The rise of coffee shops and cafes is one of the reasons behind the worldwide interest in the specialty coffee world. There are so many choices that you may even think about purchasing a guide to coffee in a bookstore. We can always have our favourite coffee drinks at home, but coffee at a coffee shop is much more sophisticated and innovative. The variety of coffees sold and served has grown a lot, giving coffee lovers a choice of coffees to suit their taste.
No guide to coffee could begin without considering the beans. In fact they are not true beans. They are in fact seeds that are found inside a cherry. These cherries grow on the coffee plants. Everybody talks about coffee beans though. They can grow like trees over 7 metres tall. commercially they are usually pruned and grown as bushes. Coffee probably originated in Ethiopia although Yemen also claims this honour. It is now grown widely, mostly in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
You may already know the difference between organic and non-organic beans. But what do you think about the difference between dark and light roasted beans? Dark roasted beans have been chosen because of the beans’ colour, which gives the beans a richer darker taste than light roasts. Light roast beans are used to produce coffee with a lighter flavour.
There are many different types of coffee. The two main coffee beans are Robusta and Arabica. Robusta is usually a stronger tasting bean. The types of coffee grown is usually determined by the climate.
There are many ways to serve coffee. You should sample them all and see which you prefer. Your choice will probably depend not only on taste but time of day and situation. What you want in the morning break is not likely to be the same as an after dinner choice.
Guide To Coffee Styles
Espresso — In Italian espresso literally means “pressed out coffee”. It is made by forcing under pressure a small amount of nearly boiling water through finely-ground coffee beans. Espresso coffee can be made with a wide variety of coffee beans and roast levels It has become a popular drink because of its unique taste, which is actually difficult to reproduce in other beverages.
Macchiato — A macchiato is an espresso with a little steamed milk and a touch of foam on top. It means stained or spotted in Italian which as all coffee can stain is perhaps a little odd.
Cappuccino — was first served at cafés around Italy. This has similarities to the macchiato but has much more foam on top. It is usually served with a little grated chocolate on the top. A cappuccino can be flavoured with chocolate, vanilla, and hazelnut. This is a very popular choice as a breakfast drink with Italians.
Latte — Latte is Italian for milk. Not surprisingly this is a milky coffee. One part espresso and two parts steamed milk with a small layer of frothed milk.
Mocha — This is a blend of espresso, steamed milk and chocolate. The distinctive aroma of caramelized chocolate is sometimes combined with hazelnut. This is why this bean is often used in espresso blends to create a wonderful flavor. Another popular combination is with added caramel syrup to make a Caramel Mocha.
Vanilla Coffee — Another popular flavouring to add to coffee is vanilla. You can do this properly by infusing a vanilla pod in the milk. Some people just add a few drops of vanilla essence.
Colombian — The soil in Colombia is rich in minerals such as iron, potassium, magnesium, cobalt, manganese, iodine, potassium, sodium, and copper. This allows it to produce high quality coffee. Columbia traditionally produces Arabica beans. Arabica is a bit lighter in taste than Robusta beans so produces a lighter coffee.
Coffee Concentrate — A type of concentrate that can be brewed as a regular coffee. This can be mixed with milk or even hot water. All types of coffee concentrates are sold at a lower price than fresh beans. they are fast and convenient which is nice for people who want to start their day with a cup of coffee. Coffee concentrate is manufactured by a cold brewing process and can have a very strong flavor. Some contain high amounts of caffeine, so if you are expecting a normal coffee in your glass, be prepared for an overdose of caffeine.
Instant Coffee Granules — These are dehydrated crystals of brewed coffee. What many people pick when time is short and they just want a quick coffee hit.
Guide To Coffee Alternatives
Orzo — If you are not a fan of caffeine then an Orzo could be the drink for you. It is not actually a coffee at all. It is made from ground roasted barley. however it can be made in the same way as an espresso in the same machines.
Decaffeinated Coffee — Another alternative if you want to avoid caffeine is to choose a decaffeinated version. This is made from normal coffee beans but with most of the caffeine removed. This is done by soaking the unroasted beans in water to dissolve out the caffeine. Unfortunately the process also removes some of the flavour in to the water also. The caffeine is removed from the water in one of 3 ways. The first is to use a chemical solvent like methylene chloride. The other ways are high pressure carbon dioxide or a charcoal filter. After the caffeine is removed the water is then evaporated so the beans regian the taste that had washed out.
Liqueur Coffee — This is real coffee with something added. It is a delicious drink made from the infused juice of any coffee beans with an alcoholic drink added. The most well-known liqueur coffee is am Irish Whisky. This is coffee with an added measure of Irish whisky and a topping of cream. Other spirits can be substituted such as brandy or fruit liqueurs.
Cafe culture has become a part of our modern day society. It is often where we go to meet up with friends. If you want a guide to coffee choices your local barista will be happy to explain the options and give you advice. If you want to experiment at home there are many choices of coffee machines availableat various prices. You are sure to find one to suit you.
