7 Coffees From Around the World …

7 Coffees From Around the World …

Over 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide every year. The world’s favorite beverage is also the second most valuable trade commodity after oil and the four major coffee producing countries are Brazil, Vietnam, Columbia and Indonesia. Much like wine production, soil and climate play a huge role in determining the flavor, texture and aroma of the coffee bean and because of this, each country and region produces its own distinctive taste. Here’s a run through 7 coffees from around the world and what makes them so tempting to caffeine addicts everywhere.

1. Kenya

The coffee connoisseurs among you will know that African coffees generally have a spicy, tangy edge. Kenyan coffee is no exception. With its rich aroma and spicy, full bodied and distinctively acidic, almost citrus flavor, coffee from Kenya is amongst the finest available. Kenyan coffee is a great choice for people who enjoy their coffee strong, and tastes particularly good black.

2. Brazil

Brazil is the largest producer of coffee in the world. When freak weather conditions trigger a poor harvest, it has a knock on effect worldwide as coffee drinkers see prices of their favorite beans soar. One of the most popular coffees from around the world, Brazilian coffee is deliciously light, smooth and aromatic. Its mild, medium bodied flavor makes it an ideal choice for people who prefer weaker coffees and it is perfect for any time of day.

3. Java

Widely considered the world’s finest coffee, Java coffee combines a heavy body with a fairly low acidity. A must try for all coffee addicts; its flavor is strong and intense and has a distinctive, pleasantly earthy aftertaste. If you’re looking to sample just one new coffee from around the world, you can’t go far wrong with a cup of Java Arabica French roast.

4. Hawaii

Grown on the slopes of dormant volcanoes in the Kona region of Hawaii, coffee from this region is frequently voted the world’s most luxurious coffee by American consumers and it’s not hard to see why. It is thought the combination of wet, sunny days, mild nights and mineral rich volcanic soil in Kona creates the perfect coffee growing conditions, producing a sweet, smooth and delicately spicy flavor with a subtle nutty quality.

5. Costa Rica

Producer of the best mild coffees worldwide, Costa Rica employs a strict ‘hard bean only’ system to classify its highest quality coffee beans. The result is a coffee which is full bodied and richly flavorsome with a tempting aroma and a delicious spicy edge. An all-round favorite with coffeedrinkers across the globe.

6. Jamaica

One of the most sought after coffees around the world, Jamaican Blue Mountain is renowned for its distinctive sweet flavor, moderate acidity and rich, full body. Some consider it the king of gourmet coffees and it often comes with a hefty price tag to match. Its reputation for delicious sweetness is certainly well founded but this is one for those of you who prefer mild coffee, it does not work served strong.

7. Columbia

Of all the coffees from around the world, Columbia’s beans might be the most overlooked. Unfairly associated with instant coffee, Columbia actually produces some of the world’s best quality Arabicabeans and is the second largest producer after Brazil. It has a well balanced, smooth flavor with moderate intensity. Perfect for a late afternoon pick me up.

I hope this list of the most deliciously distinctive coffees from around the world will inspire you to try something new next time you need a caffeine hit. With 24 coffee-producing countries worldwide, the varieties covered here are just the tip of the iceberg. Do you have a favorite?

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8 Reasons Why You Can’t Sleep at Night …

8 Reasons Why You Can’t Sleep at Night …

The long hours of night seem to last forever when you are suffering with a bad case of insomnia. Tossing and turning for hours at a time is a miserable way to spend your precious sleep time and the only thing worse than spending a night staring at the ceiling is trying to function the next day with no sleep. The key to beating insomnia is figuring out why you aren’t sleeping. Here are 8 reasons why you can’t sleep at night. Figure out which one is bothering you and then you can make practical changes to help sleep come easier.

1. You are Preoccupied with Work

Thinking about work can cause your mind to race at night. It adds stress to your body and your mind. Finding a way to relieve stress and give your mind a mental break from work before you go to bed at night may help you get to sleep faster and keep you asleep longer. Try making a “to do” for what you need to get done at the office before you go to bed. Organize your thoughts on paper and then you can rest easy knowing a plan is waiting on you in the morning.

2. You are Worried About Relationships

Your interactions with others can create added stress on your mind that can leave you restless and unable to sleep. If you are having conflict in your marriage or friendships, try to talk things out before you go to bed. When you are angry or upset, your emotions can keep you from getting a good night of rest so pick up the phone and make amends.

3. You are Stressed About Finances

Money is a huge culprit in sleepless nights. If you have past due bills, outstanding debts, or other financial issues, this can interfere with the ability to sleep. Spend some time working out a budget or seek help from a financial counselor. Even if you don’t have enough money to cover everything at once, making a plan will ease your mind and help your sleep habits.

4. You are in the Middle of Transition

Anytime you have a big change in your life you experience a transition that can effect your body. Whether taking a promotion, moving to a new home, or going off to college, life changes can afford you the opportunity of sleepless nights and dreary days. Try to create a schedule that helps you adjust to your new place in life. This will help your body adjust enough to sleep at night.

5. You are Grieving

Losing a loved one can put a great mental burden on your mind. While some resort to sleep to cope with grief, others become deprived of it. Grief counseling is important to allow you to work through your thoughts and feelings and help you to adjust your mind to resting again.

6. You Consume Too Much Caffeine

You could be keeping yourself awake at night by the foods and drinks you consume throughout your day. Your body needs a break from caffeine in order to shut down for rest at night. If you enjoy drinking coffee, consider drinking decaffeinated coffee in the evenings instead of your regularly loaded cup.

7. You Have Underlying Medical Issues

Sleeping disorders, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, injuries, pregnancy and more could be keeping you up at night. Talk with your doctor about what options may be available to help you get a good night’s sleep.

8. Your Partner is Keeping You Awake

If your sweetie is a snorer, it can make the nights like a ritual form of torture. If your sleep is interrupted by the other half of the bed, you have a few options. First, you could try sleeping alone. This isn’t always a great option for marriage though! Your other option is to try to help your partner stop snoring. Talk to a doctor or sleep specialist for advice!
Having a good night’s sleep is important for your body and your mind. Sleep gives your body rest and helps it to be mentally and physically alert to perform everyday tasks such as driving and working. If you are experiencing any of these 8 reasons why you can’t sleep at night, making some simple changes could really help. By taking time to wind down, avoiding late night caffeine, and taking care of health issues, you can improve your sleep. What is your best trick for unwinding before bed at night?

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7 Worst Late Night Foods …

7 Worst Late Night Foods …

Everybody knows that there are certain foods you simply should not eat at night … and I confess, I’m guilty of eating many of them anyway. A momentary lapse is forgivable, but some foods really should not ever be eaten before you go to bed at night. Before you decide on your next bedtime snack, you should definitely have a look at the worst late night foods you can eat.

1. High Fat Foods

Naturally, whether it’s for a late dinner or some kind of snack, things that are high in fat are definitely the very worst late night foods you can eat. French fries, pizza with extra cheese, and other greasy, high fat foods all fall into this category. Late at night, try to stay away from oils and cheeses especially, because foods containing those ingredients will just lie dormant in your digestive tract while you sleep.

2. Sugary Cereals

I don’t know about you, but cereal is one of my favorite bedtime snacks. I’m more prone to eating it at night than I am in the morning! That’s well and good – as long as you’re eating the right kind of cereal. Really sweet, sugary cereals, however, are a bad idea. That means no more Cookie Crisp before bed for me. Don’t worry, you can still eat these kinds of cereals during the day, because you have time to burn off the calories, but look for a healthier cereal snack to eat in the evenings.

3. Spicy Snacks

Not only are spicy foods some of the worst late night foods you can eat, they can also interrupt your sleep patterns. In addition to making it more difficult to sleep due to the rush of endorphins they will give you, they can also make it physically uncomfortable. Spicy foods can lead to heartburn, as well as more discombobulating tummy troubles.



 pretty much goes without saying that you should avoid caffeine late at night, unless you’re trying to stay up late. Most of you probably know better than to drink coffee or caffeinated tea at night anyway, but the thing is, plenty of foods have caffeine too. Dark chocolate might be better for you in general, for example, but avoid it at night, because it has more than enough caffeine to give you a jolt.
5. Red Meat

If you’re eating late, try to avoid red meat. This is another kind of food that takes a really long time to digest, due to the amounts of protein and fat found in most kinds of red meat. As a result, eating this late at night will also give you a bit of an endorphin rush, making it harder to get to sleep.

6. Beans

I know what you’re thinking: beans are largely healthy. That’s definitely true – they have a lot of fiber, which is unquestionably good for your body. Unfortunately, all that fiber is the reason beans are one of the worst late night foods out there. They can make digestion pretty uncomfortable, which again can lead to late night stomach problems. Plus, don’t forget that infamous ditty, old (and kind of gross), but true: beans, beans, the musician fruit…

7. Ice Cream

This kind of makes me cry, but it’s a good idea to avoid many kinds of ice cream when snacking at night as well. Sugar free, fat free alternatives are pretty much okay, but choices like chocolate ice cream should be avoided like the plague. It’s all that sugar and caffeine, it’s just not good for you before bed!
I’m definitely going to have to alter my snacking habits. It’s hard, but I know I can do it. What are some of the healthier snacking options you like?

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