Coffee
(coffea arabica, coffea robusta)
RUBIACEAE
Coffee has a mysterious air about it. It might come from the secrecy surrounding its origins and cultivation methods once instigated by the Arabs of Mocha.
Curious Facts about coffee
The Arabian Mocha once had the monopoly of coffee beans. Not that they were not selling coffee abroad -they were exporting beans to Europe since the early 1600s as travelers visiting the Levant acquired a taste for coffee and introduced it to the mainland Europe. In no time at all the enterprising Venetians were taking beans to Europe. However, the Arabs from Mocha rendered the beans incapable of germination as a mean to retain their control of the plants.
Alas! Their domination did not last much longer than a hundred years. Dutch traders were able to smuggle some plants into Europe -sometime in the 17th century- and from there to their colonies. By the 19th century Brazil had become the first coffee producer in the world, and it still is.
Dark grains.
Store in an airtight container.
Coffee grows well in warm climates.
On the sweet side, try clearly coffee flavored chocolate cream or these espresso brownies, something to beat the ones your mother makes. Black Russian Cake is an expectacular dessert to impress unexpected guests.
On the savory side, try coffe meatloaf sauce.
Be adventurous and try adding a little coffee to your favorite dessert sauces, custards and cakes.
coffea arabica, coffea robusta: coffee - French cafe - German - Italian - Spanish café.
