Arabic Coffee

Ah coffee! The aroma of the coffee being roasted in the open markets and sold as it's going out of style. Hand roasting not only took place in the coffee houses, but also at homes in the long handled cast iron roasting pan with an attached flattened spoon long enough to reach the roasting beans to stir and constantly release this addictive aroma. You have not had coffee unless you have had it roasted for you by hand, ground then boiled to perfection for that ultimate cup of coffee. From the brewing pot, the urn used for serving it to the crafty and various looking cups used. So whether you are at the market, home or attending whatever occasion, engagement, wedding, graduation, the birth of a child, a holiday, or fast visiting for a "Sahra," a gathering to socialize. All of these occasions, visits, or events are accented with indulgence in coffee drinking, or sweet minted tea, fresh fruit and snacks. The ultimate hospitality of a Middle Eastern home is having coffee "on" and serving it all the time. Have you heard of Coffee Arabica, or the Origin of the Bean? Of course it is the Middle East where coffee was originally discovered. In these parts of the world, coffee and it's multiple ways of roasting, brewing, and serving it, coffee is drank in the liters from early in the morning to the late hours of the night, which goes without saying as farmers are early risers and are customarily to bed by midnight. Remember that early afternoon siesta helps a lot.

Now, coffee is the preferred drink of all generations across the new homeland. My mom and dad always had coffee brewing and their constant and warm hospitality, which they showed everyone, was and continues to be, the most gratifying gesture to me. Much of this was the hallmark and gracious gestures of my grandparents before them. To this day, I carry on the same kind of hospitality both at home and at my restaurant. Often my friends, and even my own kids (today's generation), ask if that was necessary or needed, not because the kids, unlike my parents and siblings, are unaware of this. It's because a lesser importance or value is placed on such things. One could argue that it's generational or the difference in the value systems or customary traditions of the time we live in. It is heartwarming, however, as our own kids are more exposed to this, in the long run they will become more appreciative of this unconditional return to this wonderful, interesting and most gratifying gesture of peace, love and friendship.

Arabic coffee is ground very fine compared to its counterpart American version. It is very much similar to the espresso grounds. Unlike espresso, it is traditionally sweetened with sugar or honey and spiced with whole or ground cardamom.

Ingredients

- 1 tsp coffee
- 1 cup water

Method

- Bring water to boil (with sugar if desired)
- Add coffee, notice coffee with begin to foam and creamy bubbles start to form
- Turn heat down and perk for a short minute
- Pour coffee into cups and spoon some of the foam topping each cup

Arabic coffee can be ground with cardamom or without. In fact, specialty stores stock both types of ground Arabic coffee vacuum sealed for freshness and taste.

Shaw H. Rabadi, restaurant owner/chef/author, invites you to Eat, Drink, and Be Mediterranean with him for a happier, healthier life!

Visit http://www.TheMediterraneanDigest.com for information on his newly released story-cookbook, "Savor the Spices of Life" and more info on eating, cooking, and living a heart healthier life.

Eat Better, Fresher, Smarter!

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Coffee Culture in North America

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in North America and has quite a long history. The hot drink was first introduced to this country in 1668, and shortly after New York became the site of one of the first coffee houses in the United States. The well known Wall Street was actually the site of many early coffee houses where the New York Stock Exchange and The Bank of New York both started. Coffee has evolved into more than just a beverage, it has shaped an entire cultural environment.

The world has become inundated with corporate chains like Starbucks that have dominated their tiny coffee bar predecessors. Each day coffee drinker's flock for a cup of their favorite flavor, not just to drink, but to socialize among people as well. At a coffee shop, people can spend hours drinking, reading, or enjoying the company of others. It is an excellent place for lonely people to gather in a comfortable setting and interact with others. Other times, coffee bars offer customers a relaxing atmosphere where it is quiet and a person can be alone with their own thoughts. A person can sit and watch people without having to say a word.

Coffee culture in the United States has come to describe a range of coffee shops like tiny espresso stands to large chain stores. Many contemporary coffee bars offer Wi-Fi services to their customers for convenience as well as wide ranges of beverages like cappuccinos and lattes. It draws in the yuppie business crowd. On the other hand, there are diner-like restaurants that specialize in coffee and cater to the senior crowd that prefer just regular drip coffee. Many older people gather around counters with bar stools, drink coffee, read the newspaper, and discuss different events.

The United States is a very large buyer of coffee beans. The coffee market is extremely popular and continues to grow which extends to the livelihoods of coffee bars. Even with the invention of single serve coffee makers that make it extremely convenient to make great coffee at home, people continue to frequent coffee shops. In the morning, people buy coffee on the way to work. In the afternoon, people that are on lunch breaks buy coffee as a mid day pick-me-up. College campuses are filled with students who lounge around drinking coffee while studying or waiting for a class.

Places like Starbucks have driven society into a culture where coffee means more than just a drink. In many ways, it represents a way of life that people want to strive for. Being able to interact socially in a comfortable environment or escaping life's fury in the quietness of a drink, coffee has become an obsession that is ever growing with no market saturation in sight.

The social aspect of Coffee Culture is a huge reason why people go to coffee shops. If you're in a hurry its not always convenient. Are you looking for a faster, often better tasting start to your day? You may be surprised at how easy the answer is! -> Single Serve Coffee Makers <-

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