Coffee

In this the fourth article in our series on world coffees we discuss the coffees from Africa and the Middle East.

ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia is the true birthplace of coffee. The original coffee plant originated here as well the first brew. Ethiopia today is the fifth largest producer of coffee in the world growing mainly the best arabicas. Ethiopian dry-processed coffee (Harrar), tends to be medium-bodied and strongly acidic with fruity, winy tones. The best wet-processed coffee (Yirgacheffe) is light-bodied and has distinctive floral and citrus notes. Dry processed ‘Djimah’ is a popular bean that a exhibits medicinal taste. ‘Ghimbi’ is a wet-processed bean from western Ethiopia. Limu is the market name for a well-respected fragrant, floral and fruit-toned wet-processed coffee from south-central Ethiopia.

UGANDA

As the 11th largest producer of coffee in the world, Uganda has some fine arabica coffees which display the much favoured winy acidity and other desirable flavour characteristics of the best East African coffees. About 90% of the coffees produced are of the robusta variety, which are mainly used for blending and in the manufacture of instant soluble coffee. ‘Bugishu’ coffee from the slopes of Mount Elgon is the best known coffee from Uganda.

IVORY COAST

As the third largest producer of coffee on the African continent, the Ivory Coast grows mainly rich and strong robustas used in soluble coffee production.

TANZANIA

Tanzania produces mostly robusta coffees much of it grown on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro from which these Kilimanjaro coffees get their name. Some arabicas are grown further south in the country the best known of which is ‘Mbeya’ coffee. The best coffees from Tanzania have a full body and rich flavour, with classic acidy that make them resemble the best coffees of neighbouring Kenya.

CAMEROON

Due to its high altitude, rich volcanic soils and ample rainfall coffees from Cameroon are of good quality. They are full-bodied flavour with a well-rounded finish with chocolate characteristics.

KENYA

Kenya produces excellent quality Arabica coffees that are renowned for their consistent high quality. Although mainly produced by smallholders the harvested beans are pooled and processed under strict conditions by the Coffee Board of Kenya. The beans are carefully graded by the board into categories. PB or peaberry is considered the best, followed by AA, A and B. The peaberry plant only produces a single bean, rather than the usual ‘split’ bean found in all other varieties. Kenyan coffees have deep winy acidity with subtle fruit and berry tones.

MADAGASCAR

The island of Madagascar produces over 700,000 bags of coffee per year of both robusta and Arabica varieties. It’s most celebrated coffee ‘Kouillou’ has a highly distinctive flavour and is rated very highly by the French.

YEMEN

The name ‘Mocha’ often synonymous with coffee comes from the Yemen port of the same name, which was used as a main trading point for coffee beans. Yemeni beans are known for their rich, winy, aroma and strong chocolate tones.

For more information about coffee and coffee making equipment visit http://www.cafebar.co.uk

Author: Fenton Wayne
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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All About Coffee

When you are making gourmet coffee at home, you will need to use whole coffee beans, grinding the beans just before brewing insures the freshest coffee as if they are exposed to the air for too long the coffee beans will oxidize, thereby potentially ruining the taste. Of course, you don’t have to grind your own, if you prefer you can purchase coffee already grounded. Personally I really prefer to grind my own, and remember to only grind just enough for the amount you’re brewing.

Grinding The Coffee Beans

Widely considered to be one of the best types of coffee grinders is the burr variety, the coffee beans are loaded into a holding hopper which feeds them into the bean grinding mechanism, or burr’s as they are commonly known. The burrs provide a slow grinding of the coffee beans which is perfect for best results. Blade grinders, on the other hand, use razor sharp blades that spin, grinding the beans in the process. Although these are pretty good, the cheaper models do suffer from irregular grinding.

What Type Of Coffee – The Arabica

All Kenyan coffee is of the Arabica variety, grown on rich volcanic soils in the highlands of Kenya. There are two main species of coffee plant – Arabica and Robusta. Gourmet coffee houses serve the smooth and very palatable Arabica coffees, while the worst cup of coffee you ever had probably came from a pot of bitter Robusta coffee that had been sitting around for hours.

What Type Of Coffee – The Robusta

Traditionally Balinese coffee was of the robusta variety. The origins of Robusta can be traced back to the beginning of the 20th century or earlier

Robusta tends to be higher in caffeine and can be grown in climates and environments were Arabica would not be profitable, Its also typically more bitter and acidic in flavour. In contrast most Italian coffee is brewed very strong from the lower-quality Robusta bean, which might suggest why Italy gave us such innovations as cappuccino (coffee with steamed milk) and flavoured coffees.

What Type Of Coffee – Jamaican Coffee

There is a huge demand for Blue Mountain Jamaican Coffee, and a very limited supply. As a result, genuine, 100% Blue Mountain Jamaican coffee is sometimes not available, at any given price.

For more information on the various types of coffee beans and how to make the perfect cup of coffee. Make sure you visit The Coffee Makers today…

Author: Robert Funge
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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