Archive for January, 2010
Circa early 1900 percolator
A History of Coffee on its way to the U.S
It is said that Captain John Smith was the first to bring coffee to America in 1607. By 1668 Coffee had become the favorite morning drink over beer in New York. This taste for coffee developed in America through the late 1600s. Penn was the first “official” purchaser of coffee beans in 1683 in New York. By the mid 1700s the preference for coffee and tea were about the same. After the Boston Tea party in 1773, it became unpatriotic to drink tea. Colonists who were no longer trading with England found they could get coffee from Central and South America. The colonists roasted and ground the beans the same way they had for centuries. They dropped the grounds in the bottom of a “coffee pot” that now sloped inward from the bottom and had a spout on the opposite side of the handle. Hot water was poured over the coffee grounds and boiled for a few minutes. After boiling, some put an egg or a chicory branch in the pot to keep the grounds at the bottom. Chicory was also a popular drink at this time and considered a good substitute for coffee. In 1865, coffee percolators appeared in Europe and America thanks to inventor James Mason. What happened next to coffee in America?
A History of Coffee on its way to the U.S
Gabriel de Clieu brought seedlings to Martinique in the Caribbean in 1720. These beans seeds then traveled Mexico and Brazil where the first plantations began. Brazil then became the largest supplier of coffee beans for the next century and beyond. From Martinique these coffee seedlings spread to Haiti, Mexico and other islands in the Caribbean. Coffee beans also found its way to Bourbon Island in the Indian Ocean and spread from there around 1727. These were a smaller type of Arabica bean called “Bourbon.”
The taste for coffee came to America with the British in the 1600s. More of the travels of the coffee beans tomorrow and when it came actually came to America. Coffee makers also came to America and were made in America.
A History of Coffee on its way to the U.S.
The first coffeehouse opened in Istanbul, Turkey in 1554 after a previous 10 year ban by Imams for being too stimulating a drink. This was rescinded by a sultan and fatwa. By the 16th century, coffee that the Turks and men of Yemen drank began to spread in many directions. Coffee as a drink now spread through Persia, Turkey and northern Africa. These coffee beans became known as Arabica beans. Going north it first went to Italy by way of the Ottoman Empire; it then traveled to the rest of Europe. Coffee was now brewed in a few minutes in a “coffee maker” pot rather than half a day. The Dutch took coffee seeds and plants to the Dutch East Indies, now called Indonesia. Cultivated there they became known as “Java Coffee” by1719. Coffee beans now come to the Americas.
A History of Coffee on its way to the U.S.
Ethiopians are credited for finding the first coffee beans in the 9th-century. An Ethiopian noticed that his grazing goats were eating this “berry.” Arabians, who were living there, took the coffee beans back home to grow. It is said these men of Yemen were the first to drink coffee from these beans in the 15th century. Others say the Turks were the first to drink coffee around the same time. They roasted the beans over fires, crushed them by mortar and pestle and poured boiling water over them and boiled the brew for hours. They often added different spices to the brew. Some of these were cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and anise. This was the first coffee that most of the world drinks today, but it wasn’t in a coffeemaker like today. The story tomorrow; where did it spread to from Yemen?
A History of Coffee on its way to the U.S.
As we know, tea was the choice of the early settlers who came to America. It was dried and if it was kept dry it would last for a long time. A little over a hundred years letter, the Americans were protesting the proposed tax on their tea. As a protest on the high tea tax that England was imposing, they began bringing more coffee to America. This was a time before any kind of coffee maker or even tea kettle; ground coffee was simply boiled in a pot. Coffee seedlings had already been brought to Martinique in the Caribbean around 1720. I will talk more about that later. But, where did that coffee come from originally?
The Right Coffee Maker for your Cup of Coffee
Rancilio Silvia and Rocky Grinder Saeco Incanta Coffee Machine/Coffee Grinder
The Right Coffee Maker for your Cup of Coffee
Are you the person who believes that the coffee maker or machine is not enough for your cup of coffee?
Many believe that the only way to get a great cup of coffee is with freshly ground coffee beans. There are grinders that come as a separate unit, but are sold a unit, such as the Rancilio Rocky (Doser or Doserless) and the Rancilio Silvia. There are other machines that come with a built-in coffee grinder. These include the Bosch Benvenutos and Saeco Incanto, Odea, Royal and Talea machines. These options create more choices for your perfect cup of coffee.
Last, but not least, is a coffee roaster. A friend of mine roasts a small amount of “green” beans with a small bean roaster. She and I agree there is no better tasting coffee than fresh roasted, freshly ground coffee beans in our favorite brewing machine. Again, with all these choices you need to keep your budget in mind.
Next week, I’m not sure, but I have some ideas.
The Right Coffee Maker for your Cup of Coffee
EC140 Delonghi Espresso Machine Aroma SS Saeco Espresso Machine
The Right Coffee Maker for your Cup of Coffee
If you are one of the people who want a higher quality of coffee in your cup, then you will want to look at an espresso machine. When it comes to getting an espresso machine you need to know your budget as some espresso machines run in the thousands of dollars. However, there are good quality espresso machines for under $500. Some have different brew strengths and adjustable amounts of coffee to fit your exact needs. Others offer programmable settings, which is great for those who find there exact settings and don’t have to readjust to find them again. Some models offer pre-programmed buttons for the right extraction for a single or a double shot.
In addition, there are machines that come with a commercial sized portafilter while others come with a pressurized portafilter that takes a lot of the guess-work out of making a perfect espresso every time. Also, some espresso machines come with pod adaptors while have only a port filter.
I Can’t Go A Day Without My Favorite Coffee…
A lot of people really enjoy drinking coffee. They have their favorite blends and flavors to satisfy their coffee craving. They also have found different kinds of gourmet roasted coffee to enjoy as well.
You can enjoy different blends of coffee in your favorite coffee shop or in the comforts of your own home. You just need a good coffee maker, like a Delonghi coffee maker, or French press and a pack of your favorite coffee and you are good to go. There are so many choices from regular to decaf, organic and even sugar-free flavored coffee. You can fill your pantry with all the different flavors you can try. And you can give them as gifts as well to all your coffee drinking friends.
The Right Coffee Maker for your Cup of Coffee
Hamilton Beach 48274 Delonghi BCO120T Espresso/Coffeemaker
The Right Coffee Maker for your Cup of Coffee
If you are people on the go, a “time” or “auto-brew” feature may be best. This saves you a lot of time in the morning. Set the time you want your coffee maker to brew the night before and your coffee maker will have it ready when you want it. There’s nothing like the aroma of your favorite cup of coffee brewing and ready to be poured into your cup without the fuss of having had to make it that morning. If you want a coffee maker that will also a large pot of coffee, then a 12 cup that will also make smaller amounts may be right for you. There are other time-saving option when one wants espresso and the other wants regular coffee. Both can be ready for you when you want in the morning when you use a dual espresso machine coffeemaker. Tomorrow, espresso anyone!
The Right Coffee Maker for your Cup of Coffee
Black & Decker coffeemaker 375BMT
Hamilton Beach coffeemaker 45237
The Right Coffee Maker for your Cup of Coffee
If just two people are going to use it for just that first cup and each wants a different coffee, then either a pod maker or a coffee maker that makes two one cup servings might fit your needs. On the other hand, if both like the same coffee, but one will be staying home and wanting another cup of coffee later then a 4 cup or 6 cup size coffee maker may be best. Remember, the first cup of coffee has the best aroma and the best taste. If you are a connoisseur of coffee, you might consider a thermal coffee maker that keeps your coffee at temperature for up to four hours. Tomorrow, a scenario about time and…