Coffee

When I think of “coffee beans”, instantly I think of the coffee industry’s biggest heavy hitters like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts to name a few. My senses are aroused with thoughts of a hot, steamy and rich cup of java. The strong intoxicating exotic smell and distinct taste of a good cup of coffee is appreciated many people the world over and has been for many, many years.

Coffee was first discovered and consumed around the 9th century in the highlands of Ethiopia. After being introduced, coffee consumption spread quickly to the Muslim world followed by Europe and later the Americas. The history of coffee that followed after has certainly been interesting and controversial. Coffee in earlier years has been associated with religious ceremonies in Africa and Yemen as well as being associated with rebellious political groups in Europe. The cultivation of the coffee bean has caused much debatable conversation in the past due to certain medical effects and conditions that have been disputed many times over throughout the years.

A coffee bean is the seed of a coffee plant. Coffee beans contain endosperms that contain caffeine. Once the coffee seeds have been removed from the plant, the seeds are roasted and this process causes several physical and chemical changes. The coffee bean is then brewed to create the ever popular product and beverage known as coffee.

Coffee is one of the world’s largest traded commodities after oil. The coffee bean is a primary source of income for many third world countries mainly African countries and much of Central American countries. Coffee beans from different countries have different characteristics such as flavor, aroma and body, such as the well known coffee originating from Colombia as an example.

Brazil is the largest coffee exporting country and in recent years Vietnam has inched in at a close second. The legendary Colombian coffee is rated third largest in export.

In our modern society of recent times there are many different variations and presentations of the coffee beverage. There is the common brewed and roasted hot cup of coffee, the espresso, café latte, cappuccino, café macchiato and the iced coffee served cold. To match so many variations of the coffee bean, the marketing distribution of coffee has many unique creative forms aside from the traditional self brewed method. The roasted coffee bean can be distributed as instant coffee, freeze dried, canned coffee and coffee is being sold right out of vending machines.

Yaser Dorri, an American scientist, has proposed that the smell of coffee can restore and increase appetite. Our civilized society may want to reconsider our much anticipated ritual of an after dinner coffee. Our evolving society may want to possibly embrace the thought of coffee as what it truly is a stimulant that if going to be incorporated in your daily dietary consumption should be best utilized in conjunction with a healthy and positive needed acceleration and or stimulant in your body’s system and process. Simply put; coffee before dinner would be more logical and practical. Coffee as a stimuli at night is not favorable unless intentional. Remember with any consumption; being responsible and moderate will always keep you safe and healthy.

Tania Penwell provides information on coffee beans and other java related topics for Coffee Xpert – your online guide to coffee.

Author: Tania Penwell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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A mug is a mug. Right? Wrong. At least not if you’re a coffee drinker. Some people have a favorite mug that they drink out of daily. In fact is may be so used that it is permanently stained with coffee. Then there are the specialty coffee cups or mugs. The ones that are used to serve the fancier coffee drinks in, like the Irish coffee mug or cappuccino mug. Each mug has its own special use which is determined by what it is being used for or who is using it.

Basic Coffee Cups

These are the ordinary coffee cups that usually come with dinnerware sets. Most people get a set when they first get married. They typically aren’t fancy or insulated but they do hold a cup of coffee. Most come with a matching saucer, if they were part of a dinnerware set.

Designs and Collector Mugs

These are similar to the coffee mugs that come in dinnerware sets except they are usually purchased individually. They can have pictures, designs, artwork and more on them. Almost all tourist locations have coffee mugs with their city or location on them.

Advertisements often appear on these type coffee cups as well. Companies order them logoed to use a client give always in order to keep their name in front of your eyes.

Collector mugs can also come in odd sizes and shapes. There are mugs shaped like mouse ears from Florida or like golf balls from the local golf resort. Coffee mug makers have unlimited imaginations it seems.

Serious coffee mug collectors don’t even drink coffee from their mugs; they put them on display and never use them. Military themed coffee mugs are one example of a collectible coffee mug.

Specialty Coffee Mugs

There are some coffee mugs that are made especially for the type of coffee drink that is being served in them.

The Irish coffee mug is used to serve Irish coffee or other after dinner drink that is coffee based. These mugs are usually quite elegant, made of a heavy glass. They are often taller than traditional mugs and have a more slender design with a footed bottom.

Cappuccino mugs almost look like large bowls with handles on them. The size of the cappuccino mug is part of the signature experience of enjoying a good cappuccino after dinner. Cappuccino mugs often have matching saucers.

Espresso cups or demitasse cups are petite cups usually holding no more than 2-3 oz. of liquid. They also typically have matching saucers.

Travel mugs are used when you are on the go and want to carry your coffee with you. They are usually insulated to keep your coffee warm and often have a lid with a sipper section that opens and closes.

Many coffee travel mugs are stainless steel. These seem to be the most popular for traveling but on the downside they can’t be put in a microwave once you reach the office.

To the non-coffee drinker, the coffee mug may appear to be just another cup. But to the coffee drinker it can be as important as the coffee itself. From the plain white coffee mug to your favorite, well used ceramic mug that hold a quart coffee mugs, to some people, play an important part in the coffee drinking experience.

Sharon V Chapman writes on the joys of coffee and provides information on coffee mugs for Coffee Online – your online guide to everything coffee!

Author: Sharon V Chapman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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