Such coffees are called premium gourmet coffees.  They are classified according to their body and acidity.

For starters, there are premium gourmet coffee with low acidity and light body. Such coffees are sweet tasting and light in texture. A perfect example for this would be the Indian Malabar Monsooned Voyage coffee.

Harvested Indian coffee beans are left outside during the monsoon season and exposed to nature’s elements. When processed, the beans produce a distinct and unique flavor that is soft and mellow. This gourmet coffee is one of the top Arabica coffees in the world.

Another type of premium gourmet coffee is characterized with high acidity but with light body. These kinds of coffee are crisp in taste. An example of this coffee would be Reserve SHB Gourmet coffee from Costa Rica.

This Costa Rican coffee comes from the Tres Rios region, known for producing high quality coffee. The beans that are harvested for this coffee grow at an altitude of 3,900 feet above sea level.

The Costa Rican SHB Gourmet Coffee is wonderfully aromatic. Its taste has a hint of wine. It is rich with its own unique and sharp flavor.

The next type of premium gourmet coffee has a heavy body and low acidity. Coffees with these characteristics are usually smooth tasting. The La Palma Select is an example of this kind of coffee.

The coffee beans for this gourmet drink come from west Panama, near the Costa Rican border. Growing at the slopes of a volcano named Volcan Baru, the location and the conditions are perfect for growing the best Arabica beans. Its acidity is slight higher than that of the United States Kona coffee.

The last type of premium gourmet coffee has bold taste, with heavy body and high acidity. This is the extreme end for premium gourmet coffee. A perfect example of this kind of coffee would be the Tanzania Peaberry.

Coffee made from peaberry is strong because peaberry is very concentrated. The peaberries are harvested at Mount Kilimanjaro, near the Kenyan border. It has a very distinguished aroma. The taste is typical of strong Kenyan coffee although the acidity is a little bit lighter.

Premium gourmet coffees cost a little bit more than your usual coffee. Price ranges from $45 to $50 per 5 pounds of coffee. However, price should not be a big determining factor. The taste of these premium coffees is worth the price.

Gourmet cooking in New England just like general ways of cooking there often features seafood extensively as well as dairy products. This is due to the historical links of New England to the region’s fishing industry and the seaports there.

Two native ingredients that characterize New England gourmet cuisine are cranberries and maple syrup. Other common New England ingredients are potatoes, parsley, sage, and creams. New England gourmets favor baked and stewed dishes.

New England gourmet cuisine is delicately flavored. Seasonings and spices are not usually used because historically, many herbs were not that common in the region. The common sweeteners used were molasses and honey.

Both traditional and gourmet New England cuisine are integral parts of the identity of this region. New England is home to all-time favorites enjoyed by gourmets in the whole of United States such as clam chowder, homemade ice cream and baked beans.

New England gourmet cuisine has strong influences of Irish and Italian Americans and Portuguese fishermen that settled on New England’s coasts.

Here are some classic gourmet recipes from New England

New England Clam Chowder

Ingredients include:

• 4 slices of bacon, diced,
• 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine,
• Half a cup each of chopped onion and chopped celery,
• 2 cups of cubed potato, 1 diced carrot,
• 1 1/2 cups of milk, 1 cup of evaporated milk,
• 2 cans of Island Gourmet butter clams (10 oz.), salt and pepper.

Drain the clams. Set aside the nectar. Sautee the bacon in margarine or butter until crispy and golden brown. Add the chopped onions and celery and cook to light brown color. Then add the nectar, carrots, potatoes, salt and pepper.

Boil until the potatoes are cooked. Mince the clams and adding them while making sure the amount of nectar is balanced with the other ingredients. Warm. Add heated milk to the chowder and season to your taste.

Smoked Salmon In Sour Dough

Shred 300 grams of aged cheddar cheese and add 500 grams of sour cream,  a can of 5 ½ oz of St. Jean’s canned smoked salmon and 500 grams of cream cheese. Mix these ingredients.

Take 1 medium loaf of sour dough bread and hollow out the center. Fill the bread with the mixture and cover it with the loaf top. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are many other quick and easy gourmet recipes from New England. Research online or subscribe to gourmet magazines to get the latest in New England gourmet cooking.

Italian gourmet cuisine is also influenced by several civilizations including Greece, Rome, and the Arab world. Italian gourmet cuisine is the foremost example of Mediterranean cuisine. It is one of the most copied cuisines in the world.

In general, the difference between the Italian gourmet cuisine of northern and southern Italy is the cooking fat commonly used as well as the style of the pasta.

Northern Italian gourmet cuisine uses more of cream, butter and Mascarpone cheese and for the pasta, risotto and fresh egg pasta.

The Southern Italian gourmet cuisine favors olive oil, Mozzarella cheese, and dried pasta. Southern Italians also tend to use more tomatoes in their dishes.

The structure of a traditional Italian gourmet cuisine menu includes the antipasto or appetizers, which can be hot or cold, the first course or primo, which typically consists of hot dishes like pasta, gnocchi, risotto or polenta with plenty of vegetable choices.

A unique aspect of Italian gourmet cuisine is that usually the first course is the heaviest meal.  This is followed by secondo or the second course, whish is the main dish. A fish or meat dish is usually served with veal as the top meat choice.

While most people would normally think the Italian gourmet cuisine is all about pasta, pasta is never served as a main dish.

After the secondo is contorno or the side dish. This may include vegetables or a salad. Of course, to complete your Italian gourmet cuisine menu you need to serve dolce or dessert.

One of the most popular classic Italian desserts is the zabaglione cream. A gourmet version of this adds whipped cream and ground almond or amaretti cookies to the zabaglione cream for a rich delicious dessert.

The last part of any traditional Italian gourmet cuisine is serving caffè or coffee, also referred to as espresso. This is a strong coffee served in small amounts.

After the coffee, a digestive or digestivo is served, which refer to liquors such as brandy or sweet wine.  Italian gourmet cuisine reflects the cuisines of diverse regions of Italy.

For example, a Tuscan-inspired Italian gourmet cuisine typically features unsalted bread, white beans and meat. The use of pecorino in Italian gourmet cooking can be said to be have Roman cuisine influences, where the cheese is usually used.

Italian gourmet cuisine is all about highlighting the best foods of each Italian region from the pizza of Naples to the Sicilian gelato.

In the world of coffee, the United States are known for its Kona coffee. Kona coffee is a kind of coffee bean harvested on Mount Hualalai and Mount Loa in Big Island, Hawaii.

These places are called Kona districts and any coffee produced in these districts can be considered Kona coffee.

This Hawaiian gourmet coffee is one of the premium coffees in the world. That’s because the coffee beans require exacting circumstances to grow.

Kona coffee to grow as best quality must have an environment of mornings that are sunny, then afternoons that provide rain and the sought after humidity needs and cool nights.

It was Samel Reverend Ruggles who brought the Brazilian plant to Kona for this Hawaiian gourmet coffee 19th century. However, it wasn’t years after that it became a worthwhile crop and then grown in big plantations.

During the crash of the world coffee market in 1899, the owners leased out the land to Japanese workers who originally came to harvest sugarcanes.

Later with Filipinos, Europeans and Americans from mainland joining in, the workers started producing large quantities of good quality coffee.

Kona coffee plants bloom every February and March. By late August, the tiny white flowers of the coffee tree are transformed into berries called cherries that are ready for picking. A typical Kona coffee tree yields a substantial 20 pounds of cherries.

Within a day, the cherries are run into a pulper and the beans are segregated from the pulp. The beans are then placed in a fermentation tank and left there for the night. After 12 hours, the beans are placed on a rack to dry out in the sun for one to two weeks.

When the moisture level is around 10 to 13%, the beans are milled before subjecting to roasting to produce Kona coffee. Approximately seven pounds of cherry is used to make one pound of this Hawaiian gourmet coffee.

The scarcity and high price of Hawaiian gourmet coffee prompted many retailers to sell the so-called Kona Blends. These blends contain only 10% Kona coffee. The other 90% is composed of less expensive imported beans.

Because of this phenomenon, the Hawaiian government implemented a law that required mix to indicate on their labels the ratio of Kona coffee.

One must try the pure version of this Hawaiian gourmet coffee at least once. The taste is truly satisfying and the coffee lover will get his money’s worth.

Gourmet magazine recipes are not only useful for those who are just venturing into cooking gourmet cuisine but can also serve as inspiration to professional chefs because gourmet magazine recipes are almost always have the involvement of respected food writers, restaurant critics and renowned chefs.

What is more, some gourmet magazine recipes give more information and tips about the ingredients to be used, how to shop for them and prepare them to ensure quality including creative tips on serving.

Most gourmet magazine recipes include beautiful photographs of the finished dish if not a step-by-step illustrated guide.

With numerous gourmet magazine recipes, it is to be overwhelmed. Which recipe should you choose for a dinner meal or for a lunch party?

Fortunately, most gourmet magazine recipes follow a certain theme so you can look for those that can fit your occasion or will suit the people coming over.

Usually, gourmet magazine recipes will tell you when to best serve the dish if it is for a formal dinner, a light casual lunch and etcetera.

You can also look for recipes on online gourmet magazines. Most of these websites usually categorize gourmet magazine recipes so it is easier for you to find what the right recipe.

For instance, there is the recipe of day, the new and the most popular gourmet magazine recipes, the new healthy gourmet magazine recipes, the editor’s picks, and other categories.

Try this recipe from a gourmet magazine:

Corn and Bell Pepper Chowder (serves four)

Start by blending 2 cups of fresh corn kernels and a cup of low-salt chicken broth in a blender until the mixture is almost smooth. You can also use frozen corn kernels but thaw them first.

Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over moderately high heat. Add 1 chopped red bell pepper, 1 peeled Yukon Gold potato, cut into 1/2 –inch cubes and 3 large chopped shallots. Sauté for 5 minutes.

Add 2 more cups of corn kernels, another cup of chicken broth and the corn broth puree from the blender. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Let it simmer for 10 minutes or until the potato cubes are tender.

Mix in 2 tablespoons of whipping cream. Season the chowder with salt and pepper. To serve, ladle the chowder into bowls and sprinkle with chopped green onions.

For food lovers and anyone interested in gourmet cooking, a gourmet magazine subscription offers information about the latest gourmet recipes, cooking techniques, tips and trends as well as new quality food products and kitchen tools.

Here is some information about popular gourmet magazines that you can subscribe to:

The Food and Wine Magazine is a gourmet magazine dedicated not only to good food and wines but also features entertainment and traveling ideas. This magazine also contains information on how to decorate homes, what is the latest in cooking as well as recipes for a healthy diet.

For the health-conscious, grab a copy of the Cooking Light Magazine. This gourmet magazine focuses on healthy eating and is full of recipes that are good for the body.

The gourmet magazine Bon Appetit provides guides to fabulous cuisine, leisure, travel and entertainment. This magazine also contains healthy, satisfying recipes.

A more up-scale magazine on gourmet cooking is simply called Gourmet Magazine. It features well-written articles and gorgeous photographs addressing fine food and wine, culture, art, history and other interesting topics about the good living.

Of course, it is packed with gourmet recipes from scrumptious appetizers to delicately-flavored soups, delectable entrees and delicious desserts. This is a must-have for anyone serious about cooking.

Because wine complements gourmet cuisine, gourmets out there will surely like The Wine Enthusiast magazine, which is dedicated to all wine connoisseurs.

This magazine also features traveling, fine dining and of course, the best wines from all over the world. Wine Enthusiast also contains guides from various wine aficionados, notes about the world of wine as well as features on popular wine enthusiasts.

For those interested in gourmet cakes and pastries, Pastry Art and Design is the magazine for you. This magazine is considered as the first-trade magazine for professional baking and pastry.

It features recipes and tips from numerous creative and talented food artists in the world of baking. It also has section for fellow bakers to exchange techniques and ideas.

For sure, you will find these gourmet magazines very interesting, informative and enjoyable. Many of them offer discounts when you subscribe online.

By reading a gourmet magazine, you will not only appreciate different cuisines and fine dining but the places where certain recipes originated and the people that passed on the tradition of good cooking.

A gourmet gift basket is a collection of food and/or beverage items that are presented in an artful way usually based on a specific occasion or theme.

It is perfect for any special occasion from birthdays to anniversaries including corporate affairs, religious holidays, and other celebrations. You can also give a gourmet gift basket to send your congratulations, thanks or “get well soon” sentiments.

A gourmet gift basket can also be prepared based on a food theme. For example, a Chocolate gourmet gift basket will surely delight any chocolate lover.

Some of the treats typically included in this basket are truffles, chocolate cherries, dark chocolate bars, chocolate lace, brownie cookies, chocolate crunches, chocolate covered pretzels and many other chocolate goodies.

A wonderful choice for moms would be a Breakfast gourmet gift basket with “country inn” theme, which would be overflowing with items such as a pancake, waffle and biscuit mixes, fruits jams, pancake syrup, canned berries, gourmet-grade coffee, and even decorative towels.

For the men in your lives, they would surely appreciate a Barbeque or Steak gourmet gift basket. This kind of basket will surely thrill any barbecue lover with its collection of steak and grill sauces, marinades and steak cuts such as Angus Steak burgers, Dry-aged Sirloin, Ribeye and Flat Iron steaks.

For heath-conscious individuals, choose a Healthy gourmet gift basket is perfect, which normally includes dips, wheat pretzels, organic crackers, no-sugar spreads, biscuits, dried fruits, salad mixes, and teas.

As you can see, the options you have in a gourmet gift basket is practically endless. The best way to know which basket to choose is to base it on your recipient.

Does the person love sweets, wine, or Italian food? Once you know that person’s favorite food, it will be a breeze choosing a gourmet gift basket for that person.

You can also narrow down your options by shopping by price. A gourmet gift basket can cost anywhere from US 50 to over a 100 dollars. Another great thing about this gift is that you do not have to spend a lot to please your recipient.

Someone who loves chocolate, for instance, will be thrilled to receive even a small basket filled with different kinds of chocolate. The key here is to choose the gourmet gift basket carefully and make sure that it will suit the person receiving it.

In fact, one third of Americans love to shop in gourmet food stores. What is it that attracted more and more Americans to these supposedly expensive gourmet food stores?

These stores are attractive because they offer a lot of healthy food items. In fact, most of those who visit here are health conscious customers, who are increasing by the numbers everyday.

The increase of customers bought these stores generated sales of almost $1 billion in 1990. In 2007, the sales skyrocketed to $30.7 billion.

What do gourmet food stores have to offer? First, they offer a lot of healthy choices. Most of these food stores buy healthy foods with recognizable brand names since these brands are reliable and proven.

The food sold in gourmet food stores is already pre-screened. In these specialty stores, customers won’t have to worry too much about reading the information in the food labels.

Most of the products are already free from trans-fats, hydrogenated fats and artificial ingredients. Meats, vegetables, fruits and dairy products are not tainted with hormones, antibiotics or herbicides.

The workforce in the store also contributes to the health of customers. Generally, staff members can recommend what products to buy or how to prepare food items, depending on the customer’s health needs.

Some stores, such as PCC Natural Markets, even have their own nutritionist or nutrition managers who can help customers with their choices. In PCC Natural Markets, they even offer a free Walk, Talk and Taste Tour every month.

This tour is intended to address an individual’s health questions. The Walk, Talk and Taste Tour is also a good way for the customers to know what exactly do they need for their health before buying the actual products.

A bonus for this effort is that customers will appreciate the extra service. It is not difficult to admire a store that staff is knowledgeable and helpful about the nutritional needs of their customers.

Some gourmet food stores go the extra mile by educating customers on the consumption of healthy foods. For example, a gourmet specialty store named Wild Oats hosts cooking demonstrations, nutrition seminars and children’s health seminars.

PCC Natural Markets, on the other hand, provides a cooking and wellness program. The only deterrent for gourmet food stores is the cost of its products. While 20% of Americans say that they would pay 20% more for healthy food, 67% said that the price is too high.

However, price should not be a factor. Nothing is too expensive when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Japanese have their own gourmet food such as sushi, sashimi and nikogori. But there is so much more to just putting chunks of these delicious and exotic gourmet food in your mouth.

To truly experience the Japanese culture that is so predominant in preparing and partaking in their cuisine, you must also practice their unique table etiquette.

First and foremost, be sure to say “itadakimasu” before starting a meal. This means, “I shall receive” in English. After the meal, say “gochisosama deshita” which means “That was a feast” in English.

Saying this to your host or the restaurant staff shows that you appreciate the gourmet food they prepared for you.

Take note that before eating, Japanese restaurants or homes will put a hot towel or a plastic wrapped wet napkin on the table. You should use this to clean your hands before eating.

Never wipe the towel or napkin on your face or any other part of the body. It is considered rude if you do that.

To eat the rice or soup that is provided, take the bowl with your left hand and use the chopsticks with your right. Although it is okay to sip soup or noodles directly from the bowl, do not do it with rice.

Also, do not pour the soy sauce on your food. Instead, dip a morsel in the sauce dish. It is okay for noodles to be slurped. It shows the host that you enjoy his or her cooking.

Also, in eating rice, you should not leave the chopsticks sticking vertically into the rice. Doing so is a ritual that is offered to the dead. Chopsticks cannot be used to spear food, to point to someone else, or to transfer food to someone else’s chopsticks. Doing so is rude and is discouraged.

When getting a morsel from gourmet food that is shared by everybody, turn the chopsticks around to pick up the food because it is considered cleaner.

If you want to share your food to someone else, pick up your plate or bowl and move it directly to the person’s bowl or plate.

Lastly, make sure you finish your meal to the last grain. Also, do not ask for special gourmet food aside from the ones the host has served.

It is considered rude to ask for something else, especially in a business environment. Good manners will show that you respect your host’s selections.

And there you go! You are now ready to partake in Japanese cuisine.

With our busy lives, the answer is yes. Often, we do not have time to shop or even cook gourmet dishes. Also, if you are entertaining guests and have a lot of dishes to prepare, buying one gourmet dish or two can really take the pressure off you.

Ordering gourmet dishes on line can also be a real life saver if you are not a good cook but are willing to host a party anyway. You would want to have a good impression if you want to host that party.

Now if it is gourmet, it should be expensive, right? Everyone thinks that ordering gourmet dishes in the internet is as expensive as or more expensive than preparing one yourself.

The truth is it is cheaper when you order through the net. The cost of preparing your own gourmet dish is actually higher, considering the price of the ingredients that you have to pay.

Also, if you make mistake in preparing the dish yourself, you will have to start all over again. This costs money. But when you order through the net, the dish is as perfect as it can be.

Where can you find stores that deliver gourmet dishes to your doorstep? You need to check the internet by doing a search. Google or Yahoo searches often yield a huge amount of results. You can limit your search by typing in your place.

When choosing gourmetdishes from the net, it is worthwhile to check the pictures of the dish. If the picture is not good enough for you, then chances are the actual dish is not good, too. Do not order from amateurish sites. The food is probably not worth it.

Also, be aware of sites that do not clearly explain the delivery costs of such dishes. In other words, check the delivery policies of the company.

If the gourmet dishes arrive ahead of time, you might want to reheat it before serving time. If the dish is frozen, it would be better to thaw it before reheating it to bring out the flavor. Avoid reheating the dish in the microwave, if possible.

Re-frying, re-steaming or re-baking it is better and would give the dish a more natural appearance.  Lastly, add some personal touches to the reheated dish. A simple garnish of parmesan cheese or a slices of fruit served around it would be a good example.