Kapeng Barako : All in One
HISTORY
According to the National Coffee Development Board, in 1740, a Spanish Franciscan monk introduced the first coffee in the Philippines, in Lipa City, Batangas. Due to the pleasant environment of Lipa and the rich land, it quickly became a top commodity. Coffee production eventually spread to Tanauan, Ibaan, San Jose, Taal, and Lemery. By the 1860s, Batangas had already started exporting coffee to the Americas through San Francisco. Later on, when the Suez Canal was officially opened, it reached the European market. While Batangas, as a whole, grew to prominence as the country's leading coffee producer, the coffee industry in Lipa City was particularly booming. According to Lipa's official website, the industry boomed so much that Lipa was then the Philippines' wealthiest municipality with a total annual income of P4 million. The Queen Regent Maria Christina of Spain granted Lipa cityhood on October 21, 1887. It was known as "Villa de Lipa." Cavite started to grow coffee trees in 1876 after seeing the Batanguenos' progress. Despite this, Lipa remained the core of coffee cultivation in the region. At the time, Batangas Barako commanded almost five times the coffee beans price from other parts of Asia.
WHAT IS KAPENG BARAKO?
Kapeng Barako is a kind of coffee produced mostly in the provinces of Batangas in the Philippines. It is also regarded as the country's finest coffee. Barako is a Tagalog term means strong man or manliness, and Kape means coffee. Because of its strong flavor, it is called Kapeng Barako. These coffee beans belonged to the Coffea Liberica species and were introduced to the Philippines by Spaniards during the Spanish colonial period and cultivated in Lipa.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Body resistance can affect Kapeng Barako. Moreover, coffee is a type of beverage brewed and gives energy because of the caffeine's effect; it depends on how it is prepared. Even in a spa treatment, Kapeng Barako is used to clean the body. Besides, coffee is the most vital antioxidant and energy; it decreases the risk of heart and Alzheimer's disease.
HOW TO PREPARE
· 4 cups water, boiled
· 3.5 tbsp kapeng barako
· 3 tbsp sugar (brown sugar or muscavado)
1. Suppose you've ordered a whole bean. Make sure that you have a coffee bean grinder, so it is easy to grind the beans.
2. Measure the water after grinding your coffee beans and heat it until it boils.
3. Measure and add your coffee and sugar (you can add sugar later) to the French press while waiting for your water to boil, and then add the correct hot water ratio afterward.
4. Put the lid on and begin the timing process. Set the timer and cover your French press for 5 minutes.
5. Press the plunger down gently after 5 minutes. Press it down all the way or your coffee can begin to brew into over-extraction.
6. Now, you can enjoy your Kapeng Barako!
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