Coffee Day in 2021 is celebrated by lovers of this drink on different dates, but this does not prevent coffee fans from enjoying its unique taste on this day. It doesn’t matter which option everyone chooses: cappuccino, Americano, latte, espresso, frappe, Viennese - each drink demonstrates the boundless love for coffee.
Its aroma and taste differs when using different varieties and preparation methods, but for those who love coffee, it is a daily ritual, without which it is impossible to start the day. It invigorates, fills with optimism, increases productivity, without it many cannot imagine a full life.
Coffee is so popular that, on the initiative of its lovers, an annual coffee holiday was proclaimed.
History of coffee: Where it all began
An ancient legend says that the first person to notice the invigorating effect of this plant was the Ethiopian shepherd Kaldim. Sheep that ate the leaves of a wild coffee tree became energetic and began to frolic and jump. He told the abbot of the local monastery about the effect, and he decided to prepare a decoction. After the abbot tried it, he decided that the drink could help the monks stand for a long time during services. Today it is difficult to say whether this is true or not, but the coffee drink was indeed very widespread throughout Ethiopia and other African countries.
In the 15th century, the first coffee plantation appeared in Arabia. Gradually, this drink came to Europe and this happened already in the first half of the 16th century. Even despite the negative attitude of doctors, the first coffee shops appeared in such famous cities as Venice, Marseille and France. The Church believed that this drink would negatively affect Christian souls and therefore also had a bad attitude towards coffee, which was brought from the East. But at the beginning of the 17th century, the Pope decided to bless the drink, thereby opening its way to the tables of Europeans.
In Russia, coffee was mentioned for the first time in the work that is known to many, “The Tale of Bygone Years” and refers to the reign of Vladimir the Saint. In the 17th century, a court physician prescribed the drink to the father of Peter I, Alexei Mikhailovich, as a cure for headaches and colds. But most of all, Peter I loved coffee, who introduced it to the assemblies.
The history of the holiday
The first such celebrations were held in Japan in 1983. Their initiator was the coffee association. 2–3 years after this, other states became interested in the celebration.
Over time, such events became widespread. True, for a long time there was no single date for their holding. It was not until 2014 that International Coffee Day was established. From this moment on, the holiday is celebrated on a specially designated day in 75 countries, including Russia.
What is the secret of coffee?
The popularity of the drink was primarily due to its special properties, which quickly became known to doctors and allowed them to prescribe coffee as a medicine:
- improves attention, memory and mood,
- increases concentration when a person is tired,
- effective in the fight against headaches, especially migraines,
- useful in the fight against hypotension, as it increases blood pressure,
- has a strong diuretic effect.
Traditions
Unfortunately, little is known about coffee traditions. The holiday appeared recently and has not yet gained universal popular love, and therefore has not become particularly popular among the population.
On such days, many companies with their own brand of coffee can talk about their drink and participate in a discussion of the qualities and beneficial properties of coffee. The significance of this holiday is important because by attracting public attention to various types of coffee, it is possible to prevent the production and sale of surrogate raw materials, which leads to a deterioration in the quality of coffee, and a violation of production technology can affect the most important components that make this drink high-quality and healthy.
- On this day, many manufacturers hold tastings to improve sales.
- Various coffee ceremonies.
- Festivals and promotions.
- Also, the holiday is timed to coincide with wide fairs and sales, for example, sales of coffee machines, Turks, and coffee pots attract special attention.
- Competitions are held among professional coffee makers to prepare a coffee drink.
The benefits and harms of coffee
There is hardly a second product on Earth that would cause so much controversy, debate and disagreement. Today, the qualities of coffee beans are clearly divided into positive and negative, but scientists do not put an end to this. To a greater extent, benefits and harms are interrelated and depend on the characteristics of the human body.
Benefits of coffee
The positive aspects include:
- prevention of Parkinson's disease, diabetes, heart attacks, asthma, migraines, hypertension, liver cirrhosis,
- assistance in enhancing reproductive functions in men,
- coffee helps get rid of cellulite,
- benefits for diseases of the nervous system, vascular spasms, infectious diseases and digestive disorders.
Harm from coffee
The negative aspects include:
- physical dependence on the product (coffee addiction or caffeine addiction),
- too much nervous excitement from a large amount,
- harm to the heart and blood vessels in the presence of certain diseases,
- leaching of beneficial microelements from the body: potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium.
Coffee has its own holidays
In Costa Rica, a coffee festival is held annually on September 12, with bright, masquerade, theatrical performances.
Many countries in which coffee is a traditional drink celebrate the holiday of this invigorating aromatic nectar. In Costa Rica, the celebration occurs in September. On the 12th, colorful festivals and fairs take place; cafes and restaurants offer all kinds of drinks with the main ingredient – coffee beans. At night, a fantastic action begins - fireworks, theatrical performances, masquerades.
Ireland is another country where coffee is revered so much that they decided to make it a holiday. September 19 is the day when most of the country's residents go to the streets to enjoy a cup of aromatic nectar with friends, acquaintances, and just passers-by. Many families have a tradition of gathering around the festive table; every home has a traditional recipe for making coffee, passed down from generation to generation.
Types and varieties of coffee
There are more than 90 types of coffee, but almost 98% of the total production is occupied by 2 types: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica makes up 70% of this number. Its grains have an oblong shape and a smooth surface; before grinding, they are lightly fried to obtain the right taste and aroma. Robusta is considered a less refined variety, but the plant grows faster and is more resistant to pests. Its beans contain more caffeine, so it is used in espresso mixtures to reduce the cost of raw materials and produce higher quality foam.
Today there are many ways to make coffee. Everyone can choose for themselves what they like best: some people like coffee with milk or cream, some want a softer drink, some want to sweeten it with natural ingredients. Here we have collected 24 of the most popular coffee drinks.
The most popular types of coffee:
- Espresso
- Doppio
- Triplo
- Ristretto
- Lungo
- Americano
- Flat White
- Cappuccino
- Macchiato
- Latte
- Con panna
- Breve
- Viennese coffee
- Latte Macchiato
- Fredo
- Irish
- Corretto
- Raf coffee
- Romano
- Honey Raf
- Glasse
- Mocha
- Marocino
- Bicherin
This is how you can make many different drinks using coffee beans.
The birthplace of coffee is ancient Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is one of the main coffee producers in the world and on the African continent.
Coffee trees are far from uncommon in different countries, but they appeared there not so long ago. The plants that produce the bitter, aromatic Arabica beans originate in ancient Ethiopia. It was here that the trees from which all the varieties originated were first discovered.
It will come as a surprise to Robusta lovers that their favorite drink comes from Africa. The Congolese coffee tree is native to the grassy banks of the Congo River.
Interestingly, the coffee drink was first prepared not in Africa, but in ancient Arabia. Africans simply used bitter grains as a spice in cooking.
Most are grown in Brazil (about 3 million tons per year), Vietnam (about 1.8 million tons), Colombia (800 thousand tons). Where coffee beans are planted in special nurseries, providing sufficient lighting and climatic conditions. After six months, seedlings are sent to pre-fertilized fields. The first fruiting begins after two years. Coffee beans are collected by hand, with the participation of seasonal workers.
How to choose and prepare coffee correctly
Making coffee can be divided into several stages. The beans are first harvested and blended to create a unique flavor and balance the result. The grains are then roasted and ground. The degree of roasting and coarseness of grinding depend on the type of machine you choose to prepare the drink in. A variety of devices are used for brewing: a cezve or Turk for oriental coffee, a filtered coffee maker or dripper, a French press, a geyser-type coffee maker or moka, and an espresso machine.
When choosing coffee, pay attention to its aroma and appearance of the grain.
- The first one should be bright, rich and appetizing
- the second - identical in size, color and roasting, not damaged along the way.
- No more than a year should pass from the moment of collection and roasting.
- The packaging must not be torn or dirty.
- And most importantly, good coffee will not be cheap. It's better not to skimp on the taste of the grains.
Black coffee is drunk from small porcelain cups with cold water. Many lovers, however, recommend doing the opposite: first a sip of water, then a drink. Drinks with milk are served in tea cups, cappuccino - in 150 ml cups. If you are served oriental coffee, do not stir it so as not to raise the grounds from the bottom. The same applies to Turkish coffee.
The magical properties of coffee
Why were coffee beans once considered more valuable than gold? Why is a cup of aromatic drink an integral part of the morning for millions of people? Why are coffee shops opening at every turn? This is because coffee is truly a magical drink that is fraught with many secrets and mysteries.
Arabic secret
Let's start with the fact that coffee also has a mysterious origin. Historians are still guessing about who was the first to discover grains? According to one version, these were Arab people. What do we know about the Arabs? Not so much. That they live not according to worldly laws, but according to the Koran. Another thing is that they mostly disappear in deserts. And also that these people are rich. And so it has been since time immemorial. Arabs are secretive; they do not let strangers into their lives, which means they will never reveal either the secret of preparing a real magical drink or its true history. According to the second legend, coffee was given to people by the Archangel Gabriel. And this is no less than a divine version of origin!
When it’s bad weather outside and you don’t want to go out, a cup of coffee is just happiness... and you can drink this happiness!
Fortune telling and predictions
It is because of its mystical origin that coffee has become a favorite among magicians and sorcerers of all stripes. Everyone knows that fortune telling using coffee grounds is considered one of the most accurate and truthful. The fact is that the moment a person drinks coffee, he transfers his energy into the ground beans. And since they have already been “sawed” into thousands of particles, they read from a person all the information that is “showed” in the picture in the cup. Therefore, when you are guessing on the grounds, you cannot add anything to the coffee, otherwise the information will be interpreted incorrectly. But you can predict the future not only by drinking coffee. If you put a few coffee beans under your pillow, you will have a prophetic dream. Or, if the answer to your question is “yes” or “no,” scoop a handful of coffee beans from the pack and count them. An even number is “yes”, an odd number is “no”.
Important Rules
Coffee “does not like” when it is treated without respect. Otherwise, you will simply enjoy the drink without any benefit. But this is at best otherwise. At worst, coffee can cause all sorts of troubles. Still would! He can give you happiness, good luck, prosperity, and even a meeting with your soul mate. And in return you won’t even respect him. Therefore, remember the basic rules. First. If you want coffee to help you, don’t skimp on quality products. Do not take “dust of Brazilian roads”, “3 in 1” bags, etc. The second, which follows from the first, is that the coffee must be grain, then it will give all its strength to you. Ideally, before cooking, the grains should be ground and then cooked in a Turk, but not in a coffee maker. Third. If you prefer to buy your coffee from a vending machine or coffee shop, always ask what the drink is made from to get the most out of it!
There is so much we want to do; We're not in the best shape. We didn't get enough sleep last night. We're a little depressed. Coffee solves all these problems with one delicious little cup.
Good luck!
Since coffee is usually drunk in the morning, good luck rituals need to be performed in the morning so that the whole day goes as well as possible. Although no one forbids you to do the same at other times. Here are some ways.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or ground ginger to your coffee. Your ability to work will be off the charts, and you will be able to cope with any task!
- If you have a difficult day ahead (for example, you are planning a difficult conversation, an unpleasant meeting, etc.), brew some coffee and let it cool slightly. Then take a straw and blow all the air out of your lungs to make the drink bubble. It is believed that coffee will, as it were, “filter out” upcoming troubles.
- At your workplace, in secluded corners, sprinkle a few pinches of ground coffee. This way you will not only quickly complete tasks, but also protect yourself from gossip, fines and even dismissal.
- Before pouring water into your coffee, stir it clockwise with a spoon and think about what pleasant surprise you want to receive today. Make a real wish, for example, ask for coffee so that your boyfriend will invite you to a chic restaurant. Naturally, you don’t need to tell the guy about this, the coffee will “tell” him itself!
- When you finish your coffee, pour the sediment onto your left hand and imagine that it is not grounds, but money. Expect an increase soon!
Miracle Helper
Coffee is the best assistant in almost all matters. For example, to relieve tension, get rid of stress and gain strength, take a bath with water or a few teaspoons of coffee or a handful of beans. To protect yourself from the evil eye and damage, carry 3 coffee beans with you, preferably near your chest. Change the amulet every six months.
Do you want to always be told the truth? Carry a coated coffee bean with you. To sleep well and get rid of nightmares, add 5 tsp. ground coffee into a canvas bag and place it either under your pillow or under your bed. Can't decide on something or make a choice? Drink coffee, but during the process do not think about anything, do not be distracted by the TV or smartphone. As soon as you take the last sip, the answer will come by itself.
Life is like coffee in a cup. Sometimes sweet, sometimes not. But the most important thing in life is not the taste of coffee, but who you drink it with.
If you need to charm someone, and if you want to bewitch them, treat them to coffee (it doesn’t matter whether you bought it or brewed it yourself). But at the same time you need to pass the cup or glass from hand to hand, you cannot put it on the table. When you give coffee, think that this person already loves you. You will soon see that this is true!
To fulfill your deepest desire, try to grow a coffee tree. If it sprouts and feels good, your wish will come true even better than you imagined. And if it bears fruit, expect unreal wealth, unearthly love and all the best!
17. National ancient currency - coffee berries
In countries where coffee is grown and produced for hundreds of years, coffee beans are considered almost an analogue of national currency.
Many ancient states used coffee fruits as money. To distinguish the different denominations of the berries, they were painted in bright colors, each of which had its own value. The paints used were natural, durable - once painted grain retained its color for many years.
Prosperity was demonstrated in an interesting way - the most expensive berries were used to make necklaces with which the richest people adorned themselves. Thieves often took advantage of this; there were even entire gangs that specialized in stealing coffee jewelry.
