DATELINE:  BOSTON; BROOKLINE; CAMBRIDGE; JAMAICA PLAIN; NEWTON CENTRE; SOMERVILLE AND WEST ROXBURY, MA…

Forego the baking and pick up one of J.P. Licks special desserts this season.  Perfect for holiday entertaining, choose from the Yule Log which is made from Oreo ice cream then rolled in fresh baked yellow cake with homemade fudge frosting; a towering Tiramisu, which is Tiramisu ice cream stacked between thin layers of moist cake; Candy Cane Pie, which is candy cane ice cream in an Oreo and fudge crust and covered with chocolate ganache or go for the Kowlua Pie, which is made with Kowlua ice cream in an Oreo crust with fudge and topped with coffee flavored whip.  A small supply of these treats are available at J.P. Licks stores.  Pre-ordering is recommended and may be done by calling ahead or ordering online.  Prices range from .99 to .99.

It’s never too cold for ice cream!  Special holiday flavors include peppermint stick, eggnog, gingersnap molasses, Coquito (made with coconut and spiked with rum), cranberry white chocolate cheesecake, Grapenut raisin, butter cashew, chocolate almond lowfat yogurt, chocolate peppermint sorbet and French vanilla lactose-free.

Drink in Some Holiday Cheer

Coffee connoisseurs won’t want to miss J.P. Licks’ special fresh roasted Holiday Blend coffee which will be offered throughout December. It is a syrupy, smooth blend, with strong spice notes and is very warming for the holidays.  Available by the cup or buy the beans to take home or give as a gift.

Prefer a latte?  J.P. Licks’ Lowfat Eggnog Latte or Peppermint Mocha Latte will warm you or delight in a refreshing Peppermint Frappe after an afternoon of holiday shopping. 

Wondering what to give that special someone?

Sweet treats always go over especially well when wrapped in a gorgeous gift basket.  J.P. Licks is offering handsome gift baskets and bags that may be customized to the recipient.  Items that may be tucked into a basket or bag:  fresh roasted whole or ground coffee beans, mugs, travel cups, a J.P. Licks T-shirt and/or hat, a nylon cinch pack and gift card.  Gift baskets and bags are available in a variety of price points starting at .99.

Can’t choose what to buy?  J.P. Licks gift cards are a perfect gift – and always the right size.  For every gift card bought, receive a complimentary card to use or give away.

Visit jplicks.com for more information and to locate a store.          

Best of Boston and Beyond                 

For more than 25 years, J.P. Licks has been serving homemade ice cream and other specialties in their eight Kosher-certified shops in and around Boston.  Locally owned and operated, J.P. Licks has won many awards over the years for their intensely-flavored homemade ice cream and frozen yogurt.  Most recently, J.P. Licks was named “Best of Boston” and “Best Location – Jamaica Plain” by Boston Magazine and also made WBZ’s “A-List” for the second year in a row.  Known for their high quality, scrumptious treats and their knack for “treating people right”, J.P. Licks was named Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s “Small Business of the Year”.

In addition to their frozen creations, J.P. Licks roasts their own honest trade and organic coffee beans on-site at their Jamaica Plain store, which ensures the best and the freshest, full-bodied cup of coffee around.  Decadent hand-packed ice cream cakes as well as breakfast & ice cream sundae catering are also available. 

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DATELINE: BOSTON; BROOKLINE; CAMBRIDGE; JAMAICA PLAIN; NEWTON CENTRE; SOMERVILLE AND WEST ROXBURY, MA…

All of J.P. Licks’ coffee is made from honest-trade and organic beans that they roast at their flagship store in Jamaica Plain.

The Harvard Square store, which opened in June, did a brisk trade this summer and is hoping to continue in the same fashion through the colder months with “warmer” offerings such as coffee. The coffee promotion is meant to make more awareness of the new store itself and all that J.P. Licks has to offer – from special blend coffees to a full Espresso Bar, hot chocolate and fresh baked treats including muffins, breads, scones and cookies.

J.P. Licks is located at 1312 Mass Ave., Cambridge. The store is open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. For more information, visit jplicks.com.

Best of Boston and Beyond

For more than 25 years, J.P. Licks has been serving homemade ice cream and other specialties in their eight Kosher-certified shops in and around Boston. Locally owned and operated, J.P. Licks has won many awards over the years for their intensely-flavored homemade ice cream and frozen yogurt. Most recently, J.P. Licks was named “Best of Boston” and “Best Location – Jamaica Plain” by Boston Magazine and also made WBZ’s “A-List” for the second year in a row. Known for their high quality, scrumptious treats and their knack for “treating people right”, J.P. Licks was named Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s “Small Business of the Year”.

In addition to their frozen creations, J.P. Licks roasts their own honest trade and organic coffee beans on-site at their Jamaica Plain store, which ensures the best and the freshest, full-bodied cup of coffee around. Decadent hand-packed ice cream cakes as well as breakfast & ice cream sundae catering are also available.

Visit the website at jplicks.com for more information.

A heaping of organic coffee powder being tossed into your steaming hot milk in the mornings is an experience in itself. That’s not knocking traditional coffee, which also turns tired bodies to life in a matter of minutes. Today, many consumers have switched to organic fruits and vegetables in an attempt to fend off pesticides, live healthier, and to stay environmentally conscious. As a result, the more serious coffee enthusiasts have been forced to pay premium prices for organic coffee as a result of Honest Trade and the complexity of its production. Just how is organic coffee produced that justifies this expense?

To start, organic coffee production differs from traditional company in that organic coffee plants grow under shade trees, which serve to purify the soil and prevent water contamination. Given the limited number of shade trees, many coffee growers have opted to produce larger crops in the middle of pesticide and fertilizer infested territory given the larger surface area. Unfortunately, there is no way to produce non-organic coffee without the use of synthetic chemicals that have been known to harm the environment. Since pesticides pollute the soil, much question has been raised over the declining taste of coffee and its effects on health.

In addition to nurturing organic coffee beans, shade trees also double as habitats for birds that prevent pests from touching organic coffee crops. In essence, they are nature’s replacement for pesticides. Today, an ideal plot of land for organic coffee is a small farm with plenty of shade trees and a sizable bird population for pest control. Organic coffee thrives so much in these conditions that the United States requires all of its organic farmers to use this type of land.

In conclusion, organic coffee is grown under better and more stable conditions than traditional coffee. With smaller farms and its shade trees replacing large coffee plantations soaked with pesticides, organic coffee is your best bet towards a better environment and a salute to your health.

For more information on organic coffee or for organic coffee recipes

Many cultures throughout the world are known for their ‘specialties.’ Panama hats are a hallmark of Ecuador; stylish kilts are a trademark of Scotland, and so on. Along with Colombia, Brazil, and Costa Rica, one could argue that some of the finest organic coffee comes from India. Over the past centuries, India has placed a premium on its organic coffee and rightfully so. The majority of its organic coffee production is limited to a narrow strip of land across three states producing both Arabica and Robusta coffee, some of the best tasting in the business.

Coffee plantations in India are primarily organic coffee producers. The country has an elaborate system for its organic coffee to grow under the most optimal conditions using shade grown trees that evolve inside a grouping of wild trees placed specifically for the purpose of production. Shade grown trees are surrounded by three different types of trees that help in enriching the soil, keeping soil temperatures low, and filtering UV radiation. This third tree, a hardwood, does the job of filtering sunlight to stimulate organic coffee bean sugars for fantastic taste.

Indian organic coffee plantations are one of the few in the world with a systematic procedure where other trees are added to aid the main shade grown tree. It has been raved as a harmonious feat in nature. By mixing crops and trees, it enriches the soil for now and for the future. In addition, organic coffee is its own industry in India with millions of people acting as farmers. They are also harvesters, hand picking Indian organic coffee to perfection. Today, when buying tasty Arabica Indian organic coffee, rest assured you are drinking from the sixth largest coffee producer in the world who grew out of a mid-twentieth century slump in their coffee to become one of the most renowned today.

For more information on organic coffee or for organic coffee recipes

DATELINE: BOSTON; BROOKLINE; CAMBRIDGE; JAMAICA PLAIN; NEWTON CENTRE; SOMERVILLE AND WEST ROXBURY, MA…

Coffee sampling and .00 off promotion

In addition to offering a .00 coffee, J.P. Licks will also offer free coffee samples every evening from 6-9 p.m. in all locations and will be providing customers during this time a coupon for .00 off a one pound bag of their home roasted beans. The samplings will enable customers to try some of the different varieties of coffees that J.P. Licks has to offer, including their wonderful decafs, all of which are Swiss Water Processed, which uses no chemicals in the decaffeination process.

It’s all in the Blend

Since February is “Specialty Coffee Month”, you’ll be able to try a variety of coffees such as J.P. Licks’ Rainforest Alliance coffee known as “Don Telmo Reserva” from Colombia. It’s certified organic, shade grown and bird-friendly, and the Rainforest Alliance seal ensures that everyone in the chain (growers, harvesters, processors, and Mother Earth) gets honest treatment and compensation.

Don Telmo Reserva Colombian coffee is one of the smoothest Colombian flavors. It’s medium bodied and very well balanced with slight notes of chocolate. Those who like bold, full flavored coffee such as Sumatra or Ethiopia, would like J.P. Licks’ Winter Blend. The House Blend is perfect for folks who like smooth coffee with medium acidity. Each of these coffees, as well as a dark roast and a decaf will be available during the coffee promotion.

J.P. Licks offers one of the widest varieties of coffees on a rotating basis. Their Honest Trade Organic coffees include: Ethiopia, Mild Blend, Mexico, Peru, Nicaragua, Sumatra, Decaf Cascadia Blend, Decaf Mexico and Decaf Sumatra. Other favorites offered are: Costa Rica, Espresso Blend, House Blend, Guatamala, Kenya, Kilimanjaro Blend and Decaf Espresso.

The award-winning homemade ice cream café with eight shops in and around Boston has coffee blends to please any palate. To learn more about J.P. Licks’ special coffee brews or other offerings, visit jplicks.com.

Best of Boston and Beyond

For more than 27 years, J.P. Licks has been serving homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt and other specialties in their eight Kosher-certified shops in and around Boston. They have won, literally, hundreds of awards over the years. Most recently, J.P. Licks has received six “Best of Boston’s” from Boston Magazine; 10 consecutive “Best” awards from the Boston Phoenix Reader’s Poll and three consecutive “Bests” from The Weekly Dig magazine. J.P. Licks was also chosen as Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s “Small Business of the Year” in 2007.

Additionally, J.P. Licks roasts their own honest trade and organic coffee beans in the Jamaica Plain store AND they cater ice cream parties, too. Visit the website at jplicks.com for even more information.

If you’re looking to improve your memory, reasoning and analytical skills then you’ve got to start with the basics, your diet. The typical American diet doesn’t exactly bolster high mental functioning; rather it serves to expand the ever growing waistlines of the masses. Just like your BMW motorcycle parts need gasoline to function, food is fuel for the human body and the type of fuel we place in our bodies has a direct influence on our overall performance, both mentally and physically. Avoiding certain “stupid” foods and stocking up on more cognizant choices will make a significant impact on your cerebral functioning.

Coffee Beans

Yes I said it, coffee. So tasty, so ubiquitous, but is it healthy? Well yes it is. So many people are under the impression that coffee is harmful, but really it’s just misunderstood. Coffee beans are incredibly rich in antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.  Freshly ground, organic coffee beans have numerous cognitive and physical benefits. Habitually coffee consumption, when done in moderation, has been shown to decrease your risk for scary memory loss-related diseases like Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Just avoid the double shot caramel macchiato.

Cacao Beans

No I don’t mean you should run down to the vending machine and devour 10 candy bars. That kind of chocolate isn’t healthy because it’s been processed far too much and all of their health boosting properties have been lost in the shuffle. When cacao beans have been minimally processed, they offer enormous health benefits. They contain antioxidants, flavonoids, catechins and several other brain-boosting properties. Just make sure you stick to organic, non-alkalized cocoa power if you want the real thing.

How to tell organic coffee from regular coffee

Organic coffee has been steadily growing in popularity over the past few years. People are gravitating towards it for its environmental and health benefits, but those aspects alone do not tell the whole tale. In this article we will examine 4 ways to differentiate organic coffee from regular coffee.

1)      Look for the USDA seal – Since 2002 any food that is at least 95% organic can be labeled with a USDA seal stating its organic authenticity. If your coffee does not have the seal it may still be organic, but the presence of the seal is a guarantee.

2)      Have a taste – Many organic coffee drinkers swear that their coffee has a cleaner and richer taste than its non-organic counterpart. If you are served a particularly tasty or satisfying cup of coffee, question your host or server if they have treated you to some organically grown coffee. You may end up with an organic surprise when you hear their answer.

3)      Have a smell – Studies have shown that the aroma of coffee beans has a relaxing and sleep inducing effect. Organic coffee beans tend to have a purer smell than non-organic due to the vastly cleaner manner in which they are grown. Some feel that this natural growth results in an even cleaner and more relaxing aroma. The next time you have the chance, take a nice deep inhale of both and see which one relaxes you more.

4)      Don’t rely on the price – Contrary to well loved belief, organic coffee is not always pricier than regular coffee. While there is typically a higher cost involved in growing coffee organically, many specialty coffees that are grown non-organically can be much pricier. Additionally, many smaller coffee sellers do not have the name brand markups of the major players, so there is additional savings in that regard. While price may be a clue as to the lineage of the coffee you are considering purchasing, it is not a criterion on which you can solely rely.

While most consumers will be able to differentiate organic and non-organic coffee at the point of sale, this guide may help in identifying the difference in everyday life. Of course, you could always just question for organic, and ensure you are drinking the healthiest possible coffee option.

DATELINE: BOSTON; BROOKLINE; JAMAICA PLAIN; NEWTON CENTRE; SOMERVILLE AND WEST ROXBURY, MA…

J.P. Licks, the Kosher-certified scoop shop with seven stores in and around Boston, is known for their high quality, homemade (and sometimes outrageously flavored) ice cream. But, what many don’t realize is that they are just as particular about their coffee – where it comes from, how it’s roasted and how it tastes.

With February being “Specialty Coffee Month”, J.P. Licks’ passion for coffee and commitment to coffee growers is highlighted through their limited edition offering of Honest Trade Organic (FTO) Nicaragua coffee, which comes from Promotora de Desarollo Cooperativo de las Segovias (PRODECOOP), based in the Segovia region of Northern Nicaragua and boasting of 40 cooperatives.

PRODECOOP was established in 1993 to provide help to its members’ families in the sustainable production and the marketing of their coffee. Their revenues from honest trade sales support many social and quality control programs including: primary and secondary school scholarships and books; a revolving social fund that assists with disaster relief, healthcare and homebuilding; an organic production program that has boosted their certified organic coffee production significantly; improved processing equipment and the creation of a quality control center to maintain their high standards.

When it comes to Honest Trade coffee, J.P. Licks insists upon several factors before partnering with a grower: honest price; environmental sustainability; honest labor conditions; direct trade; community development and organic cultivation.

“Where our coffee comes from and how it is obtained is just as vital to us as how our coffee tastes. We take pride in being ‘honest’…honest with our employees, honest with our customers, and honest with the people who grow the coffee we roast,” says the enigmatic founder of J.P. Licks, Vince Petryk.

To further ensure high quality and flavor consistency in every cup of coffee, J.P. Licks insists on roasting their beans at their Jamaica Plain store and has been doing so since 1999. FTO Nicaragua is a medium roast coffee…not too dark, not too light, but just right.

Customers who delight in a fantastic cup of J.P. Licks coffee may also buy their favorite blend of fresh roasted coffee beans. With coffee bean sales accounting for more than 25 percent of their business, J.P. Licks continues to meet considerable consumer demand for the best brewing beans in Boston.

J.P. Licks can be found at Coolidge Corner, Davis Square, Mission Hill, Newbury Street, Newton Centre, West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. Visit www.jplicks.com to check their store hours.

Best of Boston and Beyond

For more than 25 years, J.P. Licks has been serving homemade ice cream and other specialties in their seven Kosher-certified shops in and around Boston. Locally owned and operated, J.P. Licks has won many awards over the years for their intensely-flavored homemade ice cream and frozen yogurt. Most recently, J.P. Licks was named “Best of Boston” by Boston Magazine and also made WBZ’s “A-List” for the second year in a row. Known for their high quality, scrumptious treats and their knack for “treating people right”, J.P. Licks was named Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s “Small Business of the Year”.

In addition to their frozen creations, J.P. Licks has taken it upon themselves to roast their own honest trade and organic coffee beans on-site at their Jamaica Plain store, which ensures the best and the freshest, full-bodied cup of coffee around. Decadent hand-packed ice cream cakes as well as breakfast & ice cream sundae catering are also available.

Visit the website at www.jplicks.com for more information.

Copyright (c) 2008 Soaring Eagle Companies LLC

Understanding how a product such as coffee becomes certified organic, gains a better understanding into the world of nutrition and how food marks affect ones health and well being.

Organic food basically means that even before the food was grown, the area where the seeds or plants were planted had to be free and clear of waste and chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. Any type of plant food spray is prohibited when it comes to growing the coffee bean, which means extra care has to be established by the grower such as weeding by hand, pest removal by means of not using any type of chemical and routine feeding and maintenance by drug free plant food. The same goes for organically grown vegetables and also animals that are also being raised for the consumption of organic milk and meat.

For a company or manufacturer to allow their coffee to become certified organic they must first differentiate between their organic growing methods and their more traditional methods that involve the use of synthetic chemicals and sewage sludge in the growing and manufacturing of all the food they grow as well as the animals they raise at the same location.

For products such as coffee to be labeled certified organic, a farm or business must set high standards throughout the entire growing process. From the way seeds or plants are stored to before they are planted, are just as vital as keeping unnatural chemicals and preservatives away from them while they are growing. For example, how coffee beans are picked and how they are stored as well as how chemical free they remain while being packaged and shipped is essential in meeting organic food guidelines and measures. Organic coffee beans must meet full organic standards right up until they land on store shelves at the local market or grocery store to be ready for consumers to buy.

The land in which the coffee or other organic product is being grown on must remain free from any chemical or fertilizer dumping that could contaminate the soil even if it isn’t being directly sprayed onto the organic plants. Even the smallest amount of outside contamination can occur from chemicals that have leaked into the surrounding soil, thus making the coffee un-certifiable organic.

Keeping non-certified organic food separate from organic food is essential in keeping up with the standard guidelines with the organic mark. Cross contamination of food such as coffee beans is not allowed and could cause a business to lose their license or organic food selling privileges.

Growers must live up to the highest standards in keeping organic versus non organic foods separate from the time of planting and even up to delivery and distribution.

Having the site where the coffee is grown periodically inspected by government food officials or nonprofit organic organizations and private companies is the only way for a product to carry an organically grown stamp on their coffee. Growers must abide by all of these guidelines in order to maintain a healthy environment for coffee until it reaches the consumer.

If you have ever visited Hawaii then you already know how gorgeous and picturesque these islands are. They offer fantastic food which can’t be matched anywhere in the world and the Hawaiian coffee is another thing which is highly sought after worldwide. Hawaiian coffee, also known as Kona coffee, offers a rich flavor that is addictive to the discriminating coffee drinker.

Hawaiian coffee is grown on small farms and is typically wet-processed. When coffee is wet-processed it removes the four layers that immediately surround the bean. The result is a cleaner and fruitier coffee that is simply irresistible in taste. There are now many countries that produce fine coffees that also use the wet process. One specific plant known as Typica produces a very low harvest but also produces a very desirable cup of coffee.

The tropical Hawaiian climate is perfect for producing the Hawaiian coffee that is so well-known. Clouds usually protect the island from the direct rays of the sun. This, combined with the rich, volcanic soil and the right amount of moisture, provide perfect conditions for the rich, sweet taste of the Hawaiian coffee. People who like this coffee will have to pay an unusually high price in order to be able to delight in it but most say the price is well worth the taste it offers.

If you usually buy organic products then you will be glad to know that you can also buy Hawaiian coffee that is grown and processed organically. Organic coffee beans are picked by hand then dried naturally by the sun. There are no chemicals used in growing the organic beans. Many people reckon the organic bean coffee has the best taste because of the natural growing process.

Finding the Perfect Cup

If Hawaiian coffee is something you desire to drink on a regular basis you will have to find a supplier that can get the coffee for you. This type of coffee is usually not sold in local grocery stores or discount chains. There are several internet sites that offer this coffee through mail order. You can usually buy the whole beans and grind it yourself or you can buy it already ground. If you have a way to grind it yourself you will be able to delight in the best flavor since fresh ground coffee releases the essential oils that provide the exquisite flavor. These oils will start to dissipate over time and the coffee will loose that fresh ground taste.

Regardless of how you drink it, Hawaiian coffee offers a tropical taste experience that coffee connoisseurs say cannot be found in any other beverage in the world.