(Newswire.net — August 25, 2018) — Coffee is more than just a caffeinated drink that helps keep drinkers focused and energized. The appeal of the product produced by the genus Coffea shrub is filled with enigma and enchantment as its origins are not all clear. To an extent, the history of coffee is rich with flavor and mystery. Although most people associate coffee with the South and Central American regions, and more specifically the country of Colombia, the origins are African. Some experts suggest that coffee originates from Yemen while others indicate that its origins are Ethiopian. Although the exact region and the dates are unknown, coffee was discovered in the continent of Africa sometime around the 12th or 13th century, and several legends portray its origins. Some of these stories are apocryphal with elements of plausibility, yet all full of interest and passion.
The first story involves an individual named Kaldi that herded goats. He observed how his animals were surprisingly energetic after eating some red fleshy berries from nearby shrubs. Kaldi tasted the item and felt a sensation of stimulation. He was so amazed that he took some of the berries to a local monastery where the monks disapproved of its use and threw the coffee fruit onto a fire to burn. However, the beans began roasting and unleashed a delicious aroma that attracted the attention of all individuals present. With the aroma producing a change of heart, they decided to take the roasted beans out of the fire and infused them in hot water with salt, thus creating the first cup of coffee in history.
Another story tells the tale of a Yemeni traveler named Ghothul Akbar Nooruddin Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili. As he traveled through Ethiopia, Ghothul observed how birds with unusual vitality ate the berries of a mysterious shrub. These birds seemed incredibly energetic and decided to taste the fruit. It is quite possible that each story has elements of truth and both may have occurred. These are up for discussion and add an element of curiosity to the art of coffee. Arabia, however, was the first to roast and grind coffee exactly as coffee is prepared today. During the sixteenth century, the use of coffee expanded to the rest of the Middle East, Persia, Turkey, and Northern Africa. It arrived as a contraband product to Italy to be commercialized in Europe and the Americas.
Sophisticated coffee enthusiasts and drinkers qualify coffee using the sensory properties of the item. These include aroma, taste, body, acidity, and overall impression. Aroma is relatively straightforward and relies on the smell of the roasted bean. Taste is also an easy evaluation mechanism; however, the descriptions provided by professional tasters can be rather complex, thus providing information on the softness, acidity, sweetness, fruitiness, and pronouncement of the taste. Acidity refers to the mildly spicy spark felt on the tongue and is among the most desired qualities in coffee. The coffee bean obtains this property based on the elevation and temperature that the cultivation is exposed to. The overall impression and perception qualify the general result, including the quality of the bean. The highest quality coffee will have a consistent combination of aroma, taste, body, and acidity. Of course no matter the quality of the coffee beans used, the flavor of the finished cup of coffee will largely be determined by the coffee brewing methods employed.
To become a taster, an individual does not necessarily need a formal education. However, a background in the arts can help develop an overall understanding of artistic values and for the humanities. For example, people can obtain their general education from online liberal arts degree programs; however, to be an advanced taster, an individual must develop a delicate palate and understand the science and art behind the coffee bean. If you know people who love coffee, they do not have to be professional tasters to appreciate great and types of coffee roasts. Instead, ensure that they always have access to the best coffee by providing the gift of a coffee subscription. These types of services provide coffee lovers with a rich mix of beans that are difficult to find and are easy to fall in love with.