Exciting News from Blessings in a Backpack!

In 2011, Thomas Coffee partnered with Blessings in a Backpack to help feed school children around the world. We are proud to say that this is the organization that we have been able to support the most over any other, with the help from our friends, family, and customers.

Blessings in a Backpack has exciting news that they are now partnering with People Magazine in their highly anticipated new one year initiative, PEOPLE FIRST: Help Feed A Child. Over the course of the upcoming year, People will highlight the program and its efforts in multiple editorial pieces in their magazine, PSA’s and have even have a feature in People en Espanol. This weeks issue of People will feature an interview with Tama Clapper, Blessings in a Backpack Program Coordinator, who oversees ten participating schools in Gillette, Wyoming.

Through this new program, People Magazine will inspire their readers to join them in their yearlong initiative and show that even one person can make a difference in the life of our country’s children.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank, on behalf of Blessings in a Backpack, all of your for your support in our program as well. It is because of you that we are able to Feed The Future of America!

Coffee Grounds Have a Meaning – To Turks That Is.

Some tea drinkers read the tea leaves to tell the future. For Turks, its all in the coffee grounds. After the cup is flipped on the saucer, symbols appear in the grounds giving a glimpse into the future. Reading coffee grounds is a very popular social activity practiced mostly by women in Turkey. In October 2011, there was a Turkish Festival in Charlotte, North Carolina. At the festival, there were demonstrations of the art of fal – reading of coffee grounds.

In fal, the grounds can predict births and engagements in the family. Different objects have symbolic meanings. For example: a lady bug and stars signify good luck. Birds mean good news and an anchor can indicate a move is imminent. The art of fal is done with family and friends just for fun. The outcomes are never taken seriously.

In the war against cancer, caffeine may turn out to be the most powerful weapon you can bring along. But, with at least one type of cancer, even decaf coffee is just as powerful as the caffeinated stuff we all love. Another interesting fact: drinking coffee can keep your brain young too! Check it out!

In just the last 8 months, doctors have proven that coffee is linked to lower rates of four different cancers – including breast cancer. We’ve checked the list, and checked it twice!

Endometrial Cancer:The most common form of uterine cancer. New research indicates that women who drink coffee are 25% less likely to develop endometrial cancer. Recommended Dose: 4 cups a day

Prostate Cancer:The most common cause of death from cancer in men. Increasing evidence has shown that prostate cancer absolutely detests coffee, of any kind. Just weeks ago, new data came in showing that both caffeinated and decaf coffee are effective in shooing off the the most dangerous kind of prostate cancer. Recommended Dose: 1 to 6 cups a day, with or without caffeine

Basal Cell Carcinoma:The most common skin cancer. This cancer quietly takes ahold, and coffee acts to shut it down. Recommended Dose: 3+ cups a day

Breast Cancer: A very common cancer among women, but also possible in men. It has been shown that women who drink coffee have a lower risk of developing breast cancer, after menopause. 20% to 50% lower vs. women who dont drink coffee. Recommended Dose: 5+ cups a day, caffeinated.

Coffee really is more than just a wake-me-up! Bottoms up to this great news!

Turning Coffee into Wine…. Is it True?

What’s in a name? Your favorite coffee drinks get explained!

Do you ever sit and wonder what a macchiato is and why it’s different from a cappuccino? You’re in luck! Gene Vann has compiled the meanings of most coffee shop drinks. Now you will know what goes into each, and what makes them all different from each other. Maybe now, you will be courageous enough to try something new.

Are you ready? Here we go!

~ Coffee Americano: an American drink with 1/4 espresso and 3/4 hot water.

~ Cappuccino: espresso mixed with steamed milk creating a foam on top.

~ Caffe Latte: same espresso and milk as cappuccino but in increased amounts and no foam on top.

~ Macchiato: similar to a latte but with less milk and little or no foam on top.

~ Mocha: a latte flavored with chocolate, topped with whipped cream and striped with chocolate syrup.

~ Rissretto: restrained espresso made with 1/2 the amount of water.

~ Breve: a “fat” cappuccino – made with half-and-half or cream instead of milk.

~ Espresso Con Panna: top an espresso with whipped cream.

~ Cafe Creme: 1.5 oz. espresso and 1 oz. heavy cream.

~ Cafe Corretto: espresso with a shot of brandy, cognac, or liqueur.

~ Cafe Romano: espresso with a twist of lemon juice or peel.

Of course, there are many, many more coffee drinks out there to enjoy and we are sure you have your favorites.

We want to hear from you! What other drinks are there that we did not include? Help us build our coffee list!

Feeling a little down today? Drink some coffee! A new US study shows that drinking coffee can enhance your mood and make you be … You!

A study conducted in September 2011 uncovered some interesting facts. The study discovered that drinking coffee makes people feel more like themselves. The survey was conducted by the Opinion Research Corporation International (ORC) on behalf of 7-Eleven.

Done by phone, researchers talked to over 1,000 Americans about the role coffee plays in their lives. Not surprisingly, it plays a huge role, but maybe even larger than we thought!

It is not surprising that the study uncovered that 2 out of every 3 Americans drink coffee, but 28% actually drink their first cup within only 15 minutes of waking up! They have to have their pot on a timer or make sure someone else makes it for them while they are snoozing away. Even larger, 40% say they must have their first cup within one hour, and 60% say they cannot start their day without it.

The most unusual finding was that 54% agreed that coffee makes them feel like themselves. It gives them energy, jolt, or perks them up – that kind of thing. Is this saying that over half of the population is relying on coffee to feel “normal”?

Think about that over your next cup of coffee. Do you agree that you need your daily coffee to get you going in the morning? How do you feel if you do not have your morning coffee?

Coffee is Shown to be Protective Against Cancer and Other Diseases

Good News Perking About Coffee

Many have wondered – what is the best way to re-heat coffee? The answer – there is not a best way. You really should not re-heat a cup of coffee once it is already brewed.

The majority will just stick their mug in the microwave, and problem solved! False: the problem of cold coffee is solved, but now you find yourself drinking coffee that has become very bitter, and tasting almost burnt.

This is simply because once coffee is brewed, the extraction process has been completed. If you re-heat your coffee, you are causing farther extraction of the coffee molecules, making your coffee taste burnt, or bitter. In reality, the best way to re-heat your coffee is to dump it out and enjoy a fresh cup.