From Coffee, to Espresso to a Glorious cup of Cappuccino

The history of Coffee, from Espresso to Cappuccino, from Ethiopia to Venice, Italy
La Tazza di Caffè Gloriosa


Written by in September of 2012, by Cara Harpole,


Who could have imagined, a tiny red bean first discovered in Ethiopia well over a millennium, would one day become the main ingredient in the world's most popular beverage? Coffee is called by various names: Joe, Java, Mocha (Yemen), Café, mud and many more. Without the discovery of coffee there would be no Cappuccino. We thank the Italians for their creativity and ingenuity. They created espresso, which lead to the glorious cup of Cappuccino. The journey of Coffee out side of Ethiopia has to be told. The coffee bean traveled all over the Ottoman Empire, first through Arabia, North African, Turkey and later to Venice, Italy.

Coffee went through a cultural experimental metamorphosis in its journey through the Muslim world in the Middle East. The Turkish Ottomans had access to those parts of the world through their vast empire. They incorporated coffee drinking into their culture and pioneered a style of coffee making that spilled over in Ottoman territories and parts of Europe.

The first coffee house in Europe (outside of the Ottoman Empire) was established in Venice, Italy in the 17th century. The Italians were early innovators in the science of coffee making and the European culture of coffee drinking. They were the first to add froth from steamed milk to coffee.

The Italians also borrowed the Turkish technique of coffee making which could be thought of as the precursor to espresso. It consists of boiling water and sugar in a ibrik (small copper, silver, brass or gold plated pot with a long handle), then later removing the unit from the heat and adding coffee. The ibrik would be again placed on the heat until the coffee boiled. It was poured in a decorative demitasse cup. This technique created a thin layer of foam on the top of the coffee reminiscent of today’s espresso.

Turkish coffee remained dormant, creating a long-standing culturally identifiable creation. The Italians, on the other hand, were ever-changing, creative, technical marvels. Through the test of time, their inventions morphed into new and improved creations. Take espresso for instance. This technique of coffee making became the base for the creation of Cappuccino.

Cappuccino in its modern form was not complete until Angelo Moriondo 1884 obtained the patent for the “steam-powered coffee machine.” It was improved by Milanese Luigi Bezzera and patented on April 28, 1903. He invented a single-shot espresso machine, which allowed the brewed coffee to pour directly into the cup. The Italians did not stop there. Desiderio Pavoni took the espresso machine to the next level by making more improvements. He created a vertical machine that used a boiler, which had the capacity to kept constant pressure. It was powered by electricity. His product was the first espresso coffee machine to be marketed.

Many do not realize that there is science behind the whole process of making cappuccino. First, the espresso machine brews coffee in a unique way, that only can be used in authentic cappuccino. Pressurized steam forces water through a press, which is filled with finely ground coffee. This produces coffee that is thicker, stronger and velvety.
Previous inventions failed to make consistent, quality coffee. Because of the lack of control from the heat elements in the earlier models, the espresso was over heated and became bitter. Constant improvements needed to be to resolve the issues of time.

Fresh quality coffee, temperature, properly frothed milk and the right texture are all very important elements in the making of quality Cappuccino. It is important to use chilled milk in the frothing process (steamed milk). The pitcher should not be filled to more than half its size with milk. The steam nozzle should be placed slightly below the milk in the metal pitcher at a ~10 degree angle. Positioning the pitcher in such a way allows the milk to spin like a world-pool as it doubles in volume. If the positioning of the nozzle is incorrect, the milk will form loud bubbles causing the milk to contain too much air. The end result will be milk with out the correct consistency.
It has been advised to cut the steam 5-10 degrees Fahrenheit before the desired temperature has been reached (to allow the temperature gauge to catch up). It is crucial that the milk isn’t overheated. If so, it will scalded or scorched deeming it unacceptable for completing the process of preparing a cup of cappuccino.

There are different types of cappuccino. A dry, or cappuccino scuro has less milk and usually only a little foam. Alternatively, a wet, or cappuccino chiaro is made with extra foam. Many coffee houses, fast food restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores offering cappuccino make the huge mistake of adding too much milk to the espresso turning the drink into a latte. This has become a norm amongst consumers who do not know the difference between an authentic, glorious cup of cappuccino or a caffè latte. A trained barrister not only gets it right every time, but also adds a lot of pizzazz by creating what is known as “latte art.”

Latte art is an added bonus to any cup of cappuccino, adding what people in Louisiana call “Lagniappe.” Latte art is created by pouring the silky, creamy, steamed milk into the cup containing the shot of espresso. The milk is poured in such a way, that a design is formed through the contrast of the dark coffee and the white milk. Hearts, tulips, rosette, and geometric patterns are some examples of popular latte art designs. Giorgio Milos, the Italian Master Barista (Illy Coffee) stated in a demonstration that it takes one gallon of milk to practice this art style.
The world owes a debt to Angelo Moriondo, Milanese Luigi Bezzera and Desiderio Pavoni who pioneered the development of coffee making machines. A cup of cappuccino would not have been the same without their ingenuity.


Photo credits:
Famous Victoria Arduino Poster, by Leonetto Cappiello
Source: Public Domain in the U.S. | Internationally in 2013

L. Bezzera Single-shot Espresso Machine
Source: Public Domain

Source: Early Espresso Machine
Source: wikipedia, public domain

From the St. Bernard Housing Development to Columbia Parc - a trend to tear down and rebuild

Urban Renewal, Tearing Down Projects, a case of the St. Bernard Housing Development in New Orleans

By Cara Harpole


The plan to demolish the Saint Bernard Housing Development had been on the chopping blocks for years-if not in actuality, surely in theory. The entire debate about public housing demolition, relocation of residents and redevelopment has always created a firestorm of debate and controversy over the years in New Orleans. 

One side believed that there was a plan in motion to dismantle all government public housing facilities by any means necessary to push out the poor. Many thought the plan was primarily localized, and racially motivated with big money and politics at its core. The dismantling of projects actually followed a national trend to replace huge large scale public housing communities and high rise apartments with less dense, mixed income communities. This plan was not a local conspiracy.




City government followed the national trend and supported the move to dismantle projects in New Orleans. Some residents saw the St. Bernard Housing Development as an eye sore, crime–infested–government–run–catastrophe. The solution was a no–brainer (to those who did not support large scale low income government housing) - tear it down and move the tenants "somewhere else." That "somewhere else" would prove controversial. How can thousands of low income residents be relocated when there was already a shortage of low income housing, especially in post Hurricane Katrina? The where, when and hows' needed to be answered. 

The plan to demolish the St. Bernard project went forward with the approval of the city council and mayor. The timing could not have been worst. Many of the residents who lived in public housing communities took refuge in the Super Dome on the order of the Mayor Ray Nagin prior to Hurricane Katrina's land fall. When families left temporary shelters, naturally, their first inclination was to return to their homes to salvage what remained of their personal belongings. Unfortunately, the residents of the St. Bernard residents were prohibited from returning home.

The entire St. Bernard project was fenced off. In New Orleans, news quite frequently travels through "the grape vine" first, and standard channels last. The news on the street was that not only the the St. Bernard project would be demolished, but historic public housing communities such as "The Iberville" (the original location of "Storyville") and "The Lafitte," all hell broke out. Native New Orleanians took to the airwaves on popular local radio talk shows such as WBOK AM 1230 (African American) and WWL AM 870. Heated debates on the issue remained the talk of the day.

Local community activist were outraged, and began organizing protest with a vengeance. The protest was covered by the national media. Soon national organizations and activist sound the alarm and came to the city in numbers. Both resident activist, filmmakers and reporters camped out on the streets. Tents and posters gave the area life. Passionate speeches about issues of poverty and racism were made. Political speeches about the war, President Bush's handling of Hurricane Katrina and comparisons to the Palestinians were also heavy on the list. The irony of it all was the lack of broad scale activism and passion amongst Liberal leaning organizations prior to Hurricane Katrina on issues such as: the out-of-control crime in the St. Bernard project, teen-aged birth rates, unemployment, high school drop out rates, and the quality of life.

Cities across the nation have faced similar questions and challenges about public housing. In an effort to curve violence, Chicago debated the controversial move to demolish the infamous, crime ridden, Cabrini-Green public housing project. They instituted an initiative called "Plan For Transformation." The outcome was based on the hypotheses which suggested out–of–control crime rate would be reduced by taking the following actions:

1) Removing residents from highly dense public housing communities
2) Relocating them to various communities around the city
3) Building mixed income homes in the previous location of the Cabrini-Green project
4) Greatly reducing the number of total units

It was hoped that these changes would greatly improve the both the quality of life of the previous residents and community surrounding the Cabrini-Green neighborhood. Reducing crime and creating a more sustainable community sound good in theory, but could never guarantee a definitive, positive outcome. Concrete scientific data was needed to measure the results of the plan.

The Urban Institute studied the rate of crime from the relocation of public housing dwellers to destination neighborhoods. The number of relocated households could not reach certain thresholds. Moving high concentrations of residents who had previously lived in public housing projects had negative effects in some neighborhoods; however, the study concluded "that a substantial majority of neighborhoods in both cities were able to absorb public housing relocation voucher households without any adverse effects on neighborhood conditions." The plan worked, and other major cities followed.

The old St. Bernard Housing project almost seems like a passing memory. It is currently called "Columbia Parc." The first phase of the project includes 466 units. The new homes are beautiful, and surprisingly in step with vernacular architecture. Only 157 will be subsidized according to income. The others will fit in two different criteria based on the market rate and personal income. Assuming the previous units were all subsidized, 806 families are missing from the equation, but not forgotten.

The famous poet and humanist Walt Whitman poignantly said "the great city is that which has the greatest man or woman: if it be a few ragged huts, it is still the greatest city in the whole world." The best cities are those that do not forsake the poor.

Outdoor spaces matter - Restaurateurs please listen

Outdoor spaces matter

There is nothing as dull as an up-and-coming hip bistro (neighborhood restaurant) located in the cool part of town that doesn't revitalize their outdoor space.  Plants, trees, sculptures, custom signage, wrought iron and bistro furniture is welcoming.  It tells customers "we care about your comfort."  Settings with dull concrete floors and hardly any attractive plants are not welcoming. Restaurateur need to take more consideration on the exteriors of their establishments.

The French Quarter is well known for its Spanish wrought iron balconies, and French/Spanish architecture.  Hanging baskets really gives those beautiful New Orleans style buildings a great deal of charm and tropical appeal.  You really know you are in a semitropical climate when so many beautiful plants, trees and hanging baskets are adorning these establishments.

Isn't that the reason why so many tourist visit New Orleans?  If so,  then why do some establishments ignore their outdoor spaces all together?  A plant or two just doesn't cut it.  If the center of focus is on the barren   concrete floors you have already lost the battle.

Restaurateurs, taking heed of these important suggestions could transform the complete ambiance of your establishment. People are attracted to the coziness of neighborhood restaurants.  Many sit outside to experience the environment taking in the natural settings and fresh air.  Marketing 101  tells us to differentiate your business from the competition.

Magazine St. lures visitors and tourist.  The area is known for its outdoor cafes.  Many cultures in the Middle East and Europe are known for their outdoor coffee shops and cafes.  But you won't see cheap Dollar Store plastic chairs lining the streets of Paris or Istanbul.

So a word to the wise, your outdoor spaces matter.
  
Look at the three photographs.  One is an establishment in the French Quarters and the other two are located on Magazine Street.  Which location looks welcoming and which one doesn't.   I took these photos on various trips to New Orleans from 2005 - 2008.

Power Goal Worksheet – Don’t leave home without it because we all need to get organized

The Power Goals worksheet

Organization is the key to saving time, having a productive day on the job and getting things done.  People depend on our organizational  skills at home and at work.    It is often assumed that people with good organizational skills are better leaders and those with poor organizational skills are better followers.  Because perception is everything, an organized person appears more responsible and professional.

Since we all have a natural tendency to forget, especially when we are stressed and lacking sleep having a calendar or somewhere to store our personal list is key to remembering things that are important. But how about those things that can’t all fit in our calendars, or on our smart phone apps?

I created a “Power Goals” worksheet to help me organize my life on a daily basis.  This is not just a form with list.  There are categories that are customized according to my needs of that week.  I add as many things on this list as possible and check them off when the task (or goal) has been accomplished.  At mid-week  I start off with fresh goals and ideas.  I keep the Power Goal Worksheets in my computer bag, portable folder or in my purse.  Since I have a digital version, I can also keep them stored on my computer.  The benefit of having a paper version is its portability.

If I am working  on a film set, I can create a worksheet that is geared towards those goals, same for school and other specified functions.  This is really handy, because now I won’t forget.  The time it takes me to organize my thoughts actually helps me to remember more than I would have normally.  I once created categories for books I read or needed to read or purchase for  research I was doing at the time.

Seeing my progress also allows me to honestly determine how well I am progressing.  Can’t make any excuses for procrastinations or forgetting to do something.   It’s time to get things done!
Getting organized is always a good thing in my book.

Update

Since posting this article and form many new gadgets have  come into the marketplace to make organizing portable, easy and accessible.    The iPad is a good start as well as free apps. 
Forbes list has an article titled "5 Best Apps for Getting and Staying Organized" that is worth reading.  Do keep in mind that not all apps are free, and technology can't always solve the problem of good old fashion organizing.   Calendars are great reminders, but there is noting wrong with seeing the big picture on one page. 

This might seem like over kill, but I also have a huge white dry-board  I use to strategize.   When important bills and dates come up at home, I write these things down immediately before jumping to technology, which takes more time to access.   Check out the free app "Evernote" it was recommended by a relative of mine.    It's free, however there is a paid version as well with more features I presume.

The goal here is to come up with the best strategy that fits your personal needs.
......................................................................................................................................................

 Your feed-back is also welcomed.

The losing battle to keep New Orleans' Historic Architectural style

94 French Market Place, Photographed by Cara Harpole April 23, 2008                                                  

-->

The losing battle to keep New Orleans' Historic Architectural style

Written by Cara Harpole, a New Orleans Native

New Orleans is a culturally rich city known for its food, history and architecture.  The cobble stone streets in the French Quarters, or the opulent Garden District homes distinguishes this city from the rest.   The "Shot Gun" houses and the Victorian styled homes in the Garden district are a part of the city's identity.   Many envision a distinctive mysterious city trapped in time.  The old world environment is why so many movies are filmed here and keep tourist  coming.   These things are all important to those who hold New Orleans dear.  Unfortunately,  which is so important to its cultural identity  is losing its hold.  This  type of architecture theory is a method of construction  which takes into account local resources and traditions reflecting the environmental, cultural and historical context. 

Imagine a pot of figurative Gumbo,  fusing Spanish, French, American, African  and Creole blends, with a sprinkle of Native American.   That's the the essence of the city.  A little bit of this, and a little bit of that–making it easily recognized as truly New Orleans in photos, film  or any digital imagery. 

Photographed by Cara Harpole

We natives hold  those positive attributes  dear.  The historical societies  have fought for over 100 years to preserve the rich heritage of the city.   Sadly,  changing times are bring on changing attitudes and new challenges.

Part New Orleans' unique old world charm is slowly fading.  This transition has actually taken place in the past 60 or more years starting with the tearing town of beautiful architecture wonders of various eras.  One  such building that disappeared was the grand old French Opera House.    

The Old French Opera House

It was known as a cultural treasure for the French speaking Creole population.  It was built in 1859, burned down in 1919 and never rebuilt to its original grandeur.  The towering old Masonic Temple, built in a neo-Gothic style was another marvel.  ( I have never seen a Gothic style building of this magnitude in New Orleans)  It was replaced by another building no where near the same splendor as the first.  

Neo-Gothic Style Masonic Temple

We have witnessed the commercialization of the French Quarters in more recent times.  It might be hard to image the degree of  depopulation  of the French Quarters.  Ask any old timer and they will tell you that the French

Quarters was heavily populated with residents of the city.   It was not as touristy as it is today. 

In the rush to to "cleanse"  the city from landladies and prostitutes the mansions of the notorious sinful Storyville were leveled and replaced with a massively ordinary brick housing project.  (The city tried its best to bury the history of Storyville). 

Old Storyville Mansions were replaced by Housing projects

The Rivergate Convention Center, once a historical landmark and architecture marvel was replaced with Harris Casino, which sits like a sore thumb in the city's business district near the river.    

Rivergate Convention Center

Each decade represented a lost in the true essence of the old city.  Some were natural progressions and others were at the hands of people with little cultural investment in the city,  intellect or vision.  Politicians held on to the commercialization of the French Quarters to attract tourist as a  mechanism for  revenues.   Others saw change as progress into a new era.  Some of the changes cost New Orleans her cultural identity.  

In the Post Hurricane Katrina era there was a rush to rebuild the city.  Many historic homes were torn down only to be replaced by the most atrocious modern day architectural styles.  I am sure these designers  had good intentions, but there is no excuse for the lack of cultural integrity  of the out of touch monstrosities they built.

Gone was the vernacular architectural style of New Orleans, the old creole cottages with the wooden shutters and French doors,  Caribbean style doubles, galleried shotgun, four-bay shotgun, camel backs, or the 9th Ward Victorians.   In with the Lead certified modern-cracker-jack-boxed homes with the single shed roofs, with no style, no cultural blending–just plain ugly.  

Example of raised home - poor design  - Cara Harpole

Excellent example of Vernacular Architecture, good redesign - 

Photographed by Cara Harpole

Another trend in the 7th Ward (Gentilly area) stemmed around the idea of lifting homes to the heavens.   These homes on stilts were what you would find in a fishing village.  They stood out like sore thumbs in the neighborhood.  Other mixed matched styles could be found in the area.   The architects who designed these houses-of-Frankenstein should be forced to live in them.  It does not end here.

The most painful change post Katrina (in my opinion) was the commercializing of the Old French market.   

Currently, just another tourist trap, the old market is history

 

This market had been in continuous operation for over 100 years.  I remember my mother taking me to the French Market to purchase fresh sugar cane and fruit.  The men would call out their little ditty to get customers.  I can recall seeing sugar  cane stacked to the ceilings.  The pre-cut canes were neatly partially covered in foil.  Oh how I miss those days.

Today the market is a tourist trap–nothing different, nothing uniquely New Orleans.  An entire century of history has been lost and unfortunately the citizens of New Orleans never really had a voice in the matter.

These changes inspired me to return to school and study Architecture and Engineering Computer Aided Design.  My own home remains as it was post Hurricane Katrina.   I developed a love and appreciation for architecture after seeing my beloved city under water for 2 weeks.   I was modified at the thought of the shear lost.  All of the things I took for granted for so many years became dear to me.  I will now join the fight to preserve New Orleans architecture heritage, but at the same time not fear new ideas that enhances what we hold dear. 

Architecture - St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Historic 6th Ward, Houston, Texas

St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Historic 6th Ward, Houston, Texas

St. Joseph's Catholic Church, is a Romanesque revival structure, designed by Patrick S. Rabbit and built in 1901 replacing an earlier sanctuary destroyed in the 1900 storm. It features a basilica plan, extensive corbelled detailing and decorative brickwork.
In architecture a corbel is a bracket of stone, wood or brick projecting out of a wall to support any superincumbent weight, like a cornice or arch. 

I love the style and God given skills of the craftsmen of that era. The brick work alone is something to marvel over. It is not over the top, yet has a simple elegance. This historic church is located in the Historic 6th Ward district of Houston, Texas at 1505 Kane St. (Not much is known about the architect).

Look at the wheel of life symbol in the front of the church. You will find this reoccurring symbolism incorporated in many catholic structures.   The wheel represents a spiritual “steering wheel” which helps you navigate life through your beliefs in God. This is a more simplistic understanding of the symbol. Have not been able to find much about this esoteric symbol found on many Catholic churches.

A world you probably have not seen - Louisiana's in the Atchafalaya Basinswam,

Ernest Couret, tour guide

             

By Cara Harpole

If more Americans knew about the natural wonders of the Atchafalaya Basin, I believe the shear numbers of tourist would put Henderson Swamp on the map.    This place is a gold mine.   Many have passed this magnificent  natural wonder while traveling East  (from Texas) on the I-10 freeway.    The short glimpse on the over-pass does not come close to the awesome spectacular hidden beautiful and mystery of the swamp. 

The majestic natural raw beauty of Louisiana's  swamp wetlands is often like a buried treasure in the abyss.  Many, (including natives)  have not ventured off into the heart of the Atchafalaya Basin.  After living in Louisiana for so many years, even I,  a person who has traveled all around the world, had no idea of the affect the swamp would have on me. 

Read the entire article here: 

http://caraharpole.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=896&action=edit

 (See: Roger Stouff, the last traditional Chitimacha chief http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7zd8akzv_0)

I couldn't leave town without having a Po boy

http://www.couretsswamptours.com/