I am not certain about this, but I feel that as coffee drinkers, we sometimes are under the impression that we must select one type of coffee to drink all the time. I don't personally have an exclusive coffee that I must have. Instead, I have an assortment I like to enjoy. In the morning, I tend to go for coffees that have a higher acidity like a good high grown central american or african. In the afternoon, I prefer darker roast coffees with a good body.

I think the "pick one" mentality originated from the canned grocery store competition that started in the past. I remember you were either a Folgers drinker or a Maxwell House drinker. Unless you were trying to impress your guests and you would brew some Community Coffee. Sure there is nothing wrong with picking a favorite, but don't feel committed to just one type of coffee. Keep your self open to enjoy new coffees. There is more than one great coffee out there for you. Not only do you get to expand your selection, put you give your palate a chance to experience different tastes.

You ever dated someone who only ate hamburgers all time? You say "I am in the mood for Italian", response "I want a whopper." "Ooh I heard there was a new sushi place in town," response "I want a Big Mac."  It gets old quick doesn't it? Treat your coffee the same way, you and your tongue will be happier. Be blessed.

I was in a super market today doing a little bit of shopping. Usually when I go to the grocery store, I make a stop by coffee aisle. I don't buy from there, but I occasionally like to stop and see what's new or read the packaging. I saw a popular canned coffee company's label, whose name I am not going say, advertise that you could make 90 (6oz) cups of coffee from a 10.3oz package of coffee. This really caught my eye. I read the label further and saw what they recommended for brewing: 1 tablespoon of coffee per 6oz of water. I couldn't believe what I just read.
 
The standard to prepare a great cup of coffee is 2 tablespoons of ground coffee (preferably BeanFruit coffee :-) per 6oz of water. That's the reason a general coffee scoop is equal to 2 tablespoons (one flat scoop per 6oz cup). Otherwise, the coffee is under-extracted which results into a weaker and bitterer cup. I don't know about you, but when I buy cola, I want the full taste of a cola. I don't pour half of the soft drink out, refill it with water so that I can have two watered-down colas. Your coffee should be treated the same. You usually end up drinking two watered-down cups of coffee to be satisfied anyway. Make it excellent and you will only need one. I am firm believer of quality over quantity. 

I think the manufacturer is trying to separate themselves from other coffees on the shelf by claiming to be a value coffee. That's fine and dandy, but not at the sake of a proper cup of coffee. If you feel the standard is a little strong, I recommend this method: Brew your coffee using the proper coffee-to-water ratio mentioned above. After it is brewed, add a little hot water to your finished cup to make a quality cup of coffee that is less intense. Brew it correctly and I can guarantee it will taste better. Be blessed.

I am not sure if everyone is familiar with Toms shoes, so let me give you a small overview. There is a really popular shoe that took off this year. They come in a variety of colors and styles. They aren't for running, hiking or anything like that, but are perfect for hanging out with friends. What I like most about these shoes is the benefit that they bring outside of the purchase. Each time a pair of Toms is sold, a pair is given to a child in need. When I heard about their "one for one" mission statement, it blew me away. An opportunity came for me this weekend to buy a new pair of shoes and I finally picked up a pair of my very own Toms. I love them. I broke them in the first day I got them and I put them on every opportunity I get. What do I like to do in my Tom's? I like to drink coffee in them and hang out while wearing them of course. But, I absolutely love to roast coffee in them. They give me great balance and provide the perfect amount of cushion. When I roast with them on, it reminds me of what drives BeanFruit Coffee: making a difference in our community and the world. It feels awesome though know that my footwear selection is going to be blessing for a person somewhere else in the world. It amazes me what God can do with a little bit of canvas, rubber and inspiration. So the next time you think picking up new shoes, think about Tom's. My next pair is definitely going to be burlap. Be blessed.