The Coffee Poet

Coffee makers have been around, not surprisingly, almost as long as coffee. The original coffee brewer was the Turkish Ibrik, a copper container with a long handle and a grooved tongue. Still used in the Middle East, it produces a very strong brew since it does no filtering.

For those more interested in drinking a beverage than eating coffee grounds, a wide variety of types are available from the plain to the esoteric. Here are a few things to look for...

The largest percentage of coffee makers these days is, of course, the inexpensive drip model. Pour water in the top, it's heated by an electric coil, the water passes through coffee grounds and into a glass pot sitting on a heating plate.

But beyond these basics, there are a few features it's handy to have.

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Coffee beans, like any food product, oxidize when exposed to air. The grounds, since they have a much larger relative surface area than the bean, and no covering, suffer this effect even more. Grinding beans at home produces the least exposure to air and the freshest grounds. And you can grind only what you immediately need.

But nothing is without its price. Grinding is time consuming and messy, so if you choose to invest the effort to reap the reward, pick the best you can afford.

Grinders fall into three broad categories - burr, blade and crusher.
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The sun is shining, the sky is blue and the birds are singing, there is only thing missing that would make it a perfect day - a Starbucks Frappuccino. You grab your keys and drive to your local Starbucks, thinking about the creamy delicious treat that you will soon be yours. What one will you choose today? There are so many wonderful varieties and flavors offered and they all taste so good!

Starbucks began selling Frappuccinos in 1995, on April Fool's Day. But to this coffee house chain the iced coffee drink certainly was not a joke. The Frappuccino quickly grew in popularity to become one of Starbucks leading sellers.

The name Frappuccino is a combination of two words that were put together to make a new word. It comes from the word “cappuccino” which is an Italian coffee drink and “frappe” which in French means “well chilled.” It is interesting to note that in the New England area of the United States a “frappe” is the name given to an ice cream milkshake.

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From its origins in Ethiopia, where the main coffee production is still from wild coffee tree forests, coffee consumption has spread throughout the world. But because of its requirement for ample sunshine and rain, the plants from which beans are produced grow only in tropical or sub-tropical regions.

From a narrow band centered on the equator of around 23 degrees North to 25 degrees South comes all of the world's source of the liquid that a Turkish proverb calls 'black as hell, strong as death, sweet as love'. As a commodity, coffee - from beans grown in over 70 countries - is second only to oil in dollar volume.

Brazil remains by far the largest coffee bean producer with an average output of 28% of the total. Even world-renowned Colombia is a distant second at only 16%, with Indonesia less than half that at 7%. Mexico, the fourth largest producer is half again at 4%.
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The last 25 years has seen the growth of a cottage industry in the study of the health effects of drinking coffee. And no wonder - over 400 million cups a day are consumed throughout the world. But for decades health workers warned that the habit might be unsafe. Recent studies show the opposite is more likely to be the case.

Caffeine, one of the main ingredients in coffee, has long been known to be a mild stimulant. That can raise blood pressure, increase heart rate and produce the occasional irregular beat. But most researchers now believe the effect is mild and short-lived.

By contrast, the emerging data about the health benefits of coffee consumption are numerous and diverse.
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Looking for a simple, straight forward and easy espresso making recipe? Here's a quick and easy way to make a great cup of espresso. 

First of all it's important to start with good, fresh ingredients and it all starts with the water. Water, I hear you say? Yes, even water can get stale, due to mildew, poor cleaning practices and inadequate filtering. It must be fresh and very hot. The ideal temperature is nearly boiling - around 95C - 203F .

Go for Arabica coffee - rather than Robusta coffee - delivered fresh for roasting. In any way either self-roasted or bought within a few days after, the coffee should have that 'fresh food' smell.

Finely ground in a burr grinder the roast should be dark. The fineness of the granules is important too. This is determined by the distance between the plates. Sand grain-sized is good, small-gravel too large and powder too fine. Don't expose the coffee longer than necessary to the air as coffee will absorb odors from the air and oxidize. Not good for making a good espresso cup!

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If you love to drink coffee you know how delicious this beverage can be. But coffee makes its way too into recipes as diverse as barbecue sauces, coctails, brownies, cookies, ice cream and all manner of candy. The possibilities are endless.

Freshness is essential in any recipe, so it's important to start with fresh ingredients. Buy freshly ground coffee or grind your own and use it right away. If you need brewed coffee for your recipe, use good filtered water and make it just before you prepare your dish.

Here are only some of the many coffee recipes you can try out.

1. Espresso Brownies

Heat a stick and a half of butter, a quarter teaspoon of salt and a cup of sugar in a sauce pan. Add 4 ounces of chopped, semi-sweet chocolate and a teaspoon of vanilla. Stir until well melted. Now add a tablespoon of your favorite finely ground dark-roast or use 2 teaspoons of espresso granules.

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