JOURNAL ENTRY 3: A Cup of Writing: COFFEE

Drinking is the building block of survival. Eating is not so important as drinking because our body is a kind of vessel that bears water and other liquids. I am the living proof of that fact because I feel like I cannot live without drinking anything. Sometimes I forget eating, but I never forget drinking. I feel tired, depressed and aggressive when I do not drink as much as I like. I may be a drink-addicted. One of my favourite beverages is coffee. Actually, it is the love of my life. I like its smell and taste so much. I also believe that coffee is something miraculous, and exploring its kingdom is absolutely worthy.

There is an interesting and funny legend behind the history of coffee. The effects of caffeine in the coffee berries were noticed by Ethiopian shepherds when they saw their goats dancing after eating coffee berries. Then, the shepherds ate the coffee berries and felt frisky just like the goats. I cannot help laughing when I imagine the dance of goats and shepherds. African tribes ate coffee berries by mixing them with fat, and the food they created was like energy balls for them. Coffee gained popularity with the rise of Islam. Drinking alcohol was prohibited, but drinking coffee was acceptable. Thus, coffee became the best-loved beverage among all other beverages.   

There is a term called “Bean Belt”. Bean belt is the area where coffee trees grow. It is the area between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world. It is one of the most consumed beverages. September 29 is celebrated as the “National Coffee Day” in the United States. Nevertheless, I celebrate it every day by drinking at least two cups of coffee.

Besides giving energy and the feeling “happiness”, coffee is a healthy drink in some aspects. It may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. It may also lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease because coffee strengthens the memory and sharpens the brain. It is good for the liver and may prevent the liver cancer. Coffee beans contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. However, you should be careful when you are drinking coffee because it is like a medicine, and you may harm yourself when you overdose on it.

Making and drinking coffee have turned to be an art lately. There are different kinds of coffee making. There is even a huge technology behind coffee making. Some Scandinavian countries (Sweden and Finland) and Germany compete with each other to come up with the best coffee machine. Coffee is not cultivated in Finland, yet they have the leading technology and creativity to make coffee in the world. My favourite type is espresso because I like strong coffee. I like Turkish coffee too. I do not like the taste of milk and sugar in coffee. Other types such as Americano, cappuccino and caffe latte are prepared with different amounts of foam, milk and chocolate syrup.

Briefly, coffee is beneficial for mental and physical health. Making and drinking coffee is enjoyable. When I am sad, I know coffee will fix me. Even the thought of coffee makes me relax. I guess I am not just a coffee-lover but a coffee-addicted, but I am okay with that. I am going to finish my words here:

                 

                        “Take time to smell coffee, and be happy!”