Histories of Gourmet Coffee - A lot of people all over the world drink gourmet coffee. This wonderful, mysterious drink is almost like a staple for many people. They drink it during breakfast to start the day. They take a cup during work to relieve stress. They drink it because it is a stimulant. They enjoy a cup or two with friends because it relaxes them.
There are a lot of fascinating facts about gourmet coffee. First, gourmet coffee started out as food, not a drink, in East Africa. Coffee berries were mixed with animal fat, forming a sort of energy ball not unlike the energy bars sold today.
From East Africa, this practice found its way to the Arabian Peninsula where it was made into a drink. This was the official birthplace of coffee as a drink around 1000 A.D. During the 13th century, Muslims began drinking coffee frequently.
Islam spread and so did coffee. However, the Arabians were not about to tell their secrets of coffee making to anyone. Until the 1600’s, there weren’t many fertile coffee seeds or other areas in the Middle East where coffee beans could be grown.
There is another version of gourmet coffee history. This version states that it was in India where gourmet coffee really began. An Indian smuggler named Baba Budan left Mecca. With him were precious bags of fertile coffee seeds. He planted the seeds when he reached India.
Elsewhere, European traders who returned from Turkey heard of coffee. In the race to acquire this drink, the Dutch came in first. They got coffee seeds from India and made coffee plantations in Java, Indonesia which was controlled by the Dutch at that time in 1616.
Yet, another version of coffee history explains the rise of gourmet coffee. This story stated that the emperor of Brazil asked a spy, Lieutenant Colonel Palheta, to bring coffee beans back to the country. Palheta traveled to French Guiana where he seduced the governor’s wife. As a farewell gift when it was time to return to his country, the woman gave him a bouquet. Under the arrangement of flowers was a large supply of fertile coffee beans.
Today, Brazil is the biggest manufacturer and exporter of gourmet coffee.
In the US, only in the state of Hawaii is coffee grown. The volcanic soil in Hawaii is perfect for growing coffee.
Truly, gourmet coffee is just as fascinating as its taste. Perhaps, that is why this fascinating drink still evokes a sense of mystery, excitement and satisfaction when we partake of it.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
The Weight Watchers Online Program - A Review
The purpose of Weight Watchers Online is to help people lose unwanted pounds.
Here is a short review about the program and what I think and experienced...
Pros: Weight Watchers is a well-known and well-established weight loss organization that has been helping people lose weight for many, many years very successfully. You can find real world Weight Watcher’s meetings taking place at many times of the day in most cities across America (as well as many other countries). However, as our lives become busier and busier many people just can’t find a way to attend a real-world Weight Watchers meeting out in the real brick and mortar world so now there is Weight Watchers Online where people can get the same help and advice as they would get at a Weight Watchers meeting out in the real world from the comfort of their own homes and at their convenience.
Weight Watchers Online can provide the support and the information and guidance that dieters need just like real world meetings! The monthly membership fees are basically the same as those out in the brick and mortar world.
Cons: Weight Watchers Online memberships are far too expensive. Other weight loss organizations charge only a fraction of what is charged by Weight Watchers.
Guarantee: There is no guarantee of success offered and none would apply.
Value for money: Weight Watchers Online is an excellent value.
Here is a short review about the program and what I think and experienced...
Pros: Weight Watchers is a well-known and well-established weight loss organization that has been helping people lose weight for many, many years very successfully. You can find real world Weight Watcher’s meetings taking place at many times of the day in most cities across America (as well as many other countries). However, as our lives become busier and busier many people just can’t find a way to attend a real-world Weight Watchers meeting out in the real brick and mortar world so now there is Weight Watchers Online where people can get the same help and advice as they would get at a Weight Watchers meeting out in the real world from the comfort of their own homes and at their convenience.
Weight Watchers Online can provide the support and the information and guidance that dieters need just like real world meetings! The monthly membership fees are basically the same as those out in the brick and mortar world.
Cons: Weight Watchers Online memberships are far too expensive. Other weight loss organizations charge only a fraction of what is charged by Weight Watchers.
Guarantee: There is no guarantee of success offered and none would apply.
Value for money: Weight Watchers Online is an excellent value.
The Mediterranean Diet Plan
The purpose of The Mediterranean Diet Plan is to help people lose unwanted pounds in a way that is most satisfactory to them.
Pros: You will eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, increase intake of essential fatty acids with plenty of fish and healthy fats, lower your intake of red meat and processed foods, and improve cholesterol levels and thus lower the risk of heart disease on the Mediterranean Diet Plan. It is a very healthy way to eat and one that, once you adjust to, you will be able to maintain for a lifetime. You never have to gain those unwanted pounds back! You can look great and be healthy and satisfied all at the very same time.
A sample menu offered on the Mediterranean Diet Plan is:
Yogurt with fruit and nuts
Pasta salad and fruit
Salmon with roast vegetables
Crackers and hummus
That really sounds very tasty as well as very healthy and you would certainly be satisfied after eating a meal like that on the Mediterranean Diet Plan.
Cons: The Mediterranean Diet Plan consists of foods that are not found on most family dinner tables in America. Meals will require a lot of extra preparation.
Guarantee: There is no guarantee of success offered and none would apply.
Value for money: The Mediterranean Diet Plan is a very good value.
Price: $17.96 billed every 4 weeks
Consumer: Dieters
Pros: You will eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, increase intake of essential fatty acids with plenty of fish and healthy fats, lower your intake of red meat and processed foods, and improve cholesterol levels and thus lower the risk of heart disease on the Mediterranean Diet Plan. It is a very healthy way to eat and one that, once you adjust to, you will be able to maintain for a lifetime. You never have to gain those unwanted pounds back! You can look great and be healthy and satisfied all at the very same time.
A sample menu offered on the Mediterranean Diet Plan is:
Yogurt with fruit and nuts
Pasta salad and fruit
Salmon with roast vegetables
Crackers and hummus
That really sounds very tasty as well as very healthy and you would certainly be satisfied after eating a meal like that on the Mediterranean Diet Plan.
Cons: The Mediterranean Diet Plan consists of foods that are not found on most family dinner tables in America. Meals will require a lot of extra preparation.
Guarantee: There is no guarantee of success offered and none would apply.
Value for money: The Mediterranean Diet Plan is a very good value.
Price: $17.96 billed every 4 weeks
Consumer: Dieters
Saturday, May 12, 2007
The Atkins Diet Plan at eDiets.com
The purpose of the Atkins Diet is to reduce the intake of carbohydrates to a very low level while allowing the dieter to eat as much food as they want without regard to fat or calories.
Pros: The Atkins Diet works! There is no doubt about it, you can eat all of the red meat and fried foods that you want and still lose weight at a steady and predictable pace. You can have a dozen scrambled eggs and a pound of bacon for breakfast…but no toast…no orange juice and no jam. Carbohydrates, according to the Atkins diet are forbidden fruit…literally. There are almost no fruits or vegetables included in the Atkins Diet. There is no junk food either and that would be a good thing.
Dr. Atkins created the Atkins Diet many years ago and the controversy still rages over just how healthy the diet is for the long term. However, recent scientific studies have produced evidence that the Atkins Diet is not harmful to the health of those who choose to follow the Atkins Diet Plan.
Cons: There is and always has been a great deal of controversy over the health impact of using the Atkins Diet. Dieters should do the research and determine if this diet is the right one for them.
Guarantee: There is no guarantee of success offered and none would apply.
Value for money: The Atkins Diet is a fair value.
Pros: The Atkins Diet works! There is no doubt about it, you can eat all of the red meat and fried foods that you want and still lose weight at a steady and predictable pace. You can have a dozen scrambled eggs and a pound of bacon for breakfast…but no toast…no orange juice and no jam. Carbohydrates, according to the Atkins diet are forbidden fruit…literally. There are almost no fruits or vegetables included in the Atkins Diet. There is no junk food either and that would be a good thing.
Dr. Atkins created the Atkins Diet many years ago and the controversy still rages over just how healthy the diet is for the long term. However, recent scientific studies have produced evidence that the Atkins Diet is not harmful to the health of those who choose to follow the Atkins Diet Plan.
Cons: There is and always has been a great deal of controversy over the health impact of using the Atkins Diet. Dieters should do the research and determine if this diet is the right one for them.
Guarantee: There is no guarantee of success offered and none would apply.
Value for money: The Atkins Diet is a fair value.
Suzanne Sommers Weight Loss Plan at eDiets.com
The purpose of the Suzanne Sommers Weight Loss Plan is to help people lose unwanted pounds in a way that is most satisfactory to them.
Pros: The Suzanne Sommers Weight Loss Plan offers a personalized weight loss plan that is adapted to each individual dieter. There is no one-size-fits-all plan that is written in stone. Additionally, with the Suzanne Sommers Weight Loss Plan support is available every hour of the day and every day of the week.
Dieting is a lonely thing. Gaining weight is social but losing weight is anything but social. It is very easy to feel deprived as well as lonely and the support that is provided with the Suzanne Sommers Weight Loss Plan is an immense help.
The Suzanne Sommers Weight Loss Plan will even make your grocery list for you. So that you will know what foods to buy when you do your grocery shopping!
There is a free consultation offered before a dieter joins the program and that is a huge help for those who have tried and failed so many times before.
Cons: The Suzanne Sommers Weight Loss Plan does not provide for a really balance diest. It would be a difficult diet to stay on.
Guarantee: There is no guarantee of success offered and none would apply.
Value for money: The Suzanne Sommers Weight Loss Plan is an excellent Value.
Pros: The Suzanne Sommers Weight Loss Plan offers a personalized weight loss plan that is adapted to each individual dieter. There is no one-size-fits-all plan that is written in stone. Additionally, with the Suzanne Sommers Weight Loss Plan support is available every hour of the day and every day of the week.
Dieting is a lonely thing. Gaining weight is social but losing weight is anything but social. It is very easy to feel deprived as well as lonely and the support that is provided with the Suzanne Sommers Weight Loss Plan is an immense help.
The Suzanne Sommers Weight Loss Plan will even make your grocery list for you. So that you will know what foods to buy when you do your grocery shopping!
There is a free consultation offered before a dieter joins the program and that is a huge help for those who have tried and failed so many times before.
Cons: The Suzanne Sommers Weight Loss Plan does not provide for a really balance diest. It would be a difficult diet to stay on.
Guarantee: There is no guarantee of success offered and none would apply.
Value for money: The Suzanne Sommers Weight Loss Plan is an excellent Value.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Seattle Chocolate Truffles from The Candy Depot.com
Seattle Chocolate Truffles from The Candy Depot.com - Consumer: Gourmet Food Enthusiasts or Gift Givers
The purpose of Seattle Chocolate Truffles is to delight the palates of those who love and appreciate gourmet gifts.
Pros: After searching the entire Internet as well as every local gourmet store to find the perfect gift for my gourmet-food-loving friend, I finally found Seattle Chocolate Truffles. I was delighted as was my friend to whom I gave them.
The ordering was simple and the delivery was prompt and exactly as promised. What a refreshing idea....delivering what is promised! It was a pleasure doing business with The Candy Depot and I will be a repeat customer many times over.
I was delighted to learn that shipping of chocolate products is only done on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday to prevent the packages from lingering on loading docks over the weekend. Ice packs were included with the shipment to insure that the chocolate arrived still firm and not melted beyond recognition.
The Candy Depot says that they have the largest selection of candy on the Internet and it is priced lower than others price it. I have found that to be true.
Cons: The only downside is that these truffles are so delicious that people may over eat.
Guarantee: There is no statement of a guarantee on The Candy Depot Website. The only guarantee that would apply is that of Commission Junction.
Value for money: This one pound box of assorted truffles is an excellent value. The truffles are filled with toffee, cool mint, blackberry creme, espresso....treats for the gourmet palate.
The purpose of Seattle Chocolate Truffles is to delight the palates of those who love and appreciate gourmet gifts.
Pros: After searching the entire Internet as well as every local gourmet store to find the perfect gift for my gourmet-food-loving friend, I finally found Seattle Chocolate Truffles. I was delighted as was my friend to whom I gave them.
The ordering was simple and the delivery was prompt and exactly as promised. What a refreshing idea....delivering what is promised! It was a pleasure doing business with The Candy Depot and I will be a repeat customer many times over.
I was delighted to learn that shipping of chocolate products is only done on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday to prevent the packages from lingering on loading docks over the weekend. Ice packs were included with the shipment to insure that the chocolate arrived still firm and not melted beyond recognition.
The Candy Depot says that they have the largest selection of candy on the Internet and it is priced lower than others price it. I have found that to be true.
Cons: The only downside is that these truffles are so delicious that people may over eat.
Guarantee: There is no statement of a guarantee on The Candy Depot Website. The only guarantee that would apply is that of Commission Junction.
Value for money: This one pound box of assorted truffles is an excellent value. The truffles are filled with toffee, cool mint, blackberry creme, espresso....treats for the gourmet palate.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
The Bite Size Assortment of Cheesecakes
The purpose of The Bite Size Assortment of Cheesecakes is to provide small individual servings of NY, Chocolate Fudge and Cappuccino cheesecakes that may be served as ‘finger food’ at small parties.
Pros: Who says that cheesecake isn’t finger food? The Bite Size Assortment of Cheesecakes proved that theory to be wrong. This platter of bite size cheesecakes is an absolutely delightful way to serve a delicious cheesecake at a party where most guests are standing while holding a plate of snacks. No fork is required!
The Bite Size Assortment of Cheesecakes also makes an excellent, thoughtful and certainly different gift for those gourmet enthusiasts on a gift list who have a sweet tooth as well.
There are forty-two mini cheesecakes in each order which is plenty to serve to a small party or gathering of friends for almost any occasion.
Cons: The lack of a specific guarantee is a bit bothersome. However, those who have purchased The Bite Size Assortment of Cheesecakes seem to be very satisfied with the product.
Guarantee: Cooking.com allows all of their partners to set their own guarantees and return policies. The Bite Size Assortment of Cheesecakes is by Delightful Deliveries. The Delightful Delivery guarantee states that items that are delivered damaged will be replaced but perishable foods will not be refunded.
Value for money: For those who are in a rush and need quality treats for small parties in a hurry, The Bite Size Assortment of Cheesecakes is a very good buy.
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