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Instant Coffee...Or So They Say
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Instant coffee, also called soluble coffee and coffee powder, is a beverage derived from brewed coffee beans. Instant coffee is commercially prepared by either freeze-drying or spray drying, after which it can be rehydrated. Instant coffee in a concentrated liquid form is also available.[1]
Advantages of instant coffee include speed of preparation (instant coffee dissolves instantly in hot water), lower shipping weight and volume than beans or ground coffee.
Instant coffee was invented in 1901 by Satori Kato, a Japanese scientist working in Chicago. Kato introduced the powdered substance in Buffalo, New York, at the Pan-American Exposition. George Constant Louis Washingtondeveloped his own instant coffee process shortly thereafter, and first marketed it commercially (1910).
Now that is a short and dirty version of instant coffee's beginnings, as well as what it is. All I know is what my life's experiences have brought to my store bank of knowledge...and that begins with my Mom.
You see Mom fell in love with instant coffee way before it was realistic to expect more than a hot liquid in a cup or mug that looked like coffee. It was a fast way of having one or two mugs of joe any time night or day...she even had decaf standing at the ready in the evening! Yep, when you walked into Mom's place, especially in the winter months, the first thing she would ask..."Would you like a cup of coffee?" Being the youngest son, and knowing better than to turn down an offer from such a wonderful person, I (at least 99% of the time) would say, "Sure!" Mom would walk over to the gas stove and turn on the eye...of course there sat her whistle tea pot ready, filled, and waiting for the heat! Soon there would be a loud whistle sound filling the place and we would all partake of her favorite instant coffee, Folgers.
You know, I never had the heart to tell Mom that this dark liquid did not really taste like REAL coffee...I did offer once or twice to get Mom a good brewer and some coffee for her use...but alas, she really did not care if the brew in her cup was up to a coffee snob's liking...cause she liked the taste and she liked the fact that she could have her coffee whenever she wanted it. Not only that she would not be wasting any coffee she did not drink...and reheated coffee just was not good, you know!
Instant coffee definitely is not for everyone, however there are reasons for drinking this convenient drink, I reckon'. First, I am told that, though long before the 'official' development, some of the first instant coffee was made for soldiers in the Civil War (ours not someone else's), and that instant coffee was a real hit for the guys on the front lines during the World Wars. Now that type of thing is a good reason for having a way of enjoying something that reminds us of home...and better times. Also, it provides a good, and quick, mug of coffee to hold while having a conversation with your Mom. It helps build memories...almost as good as holding onto a hot mug of The Alpaca Bean Coffee...lasting thoughts that you can cherish for a lifetime.
BUT, as with other forms of quick fix brews, The Alpaca Bean Coffee Company will not be developing an instant version of any of our roasts...at least not before the year 2222. The only way we could provide such would be to have someone else take our roasts and convert...now that would not be a "done on the farm" thing, you know?
Now (unless you take a thermos along with you to your Mom's home), if your Mom offers you a hot mug of Folgers's instant (even if you think it is a brew from that well known hot spot), then please say, "I can't wait!"...then sit down for a good conversation with your loved one, a conversation you may not remember the content a number of years from today...but one you will remember having had none the less. Then give her a hug and kiss for good keeping...you will make her day, and you will realize sometime later...yours as well.
'Til next time...
Reference: 1.http://www.cafeculture.com/cafeindustry/cultured-products/torq-natural-instant-coffee
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On A Personal Note:
For those who have known me for a while, you know that I served in the U.S. Air Force and was in the Minuteman Missile career field of the Air Force. Now that was in SAC (Strategic Air Command), or the offensive side of the Air Force team...you know the side where the quarterback lives! :o) There are a number of things I remember about those days, some good...some bad, but I can tell you that the career guys and girls liked their coffee STRONG! I am talking walking strong...cut with a knife strong...cup eating strong. I am not talking bold, or character, or the like...I am talking a bunch of the ground stuff in a percolator that held at least 30 cups. That was a memory that today brings a smile to my face...
I also remember basic training...being jarred out of my bunk at just before day break, mustered out onto the grounds and abused by our TI, then returning to our barracks to find a "Texas Tornado" had hit our belongings and an inspection was coming up in fifteen minutes! Yep, that brings a smile to my face today...it did not have that impact back then...but it does today! :o)
I do recall that our Flight, and a few before us, were getting to use a new weapon that had been turned down by the Marines because it jammed too much back then...that weapon was the M-16. It was a very light rifle and fired its ammo as either a semi-automatic or, if you flipped a switch, an automatic. Since I grew up with first a BB rifle, then a 22, then a 20 gauge shotgun...well, I was somewhat decent at aiming and hitting the target at which I aimed. You see the M-16 was designed to kill human beings through a bullet that once it hit its target it began a tumbling action...this assured the kill. Well, I killed the target quite well at what was called qualifying...so well that the target was brought up and the TI pointed out how accurate I had been. Many of the bullets had entered the target at the same point of contact, leaving only a fragment beyond the previous one...I felt quite proud and I remember that...then the TI pointed out to the other fellows in my Flight that you would not have to be this accurate to do "the job." That memory does not bring a smile to my face...and knowing that the AR-15 is the same rifle as the M-16, minus the auto switch...that, and the fact that any person (sane or insane) can get one very easily, does not bring a smile to my face today.
With all that said, I know that being able to laugh has always made me feel better, even in times that were very trying...like a few times in the military, and like the times of this past week (as I am writing this to you). I cannot help but think of the contents of a recent "read" of mine, Laugh Your Way to Grace. You see I was honored to be named a delegate to the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church for our district recently. While at the Conference, I ventured into the Cokesbury Book Store that was set up on site. I found this book by the Rev. Susan Sparks. As it turns out, Rev. Sparks was educated and became a very good trial attorney, then she entered the ministry, and after being properly schooled, became the senior pastor of a Baptist Church in New York. She writes how she did not experience much humor nor laughter in church as she grew up in North Carolina...oh, by the way did I tell you she is also a standup comic? :o) Quite a gal...and she is a Baptist Minister! Here are a few of the highlighted quotes she puts into her work:
"Forgive me, O Lord, my little jokes on Thee and I'll forgive Thy great big one on me." Robert Frost, American Poet
"The Creator made humans able to walk and talk, to see and hear...to do everything. But the Creator wasn't satisfied. Finally, the Creator made humans laugh, and when they laughed and laughed, the Creator said, 'Now you are fit to live.'" Traditional Apache Story
And finally...
"In times like these, it is helpful to remember that there have always been times like these." Paul Harvey, American Radio Broadcaster
I recommend this read for you and anyone else that needs something (like I did) to help them remember to smile at themselves, laugh with a friend, giggle with your kids, and have a good ol' time with that special someone! Oh yes...I wouldn't be right if I did not ask you to wake up these feelings while sippin' on a good ol' mug of The Alpaca Bean Coffee...now would I? :o) You all take care and I look forward to makin' contact with you again real soon!
Peace,
The Coffeeman
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National Alpaca Farm Weekend is coming the last weekend in September. Wouldn't you like some good ol' The Alpaca Bean Coffee for your farm store??? If so, write us at bestcoffee@thealpacabean.biz. Let's talk about making this happen...we will be selling wholesale for all farms that would like to purchase our coffee roasts...without regard to order size!
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Drop Us A Line Anytime
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Find Out a Little More About us
You can enjoy finding out more about us or simply shop 'til you drop on the two web sites above!
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Coffee Lovers and Friends,
Judy and I are really enjoying having the opportunity to provide the best possible coffee for your enjoyment. We also hope you will be able to visit us soon to experience the pleasure of drinking an outstanding mug of our Alpaca Bean Coffee while watching the little ones pronking all over the place! George Dick The Alpaca Bean Coffee Company, LLC
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The Alpaca Bean Coffee Co., LLC
466 Stone Lane
Canon, Georgia 30520
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