The Land of Coffee and Tea

Kenya produces a lot of coffee and tea, and we really enjoy both. There isn't a Starbucks here, but we do have Java House and Dormans. (In my opinion, both beat Starbucks hands down, and Dormans is by far the best - but it is a long way to travel for a great cup of coffee.)

One of the Kenyans on our compound has started roasting his own coffee. We just purchased a kilo from him, and it is really good - and very cheap. There is a big coffee field about half a mile from our house (as the Kite flies). We included a picture of it for you. Last week, the coffee plants all had pretty little white flowers that you could smell from the road (if the wind was blowing just right, and the lorry in front of you wasn't belching huge amounts of exhaust - so I only got to smell the plant once!).

Incidently, last week I saw a man urinating in the middle of the coffee field (no, I didn't get a picture. Yes, I really wanted to take one.) My first thought was, "You never see that in a Folger's commercial." By the way, did you enjoy your cup this morning?

The Kenyans take a chai (tea) break every day around 10.30 AM. They steep the tea in warm milk mixed with water. Then they add large amounts of sugar. It is one of my favorite things to drink, but we rarely make it at home.

It is ironic that most Kenyans, though surrounded by all of this fresh coffee, choose to drink instant coffee. Go figure. Next time you sit down to a cup of warm tea, think about us - there is a good chance it was picked here. Next time you enjoy a cup of coffee, think about the guy in the field!