A Trip on the Route of Coffee
June 29, 2010
The route of coffee offers you a journey through the senses, traveling the world for this very special aroma, the taste of a cup of coffee. The plantations are happening around the globe along the Line of Ecuador. Walk with us the four continents where the coffee has taken root.
It is said that coffee was the chance discovery of a young pastor of the Ethiopian province of Kaffa. While driving his goats could see how the animals are extolled to eat a strange fruit. So I decided to try it himself, feeling a energizing effect instantly. Coffee soon becomes popular and advanced through Asia coming to Africa and other continents. The energizing effect it ordered the ban for some time in the Middle East areas.
Europe knew no coffee until after mid-sixteenth century. The drink did not have wide acceptance and was also banned by several kingdoms. In the year 1650 began to open the first coffee shops in Oxford and London. Thus, the idea moved to the rest of Europe to adopt coffee as a drink daily.
The best coffee
Today the black drink is the second most traded commodity the world (second only to oil).
One of the strangest things in the complex business of coffee is that most of the plantations owned by small producers. It’s not easy harvest and can be planted anywhere in the world. In fact coffee is grown only under certain conditions: a mixture of altitude and warm temperatures occurs mainly in areas close to the line of Ecuador. It is there where the path of coffee in the world.
But there is no single variety and quality of coffee, so coffee is more intense and more washings, also changes the flavor and color of the drink. There are two general species of coffee. The Arabica is the most coveted. It grows at an altitude of 4000-6000 meters above sea level and requires special conditions on the ground. This grain achieves a higher quality coffee and is harvested only in tropical America and East Africa.
The other variety is the Robusta species that grows in areas below 2,500 meters above sea level. Is less aromatic and their flavor is less intense, however, contains twice the caffeine than Arabica and also takes less time to mature. We can see Robusta plantations in Brazil, Central and West Africa and Southeast Asia.
The route of coffee in America
The route of the path of coffee in America is from Bolivia and Brazil, from Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela and throughout Central America until the middle of Mexico. These are areas characterized by a tropical and subtropical climate and vegetation intense. So the route is ideal for travelers who like long walks.
Visit the coffee and really enjoy it is to tour the plantations, to go into the farming areas and take the opportunity to admire the landscape of the region. If you’re not a state and cannot walk for more than 30 minutes on uneven ground, there are other options plantation tours scheduled in rooms, where the tasting is the main activity. If instead you have the possibility of walking is something that you really recommend.
There are also options quieter. In many fields find lodgings in the rooms. The theme is to “relax in a tropical environment” with the addition of aromatic coffee and specialized menu where you can try coffee at all its kinds and forms: cold, with cream, alcohol, batter, milk, sweet, bitter, with chocolate, vanilla, even with ice cream …
In Antigua (Guatemala) you can visit the Coffee Museum, an old farm which now functions as a museum and cultural center. The place has machinery of the century, photographs, maps and thematic paintings. In Nicaragua and other Central American countries can visit museums and exhibits similar homes on coffee.
In Colombia the coffee is a real tourist attraction. If you are in the region, you should not miss the Parque Nacional del Café, opened in 1995. This park has an eco-trail, a museum and attractions. Quindío is located in one of the coffee departments with Caldas and Risaralda and others in the area.
This journey of learning coffee plantations leads to Costa Rica, one of the favorite places for excellence in tourism. In Mexico you can find farms to see the harvesting process and make coffee tastings.
In Africa
Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania are the largest producers of Arabica coffee in the continent. On a tour of the east coast of Africa can unify a visit to the coffee belt and build to meet miss geography of this region.
It is a walk which awakens all the senses, the view through the greenery, smell the aromatic essence and flavor of the grain through a good cup of coffee. In Africa there are also coffee stays if you’re interested take a trip theme, especially with the addition of the coastline on the Indian Ocean.
India and Southeast Asia
The cafe area is not the best in the world, although there are exceptions of very good harvests. The attractiveness of this route is based on in Southeast Asia there is a peace that will not find anywhere else.
The lodgings of the coffee on this part of the world offer visitors a relaxed atmosphere all in a landscape of hills and mountains. In contrast, if you travel to southern India to hear you take advantage of tea plantations in a two for one tour. Other countries with coffee plantations in Asia are China, Vietnam and Thailand.
Route coffee is a particular route several possible destinations. You have infinite options to meet the crop from the inside, surprised by the vegetation and learn more about this plant in museums and coffee farms. If you love coffee, I invite you to assemble your next trip to enjoy with all senses.
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