I’m a coffee drinker, one of the multitudes who must have their daily java in order to join the world. I’m a member of that group who is addicted to the caffeine buzz. I especially love lattes and the hot milky comforting feeling I get when I take my first sip. That first sip anchors me to the world and defines my space within it—especially if I’m drinking my favorite brands from my favorite coffee hangouts.

I once had the owner of our award winning Coffee shop, Café Paradiso, give me a lesson on coffee and tell me why his brand is superior to most brands, especially Starbucks which he considers a bastardization of coffee (they burn the coffee beans, he says). The owner, Steve Giacomini, created his own blend of organic, shade-grown, fair trade beans, which he roasts daily on-site. His beans make a mean cappuccino, latte, mocha, or espresso. Steve taught me some things about coffee and how the love you put into making it can create miracles.

Steve recommends we buy his brand or at least a brand of fairly traded coffee.

Fair trade coffee is part of a larger, organized movement that advocates the payment of higher prices to producers and social and environmental standards regarding the production of a wide variety of procucts. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, such as coffee.

Fair trade's strategic intent is to work with marginalized producers and workers in order to help them move toward economic self-sufficiency and stability. It also aims to allow them to become greater stakeholders in their own companies, as well as play a wider role in the world of commerce. Fair trade proponents include a number of international development aid, social, religious and environmental organizations such as Christian Aid, SERRV International, Oxfam, Amnesty International, Catholic Relief Services, Engineers Without Borders and Caritas International.

Products that are Fairly Traded are increasing in sales and popularity as we recognize that buying these products is good for people and the environment—when I shop for my coffee, it’s easy to choose from a variety of fairly traded coffee beans.

Steve Recommends buying both Fair trade and organic coffee beans.

Fifty nine percent of all Fair Trade Certified coffee imported into the United States in 2008 was certified organic. But, not all Fair Trade Certified coffee is necessarily organic. However, Fair Trade Certifieddoes require strict environmental stewardship such as prohibiting the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the most hazardous pesticides.

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.

Steve Recommends using a French Coffee Press.

I have the Bodum French Press and am very happy with it!

The most popular coffee maker in Europe and Australia is the French Press—also known as the plunger pot, coffee press, or press-pot. This coffee maker is making in-roads in America, and many coffee addicts, like me, swear by it. I gave away my Mr. Coffee maker a long time ago for my French press and have never looked back.

Brewing method for using the French Press:

• Always boil the water before you start grinding the beans. This will allow it to cool to the correct temperature and prevent scalding the coffee. Using filtered water significantly improves the taste of your coffee. Fill a kettle with cold water. Place the kettle on your stove (or better still use an electric kettle that has an automatic turn off button) and heat the water to between 190 degrees and 205 degrees.
  
• While the water heats, remove the lid and plunger/filter assembly from the pot. Fill you French Press with hot tap water. This will warm the glass of the press and help keep your coffee hot.
  
• Once the water in your kettle is heated, pour the tap water out of your French Press.
  
• Grind coffee

Use medium to coarse grind. The grind must be large enough so that the mesh filter works and does not get clogged.

• Here is where the experimentation comes in. It is recommended using 1 heaping Tbs of coarsely ground coffee per 5 ounces of water. Adjust to taste; a bit of experimentation when you first start using it can bring you very worthwhile results.
  
• Measure coarsely ground coffee into the French Press.
  
• Slowly pour very hot water over the ground coffee, filling to the desired level. Most of the coffee will float. You can briefly, gently stir the water at this point and many grinds will sink.
  
• Replace the lid and plunger/filter assembly with the plunger just 2 inches down into the brew. Don’t press down yet, but allow the coffee to steep for approximately 4 minutes depending on desired strength (the longer they steep, the stronger the coffee).
  
• While the coffee is steeping, pour some hot water into your mug or cup to warm it. Carefully swirl the hot water around your mug, and then pour out the water.
  
• After the coffee has steeped, hold the lid with one hand, and using slow, steady pressure depress the plunger keeping the rod upright. It should have some resistance, but not too much. NOTE: Using excessive force can cause scalding liquid to shoot out of the pot.
  
• Allow sediment to settle for 30 seconds before pouring.
  
• Turn the lid to open the pour spout, and pour yourself a cup of coffee (do not remove the lid for serving) and enjoy the smooth taste of a French Press brewed coffee. Don’t let the coffee sit in the pot, it will actually keep brewing.

I love adding organic half and half to my coffee and organic sugar!

Buying a Coffee Grinder:

Don't purchase the first cheap grinder you find. Learn about grinders before making your choice. For the best coffee, it's important to grind your beans each time you make coffee, and not purchase coffee that is already ground.

Blade or Burr:

There are 2 basic types of coffee grinder, ones with metal blades and ones with burrs. The blade style grinders are usually cheaper, but will allow much less control over your fineness levels. Understanding the differences can help you make your choice.

A Hand- Turned Grinder:

The Camano Coffee Mill is a simple design and its beauty lies in its functionality and care in construction. Several friends of mine love it, and it is on my to-buy list.

Fabulous Coffee Cups

I finally found some coffee cups I'm crazy about at my favorite coffee house! They are pictured in this article with the Bodum French Press - They are the white cups with the colorful rubber wrap around area you hold while drinking - the picture does not do them justice. They are sturdy, insulated. and beautiful and hold 12 oz. I', asking my friends to buy them for me for Christmas! Also, I love the glass award winning Bodum coffee cups - they are beautiful and come in insulated state-of-the-art designs.

Milk Frother:

WOW - apparently this is a recent product to complete the Bodum Chambord line. It's a 5 oz. milk frother that allows you to whip your preheated milk into the airy foam in less than 30 seconds. Imagine shaking on some nutmeg, cinnamon, or chocolate!

Coffee Controversy – Is Coffee Good or Bad for You?

"Overall, the research shows that coffee is far more healthful than it is harmful," says Tomas DePaulis, PhD, research scientist at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee Studies, which conducts its own medical research and tracks coffee studies from around the world. "For most people, very little bad comes from drinking it, but a lot of good."

Consider this: At least six studies indicate that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson's, with three showing the more they drink, the lower the risk. Other research shows that compared to not drinking coffee, at least two cups daily can translate to a 25% reduced risk of colon cancer, an 80% drop in liver cirrhosis risk, and nearly half the risk of gallstones.

Coffee lovers rejoice – we're getting permission from the medical establishment to drink our beloved java!