Coffea arabica / Coffee / Rubiaceae (Coffee family)

Description

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide. It is prepared from the roasted seeds (coffee beans) of several species of the genus Coffea. The most commonly grown coffee plant is Coffea arabica. Coffee has played an important role in many societies throughout modern history. Coffee was initially used for spiritual reasons in Africa and Yemen. Its early association in Europe with rebellious political activities led to its banning in England, among other places. Coffee continues to play an important role in the social life of many communities. It is also one of the world`s largest, most valuable, legally traded commodities.

Contents

Coffee contains several compounds which are known to affect human body chemistry. The coffee bean itself contains chemicals which are psychotropic (in a way some find pleasing) for humans as a by-product of their defense mechanism.(2) Non-volatile and volatile compounds of green coffee beans are responsible for their attraction of insects but also distraction of animals preventing them from eating the coffee fruit and beans. Further, both non-volatile and volatile compounds are contributing to the flavor of the roasted coffee bean. Among the non-volatile compounds nitrogenous compounds together with carbohydrates are of major importance for the full aroma of roasted coffee and its biological action. The nitrogenous compound are consisting of alkaloids, trigonelline, proteins and free amino acids. Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethyl-xanthine) is the most important molecule of the alkaloids being present in green and roasted coffee beans. The content of caffeine is between 1% and 2,5% (w/w of dry green coffee).(4)

Historical

Coffee use can be traced at least to as early as the 9th century, when it appeared in the highlands of Ethiopia. According to legend, Ethiopian shepherds were the first to observe the influence of the caffeine in coffee beans when the goats appeared to "dance" and to have an increased level of energy after consuming wild coffee berries. From Ethiopia, coffee spread to Egypt and Yemen. It was in Arabia that coffee beans were first roasted and brewed similarly as they are today. By the 15th century, it had reached the rest of the Middle East, Persia, Turkey, and northern Africa. From the Muslim world, coffee spread to Italy. The thriving trade between Venice and North Africa, Egypt, and the Middle East brought many goods, including coffee, to the Venetian port. From Venice, it was introduced to the rest of Europe. Coffee became more widely accepted after it was deemed a Christian beverage by Pope Clement VIII in 1600, despite appeals to ban the "Muslim drink". The Dutch were the first to import coffee on a large scale, and they were among the first to defy the Arab prohibition on the exportation of plants or unroasted seeds when Pieter van den Broeck smuggled seedlings from Aden into Europe in 1616. The Dutch later grew the crop in Java and Ceylon. Through the efforts of the British East India Company, coffee became popular in England as well. It was introduced in France in 1657, and in Austria and Poland after the 1683 Battle of Vienna, when coffee was captured from supplies of the defeated Turks. When coffee reached North America during the colonial period, it was initially not as successful as it had been in Europe. During the Revolutionary War, however, the demand for coffee increased so much that dealers had to hoard their scarce supplies and raise prices dramatically; this was partly due to the reduced availability of tea from British merchants. After the War of 1812, during which Britain temporarily cut off access to tea imports, the Americans' taste for coffee grew, and high demand during the American Civil War together with advances in brewing technology secured the position of coffee as an everyday commodity in the United States.
Noted as one of the world`s largest, most valuable, legally traded commodities after oil, coffee has become a vital cash crop for many Third World countries. Over one hundred million people in developing countries have become dependent on coffee as the primary source of income. Coffee has become the primary export and backbone for African countries like Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and Ethiopia as well as many Central American countries.(1)(5)

Plant Description

Coffea arabica is a species of coffee indigenous to Ethiopia and Yemen. It is also known as the "coffee shrub of Arabia", "mountain coffee" or "arabica coffee". Coffea arabica is believed to be the first species of coffee to be cultivated, being grown in southwest Arabia for well over 1,000 years. It is considered to produce a superior tasting baverage with lower caffeine content compared to the other major commercially grown coffee species, Coffea canephora (robusta). Coffea arabica accounts for 75-80 percent of the world's coffee production.
Coffea arabica takes about seven years to mature. It is usually cultivated between 1,300 and 1,500 m altitude, but there are plantations as low as sea level and as high as 2,800 m. Two to four years after planting Coffea arabica produces small, white and highly fragrant flowers. The sweet fragrance resembles the sweet smell of Jasmine flowers. When flowers open on sunny days, this results in the greatest numbers of berries. This can be a curse however as coffee plants tend to produce too many berries; this can lead to an inferior harvest and even damage yield in the following years as the plant will favor the ripening of berries to the detriment of its own health. On well kept plantations this is prevented by pruning the tree. The flowers themselves only last a few days leaving behind only the thick dark green leaves. The berries then begin to appear. These are as dark green as the foliage, until they begin to ripen, at first to yellow and then light red and finally darkening to a glossy deep red. At this point they are called 'cherries' and are ready for picking. The berries are oblong and about 1 cm long. Inferior coffee results from picking them too early or too late, so many are picked by hand to be able to better select them, as they do not all ripen at the same time. In perfect conditions, like those of Java, trees are planted at all times of the year and are harvested year round. In less ideal conditions, like those in parts of Brazil, the trees have a season and are harvested only in winter.(3)(6)

References

(1) Coffee, Wikipedia
(2) Coffee and Health, Wikipedia
(3) Coffea arabica, Wikipedia
(4) Coffea, Wikipedia
(5) The Story Of Coffee, International Coffee Organization
(6) Arabica and Robusta Coffee Plant, coffeeresearch.org

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Kopi Luwak
Luwak Coffee

Coffea arabica / Coffee / Rubiaceae (Coffee family)

Description

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide. It is prepared from the roasted seeds (coffee beans) of several species of the genus Coffea. The most commonly grown coffee plant is Coffea arabica. Coffee has played an important role in many societies throughout modern history. Coffee was initially used for spiritual reasons in Africa and Yemen. Its early association in Europe with rebellious political activities led to its banning in England, among other places. Coffee continues to play an important role in the social life of many communities. It is also one of the world`s largest, most valuable, legally traded commodities.

Contents

Coffee contains several compounds which are known to affect human body chemistry. The coffee bean itself contains chemicals which are psychotropic (in a way some find pleasing) for humans as a by-product of their defense mechanism.(2) Non-volatile and volatile compounds of green coffee beans are responsible for their attraction of insects but also distraction of animals preventing them from eating the coffee fruit and beans. Further, both non-volatile and volatile compounds are contributing to the flavor of the roasted coffee bean. Among the non-volatile compounds nitrogenous compounds together with carbohydrates are of major importance for the full aroma of roasted coffee and its biological action. The nitrogenous compound are consisting of alkaloids, trigonelline, proteins and free amino acids. Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethyl-xanthine) is the most important molecule of the alkaloids being present in green and roasted coffee beans. The content of caffeine is between 1% and 2,5% (w/w of dry green coffee).(4)

Historical

Coffee use can be traced at least to as early as the 9th century, when it appeared in the highlands of Ethiopia. According to legend, Ethiopian shepherds were the first to observe the influence of the caffeine in coffee beans when the goats appeared to "dance" and to have an increased level of energy after consuming wild coffee berries. From Ethiopia, coffee spread to Egypt and Yemen. It was in Arabia that coffee beans were first roasted and brewed similarly as they are today. By the 15th century, it had reached the rest of the Middle East, Persia, Turkey, and northern Africa. From the Muslim world, coffee spread to Italy. The thriving trade between Venice and North Africa, Egypt, and the Middle East brought many goods, including coffee, to the Venetian port. From Venice, it was introduced to the rest of Europe. Coffee became more widely accepted after it was deemed a Christian beverage by Pope Clement VIII in 1600, despite appeals to ban the "Muslim drink". The Dutch were the first to import coffee on a large scale, and they were among the first to defy the Arab prohibition on the exportation of plants or unroasted seeds when Pieter van den Broeck smuggled seedlings from Aden into Europe in 1616. The Dutch later grew the crop in Java and Ceylon. Through the efforts of the British East India Company, coffee became popular in England as well. It was introduced in France in 1657, and in Austria and Poland after the 1683 Battle of Vienna, when coffee was captured from supplies of the defeated Turks. When coffee reached North America during the colonial period, it was initially not as successful as it had been in Europe. During the Revolutionary War, however, the demand for coffee increased so much that dealers had to hoard their scarce supplies and raise prices dramatically; this was partly due to the reduced availability of tea from British merchants. After the War of 1812, during which Britain temporarily cut off access to tea imports, the Americans' taste for coffee grew, and high demand during the American Civil War together with advances in brewing technology secured the position of coffee as an everyday commodity in the United States.
Noted as one of the world`s largest, most valuable, legally traded commodities after oil, coffee has become a vital cash crop for many Third World countries. Over one hundred million people in developing countries have become dependent on coffee as the primary source of income. Coffee has become the primary export and backbone for African countries like Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and Ethiopia as well as many Central American countries.(1)(5)

Plant Description

Coffea arabica is a species of coffee indigenous to Ethiopia and Yemen. It is also known as the "coffee shrub of Arabia", "mountain coffee" or "arabica coffee". Coffea arabica is believed to be the first species of coffee to be cultivated, being grown in southwest Arabia for well over 1,000 years. It is considered to produce a superior tasting baverage with lower caffeine content compared to the other major commercially grown coffee species, Coffea canephora (robusta). Coffea arabica accounts for 75-80 percent of the world's coffee production.
Coffea arabica takes about seven years to mature. It is usually cultivated between 1,300 and 1,500 m altitude, but there are plantations as low as sea level and as high as 2,800 m. Two to four years after planting Coffea arabica produces small, white and highly fragrant flowers. The sweet fragrance resembles the sweet smell of Jasmine flowers. When flowers open on sunny days, this results in the greatest numbers of berries. This can be a curse however as coffee plants tend to produce too many berries; this can lead to an inferior harvest and even damage yield in the following years as the plant will favor the ripening of berries to the detriment of its own health. On well kept plantations this is prevented by pruning the tree. The flowers themselves only last a few days leaving behind only the thick dark green leaves. The berries then begin to appear. These are as dark green as the foliage, until they begin to ripen, at first to yellow and then light red and finally darkening to a glossy deep red. At this point they are called 'cherries' and are ready for picking. The berries are oblong and about 1 cm long. Inferior coffee results from picking them too early or too late, so many are picked by hand to be able to better select them, as they do not all ripen at the same time. In perfect conditions, like those of Java, trees are planted at all times of the year and are harvested year round. In less ideal conditions, like those in parts of Brazil, the trees have a season and are harvested only in winter.(3)(6)

References

(1) Coffee, Wikipedia
(2) Coffee and Health, Wikipedia
(3) Coffea arabica, Wikipedia
(4) Coffea, Wikipedia
(5) The Story Of Coffee, International Coffee Organization
(6) Arabica and Robusta Coffee Plant, coffeeresearch.org

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Kopi Luwak
Luwak Coffee

Lemongrass / Cymbopogon citratus / Poaceae (Grass Family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Cymbopogon citratus, Andropogon citratus var. Citronella grass, Erva-cidreira, Fever grass, Khawi, Lemongrass, Limonaria, Malojillo, Ning meng cao, Pasto cedron, Pasto-limon, Pirhe ghaans, Remon gurasu, Remonsou, Sa, Sera, Serai, Sereh, Ta khrai, Tanglad, Te de limon, Verveine des Indes, West Indian Lemongrass, Xiang mao cao, Zacate-limon.

Description

Lemongrass is widely used as a herb in Asian and Caribbean cooking. It has a citrus flavour and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh. Lemongrass is commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. It is often used as a tea in African countries. Studies(1) suggest that usual consumption of Lemongrass as traditional foodstuff in a normal diet helps maintain heart health and normal blood pressure, contributes to the resistance against health precarious microorganisms, helps to support the digestion and contributes to physical well-being. Lemongrass contains naturally occurring antioxidants.

Scent

Fresh and Lemon-like, with a hint of Rose fragrance.

Aromatic Properties

The fragrance is strengthening, uplifting, refreshing, deodorant.

Contents

The essential oil of Lemongrass (0.2 to 0.5% in "West Indian Lemongrass oil") consists mainly of citral. Citral is a mixture of two stereoisomeric monterpene aldehydes. Further terpenoids in Lemongrass oil are nerol, limonene, linalool and alpha-caryphyllene. The content of myrcene is low, but still enough to make the oil susceptible to oxidative polymerization.
Active Constituents: Stereoisomeric monterpene aldehydes; trans isomer geranial (40-62%), cis isomer neral (25-38%), nerol, limonene, linalool, beta-caryphyllene, C. flexuosus, alcohols (20-30% cotronellol, geranoil), aldehydes (15% geranial, 10% neral, 5% citronellal), myrecene, dipentene, nerol, citronellol, farnesol, linalooletc, geraniol, Citral a, Citral b, furfural, isovaleraidehyde, citronellal, decylaldehyde, farnesal, diacetyl, methyl heptenone.

Synergic Combinations

Blends well with Basil, Cedarwood, Coriander, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender and Tea Tree. Lemongrass oil is also mixed with Virgin Coconut Oil to produce the so called "Negros Oil" used in aromatherapy.

Historical

In traditional medicine, Lemongrass is usually given in the form of a tea or foot bath made from the fresh herb, from which the patient additionally benefits by inhaling the fragrance. Lemongrass is widely used as a spice in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and on the Indonesian islands. In Thailand, finely ground fresh lemon grass is added to curry pastes. Its fine fragrance goes well with poultry, fish and sea food.
East-Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), also called "Cochin Grass" or "Malabar Grass", is native to Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand while the West-Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is assumed to have its origins in Malaysia. While both can be used interchangeably, Cymbopogon citratus is more suited for cooking. In India Cymbopogon citratus is used both as a beneficial herb and in perfumes.

Plant Description

Also known as Citronella grass, Lemongrass is a sweet scented perennial grass of tropical regions. The narrow, ribbon-like, leafy stalks grow in clumps that reach one meter or more in height. The leaves swell slightly at the base to form a fleshy stolon or underground stem. The stem is white and is also edible. The edges of mature leaves are rough and can be quite sharp, it's easy to get cut fingers when harvesting them.

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Australia

References

(1) Document: NL E4-0-C-REF, Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport

Lemongrass / Cymbopogon citratus / Poaceae (Grass Family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Cymbopogon citratus, Andropogon citratus var. Citronella grass, Erva-cidreira, Fever grass, Khawi, Lemongrass, Limonaria, Malojillo, Ning meng cao, Pasto cedron, Pasto-limon, Pirhe ghaans, Remon gurasu, Remonsou, Sa, Sera, Serai, Sereh, Ta khrai, Tanglad, Te de limon, Verveine des Indes, West Indian Lemongrass, Xiang mao cao, Zacate-limon.

Description

Lemongrass is widely used as a herb in Asian and Caribbean cooking. It has a citrus flavour and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh. Lemongrass is commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. It is often used as a tea in African countries. Studies(1) suggest that usual consumption of Lemongrass as traditional foodstuff in a normal diet helps maintain heart health and normal blood pressure, contributes to the resistance against health precarious microorganisms, helps to support the digestion and contributes to physical well-being. Lemongrass contains naturally occurring antioxidants.

Scent

Fresh and Lemon-like, with a hint of Rose fragrance.

Aromatic Properties

The fragrance is strengthening, uplifting, refreshing, deodorant.

Contents

The essential oil of Lemongrass (0.2 to 0.5% in "West Indian Lemongrass oil") consists mainly of citral. Citral is a mixture of two stereoisomeric monterpene aldehydes. Further terpenoids in Lemongrass oil are nerol, limonene, linalool and alpha-caryphyllene. The content of myrcene is low, but still enough to make the oil susceptible to oxidative polymerization.
Active Constituents: Stereoisomeric monterpene aldehydes; trans isomer geranial (40-62%), cis isomer neral (25-38%), nerol, limonene, linalool, beta-caryphyllene, C. flexuosus, alcohols (20-30% cotronellol, geranoil), aldehydes (15% geranial, 10% neral, 5% citronellal), myrecene, dipentene, nerol, citronellol, farnesol, linalooletc, geraniol, Citral a, Citral b, furfural, isovaleraidehyde, citronellal, decylaldehyde, farnesal, diacetyl, methyl heptenone.

Synergic Combinations

Blends well with Basil, Cedarwood, Coriander, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender and Tea Tree. Lemongrass oil is also mixed with Virgin Coconut Oil to produce the so called "Negros Oil" used in aromatherapy.

Historical

In traditional medicine, Lemongrass is usually given in the form of a tea or foot bath made from the fresh herb, from which the patient additionally benefits by inhaling the fragrance. Lemongrass is widely used as a spice in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and on the Indonesian islands. In Thailand, finely ground fresh lemon grass is added to curry pastes. Its fine fragrance goes well with poultry, fish and sea food.
East-Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), also called "Cochin Grass" or "Malabar Grass", is native to Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand while the West-Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is assumed to have its origins in Malaysia. While both can be used interchangeably, Cymbopogon citratus is more suited for cooking. In India Cymbopogon citratus is used both as a beneficial herb and in perfumes.

Plant Description

Also known as Citronella grass, Lemongrass is a sweet scented perennial grass of tropical regions. The narrow, ribbon-like, leafy stalks grow in clumps that reach one meter or more in height. The leaves swell slightly at the base to form a fleshy stolon or underground stem. The stem is white and is also edible. The edges of mature leaves are rough and can be quite sharp, it's easy to get cut fingers when harvesting them.

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Australia

References

(1) Document: NL E4-0-C-REF, Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport

Rosa Damascena / Damask Rose / Rosaceae (Rose family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Rosa Damascena / Damask Rose / Rosaceae (Rose family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Rosa Damascena / Damask Rose / Rosaceae (Rose family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Dewa Putra Sesana Incense Sticks

Description

Aromatherapy Fragrant Incense Sticks "Dewa Putra Sesana", are made from selected roots and woods, and essential oils from Bali, Indonesia. 10 sticks per packet. Available fragrances: Lavender, Frangipani, Jasmine and Sandalwood

Dewa Putra Sesana Incense Sticks

Description

Aromatherapy Fragrant Incense Sticks "Dewa Putra Sesana", are made from selected roots and woods, and essential oils from Bali, Indonesia. 10 sticks per packet. Available fragrances: Lavender, Frangipani, Jasmine and Sandalwood

Dewa Putra Sesana Incense Sticks

Description

Aromatherapy Fragrant Incense Sticks "Dewa Putra Sesana", are made from selected roots and woods, and essential oils from Bali, Indonesia. 10 sticks per packet. Available fragrances: Lavender, Frangipani, Jasmine and Sandalwood

Dewa Putra Sesana Incense Sticks

Description

Aromatherapy Fragrant Incense Sticks "Dewa Putra Sesana", are made from selected roots and woods, and essential oils from Bali, Indonesia. 10 sticks per packet. Available fragrances: Lavender, Frangipani, Jasmine and Sandalwood