Coffee

You drink it every morning. It perks you up and keeps you awake. It completes your day. Nothing beats your cup of coffee. But have you ever thought about where your coffee comes from? From a plantation somewhere in Hawaii or in the Mediterranean or somewhere similar, might be your answer.
Well yeah, you’re probably correct but let’s go to the specifics. Grab your cup and continue to read on.

Let’s start with the etymology of the. It is believed that the word “coffee” came from Kaffa, Ethiopia, the place where coffee first originated.

The Arabs called coffee “qahhwa”. The Ottoman Turkish borrowed the word and coined their own, “kahve”. Then later on, the Italians used “kahve” as basis for the word “caffè.” However, the word “coffee” itself wasn’t used prior to the early 1600s.

Coffee cultivation began in the highlands of Ethiopia in the early 9th century. Due to trades and explorations, coffee dotted down from the mountains to Egypt and Yemen. And by the 15th century, coffee had reached most of Persia, Egypt, Turkey, and northern Africa.

But even though coffee was reaching a far greater audience or market, it was never that popular, well at least not at first. Some of the conservative imams were against the stimulating effect of the coffee. The same conservative views brought a ban on coffee and coffee houses in Cairo, Egypt.

However, the popularity of coffee couldn’t be stopped. Soon enough, the bans were lifted and coffee began to flow. From the world of the Ottomans, coffee invaded Europe with fervor. In less than two centuries, coffee became a very popular drink in Europe.

The importation and propagation of coffee in the Western world can be owed to the Dutch. They were the one’s who started large scale importation of coffee and started plantations in Java, which at the time was colonized by the Dutch.

It was the same story when coffee came to the American colonies. The colonies didn’t welcome the drink at first. They found that it didn’t meet their expectations and was never built to be a substitute to one of their favorite drinks, anything with alcohol.

But in time, Americans began to like coffee. By the 19th century, coffee was slowly becoming a choice drink and by the end of it, they were clamoring for more.

And now, coffee is a staple drink not only in the U.S. but almost in any other country in the world. So there, a short story where that cup you’re drinking came from. Sip your coffee slowly. It took that cup of coffee centuries to reach your taste buds.

The best you can do is enjoy that cup to the fullest. Let’s drink to that.

A steaming cup of coffee in the morning is one of the best wake-up calls that a person can have. It is so good that people can’t even function without having one cup in the wee hours of the morning.

Coffee can indeed be addicting. Some even drink five to 10 cups a day especially when they are at the office wherein coffee is one of the staples, whether in meetings or in simple brainstorming sessions.

But what is it in coffee that we just can’t go without? Is it just the taste that we just can’t get enough of or is there more?

Lifestyle at its best

Coffee drinking in the country has ceased to be just a drink. It has become a lifestyle. People who drink coffee and hang out in coffee houses are perceived to be the corporate types who enjoy high standards of living. Also, coffee houses in the country have also become more sophisticated, installing in their areas wifi connections, which people can use to surf the net for free.

Social aspect

Coffee drinks have become the beers or the wines of the new generation. People get together and just talk over a cup of coffee. They hang out and just chat about anything under the sun. This is perhaps why coffeehouses have also become hang out places of people, even those who conduct meetings.

Stimulating ideas

Coffee is the number one drink when people are brainstorming or just plain discussing about something. This is because coffee can be really stimulating to the senses, thus aiding in mental work and creativity.

Calming the nerves

Coffee is also a wonderful way to relax the senses. Despite being a stimulant, coffee can actually soothe the senses because of the heat that it provides the body.

After meal habit

People have also gained the habit of drinking coffee after every meal. Some believe that this is because coffee can aid in the digestion of food or help in letting the food flow freely into the body. Some drink coffee because it washes off the after taste of the foods that they eat.

Delicious

With the great tasting flavors and mixes that has come up, who wouldn’t want to drink coffee? There is the Cappuccino with its cream and milk or the coffee topped with cherries or strawberries. Gone are the days when you just drink your coffee black or just add some sugar to it. With so much variety, who can resist?

Coffee has become part of our every day meals. In fact, most Americans wouldn’t be able to wake up properly without a jolt of caffeine to their systems. They need that steaming cup of coffee to start the day with energy.

While coffee boasts of several advantages, it is also poses several dangers to the body especially when taken in excessive amounts.

Acidic content

Although coffee is basically coffee granules, some water and sometimes sugar or milk, it is a potent drink especially when combined with the body’s natural acids. Unknown to many, caffeine, which is the main component of coffee, can combine with the stomach acids to form a toxin in the body called caffeine hydrochloride.

When this toxin reaches the liver, the body naturally produces a bile that will help remove the toxin. This is the reason why some people think that coffee can aid in their digestion because of bowel regularity.

Harmful Chemicals

Coffee contains the chemical trichloroethylene in large concentration due to the use of pesticides in coffee plantations. The chemical is used mainly as a solvent and a cleaning agent in the clothing industry. It is also used in the metal industry as a degreasing chemical. Trichloroethylene has been linked to some types of liver cancer.

Another potential chemical in coffee that may harm the body is the chlorogenic acid, which has toxic side effects.

Overworking the adrenal

Coffee also contains an oil that can adversely affect the gastric mucosa. Because of this, the adrenal glands are frequently secreted, thus the feeling of always being full of energy. However, too much secretion of the hormone adrenaline can result in a rise in the blood pressure, tension in the body and low energy. The mood may also be affected as well as the appetite.

Counteracts medications

People who are taking drugs or any mediations for pain, obesity, hypertension or depression are advised not to drink coffee as all their efforts in getting well could be wasted. A patient with high fever can also be harmed by coffee and is better off drinking lemon juice or even tea.

Deficiency in Thiamine

People who drink coffee often can develop a deficiency in Thiamine or Vitamin B1. This can cause fatigue and nervousness. There is also general malaise as well as aches and pains in the body. Headaches are also common.

In addition, drinking too much coffee may also prevent the nutrients in the food that you eat from being absorbed by the intestines.

Anyone can make a good cup of coffee. The ingredients as well as the equipment to make it possible aren’t that hard to find. Here are a few tips that people should remember when preparing coffee.

1. The first thing is to buy a good coffee maker. There are many of these being sold in appliance stores so the customer should do some research first about the brands to get an idea on the features and benefits of each one.

2. The most important ingredient in making good coffee are the beans. It is recommended that people buy whole beans so they can be grinded prior to use. This may be tedious instead of just putting a teaspoon into the cup but there is a big difference that you will soon appreciate and like.

3. Believe it not, the water that comes out of the faucet or the plastic container has a certain taste. This is influenced by the filtration process to ensure that this is safe for people to drink so customers have to check on it before pouring it into the coffee maker.

4. One way for coffee to taste better is by using stainless steel or gold mesh filters. This is a major improvement from the disposable paper ones that contain bleach, chlorine and dyes that may also affect the flavor. Since these are quite expensive, those who insist on using paper should buy the kind that are unbleached.

5. The rule of thumb for brewing is that there should be two tablespoons of coffee for every 6 ounces of water. It should also be spread evenly in the coffee filter before it starts to filter down into the pot.

6. Coffee can be reheated if it gets cold. The best way to do this is by making sure it reaches 175 degrees. Of course, the other way will be pouring all the contents into a stainless steel Thermos that will keep it warm.

7. The coffee pot should be cleaned regularly. Using soap and water can do this but if there are still remnants from the old batch, this is the time that vinegar or baking soda have to be used.

It isn’t that hard to make a good cup of coffee. It just takes some time to look for a coffee machine and the right beans that will be able to give its rich taste to the user.

It is one thing to buy a coffee maker. The only way to make it last a few years is knowing the do’s and don’ts because it takes money to have it repaired or buy a new one.

Here are some Do’s that people should remember.

1. Coffee machines need to be stored in a clean and dry place when they aren’t in use. When they are brought out, it has to be placed a few feet away from other appliances to ensure maximum freshness at all times.

2. Before making a cup, it would be a good idea to check how many will be drinking. This will prevent wastage that often happens when this isn’t properly calculated. A good indicator will be a tablespoon per cup.

3. If the coffee will be brewing for 30 minutes to an hour, it is best to use a thermal carafe. This will ensure that the flavor stays the same as though it was just made.

4. The decanter should be cleaned on a daily basis. One way to make the job easier will be to throw away the old filters and grounds immediately since this could affect the taste when a new batch is prepared the following day.

5. Lastly, the rest of the coffee maker must be cleaned at least once a week. You should dismantle each part and clean them using water, a washcloth and some vinegar if there are any hard stains.

The don’ts for brewing coffee are the following;

1. You must never mix old coffee with new. This dilutes the taste which affects the flavor in the new pot.

2. Most machines have timers that will keep the coffee warm. The user shouldn’t turn it on again to reheat below a temperature of 175 degrees because this will also affect the flavoring.

3. Although it is still safe to drink, the individual must never serve coffee after the freshness date.

4. Coffee maker owners should never wash away the decanter or pot with just water alone. This should be done with soap because acids and other organic elements may affect the overall taste of the new batch.

People who know the do’s and don’ts will have a better chance of enjoying the rich taste of coffee as though it was purchased from the store. Guests will be able to tell the difference if such practices aren’t being done at home.

Coffee lovers always start the day by having a cup in the morning. Instead of going to the store and buying one, those who have a machine at home can enjoy the taste by making it in the kitchen.

The first thing needed of course is a good coffee making machine. There are many brands being offered in stores that are just as good as the other.

If the customer buys whole beans, some time must be devoted to grinding them into smaller pieces. Since it takes awhile to warm up the machine, the user should turn it on so it will be ready when the contents are placed in.

Coffee filters will also determine how it will taste when it goes down and into the pot. You should always throw out the old especially if it was used the day before and replaced with a new one.

Some people just get a teaspoon and drop it in the center. This doesn’t make everything even when the coffee machine does its job. This can be avoided by spreading it properly and applying a little pressure so it nestles in with the filter.

It is the choice of the drinker whether or not to sprinkle some sugar and cream or wait until it is poured into the cup.

The secret to having good coffee is the temperature of the water. Some machines can be programmed to maintain this at 190 to 200 degrees and make everything warm after a few minutes.

Starting the day with a cup of coffee shouldn’t take too long. Most machines are able to keep it hot for 20 to 30 minutes so that other people who want a cup may grab one before going to the breakfast table.

You should also remember not to leave the machine on for more than an hour because the taste will change after the said period. Those who want to bring it on the road can still enjoy it by putting it in a stainless steel mug or thermos to ensure it stays warm.

The only way to start the day right is by devoting some time to cleaning the coffee machine. This can be done weekly or monthly whenever you are free because deposits and stains will affect how this will perform and could ruin the day before it’s started.

Studies show that most Americans drink coffee regularly. This demand has pushed farmers to use various methods of farming to make crops grow and harvest as fast as possible. It has only been discovered recently that using fertilizers to help plants grow does more bad than good. This is the reason that farmers are going back to the basics of making organic coffee.

What is organic coffee? This is the process of growing crops without the use of fertilizers and other substances. This means farmers will work in the fields, let the water give the plants its nutrients and then watch it grow with the help of the sun.

With the help of the US Department of Agriculture, crop rotation has been set in place so that farmers will still be able to cope with the demand of the various coffee products that are sold on the market.

One way to get more people interested is for the federal government to offer incentives. It takes years before the farm can be certified but in the long run is beneficial for everyone.

This is considered to be the trend these days since the chemicals that were used to make the crops grow aren’t washed away or decontaminated before this is packed and purchased by the customer.

Since the production time is much slower, organic coffee is quite expensive. A 12oz. bag for example is being sold at $12 so the customer can just imagine how much this will cost in a much larger container.

These products are usually sold in a different section of the supermarket. There are organic coffee products that are caffeinated or decaffeinated. There are also those in cans that are flavored. Each item must have a seal certifying its authenticity so as not to confuse with the old one.

Despite that, some people are still purchasing inorganic coffee and other products. Not all of these are made in the United States, which means they are imported from South America, Europe and Asia.

Analysts believe the prices of organic coffee products will go down in the next few years. This is as farmers in the United States and abroad decide to follow crop rotation practices and abandon the old method of using fertilizers and pesticides.

This may not happen next year but things can change a decade from now. It isn’t that people want to live forever but simply to enjoy a healthy life.

It is one thing to buy a coffee maker. The challenging part is maintaining it. This chore not only involves replacing the old filter with a new one because there are other things that need to be cleaned. Since drip coffee makers are the most basic and frequently purchased, here are some tips on how to keep it in good condition.

The first thing will be to unplug it from the socket. Once this is done, the different parts should be removed separately and cleaned piece by piece. For instance, the glass pot can be soaked in water and soap then left upside down until the all the contents inside have dried.

If some coffee has spilled to other parts of the appliance, you should unscrew it to take a better look so this can be cleaned properly.

Some people think that everything can be cleaned using a piece of dry cloth and some water. Unfortunately, if the deposits are hard to wash out, it is time to try something much stronger. Vinegar can be mixed with water and then you can try doing it again.

If the stain is still there, perhaps pouring in the vinegar until this is full and then turning on the machine can produce better results. The job isn’t done yet since the drip coffee maker should be allowed to cool for a few minutes so that the liquid contents can be drained.

The owner should then check it again and only repeat the process if there are still remnants that are still present.

Since vinegar leaves a certain scent, the best way to remove it is by substituting the contents this time with water. This should be done two or three more times making the coffee drip maker good as new.

The last thing to do will be to put the coffee machine together again. This isn’t so hard and after doing so, you should store this in a safe place like in the kitchen cabinet if it isn’t needed.

The best way to avoid repeating the procedure a few times is by cleaning this appliance at least once a month. The process itself takes less than an hour if done properly so that coffee made still tastes the same when a new batch is produced in the morning or at any time during the day.

Making coffee shouldn’t be a hassle especially when this is needed to make one mentally alert early in the morning. One way is by buying a coffee maker from the appliance store so it will be ready when the person goes into the kitchen. Here are some guidelines for prospective buyers.

The first thing to do will be to determine how much coffee everyone in the household consume daily. It isn’t practical to get a big one if there are only a handful of drinkers.

Coffee makers just like any other household appliance cost money. You should come up with a figure as to how much can be spent. The cheapest one may be purchased for less than a $100 while those that will grind the beans and perform other things will go for a $1000.

Another factor that will affect the price is whether the machine is made from plastic or stainless steel. Some people say plastic versions can easily break compared to those made out of metal but this really depends on how the owner takes care of it.

You should also think about the kind of coffee that will be made using the machine. After all, these come in different flavors and styles so those who want to drink something unique will have to get something that can do the job like those being used in cafes.

The homeowner should also check if there space in the kitchen where the coffee machine can be placed. Small ones aren’t hard to store or move around when it isn’t being used but if this is big, there must be a place where this will stay at all times.

Lastly, when talking with the sales clerk, the customer should ask if the item chosen has a warranty. This will make it easy to return if there are any defects or if those in the household aren’t happy with it so this can be replaced with something else.

You should remember that buying the best coffee machine on the market won’t guarantee that whatever comes out will taste good when consumed. This is because the type of beans purchased is still the deciding factor. The only thing the appliance will do is heat it up and blend the contents with water.

With the price tag that comes with coffee granules nowadays, it isn’t enough that you just place them in a jar and put them on the kitchen table. With the kind of money that you pay for a gourmet coffee granule, it is essential that you learn to store them the proper way.

But what is the right way to store coffee granules?

Some say that you can freeze them or refrigerate them to prolong life. Others recommend that you place the coffee granules in packets or jars and to seal them as tightly as possible. Others have a different storage advice for whole bean coffee and a different one for a ground coffee granules? Will the storage method matter?

Green beans

As a general rule, green coffee beans have the best shelf life and they are very easy to store. All you have to do is to just put them inside a tightly-sealed jar and keep them in a location that is cool and dry. With proper storage, they can last for more than a year.

There are however few people who use green beans perhaps because it is too much work to prepare them. You have to grind and roast them first before you can actually be able to drink. This isn’t good with people who are used to instant mixes.

Whole bean

The shelf life of a roasted whole bean is much better than those that aren’t roasted. A roasted whole bean can last for about 1 to 2 weeks. It is however important that it is kept in standard room temperature and be sealed in an air-tight containers or canister. As much as possible, use glass canisters and avoid plastic ones as the flavor may be compromised in some way by the plastic material.

Remember though to use dark-colored glass as these beans shouldn’t be exposed to light in any way. Metal containers are also a no-no. Another good alternative are ceramic ones.

Every two to three days, open the canister to release the gas that is produced by the roasted beans. One alternative to eliminate the problem of gas is to use valve bags, which allow the carbon dioxide to escape. One disadvantage though is that these bags can be very expensive and quite rare.

If however your whole bean coffee isn’t consumed in two weeks, then it is important to store the coffee in the refrigerator and freeze them. Stored like this, the coffee beans can last for a month or two. Just wrap the beans with a plastic wrap. If you need to use the beans, just grind them frozen. Once thawed, you can’t use them again.