Your Coffee Companion

More than 500 billion cups of coffee are enjoyed worldwide every year. Coffee is the world’s most popular beverage after water. In the United States alone, over 100 million people drink coffee every day, and the U.S. is not even among the top 20 countries in per capita coffee consumption.

Coffee Crossroads is a hub for interesting and educational information about the world of coffee—with some fun thrown in. If you’re a coffee drinker, or you want to learn more about coffee, you’ve come to the right place.

Coffee 101: Things You Should Know About Coffee Coffee Roasts from Light to Dark What’s your favorite coffee roast? Dark? Light? Somewhere in between? The degree to which coffee beans are roasted is one of the most important factors that determine the taste of the coffee in the cup. The roasting process transforms bland raw beans into the distinctively aromatic, flavorful, crunchy beans that we recognize as coffee. Here’s a “coffee 101” guide to coffee roasts from light to dark. What’s your favorite coffee roast? Dark? Light? Somewhere in between? The degree to which coffee beans are roasted is one of the most important factors that determine the taste of the coffee in the cup. The roasting process transforms bland raw beans into the distinctively aromatic, flavorful, crunchy beans that we recognize as coffee. Here’s a “coffee 101” guide to coffee roasts from light to dark. Introduction to the Coffee Plant When you drink your morning cup of coffee with its welcoming aroma and smooth taste, do you think about what’s in your cup and where it came from? Coffee (the genus Coffea) is part of the botanical family Rubiaceae, one of the largest families in the plant kingdom. There are some 25 species of coffee plants, but only two, Arabica and Robusta, provide almost all the coffee we drink. And did you know that coffee is a cousin of the gardenia? When you drink your morning cup of coffee with its welcoming aroma and smooth taste, do you think about what’s in your cup and where it came from? Coffee (the genus Coffea) is part of the botanical family Rubiaceae, one of the largest families in the plant kingdom. There are some 25 species of coffee plants, but only two, Arabica and Robusta, provide almost all the coffee we drink. And did you know that coffee is a cousin of the gardenia?

How-To Guides & Tips How to Store Coffee to Keep It Fresh To enjoy a great cup of coffee at home, make sure the coffee you’re brewing is as fresh as possible. Coffee is perishable. It begins to lose freshness soon after roasting. As coffee loses freshness, its natural flavors and aromas are diminished. To reduce the likelihood of brewing stale coffee, use your coffee as soon as you can, and when you store it, keep it away from the four agents of deterioration: excessive air, moisture, heat, and light. To enjoy a great cup of coffee at home, make sure the coffee you’re brewing is as fresh as possible. Coffee is perishable. It begins to lose freshness soon after roasting. As coffee loses freshness, its natural flavors and aromas are diminished. To reduce the likelihood of brewing stale coffee, use your coffee as soon as you can, and when you store it, keep it away from the four agents of deterioration: excessive air, moisture, heat, and light.

Recommended Coffees Café Britt’s Costa Rican Tres Ríos Valdivia Café Britt’s Costa Rican Tres Ríos Valdivia blend, a smooth medium roast coffee, combines plum, allspice, and orange citrus flavors with a honey-nut aroma. The result is an “elegant,” bright and well-balanced cup of coffee. It’s ideal for enjoying mid-morning or during a relaxing afternoon. Café Britt’s Costa Rican Tres Ríos Valdivia blend, a smooth medium roast coffee, combines plum, allspice, and orange citrus flavors with a honey-nut aroma. The result is an “elegant,” bright and well-balanced cup of coffee. It’s ideal for enjoying mid-morning or during a relaxing afternoon. SF Bay Fog Chaser OneCups SF Bay Fog Chaser OneCups deliver single servings of a medium dark roast coffee that lives up to its heritage from the San Francisco Bay. Drinking a mug of SF Bay Fog Chaser coffee is a perfect way to start your day. It’s a full-city roasted blend of high-grown Central and South American coffees. The aroma is rich and fresh, and the taste is very smooth and balanced, with no bitter aftertaste. And the OneCups are environmentally friendly. SF Bay Fog Chaser OneCups deliver single servings of a medium dark roast coffee that lives up to its heritage from the San Francisco Bay. Drinking a mug of SF Bay Fog Chaser coffee is a perfect way to start your day. It’s a full-city roasted blend of high-grown Central and South American coffees. The aroma is rich and fresh, and the taste is very smooth and balanced, with no bitter aftertaste. And the OneCups are environmentally friendly.

Coffee History The Origin of Coffee: Kaldi and the Dancing Goats The origin of coffee? I never really thought about it. When I was a kid, coffee was always around. My parents drank coffee, my grandparents drank coffee, all the adults I knew drank coffee. I assumed I would drink it too when I was older, and of course, I did. But there must have been a time before coffee. There was, of course, until, according to legend, Kaldi and his goats came along. The origin of coffee? I never really thought about it. When I was a kid, coffee was always around. My parents drank coffee, my grandparents drank coffee, all the adults I knew drank coffee. I assumed I would drink it too when I was older, and of course, I did. But there must have been a time before coffee. There was, of course, until, according to legend, Kaldi and his goats came along. U.S. Coffee Rationing in World War II During World War II, the U.S. government found it necessary to restrict civilian coffee consumption to about half its normal level. Despite record coffee production in Brazil and elsewhere, the war disrupted coffee shipping. The government imposed rationing to make coffee available to all citizens on an equal basis, while giving priority to the needs of the military. Americans did their patriotic duty but were relieved when rationing ended in mid-1943. During World War II, the U.S. government found it necessary to restrict civilian coffee consumption to about half its normal level. Despite record coffee production in Brazil and elsewhere, the war disrupted coffee shipping. The government imposed rationing to make coffee available to all citizens on an equal basis, while giving priority to the needs of the military. Americans did their patriotic duty but were relieved when rationing ended in mid-1943.

Gear for Your Coffee Life “We Are Happy to Serve You” Anthora Coffee Cup Introduced in 1963, the Anthora coffee cup with the friendly “We Are Happy to Serve You” message was ubiquitous in New York City. Coffee shops, diners, bodegas, and street vendors all served their to-go coffee in the blue, gold, and white paper cup with the Greek-inspired design. Even today, the cup is an instantly recognizable icon of New York City and a reminder that the Big Apple can be a very friendly place. Introduced in 1963, the Anthora coffee cup with the friendly “We Are Happy to Serve You” message was ubiquitous in New York City. Coffee shops, diners, bodegas, and street vendors all served their to-go coffee in the blue, gold, and white paper cup with the Greek-inspired design. Even today, the cup is an instantly recognizable icon of New York City and a reminder that the Big Apple can be a very friendly place. Friis Coffee Vault Coffee Storage Canister Keeping coffee fresh to preserve its taste has always been a challenge. The shelf life of roasted coffee is short: about a month for whole beans, only one or two weeks for ground coffee. The Friis Coffee Vault™ coffee storage canister is an innovative solution to the coffee storage challenge. It uses a “freshness valve” to vent residual carbon dioxide gas. The stainless steel canister comes in two sizes, 16-oz. and 12-oz. Another option is a black polymer travel canister. Keeping coffee fresh to preserve its taste has always been a challenge. The shelf life of roasted coffee is short: about a month for whole beans, only one or two weeks for ground coffee. The Friis Coffee Vault™ coffee storage canister is an innovative solution to the coffee storage challenge. It uses a “freshness valve” to vent residual carbon dioxide gas. The stainless steel canister comes in two sizes, 16-oz. and 12-oz. Another option is a black polymer travel canister.

Coffee and Your Health Coffee May Reduce Depression Risk Do you suffer from depression? Put down that soda and have a cup of coffee. A study of more than 250,000 adults in the U.S. suggests that drinking coffee may help to lower the risk of depression, while drinking sweetened beverages like soda increases the risk. The researchers recorded data about the participants’ consumption of coffee, tea, soda, and fruit punch. Do you suffer from depression? Put down that soda and have a cup of coffee. A study of more than 250,000 adults in the U.S. suggests that drinking coffee may help to lower the risk of depression, while drinking sweetened beverages like soda increases the risk. The researchers recorded data about the participants’ consumption of coffee, tea, soda, and fruit punch. Coffee Drinkers Have Lower Risk of Death from Major Causes In a study of more than 400,000 participants, researchers have reported that coffee drinkers have lower risk of death from most major causes, with the exception of cancer. The study shows significant inverse associations of coffee consumption with deaths from all causes. Specifically, coffee drinkers have less risk of death due to heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, injuries and accidents, diabetes, and infections. In a study of more than 400,000 participants, researchers have reported that coffee drinkers have lower risk of death from most major causes, with the exception of cancer. The study shows significant inverse associations of coffee consumption with deaths from all causes. Specifically, coffee drinkers have less risk of death due to heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, injuries and accidents, diabetes, and infections.

The Coffee Business High-Flying Coffee: Airline Coffee on Major U.S. Passenger Air Carriers Do you drink coffee when you fly? The quality of the coffee served by airlines can vary substantially, but the trend, at least among the major air carriers, is towards more gourmet coffees. This guide to the coffee served by the major U.S. passenger airlines will show you what coffee to expect when you fly.

The Coffee Lover’s Bookshelf Brewed Awakening by Cleo Coyle (Coffeehouse Mystery #18) It’s a “brewed awakening” for coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi early one morning when she finds herself on a park bench with no belongings and no recent memory. Unfortunately, she may have witnessed a crime—or worse, been involved in it. She has to rely on her sleuthing skills and her friends from the Village Blend both to recover her memory and to find the perpetrator of the crime and clear her name. It’s a “brewed awakening” for coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi early one morning when she finds herself on a park bench with no belongings and no recent memory. Unfortunately, she may have witnessed a crime—or worse, been involved in it. She has to rely on her sleuthing skills and her friends from the Village Blend both to recover her memory and to find the perpetrator of the crime and clear her name. Coffee Quotations from Classic Literature Coffee quotations from classic literary works, including novels, poetry, and more, are a testament to coffee’s longstanding popularity and to the enduring link between reading and coffee. This article highlights a small sample of favorite coffee quotations from classic works of literature. Coffee quotations from classic literary works, including novels, poetry, and more, are a testament to coffee’s longstanding popularity and to the enduring link between reading and coffee. This article highlights a small sample of favorite coffee quotations from classic works of literature.

The Art of Coffee Leonetto Cappiello’s Coffee Advertising Posters Leonetto Cappiello, often called “the father of modern advertising,” revolutionized the art of poster design in the early 20th century. His modern designs for clients like espresso coffee machine manufacturer Victoria Arduino and Café Martin brand coffee used vibrant colors and bold, dynamic compositions to immediately grab the viewer’s attention. Capiello’s posters are commercial art at its best. Leonetto Cappiello, often called “the father of modern advertising,” revolutionized the art of poster design in the early 20th century. His modern designs for clients like espresso coffee machine manufacturer Victoria Arduino and Café Martin brand coffee used vibrant colors and bold, dynamic compositions to immediately grab the viewer’s attention. Capiello’s posters are commercial art at its best. Coffee Cup Collages by Megan Coyle “Intellectual Cup of Coffee” is one of several beautiful, colorful coffee cup collages created by artist Megan Coyle from magazine cut-outs. The collage captures the essence of an “intellectual” cup of coffee, with the coffee cup and saucer resting on an opened book. The steam from the hot coffee suggests question marks—this cup of coffee is stimulating thought and ideas. Coyle’s coffee cup collages are perfect for any coffee enthusiast with an eye for art. “Intellectual Cup of Coffee” is one of several beautiful, colorful coffee cup collages created by artist Megan Coyle from magazine cut-outs. The collage captures the essence of an “intellectual” cup of coffee, with the coffee cup and saucer resting on an opened book. The steam from the hot coffee suggests question marks—this cup of coffee is stimulating thought and ideas. Coyle’s coffee cup collages are perfect for any coffee enthusiast with an eye for art.