The highly-prized Kopi Luwak coffee originates from Indonesia, where its name is derived from the Indonesian word for coffee; Kopi, and Luwak, being the name they call the local weasel-type animal we call the Common Palm Civet. This little animal is responsible for the uniqueness of these coffee beans.
These civets eat a mixture of small mammals, insects and fruits, including the coffee 'cherry'. These cherries grow high in the trees, and each contains two beans; civets eat the cherries but do not digest the beans, which pass through their systems and are excreted. It is believed that the stomach enzymes of the civet cause some kind of unique fermentation which results in the coffee beans' exquisite flavour.
Local farmers collect the beans, sanitize them thoroughly and sun-dry them to remove any remaining fruit from the bean, ready to sell them to dealers who distribute them to coffee manufacturers, to produce the exotic Kopi Luwak coffee; often known as civet coffee or weasel coffee, which is then enjoyed by coffee connoisseurs all over the world.
The unique, rich hearty taste of Kopi Luwak has hints of chocolate or caramels, and is labelled earthy, exotic, musty, while having an almost syrupy body and smooth flavor. As this unique civet coffee is so rare, it is rather pricey, but coffee connoisseurs everywhere will affirm it is an unmissable experience.
Many stories circulate about how on earth this delicacy was discovered; did a native once decide it was easier to collect the beans among faeces on the ground than to climb the trees to pick fresh ones? Did someone do it first to play a prank, then discovered the delicious taste? Probably we will never know, but whoever discovered them, have to be thanked for bringing us this delicious, unique coffee.
If you feel you are a coffee expert, or aficionado, definitely take the time to try Kopi Luwak once at least. Pamper yourself with this special, exotic coffee, to discover the special, wonderful flavours unique to this brew. Doubtless, once you have experienced the taste, you won't be able to resist repeating. As it is so rare and expensive, your local coffee shop will not sell this coffee, but it is available online and from certain suppliers dealing in specialist coffees
Want to find out more about Kopi Luwak visit this website that features 3 different varieties of the best coffee in the world .
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May 31 2010 | coffee | No Comments »
Espresso traditionally emerged from the hills of Ethiopia. The Arabs the started trading it in Europe and as it is was very popular in the gulf countries. The Italians later started to cultivate their own coffee berry on hillsides in the last period of seventeenth century. The custom to savor espresso coffee at homes started with the innovation of stove top coffee maker.
The Italians urbanized an energetic coffee culture of their own. They started the coffee shop, where families, friends and neighbors assembled over a faultlessly brewed cup of espresso. Before the invention of stove top coffee makers, espresso was a very expensive and a complicated affair. The espresso machines were extremely high priced and only the rich people could afford it.
It all started in the year 1918, when Alfonso Bialetti started manufacturing metal household goods. The actual idea of stove top espresso makers came to his mind when he observed a sealed boiler type washing machine to wash clothes. It had a small central pipe which would draw the liquid soap from the bottom and redistributed it over the clothes. Bailetti manipulated this idea to make a simple coffee maker.
One of the places in the world which has good source of aluminum is Italy and this material was used by Bialetti to make the stovetop espresso maker. Many models failed to provide the desired results. In 1933 all technical issues were eliminated and the first stove top espresso maker was available to the people. An octagon shaped silver finish coffee maker which occupies most homes in Italy is very delicately designed to serve the purpose.
Alfonso Bialetti claimed his stove top coffee pots as "in casa un espresso come al bar" which means 'an espresso at home just like having a coffee bar.' In the initial stages, Bailetti would sell around 10,000 units annually. However, after the Second World War when his son, Renato Bailetti joined the family business, the sales of the coffee maker really took off.
After the Second World War Bialetti's son, Renato Bialetti joined the business. He launched a massive marketing campaign and with intense focus on production and advertising, he managed to increase the sales to 1,000 units per day. Thus, the stove top coffee maker became iconic in Italy and made its way in every Italian household. Its innovative eight-sided design and the rich aroma which was derived from it made it very popular among the Italians.
With the success of stove top coffee makers in Italy, many other people stated copying its design and manufactured their own editions of espresso makers. To keep up with this change, Renato Bialetti started imprinting the company mascot on the coffee maker in order to make it unique. It is a caricature of his father Alfonso Bialetti - little man with a mustache.
Italians love their tradition of starting their morning with a good cup of espresso. According to them, a good espresso is the one, which hold sugar for a few seconds at the surface of the "crema", or cream before it actually settles down. Therefore, if you really want to relish an authentic, aromatic essential shot of that espresso, you should just bring home a stove top coffee maker. It will be a worthwhile investment that will provide years of service.
True lovers of coffee understand that Stovetop Espresso Makers produce the best tasting, flavorsome coffee that is a pleasure to drink. A Bialetti Stove Top Coffee Maker is one of the best brands on the market.
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March 25 2010 | espresso | No Comments »