Espresso or Cappucino - How to add some "oomph" into your cuppa!
By: Peter Lim
" Oomph is the intricate inner feeling of that touch of power,
unexplained yet real, that comes with the drinking of coffee"
I had been a long term tea drinker, preferring tea to any other
beverage for years, until one day, I had a new assistant. I was
working as a dealer representative for stocks and shares at that
time, and that means in a really stressful environment, being in
the trading room all the time. So taking some time off to catch a
cuppa and to be back to trading and watching the trading screens
for the best prices was the perfect break anyone could hope
for.
My new assistant was a young lady in her mid twenties, and it was
interesting to see her prepare her drink.
No, she wasn't a tea drinker like me. Instead, she was a coffee
fan, perhaps even an addict to coffee, you may say. On her first
day at work, she took out of her handbag three packs of instant
coffee 3 in 1 - namely instant coffee, sugar and non-dairy creamer,
and then proceeded to empty the three packs into one cup,adding hot
water, making a strong coffee. She wasn't through yet, because she
also opened another pack of chocolate powder and sprinkled the
chocolate powder on to her hot coffee, creating a tremendous
aromatic smell that pervaded the trading room.
That was some "oomph" in her coffee.
After a period of three months, I found I was suddenly drinking
coffee myself and wasn't a pure tea drinker anymore. It was a
subtle conversion process, and soon I found I really need that
coffee in the afternoon trading session.
Now, looking back, I have learnt a lot of techniques to add more
"oomph" to my cup of coffee.
One way is to enhance the taste with some special add-on
ingredients.
My most popular add-on ingredient is powdered ginseng. Ginseng is
the traditional chinese herb which is a root, and american ginseng
is preferred to korean or chinese ginseng. This herb makes one
alert when taken, and is normally taken to strengthen one's immune
system or body. You can get the ginseng powder from the Natural
Herb Store or in the form of capsules that you can empty into a
cuppa when you need the "oomph".
Be reminded that the ginseng root powder carries a somewhat bitter
taste. So don't equate quantity with more "oomph". You just add
sufficient to give you the enhanced aroma and the "oomph" you
need.
Another way is to add the "tongkat ali" root powder, which may be
slightly harder to obtain. This root is from an original plant in
Malaysia and is a well researched herbal root with aphrodiasic
features. The aborigines of the tropical jungles of Malaysia use
this to enhance their "maniless" and this they prove by having big
families. Commercially, you can get a bottle of this Tongkat Ali
powder under the brand name "Power Root" throughout the world. Just
add a small pinch and you will find the difference in your taste
and feel the subsequent well-being.
Now you can have that extra edge and "oomph" when you next take
your coffee, irregardless whether it is an espresso or a latte.
Peter Lim is a Certified Financial Planner and awowed coffee lover.To get more tips to brew your best espresso or cappucino, and to discover the best coffee makers, visit his website saeco.revenuemonitor.biz
Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com