For Coffee Drinks and Food Recipes that use Coffee!

Did you know that coffee has benefits besides just tasting great?

Coffee, your ‘best friend’ from college days when you pulled those

all-nighters, really does enhance alertness, improve memory and 

reasoning skills and even helps put you in a better mood. And 

physically active individuals should know that coffee can improve

physical stamina, reduce muscle pain and improve reaction time.

"Here are some great recipes to start your collection."

"Anytime Is Coffee Time!"

What is organic coffee?

Organic coffee is grown using methods and 
materials that have a low impact on the 
environment. Organic production systems 
replenish and maintain soil fertility, 
reduce the use of toxic and persistent 
pesticides and fertilizers, and build 
biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party 
certification organizations verify that 
organic farmers abide by the law.

What does it mean to be certified?
In order for coffee to be certified and sold
as organic in the United States, it must be
produced in accordance with U.S. standards
for organic production and certified by an
agency accredited by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. U.S. requirements for coffee
production include farming without synthetic
pesticides or other prohibited substances for
three years and a sustainable crop rotation
plan to prevent erosion, the depletion of soil
nutrients, and control for pests.

What is the size of the U.S. market?
Organic Trade Association data shows that
coffee sales in the United States amounted
to approximately $110 million in 2006, up
24 percent from the previous year. Other studies
show the figure could be much higher. A 2007
survey by Daniele Giovannucci and the Costa
Rica-based Sustainable Markets Intelligence Center
(CIMS) reported that approximately 65 million
pounds of organic coffee were imported into the
United States in 2006 with a retail value of
approximately $617 million. The authors estimate
the organic coffee sector represented 2.3 percent
of the total U.S. green coffee imports in 2006.
The 33 percent annual average growth rate for the
organic category documented by the researchers
between 2000 and 2007 dwarfs the estimated 1.5-2
percent projected annual growth rate of the
conventional coffee industry.

Where is this coffee grown?
This coffee is grown in 40 countries including
Bolivia, Burundi, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Colombia, 
Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, 
El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, 
Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lao PDR, Madagascar, 
Malawi, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, 
Philippines, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timore-Leste, 
Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of 
Tanzania, United States (Hawaii), Venezuela, Vietnam, 
and Zambia. The leading producer countries are Peru, 
Ethiopia, and Mexico.

What is the size of the world market?
Global sales reached 67,000 metric tons (or about
148 million pounds) in 2006, a 56 percent increase
from 2003 when approximately 42,000 MT were exported.
Forty-four percent of the total America, of which
approximately 85 percent was consumed in the United States.

What products are in the marketplace?
These coffee products now on the market include decaffeinated,
caffeinated, flavored and instant coffees, ice cream and yogurt,
coffee sodas, hard candies, and chocolate covered beans.

What do the labels mean?
The USDA organic seal can appear on any coffee product
that contains at least 95 percent organic ingredients
and that has been certified as organic by a certification
agency accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The coffee may also carry a label saying “100 percent organic”
or “Organic.”

Fair Trade
Fair Trade certification focuses on labor and trade
standards to provide small-farmer co-operatives a
guaranteed price above the conventional market. Not
all Fair Trade Certifiedä coffee is necessarily organic.
However, Fair Trade CertifiedTM does require strict
environmental stewardship such as prohibiting the use of
genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the most hazardous
pesticides. Seventy-eight percent of all Fair Trade CertifiedTM
coffee sold in the United States is certified organic.
n the United States, transactions must be audited by TransFair
USA to use a Fair Trade CertifiedTM label. Certified organic
producers of Fair Trade coffee receive at least $1.55/lb
(as of June 1, 2008).

Bird Friendly®
Bird Friendly® can only be used by operators that meet
inspection and certification requirements of the Smithsonian
Migratory Bird Center. All certified Bird Friendly® coffee
must also be certified organic. Bird Friendly® certification
requires that the coffee be shade-grown with a wide variety
of native shade trees and other shade-providing species. No
synthetic chemicals can be used in the processing of Bird Friendly®
coffee. For information on other eco-labels that may appear on
organic coffee, see www.eco-labels.org.
Article Source: Organic Trade Association
"Anytime Is Coffee Time!"

History of Gift Baskets!

Although we might think of gift baskets as a modern
way to give gifts,they have actually a rather long legacy.
Spanning years and cultures, there are several fascinating
stories of gift baskets that have been given through out history.

Likely one of the earliest accounts of a gift coming in a
basket is the basket of young offering. Although some
scholars argue the place of Eostre in Easter history, nevertheless
this is the likely source of the ideaof what came to be the
modern-day Easter gift baskets.

Another early gift basket story that had sacred connotations
is the Old Testament story of Moses' mother placing the infant
Moses into a wicker basket. She then hid the basket in the reeds
on the river's edge so that the daughter of the Egyptian royal family
would find him and eventually take Moses into her custody and
protection.

Baskets have been used not only for gift basket purposes
but also forutilitarian reasons for centuries. They were used to
carry eggs into the house from the chicken coop, or baskets called
trugs were needed to harvest vegetables from the kitchen garden
and get them into the home to prepare for meals. Baskets were
used as a kind of large saddle bag on horses, donkeys and mules
to carry supplies, and even people onoccasion. Most baskets
including your next gift basket, even today are made by hand.
Even with the advent of the Industrial Age, basket making
is almost impossible to do using machinery, and instead requires
the same hand-crafting that has been used throughout time. Some
cultures have turned basket making into an art form.Today you
will find many Native American groups who craft special baskets 
that are used to gather wild huckleberries in the late spring and early
summer. Many Native American tribes are famous for their
basket-making artistry.

The care taken with making anything by hand lends a level of
special attention to detail that makes gift baskets so lovely to
give and receive. Every item that goes into a personalized gift
basket can be selected to meet the specific desires of the
recipient. As well, the gift basket can be finished with the favorite
colors of your special someone in terms of wrap, ribbon and bows
used.

Gifts in baskets can also be focused around a particular theme,
such as a baby gift basket or holiday gift baskets. You can include
gift items particular to any event you wish to celebrate, including
anniversaries and weddings. Evencorporations bestow these baskets
to employees or clients, so that they will be remembered in a positive
way. "Anytime Is Coffee Time!"

Cafe Essentials, Summer Time Refreshment!

It's not easy for true Coffee Lovers to be
excited about an instant coffee product in a
jar. But, we are excited to be bringing you,
Cafe Essentials.  Café Essentials is Dr Smoothie’s
gourmet specialty beverage line. Here's their story.....

Back in 1997, one great idea got its start and
was pursued with time-less effort that started in
the kitchen. This one idea has developed into the
InternationalBeginning with smoothies and then moving
into other specialty markets, the Dr Smoothie Brands 
have developed products that are health conscious,
delicious tasting and especially good for you.

Dr. Smoothie is famous for a healthy approach to
specialty beverages, and formulates products
with the consumers good health in mind.  Health
and wellness are the keys to a long and satisfying
life for you and your family.Barista's and home users
alike all agree that Cafe Essentials produce professional
results. Whether you prefer your beverages hot or blended
with ice and flavors.   Cafe Essentials is sure to impress.
"Anytime Is Coffee Time!"

Origins Coffee From around the World

Travel the world and try a new single origins coffee from a 
different exotic location each month! How about a Kona Coffee, 
Blue Mountain Coffee, Costa Rican Coffee, or Columbian Coffee?

Origins Coffee-Producing Countries;
Brazil;
Today Brazil is responsible for about a third of all coffee production, making it by far the heavyweight champion of the coffee-producing world. Though many connoisseurs believe that Brazil’s emphasis on quantity takes a toll on quality, many also praise the devastating 1975 frost, in particular, was a boon to other coffee-growing countries. country’s finer varieties. Brazil is the only high-volume producer subject to frost. The Two 1994 frosts raised prices worldwide.Notable Beans: Bahia, Bourbon Santos

Colombia;
Colombia is the only South American country with both Atlantic and Pacific ports—an invaluable aid to shipping. The crop’s economic importance is such that all cars entering Colombia are sprayed for harmful bacteria. Colombia’s origins coffee grows in the moist, temperate foothills of the Andes, where the combination of high altitude and moist climate makes for an especially mild cup.Notable Beans: Medellin, Supremo, Bogotá

Indonesia;
The Dutch unwittingly gave coffee a nickname in the late 17th century, when they began the first successful European coffee plantation on their island colony of Java (now part of Indonesia). Top-grade Arabicas are still produced on Java as well as on Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Flores, but the Indonesianarchipelago is most notable as the world’s largest producer of robusta beans.
Notable Beans: Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi (Celebes)

Mexico;
Coffee came to Mexico from Antilles at the end of the 18th century, but was not exported in great quantities until the 1870s. Today approximately 100,000 small farms generate most Mexican coffee, and most of the beans come from the south. Mexico is the largest source of U.S. coffee imports.Notable Beans: Altura, Liquidambar MS, Pluma Coixtepec

Ethiopia;
The natural home of the arabica tree and the setting for most of origins coffee legends, Ethiopia is Africa’s top arabica exporter and leads the continent in domestic consumption. About 12 million Ethiopians make their living from  origins coffee, whose name is said to be a derivation of “Kaffa,” the name of an Ethiopian
province.Notable Beans: Harrar, Sidamo, Yirgacheffe

India;
According to legend, India is the birthplace of coffee cultivation east of Arabia. Today coffee production is under the strict control of the Indian Coffee Board, which some say reduces economic incentive and thereby lowers quality.Notable Beans: Mysore, Monsooned Malabar

Guatemala;
German immigrants initiated serious coffee cultivation in Guatemala in the 19th century. Today the country’s high-grown beans, particularly those grown on the southern volcanic slopes, are among the world’s best origins coffee.Notable Beans: Atitlan, Huehuetenango
"Anytime Is Coffee Time!"

Reaching Out, And Working Together

Coffee Lovers USA is all about the finest 
Java delivered to your door, and building
relationships that last.  If you have a quality
product that will serve our customers well,
don't hesitate to link up with us.

We are also interested in information sites as
well as products.  So lets develop a network
that will benefit our customers and our businesses.

We at Coffee Lovers USA thought it would
be fun to share some links from some excellent
Affiliates that deliver the very best in products
and information.  Sit back and enjoy a cup
of coffee and explore.  Who knows, you may
be guided into a new adventure!

Speaking of fun, we thought you might enjoy the
challenge of running your own "Coffee Shop." 
It's a game online that you can play all about Coffee.
The Coffee Shop Game

"Anytime Is Coffee Time!"

Do We Need The Best?

My Dad has passed away since I wrote this article. He 
lived to be 87 years old, but I thought it was worth
repeating.


So, I was with my Dad the other day, sharing old stories,
you know, picking his brain.  After all, he will be 84 years
old in September.  He's been around a little longer than I
have.


He came from that generation of hard working people
where provision for the family was key.  A roof over our
head, 3 square meals, clothes on our back, and provide
for our immediate financial needs.


One of our topics of discussion turned to food.  Mom was
a great cook.  She just passed away this year.  In an Italian
family, food was always an important topic, and we have
excellent memories about Mom's cooking.


Well, Dad, being older now and with out Mom, tends to
go to restaurants when he's not at our house.  Restaurants
can leave a lot to be desired when it comes to healthy and
great tasting food.  We all tend to choose where we eat in
different ways.  For some it's all about money
(the cheaper the better).  Others need the ambiance
(comfort and elegance).   And finally, some go for a fair
 price for a good meal (not the cheapest, or the most expensive). 
For me, I lean toward the third category.  Give me a meal
that is fresh, good presentation, healthy with great taste at
 a fair price and I'm happy and so is my body. 


Giving this info to my Dad, changed (I think) his
perspective on where he eats.  Garbage in, does nothing
for your health or your dining experience.  I found out
Dad was going to a fairly cheap restaurant  serving
pre-cooked bacon and just plain loading a plate with
plenty of filling items, some without nutritional value,
not to mention the absence of great taste.  So I
recommended a friend's restaurant  that just opened in
a location downtown, close to where my Dad lives. 
Yes, the food was more expensive, but what a pleasurable
treat.  Fair price, good presentation, great taste, wonderful
service and all for $3 to $4 more in cost. 


I just found out Dad went back to the cheap place the
other morning for breakfast, it's hard to teach an old dog
new tricks, but I know he will be back at my friend's place
again, because he tasted the difference first hand.


Do we need the best?  No.
Do we need the cheapest?  No. 

Search out the places that have your best interest in mind. 

Buy quality products at a fair price.  When you find a
restaurant or business that serves you well, spread the
word and support them.


Our goal at Coffee Lovers USA is to be that place that
serves you well.  Hopefully this article will give you a
little bit of insight into who we are and what we are all
about.  Here to serve you.
"Anytime Is Coffee Time!"
Joe Patanella, owner C.L.USA