Wednesday, January 16, 2002

The romance of coffee

As the great composer Johann Sebastian Bach once said, '"Ah! How sweet coffee tastes! Lovelier than a thousand kisses, sweeter far than muscatel wine!"

Since its introduction to Paris in the late 17th century, romance has surrounded the coffee bean. Whether it was served to two lovers on a cobblestone street or enjoyed in front of an evening fire at home, coffee has stood the test of time as a luxury and comfort to couples around the world.

Jean de la Roque once wrote, "I had long been fascinated by the stories of my father who brought home to Marseilles some of the first coffee ever seen there and by the enticingly exotic services used in entertaining guests tiny Finjan cups of ancient China, the little silk napkins embroidered in gold, the delicate silver spoons and the laquered serving tray."

Coffee has woven its way through many channels of our economic, agricultural and social history. It has become a form of art, perfected over many years of roasting, blending, brewing and serving, that has inspired stimulating conversation, friendships and the occasional romance.

The coffee in your cup, like the wine in your glass, starts in the field, says Jim Stewart, founder of Seattle's Best Coffee, who purchases coffee from small experienced farmers in various regions of Central and South America. Beginning as a cherry flower, coffee goes through many stages and processes before reaching your cup.

Cultivated on the mountain slopes of the world's coffee-growing regions, the coffee bean originates from a tree that produces a single white flower. This flower creates a fruit, or cherry, that signifies its ripeness by turning a deep crimson color. Inside the cherry is a seed, commonly known as the coffee bean, which is retrieved from the flower and sent to a roasting facility.

Roasts vary from light brown, medium brown, darker brown, dark brown to almost black, to suit individual tastes. "We produce this coffee with such love," says Stewart, "we hate to see it leave."

What better way to begin a day devoted to the art of love than with the inviting aroma of coffee and a good morning kiss from your very own valentine? With this simple recipe, you can treat your loved one to a relaxing and indulgent Valentine's Day morning in the comforts and privacy of your own home.

A decadent blend of sweet raspberry and bittersweet chocolate, the Raspberry Mocha Kiss from Seattle's Best Coffee is a romantic and luxurious gesture that is sure to warm the heart of your loved one and spark the passion of your Valentine's Day morning.

To prepare a similar version of this heartwarming beverage for your sweetheart, you will need one large, pre-heated mug, 5 ounces. of fresh-brewed coffee, 1/4 ounce of raspberry syrup, 1/4 ounce of bittersweet chocolate sauce, 1 and 1/2 ounces of cold milk, homemade whipped cream and a decorative, heart-shaped chocolate.

Pour the raspberry syrup and chocolate sauce into the mug. Fill the mug with hot coffee and milk and top it off with a dollop of homemade whipped cream. To add the finishing touch, drizzle a "kiss" of raspberry syrup on top of the whipped cream and set the chocolate alongside the cup.

With a heightened appreciation of the enchantment of coffee and a recipe to arouse your sweetheart's senses, sit back, relax and enjoy a day of coffee-inspired romance. For more information, visit Seattle's Best Coffee at www.seattlebest.com or call (800) 962-9659.

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