I’ve grow up with a few coffee plants in our farm just for our consumption. Our house sits on 5 acres land. On a third of that my dad planted coffee and cacao (cocoa) plants. Well of course at that time I never really appreciate the coffee.
I tried to help my parents harvest the coffee. Its kind of hard work though. After harvesting we would put the coffee in a big mortar and pestle and work on that ( it helps to strengthen the muscles). Then we would put it on a tarp and try to dry it under the sun. It probably takes a few days. Then its ready to be roasted. I would watch my dad roast the coffee. It takes a long time because he will roast the whole coffee that we harvest, it could be like 5 kilos and also for fire we are using firewood. So it takes forever. When time to get the chafe (skin of the beans) off so that the coffee will be clean and ready to be ground, my mom would use a large flat basket (Bilao in tagalog, Nigo in bisaya) and clean there. To use the bilao you have to be expert do it. It amazes me how the coffee beans and the chafe really separated from it. I’ve been watching my mom do it since I was a child and I never can do the way she does. Never learned from it, in short.
My favorite things that I liked to harvest were the cacao because me and my cousins like to chew the cacao and spit out the seeds for the cocoa (I know for some people it sounds gross, because chewing the seed and spitting it out for cocoa it doesn’t sound appetizing though), sorry guys but at the end it taste good though. Really the procedure on achieving the cocoa is just similar to the coffee. The only thing to grind the cocoa it’s much harder and muscle straining. For us it is because we are using the grinder manually. My gosh I can remember me and my cousins we are sweating to death on it. But we like it afterward because my mom makes a good cocoa with good puto or suman (sweet rice wrapped in banana leaf). Yummy.
Lately Bob’s been into coffee thing. While watching him roasting the coffee I really remember those years in our farm. The only thing its much easier for him to work on it now. I mean the green beans are ready for him to roast since it arrived in our house cleaned already. Then to roast we have nice pot and the stove is there ready for him to use. Then when the time comes to take the chafe off he will put the beans in the strainer and put the fan underneath and turn on and it will just blew the chafe off then. It sounds easy but still a hard work for Bob to do. I enjoyed watching him roasting the coffee. It just amazed me how the hard work involved in roasting the coffee. I do help him sometimes. Since I help drink it too.
We’ve been tasting coffee from all over the world. Different countries and different continents. The good thing while drinking the coffee we are also learning the place where it came from. It’s amazing really. He ordered the green beans from the US that have been grown all over the world. I wished my dad could be here and see how Bob works on roasting, I’m pretty sure he would enjoy watching Bob and help Bob drink the coffee too.
My Dad just had one kind of coffee just the arabica. I think my siblings that came here to the house and tasted the coffee were enticed again to grow more coffee at the farm even though its not good compared to what Bob’s been ordering.
At least better than the instant coffee.
Cheers!
Hi Feyma,
I can smell those beans roasting all the way here in Chicago (LOL). You know, I could never drink coffee and I don't know why. I guess it's the taste? Anyway, the only form of the beverage I can handle is cafe mocha. I guess that's good enough, right?
Take care and God bless.
My grandparents used to have coffe bean and cacao trees, so I know how tasty the cacao seeds are before these are dried and roasted. You made my mouth watered remembering the sugary sweetness of the seeds. The coffee beans were not my favorite but I love drinking coffee now. I never saw my grandparents roasting the coffee beans, probably they sold these. But the taste of the freshly grind cacao beans is awesome. It is bitter but I love it and good for sikwate with budbud and puto. My husband calls me "budbud" by the way…his term of endearment for me.
Hello Ate Feyma- Your article reminds me of one of my fondest memories of childhood. When I was younger, visiting my grandfather's place, often meant sampling the ripe fruits from his farm. Raw cacao pulps were absolutely a favorite of mine. The cacao pulp has a sweet taste, similar to a mangosteen fruit and/or a guyabano. I ate them like candies. The beans were saved and sun dried and made into tabliya or cocoa tablets. The cocoa tablets were then used to make sikwati-chocolate drink at its best! What a real chocolatey treat!
Hi Feyma,
If Bob is doing it now (with his coffee) with banig, lusong, nigo and kalha—he is now very close to be a lumad. For me that's the only way to have the best coffee ever.
Cheers.
Kamusta ka Feyma,
I love you stories of the farm you grew up in the provinces, keep them coming.
I think is time for Bob too spend a couple of weeks making coffee down on the farm..lol.(Joke).
Salamat kaayo,
Danny 🙂
Hi Feyma, reminds me of my childhood years about the cacao spitting. How many kinds of coffee Bob has tasted now? I am also a coffee addict. Without a cup first in the morning, I am useless for the day. I am not a coffee connoisseur though, but I like the Batangas Barraco ( Siete Baraccos) brand, we purchased at Neiman Marcus grocery at the Glorietta Mall in Makati.
Hi David, I grew up drinking kapeng batangas or barakong kape. I imagine you brew it (that Siete Barraccos you just mentioned) just like any coffee. How much was it?
In my lolo's house, what they did was boil water & put the ground coffee in there. That means you drink it w/ the "sapal" or coffee ground. I loved it. I missed it. The last time I visited Batangas, I noticed my cousin was offering my instant coffee.
Hi Henry – I'm so glad that at least you can smell the coffee that we are roasting. 😉 Honestly I like to drink coffee but I am avoiding it due to health reasons. Maybe next time you visit Davao you will just smell the coffee thats been roasted then since you don't drink it. 😉 Hey, cafe mocha I don't think thats coffee though, it just has tiny coffee in it I think anyway… 😉
Take care my friend…
Hi Terry – I know how you feel. I remember my mom and dad making sikwate and my aunt made some kakanin. Gosh its really good. Parang kailan lang…
Budbud for endearment? Ours is kind of slang of something. Not going to say it here… 😉
Thank you for stopping by. Hope to see you more here.
Take care!
Talk about waking up and smelling the coffee. A different angle!
Hi Leilani♥ – Good that I just let you remember your younger years. 😉
Your right the texture and taste is similar to mangosteen. I didn't figure it out until you said it. Tabliya is so good. Honestly I can drink a lot of it in one day. I know its not good for you if you drink a lot.
Good to see you here. Take care.
Hi Dr. Sponk Long – Ha ha ha. Bob might want that with the help of my family. Thats another good thing to blog about. Don't worry I will let you guys know.
Good to see you again here. Take care…
kamusta feyma
wow interesting article here.i never really did know much about roasting coffee.interesting about your dad and mom growing coffee beans.i drink about 5 to 10 cups of coffee a day as i loooovvveeee coffee.i must admit i drink alot of instant coffee when i was in panabo.it wasent really that great but it worked.i also love your sorys of growing up on the farm with your family.
thanks for the great article fayma
Hello Feyma,
Cacao trees, brings back memories; when Marang is off season, me & cousins used to eat the cacao seeds… without my grandma’s knowledge, that’s why I always get in trouble , I did a lot of naughty stuff growing up in my grandparents farm… I’m the number 1 instigator hehehehhe… I miss my Lola’s puto maya with matching tabliya. Hay! the good all days.. 🙂
Hi Feyma, last year I visited my sister-in-laws house in Luzon and I remembered I had to walk about 50 yards from the road to get to their house. Along the way the neighbors were drying their coffee beans outside. The thing that caught my attention was the beans were in their yard, the neighbors yard, the neighbors neighbors yard, all the way down to my sister-in-laws house. Never saw so many coffee beans at one time in my life. Thanks for the story.
Feyma,
I too love the taste of good brewed coffee. I am wondering when Feyma's Coffee shop will open so I can be one of the first customers. 🙂
Hey Bruce,
That is great idea for Bob and Feyma…"Feyma's Coffee House and Banquet/Seminar Room", Bob does need a nice place to meet all of his fans, and I hope they offer free wifi with the coffee…lol. 🙂
Danny 🙂
Hi Danny – I'm glad you like my column. I will try to share the place and the stuff I used to do in the farm where I grow up with. Its a good and sad memories to remember for me.
Bob's been thinking of living out (in the farm with Filipino people only speak Bisaya) for awhile now with his Bisaya lesson. That might be good thing for him to do when living out something for them to talk about the coffee beans where it came from. I'm pretty sure the people in the bukid will learn how to use French press… That will be a good and interesting thing for those people to see.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi David B Katague – Raw cacao is good. To be honest with you we've been tasting a lot of coffee beans. Bob ordered it from the States but the beans were grown in the farm all over the world. It's really interesting. My least favorite were the beans from Indonesia. But Bob and our nieces likes it.
The only one I like thats grown here in the Philippines is from Bobok in the Cordillera area.
The one you purchased in Glorietta mall must be expensive, as I know the Neiman Marcus in the States is really an expensive place.
Anyway, if you ever come to Davao for a visit maybe will let you taste the coffee. 😉
Good to see you here again. Take care!
Hi jonaky – Yes… The aroma… 😉
Ha ha… more likely they will not learn how to use French Press… I will learn how to make coffee from corn! 😆
Hi RonW – Its a job to have coffee farm. Gosh I really remember how we work hard to get the coffee beans before.
You should try to roast your own coffee now since you like to drink anyway. The only thing its a bit work though. 😉
You might not like the instant coffee then next time you visit Panabo?
Thank you for stopping by. And thanks for your comment.
Hi Ann – Hmmm, I didn't know your doing naughty stuff before. 😉 Hey I did stuff like that too. We had our time before too. It makes me smile sometimes just thinking about it.
Yes puto maya with tabliya is really a good combo. Now I want some of it. 😉
Thank you for stopping by my friend. Good to see you again here.
Hi JakeB – Ha ha ha. As Bob and I always says… ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES. 😉
Thank you for stopping by!
Hi Bruce – COMING SOON! Watch out for it. 😉
Hi Danny – Now you and Bruce got me thinking. Hmmm, I might open one. Watch out for it guys! 😉
Ha ha ha, something for you guys to talk about.
Feyma and Roy: Yes, it was expensive, but Macrine and I love it. We look at other groceries stores besides Neiman Marcus, but it seem Neiman Marcus is the only one selling it. Feyma, May be someday we can exchange our time share in Davao and you and Bob owes me and Macrine a cup of newly roasted coffee- Bobs favorite.
There is a ground version of the Siete Baraccos, but it is not as good as the beans.
Hi David – We'd be happy to share some coffee… but not "newly roasted." Coffee beans need to rest for a few days after roasting before they reach their peak flavor. There are gasses in the bean that are released for a few days after roasting. After that, the beans are ready for brewing. Pagbisita mo sa Dabaw ug magkape ta!
Feyma,
Since I mentioned it, I expect an invitation to the Grand opening.;-)
Roy and Feyma: Macrine corrected me that we purchased the coffee beans at Rustan not Neiman Marcus. It cost 480 pesos per kilo.
Madamo guid nga salamat sa pag invita mo sa amom. (I believe this is the Ilongo( Hiligaynon) translation of "Thank you very much for inviting us "). This is very similar to Cebuano or Bisaya.
Feyma,
I used to be a coffee addict especially when it was free back when i was still working in sheraton hotel beijing. I stop drinking coffee when i found out i have lumps on my breast. Every now and then i drink a cup or so a week minus the caffeine. I go from 3-4 cups a day before so you imagine how much i've given up. I would love to taste a homegrown coffee beans. As for the coffe shop, go for it. Me and Bruce will be your patron as hubby doesn't drink any coffee at all.
Hi! Feyma,
I grew up in BATANGAS so i was more familiar w/ our "KAPENG BARAKO" OR "KAPENG BATANGAS" and it's quite strong for my taste, they didn't grind it very well so it's kinda rough when you almost finished having a cup of coffee and you tasted something like tiny stone but we love it w/ "HOT PANDESAL" .lol! btw i didn't know why they called it "kapeng barako" i thought at first is bcoz because "batanguenos specially the male populations are very proud of their masculinity…. and the female populations are best known for being good in handling "BALISONG" (KNIFE).lol!! did you remember VILMA SANTOS movie,' "VILMA BEINTE NUEVE?" she played the role of a female batanguenas and a tomboy who are good in"balisong" that her admirers are afraid to even get close w/ her? i really like that movie….
Hi vanessa – Hey, when come for a visit maybe we can let you taste some. 😉
I was just kidding on that coffee shop. I am not really into having a coffee shop though. No plans on that. I was just teasing Bruce…
Take care and hope to see you soon.
Hi wildcat75 – We have that Kapeng Barako here too. I'm sure we have same interpretation on the barako its a stud. Hmmm. Maybe thats what the guys here thinks all along. 😉 Kidding!
To be honest I am not really a coffee drinker. I drink once in awhile. Not good for me. I am not really a fan of pandesal bread too dry for my taste.
Not familiar of that movie of Vilma Santos. I've seen some of her movies before but not that Biente Nueve. Is that in the 80's or 90's film?
Thank you for stopping by. Nice to see you here. Take care!
Wow. I can almost smell the coffees. Davao doesn't have a Starbucks, but thanks to sophisticated coffee lovers like you and Bob, it doesn't need to. You all have something better! As for me, my favorites include the Barako, Arabica, and – if only because I've gotten used to it – the 3-in-1!
Hope you're doing well, Feyma. Hi to Bob and the fam!
Feyma,
I would love to taste mindanao beans and the cacao for tabliya. It's an alternative morning breakfast of mine when i was in college. Tabliya ang suman were my most favorite combo. Thanks for the invite, tell Bob i won't do any fake business proposal, promise lol.
P.s. Effy and i are having lunch today. Kumusta sad daw.
I enjoying coffee feyma. I need fix. Tell Bob send coffee!
Hi Carlin – Sure I will tell Bob what you just said. You should come to Davao and taste the coffee. Its going to cost you a lot of money if Bob will send you some coffee though. 😉
Hi Migs – I think if you tasted the coffee that Bob been making, you might not like to drink the Starbucks again. 😉 Honestly I am not a coffee addict, but sorry I am not a fan of the 3 in 1 either.
All is well here. How about you? Are you in Manila again?
Take care Migs. Good to see you here.
Hi Vanessa – I am not sure if Bob still had some beans from the Mt. Matutum area. Sure we would let you taste some coffee though. Yes tabliya and suman are the good combo. Yummy for your tummy. 😉
Shoot I really thought you had some good proposal. Something for us to talk about. lol
Honestly, I really hope to see you next time you visit the Philippines. Hi to Effy and John from us too.
Take care!
Sorry… wala na! Humana ang mga Kapeng Matutum! Sorry….
Feyma,
I told hubby to come meet you guys during our stay for coffee. Effy is going there in a few months but she hasn't made any final plans as of today. Hopefully she'll be around during our vacation.
Bob,
Ok lang Bob sunod pisar nalang paabot ko.
Hello Feyma,
What a wonderful treat,,,so love the coffee. Couldn't make my day without it. Funny, most people that I know here want their coffee dark and it taste bitter(duh),,,I prepare mine with coffee cream or milk w/2 tsp. of sugar,and smokin'hot,yummy taste good. But, anyway each of us has its own unique taste when it comes to coffee. Wish I have that corn coffee that Bob made, he,he,he…Salamat kaayo ug my best regards sa inyong duha ni Bob.
My wife always brings kilos of Barako bean from Batangas back to the US each year. They make ok coffee, but are robusta, and I like arabica best. Some of the best (smoothest) coffee I have had anywhere in the world has been at French Baker in Manila, which had stores in many of the upscale malls. French Baker also has great pastries.
Hi Mike – Thanks for visiting. Yeah, French Baker has at lest one outlet in Davao, maybe more, not sure! Enjoy your morning coffee!