10 Weird Facts About Coffee

Source: Readers Digest –  http://www.rd.com/

Think you know beans about coffee? Quiz yourself and see how well you know your java.

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1. The name cappuccino comes from:

a) The drink’s resemblance to the brown cowls worn by Capuchin monks

b) The similarity in color to the fur of Capuchin monkeys

c) The Italian puccino, meaning “light brown one”

d) The size of the cup in which it’s commonly served

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1. The name cappuccino comes from:

Answer: (a) The word comes from the resemblance of the drink to the clothing of the Capuchin monks.

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2. Espresso literally means:

a) Speed it up

b) To go

c) Forced out

d) Black and intense

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2. Espresso literally means:

Answer: (c) In Italian, the word espresso literally means “when something is forced out.”

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3. Coffee was the first food to be:

a) Shipped from Europe to the New World

b) Freeze-dried

c) Used in Aztec religious ceremonies

d) Roasted and ground for drinking

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3. Coffee was the first food to be:

Answer: (b) Coffee was the first food to be freeze-dried.

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4. 40% of the world’s coffee is produced by:

a) Africa

b) Columbia and Brazil

c) Turkey

d) Southeast Asia

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4. 40% of the world’s coffee is produced by:

Answer: (b) Columbia and Brazil.

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5. Kopi Luwak, the world’s most expensive coffee (up to $600 per pound) is:

a) Processed during a full moon

b) Brewed only with solid gold pots

c) Made from coffee beans eaten and then excreted by a Sumatran wild cat

d) Grown at a higher altitude than any other bean

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5. Kopi Luwak, the world’s most expensive coffee (up to $600 per pound) is:

Answer: (c) Yes, it’s the beans excreted by a Sumatran wild cat!

© iStockphoto/Thinkstock

6. Coffee beans grow on:

a) A low, spreading vine

b) A bush

c) A tree

d) The roots of a coffee plant

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6. Coffee beans grow on:

Answer: (b) Coffee beans grow on a bush.

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7. Most coffees are a blend of:

a) Light and dark roasts

b) Caffeine and essential oils

c) Arabica and robusta beans

d) African and South American beans

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7. Most coffees are a blend of:

Answer: (c) Arabica and robusta beans are the most common.

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8. An ibrik is

a) A South-American tool for grinding coffee beans

b) The Turkish word for barista

c) A Middle Eastern coffee house

d) A long-handled copper pot for making Turkish coffee

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8. An ibrik is

Answer: (d) This Turkish pot makes quite the cup of joe.

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9. Arabica varieties such as Java and Mocha are named after:

a) The plantations where they’re grown

b) The coffee grower who developed that variety

c) Their predominant flavorings

d) Their ports of origin

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9. Arabica varieties such as Java and Mocha are named after:

Answer: (d) These beans are named after their ports of origin.

© iStockphoto/Thinkstock

10. Sixteenth-century Muslim rulers banned coffee because of:

a) Its stimulating effects

b) The gambling that took place in coffeehouses

c) The black market that sprang up in the coffee trade

d) Sufi mystics who wanted coffee limited to spiritual ceremonies

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10. Sixteenth-century Muslim rulers banned coffee because of:

Answer: (a) It was banned for its unusual stimulating effects.

 

Summer Coffee Bar

Source:  Stone Gable – http://www.stonegableblog.com/

We are BIG coffee drinkers here at StoneGable!  Mornings start with a mug of S-T-R-0-N-G coffee!

When we have a house full, I like to set up a coffee bar to have all things coffee on hand for our family and guests…

I found this great triple tiered galvanized metal caddy at the Pottery Barn Outlet. It works great as a coffee station. Getting all the mugs and coffee related paraphernalia up and vertical is quite a space saver.

 

 The coffee bar is stationed on one side the kitchen island, away from where I cook breakfast. That way I won’t be shoo-ing people out of my cooking space!

The bottom two tiers store my everyday white mugs (HomeGoods)…

As well as a blue and white transferware bowl (Antique shop) of summery shells…

A blue and white mug filled with white handled spoons (both HomeGoods)…

And a little bowl of cherries! I know that my boys will not be able to hold out till breakfast without a little nosh!

Striped napkins (Sur La Table) look summery and fresh tucked in here and there. These are great NO iron napkins! Perfect to use and reuse all season long!

The top tier holds all yummy things to make a strong cup of Joe even taste better.

An old flea market cup holds raw sugar.

Salt shakers hold cinnamon, nutmeg and cocoa.

The shakers were labeled with one of my favorite gadgets, my label maker. I could seriously get a little crazy with this wonderful fun machine!

 

Milk mixed with a little cream is in an easy to pour glass bottle.

 White astilbe and purple salvia make a frilly little bouquet in a cobalt blue vase.

 

A blue woven basket (Wm-Sonoma) of sweets helps get rid of any morning hunger until breakfast is served!

A fun galvanized menu board let’s everyone know the coffee du jour…

Who needs Starbucks…

Coffee anyone?

 

Researchers: Caffeine Enhances Memory

PN

Natural Blaze
Jan 12, 2014

For some, it’s the tradition of steeping tea leaves to brew the perfect cup of tea. For others, it’s the morning shuffle to a coffee maker for a hot jolt of java. Then there are those who like their wake up with the kind of snap and a fizz usually found in a carbonated beverage.Regardless of the routine, the consumption of caffeine is the energy boost of choice for millions to wake up or stay up. Now, however, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University have found another use for the stimulant: memory enhancer.Michael Yassa, assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences at Johns Hopkins, and his team of scientists found that caffeine has a positive effect on long-term memory in humans. Their research, published by the journal Nature Neuroscience, shows that caffeine enhances certain memories at least…

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Coffee Meringue Acorns

Creating Coffee Meringue Acorns http://ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com/creating-coffee-meringue-acorns/2013/12/07/ #craft #DIY

 

Coffee Dessert Recipes | Taste of Home Recipes

Coffee Dessert Recipes | Taste of Home Recipes.

 

Best cities for coffee lovers

Source: http://www.local.msn.com – by Emily H. Bratcher | Photo editing by Mike Hipple

To be a true coffee hot spot, a city has to do more than just house java drinkers. The places listed below are passionate about the brew; they’ve created a unique culture around it; and some of them have even invented their own distinct coffee blends. Because coffee is not just a jolt of caffeine, it’s an experience.

Istanbul

Tea (çay) is the beverage of choice in Istanbul‘s cafés. But because Turkey’s rich, black coffee has lent such inspiration to other coffee-loving cities, we’d be remiss if we didn’t include the country’s cultural capital on our list. To make a rich, flavorful Turkish coffee, baristas roast and grind beans into a fine meal. The beans are boiled with water and sometimes sugar in a cezve (pot), and afterwards it will be poured into a small cup. There’s no sieve, so the grounds are allowed to settle before being served. Bottoms up!

Paris

Some coffee purists complain that Paris‘ brew is nothing special, citing overly roasted beans and low-quality machines. Although these aficionados do leave room for exceptions — La Caféothèque, to name one — they say most of the establishments pour sub-par brew. But Paris stands apart because of its alluring cafés. They practically call to you with their open-air seating, cozy tables, and steaming petits noirs (espresso shots). Time seems to slow down, and customers end up sipping their café au laits as they while away hours lost in thought or conversation. Any city that can conjure up this kind of magic with its café atmosphere merits a spot on this list.

Tel Aviv, Israel

Israel’s coastal city brims with cafés that pour ice-café (iced coffee) in the summer and botz (hot coffee) in the winter. But bear in mind that an Israeli hot coffee is more like a Turkish coffee than an American one, meaning that it’s dark, intense, and very rich. (To order a milkier brew, you’ll need to ask for an espresso hafukh.) Whatever you choose to sip, you’ll no doubt fall in love with the Tel Avivian café culture. Just like the city’s laid-back beaches, the cafés in Tel Aviv impart a mellow, hip vibe. Plus, many of these small shops spill out onto sidewalk patios, so there will also be ample opportunity for people-watching.

Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii

The Pacific Ocean archipelago is known for more than just beauty—its coffee is some of the world’s tastiest (and most expensive). Hawaii’s volcanic soil and gently fluctuating weather conditions create an ideal climate for the Kona coffee crop. To view these Arabica coffee beans up close, visitors can tour a number of the plantations, such as the Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation and Greenwell Farms, both located just a short drive from the historic seaside town of Kailua-Kona. But to enjoy a cup of the elegant brew, all you’ll have to do is call for your hotel‘s room service.

Seattle

It’s probably no surprise that Seattle features one of the best coffee cultures in the world: The java titan, Starbucks, got its start here. Back in 1971, the flagship coffeehouse opened its doors in Pike Place Market. But the green mermaid isn’t the only reason the Emerald City’s coffee scene is unique. The city is peppered with a host of indie coffeehouses, many of which are locally owned. According to the Daily Beast, there are a wowing 35 coffee shops per 100,000 Seattleites — the highest ratio of coffee shops to residents in the entire country.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne serves as Australia’s coffee capital, and as such, the city boasts a host of coffee shops that serve up world-renowned cups of java. The Aussies love their brew so much that there’s even a publication, the Melbourne Coffee Review, dedicated to the thoughtful comparison of the city’s many coffee shops. You’ll find that Melbourne’s coffee spots are as varied and eclectic as their clientele. For instance, the Proud Mary shop sits inside a converted warehouse and provides cold-dripped coffee to a cool, quirky crowd, while the Lygon Street Café serves an Italian-style cup paired with tiramisu to Melbourne University patrons.

Havana

Havana, Cuba is the place to enjoy a café cubano, an espresso shot infused with demerara sugar. (And with travel restrictions waning, experiencing authentic Cuban coffee isn’t as difficult as it used to be.) The result is a small, sweet coffee packed with a punch of caffeine. If the flavor is too intense for you, try a gentler cortadito, an espresso topped with milk. You can savor these aromatic brews in a number of cafés, some with open-air seating like the famous Café de las Infusiones. Because “origin” is very important to all coffee lovers, you’ll be happy to know that many of these coffeehouses grind beans that are sourced directly from the country’s Escambray and Sierra Maestra mountains.

Lisbon, Portugal

Like many of the cities on our list, Portugal’s capital touts its own particular brand of coffee. The Portuguese bica rivals Turkish coffee in intensity — it contains more water than a traditional espresso, and goes down smoothly. To enjoy one of these flavorful brews, you’ll need to step into a pasteleria (coffee bar), which also serves scrumptious pastries like the city’s signature tart, the pastel de nata. You’ll find a host of these bars along Rua Dom Pedro V in Lisbon‘s Barrio Alta neighborhood just a quick funicular ride from downtown.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The “birthplace of coffee” (incendiary as this superlative may be) definitely warrants a place on our list. If you ever find yourself in the capital of Ethiopia, you must take part in a coffee ceremony. As a sign of respect or friendship, Ethiopians might invite guests into their homes for one of these lengthy rituals, which involve roasting and grinding the beans and brewing them in a clay pot called a “jebena.” In Addis Ababa, the coffee is then drunk with sugar, but in the countryside, salt is added. If you don’t receive an invitation to a private ceremony, do enjoy a Tomoca, an Italian-style coffee that is commonly served in the city.

Santa María de Dota, Costa Rica

Costa Ricans refer to coffee as their “golden bean” because it has paid such high dividends to the local economy. Since the 18th century, this Central American enclave has cultivated the popular Arabica coffee bean, which is generally thought of as the crème-de-la-crème of the crop. We recommend visiting the actual coffee plantations of Santa María de Dota in Central Costa Rica. This small mountain town sits amid leafy coffee fields, and it might just be the most peaceful place to sip a local cafécito (black coffee).

Rome

You won’t have to travel far to find a caffè in Rome. This buzzing city thrives on caffeine, in the form of cappuccinos, macchiatos, espressos, and more. And just like its pasta and paintings, Italy’s coffee is a form of art. Great care is taken in choosing the beans, picking the machines, and even presenting the drinks. To taste a heavenly brew, many coffee fiends recommend a trip to Rome’s Caffè Sant’Eustachio. This popular caffè serves organic and fair-trade brew with zuccherato (sugar), unless otherwise requested. You’ll find this acclaimed coffee shop sitting under the shadows of the Pantheon.

 

Infographic: Social Media Explained (with Coffee)

Source: infographicaday.com –  by johnkremer

Features coffee-related explanations for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, Quora, Meetup, Google+, FourSquare, Instagram, and more.

 

Coffee painting art

Source: @haha.nu

Sketch done without reference. Painted with only coffee on watercolour paper. Size A3. Author: Miriel – Josephine Ryan, here to her Etsy’s page.

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Ponce De Leon Finds the Fountain of Youth

Source: Cartoon by Nate Beeler, Columbus Dispatch (View more cartoons by Beeler)

 

Cool Tools for Coffee Lovers

Source: www.wingwire.com

 

It doesn’t sound too difficult to buy a gift for the coffee lover in your life, but what if you don’t drink coffee? How do you know which gadgets or products make a good gift for someone? Here is a guide to gifts that will be a hit; and no one will have any idea that you didn’t know anything about coffee.

Aeropress Coffee Maker

This coffee maker uses air pressure to create the perfect tasting blend. Coffee is easy to make and tastes pure. It’s portable, so they can take it anywhere with them. It is also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

The Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine

For the perfect gift that goes all out for that special coffee lover, this machine is high class. You can create the ultimate espresso with this equipment. For the beginning barista in your life, they can also make cappuccinos and lattes. It doesn’t come cheap, but it is well worth the price once you taste the kind of flavor it can produce.

USB Coffee Cup Warmer

This makes the ultimate gift for the techie who is also a coffee drinker. The coffee warmer plugs into the computer with a USB cable to keep your coffee warm. It will keep the cup from getting cold even if it sits all day. This is an ideal gift for someone who spends a lot of time at their desk, or has to work late-night sessions.

Citizen Bean

If you have no idea what kind of gadgets the person would like, take the safe route and get them a subscription to Citizen Bean. It is a coffee-of-the-month club with a wide selection of beans. Each month, your gift recipient will receive a pound of coffee and some other treats, like cookies or chocolates, to enjoy with their coffee. This is the perfect gift for someone who enjoys a variety of coffee flavors.

The Professional Barista’s Handbook

This book by Scott Rao will take coffee fans to the next level. It contains step-by-step instructions, with plenty of photographs, to teach them how to become coffee experts. Whether they are serious about coffee or just enjoy playing barista, this handbook will provide all the information they need to make an outstanding drink for their family and friends.

The Ascaso I-Mini Espresso Grinder

Get a grinder, and you can buy quality beans instead of settling for pre-made coffee. Your coffee will have the freshest flavor, and the aroma will entice you to wake up every morning. This is a great gift for anyone who loves coffee and doesn’t want to settle for just any kind.

You don’t have to be a coffee expert to find a great gift that someone will love and use. Just pick one of these gifts, and you will be a hit with your own coffee lover. Who knows, you might even learn to like coffee, too.