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Previously in Really: |
 Coffee is a member of the genus Coffea in the family Rubiacae. It is produced by the fruit of an evergreen tree or shrub which flourishes in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. These trees produce clusters of jasmine-scented blossoms and fruit known as "cherries." In each cherry, protected by pulp and parchment, are 2 coffee beans. Approximately 4000 beans are needed to produce one pound of roasted coffee, making it one of the few commodities that requires enormous human effort. The word "coffee" meaning the drink, is a modified form of the Turkish kahveh, which in turn is derived from the Arabic kahwa or qahwah. The African word for the coffee plant was bun which then became the Arabic bunn, meaning both the plant and the berry. Coffee has been used since ancient times for healing and medicinal purposes. Coffee and Healing Initially, coffee was only consumed as part of a religious ceremony or on the advice of a physician. Once doctors observed coffee's beneficial effects, it was prescribed more frequently. Coffee has been used to treat an astounding variety of diseases, ranging from kidney stones and gout to smallpox, measles and coughs. Rhazes, a follower of Galen and Hippocrates who lived in Persian Iraq, compiled a medical encyclopedia in which he referred to the bean as bunchum. His work on the healing properties of coffee led to the belief that coffee was known as a medicine over 1000 years ago. Similar references appear in the writings of Avicenna (AD 908-1037), another distinguished Muslim physician and philosopher. In Europe, coffee beans were originally used by individual botanists but soon became standard features in the apothecary shops, where they were a vital part of the treatment collection used by 17th century herbalists, chemists and even housewives. Today, the caffeine in coffee has been shown to increase mental functioning and even memory - when used in moderation. Too much however, can reduce concentration and cause nervousness or jitters. Coffee Customs & Rituals In ancient Turkey, many well to do households kept coffee stewards, whose sole responsibility was to attend to the preparation and service of coffee. The Chief Steward, or Kahveghi, had the privilege of an "apartment " (little more than a cupboard )located next to the coffee hall where visitors were received. The hall was decorated with richly colored rugs and pillows and gleaming ornamental coffee pots. Coffee was served on silver or painted wooden trays large enough to hold up to 20 porcelain coffee dishes. These were always half-filled, not only to prevent spilling, but so that the dish could be held with the thumb below and the two fingers on the upper edge. In Japan, a country which was notably slow to take up coffee drinking due to its historical partiality to tea, coffee was used to beautify the skin. As it is believed that the coffee contains elements beneficial to healthy skin, huge vats or tubs of coffee beans are prepared for individuals to lie in the roasted beans. The Coffee Cantata In Germany, coffee was not accepted in the home until the second half of the 18th century. This was due to a mixture of factors - a long standing fondness for local beer, a general distrust of things considered "un-German" as well as ongoing prohibition, taxes & libel specifically directed against coffee. This trend was reflected in Bach's Coffee Cantata of 1732, a satirical operetta which provides a musical insight into some of the prevailing attitudes. It tells of the efforts of a stern father to check his daughter's propensity for coffee-drinking by threatening to make her choose between a husband and coffee. Unperturbed, the daughter sings an aria which begins, "Ah, how Sweet coffee tastes - lovelier than a thousand kisses, sweeter far than muscatel" Coffee Quotations "And Mocha's berry, from Arabia pure In small fine china cups, came in at last Gold cups of filigree, made to secure the hand from burning, underneath them place. Cloves, cinnamon and saffron, too, were boiled Up with the coffee, which, I think, they spoiled." - Lord Byron "Strong coffee and plenty, awakens me. It gives me warmth, an unusual force, a pain that is not without pleasure. I would rather suffer than be senseless." - Napoleon Bonaparte "The coffee falls into your stomach and straightaway there is a general commotion. Ideas begin to move like the battalions of the Grand Army on the battlefield when the battle takes place. Things remembered arrive at full gallop, ensign to the wind." - Balzac, "Treatise on Modern Stimulants" Coffee Terms Bold Bean - Size between medium and large Elegant Bean - slang for Maragogype variety, world's largest coffee beans, prized for appearance, good roast, smooth flavor, gradually dying out as financially unprofitable. Peaberry - Also perle, perla, caracol; a small rounded bean produced singly in a small cherry, sorted together they command a higher price than the normal beans, even ones from the same trees. Quaker - Yellow in color, will not darken satisfactorily in roast even ones from the same trees. Parchment Coffee - wet processed beans before hulling has removed their parchment coverings. Resources The Coffee Companion - Jon Thorn, Quintet Publishing Coffee - Catherine Calvert, Jane Stacey, Hearst Books Home Coffee Roasting: Romance & Revival - Kenneth Davids, St. Martins Griffin The World Encyclopedia of Coffee - Mary Banks, Christine McFadden, Catherine Atkinson, Lorenz Books The Coffee Book: Anatomy of an Industry - Gregory Dicum & Nina Luttinger, New York Press The Book of Coffee & Tea - Joel, David & Karl Schapira Cafe International! AUSTRIA Cafe Central Palais Ferstel, Herrengasse & Strauchgasse Vienna, Austria Ph: 1-53-33-76-30 BELGIUM Cafes Khopes Grand Places 24 Aron Belgium 6700 Ph: 63-22-7407 ENGLAND Fortnum & Mason 181 Picadilly London W1A 1ER Ph: 0171-734-8040 Harrod's Knightsbridge London SW1X 7XL Ph: 0171-730-1234 Drury Tea & Coffee 37 Drury Lane London WC2B 5RR Ph: 0171-836-2607 Wilkinson's Tea and Merchants 5 Lobster Lane Norwich NR2 1DQ Ph: 01603-625121 FRANCE Cafe de Flore 172 Boulevard St. Germain Paris, France 75006 Ph: 01-45-48-55-26 Les Deux Magots 6 Place St. Germain des Pres Paris, France 75006 Ph: 01-45-48-55-25 Cafe de la Paix Place de l'Opera Paris, France 75009 Ph: 01-40-07-30-20 ITALY Cafe Rivoire Piazza della signoria 4R Florence, Italy Ph: 55-21-44-12 Caffe Tazza D'oro Via degli Organi 84 Rome, Italy Ph: 6-6678-97-92 ISRAEL Masada Street is home to three small cafes that offer coffee and light fare. The cafes,whose signs are only in Hebrew, are located at #18,21 and 22 and are open from 9:00-11:00 AM and 1:00-2:00 AM (hours seem to be somewhat flexible) |
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