Where Does Coffee Come From?

Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) was home to the first coffee houses during the mid-16th century. Within a short time, there were over 500 coffee houses there. Then in 1615, ships loaded with coffee set sail for Europe. Around 1645, Venice opened the first Western European coffee houses.

Of the 60 or so species of coffee trees worldwide, only 2 are cultivated for consumption: Coffea Arabica (Arabica) and Coffea Canephora (Robusta). The former are cultivated at high altitudes in tropical conditions, mostly in Central and South America and also Eastern Africa. While the Arabica plant poses considerable challenges to growers because of its sensitivity, it yields a delicate and more refined aroma. By contrast, Robusta grows at lower altitudes, is heartier, contains more caffeine and tends to be more bitter. A blend of the two can often produce pleasant results.

Iced Cappuccino at Home

My home espresso machine arrived Friday, and we've been delighting ourselves with iced cappuccinos all weekend. The name of my machine is the CitiZ, and it's from Nespresso. It goes for $279, and it's worth every penny. Remember, over the course of a year, you save a considerable amount of money by brewing espresso and cappuccino at home. I highly recommend it. Enjoy your weekends!