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Coffee all over the world: Indonesia

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Sara Walker

Indonesia has the perfect climate for growing coffee, and is currently one of the world’s largest producers. Composted of thousands of islands, some of the larger islands, such as Java and Sumatra, are well known in the coffee world for the quality of their beans. Not indigenous to Indonesia, coffee bushes were introduced by Dutch colonists in the mid-17th century in an attempt to break the Arabian monopoly, and they soon began to thrive. As the industry grew, roads and railways were built to aid transport from the interior of the islands to the ports, and so the landscape of Indonesia was shaped by the coffee trade.

At the end of the 1800s, many of the coffee bushes were smitten with coffee rust, a fungus that produces a fine powdery covering on the underside of the leaves. This wiped out whole plantations, and some owners replanted with tea or rubber plants which they felt were hardier and more resistant to disease. Others replanted with different varieties, initially Liberica coffee from Africa and then the tougher robusta, which still makes up the majority of the coffee crop in Indonesia.

Famous for its speciality coffees such as kopi luwak (civet cat coffee), Indonesia is also the home of aged coffees. Originally, this referred to coffee stockpiled by farmers who were waiting for the high point of the market. It was discovered that storing the coffee in this way enhanced the flavour, and now these coffees are sold to connoisseurs.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’ve got a range of coffee beans available, all at great wholesale prices. For more information, please visit our website www.wholesalecoffeecompany.com.

Easy coffee cake recipe

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Sara Walker

If you think you can’t bake, this simple coffee bake recipe will have you changing your mind. Delicious mid-morning with a cup of your favourite coffee made from freshly-roasted beans, it’s also brilliant at lunchtime. Any leftover slices will freeze for up to three months, just leave them to defrost at room temperature until required.

You’ll need:

4 freerange eggs
250g self raising flour
310g butter or margerine, softened
250g granulated sugar
120g icing sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons very strong black coffee

What to do:

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Grease two springform 20cm sandwich tins, and line the bottom with circles of greaseproof paper. In a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar and 250g of the butter together until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. Break in the eggs, one at a time, beating between each addition, then add one tablespoon of coffee. Add the flour, and beat vigorously until the batter is fully combined. Lift a spoonful of batter; it should cling to the spoon for a second before sliding off. If the mixture looks a little thick, add a drop of milk. If it’s too runny, add a little more flour. Finally, spoon the batter into the prepared tins and smooth it out with the back of a spoon. Bake in the centre of the over for around 30 minutes until well risen and golden. Push the surface of the cake with the tip of a finger, it should feel slightly springy. Leave to cool in the tin for ten to fifteen minutes, then remove from the tin and cool on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, put the remaining butter and icing sugar in a bowl, and beat until combined. Add the coffee, a few drops at a time, until the mixture is a spreading consistency. Use the buttercream to sandwich the cakes together.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we stock a wide range of coffee beans, all at great wholesale prices. For more information, please see www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Top five coffee coasters

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Sara Walker

Every cup of coffee needs a home. Protect your desk or coffee table from heat rings, splashes and spills with a coaster – we’ve picked out five of our favourites.

1. Ceramic camper van coaster, The Mosaic Garden

These lovely hand-painted 10cm by 10cm ceramic coasters have been fired to give a wipe-clean glossy, heatproof finish. They’re backed with cork so they won’t scratch furniture. These coasters are also available in a range of other designs including seagulls, puffins, mallards and bees, and cost £4 each. For more information, see www.themosaicgarden.co.uk.

2. Glass swallows coaster, In-Spaces

This glass coaster has a sandblasted swallow and wave design and is fitted with non-slip rubber feet to protect furniture. Hand made to order, the coaster measures 10cm by 10cm and is washable in warm water. Each coaster costs £12.50, available from www.in-spaces.com.

3. Wooden coffee coaster, Wooden Toy Gallery

These wooden coasters spell out the letters of ‘coffee’ and would make a perfect parking spot for your favourite mug. Made from eco friendly teak plywood, they measure 10cm square and come in sets of two, four or six. Prices start at £5.98 for two, woodentoygallery.co.uk.

4. Pantone coaster set interior shades, Berry Red

What a fantastic present for a printers’ or graphic designers’ office. This set contains six coasters in contemporary interior shades of celery, warm grey, heather, grape juice, shrub green and printers’ blue. Each 10.5cm square coaster is laminated, wipe clean and has a cork backing. Priced at £15 for the set, visit www.berryred.co.uk for more information.

5. Tickets please coasters, ATA Designs

These ‘tickets please’ cork-backed coasters were inspired by London transport’s double decker bus, and are part of the “All Things British” range by ATA designs. Made from melamine, they’re heat resistant and measure 10cm square. Priced at £19 for a set of four, made to order. For more details, see www.atadesigns.com.

Now you’ve got your coasters, you’ll be needing a cup of coffee to put on them. For the best in coffee beans at great wholesale prices, please visit our website, www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Coffee all over the world: Colombia

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Sara Walker

Continuing our series on coffee production around the world, we take a look at Colombia in South America, probably the part of the world most associated with coffee.

Colombia ranks very highly in terms of production, and is the second biggest producer of Arabica beans which are of higher quality than robustica. There are almost 600,000 coffee producers in Colombia and the cultivation, trading, processing, transportation and marketing of the beans provides employment for many. Colombian coffee is mostly grown on thousands of small family-run farms, owing to the terrain which is rugged and lacking in the space needed for large commercial farms. While this environment produces good quality beans, it makes transport to the processing centres very difficult. thousands of small family coffee farms across the country. An extremely rugged landscape provides the perfect natural environment for the growth of the coffee. But a terrain so rugged has also made it historically difficult to transport the harvested coffee beans to production and shipment centers. The region is also subject to occasional earthquakes, which destroy the infrastructure of the roads so that even today the most practical form of transport is often Jeep or mule train.

As many varieties of Colombian coffee beans are naturally resistant to crop diseases, there’s been a lot of enthusiasm in recent years about producing organic coffee which is now forming a small but significant part of the market.

Colombia’s coffee market is regulated by the Colombian Coffee Federation, which guarantees growers a minimum price for their crops. The Federation also invests in education, healthcare, transportation and transportation for coffee growers, and supports environmentally friendly growing techniques.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’ve got a wide range of coffee beans available from all over the world, all at great wholesale prices. For more information, please visit our website www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Top five coffee storage jars

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Sara Walker

Whatever type of coffee beans you prefer, you’ll need a way of storing them so they’re not exposed to light, air or damp. We’ve picked out five of the best coffee storage jars for your kitchen or office to keep your favourite drink fresh.

1. Ceramic jar, Beau & Elliot Home

Sturdy, practical ceramic jar from boutique British brand Beau & Elliot Home. Comes with an engraved wooden lid which is air-tight and practical too, ideal for keeping those coffee beans in tip top condition. £12, available from www.hintonshome.com.

2. Qdo birdie storage can, Pernille Vea

Designed in Denmark, this birdie storage can will cheer up your kitchen or workspace with its quirky expression. Made from porcelain and silicon, it features an air-tight, sealed lid and eyes that pop out for added ventilation. Available in three sizes, prices start from £12.99 from www.scandinavianshop.co.uk.

3. Heather storage jar, Puji

Make sure even your coffee wraps up warm with this porcelain storage jar, featuring a chunky knit design ‘sweater’ in a soft heather colour. These medium sized jars have an air-tight lid and are perfect for keeping your coffee safe. Reduced from £19 to £16.15, available from www.puji.com.

4. Ceramic mason jar, Mrs Allsorts

This jar with its green lid and ‘blackboard’ label is a practical choice in offices, where different people are looking for the coffee! Write the contents on the front with chalk to keep everything clear. Priced at £5.99, available from www.mrsallsorts.com.

5. Owl storage pot, Hunkydory Home

This little fella will keep a close eye on anyone trying to steal your coffee beans! Made from hardwearing ceramic, he costs £30 from www.hunkydoryhome.co.uk.

And of course, you’ll be needing some coffee beans to keep in those jars and pots. Visit www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk for our full range of coffee beans, all available at great wholesale prices.

Top five coffee pots

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Sara Walker

If you like to brew your coffee the simple way, then you’ll need a coffee pot. We take a look at five of the best enamel coffee pots and cafetieres on the market.

1. Red classic espresso maker, La Cafetiere

Featuring a high quality aluminium body, this stylist hob espresso pot comes in three, six and nine cup sizes. It’s safe on gas, electric and radiant heat sources and the simple, classic design will look good in any kitchen. Prices start from £19.95, available from http://www.lacafetiere.com. Perfect partner: Super Forte Blend Coffee Beans

2. Bistro coffee pot, Nick Munro

Inspired by the designers love of penguins (yes, really!) this sleek Bistro Coffee Pot is made from high grade hand polished polished stainless steel and has a capacity of 0.5 litres. Priced at £19.95, available from www.black-by-design.co.uk. Perfect partner: Suprema coffee beans

3. Enamel coffee pot, Joules

This enamel pot is influenced by the vintage enamelware to be found in brocantes all over France. Decorated in Joules’s Crème Floral design, this coffee pot isn’t suitable for brewing coffee but will keep your drink warm until required. It’s also virtually unbreakable, so it’s ideal for camping or picnicking. £26, available from www.hintonshome.com. Perfect partner: Caribana blend coffee beans

4. Folklore coffee pot, Nina Jarema

From the Folklore collection comes this nostalgic enamel coffee pot, featuring motifs and silhouettes inspired by the villages, forests and folklore of Nina’s native Ukraine.£14.95, available from www.cloth-ears.co.uk. Perfect partner: Forte blend coffee beans

5. Meadows cafetiere, La Cafetiere

This pretty yet functional cafetiere would grace any breakfast table with its elegant floral design in duck egg blue and polished steel. Available in an 8 cup size (1000ml / 35 fl. Oz) size, it costs £31.95 from www.lacafetiere.com. Perfect partner: Suprem blend coffee beans

You can find our full range of coffee beans at www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk, so you can be sure of a great cup of coffee however you choose to brew it.

Coffee hydrotherapy

Posted on July 26, 2014 by Sara Walker

You may think you know everything about drinking coffee, but now there’s another way of getting your caffeine. Hydrotherapy – a non-chemical way of washing out the intestines and colon with warm water – has been known for thousands of years, and many modern hydrotherapists are now offering the treatment with various additions to the water, including different herbs and…..coffee.

Hydrotherapy practitioners say it’s a safe way of removing a build up of toxins in the colon and giving you more energy, and it can apparently also help calm intestinal problems and bloating. Modern lifestyles such as the use of chemical cleaners and pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals in food mean that we’re more prone to allergies and intolerances than ever before, and toxins can accumulate in the liver, making you feel tired and sluggish.

Coffee is said to be particularly effective at cleansing the liver and colon, reducing pain and helping with nervous tension. It’s also said to have astringent purposes, as well as mechanically cleaning out toxic substances, and stimulating the colon without irritating the stomach, making it ideal for people who have a low tolerance to caffeine.

Fans of the process claim it makes them feel lighter and more relaxed as well as more energetic, and the treatment can help to kick start a period of convalescence or a diet. If you’re thinking of giving it a go, always consult your GP before trying any new treatments, and use a registered practitioner.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company we think we’d rather stick to drinking coffee, and with a range of coffee beans from all over the world, all at great wholesale prices, you’re sure to find something you love. For more information, or to view our range of coffee accessories, milk portions or flavoured syrups, please visit our website.

Coffee recipes: Coffee Alexander

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Sara Walker

You’ve probably heard of a Brandy Alexander, a sweet, brandy-based cocktail made from Cognac and chocolaty crème de cacao that became popular during the early 20th century. It’s not the first cocktail to bear the name, either – its ancestor was simply called an Alexander and was based on gin. There are many stories about the origin of the name, including a claim by drama critic Alexander Woollcott that it was named in his honour, while others claim it was was named for the Russian tsar Alexander II.

Wherever the name came from, it was one of the most popular drinks of its day and still regularly pops up on modern cocktail recipes. Here’s our version of the Coffee Alexander, a cross between a milkshake, an Irish coffee and a dessert. It’s ideal for combining pudding with coffee after a summer dinner party, or served at lunch on a hot sunny day.

To serve four, you’ll need:

240ml strong fresh coffee, made from your favourite good quality coffee beans
4 scoops vanilla or chocolate ice cream (chocolate ice cream will give a richer, sweeter result, more suitable for serving as a pudding)
4 tablespoons brandy or Cognac
4 teaspoons chocolate syrup, available from our coffee syrups page
4 strawberries (optional)

Allow the coffee to stand until cold, then refrigerate until fully chilled. Put all the ingredients into a blender and blend until fully combined. Pour into champagne or small wine glasses. Cut a strawberry almost in half without severing the stalk, and use to garnish the rim of the glass.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we stock a wide range of ingredients for brewing, cooking, baking and generally enjoying your coffee, all at great wholesale prices. Find flavoured syrups, green and roasted coffee beans, cups and stirrers, hot chocolate, milk and more at wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.

Coffee all over the world: Hawaii, Mexico and Puerto Rico

Posted on July 13, 2014 by Sara Walker

Although the European climate isn’t conducive to growing coffee commercially, the plants thrive throughout varied locations in the rest of the world. North America doesn’t produce its own coffee, with the exception of the Hawaiian islands which are famous for the Kona variety that’s considered to be of very high quality and much in demand. Although Kona isn’t the only variety grown in Hawaii, it’s certainly the best known and most sought after.

To produce the distinctive taste, the bushes are planted in volcanic soil on the active Mauna Loa volcano. The afternoon sun isn’t too intense thanks to a thick cloud canopy, and the new trees generally flourish to produce the berries that go on to become Kona.

Meanwhile, Mexico produces coffee on a far bigger scale. Although the individual farms tend to be small and family run, there are over 100,000 farmers and Mexico is at the forefront of the world’s coffee producing counties, with farms being primarily located in the south. Mexican beans are ideal for dark roasts and are often used as part of blends.

Puerto Rican coffee production today is fairly modest compared to the glory days of the 19th century, when the country was the sixth highest exporter of coffee in the world. A combination of natural disasters such as hurricanes combined with competition from other countries led to a drop in production, but now the Puerto Rican coffee industry is on its way back up again, with the emphasis this time on quality rather than quantity. The island has two major growing regions, but producing different but highly regarded coffee.

Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company we have a range of coffee beans available from different regions around the world, all at great wholesale prices. For more information, please visit our coffee beans page.

Growing your own coffee part 2

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Sara Walker

In the first part of our series on growing your own coffee, we discussed starting with a fresh coffee berry. As this isn’t commonly available to UK gardeners, it’s probably more practical to start with green coffee beans, but this must be as fresh as possible for the best chance of success. It’s not possible to grow coffee commercially in the UK, but coffee plants make a great talking point and are an attractive plant to grow as a novelty.

Plant the green beans as outlined in part one, soaking them first beforehand for 24 hours, and wait for them to germinate, which could take anything up to six months. Take care to keep the soil just damp with light but regular watering.

Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, repot them into individual pots. Fill each pot with around a third sand then topped with potting compost with a high nitrogen content. If you like, you can feed the seedlings with orchid food which has a low pH value.

Coffee plants will not grow outside in the British climate as it’s too volatile, so keep the pots in a greenhouse or conservatory. Once the plants start to grow, water them sparingly twice a week, once with a little orchid food added and once with plain water. Keep pots away from draughts, and never leave them exposed to frost or very cold temperatures.

Don’t forget that while it’s not possible to grow coffee commercially in the UK, you can order it in the UK. Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we stock a wide range of blends and beans from green beans to espresso, all at great wholesale prices. In addition, we stock coffee ingredients such as flavoured syrups and accessories like cups, lids and stirrers. To find out more, visit www.wholesalecoffeecompany.co.uk.