Today is National Coffee Day, so hoist those cups of java and drink to your heart’s delight.Since there are five authors of historical fiction sharing this blog, I think the first order of business should be a little history on the subject of coffee. Now, quit that yawning—I’ll do my best to make it interesting!
My research tells me that coffee dates back as far as the 9th century when it was discovered by an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi. I’m not sure wh
o gathered this information from Kaldi the goat herder, but the story goes that he noticed the stimulating effects that coffee berries had on his goats and he began to experiment with the coffee berries. I don’t know about you, but I’m picturing a herd of goats having a mighty good time in the Ethiopian countryside.And I’ll bet Kaldi didn’t get much sleep with those caffeinated goats running around all night. But, I do think we owe Kaldi a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices he made on behalf of coffee drinkers everywhere.
A century after Kaldi and the goats decided caffeine was a good thing, coffee began being roasted and traded by Arabs. From there, the beans entered Indian and European markets, and the first coffee shop opened in Constantinople in 1475—and it wasn’t named Starbucks. Fast forward to 2010 where over 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed each year and where coffee is a world commodity that is second only to oil.
Now that you’ve finished this brief history lesson, you can hurry out to celebrate at your favorite Starbucks or you can stay home and enjoy a cup of your own. I’m not sure how many methods there are for brewing coffee, but here are just a few: drip, French press, Turkish, percolator, expresso, vacuum, Neopolitan flip, instant, and my favorite, Keurig. (I have Kim to thank for introducing me to the wonders of the Keurig.) And whether you use vacuum packed, instant, grind your own beans, flavored, or K-cups, take an extra moment to savor the goodness. And be sure to drink an extra cup for Kaldi and the goats. After all, it’s National Coffee Day!May you find joy as you savor the goodness of God’s love. ~Judy
P.S. And for those of you who are wondering, I did make it to my book signing and back home without getting lost, so thank you for your prayers.
WOO HOO! glad ya made it there and back home! :)
ReplyDeleteThere's nut~in like a good cup of joe :)
YAAAAAAAAAY! Judy you made it there and back safely! Without any wrong turns right? Right? I can't HEAR YOUUUUUUUUU? LOL
ReplyDeleteJust joking. Seriously thankful you got there and had a great time!
Thanks for the info on the Java. I'm a strictly decaf kinda gal. But have it every morning and some evenings. And I think I just love the smell more than anything.
Take care and have a great day!
Hey Judy! Who needs a GPS in the car when you can have a coffee machine instead! I love my coffee too, especially when I'm at the computer and as a matter of fact, I am enjoying a coffee right now!
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you know this fact or not, but when necessary, we give our little "Premmies" a shot of caffeine to stimulate their heart rate!
There is no doubt about it, coffee definitely is an absolute must and it does stop the yawning!
(especially on night duty!)
I found your research most interesting. I wasn't yawning at all and I have to say that I fell in love with "Tim Hortons" in Canada and we were frequent visitors to "Starbucks" in the States!
I'm sure we don't have a National Coffee Day here, but I think we 'll have to implement it. I'm sure there would be a huge response.
Thanks for an intersting and informative post Judy.
Happy (coffee) drinking my friend!
Although I have survived 3 pregnancies without caffeine, it wasn't easy. Good thing theres the decaf kind!! Mine has to be good and strong, sweet and flavored. I never knew how my dad drank the stuff plain or "black".
ReplyDeleteSometimes I walk down the coffee aisle in the store just to take a deep breath.
Yep, I'm addicted. Glad all went well for you at the signing, Judy. I hope you have a wonderful time this weekend. It should be a beautiful one.
Hugs!
Jel--you're right, there's nothing like a good cup of coffee, especially on a chilly morning.
ReplyDeleteVeronica, I love the smell, too. I'm a decaf gal after 5:00 in the evening and now that it's getting cooler in the evenings, I'm enjoying it even more--sometimes I even use a tablespoon of instant cocoa mix in it--yum!
His Rosie--I didn't know about the caffeine for premies, but I suppose that would make sense. If caffeine stimulates us, it would do the same for them. And I like Tim Horton's as well. You can even purchase K-cups of Tim Horton's. :)
Dawn, Sounds like your Dad liked his coffee just like Jim enjoyed his--strong and black with nothing else to dilute the flavor. Made me shiver. LOL. Wish you were going to come along with us to Amana this weekend, but we'll try to have a good time without you. :)
Ah, Judy, your humorous presentation on the history of coffee refreshed me even more than the Blueberry Mountain Coffee in my cup this morning. Thank you! Laughter is such great medicine. Love you, lady!
ReplyDeleteLoved this post! And love my coffee. But only iced and only sweet. I've recently found a fabulous iced coffee recipe that you make at home and keep in the fridge for up to 30 days. It's cold brewed and comes out strong, like espresso. Yum! I'm saving money big time, it's delicious, and I love not having to leave to go grab a latte.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLoved the mental image of caffinated goats. Of the 400 billion cups of coffee consumed in this country every year...about 50% of them are consumed at my house.
ReplyDeleteLoved the post, Judy.
I thought the fainting goats were funny until I read this! Oh, my sides hurt from laughing at the image of caffinated goats!
ReplyDeleteLifting my cup of coffee to you, Judith, and all on this blog!
Loved the post, Judy! Such humor. Now, off to drink a cup of Folgers coffee.
ReplyDeleteI'm still chuckling at the thought of frisky, frolicking caffeinated goats making that poor goat herder's life miserable. Who knew the beverage came from such humble beginnings? Someone should name a coffee flavour after a goat!
ReplyDeleteI'm strictly a teetotaller (and isn't that a strange way to spell it? But it's right, I looked it up.) Anyway -- it's herbal teas for me all the way. Right now I am enjoying a Lemon Zinger. Hmmmmm. I'll raise my mug and toast you coffee drinkers anyway, though! :-)
Ethiopian goats? Who knew? That was a wonderful post, Judy. I've never been a coffee drinker, but I love the aroma that fills the kitchen when my husband grinds his own coffee beans. Mmmm!
ReplyDeleteCute post, Judy. I'm not a big coffee drinker. I like fat-free cappucino, but I suspect it's the sugar I like. It's mostly sugar probably.
ReplyDeleteCan you really taste all the different flavors in the K-Coffee? Hmmmm. 'Cuz plain ole' coffee just doesn't do it for me. But hubby likes it.
I'm a tea girl, myself.
Well, it looks like whether it's coffee or tea, hot or cold, sweetened or unsweetened, flavored or plain, caffeinated or decaf, we're in agreement that we like to enjoy refreshing beverages throughout the day. Thanks for chiming in with your comments, ladies.
ReplyDeleteRight now, I'm enjoying a cup of Caramel Vanilla with a shot of fat free half & half.
I can picture those goats on caffein bouncing all over the place. LOL
ReplyDeleteNo coffee for me, thank you very much, but I do love the smell of it. I also have a Christmas cookie recipe for Mocha Caramel Trees that I like.
Are you ready for your new challenge of getting to Council Bluffs this weekend?
Thanks for this post, Judy - - I'm a true "coffee-holic" and had no idea today is National Coffee Day! And what's funny is that right before I turned on my computer to sit down and pull up Writes of Passage, I'd just brewed a fresh pot of coffee!! Perfect timing! ~ And like some of the others have said, images of those goats feeling their caffeine is a funny thought (actually I've always thought goats were cute anyway, LOL). ~ I love the history lessons you bring us--not to mention the wonderful Judy humor!! Hugs, Patti Jo (who's about to grab a mug of my freshly-brewed java...mmmmm) :)
ReplyDeleteLori,
ReplyDeleteI think I'm ready to venture to Council Bluffs on Friday and then on to the Amana Colonies! At least if I get lost before Council Bluffs, I can call you for directions. Thereafter, you're in charge of navigation. :)
I knew I smelled a pot of coffee brewing in Gerogia, Patti Jo! Now we just need to figure out how to get the coffee and Lorna's cookies together--Mmm. I'm drooling. Hugs, Judy
How funny! And informative, too. :) I LOVE my Keurig. Can't drink the coffe anymore. (Now, don't start throwing stones, I would if I could). So I use my Keurig for teas. All kinds. Love my Cozy Chamomile at night. With lots of cream. Thanks for the laugh, Judy.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you girls were doing this. I'm glad I found you.
Blech! Coffee. Don't touch the stuff. We have a coffee maker, but it collects dust in the closet. :) Amazing how I grew up in a family of non-drinkers and married a non-drinker...for the most part. He grabs the occasional cup eating out or at church or at his parents.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm always amazed at just how many people DON'T drink coffee. Seems the norm in our society, so it surprises me when I find a majority in a group of people who don't drink it.
Me? I'm a tea drinker, so when is that National Tea Day? Oh wait, would that be the celebration of the Boston Tea Party incident in the Boston Harbor? *winks*
Y'all enjoy your coffee. I'll take my tea any day. :)
Having my coffee as I read this, Judy. I slept late because I was up late last night enjoying Carousel Painter, just to remind myself that not only can you write wonderful history, but your humor is top notch.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found us, Marcia! And you need not worry about me throwing stones--I love a good cuppa tea, too, so I'll join you and Tiff in a cup on occasion. In fact, I think an occasional tea party with girlfriends would be such fun. My sister and a few of her friends occasional have a tea--usually at Christmas. I'm always a little envious.
ReplyDeleteOh Cheryl, thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed The Carousel Painter. ~Judy