Coffee beans from different regions of the world

Next, take this preference to a map. You see, if you re going to figure out the perfect coffee gift basket, you ll need to know your geography. Different regions of the world tend to have different coffee flavors. The Central and South America continents, for example, tend to grow coffees with light-bodies, higher acidities, and sweeter flavors. The African continent, on the other hand, offers blends with medium bodies, medium acidities, and wilder flavors. Finally, the Asian-Indonesian-Pacific continent grows the coffees with the stiff, heavy bodies, low acidities, and hearty earthier flavors.

Some examples to look for in a coffee gift basket from Central and South America, or the Caribbean, would be the delicious blends that come out of the Jamaican Blue Mountains. Brazil and Colombia also are huge coffee producers, so anything from those two countries will fit the bill.

If you want to include African varieties in your coffee gift basket, look for specific types from Tanzania and Yemen. As for Asian blends, particular coffees from Sumatra are well known for their dark roasts, as well as brews from New Guinea, Sulawesi, and Java. Whatever you choose, you will be sure to bring a smile to the face of your friend and loved one.

Advantages of lighter bats

With weight, think light. A light bat makes it easier for your kids to control their swings. Don t let those old-fashioned coaching types tell you that you need a heavy bat to deliver the hits. Kids can actually hit the ball harder and farther with a light bat because they can swing a light bat faster. If you need proof, consider that the NCAA and high school rules officials have passed prohibitions on baseball bats so they cannot be 3 ounces or more lighter than the bat s length in inches.

When it comes to length and bats for kids, the rules state that Little League baseball bats must be less than or equal to 32 inches in length. Their barrels cannot be more than 2.25 inches in diameter. Of course, for kids in the Farm league (age 7 to 8) you don t want to push these limits. A length of 26 to 27 inches will do.

For the Junior Minors (age 8 to 9), try 27 to 29 inches. For Senior Minors (age 9 to 12), try 28 to 31 inches. And for the Majors (age 10 to 12), you can buy a bat anywhere from 29 to 32 inches.