Coffee Do's and Dont's

Some coffee tips for enthusiasts:

Never boil coffee - It causes bitterness. Coffee should be brewed between 195 and 205° F

Do not re-heat coffee - Make as much as you plan to drink, then brew fresh. Coffee holds it flavor at 170° F

Use freshly drawn cold tap water - If your water is not good, use filtered or bottled spring water. Never use distilled water.

Do not reuse grinds - This will produce a bitter brew.

Use correct grind - Too fine a grind will cause over extraction and bitterness and may clog your brewer. To coarse a grind will cause under extraction or watery thin coffee.

Use the correct proportion - 1 standard coffee measure of 7 grams of 2 tablespoons for each 6oz of coffee. Do not alter recipe, remember that grinding finer will result in bitter coffee and using less coffee will result in thin coffee.

Keep coffee on burner for no longer than 30 minutes - Use a thermos or airpot to keep coffee hot and fresh for longer periods of time.

Other Reminders:

·         Flavored coffees should only be ground in grinders designated for flavored coffee

·         Ground coffee should never be re-ground

·         Never grind green coffee, moist coffee, or non-coffee items

·         Always keep your fingers out of the grinders. Use a utensil to loosen beans if they are stuck to sides

·         Always grind all the beans you place in the grinder

Costa Rica

Bordered by sea on both sides, Costa Rica differs from its neighbors in many ways. It is a peaceful country with a democratically elected government and, since 1948, no army. The country is also relatively wealthy. Schools are free, and Costa Rica spends much of its budget on education. Life expectancy in Costa Rica is the highest in Central America. Exports include coffee, bananas, and sugar, which grow on the country’s fertile volcanic soils. The main port is Limón on the Caribbean coast.

Costa Rica was once covered with forests that included mahogany and tropical cedar trees. But its tree cover has been greatly reduced because forests have been cut down for lumber and to make room for coffee plantations. However, the government is aware that loss of forest also means loss of valuable plant and animal life, and it is now working to conserve its forests. Today, much of the forest is protected in reserves and national parks.

COFFEE BEANS

Costa Rica was the first country in Central America to grow coffee, and for more than 100 years this has been its leading export. From time to time this success is affected by falling international prices. Coffee is made from the fruit of the coffee tree, which grows best on well-drained soil.

Trees need a warm, but not hot, climate, and are usually grown in areas partly shaded with larger trees. They can produce good crops for 15 years.

Art with a Heart II - SINING GALING

Bahahgari’t iba pa’ng mga kulay

Ang ngayo’y sa aki’y nagbibigay kulay

Talino’t talento ng batang tulad ko

Ay aalagaan at payayabungin ko

Nang sa gayo’y ito ay tularan

Gamitin sa wasto at tamang paraan

‘Sing tibay ng moog, aking ipupunla

Iniukit sa mura ko’ng diwa

Na magbigay halaga sa angking talento

Iugnay ang sining sa kakaibang aspeto

Nalalaman ko ngayo’y pinagpala

Gamit ang kaisipang ‘di mawawala

Gabay ko’y mundo ng sining

Akbay ko aking galing

Lubos ang aking galak

Iba sa aking dating tahak

Naiiba sa’king munting hiling

Galing ko sa sining, nag-ugat sa SINING GALING!

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to 

Saint John 18:33-37.

So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, 

"Are you the King of the Jews?" 

Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?" 

Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?" 

Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants (would) be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." 

So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."