Yet More Trivia
Here are some more interesting facts that you may or may not yet know about coffee. Some things to think about over your next cup of Joe:
- Along with peanut butter and beer, coffee is on the top ten list of “most recognizable odors.”
- Arabian Wine is the name by which coffee was first known in Europe.
- Some green coffee beans are stored for years before roasting. Some experts believe that certain beans, when stored properly, improves with age
- Coffee was advertised a medicine in the 1600’s in England. It was advertised in 1657 as a cue for gout, scurvy and other illnesses. From the University of California comes a scientific report to gladden any coffee lover’s heart. They found that the steam rising from a cup of coffee contains an equal amount of anti-oxidants as that found in three oranges. These antioxidants help prevent cancer and heart disease being heterocyclic compounds.
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Take Time To Smell The Coffee
Coffee is our constant companion on many a cold morning. It is the drink of choice amongst many for conversations of importance. It is a great drink for when we want to think as well, inspiring many as they burn the midnight oil. It is therefore no wonder that many sayings have been created about coffee itself.
With most of the world busy rushing from one thing to the next, trying to squeeze everything into the few moments of time they have, a lot of people feel stressed and tired. Here’s a thought for them from an anonymous author: Take time to smell the coffee.
The gift of coffee isn’t only to your palate or to your nervous system. Its delicious scent is a gift of calm as well. You can have a five minute oasis of peace in your busy day to keep you sane through a crazy workday.
Have a rich cup of coffee like that made from Colombian beans for a break from the daily grind. This drink is an experience in itself that calls for one throw themselves into the moment. Savor the scent and the taste to the last drop. You’ll be all the better for it.
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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.
Technorati Tags: coffee, Turkey, Turkish Coffee, Astrology, Fortunetelling, weddings, rituals
Colombian Coffee
Coffee…hot sweet coffee…a drink to absolutely savor. It brings with it such a rich taste and experience that is more than just another drink. It truly is an experience.
Among the most enjoyed is Colombian coffee. Its very name sounds exotic to some, evoking an image of the country and its people. This coffee bean is very familiar to most coffee drinkers.
Coffee coming from South America is generally considered mild and balanced. Its taste is sharper than that of North American beans. For those who are not fond of the bitter brew, this is a good place to start. It helps that this is one brew that doesn’t or barely does leave an aftertaste.
Colombia is the second biggest exporter of coffee. The beans come from two regions. The central region harvests coffee from Medillian, Armenia and Manizales (MAM). Coffee production from Bogota and Bucaramanga on the other hand are part of the eastern mountain region.
Colombian coffee has a naturally sweet scent and chocolatey taste much appreciated by those who love chocolate. It is heavy bodied which suits those who prefer their coffee with cream. We find that Colombian coffee is a very forgiving brew for those who wish to experiment, which is why it is a favorite.
You’ll probably hear the term Colombian Supremo or Excelso. This actually refers to the coffee bean size. The Supremo is bigger than the Excelso. The Supremo is said to be supreme but you need to decide that for yourself.
If you really want to rate this coffee fairly, please ask for top-notch vintage beans and not just Colombian coffee the next time you go to your local coffee house. It would also be unfair to judge this coffee based on a brew you made from a can marked Supremo that you buy in the local supermarket. The true premium Colombian coffee is there but you need to check carefully to truly get the best experience and not just another insipid brew.
An Expert’s Guide To Tasting
A word from Geoff Watts, Director of Coffee, Intelligenstia Coffee:
I’m a firm believer that understanding is developed through the act of comparison. Learning to talk about the character of a coffee from a particular origin requires that one have some frame of reference, and if the goal is to figure out what makes a coffee from Kenya great it is important to know what makes it different than other coffees. In other words, what does it mean to taste like a “Kenya”? What tastes distinguish a Guatemalan coffee from a Nicaraguan?
By evaluating coffees in a comparative setting and with an inquisitive, reflective approach one can learn to identify the most essential flavor traits of coffees from different origins. The goal should be to build a reference library of flavors and taste sensations that can become a background against which one can examine new coffees. Over time a cupper will begin to associate particular flavors with geographical regions and different botanical varieties of coffee. Eventually, a phrase like “this tastes like a bourbon from the Santa Ana region in El Salvador” can have some real meaning. It is important to remember, though, that dogma has no place in coffee tasting. Every time I think I’ve got a region figured out, a coffee comes along that shatters my expectations. Keeping an open mind and sense of curiosity is absolutely essential to becoming an accomplished taster.
Welcome To The Brewed Coffee Blog!
Welcome to The Brewed Coffee Blog!
Alexander King said it well enough: “Actually, this seems to be the basic need of the human heart in nearly every great crisis - a good hot cup of coffee“.
