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What is Coffee?
Coffee is a brewed beverage prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, which are known as coffee beans.
Coffee is a multicultural, culinary, ever-changing product
that is part of at least seven different significant processes.
So, let's start with an explanation of the procedures involved in making a cup of coffee.
Many do not know that coffee is produced from the seeds of a small red fruit
that grows on plants that are between the size of a shrub and a tree.
These coffee cherry plants are cultivated in over 70 countries,
mainly those in the Latin America, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Africa.
In a quick overview, let's see what it takes to get from the crop to the cup!
It all begins with the growers of the coffee plant itself,
and then of course the pickers who gather these berries for the buyer,
who then purchases them and removes the soft fruit from the seeds.
Then there is the drier of these seeds, which are now called the beans.
An exporter will then buy the beans and possibly blend them himself
or send them for blending, bagging and shipping.
The coffee beans then get exported to the consuming country,
where it is possibly refined further and sold to a roaster.
These beans are then roasted perhaps with other crops from other regions,
packaged and then sold.
The consumer then buys the coffee,
grinds it and finally produces the much desired beverage!
A question asked by many is, 'Why do people drink coffee?'.
Why is this the drink that is said to be the second most chosen beverage after water?
Well there are a few factors why we believe that coffee is a popular drink.
The aroma. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee is unlike anything else;
even the non-coffee drinkers admit to a love for the smell of coffee!
The fragrant smell of coffee immediately has a comforting effect on people.
The taste. The inexperienced believe that coffee is bitter,
but once they try a few different types and open up their world to coffee,
this will quickly change.
Coffee can be made exactly to how it is uniquely enjoyed,
and we should encourage this.
Coffee is timeless. And what we mean here is that
no matter if you are young or old, coffee can always be enjoyed,
shared and celebrated!
Equally timeless is the fact that it can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
The sensation of relief.
Coffee tends to relieve pressured people,
and the drinking of this beverage often lowers stress levels
and provides comfort in the warmth.
The other sense of relief, is on a cold winter's day,
a hot cup of coffee will provide you with the coziness you may be seeking.
Stimulants. Stimulants come in handy with the working population too.
Coffee can provide that midday pick-me-up like nothing else will!
Studies have proven that coffee stimulates the mind,
improving focus, brain processing and analytical skills.
People also drink coffee for health reasons.
Coffee is sometimes used to relieve body pain
as well as provide a source of antioxidants
that can help in the prevention of some illnesses.
And finally, coffee provides a window of travel,
as you can get coffee from numerous regions,
varietals and qualities, each type allowing you to see into the bean's place of origin.
There are so many different reasons as to why people drink coffee,
and these are just a few,
but every person will have their own personal reason why they drink,
and so madly love, their cup of coffee!
The Tradition of Coffee
Coffee's character is drenched with social tradition.
From the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia's coffee tradition is sacred, ceremonial, and honoured.
Each country and culture has its own unique coffee tradition.
The people of Colombia drink black coffee with sugar in small cups known as tinto.
Strong espressos are the norm in Italy.
North America drinks coffee on the go,
individualised to the temperature of the milk or cream.
Coffee in Turkey is usually served with a small glass of water
and a piece of Turkish delight. Turkish coffee is never served with milk or cream.
Brazil's espresso, cafezinho, is served with a slice of lemon.
Regardless of where you might be or with whom you might be,
coffee is a common and celebrated tradition.
A coffee drinker will feel at home anywhere in the world
when sitting in a coffee shop sipping on a familiar,
yet exotic, tinto, espresso, cappuccino, or cafezinho. Good luck making coffee for your Guests - wherever they are from in the world.