Showing posts with label drink recipes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drink recipes. Show all posts

Sunday, May 26, 2024

Coffee Recipes for Coffee Lovers

My mother and her siblings (her brothers and sister, my aunts and uncles) have all passed away. All I have now are my memories. One fond memory that I have of one of my aunts is that her favorite way to drink coffee was a tall glass of iced coffee. My sister always loved iced tea. I had no idea people could drink iced coffee. Imagine my surprise! She didn't make it fancy. Just some coffee, cream, sugar, and lots of ice. If you happen to be an iced coffee lover, I found some recipes to take your coffee-loving to another level.  I want to try the Iced Caramel Latte. Although? I've heard a lot about how delicious Vietnamese coffee is. I might try that too!  

Link to the recipes are below following my blurb about the history of coffee and coffeehouses.


Image Credit:  Coffee Mug Warmer





History of Coffee and Coffeehouses

My research on the history of coffee was surprising.  Did you know its origins are traced back to Ethiopia? I grew up in the generation where Juan Valdez from Columbia was in your kitchen cabinet. Ethiopia? Not Columbia? It was quite fascinating. There's even an Ethiopian legend. 

  • A goat herder named Kaldi discovered coffee after noticing his goats became energetic after eating the berries from a certain tree. He shared this discovery with a local monastery, and the energizing drink quickly spread among the monks.

From Ethiopia it spread to Arabia and by the 15th century, coffee plants were cultivated in Yemen, and Sufi monks used coffee to stay awake during their night prayers. Coffeehouses started showing up in cities across the Near East. People gathered there for fun and intelligent banter, kind of like Mars Hill. Only on Mars Hill the intellectuals and philosophers probably drank wine instead of a cup of coffee.

Around the 17th century, thanks to the trade routes, coffee made its way to Europe. Coffeehouses began dotting the European landscape and were used for socializing and intellectual discussion.

18th Century and beyond? Coffee was being cultivated in the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Brazil became the world's largest coffee producer by the mid-19th century. In the 20th century Colombia, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, and Vietnam emerged as major producers.




Fun Notes About Coffeehouses:

  • Kiva Han, is a coffeehouse which opened in 1475 in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey). Turkish coffee was served strong, black, and unfiltered, brewed in an ibrik (a small pot with a long handle, specifically designed for brewing Turkish coffee, buy on Amazon).

There are two (2) famous coffeehouses in Europe:

  1. Caffè Florian in Venice, Italy, was established in 1720. Notable figures such as Lord Byron, Goethe, and Charles Dickens hung out there.

  2. Les Deux Magots in Paris, France, founded in 1822, was known to be a favorite spot for Hemingway, James Joyce, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. La dee dah!

Today coffee beloved drink served worldwide, hot or cold. I can't tell you how many Korean dramas I've watched where the characters order “Iced Americano”. Coffee is one of the world's most popular beverages, and it's enjoyed in various forms and preparations, from espresso to cold brew.


REFERENCES:

The History of Coffee.” National Coffee Association of U.S.A., Inc., https://www.ncausa.org/About-Coffee/History-of-Coffee. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

Myhrvold, Nathan. “History of Coffee.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 May 2021, https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-coffee.

Paajanen, Sean. “The Evolution of the Coffee House.” The Spruce Eats, 4 Mar. 2009, https://www.thespruceeats.com/evolution-of-the-coffee-house-765825.

MacDonnell, Kate. “The History of Coffee Houses: Centuries of Cafés!” Corner Coffee Store, 24 Feb. 2021, https://cornercoffeestore.com/history-of-coffee-houses/.

Lush, Emily. “17 Historic European Cafes Worth Travelling For.” Wander-Lush, 11 Sept. 2020, https://wander-lush.org/beautiful-historic-european-cafes/.

Sophie. “11 Coffee Houses in Europe with a Classical Taste for Culture.” Tourism on the Edge, 19 Nov. 2024, https://www.tourismontheedge.com/coffee-houses-in-europe-with-a-classical-taste-for-culture/?form=MG0AV3.


  • Would you like to know how to brew coffee with an ibrik?  Click here.



9 Easy Iced Coffee Recipes to Elevate Your Morning Routine






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Here are some more coffee recipes.  I love cheesecake! But the strawberry cheesecake latte is a bit too much for me. I won't be trying this coffee recipe.

7 #HomeCafe Coffee Recipes On TikTok That Will Make You Feel Like A Barista



15 Holiday Coffee Recipes That Will Keep You Warm This Winter



Do you have a favorite way to enjoy your coffee?

I asked the ChatGPT AI assistant about the different or "unusual" ways people drank coffee instead of the typical cream and sugar.  This was the response.
  1. Kopi Joss (Indonesia):

    • This is coffee with a twist—literally. A piece of burning charcoal is dropped into the coffee, giving it a unique flavor and reducing acidity.

  2. Egg Coffee (Vietnam):

    • Known as Cà Phê Trứng, this concoction blends coffee with a creamy mixture of egg yolk and condensed milk, creating a rich, custard-like topping.

  3. Cheese Coffee (Sweden):

    • Called Kaffeost, it's coffee poured over chunks of cheese called juustoleipä. The cheese softens and absorbs the coffee, making for a unique, chewy treat.

  4. Cascara Coffee (Global):

    • Made from the dried husks of coffee cherries, this drink is brewed like tea and has a fruity, slightly sweet flavor, different from typical coffee.

  5. Civet Coffee (Kopi Luwak, Indonesia):

    • This controversial and expensive coffee is made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by civet cats. The fermentation process in the cat's digestive system is said to enhance the flavor.

  6. Bulletproof Coffee (Global):

    • This high-calorie coffee is blended with butter and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, popularized by the ketogenic diet for its purported energy-boosting effects.

  7. Lemon Coffee (Italy):

    • Known as Espresso Romano, this involves serving espresso with a slice of lemon, which is believed to enhance the coffee's flavor.

  8. Mazagran (Portugal):

    • An iced coffee drink that combines coffee with lemon juice or lemonade, sometimes with a splash of rum.

  9. Soya Sauce Coffee (Japan):

    • In some regions, coffee is flavored with soy sauce to add a savory twist to the drink.

  10. Spiced Coffee (Middle East)

    • In countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey, coffee is often brewed with spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves for a rich, aromatic flavor.

Coffee is a versatile beverage that can be enjoyed in countless ways. 


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Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Traditional Christmas Holiday Drinks: Eggnog and Wassail

Since I was born and raised in the USA, when it comes to traditional Christmas drinks I am only familiar with two: eggnog and wassail. I never even think about these two drinks any time of the year other than Christmas time.  Do you? 


Did you know?
  • Eggnog is a creamy drink and mostly Americans and Canadians partake.
  • Wassail is a fruity drink and mostly people in the USA and the UK partake.

Image credit:  
HolidayGold Double Old Fashioned 4-Piece Glass Set by Lenox  


EGGNOG:
Even though it's tradition, eggnog is not a traditional drink in our home. Why? Because only one of my kids likes this drink, so he buys his own eggnog to enjoy. Me? I like the fact that eggnog can be used in lots of dessert recipes. Cookies, cakes, etc. However, because certain members of my family have dietary restrictions I can not make those desserts. But if other people make and serve them at a holiday gathering, I can indulge myself without feeling guilty.

You can buy eggnog ready-made in the grocery store or make your own. Once again because of special diets, many people choose to make their own ~ with or without raw eggs, with or without alcohol, some with ice cream, some with no cream, etc. Here is a traditional recipe.

Old Fashioned Homemade Eggnog
https://myfoodieluv.tumblr.com/post/702912862673387520/decadent-thick-old-fashioned-homemade-eggnog-is


WASSAIL:
As for wassail, in addition to it being a delightful warm drink, I discovered accidentally that it is wonderfully soothing for sore throats. That was an unexpected health benefit.

Most people buy a spice blend and make their own wassail using the juices they like and mixing the spices into the liquid. Some people have their own spice blends and swear that it is better than anybody else's blend. Everybody has different methods. I find that using a slow cooker works great and I let my daughter pick the spices she wants to put in the pot. Here is a link to a traditional recipe.

Old Fashioned Wassail - Accidental Happy Baker

https://myfoodieluv.tumblr.com/post/702912753395990528/old-fashioned-wassail-takes-apple-juice-cranberry

Original source


glitter-graphics.com

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Wassail is a Wonderful Way to Celebrate Winter and the Holiday Spirit!

Did you know that a cup of warm wassail is very soothing to a sore throat? Yes. One time it was a Christmas holiday and I was under the weather. I had a sore throat and my daughter came over and made some wassail in a crock pot. I took one sip and it felt so good going down my throat. Who knew?

Sore throat or not, a drink of warm wassail is delicious, especially during the wintry months. There are so many recipe variations.

"Wassail is a beverage of hot mulled cider, drunk traditionally as an integral part of wassailing, a Medieval Christmastide English drinking ritual intended to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year." (Source: Wikipedia)

The Christmas tree and other decorations are up and I am counting the days until December 25th. For this blog post, I simply must share a wonderful wassail recipe that a friend shared with me in response to a question I asked about celebrating the Winter Solstice. I know some people don't care too much for eggnog but most people really enjoy a delicious wassail drink.

Celebrate the Winter Solstice with this Wassail Recipe by Spiderdust Core out of some apples (not the whole way through), stuff them with sugar, put a bunch of cloves in an orange, and then roast all of the fruit for half an hour. Put the roasted fruit in a gallon of cider with some cinnamon sticks, allspice, some pieces of crystallized ginger, a few pieces of star anise, and then grate some nutmeg over it all. Optional: Throw in some fresh or frozen cranberries. Let it simmer on low all day long. People can serve themselves as they please. The longer it simmers, the better it gets.


“Here We Come A-wassailing (or Here We Come A-caroling) is an English traditional Christmas carol and New Year song, apparently composed c. 1850.  (Source)

More Wassail Recipes:


















* Original acrylic elf painting, Wassail: Santa's elves at workbench, Woodworking tools, Alphabet letter W, Gift for Dad, Fantasy Christmas ~ Found on Etsy

Friday, November 25, 2022

Foodie Friday : Happy Holidays! Who Wants Egg Nog?

Just creating this blog post as an excuse to share a pretty picture. In my house, a few of my kids really love eggnog. Funny because in the family I grew up in, I only remember one of my siblings making sure that there was eggnog to be served around Christmas time.  

December 24th is National EggNog Day!



I never make eggnog. If I do buy it or if my son buys it, we don't have a particular brand.  We get whatever is in the store.

Eggnog?  It's like fruitcake.  You either love it or you hate it. Sharing some links to eggnog recipes you may want to try and/or suggested brands you may want to buy.

And remember.
Alcoholic drinks become non-alcoholic drinks when you don't add the alcoholic beverage to the recipe! So if like the recipe but you don't want the alcohol, just don't put it in there!


If you have a recipe, would you care to share it?































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Previous #FoodieFriday posts?

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Celebrities Who are Vegan

It's the New Year.  Everybody is thinking about making changes to their diet.  Right?  Well!   Most people are thinking that.  Sharing a link to an interesting article.

Plant-Based and Loving It! Here Are 50 Celebrities Who Went #Vegan (and MightInspire You to Do the Same)

vegan celebrities

Frankly, I could never become vegan. But I have cut down on meat and I am eating lots more fruits and veggies these days. I don't know about where you live but Where I live food prices are going up and the grocery store shelves are kind of bare. You could say my change in diet was simply adapting to whatever food is available and reasonably priced.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends eating a minimum of 400g of fruit and vegetables a day to lower the risk of serious health problems. They say you should eat That's 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day. A portion of fruit or vegetables is 80g.


** Do you follow the “5 a Day” rule? 

This year I am going to try to DRINK my fruits and veggies, using my blender and making smoothies.


** Do you have a favorite healthy drink recipe?











Saturday, December 21, 2019

Spiced Orange Saffron Warm drink | Drink Recipes from Chitra's Healthy Kitchen

Wintertime is the best time for warm drinks. Who would disagree? Even though you drink hot or warm drinks all year round, for obvious reasons they are just more soothing and comforting during the winter. That's why I am reblogging this recipe from an awesome food blogger who shares recipes for healthy living. Chitra's blog has over 3000 followers.
  • Saffron, my favorite spice.  Never thought to put it in a drink though. :) 
  • Love oranges. Love saffron. Can’t go wrong! :)
  • Warm drinks are so soothing and comforting.   





EES shares recipes, cooking tips and all things foodie!

Everyday Exotic Spices


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More Warm Winter Drinks on Twitter
















glitter-graphics.com

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Maria Nasir Shares Her Recipe for a Refreshing Summer Drink Made With Mango and Chia Seeds

Maria Nasir Shares Her Recipe for a Refreshing Summer Drink Made With Mango and Chia Seeds.  The mango fruit is surely a delight to anybody's taste buds.  If you have never tasted a mango you are missing out and there is no reason why you should.  If you can not find them at your local grocery store they can be purchased online.  (See below.)





Food Gifts : Mangos - 4 lbs ~ Available at The Fruit Company
Grown in tropical regions, we bring in the most delicious mangos available. Hand selected by our team, we only ship mangoes that have their well known distinctive sweet taste and are ready to enjoy. Send a mango gift box rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and so delicious.






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* * * Related or Similar Posts:

Monday, November 13, 2017

Food Blog Spotlight : From My Own Kitchen: Pomegranate Milkshake (Reblog)

Years back I started a pinboard dedicated to pomegranates. (See board description below.) I heart pomegranates.  Pinned this post to my pinboard and I am also reblogging the link here.  "From My Own Kitchen" is a wonderful food blog.  The post archives date back to 2012. Have you ever had a pomegranate milkshake?





Here are a few more pomegranate recipes found at the same blog.







Check out my collection of POMEGRANATES on Pinterest  (Recipes, products made with pomegranates, pomegranates in art, etc.)
DESCRIPTION:  Pomegranates: wonder fruit; super food; delicious! ~ Researched the history of this exquisite exotic wonderful fruit and fell in love with it! ~ As if the crimson red color were not enough to make me hopelessly devoted. ~ Now on a mission to find and share all things foodie for this fruity delight! ~ http://wizzley.com/exotic-fruit-pomegranates/ ~ Board maintained by http://everydayspices.webs.com/




Do You Know the Truth About Pomegranates?
Take a 
fun quiz.