The first cafes opened in Istanbul in the late 16th century, and within
a few decades, coffee houses appeared throughout the Mediterranean.
Coffee-roasting shops began to appear in Europe during the 18th century,
as coffee drinking became widespread on the continent. These shops
usually sold tea, spices, and coffee, which they purchased as green beans
and roasted as needed. They blended beans from different stocks;
coffee tastes and preferences in each nation were influenced by the types
of coffee beans that traders obtained from their colonial sources.
Late in the 18th century, coffee shops became popular in Britain's North
American colonies as well, after the British imposed a heavy tax on tea
imported by their American subjects. Indeed, the founding fathers
of the United States met in coffeehouses to develop strategies for the
new nation.
How much do people like their coffee? Well, along with water and
tea, coffee is one of the three most popular beverages. Northern
Europeans drink the most coffee — about 11 kilograms, or 24 pounds,
per year. Germans drink about 9 kilograms of coffee per year, while
the French drink about 6 kilograms per year. Italians and Americans
drink about 4 to 5 kilograms, or 10 pounds, of coffee each year.
On average, people drink about one third as much coffee as the amount of
water they consume. That's quite a bit! After crude oil and
all of its derivatives, coffee is the second most traded commodity in the
world today.
If you are not impressed yet, consider that seven million tons of coffee
are forecasted to be produced annually by the year 2010!
Coffee Variety:
Arabica
Robusta
Species:
Coffea arabica
Coffea canephora
Growing altitude:
3000 ft. - 6000 ft.
sea level - 3000 ft.
Process method:
wet process
dry process
Caffeine content:
0.8 - 1.5 %
1.6 - 2.5 %
Taste:
mild
bitter
Relative price:
high
low
There are two types of coffee plant. Coffea Arabica, considered the
tastier of the two, is native to Ethiopia and has been grown in Arabia
for more than a thousand years. Coffea Robusta is generally grown
where Arabica won't thrive. It does not have as much flavor, and is
cheaper to buy than Arabica. It is quite bitter, and is often used
in espresso to achieve a foamy head. To your right is a table that
shows the main attributes of the Arabica and Robusto coffee species.
Within the general Arabica and Robusta species, there are many different
coffee varieties, each with their own subtle flavor distinctions.
Many of these coffees are available in both caffeinated and decaffeinated
versions.
A major misconception about coffee is that it comes from beans. This
is not strictly true! What you think of as beans are actually coffee
seeds. Coffee roasters roast these
seeds to give every coffee its distinct flavor.
Coffee is such a staple at our homes and offices, that many people take
advantage of a coffee delivery service. These convenient services can help
ensure that you always have the ingredients for a hot cup of java on hand!
CoffeeShop.us features a directory of online coffee shops and
coffee roasters, as well as an overview of coffee varieties. You can
also learn about the coffee growing and coffee roasting processes.
Please browse through our coffee resources, and shop for a good selection
of gourmet coffees and coffee gifts. For larger quantities of
coffee beans, please visit our
wholesale coffee website.
With over 15,000 Starbucks coffee shops in over 50
countries, Starbucks is a well-known specialty coffee roaster.
Starbucks roasts and serves whole bean coffees and espresso drinks
along with teas, pastries, and other bakery items; their shops provide
a comfortable, coffeehouse environment for work or
relaxation. www.Starbucks.com
Peet's Coffee and Tea roasts coffee with a rich
complexity, emphasizing smaller batches, superior beans, and hand
roasting. Peet's Coffee and Tea helped spur the specialty coffee
movement and attracts connoisseurs who truly love the taste of
coffee. www.Peets.com
Gloria Jean's is a specialty coffee franchise with over
25 years of experience in gourmet coffee flavors and blends.
Often found in shopping malls, Gloria Jean's takes pride in the aroma,
body, and taste of their coffee. www.GloriaJeans.com
Ancora Coffee Roasters began in Wisconsin and Ancora
Coffee is now served at independent coffeehouses and fine restaurants
across the nation. Check out their online selection of premium
roasted coffees made from beans grown all over the world. With
such a wide variety to choose from, discerning coffee lovers are sure to
find the perfect taste for their palates. www.AncoraCoffee.com
Dunn Brothers Coffee specializes in coffee fresh roasted
in-house from high grade Arabica beans. Dunn Brothers creates and
serves a variety of coffee, espresso and tea selections, and seeks to
provide local music, art, and free WIFI in their shops. This
specialty coffee franchise company is dedicated to serving single-origin
coffee that is roasted fresh daily and served in a welcoming and
community-oriented coffee shop atmosphere. www.DunnBrothers.com
As many coffee lovers will tell you, Dunkin' Donuts
doesn't just serve a good selection of donuts, bagels, and breakfast
sandwiches; they also brew a delicious cup of coffee! Whether
Original Blend, Decaf, French Vanilla, Hazelnut, or Dunkin' Dark, coffee
drinkers can select their favorite blend for breakfast or
anytime. www.DunkinDonuts.com
This Michigan-based gourmet coffee store chain features
several varieties of brewed coffee and specialty coffee drinks.
They micro-roast their beans to lock in flavor and taste. View
their in-store menu and order from an on-line selection of signature,
decaf, and flavored beans, as well as premium teas from Asia and
India. www.Biggby.com
Founded in 1981 as Green Mountain Coffee, Vermont-based Keurig Green Mountain
has become one of America's leading specialty coffee companies. In addition to roasting
coffee, the firm offers the Keurig coffee brewing system and helps to protect the environment
and support local communities. Shop online for a selection of K-Cup coffees, premium
whole bean or ground coffees, and gifts and sampler packs. www.KeurigGreenMountain.com
Known as "The Heavenly Coffee", Chock full o' Nuts became
a beloved New York coffee brand after the first shop was opened in
New York City in 1932. There are now locations in New Jersey,
Massachusetts, Illinois, and Florida as well. A variety of
coffees, hot and cold specialty drinks, smoothies, sandwiches, and baked
goods are served in-store, and Chock full o' Nuts canned and whole bean
coffee can be purchased online. www.ChockFulloNuts.com
Eight o' Clock coffee is made with a smooth, satisfying blend of premium Arabica beans.
Available at many groceries and superstores nationwide, and with twelve varieties to choose from, Eight o' Clock coffee offers good value for every coffee drinker. www.EightoClock.com
Many of us can recite the Folgers jingle by heart, and
its convenience and great taste has made it the number one coffee in
America. Folgers offers classic and instant selections, as well as
gourmet varieties and K-Cup sizes. Folgers can be found in just
about every major grocery and superstore nationwide. Use the
online product locator to find a nearby store. www.Folgers.com
Lavazza is Italy's leading retailer of premium espresso,
utilizing flavorful and aromatic beans. For discriminating coffee
and espresso drinkers, Lavazza's strong, full-bodied dark roast coffee
or espresso is hard to beat. www.Lavazza.com
Founded in 1892, Maxwell House remains one of America's
leading coffee brands. Maxwell House provides ground caffeinated
and decaffeinated blends, as well as instant coffee and packets for
mornings on the go. Maxwell House coffee can be found at major
grocery stores and superstores nationwide. www.MaxwellHouse.com
Creating good coffee is an art, and Bellissimo is
dedicated to those who are pursuing that art. They provide
consulting, barista training, and media resources to help those in the
specialty coffee industry succeed. Whether you are looking for
training, opening your own coffee shop, or revitalizing an existing
existing shop, Bellissimo can help! www.CoffeeBusiness.com
This intergovernmental coffee organization brings
together exporting and importing governments to address challenges
facing world coffee markets through international
cooperation. www.ICO.org