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Coffee – It’s A Tradition

© Katherine Austinson

Coffee. It's an addiction. It's an obsession. For pete's sake, it's just a drink! No, it's a tradition! It reminds us of people we've shared a cup with, places we've visited and special times in our lives.

The coffee we like is an extremely personal thing. Whether we prefer it dark or light, decaffeinated or not, there's a blend that's perfect. We can choose the roast, variety, species, brew and grind type to fit our preferences.

Five hundred years ago, coffee was first cultivated in Arabia. During the 16th and 17th centuries, coffee was introduced all over Europe. The Germans called it kaffee, the Greeks - kaféo, the Persions - qéhvé, the Russians - kophe. It really became most popular in London in 1652 at the first coffeehouse, St. Michael's Alley in Cornhill. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the first ads for coffee proclaimed that "coffee quickens the spirits, and makes the heart lightsome...is good against sore eyes...excellent to prevent and cure the dropsy and gout..." American coffeehouses were first established as early as 1689 in Boston, New York and Philadelphia.

Over the years, two different types of coffee bean species have become the most popular in American cups. Arabica beans have a wide taste range from sweet to sharp. Unroasted, their scent is similar to blueberries. They are very delicate and require cool climates, moisture and rich soil in order to resist disease. Robustas are hardier and less subject to disease, however, the beverage made from these beans is widely considered inferior to coffee made from Arabicas beans. Generally American supermarket brands use Robusta beans. The higher quality Arabicas beans can be found in speciality brands and gourmet labels.

So the next time you step into the coffee aisle at your local market, take the time to read the labels and do some taste testing at home. What blend, grind, and variety is your favorite? Then carry on the 500-year old tradition and sit down and enjoy a cup of your latest obsession!