‘Coffee to go’ the cry as Middle East adapts to American trends

THE times when people would spend hours reading newspapers or indulge in deep conservation in Bahrain while sipping endless coffees is less common nowadays, due to the faster-paced life trends.

Instead, a bewildering number of modern coffee bars have sprouted in the kingdom in the past few years. Manama often resonates to the cry of “coffee to go” as professional people, hard pressed for time, hustle in and out of coffee bars, taking with them sealed coffee beakers.
The days of simple cappuccino and espresso are also over, with cafes now extending their range of beverages to include almost any coffee-based drink.
From the mid-1990s onwards, Starbucks, the Seattle-based coffee chain indulged in a daring bout of global expansion, creating close on 5,000 coffee bars around the world. It has seven outlets in the kingdom and this summer is offering fresh new flavours and exotic tastes.
GulfWeekly was invited to a coffee tasting session and I put three of their new concoctions to the test.

Banana Frappucino
AN unusual combination of banana and coffee – with a choice between chocolate and cream.
The two options here are the Banana Java Chip Frappucino and the Banana Java Chip Chocolate Frappucino.
Shilpa’s verdict:
Once settled and a few sips down, the fruity essence becomes more defined.  It was difficult to decide whether to go the full way and love it or else stop mid-way and be glad you are done with quenching your thirst.
Cost: BD2 a glass

Papua New Guinea
This coffee is supposed to exhibit “herbal and pungent” characteristics and is a product of the western regions of the South Pacific Island of Papua New Guinea. Suggested snack to accentuate the taste is chicken and mushroom quiche.
Shilpa’s verdict:
Strong, very strong coffee. True to its claim, it really does send a waft of herbal pinch essence towards the nose and can be a perfect drink to brush away any lethargic early morning feeling.
Cost: BD2.9 for 250gm

Sulawesi Coffee
One of Indonesia’s most elegant coffees, the Sulawesi coffee’s uniqueness is its earthy aroma along with its herbal essences. 
Suggested snack for this would be a mozzarella cheese sandwich and  fresh mint and virgin olive oil on toasted French bread.
Shilpa’s verdict:
If you like to keep your coffee light and calm, this is a good choice. It is smooth on the tongue and pleasant on your senses. You literally feel an immediate effect of calmness take over you. 
Cost: BD2.6 for 250gm

By Shilpa Chandran