Coffee has been a flavorful way to experience camaraderie and enjoyment for centuries. From ancient Africa to modern cafés to countertop coffee makers, this rich treat has been an important beverage for many people.

The birth of coffee in Africa and Middle East seems distant but everyone relates to gourmet flavored coffee today. From grabbing a cup on the way to work to savoring a cup with dessert, it is served throughout the day. While drinking java alone is pleasurable, often java is part of socializing. It is served at work, at meetings and at social gatherings. From klatches to specialty bars, sharing a cup is an excuse to gather.

In decades gone by, a great cup of coffee meant going to your local diner or stopping by a friend’s house after a fresh pot was percolated on the stove. It accompanied long conversations at the counter with the waitress and other patrons. Women gathered in the afternoons after they did their chores to share freshly perked cup and conversation before the children came home from school.

Over the past three decades, coffee got more sophisticated. As technology evolved, so did its presentation. Posh coffee houses sprouted up across the nation offering gourmet beans and exotic brews. Today many houses are known as coffee bars where patrons sit down to sip and socialize. Often patrons bring home their favorite varieties of gourmet coffee and tea to make at home.

The home java experience has also evolved through the years. Everyone can remember the silver coffee percolator grandma used to make when we were children. Our parents made it in a simple drip maker. Today there are a variety of machines used at home to create irresistible concoctions including espresso and cappuccino. A French press is used to make a full-flavored brew from gourmet coffee beans. Use a single serve maker if you live alone or just want one fresh cup.

Coffee drinking was simple when your only options were cream, milk and sugar. Today there are lots of flavors and types to choose from. Do you want a mocha espresso or hazelnut cappuccino? Would you like yours hot or iced? How about decaf? Much like fine wine, people often choose their brew based on the foods accompanying it.

You can even grab a cup on the go. Instant brew is made in minutes with coffee granules and boiling water. Chilled bottled versions are a refreshing pick-me-up on a warm day. No matter how or where you decide to get it, coffee is always a delicious and energizing treat.

To explore delicious gourmet coffee beans to brew at home make sure to visit Intelligentsia Coffee. Order gourmet coffee and tea online or find a local Intelligentsia coffee bar where you can be served gourmet flavored coffee.

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Tags: Coffee, Countertops, Flavored, Gourmet