Various brands of coffee known by the housewife are:
Mocha, Java, Rio, Santa Bourbon, Santa, Maracaibo, Bogota, Peaberry.
The first named are the most expensive, the last named the cheapest.
The word "blend" when used with coffee means a mixing of two or more varieties, producing a coffee of various strengths and of a smooth, mellow flavor.
After the coffee is roasted it should be kept in air-tight cans.
Grinding is the next important step, and this must be just right to get the full strength. Coffee coa.r.s.ely ground is not desirable, as it requires a long time to infuse and is therefore wasteful. A medium fine grind will be found practical for those who use the old-style coffee pot. To filter, using the percolator, the coffee should be quite fine. The water falls continually over the coffee and produces a uniform cup.
How to make good coffee, using the old-fashioned coffeepot: Place one level tablespoon of medium finely ground coffee in the pot for every cup desired; add the water and bring quickly to the boiling point.
Stir with a spoon and then add a small pinch of salt and four tablespoons of cold water to settle the grounds. Let it stand in a warm place for five minutes; then serve.
Percolator method: Place three-quarters of a level tablespoon of finely ground coffee in a percolator for each cup desired. Add the water and then place the pot on the fire. Let the coffee filter just four minutes after the first pumping of the water in the gla.s.s top shows a coffee color. This will produce an even, uniform cup of stimulating beverage.
COFFEE AU LAIT
French breakfast coffee: Make the coffee by the method desired, making only one-half the usual quant.i.ty. Now heat to the boiling point sufficient milk to fill each cup one-half full. When ready to serve, pour the hot milk in the cup and then fill it with coffee.
COFFEE NOIR
This coffee is usually drunk from the demi-ta.s.se. Therefore, it should be of superior strength, usually one and one-quarter tablespoons are allowed of very finely ground coffee for every two cups. It is percolated until the liquid is very strong and is rich black in color; this takes, usually, from eight to ten minutes after the coffee first shows its color in the gla.s.s top of the percolator.
EPICUREAN CREOLE COFFEE
Many of the old Spanish and French grandees, who were the forefathers of the Franco-Spanish new world city, New Orleans, brought with them the beautiful china coffee pot of yesteryear. The making of the after-dinner coffee was an art indeed.
The pot was filled with hot water and then set in a pail of boiling water to keep warm while the coffee was milled. Generally it was roasted fresh every day. It was ground into a fine flour, then tied in a piece of thin, fine muslin. The water was drained from the heated pot and the coffee was placed in it. Then fresh boiling water was poured in. The spout and top were closely covered with a napkin and the pot returned to the pail, containing sufficient boiling water to keep the pot hot. It was placed before the fire to brew; this usually took from ten to fifteen minutes. The coffee was ready and its delicious aroma and flavor amply repaid one for the time and trouble taken to make it.
COFFEE A LA CREME
Coffee made in the usual manner and then served with plain and whipped cream.
TURKISH COFFEE
The coffee for this style is ground into a fine flour, and is then covered with cold water, brought to the boiling point, sweetened and served without straining or filtering. Russian coffee is heavy and black and is frequently served with a slice of lemon.
SUMMER DRINKS
A cool drink, with plenty of ice tinkling in the gla.s.s, refreshes and invigorates one at the close of a warm day. The housewife may prepare with little trouble many delicious fruit flavors from fresh fruits that can be quickly turned into thirst-quenching beverages, by adding ice and a little carbonated water.
Plain carbonated water may be purchased in either pint or quart bottles; and if a good cork is used to stop the opening of the bottles, after removing the caps, it may be used at intervals, providing it is kept on ice.
PARISIAN TEA
Place two teaspoonfuls of tea in a pitcher and pour over it one cup of boiling water. Cover closely and let stand for one-half hour. Drain and then place in the ice box until needed.
To serve--place four tablespoons of the tea infusion in a tall gla.s.s and add
Juice of one-half lemon, One-half cup of crushed ice, Three mint leaves,
and fill with carbonated water.
Use pulverized sugar to sweeten if desired.
CURRANT SLING
Place one box of currants in a saucepan and add three cups of water.
Bring to a boil, mashing with potato masher. Cook for fifteen minutes and then strain. Add two cups of sugar and bring to a boil. Cook for five minutes and then cool. Place one-half of the currant syrup in a tall gla.s.s and add
One-half cup of crushed ice, One tablespoon of lemon juice, Six mint leaves,
and fill with carbonated water.
PINEAPPLEADE
Pare and grate one pineapple. Place in a saucepan and add
Two cups of sugar, Two cups of water.
Bring to a boil and then simmer slowly for fifteen minutes. Cool and then add
One pint of crushed ice, One cup of carbonated water, Juice of two lemons.
EGG LEMONADE
Place the yolk of an egg in a small bowl and add
Three tablespoons of pulverized sugar, Two tablespoons of lemon juice, One-half cup of ice-cold water.
Beat to mix and then pour into tall thin gla.s.ses and add stiffly beaten white of egg, folding in carefully. Add four tablespoons of crushed ice and fill the gla.s.s with carbonated water. Orange juice may be used in place of the lemon juice.
MINT CUP
Place three sprigs of mint in a cup and add two tablespoons of sugar and crush. Now add
One drop of essence of peppermint, One drop of essence of cloves, One-half cup of crushed ice,