Break4Coffee

Are You a Drip when it Comes to Coffee? Most Americans Are

Many people throughout the world think that Americans drink boring coffee. Possibly. Common belief holds that American coffee is not as flavorful as brews elsewhere in the world. A large number of people believe that Americans ruin coffee beverages that are native to other countries by using non-traditional methods of preparation.

Your average cup of basic American coffee can be purchased virtually anywhere, especially at your local corner store. In many restaurants a cup of plain coffee costs very little and free refills are the norm. Due to the fact that American coffee is often rather flavorless, you can overwhelm it with cream and sugar as you desire.

Let’s look at Italy as an example. You can visit wonderful Italian cafes for a tiny cup of espresso. To make an Italian espresso, you need the right equipment which is not cheap. The taste, however, makes up considerably for any purchase-price inconveniences. People from other countries who come to America and order an espresso from a coffee shop or cafe are often disappointed and find the flavor not one to which they are accustomed. American coffee is viewed as a rather weak and watery beverage. The French also perfer a rich, dark, strong coffee.

In many places throughout the world drinking coffee is not just beverage consumption; it is a complete and total experience. Americans have numerous machines that are used to make coffee, however, visitors from abroad witnessing this glorious brew served in plastic or paper cups are shocked and dismayed. Some people almost take insult to the delight many American’s exhibit in drinking their brew out of cups with slogans and pictures. Perhaps this attitude toward the honored elixir is viewed as juvenile. Another complaint by some when it comes to American coffee is the temperature at which the brew is served. It seems that many believe that the proper way to serve a cup of coffee is very warm although not scalding. In America, people prefer their coffee to be extremely hot which in some cases can cause burns.

You have to wonder if all this is really the fault of American’s. If their coffee products are not what other people would like them to be, what is the solution? After all, very few Americans have had the chance to be exposed to or taste a brew made from very high quality, lightly roasted beans. Typically Americans purchase coffees made from beans that are under-roasted and have a poor grade in comparison. It should not be much of a surprise that the coffee would seem to be of a poor quality to people who are used to the highest quality brews. Americans are also often exposed to coffee that has been over-roasted, then placed in a fancy bag to make it appear appealing as a gourmet selection. It is essential that one is aware that the bean used in creating coffee grounds is just as important as how the bean is roasted. In Northern Italy as well as Scandinavian countries, better grades of beans can be found and the roasting of beans is much lighter than typically is done in American brews. This processing very much affects the taste of a cup of coffee.

For those who prefer coffee with plenty of sugar and milk or made from coffee grounds that are less than good quality, it is better to use a dark blend. Very good coffee, however, is best enjoyed lighter. When a coffee is made from top-notch grounds, it is often incredibly easy to enjoy the brew naturally. With good coffee, there is no need to dress the brew with the flavor disguises provided by cream and sugar.

April 21st, 2008 Posted by Jasper | Uncategorized | no comments