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Coffee: the fuel of the worker. Whether it’s a necessity or a passion, coffee is a common component of our everyday diets. Where would we be without it? Coffee is our hero, and with every hero there follows a legend… The legend of Kaldi tells the tale of the goatherd in the Ethiopian highlands. It is said that Kaldi discovered coffee beans after noticing that his goats, upon eating what seemed to be berries from a certain tree, became so spirited that they did not want to sleep at night. Excited by his discovery Kaldi reported his new discovery to the Abbot at the monastery. After consuming a special drink the abbot had formulated with the new spirited ingredient, the abbot found he could stay alert and focus on his prayers for long into the evening. Excited by the new discovery the Abbot spread the news and gradually knowledge of the energising effects of the berries began to spread. Eventually news reached the Arabian peninsular which when the exportation of Coffee beans really took off. The legend of Kaldi was the beginning of a story that spread its reputation across the globe. Although we will never know with absolute certainty, there probably is some truth to the Kaldi legend. Today coffee is truly an international beverage and is grown in over 50 countries worldwide. High altitudes and tropical climates make for the finest coffee beans due to the rich and fertile soil, this includes regions found in North, Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Growing coffee beans is not only a method, but a science too. Beside location, there are many other factors that impact upon the quality of the coffee bean. Everything from the chemistry of the soil to the amount of sunshine and rainfall and the method of picking has an impact on the final coffee blend. Even on a single plantation a variety can be found in both quality and taste! Look out for our upcoming blog series on the different growing processes. Each brand has their own distinctive method behind their beans and their blends; this is what distinguishes the differences between each coffee and creates a unique taste profile. We all have our favourite…what yours? |
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