What can be better than the smell of a fresh cup of coffee in the morning? Many of us just can’t imagine another way of starting their days. After a sip of this powerful stimulant, we feel better prepared to get out into the world. Of course, when at work, nothing beats a coffee break. And after work, why not go with your friends for another cup of this divine liquid?
There are so many ways to prepare it: Espresso, Americano, Irish, Cubano, Turkish, iced, frappe, cappuccino, mocha, and let’s not forget the most rare and expensive one, kopi luwak!
After oil, it seems to be the second most-traded commodity in the world. The alleged benefits and hazards of this miraculous drink are still a subject of debate among scientists and coffee drinkers alike.
There are two main species of the plant – “Coffea Arabica”, which is indigenous in Ethiopia, and “Coffea Canephora” (robusta). The first one is considered more flavorful, the other is more bitter, but also more resistant, and can grow where Arabica can’t – and that’s why it is used as an inexpensive substitute for in commercial blends and in almost all instant products.
Some blend varieties are so popular and in demand that they command a higher price, examples of which are the Jamaican Blue Mountain and the Hawaiian Kona coffees. Often, these beans are mixed with other, less-expensive varieties and the term “blend” is added to the label, such as “Blue Mountain Blend” or “Kona Blend”.
The plant is said to have been cultivated for the first time in Ethiopia. Anyway, the first documented evidence of coffee-drinking appears in the 15th century,in the Sufi Muslim monasteries around Mocha, in Yemen.
From the Middle East, the miraculous drink spread to India (where it was smuggled!) and to Italy. From Venice, it spread to the rest of Europe, and then to North America and South America. Of course, each country added its own twist to the preparation of this elixir and now each one swears that their way of making it is the best.
For centuries, the roast beans were brewed and everything was that simple. But in the 19th century, the French started to invent new methods and new devices. From vacuum brewers to percolators and moka pots, nowadays there are lots of contraptions to help you make the ideal cup.
So, if you love it as much as we do, join us in this discovery of Best Things Coffee!