TigerChef

Yummm…. Nothing like waking up to a fresh cup of coffee. The aroma, the warmth, and of course, the flavor. Caffeine aside, that cup of java has a lot to offer.

Legend has it that in the 800’s, a young goatherd in Ethiopia, found that his goats looked very energized after nibbling on a berry shrub. He tasted the berries himself and found that they did actually give him an extra boost.

Although there are 66 known coffee plants, only two are commonly used. Grown primarily in the mountains of Central and Southern America, Arabica beans account for 3/4 of the world’s coffee production. They actually have a better aroma, and are more flavorful, in addition to being more costly, than the Robusta beans. Robusta beans, as its name implies, are more robust and account for the remaining ¼ of coffee production. They are used in most canned coffee blends because they are cheaper, as well as in espresso blends, since they create an enhanced cap on the drink.  

If you are a true coffee aficionado, opt for the freshly ground beans so that you can brew your own coffee. Buy the freshest beans available, given that coffee tends to go stale once it has been roasted. Ground coffee should always be stored in an airtight, opaque container to keep it fresh. Keeping coffee in the refrigerator will dampen it and since moisture is coffee’s enemy you can say bye-bye. The freezer, however, does an excellent job in a pinch, if you have coffee that you can’t use up in a reasonable amount of time.

The water you use will affect the coffee as well. Bluntly put, water that has a nasty taste will make coffee that will taste nasty. Tap water has a real ‘tap water’ taste? Try filtered water for better results.

Another crucial factor is the temperature. If you add water to your coffee that’s too cold, it will yield a sort of flat coffee, while water that is exceptionally hot will make it bitter. The ideal temperature for the ideal coffee is 200°F. The way to reach the right temperature would be by bringing the water to a boil and letting it stand for about 1 minute before adding it to your coffee.

This is where coffee makers come in. Coffee makers do all the dirty work while you sit and enjoy the fresh morning air. Brewed or instant, flavored or regular, what can be better than a morning cup of coffee straight from the brewer?

Filed under: History • General

Tags: coffee