Coffee From Around the World

If you have made the investment in a new espresso maker chances are that you are past the days of grabbing the bucket of Folgers because their jingle is stuck in your head. You need a little education in coffee and how to choose the best blend and what different things to look for. Here is a quick lesson in coffee that will quickly teach you that yes, it is all black but it has as much variety as fine wine.

Locality play a big part in determining the types of coffee that find their way into local markets. For instance, the Seattle style of coffee is famous for being dark, well roasted and brooding. Consumers in the Midwest, Southwest and Southeast prefers lighter styles of roasting, highlighting any dominant coffee flavors first followed by a subtle well roasted flavor on the finish.

Geography is the main factor in determining what type of coffee you will be consuming. The bean is based on the local environment, elevation, weather, and types of soil. All of these factors intertwine to add the complexity of different areas.

Looking at a world map, look the world's major continents. These groupings will give you a good general idea of what coffee flavor-types come from which area. The first and most common area would be Central and South America Continents (light-body, high acidity, sweet flavor). The African continent (medium body, medium acidity, wild flavors) and famous for very strong coffee. Lastly the Asian-Indonesian-Pacific continent (Heavy body, low acidity, earthy flavors). So lets look a little closer.

CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA

These coffees exemplify coffee the way that most people have come to think of it, but recently seem to be moving away from. Lighter bodied coffees with higher acidity and sweet coffee flavors are typical from this region. These coffees are famous for being well balanced and easy to drink, but they often don't pack the punch of some others and the high acidity can give some people an upset stomach.

ASIA & SURROUNDING ISLAND

Heavy bodied, low acidity and earthy notes are the dominant characters of these hearty beans. Sumatran is the most common coffee from this region and it is common to roast it dark, creating a meaty concoction. New Guinea, Sulawesi and Java are other coffees from the area, which exhibit a lighter finish than Sumatran, but still have smooth and robust flavors.

AFRICAN/MIDDLE EASTERN

These coffees are seeked by many connoisseur who prize the variety and complexity of coffee from this region. This type of coffee brews up one of the most prized cups in the history of coffee, the Turkish coffee, which is strong syrupy, and defiantly an acquired taste.

As with fine wines, delectable chocolates and illegal cigars as well as many other olfactory pleasers, espresso offers a host of choices to reach the conclusion: the best experience possible. With such a variety and so much to enjoy experiment until you find what you like then experiment some more. Our taste tend to change and mature over time so don't get stuck with the same ole cup of Java.

Visit : Cuisinart EM-100 Espresso Maker

Coffee Culture Around the World

What would you call a morning that does not involve coffee? Definitely that is not a good morning! Coffee has been an essential part of our day's start. Not only that, coffee is a drink that remains popular at all times and with all age groups. Today, different coffee houses and even online tea stores are increasing the coffee and tea culture. Blooming tea, coffee and other drinks have become a part of our lives and nobody is new to them. Coffee houses are not only meant for coffee anymore. Different coffee houses and bistros around the block are meeting points and a place to share the latest gossip with your friends.

Coffee culture is basically a media term that is more popularly used for a social place that is enclosed with an ambiance of coffee and tea all around it. Due to the popularity across the globe, there are different ways and different rituals about coffee everywhere.

In Asia, people generally like to have a lighter and sweeter coffee as compared to the other Western countries. Coffee houses are usually places of gathering and social gatherings. The most preferred is Cappuccino. In Northern Europe, coffee is served at parties with homemade cakes, pastries and cookies. Coffee in Turkey becomes slightly different. The beans are fine and the water is boiled approximately three times and then placed in a long handle brass pot. At times cardamom or sugar is also added. The French usually drink coffee at the start of the day, and to Germans, it is a drink for social gatherings.

There are religious boundaries associated with coffee and tea as well. Different religions have different things to say about coffee. In Islam, tea and coffee is prohibited only at the time of fasting. The fast lasts from dawn to dusk and all the edibles, including water, are prohibited at that time.

Coffee is prohibited to Mormons. Also known as the Latter-Day Saints, followers of this religion prohibit coffee because they think it blocks their spiritual connections. According to the Words of Wisdom, it is said, "Hot drinks are not for the body or belly" (D&C 89:9). It is interpreted that Joseph Smith actually referred to tea and coffee because they were the only hot drinks available at that time.

According to the Seventh Day Adventist, the views about coffee are somewhat mixed. Previously, they prohibited it as they largely emphasize on a healthy diet. Therefore, to them it was prohibited as it contains caffeine. However, this view is somewhat obsolete now and no longer implemented. Still, it is supposed to be avoided.

In Judaism, there are actually no issues with coffee. Issues are there with kosher. Kosher issues arise from tea and coffee both. Flavored coffee might use different flavorings, flavored beans and syrups that do not answer all the kosher issues. The same goes with decaffeinated coffee as it contains ethyl acetate.

Rastafarians are quite similar to the Seventh Day Adventist and generally emphasize on a healthy diet. This genre prohibits the use of tobacco, alcohol, salt, coffee, meat and other processed edibles. Their diet mainly depends on grains, fruits and vegetables.

My Links : Keurig B70 coffee maker Espresso machines Cuisinart EM-100 Espresso Maker