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Welcome to Mobile Coffee Melbourne!

I remember the days when I would quickly drop into a cafe on my way to work to grab a cup of coffee. I just couldn’t get my day started without my favourite coffee safely tucked into my belly! I was then offered a better posting across town, which meant that I just couldn’t go to my cafe in the mornings as it was out of the way. Imagine my relief when I found that although I had been assigned to a project that was located in a remote place, it had a mobile coffee van parked conveniently nearby! I didn’t think I would find my coffee on the menu but not only did they have it, it also tasted so much better!

I got talking to the guy who ran the mobile coffee shop. Russell is a very relaxed sort and extremely laid back. He told me how he used to run a fairly successful cafe at a fixed location in the heart of the city for about five years. The property where his cafe was located was taken over by developers and he was soon forced to vacate. That’s when a regular customer of his had put him on to a mobile coffee franchising outfit. Since then Russell hasn’t looked back. He says he has the freedom to move around and also take on catering jobs for small events like engagement parties, office gatherings, and even family picnics. The flexibility that his coffee van affords him, he claims, is unmatched by anything else in his field of work.

He just has one or two guys to help him out and has state of the art coffee machines with high-end coffee makers and grinders. He keeps it very clean and attractive. He also knows how to make good coffee! Earlier I used to get my caffeine fix with just one cup of espresso in the morning at the cafe before I started my day. Now with his mobile coffee cart parked enticingly just outside our gate, I cannot resist dropping by every few hours to try out his latest signature coffee brews and catch up on news with Russell.

Being the coffee connoisseur he is, Russell shared quite a bit of interesting stuff with me about the history of coffee and how it spread its tempting tentacles all over the world and some basic insights on buying a coffee vending cart. He has also been a source of a wealth of information on running a coffee cart business. I hadn’t known that coffee was originally a banned drink in most countries as it acts as a stimulant! One day, I decided I would sit down and compile all this valuable information on coffee in one place. The result is this website, Mobile Coffee Melbourne, that will talk about mobile coffee vans and coffee vending carts amongst other things related to coffee.

Now why did I choose such an odd name for a website? Well, I figured that if I wanted my site to be picked up by Google Search, it would help to have a relevant name for my website. And I guess it is working as you are here reading my posts!

Trust me; you are in for a coffee treat! I have many interesting tidbits on coffee and several informative articles written by coffee experts, populating these pages. You won’t have to look any further for coffee facts.
I have taken the trouble to research everything thoroughly and even talk to other coffee lovers and coffee enthusiasts like me. I have also put in some interesting links to the global coffee industry and information on the major retailers and suppliers of fair trade coffee in Australia. I have also included a link to a Coffee Fact Sheet that gives you complete health information on coffee and an absolutely lip smacking collection of coffee recipes that you can try out at home. There is also a lot of information on when and how coffee was discovered in Yemen and slowly spread to other countries. You will also find specific information on coffee cultivation in Australia and the increasing popularity of mobile coffee carts.

Settle down with a nice hot steaming cup of your favourite brew and let me take you through the rich history of our indispensable coffee beans!
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This section of Mobile Coffee Melbourne is intent on tracking the coffee trail over the ages and presenting to you a comprehensive history of your favourite drink.

The first use of coffee as a drink can be traced back to AD1250. It is said that the berries were originally discovered and eaten by a group of dervishes who were exiled to the mountains in Yemen. They then started making a stew of the berries and since then it has been drunk rather than eaten. They probably dried and stored the fruit, and the seed was perhaps sowed in India and Africa by travelling dervishes.

Coffee seeds were re-imported from Africa a few centuries later. Dervishes are said to have introduced coffee as a drink in Cairo and Mecca. Interestingly, the people of Yemen to this day only use the dried peri-carp in their coffee and export the seeds.

There is also some evidence that coffee could have been around in Abyssinia for a long time before that and introduced into Arabia in the 15th century and later into Constantinople and Egypt.

The first coffee house in Europe is said to have been the one in Constantinople in 1551, followed by Yemen in 1554, Venice in 1645, London in 1652, Marseilles in 1671, and Paris in 1672. More than 3000 coffee houses mushroomed all over England by 1675 and women are said to have been banned from coffee houses in Europe! It was around this time that a ‘Women’s Petition against Coffee’ was circulated, which claimed that this “new fangled, abominable, heathenish liquor called Coffee” rendered men impotent!

The practice of adding milk and sugar to coffee was introduced in Vienna in 1683. The typical Viennese coffee, Melange, is made with a glass of water and hot foamed milk.

The earliest record of coffee cultivation in India is in 1670 in Chikkamagaluru from where it spread down south. The Dutch started growing coffee in Malabar, in India, in 1699 and soon after in Batavia, Java (Indonesia). In a short time, the Dutch became the main suppliers of coffee to European nations.

Coffee beans were first roasted and brewed in Arabia and since then Arabia had been the sole producer and supplier of coffee to the whole world for almost 50 years; right up to the late seventeenth century, following its introduction into Europe. A single tree from Java was brought by Hollanders into European markets in the early 18th century. It then spread like wild fire into West Indies and South America. Cultivated coffee is not indigenous to the Americas and it is interesting to note that all the coffee grown in America can be traced back to that single imported tree! About 5/6 of the world’s coffee production originates from that single tree from Java.

Mocha comes from Yemen and is considered the best coffee in the world, but it is mostly confined to use in Arabia. Ceylon (Sri Lanka) also cultivated some really good coffee before its cultivation was impeded by natural obstacles Most Ceylonese coffee plantations have since been converted into tea plantations.

Coffee has made an indelible impact in England even though coffee is not very popular. The dining room of old-fashioned hotels in England are referred to as the ‘coffee room’.
There is also some history of coffee that goes back to the thirteenth century when it was thought that the Ethiopian ancestors of the people of Oromo were the first to discover the invigorating effects of the coffee plant.

The word ‘coffee’ evolved from the Dutch ‘kaffie’, which in turn comes from the Turkish ‘kahve’ which was how the Turkish pronounced the Arabic ‘qahwa’ (a shortened form of ‘qahhwat al-bun’ meaning ‘wine of the bean’.

It is interesting to note that coffee was originally frowned upon and forbidden in many places because of its stimulating effects. Even in England, the government opposed the coffee houses in London but later it gained in popularity as a place for entertainment. By early eighteenth century, coffee was used all over Europe. Soon, the popularity of this beverage won over and the bans were lifted and its consumption spread rapidly in the late eighteenth century.

Who would have thought that the cafes we haunt now were once taboo and the coffee we down so easily was considered ‘illegal’?! Tweet

Mobile Coffee Melbourne presents some interesting information on coffee in Panama and a great video follows:

Boquete is located in the Province of Chiriqui, Panama’s southwestern most distant province next to Costa Rica’s southern border. The District of Boquete includes 6 counties or townships: Alto Boquete, Bajo Boquete, Boquete, Caldera, Los Naranjos and Palmira. The capital of the Chiriqui Province is David, located at 4,000 feet altitude. The region is affectionately called “…the land of the eternal rainbow…” because, very often, several rainbows are present at the same time over the valley. A truly beautiful sight.

Panama’s geographic conditions are very interesting and help one understand some unique characteristics of this country and its great coffee.

* Panama’s geographical orientation is east to west, not north to south.
* The Atlantic or Caribbean ocean is on the north and the Pacific ocean is to the south.
* The sun rises and sets over the Pacific, not over the Atlantic.
* The “dry season” (“Winter”) runs from December through March.
* The “cooler wet season” (“Summer”) runs from April through November.
* Temperatures change according to the elevation, the cloud cover and the amount of rainfall.
* It is a good idea to be prepared for unexpected weather changes of up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and very cold nights in mountainous areas.

The Boquete region is in a valley on the eastern side of an extinct volcano (over 500 years so far) called Volcán Barú which is National Park (over 35,000 acres of land) rising to over 12,000 feet above sea level. Barú features 6 life zone eco-areas which offer a great natural habitat to abundant and unique flora and fauna, especially birds. For example, there are over 250 bird species in the park area. Animals include jaguar, tapir, puma, deer, coati (a relative of the raccoon), armadillo, rabbit, 2 and 3-toed sloths, many kinds of monkeys, and even the famous and strikingly colorful Quetzal bird!

Boquete’s economy depends on agriculture, eco-tourism and coffee. Boquete coffee is considered among the best in the world.

* The cool humid mountain air of the area helps produce exceptional coffee cherries and supports organic, shade coffee growing practices.
* Panama has the smallest production of coffee in Central America.
* However, Panama coffee growers are committed to quality over quantity and have established a solid reputation for excellence that consistently ranks their beans at the top.
* Sustainable coffee growing is Panama’s trademark, synonymous with best in class in the specialty gourmet coffee market.
* In addition, Boquete’s farming practices benefit from the unique human appeal and charm of indigenous people hand picking coffee while clad in colorful native attire amidst a true festive environment.
* What makes coffee picking so appealing in Panama is that what you observe is genuine and part of the daily life. Colorfully attired Indian families come from different parts of the province to harvest the coffee cherries from October through February.
* Coffee is primarily picked by groups such as the Guamy, the Ngobe Bugle, and the Cuna or Kuna Indians.

Often, Panama Boquete Coffee is compared to wine. This is so true: this coffee is truly as delicious and special as the great wines from the French region of Bordeaux. Panama Boquete Coffee has earned its reputation among the best in the world for several years based on results from recognized international coffee cupping competitions and buyer demand. Panama Boquete Coffee is complex and distinctive, featuring hints of uncultivated flowers such as jasmine, mandarin, berries or other. Why is that?

The Boquete Region has some of the most beautiful and stunning flower gardens in the world!

* The verdant and colorful natural production of Boquete rivals that of the great European Mediterranean gardens of Monaco, Italy or those of California and South Africa.
* Bromeliads of all sizes and colors cover the shade trees in the coffee fincas. There are several subfamilies of bromeliads: pineapples and Spanish moss are both kinds of bromeliads.
* In coffee plantations, bromeliads are epiphytic (“parasitic”) plants that grow naturally in Panama’s tropical environment.
* Orchids, another epiphytic species found in coffee habitats, also grow naturally in the Boquete region. Draping moss covering trees and vegetation is everywhere. In a way, the “coffee forests” look magical and surreal.
* Coffee plantations are also noisy areas with bird calls constantly echoing from one end to another.
* Flowerbeds of jasmine flowers, mostly white but also some species of yellow flowers, are a recurrent sight with a permeating unique fragrance.
* The Boquete region is also famous for very sweet and delicious oranges and mandarins. These are shade trees that grow, side by side, with coffee bushes.
* The list of other wild flowers, fruit trees and natural plants present where coffee grows is very long but explains the unique hints of flower fragrances, taste and aroma in Panama Boquete Coffee.

So, ready to enjoy a cup of delicious Panama Boquete Gourmet Specialty Coffee?

Timothy (“Tim”) S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him “The Gourmet Coffee Guy.”
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

Come visit the author’s website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com
Also visit: http://www.squidoo.com/coffee-lensography-TheGourmetCoffeeGuy

© Copyright – Timothy S. Collins. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Timothy_S._Collins
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Welcome to Mobile Coffee Melbourne !

According to the 2008 Coffee Statistics Report, coffee is the most common beverage worldwide. The U.S. imports more than $4 billion worth of coffee annually and Americans consume 400 million cups of coffee per day. Nearly 52% of Americans over the age of 18 drink coffee daily. Coffee represents 75% of all the caffeine consumed in the U.S., the rest comes from soft drinks, tea, cocoa, and many prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Although coffee is one of the most heavily researched commodities with studies spanning decades, there is still much controversy surrounding its effects on health. Many studies show conflicting results and there is always a new study to discount the last one.

Science Of Caffeine

Caffeine is the most prevalently used legal stimulant in the world. It stimulates you, gives you energy or a “lift”, and it makes you more alert. To understand how caffeine affects your body, we have to look at the science of caffeine. When you take in caffeine, it triggers the secretion of stress hormones, similar to a fight-or-flight response when you have to deal with sudden danger. The following is how the body responses to an elevation of stress hormones:

* Pupils dilate to increase visual acuity.
* Bronchial airways dilate to increase availability of oxygen.
* Liver releases sugars and fats into the blood to fuel the survival effort.
* Muscle fibers contract, ready for sudden movement.
* Heart rate and blood pressure increase to supply fuel to muscles.
* Circulation reduced in digestive system to make more blood available to muscles.
* Small blood vessels in the extremities constrict to make more blood available to muscles.

In caveman days, such fight-or-flight response was designed for episodic stress events. In modern times, however, stress tends to be chronic, and most people typically consume caffeine at regular intervals during the day. When your body is in a constant state of “emergency alert”, the results can be devastating.

Harmful Effects Of Caffeine

* Caffeine can generate wild swings in blood sugar, causing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Symptoms include weakness, nervousness, sweating, heart palpitations, and jitters.
* Caffeine can raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
* Caffeine can alter the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, leading to impaired digestion. It is associated with increased risk for ulcer, acid reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome.
* Caffeine can lead to skin irritations.
* Caffeine can have a detrimental effect on the body’s calcium-phosphorus balance, which is associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis (porous bones).
* Caffeine can aggravate your PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and menopause symptoms.
* Caffeine can affect the quality of your sleep. The fact that you have built up a high tolerance for caffeine does not mean that your sleep quality has not been compromised. Caffeine can also worsen symptoms of insomnia, panic attacks, and anxiety disorders.
* Caffeine can increase the risk of miscarriage, birth defects such as cleft palate, and low birth weight among babies. Pregnant women should always avoid caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant drug that easily passes through the placenta to the developing fetus and is also transferred through breast milk.
* Last but not least, if you regularly take in more than 100 mg of caffeine (about half a cup of brewed coffee) a day, you are probably addicted to caffeine and are likely to experience some withdrawal symptoms such as headache, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and muscle stiffness.

Other Health Issues Associated With Coffee

* Coffee is usually a heavily sprayed crop, so every cup of non-organic coffee exposes you to a dose of toxic pesticides. Worse, many chemicals banned in the U.S. for their ultra toxicity are exported to South American countries. Some of these chemicals are known to be used in coffee plantations which export their coffee back to the U.S.
* If you are a Protein Metabolic Type, you won’t do well with caffeine. You should only consume decaffeinated coffee in small quantities.
* If you are going to drink decaffeinated coffee, make sure that it uses a non-chemical based method of decaffeination, such as the “Swiss Water Process”. Most coffee is chemically decaffeinated, even if it says “naturally decaffeinated” on the label.
* If you use a “drip” coffee maker, use non-bleached filters. The bright white ones are chlorine bleached and some of the chlorine will be extracted from the filter during the brewing process.

Health Benefits Of Coffee
Although coffee is associated with many health risks, research suggests that it also offers a number of health benefits, provided you drink at least two cups per day. Evidence indicates that coffee provides protective effects for the following diseases:

* Alcohol cirrhosis of the liver
* Alzheimer’s disease
* Asthma
* Colon cancer
* Type 2 diabetes
* Gallstones
* Some types of headaches
* Parkinson’s disease
* Strokes

However, when you are drinking two cups of coffee daily, your body is already hooked to the regular stimulation of caffeine. It is after all, a personal choice to weigh the benefits of drinking coffee against its many negative health effects.

The Bottom Line

* Despite the many health claims, caffeine is still a stimulant drug. Regular dependence on caffeine to enhance performance stresses the body, the same way all other life stressors do.
* Tea is a good alternative as it has lower caffeine content. Tea also contains antioxidants (polyphenols) that help prevent cancer, heart disease, and stroke. White tea is the least processed and contains the most antioxidants, followed by green tea, and black tea. To cut down on the caffeine in black tea, steep it for less time or switch to green or white tea.
* Coffee is clearly not the healthiest liquid to drink (best choice is pure water) but if you do choose to drink coffee, buy the organic version as the crop is heavily sprayed with pesticides.
* The best decaffeination method is the “Swiss Water Process” which is completely chemical free.
* Only use non-bleached filters for brewing coffee.
* If you are pregnant, breast feeding, or have the following conditions, you should avoid caffeine altogether – digestive and bowel problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, gallstones, ulcers, anxiety or panic attacks, heart problems, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, insomnia, PMS, menopause, osteoporosis, and skin irritations.

Carol Chuang is a Certified Nutrition Specialist and a Metabolic Typing Advisor. She has a Masters degree in Nutrition and is the founder of CC Health Counseling, LLC. Her passion in life is to stay healthy and to help others become healthy. She believes that a key ingredient to optimal health is to eat a diet that is right for one’s specific body type. Eating organic or eating healthy is not enough to guarantee good health. The truth is that there is no one diet that is right for everyone. Our metabolisms are different, so should our diets. Carol specializes in Metabolic Typing, helping her clients find the right diet for their Metabolic Type. To learn more about Metabolic Typing, her nutrition counseling practice, and how to get a complimentary phone consultation, please go to http://cchealthcounseling.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Chuang
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Check out this vid on how to make great coffee.