The purpose of this article is to take you on a journey: I want you to take a minute to close your eyes and think of a moment you hold dear, a moment that can happen every day and a moment that has the ability to bring you pure joy. This moment brings with it, a reaction and an aroma so recognisable that you will always know when it’s ready to happen. This is you, adding happiness to your life with a cup of coffee. Now think of a perfect friendship, having a companion that is there for you whether it’s early mornings, late nights or any time in between. Good coffee is comparable to a solid friendship: it is rich, warm and strong.
It is believed that coffee was first grown in the high mountainsides of the Ethiopian rain forest, a country nestled in the eastern end of Africa, before taking the rest of the world and the people in it by storm. Although it is made from mere seeds of berries from the coffee plant, the finished product is anything but mediocre and often carries the weight of the world’s productivity levels on its back.
According to Whitfield Hall coffee farmer Deanne Allgrove, it takes about 4 years for a plant to yield viable coffee beans that can be harnessed for consumption, and there is often more than one harvest a year. Berries start out bright green then mature into bright red fruits which are then picked and put to dry. From there, the berries are shaken until the dried skin (trash) falls off. They are put in large vats of water and the beans that float are removed from the harvest; what remains will be used to make a batch of coffee that will give you your perfect ‘cup of Joe’.
The best thing about coffee is its ability to be consumed in many different ways, making it great for everyone. You can choose to have your coffee hot and black or with sugar and/or cream for a morning kick start. Coffee can be enjoyed as various espresso flavours such as Cappuccino, Mocha, Latte, etc.; but if you’re not a big fan of hot beverages, you can indulge in coffee liqueurs, or simply have your coffee blended or shaken over ice for the perfect heat beating drink. A cup of coffee does wonders for a lot of us, but consumption isn’t limited to just these fabulous drinks as it can also be quite the ingredient in the kitchen. Whether it’s a cake or cookies, you can add a bit of zing to your desserts by adding coffee to the mix.
Try this recipe for a quick and easy coffee chocolate cake:
1 cup white sugar
1 1/8 cups of all-purpose flour
½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup of strongly brewed coffee
Method:
Preheat oven to 350 F or 175 C. Grease and flour an 8 inch pan. Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and beat well. Add flour mixture, alternating with coffee. Beat until justly incorporated.
Add mixture to baking pan and bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
Now that we’ve gone over a bunch of ways to consume coffee, let’s explore more of what it has to offer. Did you know that coffee grounds can be used as a natural exfoliant for your skin? Sade Campbell, Managing Director of I Love Sweetness Coffee Scrubs explains, “Coffee has a whole bunch of anti-inflammatory properties that help to improve the skin. It also helps to improve circulation, reduces eye puffiness and leaves your skin soft and smooth.”
To continue reading, purchase Vol.8 #8, 2016 Issue.