Whether you call it Java, mud or a shot in the arm, an estimated 2 billion cups are consumed every day around the world - making coffee the most popular drink in the world. The coffee is now produced in over 50 countries and is the second most valuable export after oil. And for many of us - Is just what we need for us started in the morning.
Coffee is more than most people think - archaeological evidence suggests that humans were enjoying the taste of the coffee cherry about a hundred thousand years ago. One legend tells of a goat herder in Ethiopia observed his goats eating coffee berries and decided to test himself - taking into account the stimulative effect. Pastors ground coffee consumed grains and mixed with animal fat.
For around 600 AD, the coffee bean has made its way to what is now the country of Yemen, which has grown since then. Since 1000, Arab traders grew and grown coffee beans on plantations - they called their new concoction Qahwa means "that which prevents sleep". Spain controlled the coffee trade for many centuries, because it introduced a law banning the export of beans that could germinate.
Despite this restriction, the coffee bean somehow found its way across the Middle East - Persia (now Iran), Egypt and parts of northern Africa. Coffee beans also found their way to the area of Mysore of India - where the descendants of the original plants flourished until the 20th century. In many cases, beans literally smuggled out of Arabia.
At first, coffee was enjoyed for its taste, but rather as a complement or a source of nutrition. When coffee beans reached the hands of Turkey, the Turks began to drink for its flavor - often adding things such as cinnamon or anise. The Turks were also the first to roast the beans over a fire and boil the crushed grains in water. And what is generally considered to be the first coffee of the world, was inaugurated in Istanbul - known as Constantinople at the time - in the 15th century.
The Dutch were the first to cultivate coffee beans and transport on a commercial basis. With coffee beans smuggled out of Spain, who established plantations in Ceylon, and a of their colonies - Java. Currently, Indonesia is the third largest world producer of coffee.
The coffee bean was introduced into Europe during the 17th century. At one point, the drink was more popular than tea in England and was used as an antidote to widespread alcoholism of the time. Coffee houses came in places like Vienna, Paris and London, frequented by the rich and fashionable. The Austrians are credited with the practice of adding milk and sugar to coffee.
In France, Louis XIV built greenhouses to protect their precious coffee beans from frost. And in the New World, coffee was also a popular drink - the newly formed American colonies declared coffee to be the national drink. Not everyone approved, declared Catholics coffee should be banned - despite admitting that the Pope to be an avid coffee drinker.
Today, there are actually over 60 varieties of coffee in the world, though the coffee beans used are of two types -- Robusta and Arabica. About 75% of Arabica coffee is produced and grown in Brazil and Central America. Robusta beans to produce a strong mixture of coffee and are grown in parts of Asia and Africa, and Brazil.
Chances are that your coffee beans from Brazil, the world's largest producer coffee. Brazil produces nearly 30% of coffee in the world and also has some of the most advanced processing techniques in the world. In 2006, the gross value of production Coffee in Brazil was nearly $ 5 million and the industry employs millions of workers.
Coffee is not usually associated with Asia, but several countries Asia have begun to cultivate the coffee bean. In recent years, Vietnam has become a major producer and some of the coffee producing countries in Africa are producing excellent coffee - particularly Kenya and Tanzania
Some countries have also begun to grow specialty coffee beans - Kenya produces a coffee fruity and Indonesia has the Kopi Luwak - a coffee bean that has been passed through the civet's digestive system. And Ethiopia - where the coffee bean was discovered perhaps for the first time - is home to a grain that produces a coffee-flavored chocolate, ginger and orange.
So whether you prefer your coffee beans with milk, sugar, strong or without caffeine - Take a moment and enjoy a cup of the world's most popular drink.
About the Author:
About Author:
Grant Eckert is a freelance writer who writes about topics pertaining to the food and beverage industry such as Coffee | Coffee Beans
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - History of the Coffee Bean
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