix
14. Add brown sugar, flour, quick oats and soft butter to a medium sized mixing bowl and stir
15. Sprinkle this over your apple layer
16. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour. 
17. Allow to cool overnight in the fridge
18. Drizzle caramel sauce on top
19. Slice
20. Enjoy

How To Make Homemade Coffee Creamer (And Ditch the Additives)

Adding some delicious coffee creamer is every coffee drinker's right. What is not right is adding in expensive coffee creamer that is loaded with additives. That leaves a bitter taste in my mouth and it's not from the gas station coffee I got the other day. So how can we make our own coffee creamer? Let's get started. 

The base ingredients: 

• 3 cups of any combo of milk (your choice of milk)
• 4 tbsp of your favorite sugar for sweet cream

Instructions:

• Milk:
• Choose a milk that does not have any hormones, antibiotics, and GMO-fed dairy in it
• You can also use soy milk, rice milk, or almond milk. 
• Sweetener:
• Less processed sugar, the better. You can also use substitutes like Stevia or raw/organic honey. 
• Flavor: Chose any of the flavors listed below. Mix them into the base of 1.5 cups of milk and 1.5 cups of cream. 
• Mocha java: 2 tbsp of cocoa powder, 4 tbsp of brown sugar
• Mexican mocha java: 2 tbsp of cocoa, 4 tbsp of brown sugar, and 1 tsp of cinnamon
• Gingerbread: 2 tsp of molasses, 2 tbsp of brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ginger, clove, and cinnamon
• Almond toffee: 5 tbsp of sugar, 1 tsp of almond extract
• Vanilla latte: 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 4 tbsp of sugar
• Mocha mint: 2 tbsp of cocoa, 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract, 4 tbsp of sugar
• Cinnamon roll: 2 tsp of cinnamon, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, 4 tbsp of brown sugar, and a pinch of salt
• Cherry amaretto: 1 tbsp of almond extract, 4 tbsp of sugar, and 1 tsp of cherry extract
• Chocolate raspberry: 4 tbsp of seedless raspberry jelly, 2 tbsp of sugar
• Salted caramel: 6 tbsp brown sugar, pinch of salt
• Bring it all to a slow simmer- mix in the sweetener and the flavoring into your milk and slowly bring the mixture to a simmer and steams slightly (do not let it come to a boil). Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool. Once it is cool, place it in the fridge. 

Enjoy your K-Cup coffee or fresh ground coffee with some homemade, delicious coffee creamer! 

GIF source: http://wherethecontrailsgo.tumblr.com

What Your Coffee Order Says About You

Coffee is a very popular, and healthy, beverage. Millions and millions of people around the world drink the stuff every morning, afternoon, evening, and night. With so many people around the world drinking coffee, people with varying interests and tastes (pun intended), there is certainly a wide variety of coffee options. 

Our fresh coffee team decided to put a little article together to talk about how your particular coffee order just might describe the type of person you are. Yes, the article is somewhat facetious, although you might find some truth in here, too. 

• The latte lover: Latte drinkers tend to seek out comfort, be chill, and reflect on things. They like to add in some cream and sugar to their coffee, which reminds of them of how there's always a little sweetness in a dark, bitter world. Their mug is often playful and they like to have shirts sporting an interest from their childhood. Like Thundercats. Their ideal way to drink coffee is to lay on the couch or comfy recliner, while wearing moccasins and comfortable jeans. 

• The espresso enthusiast: Always on the move and taking charge. Is that their fourth shot of espresso since the morning status meeting? I've lost count. They like abbreviated words in emails and texts to save time. Of course, they have a loyal personal assistant who is like a gatekeeper at Fort Knox. 

• The cappuccino consumer: The extroverted socialite (to any degree) who is creative and looks on the bright side of life (cue Monty Python). They are attached to multiple screens and conversations at once (whether the conversations are on devices or live will vary). They like to doodle and do other artsy things like paint, make origami, or build Pinterest crafts. They live at coffee shops.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The black coffee bud: The serious one. Straight-laced. Quiet, dedicated, and often a purist. Sometimes enigmatic. Presentation is as it should be: perfectly parted, professional hair, pressed suits (often black but other mute colors are welcome), either has a mustache or clean-shaven, sometimes sports fun socks. 

• The artisan coffee aficionado. The fashionable one, often wearing plaid, a beard or solid stubble, and either glasses or a scarf. If not wearing plaid, then a tight sweater will do. They live outside the mainstream lifestyle, never enters the big chain coffee shops, and they prefer to drink the expensive coffee that was extracted from some animal's fecal matter. Don't be shocked if their Instagram is full of overhead shots of art drawn in the foam (if they get a drink with foam). 

• The frappuccino fanatic. Blogger. Instagrammer. Pinterest poet. They do it all. Their eyes on their smartphone posting a tweet about the latest fashion guides and trends. Of course, they are always on the move and moving quickly. They stay ahead of the trends. 

So which coffee drinker are you? Or do you prefer a simple cup of K-Cup coffee or a cup of fresh ground coffee at home? Whichever you are, we love that you love coffee and express yourself genuinely! 

White Chocolate Latte Recipe for New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is a great night for getting together with friends, family, and even strangers to watch the clock tick and strike midnight, welcoming the new year. Of course, the energy it takes to be energetic and awake all the way until midnight tends to wane as we get older.

So what is the solution? Coffee. A cup of coffee. Now, I find that taking the time to make an ordinary cup of coffee something special does not have to be a huge ordeal. This K-Cup coffee  recipe is easy to make and will wow your tastebuds and your party guests. 

What you will need:

• 1 extra bold coffee K-Cup -- this can be whatever brand of coffee that you like, just make sure it is indeed extra bold. 
• 4 ounces of skim milk
• 2 tablespoons of white chocolate chips
• whipped cream
• A milk frother-- If you do not have this, then get heavy whipping cream and use a whisk on it for a while until it gets nice and airy. 
• Mug

Now what? Now, we get to make the coffee. It is easy, trust me. 

1. Put 2 tablespoons of white chocolate chips into a 14 ounce mug
2. Brew the single cup coffee into that same mug
3. Froth the milk
4. Stir the coffee until the chocolate chips are melted
5. Mix in the frothed milk (if you use a frother, be careful because it will be hot)
6. Top that loveliness off with whipped cream

This coffee drink will both delight you and make the night even more exciting. It'll make the night go from, "Wow, it's almost midnight…" to "Wow! It's almost midnight!" 

Short on K-Cups in your home or office? Buy coffee from Coffeevines and get your coffee delivered to you ASAP with fast & easy shipping. 

Not a fan of K-Cups? Consider someone you know who might be. 

Can We Have Tea or Coffee After Thanksgiving Dinner?

It is customary for many people to have a cup of tea or coffee right after having a large meal. We get tired and so a cup of coffee is ideal to wake us up; a cup of tea often seems ideal, too, because we think the menthol or mint can soothe our stomachs.

While we can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea after a meal, right after is not always the best plan of action. The best time to have some coffee or tea is an hour after eating.

Why should you wait an hour after eating? Well, tea and coffee both have acid in them and that acid can cause proteins to digest slower; this could cause us to not get the full benefits from the meal.

This is why you should wait an hour after finishing the meal; you get the benefits of the meal and then still get to enjoy the benefits of the coffee or tea.

Have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving Day from Coffeevines! Do you need some coffee or tea delivered to you quickly in time for the holiday? Then shop Coffeevines and get your coffee delivered right to your door.

8 Fun & Festive Twists on Coffee

Coffee is already an amazing thing but who is to say that you can't make a great thing better? I say you can! In the spirit of it being cold out now and holidays coming up, here are 8 ways to make your coffee a bit more delightful.

1. Caramel. Using some of the caramel ice cream topping in your fridge will work wonderfully for this. If you are more of a purist, you can melt down some caramel and mix it in. 
2. Vanilla. Mixing in some vanilla extract or some vanilla coffee creamer makes coffee taste like heaven. 
3. Cinnamon. If you use ground cinnamon, then add in a teaspoon of it; if you want to be a bit more adventurous, then use a cinnamon stick to stir your coffee. This is a common thing to do in Spain and some South American countries. Very good.
4. Ice cream. Mix in whatever kind of ice cream you want but I tend to stay with vanilla or chocolate. Make sure your coffee is hot enough to take the coldness of the ice cream and stay warm. 
5. Peppermint. Use a peppermint candy cane to stir your coffee, it tastes great and works wonderfully! It is cool, too, because you hear the candy cane crackle and melt due to the heat of the coffee. 
6. Chocolate. Make it mocha! I like to mix in some hot cocoa mix, chocolate chips, or break of pieces of a candy bar. 
7. Honey. A spoonful of honey gives it great flavor and texture. Who doesn't love honey? 
8. Marshmallow fluff. I was skeptical about this one but it gives great flavor and makes it a bit thick and creamy. Wow, so good. 

Give these tips a try! You'd be surprised how delicious some can be, like the marshmallow fluff, who knew? Once you try them, let us know on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or in the comments! 

Need coffee delivered to you quickly at your home or office? Then shop with Coffeevines! We have major brands like Starbucks, Green Mountain, and Peets. 

Debunked Coffee Myths: 5 of Them

Coffee is one of the world's most consumed beverages, along with tea and water. Due to its popularity, there are going to by myths about it because people form their own theories about it. We have a list of 5 debunked coffee myths so you can live your life knowing the correct coffee information.

Whether it is K-Cup coffee, espresso, drip coffee, or other kinds, we myths for them.

1. Espresso has more caffeine than K-Cups. Espresso is a potent form of coffee when you consider the caffeine; however, that is because espresso is packing lots of caffeine into a little bit of liquid. So by volume, espresso wins. However, when you look at the numbers, both espresso and single cup coffee are actually comparable in terms of caffeine. The USDA states that 2 ounces of espresso has 120 mg's of caffeine while a 10 ounce cup of coffee has about the same amount. 
2. Arabica coffee is king of the [coffee] crop. Arabica beans are very popular, often more popular than robusta. Robusta beans are less popular due to their rubbery and acrid flavor that has caused many to consider the beans to be inferior. Approximately three-quarters of the coffee drinking world consumes arabica over rubusta. However, when you look at the market shares, robusta is miles in front of specialty grade and other certified coffees. 
3. The only coffee Italians drink is Espresso coffee. While they do love the stuff, about two-thirds of Italian coffee drinkers consume their coffee at home. Do they own countertop espresso machines? Most of them do not; many of them use a "moka pot" which is like an espresso machine but it does not make anything as strong as true espresso. They are very popular machines. 
4. Decaf is for the weak! This is not a fair assumption; many people avoid the caffeinated version for a multitude of reasons. Such as those who are pregnant: those with heart conditions, allergies, those who are easily affected by caffeine, people who drink it late in the day, etc. The bottom line is that just because you drink decaf coffee, doesn't mean you are not strong enough for real coffee. 
5. The gourmet coffee is too pricey. The old saying goes, "You pay for quality". And it is very, very true. You also pay for coffee that is worth more work, such as fair trade certified coffee and organic coffee. When coffee requires more work to harvest, roast, and brew, then yeah, it will be more costly. It is like buying a high-end car, it wouldn't be fair to the manufacturer to charge the same price as a less quality car. 

10 Things You Need to Know About Coffee

We love coffee, especially our single cup coffee, and while we sit and drink it everyday in the United States, there is so much to be known about it! We have 10 rather interesting facts to know about the wonderful beverage that is coffee.

1. When coffee manufacturers decaffeinate coffee, they then sell the caffeine to soda manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. These companies use caffeine in their products and need a great resource to get it from; no caffeine is wasted here! 
2. We spend a lot of money on coffee; the average American (who enjoys coffee) spends $1,092 on the stuff per year! That's a lot of coffee. 
3. Have you ever wondered where the name "Starbucks" came from? The founders of the coffee chain named the place after Captain Ahab's first mate. It was actually debated if they should name it after his ship instead, Pequod. 
4. The coffee shops, "Chock full o' Nuts" is named after the founder's nut stores that he switched over to coffee places. So no, there are no nuts in the coffee. 
5. The writer, Honore de Balzac, reportedly consumed up to fifty cups of java a day to keep his writing going. This is all according to legend, who knows if he actually did. That's a heck of a lot of coffee. 
6. For their passage to the 1932 Olympics, the Brazilian olympians piled bags of coffee on the ship and sold it along the way to pay for their way there. In case you didn't know, those Olympics were in Los Angeles. 
7. Did you know British women once wanted to ban coffee? In 1674, British women wanted to ban it because they believed it turned men into useless individuals. So, they wanted the beverage banned for anyone under the age of 60. Crazy, huh?
8. Coffee was actually banned in the city of Mecca back in 1511. Why? It was believed to fuel inappropriate things like radical thinking and "hanging out". 
9. Researchers at Cambridge utilized the first webcam to monitor a coffee pot. Yeah, they wanted to keep an eye on how much coffee was left (and who was taking it) without leaving their desks. 
10. Back in 2008, a Starbucks barista gave her kidney to a customer to save her life. 

Those are some mind-blowing facts, huh? My head is tired from all that knowledge; I think it's time for an organic coffee K-Cup. Maybe something bold, like dark roast coffee. 

8 Reasons You Should Try Organic Coffee

Coffee gives off an exciting and therapeutic aroma and then completes it with a lovely flavor. These things are part of what make coffee just so darn necessary to everyday life, also , it helps wake us up very nicely. Now, imagine having that plus having the knowledge that the K-cup coffee is organic coffee as well. Coffee already gives us numerous health benefits but now imagine that PLUS the organic health benefits.

Why organic?

1. Organic coffee does not have any additives in it. What you get is pure ground coffee beans with nothing else added into it. 
2. It is full of nutrients and vitamins as well. You have even more antioxidant benefits than you get with non-organic. Antioxidants that help fight disease and even aging. 
3. You get caffeine in its greatest and purest way, this makes its energizing effect even better. 
4. It has even greater flavor- both in quality and quantity.
5. The soil that the beans were grown in used organic fertilizer and that helps put the nutrients back into the soil. 
6. Organic fertilizer helps make a healthier, fuller crop that produces a much more quality product. 
7. The soil that the plants grow in is much more resistant to disease and ward off soil erosion. 
8. You help coffee farmers earn a better standard of living. 

So next time you purchase K-Cups, go ahead and buy some organic single cup coffee and see the difference for yourself! If you like traditional coffee, that is still incredibly delicious and has tremendous health benefits. 

What Food Pairs with Coffee?

Coffee is a big deal, it is consumed by millions of people around the world every day. It is rather common to enjoy our coffee with some delicious food. However, what foods were basically created with coffee in mind and are the perfect partner to our java friend?

1. Beignets. This is pronounced like "ben-yay", like you just got really excited for some dude named Ben. These little guys are like heaven in your mouth! They are deep fried dough that you enjoy with a lot of powdered sugar. They are a famous treat at the renowned Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans. Due to the powered sugar, they can get a bit messy but it is worth it and they blend so well with a cup of your favorite single cup coffee. 
2. Coffee cake. Yeah, I mean "coffee" is in the name! Whether you like coffee cake that has fruit, cheese, nuts, plain, whatever, it is going to go well with some coffee. 
3. Donuts. How many times do you see someone enjoying a donut with their coffee? Think about this pairing and how perfect it is, a whole company is dedicated to this concept (Dunkin')! The best donuts for k cup coffee is a nice cake donut because they are denser but let's be real, any donut is going to work well. 
4.  Toast. Perhaps the simplest food pairing for some coffee, especially since the average household has at least one loaf of bread so you can make it whenever. Put some butter, margarine, or jam/jelly/preserves on it and you are in a good situation. 
5. Bacon, egg, and cheese bagel. Sometimes you want something savory to enjoy with your coffee, that's where this sandwich of awesomeness comes into play. Now, you don't have to do it on a bagel, an english muffin or toast works well too. 

If you are itching for some delicious coffee to enjoy with some breakfast, then visit Coffeevines and find your favorite brands of k cups of coffee and tea! 

2 Reasons Why K Cups Beat Ground Coffee

Almost every coffee lover battles with the argument about which style of coffee is better: k cup coffee or ground coffee that you brew through traditional drip methods.

However, here, we have provided two major reasons why k cups aka single cup coffee is better than ground coffee via drip method.

1. K cups do not waste any coffee. When you brew your cup of coffee from a single cup coffee brewer, you are only making enough coffee for yourself, in an amount that you can easily consume in a responsible amount of time. It may sounds selfish to only make enough coffee for yourself but in reality, it is more responsible than making a whole pot of coffee. See, when you make a whole pot, the whole thing has to be consumed within a short amount of time or it goes cold; once the coffee in the pot goes cold, you either have to heat it up again (gross), or you have to pour it down the drain (sorry, wallet). All the coffee maker brews is one cup that is a good amount, it's not like it brews a gallon just for you. 

1. You also do not waste coffee because of how long the coffee in the k cups can last. See, when you have k cups, the coffee grounds in the cups is not exposed to air or anything else until you brew the coffee. When you use bags or cans of coffee, all the grounds are exposed to air each and every time you open the packaging to scoop some coffee out. Over time, the air that gets inside reduces the quality of the coffee. 
2. Variety. With K cups, you can store them on either a carousel or a drawer and even just stack the boxes neatly in your cupboard. If you want to have 20 varieties of coffee blends on your counter, you can easily do that with the small k cups and neat organizer; if you try that with coffee cans, you will run out of counter space quickly. The convenience factor is off the charts when it comes to single cup coffee. Another aspect of convenience is the fact that if you want a different coffee blend than someone else, you don't have to wait to brew another pot to satisfy their desires, you just pop in a new k cup. 

How To Make a Spiced Mocha Latte

Have you ever drank something so delicious cascade over your tastebuds with such suavity that you couldn't help but take another sip? Well, that is what you get when you drink a spiced mocha latte.

What will you need to make yourself a spiced mocha latte?

• One extra bold k cup. It doesn't matter what brand you have for this, just that it is extra bold and a brand that you like and can trust to make a good cup of coffee. 
• Four ounces of milk. It can be skim, one percent, two percent, whole, etc. Many recipes call for having skim milk but that is entirely up to you. You have whole milk? Use whole milk, it's your latte! 
• Half a teaspoon of cinnamon. 
• A quarter teaspoon of nutmeg. 
• Two tablespoons (yes, tablespoons, not teaspoons) of chocolate syrup. Now, again, use whatever brand you like. We do prefer you use syrup over chocolate powder for sake of ease and taste. 
• Whipped cream. This can be a tub or a can. It will be for decoration. 
• A milk frother. The frother will make the milk a nice texture and warm. 
• A mug. Try to get one that can hold around 14 ounces. 
• A cinnamon stick. This is also for decoration, you can use ground cinnamon for decoration and a bit of flavor if you don't happen to have cinnamon sticks on hand. 

Are you ready to brew?

1. Brew your k cup in your coffee machine into your mug. 
2. As the coffee brews, prep the milk in your frother, watch this step carefully. 
3. Once your coffee is ready to go, stir in your half teaspoon of cinnamon. 
4. Stir in your quarter teaspoon of nutmeg. Make sure your cinnamon and nutmeg are stirred in well, not clumpy. 
5. Add in your two tablespoons of chocolate syrup. 
6. Now is the hard part, add in your frothed milk. Do this gradually so you don't splash all over since both the milk and coffee are hot. 
7. Top it all off with whipped cream, as much as you want. 
8. Drizzle the chocolate syrup on top or sprinkle cinnamon or chocolate powder for decoration. 
9. Enjoy your latte from your single cup coffee. 

K Cup Coffee Recipe: Cafe Latte

K cup coffee has been a real blessing for many; you get a fresh cup of gourmet quality coffee brewed in your home or office in a matter of a minute. However, for many, the most extravagant thing we do with our coffee after brewing it is maybe add some cream and/or sugar. If you're lucky, you may see someone stir their coffee with a cinnamon stick but that is the most luxurious thing most of us see people do with their coffee they brew themselves. However, it doesn't have to be that way; even if we brew coffee ourselves instead of running to coffee shops, we can still have the fancy drinks.

The drink we will discuss today is the cafe latte. What you will need for this single cup coffee recipe is nothing crazy or going to cost you a fortune:

• One extra bold coffee K cup. 
• Four ounces of milk (you can use skim, one percent, two percent, or whole. This will just make more or less creamy). 
• Milk frother. 
• Sweetener (you don't need this if you want less sugar. You can also use a sugar substitute). 
• A mug (try to get a larger one, like a 14 ounce mug). 

Once you have all your ingredients ready, then go ahead and start making the treat. 

1. Brew your k cup into your mug. 
2. While that is brewing, grab your milk and milk frother and heat up your milk with the frother. This will give it a nice consistency. 
3. Once the coffee is done brewing and is ready, mix in your milk that has been warmed by the frother. 
4. Add in any sugar or sugar substitute (if you want to) and season to taste. 

Enjoy. 

Drought in Brazil is Affecting the Coffee Crop

Brazil, a country located in South American and is one of the biggest producers of coffee in the world. Due to the country's location, they are no stranger to the heat and having droughts, however, the one they are in the middle of right now has lasted longer than those in the past and is taking its toll on the countries crops.

The drought is really hitting Brazil's breadbasket region, located in southeastern Brazil, is where most of their crops come from such as crops for food and coffee. Scientists who are analyzing the drought for Brazil say that it will not end soon and that the worst is still yet to come. For many farmers, what is left of their crop is minimal since most of it has been destroyed or producing very little. This is in stark contrast to last year when the region's rivers flooded.

The scientists in Brazil are saying that the regions where a lot of coffee is planted, like the areas that are lower elevations, will see the heat increase as the drought goes on; predictions for the coffee plantations is that some will have to be abandoned. If that were to happen, Brazil could lose some coffee crop, as much as 10 percent, in the next six to seven years.

There are rumors about coffee shortages but those are not true, according to analysts.

If you are looking to purchase some k cup coffee then make your way to Coffeevines. 

Coffee Roasts & Their Differences

If you are into coffee, then you should know that there are different coffee roasts; not all coffee beans are roasted the same way. If you are new to coffee and didn't even know roasting the beans was a thing, well, we'll help you with that.

Roasting a process that is done to the beans that heats the beans from the weird looking raw greenish bean into the brown, fragrant, magical wonder that we often see in coffee shops and stores. When the beans are raw, they can be kept in that way for quite a long time; once roasted, use them or lose them.

Roasting coffee beans is not something considered for those new to coffee; roasting is considered an art form and takes years to master. It has been said that roasting coffee beans takes a quick mind and quick hands.

So why roast? It makes the bean have that delicious flavor and smell. If you were to eat or smell a raw bean, it would probably remind you of grass. Imagine drinking a grassy liquid (not like the grass shots from Jamba) instead of the coffee we know and love today.

So what are the different kinds of coffee roasts?

• Light roasts, or mild roasts. These beans are lighter in color, like a light brown. The mild roast is used for softer, or milder, coffee blends. Common names for mild roasts include: light city, cinnamon, half city, and New England. 
• Medium roasts. This roast is obviously a medium brown color, like a milk chocolate color. These beans have a heartier flavor and aroma. The medium roast is perhaps the most popular in the United States. Some common names for this roast include city, American, and breakfast. 
• Medium-dark roast. This kind is a bit darker than medium and has a bit more flavor and aroma while not being as intense as dark roast. It has a more bittersweet taste. A common name for this roast is full city. 
• Dark roasts. These beans have the most shine to them due to the longer roasting process. Due to the longer process, they have a more bitter flavor than the other kinds of roasts; however, coffee that is dark roast tends to have less acidity than the others as well. You can find variety in the dark roast arena; beans range from slightly dark to charred. Some common names for dark include high, continental, New Orleans, European, espresso, Viennese, Italian, and French. 

You can find light, medium, and dark roasts on our site from Coffeevines. As an online coffee retailer, we enjoy bringing the love of coffee to anyone in the country. 

Coffee Trends - The Third Wave

There is a trend emerging and gaining popularity; it is called the "third wave of coffee". This trend is rather common and popular in the United States and now it has made its way to Japan.

So what is this trend? It is the practice of choosing coffee based on where the coffee was grown (not just the country but also the particular farm it was grown on). Depending on the country (and farm) the coffee was grown, the coffee drinkers focus on different ways of brewing or even roasting the coffee; there is the traditional method, the single cup coffee method, hand drip method, etc.

So why is it called the "third wave"? Well, the first wave of coffee exploration came in the 60s and 70s when tons and tons of coffee was being consumed seemingly 24/7. The second wave came in the era known as "Seattle coffee" which occurred in the 80s & 90s when Starbucks and other chains, mostly from Seattle like the name implies, were coming to the market and experienced massive success.

This past Fall, coffee drinkers in Japan saw an event happen that allowed them to enjoy Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee for the first time; with this kind of coff
ee, brewers make the coffee via traditional drip method. What is this method (for those who don't know)? It is allowing hot water to make its way through the ground beans and through a filter.

What sparked this trend? Well, coffee connoisseurs realized that depending on where the coffee is from, it will taste differently, much like wine, due to the climate and the soil it grew in that year. So what did the event crowd think of the Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee? They thought the coffee had a good combination of flavor with hints of acidic taste; a generic description that describes quite a bit of coffee kinds.

This trend has sparked a new trend for coffee houses as now they are starting to label where the coffee was grown.

As online coffee retailers and an national online coffee distributor, we love that there are new trends in coffee, they keep it exciting. This particular trend is interesting and brings a certain level on intricacy to coffee consumption that wasn't there before.

Coffeevines.com Has Launched!

It’s coffee time!

We are pleased to announce the launch of Coffeevines.com. Your #1 source for single-cup coffees. Check out our site, order your favorite coffees and keep coming back for more. Stay informed of the latest coffee news by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter and Pinterest, and reading our blog. We are all about coffee!

What are some features of the site?

• Easy navigation
• Clean user interface
• Secure and easy to understand check-out process

We are very excited about the launch of the website and believe it will bring you much joy.

Coffeevines is a young online national coffee distributor but has the experience of a true veteran in the industry. Coffeevines is an authorized retailer of many brand name coffees. The sales for K-cup coffee have tripled in the last three years so we are excited to be part of the popularity that has come of coffee pod style brewing. We also have tea and hot chocolate single cups as well! 

Dinner…From a Coffee Maker?

Living in the 21st century, we as humans never stop striving to figure out the next crazy thing. Throughout history, coffee makers have been known to make, well, COFFEE. You put the coffee grounds in the filter or the coffee pod in the tray and what is the result is what you expect to be the result: a wonderful aroma and a liquid that is a life source.

However, in recent months, a new trend has emerged and it is making something in a coffee maker that is not coffee, it's food. People have figured out the ability to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a coffee pot.

So what are some of the foods that you can whip up in a coffee pot?

• Oatmeal
• Empty some packs of instant oatmeal into the pot. Put in some fruit or honey for flavor. Place a fruity flavored herbal tea into the filter basket. Pour around 9 ounces of water into the maker and turn it on. 
• Poached chicken
• Take a chicken breast, butter, and salt and place into the coffee pot. Let it brew (only hot water, of course) for 15 minutes, flip chicken, brew again. The hot water cooks the chicken. 
• Grilled cheese
• This one seems a bit more logical. You simply use the coffee pot burner like a griddle. 
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Put the eggs in the pot and let the hot water brew and sit in the hot water for 7-8 minutes. 
• Rice
• Pour 1/2 cup of instant rice (per person) into the pot. Brew the appropriate amount of water and leave it for 5-10 minutes so the rice can cook. 
• Chocolate fondue
• This one is a bit messy but doable. Heat up some cream in the pot for about 15 minutes and mix in some chocolate (break it up). Let it heat for 10 minutes and stir. 
• Corn on the cob
• Put corn in the pot and brew water for about 8 minutes. 
• Ramen 
• This is another logical one. Put the ramen in the pot and brew some water and let it sit until the noodles are tender. 
• Steamed veggies
• Place the veggies in the pot and brew some water. 
• Chicken pesto pasta
• Sear the chicken on the burner. Then use a coffee grinder for the pesto. Cook the pasta in the pot. Mix & eat. 
• Quesadillas
• Put the quesadilla together and cook on the burner. 
• Poached fish steaks
• Make sure the steaks are about 3/4 inches thick. Put in the filter. Brew water so it runs over the fish. Do 10-11 cups of water through the maker. Flip the fish & repeat. 

Hungry yet? Possibly. Thirsty for some coffee? Not in that coffeemaker but yes. As national online coffee distributors we love seeing all the fun ways that coffee and coffeemakers are used in the world. 

Effects of Coffee on Your Health

Coffee is a drink that is consumed by most of the world and by many generations of people; it is coffee drinkers are drinking the stuff at a pace of a few cups a day. Due to the mass consumption of coffee, one wonders how it affects the body. However, after a study performed by the Harvard School of Public Health, we have some news that can make a coffee drinker smile.

• The study found that drinking around six cups of coffee a day is not linked to a higher risk of death from any cause; the study dispelled rumors that consuming six cups of coffee a day can increase your chances of death from cancer or heart disease. 

• The study did find that those who have trouble regulating their blood pressure or blood sugar should maintain a small consumption of coffee or at least switch to decaf. This finding also applied to pregnant women; pregnant women are encouraged to try and avoid coffee during the pregnancy. 

• Coffee that is brewed with a paper filter (yes, this does include single cup coffee since the filter is built into the coffee pod). This is important because the filter helps remove a substance in the coffee that has been linked to an increase in LDL cholesterol. 

The study found that the link between coffee and an increased risk of death from any cause, like cancer or heart disease was not true after conducting a study utilizing 130,000 volunteers. What the study did was follow 40-50 year olds for 18-24 years and monitored them. They found that those who consumed coffee, even as much as six cups a day (a cup was 8 ounces and with no cream or sugar), were at no more of a risk of dying than those who consumed no coffee. This was an important finding because it showed people that drinking coffee is not a risk on your health (unless there are extenuating circumstances like a health condition or disease that reacts to coffee). If you are a coffee drinker and wish to improve your health, this study shows that your overall diet and lifestyle choices are great places to start. 

Is there such a thing as too much coffee? Yes, but that depends on each person. You will know if you have had too much coffee if you have tremors, trouble sleeping, feeling stressed when you normally wouldn't, agitated, etc. then you know you have had too much coffee. 

As with everything, moderation is key; however, now you know there is no real risk if you are a coffee lover.