Coffee Spotlight:
According to the legend, coffee was discovered in Ethiopia, where it grew wild. Some shepherds discovered that their flocks didn't sleep during the night after eating coffee.
Another legend gives us the name for coffee or "mocha". An Arabian was banished to the desert with his followers to die of starvation. In desperation, Omar had his friends boil and eat the fruit from an unknown plant. Not only did the broth save the exiles, but their survival was taken as a religious sign by the residents of the nearest town, Mocha. The plant and its beverage were named Mocha to honor this event.
In the 9th century in the Muslim world, coffee began use as a medicine, was liked for taste and became a pleasurable drink.
During the 14th century some coffee trees were transplanted to Arabia. They named it Kaweh.
One early use for coffee would have little appeal today. The Galla tribe from Ethiopia used coffee, but not as a drink. They would wrap the beans in animal fat as their only source of nutrition while on raiding parties. The Turks were the first country to adopt it as a drink, often adding spices such as clove, cinnamon, cardamom and anise to the brew.
By 1500 it was already in Turkey and then in Italy. In 1720 Gabriel Mathieu de Chieu, a French Marine Official, brought to Martinica three coffee trees from Paris. Only one of these trees survived the trip. From this surviving tree, coffee growing started in the New World.
Coffee shops began to open in the late 1600's in country's capital cities then in the larger cities and from then on into the beginnings of domestic use.
Espresso
The classic, dark Italian coffee is the perfect pick-me-up and the ideal after-dinner coffee. A good espresso is the Rolls Royce of coffee and has a pure, rich flavour and irresistible smoky aroma. Espresso is a superb dark after-dinner coffee, but may be enjoyed at any time of day.
The perfect cappuccino has just as much coffee flavour as a neat espresso, but is softened by adding frothy milk.
The perfect espresso is a dark, robust coffee and can be made in any coffee maker.
Pour your coffee into small cups, add sugar if preferred, and if you want to drink it Italian style, allow to cool a little and knock it back in one or two gulps!
Caffè Latte
A Caffe Latte is a single shot of espresso with steamed milk. The milk is steamed, not frothed to produce a smooth texture. There is no frothed milk in this drink. A latte is the perfect coffee for those who like a milky coffee that still has plenty of flavour. It is the ideal breakfast coffee but is great any time of day.
The basics of a caffè latte is espresso.
A Caffe Latte should have approximately 120 - 150 ml of milk in it.
Serve in tall, heatproof glasses.
Cappuccino
One-third coffee, one-third milk and one-third foam - the classic recipe for a coffee that is great to drink at breakfast or anytime of day. It's an unwritten rule you order your cappuccino before your meal.
The perfect cappuccino has just as much coffee flavour as a neat espresso, but is softened by adding frothy milk.
You can froth the milk in a cappuccino creamer or simply heat it gently in a pan and whisk with a fork or hand whisk.
Pour the frothy milk onto your hot black coffee and add the foam on the top with a spoon.
Sprinkle with chocolate powder or ground cinnamon.
