Koen’s Coffee Corner part of Mylifestyleblogs.com Channel

I was just like a small miracle when Taufik — a fellow barrista of Starbucks BIP –  told me on facebook wall that they have another Black-Apron Exclusive (BAE) pack reserved for me in Bandung: Sulawesi Toraja. Surprising, because the previous BAE was Sumatra Siborongborong. Two Indonesian precious coffee in a row :).

But it was like really a miracle when I visited Starbucks BIP (Bandung) to take my pack. Feeling like a déjà vu when I saw its pack: just like the famous Kopi Kampung (BAE 2006). And indeed. The package, all information printed, and almost everything resemble the package of Kopi Kampung. I took it home and compare it.

It needed another day to grind the black beans in Jakarta. Brewed sans sucre, now I’m in touch with it. Yeah, a reincarnation of Kopi Kampung. The defining impression of Starbucks BAE.

Regular visitors must realise that the first entry of this blog discussed Kopi Kampung, which was very rare in quality and taste. Now we have another opportunity to prove what I have written :). Dare to try?

Topic: Indonesian, Sbux

Maybe some people still have no idea if I ask them, what are the differences between Arabica and Robusta?

The two most important species of coffee economically are Coffea arabica (Arabica coffee) - which accounts for over 70% of world production - and Coffea canephora (Robusta coffee). Two other species which are grown on a much smaller scale are Coffea liberica (Liberica coffee) and Coffea dewevrei (Excelsa coffee).

Coffea arabica - Arabica coffee

Arabica is grown high up in the mountains, and it requires a lot of tender loving care to keep it happy. That, of course, makes it more expensive to grow, and thus drink. Coffea arabica was first described by Linnaeus in 1753. The best known varieties are ‘Typica’ and ‘Bourbon’ but from these many different strains and cultivars have been developed, such as caturra (Brazil, Colombia), Mundo Novo (Brazil), Tico (Central America), the dwarf San Ramon and the Jamaican Blue Mountain. The average arabica plant is a large bush with dark-green oval leaves. It is genetically different from other coffee species, having four sets of chromosomes rather than two. The fruits are oval and mature in 7 to 9 months; they usually contain two flat seeds (the coffee beans) - when only one bean develops it is called a peaberry. Arabica coffee is often susceptible to attack by pests and diseases, therefore resistance is a major goal of plant breeding programmes. Arabica coffee is grown throughout Latin America, in Central and East Africa, in India and to some extent in Indonesia.

Coffea canephora - Robusta coffee

The term ‘robusta’ is actually the name of a widely grown variety of this species. It is a robust shrub or small tree growing up to 10 metres in height, but with a shallow root system. The fruits are rounded and take up to 11 months to mature; the seeds are oval in shape and smaller than those of C. arabica. The Arabica, with twice as many chromosomes as the Robusta, has great complexity to it, which makes it a great home choice, but the Robusta is really the bean that has made low-cost coffee drinking possible. If you can take its slightly more bitter taste (and many prefer it), it’s a great inexpensive option. Robusta coffee is grown in West and Central Africa, throughout South-East Asia and to some extent in Brazil, where it is known as Conillon.

Source : KopiTips , Credits : Wholelattelove

Topic: All About Coffee, History, Traditional

Here it is our new recipe. Its irish coffee, readers! This one may bring warm into your stomach, so, just be carefull :)

Prepare : 3 tsp coffee, 1 tsp sugar, 250ml boiling water, and of course, 3tsp wisky.

How to : Mix the coffee and sugar into boiling water, then add the wisky into it. Serve.

Credit and Recipe taken from Sajian Kopi ala Cafe, Yuni Pradata & Raninta Ika Ariestya 

Topic: Recipes

Tea & Coffee industry is a high import and export commodity. And it’s not possible, if this industry will be covered the oil industry that has been very popular in the oil countries. To climate a high production & economic sector of this industry in Asia Pacific, by mixing this two biggest economic value commodity in the Asia Pacific AGPI (Avava Global Promotion Indonesia PT) would like to present ASIAN TEA & COFFEE EXPO 2009 and related product of it in Batam island – Indonesia.

AGPI would like to presenting the Indonesian Tea & Coffee Companies / Manufacturing / Tea & Coffee industry / farmer, and it’s related to the International market and bring the International Tea & Coffee market and it’s related into the country.

In the expo,  the number of 3500 - 4000 visitor per day is targeted.

Topic: All About Coffee, News About Coffee

Among many facts about coffee, these upcoming facts may be some truth that have not been widely published.

First, may be there still few people knowing that coffee has no calories. It is naturally a no calorie drink.

At one time “coffee” was a term for wine. The drink became so popular and many turned to drink actual coffee for the fact it kept you awake rather than put you out, they gave the name to what we know as “coffee” today.

Do you know how much coffee beans needed to make a shot of expresso? It takes about 45 coffee beans to make one shot of espresso!

Another fact is : In Japan, the Japanese bathe in fermented pineapple pulp mixed with coffee grounds for a beauty treatment that reduces wrinkles and tones the skin. Woow, they must waste coffee on this :)

You know, “Coffee Day” is actually celebrated as a holiday in Costa Rica on September 12th and in Ireland on September 19th, and Japan actually has “Coffee Day” on October 1st.

Topic: All About Coffee, Blog, History

Frankly speaking, I can’t imagine a world without coffee. What a cold and flat life, haha.

The studies about coffee and its supposed benefits or harms have been reported in many controversy. In one hand, it is said that caffeine raises blood pressure, but somehow, it is also mentioned to have beneficial antioxidants and improves athletic and mental performance, etc.

You know what, in the most recent study to come out, is was claimed that coffee is not bad for us. In fact, it may confer “a reduced risk of death”. This is a funny fact–well I’m not forbiding you to laugh–since everyone is at risk of death :)

In the study of The Annals of Internal Medicine, suggests that suggest long-term, regular coffee consumption does not increase the risk of death and probably has several beneficial effects on health,” said the study’s lead author Dr. Esther Lopez-Garcia, an assistant professor of preventive medicine at the Autonoma University in Madrid, Spain.

Now what? I’m going to the conclusion that drinking cofee makes us happier. And ofcourse, happier people live longer. This is logical statement, hahaha! :D

Credit : carrieanddanielle 

Topic: All About Coffee, Blog, Effects, My Story, News About Coffee

Hei readers! Enough with serious coffee topics, let’s get some laugh on this piece of coffee humor! So, this is it :)

Ways to know if you drink too much coffee

- You can “out-yip” your chihuaha.

-There’s more grounds than soil around your garden plants.

• You make coffee ice cubes for your iced coffee.

• You eat coffee jello (or coffee agar for coffee-lovin’ vegetarians). (The above four are courtesy of Ruth Gagliano)

-You haven’t blinked since the last lunar eclipse.

• You’ve built a miniature city out of little plastic stirrers.

• You have a picture of your coffee mug on your coffee mug.

• People get dizzy just watching you.

• You sleep with your eyes open :-D

• You have to watch videos in fast forward.

• People can test batteries in your ears.

• You don’t get mad; you get steamed.

• You don’t tan; you roast.

• The only kitchen appliances you own are made by Mr. Coffee.

• You get a tax cut for all the coffee you bought.

• You get a speeding ticket even when you’re parked.

• You speed walk in your sleep.

• You have a bumper sticker that says: “Coffee drinkers are good in the sack.”

• You just completed another sweater and you don’t know how to knit.

• You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.

• The nurse needs a scientific calculator to take your pulse.

• When you open your dish cabinet, and there is only mugs.

• The only time you’re standing still is during an earthquake.

• You can take a picture of yourself from ten feet away without using the timer.

• You lick your coffeepot clean.

• You spend every vacation visiting “Maxwell House.”

• You’re the employee of the month at the local coffeehouse and you don’t even work there.

• You’ve worn out your third pair of tennis shoes this week.

• Your eyes stay open when you sneeze.

• Your coffee cake, must have coffee in it.

• You chew on other people’s fingernails.

• Your T-shirt says, “Decaffeinated coffee is the devil’s blend.”

• You’re so jittery that people use your hands to blend their margaritas.

• You can type sixty words per minute… with your feet.

• The only gift you get for Valentines Day you get chocolate covered beans.

• You can jump-start your car without cables.

• Your only source of nutrition comes from “Sweet & Low.”

• You don’t sweat, you percolate.

• You’ve worn out the handle on your favorite mug.

• You go to AA meetings just for the free coffee.

• You walk twenty miles on your treadmill before you realize it’s not plugged in.

• You forget to unwrap candy bars before eating them.

• Charles Manson thinks you need to calm down.

• Every shirt or blouse you own has a coffee stain on it.

• You’ve worn the finish off your coffee table.

• The Taster’s Choice couple wants to adopt you.

• Starbucks owns the mortgage on your house.

• You’re so wired, you pick up AM radio and people test their batteries in your ears.

• Your life’s goal is to amount to a hill of beans.

• Instant coffee takes too long.

• When someone says. “How are you?”, you say, “Good to the last drop.”

• You want to be cremated just so you can spend the rest of eternity in a coffee can.

• You want to come back as a coffee mug in your next life.

• Your birthday is a national holiday in Brazil.

• Your hand is permanently shaped to hold your mug.

• You’d be willing to spend time in a Turkish prison.

• You go to sleep just so you can wake up and smell the coffee.

• You’re offended when people use the word “brew” to mean beer.

• You name your cats “Cream” and “Sugar.”

• You get drunk just so you can sober up.

• You speak perfect Arabic without ever taking a lesson.

• Your lips are permanently stuck in the sipping position.

• You have a picture of your coffee mug on your coffee mug.

• You can outlast the Energizer bunny.

• You can jump to the moon.

• You short out motion detectors.

• You have a conniption over spilled milk.

• You don’t even wait for the water to boil anymore.

• Your nervous twitch registers on the Richter scale.

• You think being called a “drip” is a compliment.

• Your three favorite things in life are…coffee before, coffee during and coffee after :-p

• Your lover uses soft lights, romantic music, and a glass of iced coffee to get you in the mood.

• You can’t even remember your second cup.

• You help your dog chase its tail.

• You soak your dentures in coffee overnight.

• You introduce your spouse as your coffeemate.

• You think CPR stands for “Coffee Provides Resuscitation.”

• Your first-aid kit contains two pints of coffee with an I.V. hookup.

Source :  Heritage-Coffee, Credit : phfactor

Topic: All About Coffee, Blog, My Story

A well caffeinated guy may have been very well in evaluating a coffee quality. They have a good understanding about coffee and can give testimonials without even taste it. Want to be one of them? Let’s practice this lesson! Warning : this may take years of your life since you’ll need to experience different coffees :)

Things with Acidity

Coffee Acidity refers to the bright and dry taste that adds life to a coffee. This one of the four basic characteristics professional coffee tasters use to evaluate coffee. It resulted from the proton donation of acids to receptors on the human tongue. Acidity used in this way is a good thing. It is not sourness or bitterness, but a pleasant taste sensation comparable to the one experienced when drinking dry red wine, a sensation that hits the palate as much as the tongue.

While the amount of acidity in “good” coffee is a matter of style and individual taste, some acidity is desirable. But you know, coffee marketers and retailers often avoid the word acidity in their coffee descriptions because people often associated them with negative reactions. Instead they use words like tart, tangy, bright, lively, vibrant, crisp, sharp, and snappy to imply noticeable acidity.

Things with The Body

The more full the coffee you see, the more preferable it is. The sense of heaviness, richness, thickness in the back of the tongue. Full-bodied coffees are less likely to lose their flavor through milk. And talking about this full-bodied coffee, Indonesians is the winner :)

Things with The Aroma

Aroma known to be the scent of coffee that reflects coffe character, make it different with other coffee. The aroma contributes to the flavors we discern on our palates, the sensations like : sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Coffees like Kona and Colombian tend to be the most fragrant.

Things with Flavor

Flavor here refers to the combination of your mouth perception to the coffee you take : acidity, aroma, and body. Actually, this part is the evaluation of all coffee taste, how it works in your tongue, whether it’s flowery, nut-like, chocolty, sharp, grassy, earthy, rubbery, or is it full, bright, or perhaps spicy :)

So, how’s your coffee? Practice well, ya! :D

Credit : FreshOfficeCoffee

Topic: All About Coffee, Indonesian, Tips, Traditional

In many seminars or event held for public grathering, there always a break called “coffee break”, where people have about 15 minutes to relax. Kinda short break, but that’s the point. With this 15 minutes time, we can have some coffees and get refreshed!

A pair of scientists from Bristol University then set up a scenario to test the effects of java on people’s stress levels and working relationships. They gave subjects a beverage containing 200 milligrams of caffeine (about 2 cups of espresso) or a caffeine-free cup.

It was found then–first conclusion– that men had higher heart rates and used less adaptive coping strategies under the influence of caffeine. Drinking coffee makes it difficult for them to have a public speaking.

The second finding from the research is, caffeinated beverages didnt find to be affected alertness, but reduced men’s ability to perform as a team.

Sounds impossible, huh? Those are not the things we believe for years.

Source : NewScientist , Credit : wastetimegames

Topic: All About Coffee, Effects, My Story, Side Effect

Find the coffee beans, and brew it yourself, I said :) This is much more challenging and enjoyable than buy the already brewed coffee. You know, coffee beans can be brewed in two methods, hot brewing, and cold brewing.

Malcom McFarren shared a very interesting tips for cold brewing coffee. Simply follow these steps :

 Prepare the equipments : 32 oz plastic beverage cups ( 2 of the same kind that nest inside one another), something to make the holes with, Pencil Scissors, a piece of cardboard, cut to a square of about 6×6, a plastic bottle, and suitable for storing beverages you plan to drink.

Then, start making holes in the buttom side of the cups. The numbers of holes that you make will affect the drainase after brewing. After done drilling, make sure that you don’t have any little pieces of plastic in the cup, and you are ready to do the next part, the spacer. Simply take the piece of cardboard, set a cup on it, and trace around it with the pencil to make the spacer.

Once you have the circle traced, cut out the circle, throw it away, and keep the rest. So you know what we’re going for here, this is how they will be used.

 Now you are ready to make the coffee, start brewing. Prepare two cups, the one with the holes in the bottom, inside the other one. Prepare three premeasured bags of autodrip coffee, that comes to about 4-4.5 oz. or approximately 1½ Cups of ground coffee.

Pour in about a half cup of water, then add one of the packets (or about one-third) of the coffee, more water, another packet of coffee, more water, until the rest of the coffee and enough water to fill the cup.

You can keep the coffee in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Enjoy the coffee everytime you want it :)

Source and Credit : Ineedcoffee 

Topic: All About Coffee, Blog, Recipes, Traditional