Art and science often find themselves at an intersection, where the dogmatic practice of creating something vital to daily life meets the inspired pizzazz of humanity. In these cases, some of the most joyous and interesting pieces can be created. The spectacular history of coffee is an excellent example of that.
Most of you readers probably had your ultra-specific coffee preference this morning. A light roast with caramel and strawberry flavored whipped cream for Paula. A dark roast, nearly burnt in flavor, with half a sugar pack for Mark. The brewers of said coffee, whether that be mustachioed old-timer at Starbucks, a young barista at Community Cup, or even the punctured K cup dripping in your home machine, each work through a specific process of roasting, packaging, grinding, brewing, and preparing your favorite cup of joe that date back to (at least) the 1400’s in the Arabian Peninsula.
Originally dubbed as a “bitter invention of Satan” by a Venetian clergy in 1615, the drink quickly spread across Europe after an official papal approval and picked up localized brewing processes that changed the taste, texture, and ingredients slowly along the way. Making its way to Americas, coffee beans found fertile soil in the Brazilian ground, where some of the best coffee beans are grown today.
These days, coffee has held its role as an important staple to the everyone’s day. We’ve edited and upgraded it in nearly every way possible- hot, iced, carbonated, post-workout, decaffeinated, alcoholic, and deconstructed to name a few varieties. Some forms, such as the latte, are often served with specialty designs precisely poured in with varying combinations of cream and milk. So you can drink your morning cup while shipping a foamy swan, cat, or a frothy photo of yourself.
What’s ironic about our deeply ingrained love for coffee is that it’s often ordered, paid for, served, and consumed within a 10 minute span. The artistry of creating this very specific, highly distinction beverage almost lies within its brevity. The enjoyment of the drink itself may last only seconds, but its caffeinated effects stay with us (hopefully) all day.
RESOURCE 1 – Roasting Science!
RESOURCE 2 – Fun Graphic – From Bean to Cup.
RESOURCE 3 – Historical perspectives
RESOURCE 4 – Artistry of Coffee