A Bitter Brew

Coffee use can be traced back as early as the 9th century, when it appeared in the highlands of Ethiopia. According to legend, Ethiopian shepherds were the first to observe the influence of the caffeine in coffee beans when the goats appeared to "dance" and to have an increased level of energy after consuming wild coffee berries.

Coffee was initially used for spiritual reasons. At least 1,000 years ago, traders brought coffee across the Red Sea into Arabia (modern day Yemen), where Muslim monks began cultivating the shrub in their gardens. Coffee became the substitute beverage in place of wine in spiritual practices where wine was forbidden.

I still drink wine, but my daily dose of caffeine doth leadeth me beyond the sleeping masses and restoreth my buzz, and thy cream and thy sugar comfort me. This week, a look at why coffee is often a "bitter brew".

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience." - George Washington (first president of the US, 1732 - 1799)

(scroll over or click on iPaper below to have a drop-down menu that includes a print option)

A Bitter Brew