Coffee. Yes, I am obsessed with it. Some people believe it is the most popular beverage in the world. I say, why not?
Coffee addicts like me cannot even go a day without having their coffee and I love my ancient little steel coffee filter that makes the best coffee in the world.
So let me tell you a little story. Two days back, I ordered my filter coffee powder along with the rest of my groceries. I usually do this when I have at least three days’ worth of coffee powder, simply because the thought of an empty coffee tin makes me shudder.
Then yesterday, I realized that I hadn’t actually placed the order and laughing to myself, I ordered the list from my local supermarket. Three hours later, my order was delivered. After a brief chit chat with the delivery person and jokes and smiles exchanged, I went about putting away the stuff. This morning, I set the water to boil on the stove, and happily took one pack of coffee, and cut it open. I filled the coffee tin and fondly looked at the pack, straightening it out. To my horror, I discovered that it wasn’t the variant I ordered.
I also felt sheepish, because I should have checked to see if the delivered items were correct, instead of exchanging jokes with the delivery person. Oh well. Can’t change that. Now that I had cut the pack, I could no longer return it.
So what was so wrong about this coffee? You see, I get a particular type of bean in a specific pure coffee to chicory ratio. The one I received this time had a higher ratio of chicory.
What to do?
I remembered that a friend of mine had gifted me some coffee beans. So I set about roasting them to a rich oily brown. Then ground the beans and shook it up with the coffee powder in the tin. I also had some Colombian coffee another friend had gifted my husband, and added a little of that, too.
The result? Rich brown perfectly blended coffee powder that I couldn’t wait to drink.
As I shared a cup of the “global” coffee with my neighbor, I couldn’t help recalling memories of the time I was around ten years old, and sent to the Coffee Board to buy coffee beans, which was then roasted at home and ground the night before so we’d have fresh coffee the next morning.
That’s when I learned that there are basically three different types of coffee beans from which different types of coffee are extracted. These are Arabica, Robusta and Kona Coffee Beans. They vary in pricing and taste and grow in three types of environment. Seems like the rule of three, eh? Obviously, each country and region has its own traditional brewing method.
Of the three types of beans, Robusta is the most popular and easily available. Also, decently priced. It was first discovered in the Congo region, where it grew naturally, and then began to be cultivated in different parts fo the world. It grows easily in continental climate.
Next comes Arabica coffee beans, which are expensive compared to Robusta. Arabica, which has a delicate taste and not easily available everywhere, also grows in different parts of the world and the bean from each region tastes different depending on the climatic conditions. The aroma and taste are great, which is probably why they make a great accompaniment to your breakfast, for their refreshing taste.
Finally comes Kona, the most expensive type of coffee beans. Rare because of its small scale production, Kona Coffee Beans are grown in Hawaii in a small scale and they are not even used in daily life like the other coffee beans. Kona beans have a strong aroma and because of this, not everyone can handle its taste. Even regular users of Kona Coffee beans just blend a small quantity.
And by the way, the coffee bean is really a type of seed but called a “bean” because of its shape.
I love my coffee strong and dark and mostly mixed with a little milk to get that perfect shade. I was quite surprised to learn that there is a cappuccino maker! So for the cappuccino lovers out there, to brew the perfect coffee, you must choose the best cappuccino maker to extract the taste from each and every coffee bean. There are different types of coffee makers available online, which you can compare based on their features and price and pick the one that is right for you.
Cappuccino makers come in a range of models, and while some just prepare cappuccino, others are more diverse, with the ability to brew your espresso and latte, as well. The main thing to bear in mind is the capacity of the cappuccino machine. No point in getting the one-cup type, at least for me, since I come from a family of coffee lovers.
So how do you like your coffee?
27 comments
Where would I be without coffee – nowhere I guess. An essential seed in my life!
Same here, Susan! Love and hugs to you!
Vidya Sury recently posted…About Coffee Beans, Cappuccino Makers and Me
We definitely have this in common! Now I need a cup of coffee to start my day.
Hehehe! Indeed, Lee! Enjoy your coffee!Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…About Coffee Beans, Cappuccino Makers and Me
I actually have black without sugar a Highlander Roast from Philips Coffee . I didn’t know about the three kinds of coffee. Thanks for all the information!
Bellybytes recently posted…Despite it all I find myself at the bottom of the mountain still #FridayReflections
Your coffee sounds yum, Sunita! Didn’t know about Philips Coffee! Thanks for coming by.
Vidya Sury recently posted…About Coffee Beans, Cappuccino Makers and Me
Okay.. Kona coffee is new for me.. didn’t know about it..
Thanks for sharing it..
Loving coming back to your blog..
Hugs to you dear…
A couple other of tidbits about the Arabica and Robusta beans.
Robusta beans have significantly more caffeine than Arabica beans. Interestingly enough, it’s because of this caffeine content that they’re a hardier plant and more disease and pest resistant.
Robusta beans also produce a bitter tasting and harsh drink on their own, so they’re often used in blends with Arabica beans. This also helps lower the overall cost of a can of coffee since Robusta beans are generally cheaper.
And another fun fact is that the product of a coffee tree is actually a fruit called a cherry.
meredith recently posted…Is the Gaggia MDF Grinder a Good Value? Let’s Find Out
I like my coffee in so many variants – espresso, cappuccino, latte, mochaccino, frappe, filter, macchiato….
Also, had no idea about Kona! Thanks for the info!
Mahevash recently posted…Do We Wear The Masks Or Do The Masks Wear Us?
Coffee is an essential in my life, I don’t know where I would be if not for coffee lol
Interestingly I am drinking one right now in a rainy weather here.,
Interesting! And I don’t even drink coffee. Shocking, I know. ~grin~ I did develop a taste for a while but recently found myself not tolerating caffeine too well, so I gave it even the occasional cup rather than find myself feeling queasy. Happy roasting!
Darla M Sands recently posted…Autumn is In the Air
Wow…. This is an amazing article….. Knew a lot about beans, cappuccino makers from this post… Thank you for sharing…. 🙂
Willie Murphy recently posted…Top Coffee Shops In Europe, Africa & The Middle East
Trust you to find a way around the coffee conundrum. You have a lot of patience, I might add. ?
Shailaja Vishwanath recently posted…Perfico personalised towels: Review & Giveaway
I love your love for coffee, Vidya <3 Well, not much of a coffee person and I also don't know much about coffee beans, anything actually. So, this post of yours was really informative for me. But sometimes, when at office I do like the Kumbakonam Coffee that they serve 🙂
Nabanita Dhar recently posted…7 Initial Blogging Mistakes
Ahh! Your love for coffee is incredible. I like coffee too but there is no specific variant which is my favorite and esp. when in mood of having a cup of coffee, I really can’t hold myself. Also, I wasn’t aware about the types of coffee beans and this post of yours really helped me in gathering knowledge about them. Loved the post! 🙂
Saumy Nagayach recently posted…यात्री गण कृप्या ध्यान दीजिए …
Thank you Saumy!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Feral by @Laxmi
You know your coffee! I never drink coffee! You are probably trying to wrap your head around that one but the coffee shops around the world would go belly up if they depended on me.
Birgit recently posted…Thursday Movie Picks-Movies about Addiction
Awesome ! I can almost smell the coffee now 🙂 have you tried the Kopi Luwak ?
Asha recently posted…That Day After Everyday
No Asha! I haven’t! 🙂 Come home! We’ll sit together and enjoy a few cuppas!
I had to read this post AFTER having my dinner?! 🙂
I, too, love coffee. No, let me put it this way. I, too, am a coffee-lover. And, I like my coffee to be chilled. I prepare it using chilled milk, two spoons of sugar and 3/4 spoon coffee. And, instant coffee works for me. I tried all those different types of coffee we get: cappuccino and choco mocha etc, but I prefer my regular instant coffee. SImple and easy to make. The sweetness and the coldness of the coffee make a huge difference, so I don’t allow anyone to prepare it for me. It has to be just right!
I loved reading this post, Vidya!
Thank you!
Hi, Vidya! I really love this article, Very informative, I’m going to drink coffee, You wanna join me 🙂 ?
Hi Vidya!
What do you think about Kona coffee? I know it costs more, but I think tastes fantastic. After my trip and coffee tour in Hawaii, I think I’m able to appreciate it much more. The people who grow and harvest it are definitely hard working to make sure the quality is up to par!
Yes I smiled today!!
In fact, your article itself is a confidence booster, I don’t think I need a caffeine fix as of now.!!!
Lovely (and very much lively) blog. it is informative too.
Thanks, Vidya.
Thanks Vidya, this was awesome! Now I want a nice cup of coffe and it’s the middle of the night!
I know that feeling! 🙂
Vidya Sury recently posted…10 Fun Ways to Re-Use Your Old SmartPhone
This is amazing. I am a coffee lover and thanks for giving me some variations in it. Now at last my tongue will get something good. Going to try this on this weekend.
I recommend you use the grind setting that works with the drinks you make most often. When you need an entirely different grindsize you use a separate grinder and then use the machines peregrind function. It is easier, and you don’t have to wait for the change to take effect.