A lot of people all over the world drink gourmet coffee. This wonderful, mysterious drink is almost like a staple for many people. They drink it during breakfast to start the day. They take a cup during work to relieve stress. They drink it because it is a stimulant. They enjoy a cup or two with friends because it relaxes them.
There are a lot of fascinating facts about gourmet coffee. First, gourmet coffee started out as food, not a drink, in East Africa. Coffee berries were mixed with animal fat, forming a sort of energy ball not unlike the energy bars sold today.
From East Africa, this practice found its way to the Arabian Peninsula where it was made into a drink. This was the official birthplace of coffee as a drink around 1000 A.D. During the 13th century, Muslims began drinking coffee frequently.
Islam spread and so did coffee. However, the Arabians were not about to tell their secrets of coffee making to anyone. Until the 1600’s, there weren’t many fertile coffee seeds or other areas in the Middle East where coffee beans could be grown.
There is another version of gourmet coffee history. This version states that it was in India where gourmet coffee really began. An Indian smuggler named Baba Budan left Mecca. With him were precious bags of fertile coffee seeds. He planted the seeds when he reached India.
Elsewhere, European traders who returned from Turkey heard of coffee. In the race to acquire this drink, the Dutch came in first. They got coffee seeds from India and made coffee plantations in Java, Indonesia which was controlled by the Dutch at that time in 1616.
Yet, another version of coffee history explains the rise of gourmet coffee. This story stated that the emperor of Brazil asked a spy, Lieutenant Colonel Palheta, to bring coffee beans back to the country. Palheta traveled to French Guiana where he seduced the governor’s wife. As a farewell gift when it was time to return to his country, the woman gave him a bouquet. Under the arrangement of flowers was a large supply of fertile coffee beans.
Today, Brazil is the biggest manufacturer and exporter of gourmet coffee.
In the US, only in the state of Hawaii is coffee grown. The volcanic soil in Hawaii is perfect for growing coffee.
Truly, gourmet coffee is just as fascinating as its taste. Perhaps, that is why this fascinating drink still evokes a sense of mystery, excitement and satisfaction when we partake of it.
Why You Should Join A Gourmet Coffee Club
... sample or two. If you want your gourmet coffee delivered to your coffee or home, gourmet coffee clubs can arrange special discounts. They can also deliver the coffee much faster than if you are not a member. Also, some gourmet coffee clubs offer “coffee subscriptions.” Depending on your preference, the club can deliver gourmet coffee to you every four, five, six or eight weeks. This saves you time and effort from shopping the coffee yourself. Certain gourmet coffee clubs have their own facilities in preparing their specialty coffee. So, what you will get will always be the best and the freshest gourmet coffee that they can offer. A Histories of Gourmet Coffee few even have their own small coffee plantations. Also, many gourmet coffee clubs offer demonstrations on how to prepare your own coffee. This includes growing your own coffee beans, roasting them or making your own coffee recipes. Some coffee clubs have connections to other establishments such as specialty stores and gourmet restaurants. These establishments may also give you their own perks when you present your coffee club...
Using a Gourmet Coffee Roaster
... can be prepared by pouring hot water into a teaspoon of powdered coffee, nothing beats the taste of gourmet coffee fresh from the roast. In the past, many people roast the beans at home. They use arduous methods such as heating the beans over fire coals or roasting on hot iron plates or rotating iron drums over a fire. Today, you can roast your own coffee beans conveniently at home with the use of an electric gourmet coffee roaster. A gourmet coffee roaster is an appliance which resembles a blender. But instead of a large pitcher like container, the gourmet coffee roaster has a glass structure Histories of Gourmet Coffee formed like two glass kettles on top of one another. Gourmet coffee roasters are easy to operate. Just pour half a cup of green...
Gourmet Coffee Shops Living A Lifestyle Over Coffee
... or just pass the time in these establishments. Most of the gourmet coffee shops in existence today generally followed the style from Italian expresso and pastry coffeehouses of Italian-American immigrants in major US cities. When the youth culture emerged, non-Italians, inspired by the coffeehouses, followed suit. In a few years, Starbucks opened. Since then, Starbucks coffee houses became the standard of most coffee houses. Later, in 1950’s, US coffee shops did not just serve coffee. They became venues for entertainment. Folk singers who perform in singles or in duets were preferred because they could easily be accommodated in a small space. Country music also calmed the senses, a very fitting thing for a place where one goes to relax. In fact, well known performers such as Bob...
Kona Coffee The Great Hawaiian Gourmet Coffee
... fermentation tank and left there for the night. After 12 hours, the beans are placed on a rack to dry out in the sun for one to two weeks. When the moisture level is around 10 to 13%, the beans are milled before subjecting to roasting to produce Kona coffee. Approximately seven pounds of cherry is used to make one pound of this Hawaiian gourmet coffee. The scarcity and high price of Hawaiian gourmet coffee prompted many retailers to sell the so-called Kona Blends. These blends contain only 10% Kona coffee. The other 90% is composed of less expensive imported beans. Because of this phenomenon, the Hawaiian government implemented a law that required mix to indicate on their labels the ratio of Kona coffee. One must try the pure version of this Hawaiian gourmet coffee at least once. The...