The Coffee Pound

Gourmet Coffee

Gourmet coffee for discriminating coffee hounds!

Coffee hounds would never part with the morning ritual of enjoying freshly brewed gourmet coffee. People may be cutting back on some things in the midst of the current economy, but the latest report shows that organic coffee is still an indulgence many continue to allow themselves. Many consumers are shunning $4 Frappuccinos during these tough economic times. Companies that produce home coffee makers, burr grinders, or single cup coffee makers are reporting strong sales and steady profits as the recession continues into yet another year. Producers and distributors of gourmet coffee beans and home coffee makers are on a bit of a caffeine high.

Some Gourmet Coffee Brand Winners include:

Peet's Coffee & Tea - Peet's is growing rapidly. The number of grocery stores carrying its beans has doubled in four years, to more than 8,000. Peet's should experience continued growth driven mainly by the addition of more grocery customers.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters - another big winner in the gourmet coffee wars. Green Mountain Coffee is a huge seller of coffee beans to Costco. Green Mountain stock has more than doubled over the past year. Green Mountain is expanding its reach with a new distribution agreement with Wal-Mart.

Caribou Coffee - No. 2 to Starbucks, with about 500 coffee bars - has benefited from a shift in focus, increasing its sales to grocery stores and hotels. Shares of Caribou, which recently turned a profit for the first time since going public in 2005.

Starbucks - Hey these guys are still the top coffee player. The recession has hit Starbucks hard. True, it's cutting costs by closing stores. But it needs a new source of growth and is looking at several pilot stores with new brand names now serving alcoholic beverages as well as coffee drinks.

Organic Coffee

Express your eco-friendly side - buy fair trade orgainc coffee!

Organic coffee is more than just gourmet coffee for occasional drinkers or for those who drink it in order to stay awake. Approximatley half of adult Americans drink coffee, and more of them are starting their day with gourmet coffee from their home coffee maker or single cup coffee makers. The aroma that fills your entire home when you brew organic coffee is rich and fragrant.

The overall quality of the variety of gourmet coffee types depends on the coffee bean used. According to the National Coffee Association, about 80 percent of coffee drinkers now make their own coffee at home or work. However as more coffee hounds brew premium coffee for themselves, they are not watering down their coffee by using no-name brands. Instead, like true coffee hounds sniffing out the good stuff, they're imbibing in the good stuff like organic coffee and fair trade coffee without shelling out extra money to have someone else brew it.

Sustainable and organic coffee is an excellent way to express your eco friendly side - buying coffee from sustainable, eco friendly operations is also not buying coffee from all the other players who care only about the bottom line. Organic coffee is grown through the use of eco-friendly materials and methods that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, avoid the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Organic coffee is produced all over the world, and because of its environmentally low-impact, synthetic chemical-free production, it keeps our ecosystems protected and alive. Organic coffee is grown in approximately 40 countries, including the United States.

Coffee beans are harvested and processed in some of the poorest and most depressed parts of the world, so buying organic, sustainable fair trade coffee really helps the people who need it the most. Organic coffee is often grown in the shade, which requires less forests to be cut down. The result is that the natural habitat is preserved, which is always a good thing, but the benefits don't stop there. Drinking fair trade organic coffee is one of the best ways to contribute to poverty alleviation all over the world.

The Best Gourmet Coffee Bean Roasts

Gourmet coffee beans have unique characteristics that vary from growing region to growing region. All around the world, each little coffee bean lends itself to pairings with different foods or dishes. When brewed from your own home coffee maker, some organic coffees are best all on their own.

Perfect for your morning cup of java, light to medium roasts are generally bright and smooth, having no bitter or smoky aftertaste. These light organic coffees are a great way to start your day.

Medium-dark roasts that have hints of spicy notes, lend themselves well to your afternoon caffeine fix. They typically are dry and well-balanced and their taste will not overwhelm fruity pies, cakes or berry tarts for your afternoon break.

Dark or black roasts, however, with smoky or bitter overtones are great with heavy, rich desserts including dark chocolate or caramel. The more distinctive the gourmet coffee flavor, the better it is to drink it all by itself. However, these rich dark roast coffees also complement strong, savory foods as well.