Must Have Coffee

Like recipe day, I'm going to make it a regular occurence to post some interesting trivia about topics that interest me. So, because this idea occured to me while I was enjoying my mandatory morning coffee, today's trivia topic is coffee.

IN COFFEE WE TRUST
The heavy tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773, which caused the "Boston Tea Party," resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. Drinking coffee was an expression of freedom. The founding fathers often formed national strategies in coffeehouses.

I WAS ITALIAN IN A PAST LIFE
Here is more proof. Not only do I adore Italian food, the language, the country, and the art, I find out that Italians revere coffee so much that they do not drink espresso during meals. It is considered to be a separate event and is given its own time. "Barista" is a respected job title there, and espresso is so essential to life there that the government regulates its price.

IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES
In the ancient Arab world, coffee became such a staple in family life that one of the causes allowed by law for marital separation was a husband's refusal to produce coffee for his wife.

COWBOY INGENUITY
It's said cowboys made their coffee by putting ground coffee into a clean sock, immersing it in cold water, and heating it over campfire. When ready, they would pour the coffee into tin cups and drink it.

WANT FRIES WITH THAT?
Frederick the great had his coffee made with champagne and a bit of mustard. The Italians drink their espresso with sugar, the Germans and Swiss - with equal parts of hot chocolate, the Mexicans - with cinnamon, the Belgians - with chocolate. Moroccans drink their coffee with peppercorns, the Ethiopians - with a pinch of salt. Coffee drinkers in the Middle East usually add cardamom and spices. Whipped cream is the favourite amongst Austrians. The Egyptians are extremely fond of pure and strong coffee. They seldom add sugar to it, nor milk nor cream. They serve unsweeteened coffee to mourners and sweetened coffee at weddings. The Italians are the unrivaled World Masters of Espresso.

See? Italy rocks! (So, I've confessed, and now my mother can now be officially disgusted with me for holding Italians (not Chinese) in such high esteem.)