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The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va., Elaine Koontz Real Flavor Column: Savor, Don?T Mindlessly Slurp, Coffee

Posted on: Wednesday, 18 January 2006, 09:00 CST

By Elaine Koontz Real Flavor, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

Jan. 18--EVERY MORNING, millions of people pour themselves a steaming cup of coffee. Many of us just keep on pouring all day long.

For true coffee connoisseurs, it's not just the caffeine jolt they're seeking. It's the taste, the smell, and sometimes it's even the pleasant hiss of the coffee pot working. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the gulpers, those who drink their coffee without really tasting it, as if it were just another thing to tick off their to-do lists. In my opinion, these people shouldn't bother. It wrecks the coffee-drinking tradition for those of us who like to sit quietly and savor our drink.

Try to compare the taste of coffee to another food item. It can't be done. Most foods and drinks can be compared to another. Nothing else is reminiscent of the robust, smooth and indescribable flavor of coffee. This is exactly what makes it so tempting to those of us who love it.

Coffee has become a very popular drink. There are now so many variations of coffee that it's hard to keep track of them. Staring at the local coffee shop's sign is enough to make you dizzy.

Cappuccino is probably the most frequently ordered specialty coffee drink in the United States. Cappuccino is composed of equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk. Iced cappuccino is just that, a cup of cappuccino with ice added. Iced cappuccino should not be confused with Frappuccino, which is a coffee beverage named and registered by Starbucks. It is made of one part instant coffee, one part flavoring and three parts ice. Both of these beverages often contain an added flavoring, and the drink is normally topped with whipped cream, syrup and either sprinkles or cinnamon.

Espresso is a thick syrupy coffee that is very strongly caffeinated and is an acquired taste. Espresso is served in shots because of its strength, and is often served with a glass of cold water to act as a chaser. If you ordered "coffee" in Italy, you would be served espresso. Italians do not, as a common rule, drink the watered-down coffee beverage that we do in the United States.

"Latte" means "milk" in Italian, and this beverage is a concoction of 1/3 espresso and 2/3 steamed milk. Steaming milk and powdered chocolate together, stirring the chocolate milk into a shot of espresso, and adding a dollop of whipped cream creates a "mocha latte".

Once you understand the basics of good coffee making, you can create a variety of enticing beverages. How about blending sweet caramel, chocolate or strawberry syrup with coffee and cream, or using various flavors of ice cream to add a smooth texture and a unique taste to your traditional drink? An easy way to experiment is to add different extracts to your morning mug of coffee. Try adding orange, almond, peppermint or strawberry extracts to make your coffee break a little more special.

Sometimes, just a simple cup of coffee is all that I want. A steaming hot mug, a nice crisp cookie and a good book to enjoy during a coffee break can be the perfect oasis from the world. This is just what a coffee break should be.

ELAINE KOONTZ is a pediatric dietitian/intern preceptor at Ruby Memorial Hospital and a member of The Dominion Post Food Panel. Contact her at food@dominionpost.com.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

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Source: The Dominion Post (Morgantown, W.Va.)

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