Coffee is one of the world’s most consumed beverages, made from the seeds of coffee plant, also known as the coffee beans, with the following process of roasting, grinding and brewing. From its legendary origins in Ethiopia to global phenomenon, the story of coffee spans continents for centuries. The rich aroma, stimulating elements such as caffeine in coffee fuels our work culture and social life.
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Origins of Coffee
According to Ethiopian legend, Coffee was discovered by Kaldi, a herder, in the 9th Century AD. He noticed that his goats became unusually energetic after eating some unknown red berries from a local forest. Driven by curiosity, he tasted the berries and felt a comparable surge of energy.
Then, Kaldi shared his experience to a dervish (monk), who used the berries to make a drink that helped him to stay awake during long hours of prayer. Thus, word of mouth about energizing berries now called coffee were first recognized, and from then, coffee began its impeccable journey towards modern world.
Commercial beginning of Coffee
In 15th century, Coffee’s journey reached to the Arabian Peninsula. Yemen was the first country to cultivate and trade coffee in Mocha port. The Yemeni port city of Mocha became synonymous with the coffee trade, lending its name to a popular type of coffee drink. Coffee became popular in Islamic Culture, as it was an acceptable alternative to alcohol, which was prohibited in Islam.
By the 16th century, coffee had made its way to Persia, Egypt, and the Ottoman Empire. “Qahveh Khaneh” similar as coffeehouses began to appear in cities across the Arab. The Ottomans invented new methods of brewing coffee, where they used ‘ibrik or cezve’ (a small pot) in a hot sand to make a coffee now known as Turkish coffee. The drink was so popular that coffee houses became the centers of social interaction, get-to-gather and political debate.
Coffee’s European Debut
European travelers to the Near East brought back tales of an unusual dark black beverage in 17th century. Though it was initially labeled as the ‘bitter invention of Satan’, after consent of Pope Clement VIII, coffee gained quick popularity. The first coffee house in Europe was opened in Venice in 1645. In England, the first coffee house was opened in Oxford named ‘The Angel’ in 1650. Coffee houses were nicknamed as ‘penny universities’ because of becoming the center of influential thinkers conversational hub.
Colonialism and Coffee Expansions in Americas
The Dutch were the first to start coffee plantations in their colonies in the late 1600s, notably in Java (modern day Indonesia), which is why ‘Java Coffee’ became a coffee type. At the same period, coffee was brought to New Amsterdam (Modern day New York) by the British colonizer. The history of coffeehouse in the United States was began in Boston in 1676. However, Americans continued tea as their favorite drink over coffee until the Boston Tea Party and the Revolutionary War.
In the early 18th Century, the French introduced coffee to the West Indies, particularly in Haiti, while The Portuguese took it to Brazil, which would later become the largest coffee producer in the world. The demand for coffee grew whereas the exploitation of enslaved people on coffee cultivation remained the dark history of coffee.
Cultivation of Coffee around the World
Each coffee-producing country, through its beans, contributes unique flavors and characteristics to the global coffee market. The term ‘Coffee Belt’ include parts of Central and South America, Asia, Africa and even some parts of Oceania, which are the ideal regions for coffee cultivation because of warm temperatures, adequate rainfall and fertile soil.
Brazil, the largest coffee producer in the world, known for its smooth, gentle flavors with subtle notes of chocolate and nuts in Arabica coffee beans. Another South American country, Colombia, produces balanced flavor with bright acidity and caramel sweetness of Arabica beans. Costa Rica has a reputation of producing finest coffee in the world, with full-bodied flavor and bright acidity.
Ethiopia, considered as the birthplace of coffee, produces distinct varieties of coffee beans, ranging from fruity and floral to wine-like and spicy flavors. First coffee trading country, Yemen also produces coffee with earthy, aromatic flavors with a hint of chocolate and dried fruits. Kenya has been a favorite among specialty coffee enthusiasts as they produced bold and bright flavors coffee beans.
Vietnam has gained popularity with their coffee because of a unique brewing method using Phin filter. Vietnamese coffee beans are known for their bold, bitter and strong taste, also known as Robusta beans. Another Asian country, Indonesia offers full-bodied earthy, spicy flavors and low acidity. Indonesia’s Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi region deliver its distinct coffee varieties in world with reputation.
Papua New Guinea offers vibrant acidity, floral aroma and fruity notes coffee beans with traditional farming. Besides, US state Hawaii’s Kona coffee is famous for its smooth, rich flavor with a hint of nuttiness and low acidity.
Types of Beans
Coffee beans are actually seeds which comes from coffee plants, specifically coffee cherries. There are several species of coffee plants, Arabica (Coffea arabica), Robusta (Coffea canephora), Liberica (Coffea liberica), and Excelsa (Coffea excelsa) are commonly recognized. Arabica is the most popular type worldwide making up about 60-70% of the world’s coffee production. It’s known for mild, and flavorful notes. Arabica grows best at higher altitudes and also temperature sensitive. Generally considered to have a higher quality compared to Robusta. Robusta is more economical to grow because it can withstand harsh climate. It tastes stronger and more bitter than Arabica. Contains more caffeine than Arabica. Liberica and Excelsa are lesser-known species of coffee plants. Liberica offers unique woody or floral flavor whereas Excelsa often described as fruity or spicy in flavor.
The Journey from Bean to Cup
Roasting
Initially, coffee beans are green. They are roasted at a high heat which releases the rich aroma and flavor. Roasting levels vary from light to medium to dark. The lighter roast has light color and natural coffee flavor and higher acidity. Dark roast beans have bitter taste and lower acidity.
Grinding
A medium grind is the most common, perfect for automatic drip coffee makers. For deeper flavors like espresso, a fine grind is used to release the oils, while a coarse grind works best for coffee presses.
Decaffeination
Decaffeination of coffee happens because some people are sensitive to caffeine. To remove caffeine from the coffee, methylene chloride or ethyl acetate or carbon di-oxide applied to steamed coffee beans. Then, caffeine evaporates with the gas when the beans are dried. Though little amount of caffeine is still there in coffee beans after decaffeination. Decaffeination also dispels some naturally occurring flavor.
Storage
Coffee packaging does not preserve the coffee well for extended periods, so beans kept in an airtight cool dark container. Exposure to moisture, air, heat and light can strip coffee beans quality. Even a small amount of air exposure in the freezer can result in freezer burn of coffee.
Making
Different types of coffee have different making process regarding to coffee maker, typically, the ratio is 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water. For ideal coffee taste and flavor, drink soon after brewing. And use ground coffee within a few days and whole beans within two weeks for the best freshness.
Nutrients of Coffee
Coffee contains several important compounds, including caffeine, Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), magnesium, polyphenols like chlorogenic and quinic acids, and diterpenes such as cafestol and kahweol. The average 8-ounce cup of coffee typically contains around 95 mg of caffeine.
Benefits of Coffee
Health benefits of coffee has been long debated issue. Coffee enthusiasts while drinking their favorite coffee, aren’t thinking about it’s benefits or risks to health. However, lots of researches or studies found the benefits of drinking coffee which is associated with decreased risk of type-2 diabetes, some cancers, cardiovascular disease and mental disorder. Moderate doses of caffeine (50-400 mg) can boost alertness, energy, and concentration, while higher doses may lead to negative effects such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and a rapid heart rate to sensitive individuals. Decaffeinated coffee is the best option for sensitive individuals. As stated in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, generally 3-5 cups of coffee hold on an average 400 mg of caffeine.
Pregnant women are advised to limit their coffee intake, as caffeine has been associated with miscarriage, preterm birth, and low birth weight. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women limit their caffeine intake to no more than 200 milligrams per day, roughly the amount in a 12-ounce cup of coffee.
Besides caffeine, Coffee has a mixture of many chemical elements. The cup of coffee you ordered in a coffee shops loaded with sugar, whipped cream and flavored syrup might imbalance the basic black coffee. At the end of the day, several foods and drinking habits are bound for health benefits not the only specific one, so it’s better to enjoy foods and drinks according to your health conditions.
Also Read: Health Benefits of drinking Coffee
Types of Coffee Drinks
Coffee offers diverse coffee drinks variations; each drink has unique flavor and experience. The most popular type is Espresso, strong and concentrated coffee made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. It serves as the base for many other types. Espresso-based drink Americano is prepared with a shot of espresso and hot water. Macchiato has a portion of espresso, and a small amount of milk, creating a bolder taste.
Another popular variation of coffee drinks is Latte, made with a shot of espresso and streamed milk and a thin layer of milk foam. Whereas Cappuccino is prepared with equal espresso, steamed milk and milk foam. This variation is popular for its creamy texture.
Besides, Café au lait, Mocha, Flat White, Cortado, Affogato, Turkish Coffee and Vietnamese Coffee are the most recognized coffee types around the world. Cold Coffee drinks such as iced coffee, cold brew are also popular among the people because it offers a smoother and sweeter taste experience, creating a refreshing and enjoyable drink.
These diverse variations cater various tastes to appeal different preferences, making coffee a versatile and beloved drink worldwide.
Also Read: 30 types of Coffee
Popularity
From the bustling streets of Italy to the serene cafes in Japan, coffee has found its place in every corner of the globe. The further development and commercialization of Instant Coffee by George C. L. Washington in 1909 revolutionized coffee convenience in USA. Moreover, In the early 19th century, Turin city of Italy, introduced Espresso machine transformed coffee brewing, in this regard, Angelo Moriondo was the mastermind. From espresso in Italy to café au lait in France, from strong, dark coffee of Turkey to Vietnam’s Phin filtered coffee to Spiced coffee of Ethiopia to modern Iced coffee, the drink’s variations appeal to the greater audience made the coffee more than a drink.
As demand for coffee drinks rises, many coffee chains such as Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Tim Hortons, Dutch Bros. made coffee a fundamental part of urban society. While Specialty coffee movement has brought consideration to the artistry and craftsmanship involved in coffee production.
The United States is the largest consumer of coffee overall, followed by Brazil and Germany. However, on a per capita basis, Finland leads the way, with the average person consuming about 4 (26 lbs.) cups of coffee daily. Countries such as Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada belongs to the top coffee consumer in the world per capita basis.
Myths on Coffee
Dark Roast Coffee contains more caffeine: It is actually a myth that dark roast coffee contains more caffeine than lighter roast coffee? However, the truth is lighter roast has a slightly higher caffeine concentration.
Re-use of Coffee grinds: Coffee grounds should not be brewed more than once because reused grounds tend to taste bitter and may no longer yield a pleasant coffee flavor.
Coffee Dehydrates You: Although caffeine has a mild urine-inducing effect, it is balanced out by the overall fluid content of the coffee. However, coffee can count towards daily fluid goals besides drinking water.
Decaffeinated Coffee is Completely Caffeine-Free: Decaffeinated Coffee contains small amount of caffeine, usually about 2-5 mg per cup.
Drinking Coffee on an Empty Stomach is Harmful: There is no strong evidence that drinking coffee on an empty stomach is harmful but it can increase stomach acid to some individuals.
Conclusion
This short informational article on coffee’s history, variations, benefits, types, and myths will give coffee lovers more appreciation while drinking coffee daily.
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