Whether you like it hot or cold, frothy or plain, there is no better pick-me up than your cup of Joe. And today is the day we feel extra thankful for it. Why you ask? Because it is the International Coffee Day. Celebrated across the world on 1st October, the International Coffee Day aims to shed light on the coffee farmers, working dedicatedly to deliver us their best beans. These coffee growers often face many challenges, chief among which is the economic instability and unfair trade. On this day, coffee lovers' bond over coffee, try their hands on different recipes or flock their favourite cafes.
From 'Bitter Energising Beans For Goats' To 'Miracle Drink' : A Brief History Of Coffee
Coffee is a beverage made by brewing roasted coffee beans in hot water. There are several legends associated with the legends of coffee. Some say that ancestors of people residing on Kaffa in Ethiopia were the first discover the energising effects of coffee. Another popular legend people like to believe is that of Kaldi, a ninth century Ethiopian goatherd who happen to stumble upon coffee plant after noticing how excited his goats would become after eating beans from a particular plant.
Then there is an old manuscript of Abd-Al Kadir that accredits discovery of coffee to Sheikh Omar. The man with healing powers, who would cure people with a single prayer. When he was exiled and was living his life in a cave in Yemen, he chewed on berries that he found too ‘bitter’, to improve the taste he roasted the berries, but they turned hard. Then he tried boiling them and saw the liquid turning brown. He called it a ‘miracle drink; as it helped revitalise him all the time. The word around this ‘miracle drink’ reached Mocha, the town he was from and his exile was lifted.
One of the most credible theories however appear in 15th century accounts of Ahmed al-Ghaffar in Yemen. Experts believe that it was in Arabia that the beans were first roasted for extra flavour. It would also help saints stay up. It is possible that coffee plants reached from Ethiopia to neighbouring countries via red sea.
Coffee In India
By the 16th century, coffee had became a mainstay across the Middle East, Persia, Turkey, and northern Africa. Sufi Baba Budan from Yemen was the first person to smuggle coffee beans out of Middle-East to Indian subcontinent. They rest as they say is history.
There are more than 250,000 coffee growers in India today. Coffee plantation is mostly carried out in the hilly tracts of South India, with Karanataka accounting for 71 percent of coffee production, followed by Kerala (21 percent).
Filter Kaapi or Filter coffee is perhaps one of the most iconic coffee recipes to emerge out of India. The unique process of making the beverage entails filtering the coffee beans through steel perforated filter using a percolator. The fascinating way it is prepared by transferring it from one glass to another from a height is truly a vision.
In present times of course, Indians are drinking coffees from around the world in cafes funded by International coffee giants.There is a sizeable population that is rather driven towards iced coffee, or coffee served cold.
On this International day, we handpicked 5 of our favourite Iced coffee recipes for you:
1. Iced Coffee Mocha: Mocha lovers, here’s your ultimate mauka to make a coffee that could actually cost you a fortune at your nearest coffee shop.
2. Pumpkin Spiced Iced Coffee: Nothing says autumn that this spiced coffee. An absolute classic.
3. Skinny Hazelnut Iced Coffee: Nutty and nectarous, this iced coffee has all it takes to be the highlight of your day.
4. Thai Iced Coffee: Super strong coffee made with condensed milk for added richness.
5. Long Island Iced Coffee: Straight from Long Island US to your kitchen, this boozy coffee is sure to lift up your spirits.
Happy International Coffee Day Everybody!