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What is the best method for coffee storage to preserve freshness and flavor?

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 09:29:00 -0400

The promise of a fresh coffee, preserving the familiar, desired aroma from one cup to another and from one package to another is both a desire for enthusiasts, but also a topic of study for researchers and specialists. It is no coincidence, therefore, that the correct methods of preserving coffee, whether it is beans or ground, have been defined, so that its qualities remain unaltered from the moment the package is opened, until the last cup.

Unfortunately, once the package is unsealed, the intense coffee flavor tends to dissipate, but there are preservation methods that significantly delay this process.

Thus, the best way to store coffee, beans or ground, is in a shady corner of the pantry, in an opaque box, preferably metal, hermetically sealed, away from heat or moisture.

Specialists insist that glass containers or other transparent options should be avoided, even if the aesthetic reasons for this choice are obvious. Of course, a jar with coffee beans on a shelf in plain sight is an original decoration element and pleasing to the eye, but maybe it's not worth the "sacrifice". Light favors the breakdown of essential oils, which means tasteless coffee and maybe even a missed morning.

In the fridge or at room temperature?

Specialists have settled the dispute between the partisans of keeping coffee at room temperature and those who believe it should be kept in the refrigerator, in favor of the former.

The arguments are that keeping ground coffee cold, which is used every day, causes temperature fluctuations, which generates moisture in the container. After several repetitions of the cold-hot cycle with the inevitable intake of moisture in the container, the coffee in the cup will acquire an unpleasant taste of... cardboard. The cause is also the degradation of the essential oil of the coffee, which gives the aroma and rich taste.

There are also situations in which it is recommended to keep the coffee cold: if you have bought a larger quantity, freezing the sealed packages before use prolongs the freshness of the product. However, once a package has been opened, it is preferable to consume the coffee within two weeks at most.

Study all the coffee varieties in our store: asterpremium.com and enjoy the experience of enjoying unique and unforgettable coffees!

Costadoro Coffee is the that premier expert in Italian coffee production and roasting you wish you heard of

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 09:32:00 -0400

Each cup of Costadoro coffee has a story behind it: the selection of each coffee bean, the skill and dedication of the specialists for each phase of production, experience, research, innovation, enthusiasm and passion. These are the ingredients that create Costadoro flavors. Instantly recognizable, but always surprising.

Company story

Costadoro is a producer that has kept alive the passion for quality coffee since 1890. Today it is sold in more than 30 countries and has become one of the main contributors to European education for very good quality coffee. The company was founded in Turin and from the very beginning was very attentive to all the details of coffee production and roasting. In those days, there was a small number of experts in the production and trade of coffee beans, so the small business quickly became a reference place, in high demand for retailers as well. Over time, it has developed continuously, gaining a solid reputation in the world. Costadoro took its role as a leader in international markets seriously and continued to scientifically research, continuously innovate the production process, select and combine the best beans. All this because: "Our goal is to ensure that every cup of Costadoro coffee offers a unique, delightful and memorable experience", say the company's representatives. But behind it is a long process, starting with the selection of the best raw materials, followed by sophisticated roasting processes and culminating in the best equipment and barista training.
Currently, the Costadoro Group has several subsidiaries in England, Spain, Monaco and is distributed in dozens of countries around the world.

Costadoro technology

Costadoro carefully selects the raw material and buys the green coffee directly in the countries of origin, so as to offer their customers only the best beans. Each purchase is made following tastings attended by a committee of at least 5 people. Each bean is carefully selected and cleaned and then passed on to the roasting process.

Costadoro was the first company in Italy to use the optical sorter SORTEX Z + 1BL of roasted coffee, performing a real scan of all the beans: the defective ones are rejected, not only if they do not meet the color parameters, but also if they are not suitable in shape and size. This choice guarantees a quality level of absolute excellence.

Costadoro individually roasts each coffee origin, applying the precise times and temperatures required for each variety (18-20 minutes at 210° – 225°C), so as to obtain a uniform degree of roasting of each bean, for a taste and aroma as complete as possible. The technology used by Costadoro is the most innovative on the market, while maintaining tradition and care for the final product.

Product packaging

Costadoro has fully automated packaging lines and special compostable packaging with one-way degassing valves to remove the excess carbon dioxide present in the coffee and at the same time prevent the ingress of oxygen from the outside, which has an oxidizing effect on the coffee. All this guarantees that the products and features are perfectly preserved. The new Costadoro warehouse for finished products has large openings in the ceiling to ensure necessary natural ventilation and also has overhead lighting to help save energy and protect the environment.

Costadoro Academy

In the Costadoro Coffee Lab Academy, Costadoro experts, nicknamed "masters of coffee culture", train dozens of baristas daily. This coffee culture that the company creates, develops, and transmits, not only to find the perfect product, but also to train baristas, true coffee professionals.
All the work and efforts of the company to produce coffee in a memorable way, made Costadoro a "Made in Italy" spokesperson for the product that perhaps best represents Italians - coffee.

Specialty coffee

Costadoro specialty coffee comes exclusively from approved plantations, grown at high altitudes and with superior international classifications. It is 100% Arabica and is not mixed with varieties from other regions. The Specialty Coffee Association, the international forum that provides quality scores for specialty coffees, has rated some of Costadoro's coffees with scores of over 80, proving that they are truly special. Costadoro offers the chance to enjoy specialty coffees from the best plantations in the world: Ethiopia, Mexico, Brazil, Nicaragua, Colombia, Honduras, Indonesia. Each of these leave their mark directly on the taste and aroma of the coffee you will enjoy, which will be unlike anything you have ever drunk before.

Costadoro in the U.S.

Study all Costadoro coffee varieties and enjoy the experience of enjoying unique and unforgettable coffees here

Finding your preference between Arabica and Robusta coffee beans can improve your coffee experience

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 09:33:00 -0400

If you are reading these lines, you are most likely a fan of this miraculous drink that is coffee. So if you want to find out as much information as possible about coffee, you must know the difference between coffee beans. You may have noticed several times on coffee packaging inscriptions like: 100% Arabica, Robusta or blend. What is the meaning of each of these we explain to you right now.

The most popular and widespread variety of coffee is Arabic. Cultivated at altitudes of over 600 m, reaching 2000 m, Arabica is prized for its fine and refined taste and aromas. Originally from Africa, but cultivated mainly in Latin America, especially in Brazil and Colombia, but also in Southeast Asia, Indonesia or Papua New Guinea, Arabica represents about 70% of coffee production worldwide.
A selection of the best Italian coffee brands 100% Arabica can be found here: https://asterpremium.com/collections/coffee

Robusta it is as its name indicates, a more resistant species, it grows at low altitudes, it is not disturbed by temperature variations, it is much easier to cultivate, therefore, it also has much lower prices. Robusta has a higher caffeine content, has a strong, raw taste, without delicate notes and refined textures. For some coffee drinkers, this bitter taste is not very pleasant. Robusta is cultivated exclusively in the Eastern Hemisphere, especially in Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam.

Specialty or mono-origin coffee is 100% Arabica and is not mixed with varieties from other regions. In our store you will find a multitude of types of origin coffee, each of them with different characteristics, being roasted in a different way and having specific granulations. All these features directly affect the taste and aroma of the coffee you will enjoy, which will be unlike anything you have ever drunk before. You can choose coffees from all over the world: Ethiopia, Mexico, Brazil, Nicaragua, Colombia, Honduras, Indonesia: https://asterpremium.com/collections/coffee

In conclusion, Arabica gives a sweet taste to the coffee and reveals fine aromas and tastes, while Robusta is what gives the energy, i.e. the strength of a coffee. But if you want a bit of both, you will have to opt for a blend, that is, a mixture of the two, where the proportion and type of origin of the grains will play a significant role. Creating a good blend is an art, the aromas and taste are about more details. The right blend of beans can produce a balanced coffee with a complex aroma profile.
If you are a fan of coffee blends, you can choose from the Arabica and Robusta combinations here: https://asterpremium.com/collections/coffee.

Enter the varied universe of good quality coffees, enjoy them and then you will know if you become loyal to one type of coffee or if you want to enjoy all the delicious flavors and textures.

12 Different Types of Coffee Preparation Methods including Moka, Chemex, French Press, Siphoning, and more

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 09:34:00 -0400

Most people know about coffee that it has to be black, strong or long, with milk or cream. And after consuming it, they just say whether it was good or not and forget the taste instantly. Preparing coffee is not just a simple push of a button, it can be taken to the level of art. Depending on what you would like to drink, know that you can opt for one of the following ways of preparing coffee:

ESPRESSO Machines

If you are a fan of strong and bitter essences, you will want an intense and aromatic espresso, which, depending on the machine with which it is extracted, can have an intense taste and aroma. The special feature of the espresso process is that the preparation process is very fast – under 30 seconds for a good extraction – and the coffee has 18% less caffeine than the extraction types. The caramel-colored cream that forms on top of the espresso often speaks of its quality.

CHEMEX

If you are not the minimalist type and you like clear liqueurs with a wide palette of floral, fruity, spicy, herbal aromas and different nuances, then we recommend you opt for a coffee extracted by chemex, a manual method that gives you a different taste experience

THE AEROPRESS

A versatile device, which by means of manual pressure can offer you highly concentrated or very mildly intense coffees, according to everyone's taste.

MOKA

A classic way of extracting coffee over fire, which results in a strong, intense, concentrated coffee that, through the refinement of the extraction, can become extremely tasty. Cold water is placed in the bottom compartment of the machine, and through the boiling process it rises through a central tube to pour over the coffee powder, then passes through the filter, reaches the top. This method, known as filtering, is very widespread, and the result is very close to espresso.

Traditional Filtered Coffee

Or filter coffee is the simplest way to extract coffee, dedicated to those who love clear and authentic tastes.

KETTLE COFFEE OR "CEZVE"

As it is called in Turkey and the Arab world – it is an alternative preparation method, which is made in a copper or brass container, placed in hot sand or on a flame. It is slowly brought to the boiling point, without leaving it longer. In this way, an intense and full-bodied drink is obtained. .

COLD COFFEE

For those who love the sweet taste of coffee, without the need for added sugar, cold-extracted coffee at 0 degrees is the correct and well-flavored answer.

FRENCH PRESS

It is one of the simplest ways to obtain excellent coffee at home, which has the advantage of being able to prepare a larger quantity, up to about 8 cups at once. Another advantage is that you can easily put the French press in any luggage and you can make a good coffee wherever you are. The perfect coffee recipe obtained by this method is found after several experiments and "playing" with the dosages.

NEAPOLITAN

The Neapolitan coffee maker is the "ancestor" of the Mokka coffee maker, which appeared about 20 years before it, at the beginning of the century, obviously, in Naples. Initially, the container was made of fired clay, then it changed to copper and remains a symbol of the tradition of preparing a very strong coffee.

CLEVER DRIPPER

The device is a relatively recent invention and combines the dipping and draining methods. Depending on the amount of ground coffee used and the method of pouring hot water, you can choose the intensity and final amount of the drink. The coffee prepared at Clever is more consistent, and is between French Press and V60. He has no body, but he has a body.

SIPHON

The most spectacular way to make coffee is the one called Syphon. It is a device consisting of two glass containers that can be threaded into each other and a heat source that heats everything up. Siphon is a method used for almost 200 years, which generates different flavors than an espresso, for example. So if you want a show at the table, whether you're at the cafe or at home, choose a Syphon. It's a brew method, gentler on the taste buds and in a quantity large enough to be enjoyed leisurely with pleasant stories.

Felicetti squid ink pasta with Quattro Formaggi Sauce will make a splash for any meal

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 06:14:00 -0400

In the vast world of pasta, there are some delicacies that stand out for their distinct taste and elegant appearance. Among these, Felicetti Speciale squid ink pasta represents a refined and daring choice for any gourmet menu.

Crafted masterfully in the heart of the Dolomites region of Italy, Felicetti Speciale squid ink pasta pays homage to Italian tradition and artisanal expertise. Ingredients of the highest quality are carefully selected and transformed into a fine and rich dough, resulting in these wonderful black pastas.

What makes Felicetti Nero di Sepia pasta really special is the use of natural squid ink, which gives their pasta an intense hue and amazing taste. This squid ink not only adds a distinct and sophisticated look to the pasta but also enriches the culinary experience with subtle marine flavors and a unique texture.

Thanks to their vibrant color and delicate flavor, the squid ink Felicetti pasta is an exceptional element in any menu. They can be served simply, with extra virgin olive oil and grated Parmesan on top to highlight their unique taste, or they can be incorporated into more complex recipes, adding depth and character to each dish.

Whether prepared in a creamy seafood sauce or in a simple combination of garlic and olive oil, Felicetti Nero di Sepia pasta always brings a note of elegance and refinement to your table. With each bite, you'll be transported on an unforgettable taste journey, discovering new flavors and authentic taste.

So, when you want to add a special and sophisticated element to your menu, Felicetti Speciale Nero di Sepia pasta is the perfect choice. They will surely impress even the most demanding tastes and turn every meal into a memorable and flavorful experience.

We also recommend a recipe for special family meals:

RECIPE: Felicetti squid ink pasta with Quattro Formaggi sauce

Quattro Formaggi Sauce. Ingredients for 8 servings:

2.5 oz butter
7 oz Parmesan cheese
8.8 oz Gorgonzola cheese
5.3 oz Brie cheese
23.7 fl oz Gran Cucina

Preparation:

Heat the butter over low heat with a little olive oil.
Add the cheeses one by one, mixing continuously.
After they melt, add Gran Cucina and let it simmer over low heat, stirring continuously for about 10 minutes.

Recommended quantities for one serving of pasta:

3.5 oz pasta
7 oz sauce

How to choose the right coffee type and brewing method suited to your taste

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Choosing the right coffee can be a pleasurable and satisfying experience for coffee lovers, but it can also be a challenge given the wide variety of options available online. Here are some tips to help you choose the right coffee for you:

Establish Your Taste Preferences

Start by identifying the type of coffee you prefer. Do you like a coffee with intense flavor and rich aromas, or are you more of a fan of milder and more balanced coffee? Discover the tasting notes and aromas you prefer, such as fruity, chocolaty, nutty, or spicy aromas.

There are two main types of coffee: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica coffee beans are known for their complex flavors and finesse, while Robusta beans are stronger and have a more bitter and intense taste. Experiment with different types of beans to discover which one you like the most. In the descriptions of all the types of coffee available in our online store, you will find both the type of beans they are composed of and the aromas they release.

Choose a Blend or Single-Origin Coffee

Some coffees are available as blends of multiple types of beans, while others are single-origin varieties, coming from a single region or plant. Depending on your taste preferences, you can choose to explore complex blends or focus on pure varieties to discover specific aromas and characteristics.

Additionally, the roasting process can influence the taste and aroma of coffee. There are light, medium, or dark roasts, each bringing with it distinct flavors and characteristics. Experiment with different roasting degrees to find the one that best suits your preferences.

Choose the Brewing Method

The way you prepare coffee can influence its taste and texture. If you prefer a coffee with a rich aroma and a dense body, you might opt for brewing methods such as espresso or French press. If you like a more delicate and balanced coffee, you can try brewing with a filter or Aeropress. Depending on the coffee brewing device you have at home or in the office, you can choose from the corresponding coffee varieties.

Choosing the right coffee can be a personal and subjective quest, and experimentation and exploration will help you discover the perfect taste and aroma to satisfy your coffee enjoyment. It is essential to be open to experimenting and trying new types of coffee and brewing methods.

Explore the world of coffee with curiosity and enjoy the flavor journey with Pellini and Costadoro varieties available at the online store asterpremium.com!

Swalty Fish Pasta with Sauce Recipe

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:09:00 -0400

Why It Works: The sweet honey complements the salty, umami-rich anchovies, creating a balanced sauce that clings beautifully to the premium egg pasta. The glossy texture and honey drizzle with salt crystals make it visually stunning, perfect for the swalty experimentation.

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes Ingredients

18 oz Premium egg pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
4 anchovy fillets (packed in oil), drained and finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
1/4 cup dry white wine (optional, for depth)
1/3 cup honey (adjust to taste for sweetness)
1/2 cup pasta cooking water (reserved)
1 tbsp unsalted butter
Sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Flaky sea salt crystals (for garnish)
Optional: Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano, for serving

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add egg pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Prepare the Swalty Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add chopped anchovies and stir until they melt into the oil, about 1-2 minutes. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Build the Sauce: Pour in the white wine (if using) and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in honey, starting with 1/4 cup, and mix until it blends with the anchovy-garlic base. Add 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust with more honey for sweetness or a pinch of sea salt for balance.
Combine: Add the drained linguine to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time. Stir in butter for a glossy finish. Season with black pepper to taste.
Serve: Plate the linguine, drizzling a small amount of honey over each portion for visual appeal. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a few flaky sea salt crystals for crunch. Serve with grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano, if desired.

Tips

Sweet-Salty Hack: Experiment with the honey-to-anchovy ratio to suit your taste. For a bolder umami kick, add an extra anchovy fillet. For more sweetness, increase honey by 1 tbsp at a time.
Optional Add-Ins: Toss in caramelized onions or roasted cherry tomatoes for extra depth.
Storage: Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water.