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COFFEE:
w h e r e v e r, w h e n e v e r, h o w e v e r
Coffee varietes: 2 ⁄ 3 Arabica 1 ⁄ 3 Robusta
E D i TO R i A l Together with cereals, coffee is one of the major goods traded on the world commodities market. A universally appreciated drink, it can be prepared and enjoyed in thousands of ways. Coffee is consistently the subject of many scientific studies. Recent studies on the effects of coffee and caffeine confirm what we have known for a long time. Coffee has a positive effect on body and health. Therefore, we would like to bring the stimulating and wonderful world of coffee closer to you.
Sascha Türler-Inderbitzin NESTLÉ PROFESSIONAL Strategic Business Division
We would like to thank everyone for their contribution and support in completing this edition. Special thanks goes to NESTLÉ Switzerland, SERVICE NUTRITION, for their cooperation and enthusiasm.
Coffee: The coffee tree conquers the world Coffee is an important product on the world market. Quality and quantity depend on cooperation between economic players – growers, producers and consumers. The coffee shrub comes from the high plateau originally from the Kaffa region of Ethiopia, where the fruit is still turned into porridge. In the 11th century, coffee began its career as a hot drink. In the 16th century, the first cafés opened in the streets of Cairo, Constantinople and Mecca. They were cultural meeting places for discussions, singing and playing music. Coffee drinking was already a social activity at this time. Colonization greatly contributed to the expansion of coffee-growing in all the equatorial regions and, due to this development, the first cafés opened in Europe in the 17th century, when this new exotic drink came on the scene.
Coffee is grown all around the equator, from the Tropic of Capricorn to the Tropic of Cancer The coffee tree belongs to the rubiacea family and grows in the tropical and sub-tropical regions above and below the equator, known as the coffee belt. The main growing regions are Latin America (in particular Brazil), Asia and Africa. The annual global coffee harvest now amounts to about 7 million tons per year. Three quarters comprises different varieties of Arabica (Coffea arabica) and one quarter Robusta (Coffea canephora), which has a stronger taste.
NutriPro Beverages 1/07