African And Middle Eastern Origins
When harvested, the berries of the coffea plant contain green seeds (that we call beans) which, when roasted, become brown in color. The beans can then be ground into a powder of varying coarseness that can then be brewed with hot water to become the drink that we know as coffee. The earliest recorded history of this drink dates back to the 15th century when it was drunk in religious shrines in what is now known as the Yemen. The story about it being “discovered” by an Ethiopian goat herd is almost certainly apocryphal.
European Influence
While many of us see it as a particularly American habit; we probably all secretly admit that the Europeans have played an influential part in the beverage’s popularity – think of espresso, cappuccino, etc. At breakfast, you can drink it from a bowl sized cup to accompany your croissants at a quaint sidewalk cafe in Paris, France. Maybe with a mid-morning strudel at a cafe in Vienna; or after a savory galette (a potato or buckwheat pancake) anywhere in Normandy; then, with a Danish pastry in Copenhagen – at the end of the day, after any fine dining evening meal, mixing it with cream and Irish whiskey makes a fine end to the meal. The European influence is everywhere; although, it should be noticed that the eating of some type of food is almost always included.
The American Habit
We all know the story of the Boston Tea Party and how it led us away from tea drinking but we did tend to see coffee as a “pick me up” stimulant and hang-over cure; rather than part of an overall epicurean experience that includes both the quality of the food and beverage and the atmosphere of the place where it is being consumed. It is of course the caffeine that keeps us wakeful and calms an aching head.
It can be debatable whether our local diners serve it brewed or stewed and the diner atmosphere may be fine for grabbing a quick bite or refreshment but they do often lack something in class. However, if you want a fuller experience when drinking Coffee In Houston you can always head for a place like Coco’s Crepes & Coffee. The very names of such places hint that they not only offer more than a “cup of Joe” in all its different forms; but, also a selection of slightly exotic sweet and savory snack type dishes served in a European ambiance.
