Periódico Casco Antiguo News EDICIÓN 15 · JULIO 2017 | Page 14

Brief history of coffee
NOTA CENTRAL
PANAMÁ

Brief history of coffee

Casa Sucre
sweet and elegant touch . Their homemade desserts are exquisite , as is their menu of vegetarian dishes .
New neighbors
Some franchises of cafes have a presence in Casco Antiguo , bringing variety and international quality to the scene . Benissimo Gelato & Caffé , in Avenue A with Fourth Street , bets on both coffee and ice cream in the Italian style , with a comfortable and casual atmosphere ( recommended the affogato coffee ice cream ). Saquella comes from Italy and has five other locations in the city ; Is in the St . George House , in front of the old church of the Company of Jesus ; Its rich menu is ideal for closing with an Irish with Panna ( espresso , Bailey ’ s , whipped cream ) or spoonable specialties of coffee , such as Firenze ( espresso mousse , dark chocolate and white , caramel ).
Espresso Americano , on the ground floor of Casa Mallet , on Calle Sexta , comes from Honduras and likes its hot options , such as the white mocha and its cold granitas of coffee or funny flavors . Café Unido is on the ground floor of the elegant American Trade Hotel , a favorite franchise for Panamanians who love local coffee because of its delicious selection of grains from different farms of Chiriquí that you can take home with one of their huge cups , which are for sale .
For fans Bajareque Coffee House is in an intimate location on Calle Primera in the direction of the National Theater , and its Geisha variety of Elida Estate in Boquete ,
Coffee is originally from ancient Ethiopia , legend has it that coffee properties were discovered by a shepherd named Kaldi . They tell of the strange behavior of his goats after they had eaten the fruit and the leaves of a certain bush . The goats were jumping around very excited and full of energy . The shrub Kaldi thought his goats had eaten had cherry-like fruits . Then Kaldi decided to try the leaves of the bush and a while later he was full of energy .
Kaldi then brought some fruit and branches of that shrub to a monastery . There he told the abbot the story of the goats and how he had felt after eating the leaves . The abbot decided to cook the branches and the cherries ; The result was a very bitter drink that he threw immediately into the fire . When the cherries fell on the fathoms they began to boil , the green peas inside them produced a delicious scent that made the Abbot think of making a drink based on roasted coffee , and this is how the coffee drink is born .
By 1600 coffee was spread by the different countries of Europe from Africa and began to open the first coffee shops , and each country was developing its own style of preparation ; Already by 1689 coffee had arrived to America and with the passing of some years the first plantations were established .
Coffee plantations in Panama
In the following areas of the province of Chiriquí coffee is grown :
Boquete : Coffee in this region began to be cultivated at the end of the XIX century by European immigrants and presents areas with very differentiated microclimates . From Volcanito , relatively dry , to the humid ones of Bajo Mono , The profile of the coffee of Boquete offers an acidity between average and high , body between low and average . Very balanced .
Volcan , on the southern slope of the Baru volcano : The profile of the coffee in this area of Volcán presents a good body and acidity higher than could be expected due to its relative height . Very aromatic and suitable for blends intended for espresso coffee .
Renacimiento , comprising Piedra Candela , Cotito , Santa Clara and Rio Sereno : it is the region with the greatest growth potential in coffee production , which is grown in the areas of Rio Sereno , Cotito and the highest in Candela Stone . The height oscillates between 1,200 and 1,350 meters and produces a coffee of similar characteristics throughout the area .
several times awarded by the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama , allows them to offer the public the most exclusive cup of the area ( 9 balboas !). Finally , on avenue B , in a house from 1873 , is Casa Sucre , which in its eclectic environment with vintage art and objects shares with its client ’ s coffee from the Hartmann estate , reserved for its espresso and cappuccino , along with filtered options of Panama Joe Coffee and Luna ’ s coffee for a softer dose of caffeine .
The next time you crave a coffee , whether it ’ s between friends , as a couple or just with a book , take it with a bit of magic and history in the beloved Casco Antiguo .
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