Coffee around the world

La Bella Italia. My virtual coffee journey took me to Italy, the wonderful world of Espresso and Capuccino. All Italy is in love with coffee and the most apreciated brands are Lavazza , Illy , Segafredo and Kimbo. I asked my italian friend Sandro to tell me something about coffee and Italy.
He first showed me his Moka and the 'tazzina', a little glass to serve coffee, while Moka is a small espresso device. And with a smile on his face he told me that Italy has more caffe's (coffee shops) then citizens.
During the cold season he and his friends are regular daily customers of a small caffe, serving different kinds of coffee, most known are espresso (short strong coffee), caffe macchiato (espresso with milk), latte macchiato (big cup of milk with espresso), caffe correttto (coffee with strong grappa) ,caffe con panna, caffe freddo and caffe macchiato freddo.
Espresso and espresso ristretto are the most popular drinks. If you want to picture how a ristretto is, then first try to imagine a small cup of espresso and then take out half of the water, keeping the whole caffeine content. Now... would you really like to try one? It's meant to be drank quick, from 1 or 2 sips and provides energy for a whole day. Or more.
Italian breakfast coffee usualy has milk, while daytime coffee is a simple espresso or caffe corretto. But if you happen to visit Italy, don't be afraid to ask for any kind of coffee, any time of the day.
If you won't be seeing Italy any time soon, then try listen 'That's amore' sung by Dean Martin, to brighten up your day.
Till next time..ENJOY YOUR COFFEE.

More about coffee.

Related to turks and coffee, even thou i cannot confirm the credibility of my source, i have heard a few interesting facts about coffee in turks history. Through years coffee making was upgraded to the rank of art, becoming an important part of turks social relations. A woman's character and social qualities were judged after the coffee she could make and it was consider impolite to serve a cup of coffee without foam. It is said that coffee was served in all social situations including wedding proposal meetings, when the young man family was visiting the bride-to-be family to discuss the wedding terms. During this meeting, coffee was served by the bride in question and it was her diplomatic way to give an answer. Sweet coffee was a definite YES, while a no sugar coffee was a refusal. I have a vivid imagination, so when i heard this bit , i instantly pictured a beautiful Jasmine making black coffee once every 2 days and driving her lovely father insane by doing that. I am sure no Jasmine would ever do that but i can't stop thinking about it and giggle.
Anyway...one more thing. If you haven't tried it yet, i would strongly recommend the use of a hubble bubble pipe (nargile) while having a turkish coffee. At least once. Even if you're not a smoker, don't worry, i had to lit a real cigarette 2 seconds after i finished my hubble bubble pipe, and cigarettes i smoke are really low on nicotine.
Till next time...ENJOY YOUR COFFEE.

Coffee recipes

Since the first coffee shop was opened in Constantinopol (Turkey), the first coffee recipe will be the turkish one. So forget about the coffee machine and lets try a cup of coffee with personality. Hand made. All u need is a small cup of water, 1 teaspoon of sugar and one teaspoon of turkish coffee (fine ground coffee and not instant one). Heat up the water in a small kettle at low heat. Dissolve sugar in the water stirring constantly and add the coffee after. Do not let the mixture boil. Remove the kettle from the heat when foam starts rising. After a small cool down (just a few seconds) return to the heat, repeat the operation 4 times . To be served in a cup or a small glass.
This is the turkish recipe, i adapted it a little to my own tastes and i add little cinnamon at the last heat up. Whenever i make coffee i do believe that every cup has a little personality. So make it with pleasure and joy and your coffee will taste great. And don't forget to share it with people you love.

A little coffee history.

“Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love.” It's one of the reasons for

a morning smile for many people. While i was browsing for informations about coffee i found out
that the coffee been plant has been discovered in south west Ethiopia.
Story says it has been discovered by a goatherd named Kaldi in the 9th century. Kaldi, noticed his flock energised behaviour ( myth says they were dancing) after nibbling some strange red berries from a bush. He tryed the berries himself and amazed by their powers ran to a nearby monastery with his discovery. The holy man to whom he trusted the beans not very convinced of their holiness threw them into the fire. An incredible pleasant aroma filled the room. The holy man quickly withdrew the beans from the fire, grounded them and poured hot water on them. And so he was the first to try the fine taste of a cup of coffee.
From Ethiopia, coffee spread to Egypt and Yemen. There is evidence of coffee being used in the Sufi monasteries (yemen) in the 15th century. Later on coffee spread to other muslim countries and north Africa, till it reached Italy and all Europe in late 15th century.
First coffee shop was opened in Constantinopol(Istanbul) in 1475,was men only and people used to sit on pillows,in a crowded room and discuss politics, play chess or just listen to music while having coffee.
First european coffee shop was opened in Italy in 1645. It was a copy of a muslim coffee shop
but with tables and chairs.
Coffee flavour has delighted millions of people and nowadays there are so many ways to prepare
this wonderful beverage. Add cream, milk, rum ,cinnamon or caramel and a new world of sensations will please the drinker. Coffee art has been invented to please and enjoy. I have found a few interesting youtube videos on coffee art. I think i will try some of the models myself first time i will have friends coming over.
In conclusion...i don't know about you, but i love to enjoy my small cup of coffee. No matter if i'm reading a book, i'm out with friends or i just sit in the kitchen with my mother for a chat. So i've decided to start this blog to share thoughts with other people like me.