Turkish Coffee Trivia
There is a Turkish proverb that says, “A single cup of coffee is remembered for fourty years”. In the Turkish culture, coffee is always offered at the start of any visit. No true conversations begin until kahve is served. The discussions and the brew are remembered together. No wonder that Turkish coffee is unforgettable.
There is no ritual more important in any culture than marriage. It is a way to improve ones standing and situation in society after all. Every prospective bride is tested by the way she makes coffee. Some brides are known to have substituted salt for the sugar in order to avoid an unwanted marriage.
It was also considered an insult to spill the coffee, even just a little on to the saucer so a reluctant bride would sometimes find a way to spill coffee, not just on the saucer but on the guests. That usually ended the marriage talks.
The foam on Turkish coffee is very important. It is made as the brew sits on the stove without being stirred. A few people will tell you that it is okay to stir after the first two boiling, in fact some will say it is a must but never is it stirred once it is placed on the heat for the last time. In fact, it is said that the host who serves coffee with no foam loses face.
For those of us who’ve always wanted our future read with coffee, Turkish coffee is the brew you must try. It is the remains from this brew or fal that is used to read ones possible fututre or destiny. In fact it is still a favorite pastime in Turkey today, especially among the women.
Make yourself a cup of Turkish coffee or go find a place that makes good Turkish coffee. Enjoy the experience for yourself. Don’t forget to check if there’s someone around who can read fal.
Coffee House History: Seattle’s Best
My local mall gives me a basic choice of 3 coffee houses(or is it shops in a mall?) -The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Starbucks (duh), and Seattles Best. And the one I always inadvertantly pick is Seattles Best. Yes, the coffee is much more my “cup of tea”, and there dont seem to be too many noisy teenagers as there are in Starbucks or bored housewives as the Bean…..
Seattle’s Best
Seattle hasn’t always been the center of the coffee universe, in fact the city once served as much bad coffee as the rest of the country. That changed in the early 70′s when a group of passionate coffee lovers started a revolution.
The founders of Seattle’s Best were some of these early coffee pioneers, and in the beginning the coffee was roasted in an old peanut roaster down on the Seattle waterfront. These guys used the finest beans and roasted to achieve a bold and full flavored cup that was also smooth and mellow.
In those days, the Northwest was such a hotbed of competing coffee styles that a local restaurant held a taste-off to crown “the best cup of coffee in Seattle.” Much to the founders delight, their little coffee company took first place.
To celebrate the occasion, they officially re-named the company “Seattle’s Best Coffee” and the rest is coffee history. Today, the coffee revolution has spread across America and now good coffee is fashionable everywhere. There are many great coffees roasted in Seattle, but only one offers the bold flavor and smooth taste that is Seattle’s Best.
Coffee grade: Above Average
Good Points: Breve superb, great organic beans, yummy macaroons
Bad Points: Counter foodoften tasteless ,vanilla latte cloyingly sweet
Coffee House History: The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
For those of us not named Paul Basset, a good up of coffee is more often than not found at the coffee house at the nearest mall, around the corner, or at an airport if you’re travelling (the photo by the way is of the CBTL at Singapore‘s Changi airport) – and not at home, although we’ll put up with the home brew just to get up in the morning.
So I’ve decided to clue you in on a little background info about these institutions we so heavily rely on on provide a decent cup of java.
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Herbert B. Hyman started The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in 1963 with a dedication to excellence and quality, and his efforts made him the founding father of gourmet coffee in California.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has since grown into one of the largest privately- owned, family-run coffee and tea companies in the world.
The endurance and popularity of The Bean, as it is affectionately referred to by devotees, can be attributed to the high standards that were established from the beginning. From trend-setting drinks like the World Famous Ice Blended, to the employees who become a part of the communities they work in, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has discovered the formula for a successful coffee and tea company.
Coffee grade: Decent Brew
Good Points: Good variety of other things to eat, hot breakfasts, chai tea, vanilla lovers should be happy.
Bad Points: Drinks tend to be too much on the sweet side
Coffee House History: Starbucks
Hate or love the mermaid from Seattle, Starbucks undoubtedly is the most famous coffee brand in the world (if not universe? I hear they’ve opened a branch on the moon).
If you’re wondering if the larger-than-life chain is indeed part of Dr.Evil’s empire, read on!
Starbucks
Starbucks was named after a character in Moby Dick, and the story
began in 1971 when the first Starbucks opened in America’s oldest Farmer’s Market, the Pike Place Market.
Then, the company was a local coffee roasting facility until 1982 when Howard Schulz joined the company and turned their marketing strategy around.
On a trip to Italy, Schulz was inspired to the coffee bar tradition and sold his idea to the Starbucks founders. In 1985, the first coffee bar opened, and true to Italian style, they called it “Il Giornale” and it was a smashing success.
In 1987, together with new investors, Schulz bought Starbucks and opened new cafes in Vancouver and Chicago, rising to 17 that same year.
With 165 cafes by 1992, the company went public and now trades at the NASDAQ.
On March 7th, 2001 Starbucks opened their first cafe in Europe – in Zurich, Switzerland. Today, Starbucks is found in 30 countries around the world, with 9,000 cafes and counting. The company also donates a lot to charitable organizations.
