Each morning finds people in their kitchens sipping cups of that perfect taste of heaven – coffee. A dose of caffeine blended with a fragrant aroma and a warm and soothing taste is the most popular pick-me-up before heading out the door to the office. Coffee can be enjoyed in so many ways, too. There are various drinks besides the typical cup of coffee: cappuccino, latte, espresso, iced coffee. And because of its popularity in taste, coffee is used to flavor a lot of products like candy, ice cream, pastries, and yogurt.

The French enjoy a “petit noir” (small black coffee) after a meal. Italians like to sip espresso and cappuccino. In North America, coffee is so widely popular that the number of coffee shops have quickly sprung up all over the place in recent years. It’s rare to walk down the street and not spot numerous people rushing to and from their jobs, errands, and activities without cups of coffee in hand.

Types of Coffees

There are about 60 different varieties of coffee, but Arabica and Robusta represent 95 percent of the world’s production. Arabica is grown in inter-tropical regions, and produces mild-tasting coffees. Robusta get its name from being a more resistant plant. It grows in low altitude regions in a climate full of humidity. It generally gives a stronger coffee richer in caffeine than Arabica.

Arabica is mainly produced in South America, Central America, Arabia, Ethiopia, and India. Robusta is mainly grown in Africa and Asia.

Coffees are generally labeled with their place of growth (country and sometimes region) and the shipping port. This sometimes indicates quality but the taste can vary depending on the region or climate, fertilization methods, and shading procedure. In fact, two coffees labeled Jamaican can be very different in taste.

Harvesting the Crop

A coffee tree will yield its first fruits five years after planting. One plant produces about 40 cups of finished coffee per year.

Coffee beans are harvested by hand. The method of picking will differ depending on whether the coffee is to be processed by the dry method or the wet method. Because coffee grains resemble red, shiny berries, they are referred to as “cherries.” After picking, the grains are extracted from the cherry. They can be dried out with one of the following two methods:

• Dry method: the grains are spread on drying grounds in thin layers for two to three weeks. The grains are tossed daily.
• Wet method: the cherries are put into machines to remove the outside fruit pulp. They are then placed in large, clean concrete tanks to ferment for about a day. They are then washed again to remove the membranes that were softened and let dry according to the dry method.

Most coffee beans are prepared using the dry method. Typically, more expensive coffees are prepared using the wet method.

Once prepared, the grains are then sorted by hand to remove impurities and defective grains and graded for size and quality before being packed in bags.

Roasting Process

The coffee beans are a green color until they are roasted at a temperature of 200°c (392° F) at the bean’s center. Roasting the coffee beans releases various compounds, which are responsible for the characteristic flavor and aroma of coffee.

Once they reach this temperature, the beans turn dark brown. Their size also increases and they become lighter. If you over roast coffee beans, they will turn black and shiny and have a bitter taste.

After the beans are finished roasting, they must be kept in an airtight container to preserve their freshness. The same can be said for coffee that you keep at home. Always store it in a sealed can or other container with a tightly closed lid.

Different Countries, Different Tastes

Americans usually prefer light colored roasted grains. The French drink a darker coffee. Italians like their coffee to be very dark. In the Middle East, most people like their coffee “burnt”.

Coffee History

According to legend, the benefits of coffee were discovered by a goatherd, who noticed that his goats became agitated when they chewed the leaves of certain bushes. A priest from a nearby monastery learned about the active goats and decided to boil the berries himself. He then served the boiled brew to fellow monks and noticed that the men seemed to have more zest then before.

Arabs were drinking coffee as far back as the 7th century BC. Pilgrims who went to Mecca returned home with this new brew and helped spread the word about coffee. The rest, as they say, is coffee history!

Enjoy It

However you choose to enjoy your coffee is up to you. Add sugar or another sweetener to it. Doctor it up with some creamer or whole milk. A few shots of whiskey or another liqueur makes for a tasty beverage after dinner. Serve it over ice on a hot summer afternoon for refreshment. There are so many wonderful ways to drink coffee. This beverage is quite versatile.