Saturday, March 24, 2012

Coffee or Tea?

So you like your morning coffee?  I've read that the most expensive coffee and low-production variety  in the world is kopi luwak from Indonesia. Only about 500 pounds are produced each year so it sells for up to $600 a pound. It is said to be smooth and sweet with a bit of caramel and chocolate flavor. Sounds wonderful doesn't it?

Well, before you brew up that cup I must tell you that the coffee beans were originally eaten by a Asian Civet cat, a weasel type animal.
Asian Palm Civet
The civet eats the berries for their fleshy pulp. In the day and a half passage through the civet's stomach and intestines, enzymes seep into the beans, changing the amino acid content. Then, brace yourself, they are pooped out, yes I said pooped out, all the while keeping their shape. Are you still reading? Then they are gathered from the forest floor, washed, sun dried and lightly roasted so as to keep the many intertwined flavors and lack of bitterness.

Oh, you say that you prefer tea?
~*~*~*~
More pictures and information on the civet;
 http://a-z-animals.com/animals/asian-palm-civet/

More about kopi luwak; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Luwak

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Remember...

If you don't want anyone to know,
don't do it!

Good intentions....but....

I thought my idea of posting a new word weekly would work. But my mind jumps around and flitters here and yon . My weekly word didn't get posted but twice and then not on time.  So "forgetaboutit."

No more attempts at a schedule, no set formats...I will wing it. Okay?

Bee update

The bee swarm doesn't seem to planning a move anytime soon. I have left the lid off the box, the sun is shinning on it most of the day and last week we had strong winds with gusts 40 mph and more. You would think the bees would have been blown away. But no, the tenacious little creatures are still in the water valve box and busy building a new comb. **sigh** I have tried getting someone to come collect them, take them away....please! But I haven't even had one return phone call. No, I do not want to becaome a bee keeper as some have suggested....I don't even like the taste of honey.


UPDATE on the Update: 20 March 2012
I avoided going near the bees, hoping they would decide that living in a plastic box in the ground wasn't the best for them.  After waiting for 2 weeks for assistance from a bee collector I checked on them one evening and found all of them lying in the bottom...dead. I swear no one poisoned them. Perhaps the weather was wrong, perhaps the bugs caught a "bug". I'm sorry they died but I have to admit that I am relieved that the problem was solved for me.