Coffee: names, types, preparation methods, reviews

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Espresso, cappuccino, latte, mocha, americano - these aromatic drinks have become an integral part of everyday life. In our review you will find all the secrets of coffee, namely the names, composition and methods of preparation.

Originated in Ethiopia

The most famous legend attributes the discovery of coffee to the Ethiopian shepherd Kaldi. It was he who noticed the strange behavior of his goats, who, after eating dark red fruits and leaves of the coffee tree, were in an excited state at night. Kaldi told the monk about his observation, who decided to conduct his own experiment.

Decoction of grains gave the monks courage during prayers and relieved fatigue. After some time, they improved the recipe and learned how to roast and grind the beans.

The journey begins

The habit of drinking coffee gradually became stronger in the Arab countries, but the way of preparation was a little strange. With the help of crushed coffee beans, milk and animal fat, the Arabs made balls that relieved fatigue on the road.

In the 13th century grains began to be dried, roasted, ground and poured with hot water. In addition, the drink was mixed with milk andfragrant cinnamon and ginger were added.

Through the Ottoman Empire, where the first coffee house was opened, coffee came to Europe. It was in Vienna that the merchant Yuri-Franz Kulchitsky created Viennese coffee with milk and sugar. A few years later, a real epidemic swept Europe.

The appearance of the drink in Russia is most often associated with Peter I, who forced his close associates to use the “bitter brew”. Catherine the Great drank an incredible amount of strong coffee. In addition, the Empress discovered the cosmetic properties of grains.

Since the 18th century, the coffee tree has grown in many tropical countries. Slightly less than half of world production comes from Brazil. Only two varieties of coffee trees are grown commercially - Arabica and Robusta.

Coffee ingredients

Fans of aromatic drink, of course, know that the combination of substances in coffee beans depends on growing conditions and soil. Hundreds of different compounds are formed during the roasting of beans.

Coffee Ingredients:

1. Protein substances.
2. Carbohydrates. Studies have found that fructose and glucose are present in raw grains, depending on the variety. However, during heat treatment, there is a fluctuation in the amount and composition of monosaccharides.
3. Tannin.
4. Chlorogenic acids.
5. Heterocyclic alkaloids and polyamines. Glucoside, theophylline, nicotinic acid, theobromine and, of course, caffeine. The content of the last component, by the way, affects the quality of coffee.

Arabica coffee

As we have said, Arabica (Coffea Arabica) is the most cultivated species, accounting for up to 90% of coffee plantings in the world. The homeland of the plant is Ethiopia (Southwest), but today evergreen shrubs grow in Latin America, Indonesia and India.

Coffee varieties are given names based on regions. For example, there is Arabica Bali, Arabica Burundi, Arabica Brazil Santos, Arabica Ethiopia Sidamo, Arabica Panama, Arabica Dominican Republic and others.

Robusta

Coffee Congolese, or Robusta, unpretentious to the conditions. Disease resistance, yield, inexpensive production - in this regard, Robusta is significantly superior to Arabica. However, in terms of sophistication and quality, Arabica coffee occupies a leading position.

Robusta has a powerful flavor and twice the amount of caffeine, so it's most commonly added to espresso or instant coffee blends. "Jacobs" - the famous coffee brand, whose products are a mixture of Robusta and Arabica (Jacobs Monarch). The company was founded in 1895 by German entrepreneur Johann Jacobs. Turati Classica is another brand where the coffee contains robusta beans.

Today, the best varieties are used for production, which grow in Brazil at an altitude of at least 600 meters above sea level.

Vietnamese coffee

Vietnam is in second place after Brazil. More than 600 thousand hectares are occupied by coffee plantations. The agricultural sector is several hundred thousand farmers, because the harvest from treesharvested almost all year round.

Vietnamese producers are considered to be among the best thanks to their ability to competently and harmoniously combine different types of coffee.

Traditional Vietnamese coffee differs primarily in the way it is prepared. Instead of cow's milk, locals use condensed milk.

Condensed milk is poured in large quantities on the bottom of the cup, then a special filter (fin) is placed on top. After that, coarse grains are added (several teaspoons), and the mixture is pressed with a press and poured with boiled water. Within a few minutes, a thick concentrate is formed, into which ice is added or poured with hot water.

Kopi Luwak

Choose coffee? The names of plantations and varieties can completely confuse you. Some fans of the flavored drink simply choose the most expensive kind in the world without bothering to search.

If you don't know how much Kopi Luwak coffee costs yet, get ready. From $400 to $1000 per kilogram of grains - this is the price that is considered acceptable when selling the most exclusive and sophisticated brand.

Incredibly delicate taste with a slight chocolate tint - the merit of not talented farmers. The secret lies in the cooperation of humans and the palm civet. Also known as luwak and jeon, this small animal feeds on the ripest berries of coffee trees.

Under the influence of enzymes in the jeon's stomach, the bitterness of the berries disappears and a unique taste appears with a pleasant sourness and a chocolate tint. Processed and naturally derived, the product is harvested and thoroughly cleaned, then roasted in a special way.

The most expensive Kopi Luwak is obtained from the droppings of wild animals. Thus, only a few kilograms come out a year.

On the islands of Java and Bali, in Indonesia and Sumatra, plantations have even been established where they keep entire flocks of palm civet. However, coffee processed by captive animals does not have that unique taste.

Monkey Coffee

For a long time, Kopi Luwak was the only variety obtained in such an unusual way. But more recently, Taiwanese farmers have introduced Monkey Coffee.

Monkeys living on the slopes of the Formosan Mountains were first considered pests. They plucked coffee fruits, ate the pulp, and simply spit out the beans. One day, the locals decided to collect grains, wash and roast them. The new vanilla-flavored drink is well received by customers and tourists.

Have you already guessed how much monkey coffee costs? That's right, several times cheaper than Kopi Luwak, or rather, only $45-50 per kilogram.

How to save money?

You don't have to buy Kopi Luwak to enjoy a flavorful drink. We will tell you how to choose a budget option.

You probably already guessed that the cheapest coffee is Robusta. However, tasters do not advise drinking it in its pure form, and a double serving of caffeine is unlikely to be beneficial.

It is best to opt for a mixture of two popular types, but take into accountmultiple factors:

• ratio of robusta and arabica coffee in the blend;
• roast level;
• place of growth (crop grown in lowland plantations will cost less than in highlands).

Cooking Methods

Coffee culture in each country has its own characteristics. A professional barista knows all the brewing methods, but it's up to you to decide which coffee is best.

• Oriental. Long before the advent of modern coffee machines, the drink was prepared using a cezve (or Turk). Very finely ground coffee is poured into a small vessel with a long handle, which is poured with cold water and boiled over low heat. In ancient times, it was customary to heat cezva on sand. Strong coffee is always served with a glass of water.
• French press. Such coffee makers appeared in 1920 thanks to the French company Melior. Coarsely ground coffee and hot water are placed in a narrow glass vessel, infused for some time, and then the thick is separated from the liquid using a piston. Any kind of coffee is suitable for brewing in a French press (names do not matter).
• Drip coffee makers. The prototype of this kitchen appliance was invented in 1800 by a French archbishop. In its modern form, drip-type coffee makers appeared already in the 70s. Since then, the principle of operation has not changed much: hot water passes through the filter with ground coffee, and in five minutes the aromatic drink is ready.
• Carob type coffee machine. The flavored drink is obtained by passing ground coffee under water pressure. At the coremodern models lies the example of Luigi Bezzera, which was introduced in 1901. A well-made espresso is distinguished by a beautiful golden foam and a slightly viscous consistency.

Coffee card

Which coffee is better, everyone decides for himself. Some need a high dose of caffeine, others prefer a flavored drink with the addition of milk or spices. Let's get acquainted with the whole "coffee" menu:

1. Espresso is black strong coffee. Served without milk in cups of 50-60 ml. Double espresso - volume 90-100 ml.
2. Ristretto is perhaps the strongest drink. It is usually drunk without sugar in one or two sips (cup volume is approximately 25 ml).
3. Americano - obtained by diluting espresso with water to the required concentration.
4. Latte - French drink, is a mixture of coffee and hot milk in equal proportions. Served in a tall glass.
5. Latte Macchiato is from Italy. In an elegant glass, hot milk is first poured, milk foam is added, and then the finished espresso.
6. Cappuccino is a double shot of espresso with a large head of milk foam.
7. Mochachino is another layered drink made from coffee, milk and hot chocolate.
8. Glace is a French dessert served cold. It is a combination of coffee with sugar and ice cream.

Instant coffee

Coffee "Jacobs", "Movenpick", "Lavazza" - dozens of brands are represented on the Russian market.

The most affordableis instant coffee. However, its quality is at a very low level, because cheap coffee beans are used for preparation. In addition, to maintain the taste and aroma, manufacturers add coffee oils and synthetic ingredients.

Fans of coffee drinks advise you not to save time, because even in a French press it will take you only five minutes to prepare one cup of natural coffee.

Coffee whose names you already know, let you choose for yourself!