Coffee is the worlds most popular and consumed beverage. It is generally served hot prepared from the roasted seed of coffee beans. Its popularity has given birth to many varieties of instant coffee. The word coffee entered the English way back in 1598 from the Italian word “caffa” via the Turkish word “kahveh” through the Arabic word “qahwa”. The ultimate origin of the word is uncertain there being numerous legendary accounts of the origin of the drink.
Coffee is also a central element of Ethiopian culture, with traditions that date back to the 10th century, when the first tree was domesticated in the south-western highlands of the country. Coffee is so important to the daily regimen of life in Ethiopia that “coffee ceremonies” happen daily throughout the country. A third of the national production is consumed domestically. The coffee needs to have been grown, harvested, processed, transported, roasted, blended, ground, and brewed correctly for it to realize its full potential. Because espresso has such a concentrated flavor, any flaws are greatly magnified. The other side of the coin is that when things come together in the right way, it can be transcendental. Properly prepared espresso should exit the portafilter looking like warm honey and be topped with a brown-flecked layer of crema the color of mahogany.
Coffee Mugs make magnificent gifts for just about any occasion. Need a gift for a special schoolteacher at the end of the year? A coffee mug that reads “A+ Teacher” will fit the bill nicely. If you shop wisely — say, hit the buck-for-everything store — you can pick up a great coffee mug, and still have enough left over to tuck a few bags of her favorite candy into the mug. Another great gift idea is a monthly coffee club membership, for those avid coffee drinkers in your life.
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