Sun Blogs: Chop, Dice, Simmer, and Slice
Coffee Sustains Us
November 22, 2009 - 12:00am
I have a friend that has been luring me with coffee lately. She’s 2736 miles away but insists that I must be able to smell the roasting coffee beans of Seattle’s Pike Place market from here. Nonetheless, when considering grad schools to apply to, this is her leverage. Around every corner in Seattle, Washington, there is a perfectly brewed cup of joe waiting for me. She obviously knows the way to my heart.
Coffee sustains us, or, well, me. Before every exam, I usually down a grande drip coffee and consume so much caffeine that my vision becomes tunneled and my hands are shaking. But coffee provides clarity for me. My brain functions at another level and I can focus on the task at hand. Considering it is the fuel for my existence, it is probably important for me to learn as much as I can about it.
But I must say that I am particularly loyal to Ithaca’s finest coffee, Gimme! In a recent excursion down to Gimme!’s E. State St. branch, I found myself curious as to what the type of bean actually had to do with the flavor. At Gimme!, their description of the blend is almost as entertaining as the ritual of sipping the piping hot liquid itself. My all time favorite blend, Piccolo Mondo, boasts a description that is surprisingly fitting of my personality. With an aroma of “skillet-roasted nuts and vanilla beans”, a taste of “plum, buttercream, robust, and red wine”, a body of “dusted honeycomb and velveteen”, and a finish of “a long pleasant stretch of goodness”. The irony is that I have a weird affinity for vanilla-scented lotions, I sip red wine every night before bed, and could probably survive off of buttercream frosting and honey. After the fascination with the similarities wore off, I notice a few other symbols plastered to the side of the bag. “Organic”, “shade grown”, “Smithsonian bird”, “fair trade”. At Gimme!, it’s all about sustainability. They define organic according to USDA standards and only use beans that leave out the pesticides and participate in sustainable crop rotation to prevent erosion and soil depletion. Shade grown is exactly as it sounds. The delicious beans are grown under a canopy of trees, which requires a longer ripening time, richer flavor, and encourages the biodiversity of birds in the area. Smithsonian bird friendly is a label that requires that 100% of the beans are shade grown and organic to preserve bird habitats. Lastly, Piccolo Mondo is fair trade. Fair trade is the new buzzword in the coffee world. Gimme! defines it as “an international program that aims to make the global commodity market more sustainable. Participating farm cooperatives must pay to be certified, and in return, they receive a fair minimum price for any coffee they sell. To be certified, coffee farms must meet standards for fair labor, environmental sustainability, and community development.” To find what your favorite Gimme! blend stands for, visit their website.
As for the beans themselves, there are two main species: Arabica and Robusta. When deciding which blend to choose, knowing which of the two species you like is the most helpful. The environment that Arabica requires is a bit more delicate than that of Robusta, which can grow pretty much anywhere. Arabica requires higher elevation in order to ripen to its delicious perfection. The typical cup of coffee boasts a combination of the two. Robusta provides us with the high levels of caffeine that carry us through the day while Arabica provides a smooth taste that is bursting with flavor. Depending upon the region and roasting method, these beans don even more aromas and depth. But in conclusion, a higher ratio of Arabica provides flavor and depth for the night when you are looking to enjoy the taste of your cup. Greater Robusta gives you the kick you need to get through those tedious 20 page exams that Cornell professor will inevitably force you to take during the final’s week ahead.
If coffee isn’t your thing but you need that boost of energy, I suggest one of two things. The more direct route to caffeine heaven is the chocolate covered espresso beans, which will push you into caffeine overload if you aren’t careful. Or simply, just start enjoying coffee.