Submitted by Coffee on Raiford
“Beep, beep, beep!”
It’s 4:45 a.m. I smack the alarm to turn off its annoying sound. I roll out of bed and muster all my might into the kitchen to begin my day with a smooth, aromatic cup of coffee.
Coffee has become a staple morning drink for millions of people around the world. What is coffee? What is its history? And, what are the most popular ways of brewing it? Let’s dive in, shall we?
There are two main species of coffee plants: Coffea Arabica (Arabica) and Coffea Canephora (Robusta). These plants make up over 95% of the world’s coffee consumption. Liberica and Excelsa make up about 4% of the market, if you’re wondering.
The “coffee bean” actually is the seed within the coffee cherry of the plant. These seeds are removed from the cherry, dried, roasted and then ground to the specifications of the brewing process. Voilà, you have a warm delicious cup of joe.
The history of coffee is shrouded in mystery. One of the many legends is from around 850 AD, when an Arabian goat herder noticed his goats munching on berries of a particular bush. After eating the berries, the goats were running around as if they were very excited.
He was so excited about his discovery, he shared it with the world. Coffee eventually made its way to Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, before coming across the ocean to America by the early 1700s.
So, how many ways can you brew coffee? There are so many.
In America, the most common brewing process would be drip, percolation, pour-overs, espresso and French press. In the 1940s, Pyrex had a double bubble vacuum maker called the “Silex,” which was one of the more popular choices of the day.
Most households in Italy and Latin America use a Moka Pot or Greca. This stovetop device creates a strong, rich espresso like brew which is great for making Café con Leches. Turkey uses a cezve/ibrek, which is usually a hammered copper pot with a handle that is either brewed
over a stove or in sand.
In Vietnam, the preferred brewing method is with a Phin. This method is similar to a pour over method. But this creates a much bolder cup of coffee than a standard pour over.
Coffee has become a very important part of our daily lives. Maybe it’s your drink of choice in the morning to wake you up or it’s a treat while catching up with friends and family. Some of us like it black while others might want cream and sugar.
Coffee is more than a drink. It’s an experience and an expression of who we are and what we like.
So, who’s up for a cup of coffee?
Get your coffee fix at Coffee on Raiford on Raiford Street in Selma. To learn more, visit coffeeonraiford.com.
