Monday March 15 , 2010

Coffee

Slightly bitter flavor, although full and highly aromatic; infused as a drink, in cakes, ice cream, desserts and baking as a flavoring, always sweetened in this case.

Coffee

(coffea arabica, coffea robusta)
RUBIACEAE

 

Coffee has a mysterious air about it. It might come from the secrecy surrounding its origins and cultivation methods once instigated by the Arabs of Mocha.

Curious Facts about coffee

The Arabian Mocha once had the monopoly of coffee beans. Not that they were not selling coffee abroad -they were exporting beans to Europe since the early 1600s as travelers visiting the Levant acquired a taste for coffee and introduced it to the mainland Europe. In no time at all the enterprising Venetians were taking beans to Europe.  However, the Arabs from Mocha rendered the beans incapable of germination as a mean to retain their control of the plants.

Alas! Their domination did not last much longer than a hundred years. Dutch traders were able to smuggle some plants into Europe -sometime in the 17th century- and from there to their colonies. By the 19th century Brazil had become the first coffee producer in the world, and it still is.

How to Identify coffee

Dark grains.

How to use and store coffee

Store in an airtight container.

How to grow coffee

Coffee grows well in warm climates.

Cooking with coffee

On the sweet side, try clearly coffee flavored chocolate cream or these espresso brownies, something to beat the ones your mother makes. Black Russian Cake is an sensational dessert to impress unexpected guests.

On the savory side, try coffee meatloaf sauce.

Cooking your way with coffee

Be adventurous and try adding a little coffee to your favorite dessert sauces, custards and cakes.

coffea arabica, coffea robusta: coffee - French cafe - German - Italian - Spanish café.

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