Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Virtual Africa: Kwanza Sul Angola and Coffee

 

Angola...best know for Kwanza Sul and it's coffee plantations.

"Honey...I'm home!!!"


 Angola is the third largest producer of coffee in the world...and the most common crop grown here.

Coffee Cherries

From Cherry to Cup:

The coffee bean that we are used to is actually a seed. If you were to plant one that was not processed or roasted...you would be able to grow your own coffee tress.

Trees are kept pruned down to manageable proportions on coffee plantations. When left to their own devices...coffee trees can exceed 30 feet tall.

If you were able to plant a green coffee bean you would be waiting and waiting and waiting for your first cup, though.   It takes about 4 years before the plant produces cherries.

The unripe cherries are green. The ripe turn red...then burgundy.

The cherry when ripe and opened usually contains 2 beans.

At this point they are green and alive...seeds to planted.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/719287863/100pcs-coffea-arabica-seeds-coffee-bean?

And, if you are so inclined, you can buy raw seeds here...and try growing your own.

The beans are then washed.

How the beans are washed and roasted (and the oils that are added) give us the many variations of coffee flavor.

Lightly washed with residual pulp will result in a naturally sweet cup of coffee.

Well washed and dry parchment beans tend to be more acidic.

Bean roast levels also determine the flavor.

How to Roast Your Own

https://youtu.be/x1wBsf6bCnw

(...okay...might have to try this...)

Then just grind and make your coffee...

 


If you don't have a conventional or electric coffee grinder, a blender can be used as a serviceable replacement.

Coffee Production in Angola

https://youtu.be/YHlEZxQMtyo

(...sorry for the Portuguese...)


And for those who want to try the Kwanza Sul Coffee...but don't want to wait four years for your first cup...


The African Coffee Club

https://www.africancoffeeclub.com/shop/kwanza-sul

Delivered right to your door.

The best Angola has to offer!

Enjoy...


                                                        The Life of Coffee

 

Onward to Zambia.