Where is Signature Coffee Expensive?

Coffee has become a popular beverage all over the world.  You can see this popularity with the sprouting of numerous coffee shops anywhere you go. Even large coffee chains have been expanding their business by opening branches in most major cities and towns even in countries that are not really known to be coffee drinkers.  People are not complaining though because this means that they can have their favorite coffee drink anytime and anywhere they may be. Moreover, this increasing popularity of coffee means businesses serving the beverage can now have more freedom to experiment on the variety of what they serve, including concoctions with the wide assortment of Torani syrup flavors.

When it comes to coffee shops, the American standard of signature coffee seems to have caught on with the rest of the world as well. Nowadays, coffee shops are not just for people who want to spend a lazy afternoon in an al fresco place, sipping a cup of cappuccino while watching the world go by. Well, most coffee shops still do that, but most of them are profiting more with people getting in line, getting their early morning coffee, and rushing to work.

The allure of this setup for businessmen is that there are less overhead costs, as not a lot of people stay in their shop. However, for customers, it means brandishing a cup of signature coffee for everyone at work to see. Yes, coffee has somehow become a status symbol.  Letting everyone know where you got your coffee has become a testament to how much spending money you have. The more frequent your trips to the coffee shop are, the more money you’re supposed to have, even if it means being short on cash all the time.

Starbucks is one of the major coffee chains known all over the world.  Almost every major city in every developing and developed country has a branch or two where people flock to have their tall Frappuccinos or lattes. The funny thing about this is that you would be able to know the economic status of the country where it is in with the prices of their drinks. It is in Oslo, Norway where you can find the most expensive Starbucks tall latte, as it costs about $9.83 for a single cup. This is about four times more than the price of the same drink in their branch in New Delhi, India.

In most first world countries, you can expect to pay more than $5 for a tall latte.  In most European cities like Stockholm, Moscow and Zurich, expect to shell out about $8 for a latte.

Notice that the prices of coffee drinks, even those with Torani syrup, are different from every country.  It really depends a lot on the economic status of the country that dictates the prices of the goods there, coffee included. Some less developed countries like the Philippines and Peru have Starbucks as well, and the quality of the coffee served is always checked to adhere to American standards, but the size of their servings may be a little smaller and the other ingredients make their coffee less expensive.

Blueberry, Strawberry, or Raspberry?

Syrups are usually used to add flavor and sweeten up beverages.  Fruit syrups are popularly used in desserts and pastries to up the level of flavor of the fruit that is being used by a notch.  With syrups, fruit flavors taste more intense and pronounced, so there’s no way you can get a pathetic tasting fruit-based dessert or somebody commenting that the fruits used are out of season.

It happens that some of the most popular recipes for desserts, especially involve berries, although they are not readily available (or at their best) the entire year. Thus, Torani syrups come to the rescue! The most common fruit based syrups are strawberry, blueberry and raspberry.  They do belong to the same family, but the flavors and colors of each are distinct and very much different. Let’s look at how each of these fruits makes us berry excited:

Blueberry

This berry is distinct because of its appearance and color.  It is like a bundle of small different berries that are clumped together to form a single berry.  The flavor is quite tart and is popularly used for jams and jellies and combined with apples for pies and tarts. Also, have you heard of scientific studies stating that the darker the color of the berry, the more nutritious it is? Just imagine how loaded blueberries are with anti-oxidants, perfect for cancer prevention? Blueberry is most associated with one dessert though: muffins! Get your blueberry muffin fix with thick swirls of Torani syrups in the middle.

Strawberry

This berry needs no introduction as it is one of the most popular berries.  The red color makes it a popular food gift given during Valentine’s Day.  The flavor ranges from being sweet to tart depending on the season as well as the soil’s condition. Some of the most popular uses for strawberries would be in jams, pies, cakes, and milkshakes. Of course, dessert fans know that a berry feast won’t be complete without a delicious helping of strawberry shortcake.

Raspberry

This is another red berry popular for making pies and tarts.  It is also used to make jams and jellies just like the other berries.  This flavor of Torani syrup is the most popular for those who love Italian sodas as the tartness is perfect to cut of the sweetness of the soda. Raspberry tart is one treat you should definitely try, if you want something very tasty but with just the right hint of sourness.

These flavors of Torani syrups are best used for smoothies or even milkshakes.  A few teaspoons of the syrup will definitely enhance the flavor of various desserts. These berry delicious flavors also come in sugar free varieties, so you do not need to worry about too much calories getting consumed.

Have You “Bean” Having Great Espresso?

Espresso is one coffee beverage enjoyed by many people throughout the world. Whether you like it with some additional flavour brought by Torani syrups or just plain but strong espresso, it is simply a decadent beverage that stimulate while relaxes as well. But for coffee enthusiasts, everything comes down to the quality of beans. Do beans really matter in espresso making? What do you have to consider in terms of beans to make a perfect espresso cup?

The cost of espresso beans should be considered, of course, especially for those who are just making the drink from home. Darker roasts and beans containing more caffeine may be more costly than other beans, but is this exactly the type of drink the espresso maker wants? If the drinker wants something that will eventually be diluted with cream or other coffee preparations, having the perfect espresso beans with the strongest flavour and intensity may not be such a practical idea. Their cost may be higher, but they may tend to get lost in the flavors of the other preparations, which will just lead to wasted expenses.

Availability is another factor that people choosing an espresso bean should consider. In a lot of cases, the bean that produces the boldest flavor or the strongest intensity may not exactly be readily available in the vicinity of the drink maker. They may need to be ordered elsewhere and would just incur additional costs. On the other hand, the beans that may be readily available would obviously be less hassle to acquire, but may not result in exactly the flavor or strength the maker of the drink desires. He or she must weigh what he or she values the most.

Espresso can be made from any coffee bean. But these beans may come in various forms:

• There are whole beans that the drink maker would need to grind first
• Ready to use ground beans
• Coffee pods which can produce single-serve shots and readily usable for certain espresso machines
• Coffee cartridges that can only be used for certain machines
• Decaf beans that will let the drinker enjoy the espresso flavour but none of the strength

Now, let us go to the types of coffee beans that as mentioned earlier, can be made into espresso. The two most common coffee bean types are Arabica and Robusta.

For those looking for the highest quality of beans for espresso, then Arabica is the answer. Arabica beans produce the smoothest flavor. The beans grow well in environments that are warm and temperate. The flavor may not be that bitter, and is in fact more delicate. Varieties of coffee such as Kona and Colombia are from the Arabica bean.

On the other hand, Robusta is cheaper than Arabica and produces a harsher, more bitter taste. Close to one-third of coffee produced is Robusta coffee. Robusta can be planted in areas with lower altitude than Arabica. The beans are rounded, and contain more caffeine than Arabica. Thus, for espresso, Robusta is actually preferred for a fuller flavour and stronger intensity, although it will lack the smoothness desired by many. Thus, people who want the perfect blend of smoothness, flavor, and intensity end up combining the two beans, with 75% of the mix Arabica and 25% Robusta, just for a bitter and stronger kick. If you prefer more affordable bans, go for Riobusta beans, and take the edge off the bitterness with a shot of sweet Torani butterscotch syrup.

Delicious Beverages for the Fall

The leaves on the trees are starting to change color and the air is becoming cooler day by day.  This only signifies one thing: The seasons have started to change and we are now welcoming the fall season.  Now that the weather is becoming cooler by the day, everything is geared toward making everyone feel more comfortable by being warm. Gone are the thin sheet blankets and bring out the comforters! A/C units have to take a rest now as we usher in the season for heaters. As for food, hot soups and warm drinks are very much welcome, so get your mugs ready for steaming concoctions.

credits: China.org.cn

For most of us, hot coffee and a mug of hot cocoa are a treat. But then, people are surely tired of the same ‘ol thing from September to February. Can’t we have other choices for warm drinks to comfort us in the cool breeze of autumn? Of course, there are! Aside from hot chocolate and hot coffee (this, a lot of us drink every day!), there are a lot of other beverages that we can have.  You can get creative with warm drinks especially if you have a lot of Torani syrup and sauces to jazz up your drinks.

• Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Latte – Pumpkin is one flavor that signifies the fall season, with its orange color and its popularity, especially during Halloween.  What better way to use the vegetable of the season than by having it in your coffee?  It is easy to make as the flavors of the drink are courtesy of the Torani syrup that you just need to add.  A bottle of pumpkin spice syrup and Torani cheesecake syrup, and you are set.  Combine them with espresso and milk and you have your own latte perfect to keep you warm in the fall.
• Chai Tea – This is a great alternative to those who prefer a non-coffee based drinks.  You can use the Chai Tea Spice syrup also a to make the taste of the Chai in the tea more pronounced, especially when you only have black tea in your pantry. This is a very relaxing beverage with just the right amount of exotic flavor.
• Spiced Tea – This is another option for those who are not into coffee. You can use the Torani cinnamon syrup and vanilla syrup to make the flavors more distinct.  Just use black tea, add a bit of kick by using a minimum amount of spices like cardamom or saffron before adding those flavorful Torani flavors. This is surely a perfect beverage for cold and chilly autumn nights.

Other fall beverages you can opt are Mulled Cider and Caramel Macchiato.  They can certainly be made tastier with the right Torani flavor combinations. You don’t have to spend too much to enjoy a warm evening with your favorite drink on a rather chilly night in the fall. It definitely helps if you have some Torani syrups handy, though! Be adventurous in mixing and matching the flavors for a more exciting and personalized beverage you can call your own.

Is Seattle the Only Coffee City in America?

Coffee is one beverage that is universally accepted everywhere.  Anywhere you go, you can see people drinking coffee from paper cups with a familiar logo emblazoned on it, or drinking and chatting with friends in a corner coffee shop. People love their coffee and are mighty proud if their city is said to be where great coffee is. When in America, it is said that Seattle is the best coffee city.  People are serious with their coffee, even those that are mixed with Torani syrup. People from other places might object over this statement as there are other cities that can be said to be coffee cities too.

Seattle is no doubt to be the number one coffee city in America as this is where the most popular brands originated.  There are also a lot of coffee shops, roasters and espresso places that litter the whole city.  If it is coffee with Torani syrup that you want, you would just have to walk a block or two to reach the nearest coffee shop.

Other cities with prominent coffee shops around the country are the following:

• Portland, OR – This is one place where you can find places that offer cupping sessions.  There is also a homegrown brand that is now expanding to Seattle and other major cities. Some of the best coffee places in this part of the Pacific Northwest include Stumptown, Coava, Heart, Barista, and Courier Coffee.
• Chicago – This is where you can find Julius Meinl which is considered to be the number 1 Vienna coffee roaster.   With over a hundred years of experience, this coffee house prides itself in being able to combine the best of America and Vienna’s tradition when it comes to handling coffee. Some unique blends in coffee shops in Chi-town include Thyme Warp, a pear citrus flavored soda with some herbal undertones and a sprig of rosemary (exclusive in Wormhole), Love On Top, or Kenya single-origin espresso and grapefruit soda, which can be drank from Intelligentsia on Logan Square, and coffee spritzer in Ch’ava Cafe’s, which is iced coffee, mineral water and foam topping made of elderflower.
• New Orleans – This is one of the places in the US where influences of Creole and French cultures are uniquely present. They have the unique coffee offered at their most famous coffee place, Café du Monde.  The coffee here is unique because it is blended with chicory which gives it a unique flavor that you can only taste here. Café au lait, as what you may hear in the original version of the song Lady Marmalade, is the drink of choice for people here.
• Providence, RI – This is the place where coffee is taken seriously.  Baristas undergo strict training and you can expect your coffee to be always freshly brewed as they do not allow serving coffee that is more than 30 minutes old. This city is also known for having the most coffee and doughnut shops per capita anywhere in the country.