What is Coffee ?
Everyone recognizes a roasted coffee bean but unless you have lived or traveled in a coffee growing country, you might not recognize an actual coffee tree. Pruned short in cultivation, but capable of growing more than 30 feet high, a coffee tree is covered with dark-green, waxy leaves growing opposite each other in pairs. Coffee cherries grow along the tree's branches. It takes nearly a year for a cherry to mature after the flowering of the fragrant, white blossoms. Because it grows in a continuous cycle, it is not unusual to see flowers, green fruit and ripe fruit simultaneously on a single tree. The trees can live as long as 20 - 30 years and are capable of growing in a wide range of climates, as long as there is no harsh fluctuation in temperature. Optimally, they prefer a rich soil and mild temperatures, with frequent rain and shaded sun.
The History of Coffee
In the Ethiopian highlands, where the legend of Kaldi, the goatherd, originated, coffee trees grow today as they have for centuries. Though we will never know with certainty, there probably is some truth to the Kaldi legend. It is said that he discovered coffee after noticing that his goats, upon eating berries from a certain tree, became so spirited that they did not want to sleep at night. Kaldi dutifully reported his findings to the abbot of the local monastery who made a drink with the berries and discovered that it kept him alert for the long hours of evening prayer. Soon the abbot had shared his discovery with the other monks at the monastery, and ever so slowly knowledge of the energizing effects of the berries began to spread. As word moved east and coffee reached the Arabian peninsula, it began a journey which would spread its reputation across the globe.
Benefits of Coffee
- It may lower your risk of death.
- It helps make your reproductive systems happy.
- It can help lower your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
- It helps protect your brain.
- It could help you recover after colon surgery.
- It's great for your skin.
- It may help to reduce your risk of oral cancer.
- It may help you strengthen your muscles and your DNA.
Aboute Chicory
In the culinary arts, chicory is a plant whose roots and leaves each have various uses.
Chicory roots can be roasted and used to flavor coffee. Or, roasted chicory can be used as a coffee substitute. Coffee blended with chicory is popular in New Orleans cuisine. Cafe du Monde, a New Orleans coffee stand, is famous for its chicory coffee served with beignets.
Chicory leaves are widely used in the culinary arts, especially in salads. Chicory leaves are more commonly known as endive, frisée, escarole or radicchio.
Also Known As
- Endive
- Radicchio
- Belgian endive
- French endive
- Red endive