Coffee As Your Health Drink

On Wednesday, in Coffee Brewing, by Coffee Lover!

For some time now, debates continue on the health benefits of coffee. There are a variety of studies which found that indulging on certain amounts of coffee causes high blood pressure, heart ailments and even ulcers.

On the other hand, there have been an almost equal number of researches that proved the health benefits of drinking coffee. Let’s look more closely at the benefits.

Recent medical findings have shown that regular consumption of coffee reduces the risk of Parkinson’s, diabetes, and even lowers the risk of having colon cancer.

And it seems that the high caffeine content of coffee is the one responsible for all these. The development of Parkinson’s for one has been found out to be indirectly correlated to the intake of caffeine. The more you take in caffeine, the less the risk you developing the disease. The same goes with type 2 diabetes.

As more studies are being conducted, the more they are moving towards making their studies conclusive, without any doubts whatsoever. It has been found that taking two cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of developing colon cancer by as low as 25 percent.

Also an 80% drop in the risk of having liver cirrhosis was observed in people who drink at least 2 cups of coffee on a daily basis.

The antioxidants found in the coffee appear to be the ones responsible for reducing the chances of developing such diseases. It seems that the antioxidants control the growth of the cells of these diseases.

Also, antioxidants are great sources of chlorogenic acid which have been found to be able to reduce glucose concentrations in one’s body.

However, one important factor in all these studies is the quantity of coffee consumption. They have found a number of benefits from drinking a cup or two per day.

However, some of the benefits disappear once the individual drinks more than two cups of coffee in a day. The more you drink, the less benefits you will get.

Aside from the antioxidant contents, coffee’s caffeine also has some great effects on our body. Recent research from the University of Bristol found out that the caffeine influences our cognition and mood.

According to the study, caffeine from coffee can increase alertness and performance thus increasing one’s productivity especially in the workplace.

Still, coffee does have some not so good effects. Caffeine contains a mild addictive stimulant, coffee itself can cause an increase heart rate as well as an increased blood pressure. But as always, the key is moderation.

 

Why Coffee is Banned by the Olympic Committee

On Wednesday, in Coffee News, Coffee Trivia, by Coffee Lover!

Coffee facts and trivia…

Coffee is actually a term that was once used for a wine that was made from the berries of a coffee tree. In fact, the black wine, as it was referred to during that time, is used in religious rites as wine by people of Mohammed. Of course, as time passed, coffee became a staple and not just wine for religious ceremonies.

Caffeine, although universally taken, is actually one of the substances that are being prohibited by the International Olympic Committee. In fact, there are athletes that are banned from competing because of caffeine.

They must not have 12 micrograms of caffeine in their urine. This can be reached when you drink about five cups of coffee straight. And here we thought it is only steroids were being banned in the Olympic battle ground.

Did you know that the body can absorb as much as 300 milligrams of caffeine at one time. This can be gotten from about 4 cups of coffee. Additional cups don’t work because after this limit is reached, they don’t provide any more stimulation. In fact, the body has an internal system that neutralizes caffeine every hour.

Coffee in the cowboy era makes theirs by straining ground coffee in a clean sock and then dousing them in cold water. This is then heated over fire. Hmm… Coffee in socks! Yukk!

In Paris, the first coffeehouse was opened in 1689. Its name Café Procope was taken from the owner Francois Procope. The café caters to artsy people in the city.

Cappucino is actually the result of several word derivations that are used in different ways. The most original derivation was from an order of friars, the Capuchin. Their name comes from the term used for the hood part of their habit, the cappuccio. Since the color of the cappuccino resembles the habit— coffee topped with cream or milk— it has since began to carry that name.

Countries used different ways to grade their coffee. For instance, in Costa Rica coffees are graded according to the bean. In Kenya, they use the standard A, B, C system which are already in place as grading system for most products on the market.

Different countries drink their coffee in different ways. The Moroccans for instance add peppercorns while those from the Middle East use cardamom and spices. Austrians love putting whipped creams into their coffee cup while the German and the Swiss like it with chocolate. Egyptians drink it black while the Italians use sugar. The turks even use coffee in their wedding feasts.

Turkish bridegrooms present coffee to their new wives. The custom even mentions that failing to do so can be a grounds for divorce.  There are coffee houses in Yugoslavia that are known as kafano. They will brew your own coffee while you wait. They use deyza, an open pot and use tiny cups called the demitasse.

 

How to Choose the Best Home Espresso Machine

On Saturday, in Coffee Brewing, by Coffee Lover!

Buying An Espresso Machine

Those who want to start the day right with a fresh cup of coffee have to go out first and buy the machine. There are certain things to consider before shelling out those hard earned dollars and here are some tips that will help any potential buyer.

1. Household appliances aren’t free. Price is definitely the most important factor.  This may depend on the frequency that those in the household can consume on a daily basis that will determine whether to get the kind made of metal or plastic.

2. There are 4 types of espresso machines being offered on the market.

The basic model operates through steam. The second is called the semi-automatic because it has a few settings that will help the user control how long this will be brewed before it goes down from the pot and into the cup.

The third is called the automatic. You don’t have to go back and forth to the kitchen to check on it because this can be fixed at a certain time so the only thing to do is get it while it’s still hot.

The last is called the super automatic. It is just like the third type. The only difference is that it does other things such as eject the spent puck or pour steam milk out into the cup. This is the most expensive and will cost more than $1,000 and are only used by commercial establishments.

3. Coffee machines also come in various designs. The basic one is rectangular and bulky. But those who want a more modern look can look at the thin models which can be compared to flat screen television sets.

4. The boiler is the only part of the espresso machine that is made out of metal. Many prefer aluminum because they heat up faster compared to the others but brass and copper seem to be more durable in the long term.

5. Another factor that will help convert the coffee grounds into the espresso is the bar pressure. Ideally, machines that guarantee 9 bars is sufficient enough for household consumption even if there are other models that can promise double.

With all this information, it is time to go shopping. You should check out the various brands and compare the prices being offered at one store from the next before making that important decision.

 

A Brief (but Interesting) History of Coffee

On Wednesday, in History of Coffee, by Coffee Lover!

Coffee has come a long way from being a little known beverage that was said to be accidentally discovered by a goatherder a long, long time ago. The origins of coffee as a beverage can’t exactly be pinpointed. What has been accepted of its discovery was established in a popular myth that the coffee discovery began around the 9th century.

As the story goes, a young Ethiopian goatherder accidentally discovered that the coffee berries from which his goats had been eating began to have interesting side effects. Upon eating the berries, the goats seemed to jump around more often, seemingly having a sudden burst of energy.

And as the story went, the goatherder brought the strange berries to the village elders, believing that they may have magical properties. Upon boiling them into a brew, the elders stumbled upon the berries’ stimulating effects and began consuming them on a regular basis. Thus, as the story goes, came the birth of coffee as a beverage.

The story may have some basis since it is known to day that the first coffee berries originated from Ethiopia and began to spread as the Ethiopians began trading with the Arabs, spreading the coffee influence eastward.

The Arabs began to take coffee as a highly regarded plant that they closely guarded being exported outside the Islamic world at that time. The Arabs prevented the possible transplantation of coffee by boiling or roasting them.

After centuries of closely guarding the spread of coffee cultivation, the Dutch were able to bring some coffee beans with them to Asia and transplanted them in the fertile soils of Java, Indonesia sometime in the 1600′s. The began the eventual spread of the coffee plant cultivation all over the world.

It was sometime around the 17th century that the amazing berries were able to find their way onto the tables of the nobles in Europe. Eventually, coffee became a common privilege among the masses and the very first coffee houses were finally established in Austria, Italy and England.

By the 18th century, the French were able to introduce the plant in the Americas where it has widely grown into a highly valued crop. That tradition still is being continued today. Currently, coffee is being grown on five continents and has become one of the most traded commodities on the world market today. It was a slow process for the lowly coffee bean to become one of the most highly regarded of plants known today.

 

Alternatives to Your Coffee Cup

On Wednesday, in Coffee Brewing, Health News, by Coffee Lover!

No matter how good your morning cup of coffee, in the afternoon and in the evening, plus steaming cups in between meals; it is best to drink it at a minimum. After all, too much of anything isn’t good.

However if you can’t put a stop to your daily stimulant and it will take a while before you do quit the habit, here are some tips that can help you make each cup a little healthier.

Have some variety

Coffee isn’t the only thing that you can drink. If possible, look for variety. Don’t drink coffee all day. Switch your cup of coffee for some hot chocolate drink and maybe an orange juice or lemonade. Cola drinks are of course not an alternative as these also contain caffeine.

If you can, look for alternatives to caffeine such as juices and other great drinks. This way, you won’t have caffeine running through your veins, you will also have vitamin C and sugar to keep you awake and alert for the duration of the day.

Eat not drink

Some people drink coffee because they don’t want to eat, either because they are dieting or because they just don’t have the time to eat. This, however, isn’t healthy.

If you are hungry, eat! Just stick to healthy alternatives if you don’t want to gain weight. One example is fruit, which can be a healthy alternative to coffee. Fruits can provide the vitality and energy that you need from coffee and at the same time give you essential vitamins and minerals. Always put some biscuits inside your drawer. Coffee-flavored kinds could be a good alternative to your coffee cravings.

Oatmeal

Another good alternative to coffee is oatmeal. Like coffee, it is steaming hot and it provides great energy for the rest of the day. Oatmeal is a great antioxidant which keeps the body healthy and hearty. If you like a taste to it, then choose those packs of oatmeal that have flavors in it such as chocolate and vanilla.

Exercise

What better way to stimulate the senses and to increase one’s energy than to engage in some activity to start off the day? Of course, this will not seem so when you are just beginning. Your muscles will need getting used to it but eventually you will be able to feel the strength that a physical activity in the morning gives.