There are many ‘this or that’ debates that pit two things against each other, such as cake vs. pie. Another one that is asked frequently is whether someone prefers coffee over tea. On average, Americans answer coffee more often and, the English answer tea. So, what does someone who has homes in both countries answer? Does Gordon Ramsay drink coffee?
Gordon Ramsay is a coffee drinker. Not only does he drink coffee, but despite being British, he will choose java over tea, every time. Just like the rest of us, he enjoys his cup of Starbucks. I suppose someone who has had to work a grueling job for several hours daily would need the extra caffeine to get them through.
Chef Gordon Ramsay is probably not the only chef in the history of kitchens to drink coffee. It’s probably a staple for many chefs throughout the world. But just because he drinks coffee, doesn’t mean that Ramsay doesn’t make Britain proud, and enjoy a cup of tea on a regular basis.
The Big Debate
For years there has been a big debate between coffee and tea. It’s almost like you’re not allowed to enjoy both, as Ramsay does. People are always trying to tell you one is healthier than the other, one will help you lose weight, one is better for you, or one has better amounts of caffeine, either more or less, depending on what you’re looking for.
The truth is, there doesn’t have to be one big winner. Nor does the drink have to be anything other than a hot, or cold, drink that you enjoy. I like coffee and I like tea. I don’t drink them because they have ulterior motives, or not. I drink them because I like them, and though I drink more coffee than tea, there are times where I want to make myself a tea just because that’s what I’m in the mood for.
History of Coffee
According to the National Coffee Association, I kid you not, it actually exists, nobody really knows the origins of coffee as to when and how it was created. Though there are several origin stories. One of the most prolific ones is that a goat herder noticed that after eating the berries of a particular tree, his goats had lots of energy and didn’t want to sleep.
One thing for certain is that coffee all around the world can be traced back to the forests on the Ethiopian plateau. Much like all dogs can be traced back to wolves. Cultivation of coffee began in the 15th century in the Arabian Peninsula and has expanded around the world from there. And like all things that rise to fame, there’s always someone, or something, there to knock them down a peg. Coffee is no different, and there have been several attempts to ban it. I think the prohibition of alcohol would go over better than a prohibition on coffee these days.
Not Just for Drinking
Sure, coffee is a great drink, and it’s what most people think of when they hear the word. However, there’s more to coffee than just drinking, and you can bet that being a chef, Gordon Ramsay has found ways to incorporate this deliciousness into his food dishes.
There are several coffee dishes on his menus at his restaurants, including my favorite Coffee and Bailey’s Cheesecake, he’s made videos cooking various coffee-related dishes as well, such as an Espresso Panna Cotta. But it’s not just for desserts, coffee makes a really good rub for meats as well.
Coffee is so versatile, and not just between drinking, desserts, and meat rubs. Coffee is different all around the world. Australia for example, doesn’t really have drip coffee, which is what most Americans are used to, especially before Starbucks sprung up. Coffee in Italy tastes vastly different than coffee in England. Even though all coffee can be originally traced back to one forest, the variations of coffee are just as diverse as the drinkers themselves.