All you wanted to know about coffee but afraid to ask !

Coffee evokes lot of emotions, you probably aren’t thinking about its health benefits or risks when taking your favourite morning brew. And yet this beverage has been subject to a long history of debate & controversies. However does suggest that that when consumed in moderation, coffee can be considered a healthy beverage.

Coffee is an intricate mixture of more than a thousand chemicals. It is a source of caffeine, vitamin B2, magnesium and plant chemicals such as polyphenols. What defines a cup is the type of coffee bean used, how it is roasted, the amount of grind, and how it is brewed.

There are two main types of coffee species, Arabica and Robusta. Arabica originates from Ethiopia and produces a mild, flavourful tasting coffee. It is the most popular type worldwide. Robusta is more economical to produce due to its resistance to diseases and temperature fluctuations.

Unique History of Coffee in India

India is the world’s sixth largest coffee producer, behind Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Colombia, and Honduras. The country exports around 70 percent of production – with exports of greens roughly split between 30 percent Arabica and 70 percent Robusta.

India was first exposed to coffee in the latter part of the seventeenth century. The legend says that in 1670, an Indian pilgrim to Mecca, known as Baba Budan smuggled seven beans back to India from Yemen and planted them in the Chandragiri highlands of Karnataka. The Dutch, who ruled over a large portion of India in the 17th century, contributed to the expansion of coffee cultivation throughout the nation, but commercial coffee growing did not completely take off until the British Raj arrived in the middle of the 1800s.

What does a coffee connoisseur look for in a cuppa ? 

Fond of taking  coffee with milk ! well its attributes are likely to be washed away with milk. But if you are an espresso or black coffee lover, your palate might be more sensitive to picking up the nuanced differences.

First things first : Knowing coffee beans

•  Arabica- beans have a softer, sweeter taste than other bean species.

•  Robusta have a reputation for sometimes tasting burnt, and they are often used in combination with Arabica beans. They are grown mostly in Africa and Indonesia.

•  Liberica beans are somewhat rare, and they’re known to be a bit bitter with a slightly woodsy flavour.

•  Excelsa grown mostly in Southeast Asia, beans are an even rarer commodity, with a tart & a fruity flavour profile.

Knowing about Roasts

There are four main types of coffee bean roasts and each one has a different look, flavour, and level of caffeine

•  Light Roast: light brown in colour with high taste of acidity and high levels of caffeine

•  Medium Roast: medium brown in colour with a balance of aroma, acid, and flavour; medium levels of caffeine

•  Medium-Dark: medium brown in colour, heavy and full with spicy flavour and low amounts of caffeine

•  Dark Roast: dark brown colour with an oily sheen, bitter and smoky in flavour with very low levels of caffeine

Tasting them all

•  Espresso - is a single shot, usually blended from different roasts to create a bold, intense flavour. It’s also the basis for many other coffee drinks.

• Americano is a combination of hot water and a shot of espresso. You can make it at different strengths, with one, two, or three espresso shots.

•  Macchiato is nothing more than a simple espresso shot, topped with foam.

•  Cappuccino includes equal parts espresso, hot milk, and foamed milk, usually topped with chocolate or cocoa powder.

•  Latte is served in a glass rather than a mug, a latte includes one or two shots of espresso with steamed milk and a bit of foam.

•  Mocha - chocolate fans love a mocha for its combination of espresso, chocolate, and steamed milk.

•  Café au Lait “coffee with milk,” the Café au Lait originated in France as equal parts brewed coffee and steamed (or warmed) milk

All said moderation is the key to enjoy your daily cuppa. The world of coffee is complex. There are endless versions and various ways to mix a drink. Learning every drink, every brew method, and every variety brings uniqueness that you can enjoy. Here is an interesting video to put everything in a perspective for buying coffee

Till next time !