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Dripped, perked or pressed. Even iced. Cafe latte, cappuccino, French vanilla. Instant, if desperate enough. The little bean that can cause total panic in an otherwise normal human being.
Coffea arabica. The most widely grown species for the production of the worlds coffee. It will grow in full sun or partial shade, but really prefers light shade, and is suitable for growing as a houseplant. If left unchecked it will grow to heights exceeding 15 feet, but for ease of crop picking should be pruned back to a more manageable height. Coffea likes its water, the soil should be kept damp, but not waterlogged. A plant will take 7 years to mature fully. It will not tolerate a frost and prefers an average temperaure of 68F. It produces small, highly fragarant flowers that have been compared to Jasmine in scent. After flowering, the berries begin to form. They are ripe when they turn a deep red. These berries are edible as well, with a sweet flavour. The coffee, which is the true crop, is produced from the bean inside. In perfect conditions, coffee can be harvested year round. Oddly enough, the Latin American countries that produce coffee are the ones that drink the least amount. Europeans drink the most, although Americans and Canadians are catching up fast.
The first thing I do when I wake up every morning is get a pot of coffee brewing. Even the dogs understand that they do not get let out until this most important task is done. I don't even wait for the brewing to finish, as soon as I return from dog duty, I stick a bowl under the dripper and pour myself that first, strongest, best cup of coffee.
When I was a kid, my parents used one of those old fashioned, on the stove percolators. Remember those? Dad would perk the coffee the night before, then, in the morning, perk it again. This was the coffee I learned to drink, at a fairly early age, and I have been striving my entire life to duplicate it.
The quest for the perfect coffee maker continues. After the untimely death of the last one, coincidentally, as soon as I started this article, I now boil the tea kettle and pour the boiling water over a basket filter filled with grounds directly into my cup. It is as close to perfect as I have tasted, although not very time friendly, it takes forever to fill the thermos. The dogs, however, appreciate the fact that the morning coffee ritual now only involves turning on the kettle.
Doesn't everybody have a favourite brand of coffee? Mine is Folgers. Extreme panic sets in when I can see the bottom of the can. The only thing I have ever knocked on a neighbours door for, is a cup of coffee grounds. After Hurricane Katrina, there was a severe shortage of this brand in my area and I found myself travelling far and wide in search of it. It was akin to a treasure hunt, and when discovered, usually in some tiny little general store in the middle of nowhere, I would gladly scoop up all they had in stock. Since then, I now keep an "emergency" supply of a few cans buried deep within the freezer in the garage.
I have yet to find a restaurant of any kind that makes decent coffee. Southerners have their Starbucks, Canadians have Tim Hortons. Country Style is a close second. I plan any trip around the location of these coffee shops. No trip to town goes without a stop for a coffee. Even if just taking the critters to the vet. It was a grand day in the town of Brockville, Ontario when they put a Tim Hortons coffee shop right IN the Walmart store. Coffee on the way in and coffee on the way out for the drive home, life couldn't get any better than this!! I have been seen digging under the seats of the car for loose change. I have even used my debit card for the whopping $1.25 for a cup of coffee. Of course, everybody has their preferred coffee ingredients, be it black, double double, cream only. Ahh, the creamer!! After using half and half in my coffe, I can never use milk again. The same panic sets in when I begin to run low on creamer. The lady who owns the little store up the road keeps a larger than normal supply just for me. This household can go through 2 litres a day, almost 9 cups, of cream, just for coffee. I figure I don't have to drink milk, I get my recommended daily intake of dairy in my coffee.
Is coffee good for you? Some studies have shown that drinking coffee reduces the chances of liver cancer, and chronic liver diseases. Japanese researchers have recently reported that drinking 3 or more cups of coffee a day can cut a womans chance of developing colon cancer in half. Coffee is said to reduce your chances of developing Parkinsons disease, reducing the risk of Diabetes. Research is showing coffee to be more healthy than it is harmful.
So go ahead, enjoy your coffee, don't be afraid. Although I will drink a cup or two of tea in the evening, coffee is my beverage of choice. It would probably be in my best interest to erect a greenhouse and start production. Maybe not, coffee is still one of cheaper drinks on the market.
Coffee connoisseurs unite!!
For more information on the health benefits of coffee: go here, and here.
Thanks go to bigcityal for his cup of coffee and the motivational nudge to write this article. Dinu is to be thanked for his photo of coffee beans and floridian needs to be thanked for his coffee flowers....
About Lee Anne Stark
I am an avid gardener who shares my gardens with 2 other equally avid gardeners. I garden for fun and relaxation, never paying attention to the rules!! During the long, cold winter months I occupy my time playing with over a hundred house plants, my six cats and two dogs.
Posted by momsey (from Eden, NC) on February 18, 2008 at 11:06 AM:
I have never had but a sip of coffee in my life time . I stole a sip of my mothers coffee when I was 9 years old and that convinced me never to drink coffee again. My mother was a coffee-a-ho lick and she lived to be 89 years old and died of old age with intestinal problems. so the cancer protection doesn't hold water. I never had any coffee and am 81 and in the best of health(no Cancer).But I do Love your web site.I am a plant-a-ho lick you might say.keep up the wonderful work. this web site helps me a lot in my horticulture class at college.
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Subject: Great article
Posted by LavinaMae (from Grantsboro, NC) on February 15, 2008 at 7:37 PM:
I run off coffee like a car runs off gas. I love flavored coffees. Hazel nut
Chocolate etc.
Lavina
...
Subject: Great article!
Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on February 15, 2008 at 11:20 AM:
Wonderful stuff, from another coffee drinker! I do remember the perk on the stove kind. LOL Good job and very interesting. Had no idea on their growth habits, thanks for sharing.
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Posted by bigcityal (from Menasha, WI) on February 15, 2008 at 1:38 PM:
Nice one Lee Anne.
Reminds me of one of my favorite Monty Python Flying Circus sketches - Just replace sherry with coffee,glasses with cups and bottles with pots.
Couldn't find the video - this is the sceenplay
( The next sketch starts after some silly noises.)
Black screen and a collection of really silly noises. Then fade up on a country church. Cut to interior, a vestry. A sign reads 'No Papists'. The door opens and the vicar enters as if from the end of a service. He takes off his cassock and is hanging it up. At one side of the set is a sculpture on a plinth. It is the vicar's head, but with an enormously long nose. Mr Kirkham has followed the vicar in. He is an earnest, quiet, self-effacing soul, with a tortured conscience.
Vicar : Come in.
Kirkham : I wondered if I could have a word with you for a moment.
Vicar: By all means ... by all means, sir. Do sit down. (they look round for a chair) Ah, sit on the desk here.
Kirkham: Thank you.
Vicar: Now then, a glass of sherry?
Kirkham: No... no thank you...
Vicar: (getting a bottle from the cupboard) Are you sure? I'm going to have some.
Kirkham: Well, if you're having some, yes then, perhaps, vicar.
Vicar (slightly taken aback): Oh... well there's only just enough for me.
Kirkham: Well in that case I won't, don't worry.
Vicar: You see, if I split what's left, there'd be hardly any left for me at all.
Kirkham: Well, I'm not a great sherry drinker.
Vicar: Good! So, I can have it all ... now then what's the problem?
Kirkham: Well, just recently I've begun to worry about...
The vicar has been looking through his desk. He produces a bottle of sherry in triumph.
Vicar: Ah! I've found another bottle! You can have some now if you want to.
Kirkham: Well... yes, perhaps a little...
Vicar : Oh you don't have to. I can drink the whole bottle.
Kirkham: Well in that case, no...
Vicar: Good! That's another bottle for me. Do go on.
The vicar opens the bottle and pours himself a glass. As soon as he has drunk it he replenishes it again.
Kirkham: I've begun to worry recently that...
There is a knock on the door.
Vicar: Come in!
A smooth man, Mr Husband, enters carrying a smart little briefcase.
Vicar : Ah, Mr Husband ... this is Mr Kirkham, one of my parishioners, this is Mr Husband of the British Sherry Corporation...
Kirkham Look, look, perhaps I'd better come back later...
Vicar: No, no ... no do stay here. Have a sherry... you won't be long will you, Husband?
Husband: Oh no, vicar... it's just a question of signing a few forms.
The vicar pours Husband a sherry.
Vicar : There we are... there we are, Mr Husband. Now, how about you, Mr Kirkham?
Kirkham: Well only if there's enough.
Vicar: Oh well, there's not much now.
Kirkham : Oh, in that case... no... I won't bother.
Vicar: (pouring himself one) Good. Right... now, then, what is the problem, Husband?
Husband : Well, vicar, I've made enquiries with our shippers and the most sherry they can ship in any one load is 12,000 gallons.
Vicar: And how many glasses is that?
Husband : That's roughly 540,000 glasses, Vicar.
Vicar: That's excellent, Husband, excellent.
Husband : Yes... it means you can still keep your main sherry supply on the roof, but you can have an emergency supply underneath the vestry of 5,000 gallons.
Vicar: Yes... and I could have dry sherry on the roof and Amontillado in the underground tank!
Husband: Absolutely.
The vicar signs a form that Husband hands to him.
Vicar: Excellent work, Husband, excellent work.
Husband: Not at all, vicar, you're one of our best customers... you and the United States. Well goodbye. (he leaves)
...
Posted by gardengus (from Flora, IN) on February 15, 2008 at 1:39 PM:
Thanks for the article, Now I have to find a coffee plant for my son. He is the coffee connoisseur in our house. He has even made his own roaster for the green beans he gets over the net.
...
Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on February 15, 2008 at 1:44 PM:
LOL Al...that is a funny one!!!
I am so glad to hear I'm not the only coffee-aholic out there, and that you all like the article.
...
Posted by pajaritomt (from Los Alamos, NM) on February 15, 2008 at 3:44 PM:
Recently, I had a colonoscopy and was surprised when the doctor told me the number of years it would be before my next exam. I asked him why the number had changed. He said , "Well last time you were here we thought coffee would kill you, this time we think it prevents colon cancer. Things change!"
I am really glad to hear how good coffee is for you. I never gave it up. Oh, and I can drink it at bed time and sleep like a baby, but it isn't much help when I try to use it to stay awake for long cross-country drives. Cold water keeps me awake better.
...
Posted by tcs1366 (from Itasca, IL) on February 15, 2008 at 6:54 PM:
'nother java-junkie here... great article!!
...
Posted by katsu (from Columbus, OH) on February 18, 2008 at 11:58 AM:
Mmmm...Monty Python AND coffee...it doesn't get much better than that!
My DH and I really love our programmable coffeepot, it's our first, too. And we are both seriously addicted to those flavored creamers: Cinnamon Vanilla, French Vanilla, Caramel Chocolate...oh yeah!
Great article! It's a nice looking plant, who knew?
...
Subject: Nice article
Posted by pbtxlady (from Garland, TX) on February 15, 2008 at 3:11 AM:
From one coffee-holic to another, thanks for the great article!
...
Posted by Zuzu (from Sebastopol, CA) on February 15, 2008 at 4:39 AM:
I really liked this article too. It's so nice to hear that one of my so-called vices is such a healthy habit. Thanks.
...
Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on February 15, 2008 at 7:23 AM:
Not a coffee drinker here, but I enjoyed the article!
...
Posted by pixie62560 (from South China, ME) on February 15, 2008 at 7:49 AM:
Love coffee, big Dunkin Donuts coffee fan here and I get the panic when im getting low too!
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Posted by starlight1153 (from Seale, AL) on February 15, 2008 at 9:50 AM:
Ahhhhhh another coffee-oholic! How refreshing. I do not function without coffee. I drink none stop all day and if i wake in the night , it's grab another cup or two before going back to bed.
i used to use all kinds of percolators and even at one time get a giant coffe e urn going. Now I buy the instant. I grab my cup fil t with water, heat it in the microwave a minute add tons of sugar a spoonful of coffe e and it is ready to go in under a minute.
LOL... Enjoyed your tale of the hunt for coffee, sorry ya had to hunt for it though. Seems like the day nor the world is not uite right without several cups of coffee to start it off.
Thanks for the information on th eblooms. Didn't realize they were fragrant. I have some coffee seeds here and hopefully I can get them to germinate, after seeing how beautiful the bushes are.
Thanks for the article.
...
Posted by nanny_56 (from Putnam County, IN) on February 15, 2008 at 10:30 AM:
Oh YES, YES!!!!!
Coffee lovers here!! I remember the stove top percolaters! We had an Corning Ware electric percolater when we first got married! We are always trying new types/brands/flavors of coffee in the quest for the perfect cup!
...
Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on February 15, 2008 at 12:40 PM:
Lovely first-person take on morning coffee!
...
Posted by tcs1366 (from Itasca, IL) on February 15, 2008 at 6:56 PM:
my in-laws used to make the nastiest stuff out of a percolator ... I have a Starbucks coffee pot that is ready when i get up in the morning... wouldn't have it any other way.
...
Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on February 15, 2008 at 6:59 PM:
Since I wrote the article I have acquired a new coffee maker. It is the first one I have ever had with a timer. Programmed to start 10 minutes before I crawl out of bed.
Best invention since sliced bread!!
The dogs are happier about it too :))
...
Posted by tcs1366 (from Itasca, IL) on February 15, 2008 at 7:09 PM:
I will never have a pot that is not programmable. GREAT invention.
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Posted by soapwort243 (from South Milwaukee, WI) on February 15, 2008 at 7:29 PM:
I love coffee. But I'm not a fan of Starbuck's.
I love "Chock full of Nuts" brand. That is my favorite. ( The name doesn't have anything to do with the coffee.) Next time I get a coffee maker, I think I'll get the programmable. That's sounds like a great idea, to have it ready as soon as I get up!
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Posted by tcs1366 (from Itasca, IL) on February 15, 2008 at 7:39 PM:
Well, my son works there... so i get the coffee for free. can't beat that.
I used to buy my coffee on line at coffeeam.com
they have awesome coffee. i like Dunkin Donuts too.
...
Posted by soapwort243 (from South Milwaukee, WI) on February 15, 2008 at 7:56 PM:
Yes-If you can get it free-I would like it also. No- you can't beat that!
Star bucks is a little too strong- (maybe not smooth enough)
I used to be in the Gevaila coffee club-where they send it thru the mail, but that got to be too pricey.
And I prefer the Chock full of nuts more, anyway.
...
Posted by tcs1366 (from Itasca, IL) on February 15, 2008 at 8:26 PM:
as for smooth -- they have different varieties... we have "worked" up to the boldest blends over the years ... and by using less or more grounds to get that "perfect" cup.
I like some with 'bite' like sumatra. our kid bought us some kona -- that was nice a smooth, but expensive.
I find the central american beans are nice and smooth, where some asian or african has more bite.
...
Posted by SCNewbie (from Anderson, SC) on February 16, 2008 at 1:03 AM:
This article is just too funny! I'm a coffeeholic, too, but I don't think I'm as bad as you. ;)
Dunkin' Donuts is my all time fav, & my 1/2 & 1/2 is just as important as the coffee brand.
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Posted by tcs1366 (from Itasca, IL) on February 16, 2008 at 9:30 AM:
oh yes... i have found coffee with out H&H just doesnt taste the same! gag... i can't believe i used to drink folgers decaf with skim.
to a more manageable height. Coffea likes its water, the soil should be kept damp, but not waterlogged. A plant will take 7 years to mature fully. It will not tolerate a frost and prefers an average temperaure of 68F. It produces small, highly fragarant flowers that have been compared to Jasmine in scent. After flowering, the berries begin to form. They are ripe when they turn a deep red. These berries are edible as well, with a sweet flavour. The coffee, which is the true crop, is produced from the bean inside. In perfect conditions, coffee can be harvested year round. Oddly enough, the Latin American countries that produce coffee are the ones that drink the least amount. Europeans drink the most, although Americans and Canadians are catching up fast. 
coincidentally, as soon as I started this article, I now boil the tea kettle and pour the boiling water over a basket filter filled with grounds directly into my cup. It is as close to perfect as I have tasted, although not very time friendly, it takes forever to fill the thermos. The dogs, however, appreciate the fact that the morning coffee ritual now only involves turning on the kettle. 
