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Young World
That refreshing cuppa
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Everybody loves a good cup of coffee. But have you wondered where it came from? From the 13th century when the Arabs first brewed this delicious beverage, it has travelled a long way...
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A steaming cup of coffee in the morning is refreshing. It rejuvenates our spirits and elevates our mood. It is a beverage derived from the beans of the coffee tree and is a favourite drink of many. Though India ranks as one of the largest consumers of coffee in the world, it is basically a western beverage.
The Arabs were the first to develop an innovative know-how for the preparation of this delicious beverage during the 13th century. For reasons best known to them the know-how was kept a closely guarded secret. Somehow the Dutch managed to transfer some coffee plants and beans across the Mediterranean Sea. They were displayed as curious exhibits in various botanical gardens in Europe. It is interesting to learn that Brazil, one of the leading coffee exporters today, had to struggle hard even to get a few cuttings of coffee plants. Despite this, an uneventful breakthrough occurred quite accidentally in1727. A lieutenant was deputed by the government to arbitrate a boundary dispute between the French and Dutch Guina in South America. His mission was successful and as a token of appreciation for his valuable services he was presented with a bouquet by the host government. Surprisingly the bouquet contained a hidden treasure in the form of few fertile coffee beans and cuttings. This was an unexpected bonanza paving the way for the growth and development of today's flourishing coffee industry in Brazil.
Coffee berries.. for a good brew
Coffee trees are evergreen shrubs and they are generally planted only on the hilly regions. They reach a moderate height of three to nine metres, blooming normally once a year. They bear green berries yielding good commercial quantities of beans within eight years. During its consumption caffeine, an alkaloid freshens our spirits while coffeol, another substance imparts a pleasant flavour to it.
Compelled by necessity to quicken the preparation of this wonder beverage, in 1901 Saturi Katu, a Japanese chemist living in Chicago invented "instant coffee" which was a big hit gaining in popularity throughout the world.
T.R. Thiagarajan
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