When older Americans think about coffee usually pictures of Juan Valdez and his little donkey picking 100% Columbian coffee beans, in fertile South American fields, comes to mind. However in recent years more and more people are trying different blends, flavors and styles of coffee.
Turkish Coffee
Turkish Coffee originated as the name implies in Turkey, where the Arabians have been brewing coffee for over a thousand years. Turkish coffee is not a type of coffee bean - it is a style of making coffee. Even for the novice it is easy to learn how to make Turkish Coffee. The beans are much more finely ground than other types of coffee, they are nearly a powder. A few spoonfuls of this coffee bean powder is put into the cup and boiling hot water is poured directly over it. The grounds settle to the bottom of the cup after a few minutes and sugar may or may not be added as desired. Turkish ground coffee beans are available at most world markets and even some of the larger grocery store chains carry them now.
Most Americans need to learn how to drink Turkish coffee. This style of coffee is strong and bold it needs to be sipped and savored to be fully appreciated. It is an unusually strong coffee slightly reminiscent of espresso but with is own unique taste. When drinking Turkish coffee always be aware of the grounds in the bottom of the cup because if you get caught up in the wonderful flavor and forget to sip you could end up with a mouthful of coffee grounds. In most middle eastern countries the locals enjoy seeing the look of surprise when someone who has never had this type of coffee before reaches the bottom of the cup.
Iced Coffee Drinks
In recent years the trend of drinking iced coffees has increased significantly. While there is some debate over which style is better, making hot coffee and pouring it over ice or making hot coffee and freezing it. It is an individual’s taste buds that ultimately need to make the choice of which is better. The one thing that both styles have in common is that sugars tend not to mix well in cold liquids so sweeteners, if they are desired, should be added while the coffee is hot.
Iced coffees used to be the domain of coffee houses but lately more grocery stores and convenience stores in America are carrying Greek Frappe frozen drinks and other exotic iced coffees. Around the world in hotter climates iced coffee drinks are very popular. In Japan vending machines all over the country sell a wide variety of iced coffees along with the hot drinks. These vending machines are as common place as soda vending machines are in America. Even McDonalds has gotten in on the act with Iced Mochas and Iced coffee now available on their menu.
100% Columbian Coffee
Fifty years ago the most common way to make coffee in America was to use a percolator. Hot water would rise over the basket and drop down over the ground beans. Often the grounds from the coffee would settle in the bottom of the coffee pot and getting a mouthful of grounds was not that uncommon at the bottom of the pot.
The coffee filter was invented in 1906 by a house wife in Dresden Germany named Melitta Bentz who wanted to find a way to make a perfect cup of coffee without the bitterness caused by over-brewing. Filtered coffe is still the most common form of coffee in America.
It can be a challenge for people who just want a good piping hot cup of Joe to find 100% Columbian coffee at a coffee house today with all the variety that is offered. French Roast, Sumatra and Ethiopian blends are far more common as are the wide variety of espresso style drinks.
A little know fact was that instant coffee was invented in 1901 by Japanese American chemist Satori Kato of Chicago.
Espresso style drinks
Italian Espresso style drinks had their origins in France where the first Espresso machine was invented in 1882 but now with places like Starbucks and the myriad of other coffee houses that have sprung up lately they are available nearly everywhere on the planet.
- Espresso is made in a machine that injects steam into the coffee beans that forces it to mix emulsified coffee oils with the water under pressure that gives the coffee a unique flavor distinguishing it from strong coffee. This is the base that all Espresso style drinks are made from.
- Cappuccino is 1/3 Espresso 1/3 steamed milk (No foam) and 1/3 frothed milk the espresso will settle between the steamed milk and the foam it can be topped with powders like cinnamon or cocoa.
- A latte is a shot of Espresso and steamed milk frequently flavored with a shot of Italian syrup.
There are almost as many style of Espresso drinks as there are coffee drinkers. Mix your own combination of syrups to create a unique taste and enjoy the amazing coffee bean.
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