What makes gourmet coffee so gourmet?

Coffee is a beverage that many people look forward to starting their day with. It can provide that much needed pick-me-up when you’re in a rush or it can easily be a drink you can sit back and enjoy. With the spur of café’s, coffeehouses and coffee runs, the idea and definition of coffee has grown over the years. With the favorable reception of gourmet coffee, one could say coffee has finally become fashionable.

The morning used to consist of a standard size coffee mug, filled to the rim with traditional, freshly brewed coffee. There were options and they consisted of cream and sugar. Thankfully, gourmet coffee has made its debut over the past few years. Now, we've got a sensational number of options.
Gourmet coffee gives us choices, flavor, and variety. It turns what used to be just an average cup of joe into a superb cup of java.

The two main types of coffee are Robusta and Arabica. Compared to Arabica, Robusta coffee is of a lower quality and is usually used in canned and instant coffee. It has about twice the caffeine of Arabica. On the other hand, Arabica is the type used to make flavorful, gourmet coffee.

Some of the most popular, widely available flavors of gourmet coffee include

Amaretto

Butter Pecan

Hazelnut

Irish Cream

Almond Crème

Brule

English Toffee

French Vanilla

Holiday Spice

Praline and Cream

Roasted Chestnut

Vanilla Nut

Take a look at the menu at any coffeehouse and you're sure to be greeted with a multitude of flavorful adjectives, a wide array of gourmet coffee flavors.

Sampling gourmet coffee can make for a fun afternoon at the local coffee shop. Once you find a few you like you can brew your own at home. Luckily, many regular grocery stores and supermarkets carry an assortment of flavors. The standard, traditional coffee maker can brew a great cup of flavored coffee for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
Beyond the actual gourmet coffee grounds found at stores, flavored creams are also becoming an all-time favorite. These creams, available in a range of flavors, can jazz up your java.

Flavors of gourmet coffee range from the usual, such as French Vanilla, to the extraordinary, such as Coconut Cream. Many brands now offer flavors tailored to a season or holiday.

If you find that you enjoy the variety and pleasure that gourmet coffee can bring, there are monthly clubs available to further delight your taste buds. Membership most often includes the monthly delivery of a pound of coffee – a new flavor each month. The convenience is in the way that it’s delivered right to your doorstep. The fun is in the fact that you're getting a new flavor. Indulge yourself on a regular basis!

If you find that you enjoy gourmet coffee, don't forget others when the holidays, birthdays and special occasions roll around. It makes for a great, inexpensive, personalized gift for friends, family, co-workers and even neighbors.

Whenever you're ready to please your palate, give gourmet coffee a try. The beauty of it is in the variety.