| Most of us are not very adventurous when it comes | | | | ideal climate for coffee production and the roasts from |
| to selecting our coffees. We tend to stick to our | | | | this area have a low acidity and a full bodied flavor. |
| favorite brand of all American medium roast, and our | | | | Malaysia produces a stronger brew, largely due to their |
| most difficult decision is whether to take instant or | | | | practice of filtering the grounds through a muslin bag, |
| spend a bit longer making filter. However, there are a | | | | rather than because of fundamental differences in the |
| fantastic range of coffees available from a wide | | | | beans. A chilled alternative is offered in Thailand, where |
| variety of countries, and learning a little about the | | | | a special blend flavored with chicory is mixed with ice |
| possibilities can help us to discover what we really | | | | and condensed milk. |
| want in a coffee. | | | | In Europe, each country seems to have its own idea |
| The biggest coffee grower globally is Brazil, which | | | | of how to make the perfect cup. The French maintain |
| should come as no surprise when you consider that | | | | that half coffee and half milk is the best combination, |
| one third of the land is ideal for coffee production. With | | | | whereas the Austrians favor a mixture of dark and |
| such a large volume, the varieties of Brazilian coffee | | | | regular roasts to produce a particular blend. |
| are numerous, but some of the more popular blends | | | | The Italians are particularly fanatical about their coffee, |
| are from Minas Gerais and Bahia. Less is produced in | | | | particularly espresso which no dinner would be |
| Columbia, although this may be a better known coffee | | | | properly ended without. For those that find the |
| producer. Exquisite Columbian coffees from Popayan | | | | espresso a little strong, it can be combined with warm |
| or Narino, are sweet gentle blends available as | | | | frothy milk to make a latte or cappuccino. Italian cafes |
| supreme or excelso. | | | | would not be the same without the delicious aroma |
| Other less well known coffee producers in the | | | | from the cappuccino machines. |
| Americas are Mexico and Cuba. The small beans | | | | So next time you have coffee on your shopping list, |
| grown in Mexico make a lightly acidic coffee with a | | | | take a look at the varieties on offer, and perhaps |
| smooth flavor that can rival Columbian or Brazilian | | | | choose a couple of different types from around the |
| blends. The strong dark Cuban Cubano is drunk in shot | | | | world so you can experiment and determine what it is |
| form and can really give you a lift. | | | | you really like in your coffee. |
| Looking to other parts of the globe, Indonesia has an | | | | |