Coffee

There is an ongoing debate in health manuals on the benefits of drinking coffee. A number of studies have found that over-indulging in coffee can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, and ulcers. On the other hand there are also a number of studies which have proven that drinking coffee bean roasters coffee has salubrious health benefits. For example, a recent study showed that the regular coffee drinking reduces the risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s, and can even lower the risk of colon cancer. Apparently it is the high level of caffeine contained in coffee which is responsible for these health benefits. The risk of developing Parkinson’s disease is directly correlated to caffeine intake – the more caffeine intake, the lower risk of developing this disease. Similar results have been reported for type two diabetes. It has also been reported that drinking two cups of coffee per day reduces the risk of colon cancer by as much as 25%; and the risk of cirrhosis of the liver by 80%.

It appears that it is the antioxidants which are found in coffee which are responsible for lowering the risk of developing these diseases. Antioxidants regulate the growth of disease cells. Additionally, antioxidants are a terrific source of the chlorogenic acid which has been found to lower glucose concentration in the body. Antioxidants protect the body from radicals which can cause illness and increase the risk of major conditions, including cancers and heart disease. In addition to its antioxidant content, a recent study by the University of Bristol of gourmet coffee roasters found that the caffeine in coffee influences our mood and cognition. According to this study, the caffeine in coffee increases alertness and hence performance, in turn increasing productivity in the workplace. Caffeine gives a quick boost of energy which enables people to focus upon what they are doing, and to be able to remember details better.

These studies were all predicated upon the assumption that the person drinks two cups of coffee per day. However, it has been found that overindulging in coffee drinking reduces these benefits. Caffeine contains a mildly addictive stimulant; and it can increase the heart rate and the blood pressure when taken in excess. How much is “too much” is still being debated. A consensus of health experts might agree that probably, in most cases, up to three cups of coffee daily are allowable (and caffeine intake from other sources, such as sodas and teas, should be reduced).

Another point to bear in mind is that not all coffees contain the same amounts of caffeine. Apart from best tasting decaf coffee, gourmet coffees contain less caffeine than ordinary coffees. This is because gourmet coffees are derived from the bean of Arabica strains which contain far less caffeine than coffee made from inferior varieties. The limitation on the production of gourmet coffees is altitude – Arabica coffee requires a high mountain, cool and wet, subtropical climate; as well as rich soil. These growing conditions need less pesticides, which reduces contamination of the environment. Thus Arabica coffees can’t be grown just anywhere. And while gourmet coffee is lower in caffeine than other types, it is highest in antioxidants.

You reduce caffeine with the best tasting decaf coffee. Or, by drinking up to three cups a day of gourmet coffee roasters [http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/roasting/roasters] coffee, you can reduce the risk of diseases significantly without diminishing your coffee bean roasters enjoyment.

Author: Alice Lane
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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I love coffee. I always have. I like some coffees better than others, but I don’t know why. I’ve decided to conduct my own taste test to determine which qualities in coffee I like and which ones I don’t.

Coffee tasting is a lot like wine tasting. The correct term for coffee tasting is “coffee cupping.” The recommended method for “cupping” requires coffee to be ground into an 8-oz. porcelain or glass cup. Water is then poured in the cup and the coffee steeps for a few minutes. The grinds rise to the top, forming a crust which is broken with a silver spoon. The coffee’s aromas are evaluated first; then, after the coffee has cooled a bit, the taster (cupper) slurps the liquid, evaluates the flavors, and spits the coffee out to avoid caffeine intake.

That’s not quite the way I drink coffee. I make it by the pot and drink it by the gallon. Nevertheless, if I’m going to try to determine which qualities I like most in a coffee, it would be helpful to define the four terms used to evaluate coffee: acidity, aroma, body, and flavor.

ACIDITY: sensation of dryness that the coffee produces under the edges of your tongue and on the back of your palate

Acidity refers to the sharp and pleasing aftertaste, often referred to as the liveliness of the coffee. It is a desirable quality that describes the brightness of flavor. Acidity ranges from low (smooth) to high (lively). A coffee without any acidity is referred to as flat.

AROMA: the feeling that the steam produces similar to the “bouquet” of a wine

Aroma is the smell of the coffee. Without our sense of smell, we would only have our taste buds, which are only capable of detecting the four basic taste sensations of “sweet”, “sour”, “salty” and “bitter”. The more subtle nuances of coffee flavor such as “floral” or “winy ” come more from the aroma or smell of the coffee.

BODY: the body is the thickness, heaviness, viscosity, or richness perceived on the tongue.

FLAVOR: the perceived taste of the coffee

Flavor is the overall perception of the coffee and is also a balance of the acidity, body and aroma of the coffee.

This is very much like wine tasting, except I have to make the coffee myself.

Diena Zavetsky has been a coffee gourmet for over 15 years. She is the owner of Hot Gourmet Coffee, a subsidiary of dmskye. She believes that whole bean coffee should be ground just before brewing to get a fresh coffee flavor.

Author: Diena Zavetsky
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The word we use today to describe the popular black beverage, coffee, was once used to describe wine. Indeed, this drink was often interchanged with wine and sometimes used instead of wine in the religious ceremonies of the Mohammedans, because it had the result of keeping believers awake during the long night of prayers.

That’s just one of many, many more amazing coffee facts.

All over the world, people drink coffee, but depending on which country you come from you may drink your coffee a little different. For example, in Italy, Italians drink coffee fast and they sweeten it with sugar. The Germans, Belgians and the Swiss, however, add hot chocolate, while Mexicans favor cinnamon. Austrians like whipped cream, and Moroccans peppercorns, while Ethiopians add salt. The Egyptians and Turks prefer strong and thick coffee with no milk at all.

The story of caffeine

Believe it or not, caffeine is a prohibited substance for the International Olympic Committee. In fact, if athletes test positive to more than around 12 micograms of caffeine per millilieter of urine, which translates to about 5 cups of coffee, they may well be banned from competition.

The human body absorbes about 300 milligrams of caffeine during intake. That translates to about four cups. After four cups, the body no longer absorbs the caffeine, so even if you drink more the body does not display any further stimulation. But the body releases about twenty percent of caffeine intake every hour.

International facts and figures

Germans are now the world’s second largest consumers of coffee. Previously, a German government hired a special force to uncover illicit coffee traders.

Over 53 countries grow coffee. Costa Ricans grow a lot of coffee, but the coffee plant was imported by the Spaniard, Navarro, in 1779.

A French national invented the percolator. That was in 1827. An Italian invented the espresso machine. That was in 1903. Greeks and Turks traditionally brew coffee over a strong fire and using a tiny pot called a briki.

Before that, coffee beans were roasted over a charcoal fire. Actually, though we call them coffee beans, they are actually coffee berries. Each year over seven million beans are produced.

More coffee facts and trivia

The Japanese celebrate official coffee day on October 1st. The Japanese are the third largest consumers of coffee in the world.

Germans are more likely to sweeten their coffee than Americans.

Americans kicked off the flavored coffee trend back in the 1970s.

Dark roasted coffees have less caffeine than medium roasts. That’s why espresso has less caffeine than regular coffee.

Centuries ago, coffee was thought of as a meal. Ethiopians mixed coffee beans with animal fat and rolled them into balls, to have an an energy power snack.

Where to find personalized photo coffee mugs [http://www.coffeeateria.com/create-your-own-personalized-photo-coffee-mugs-online-and-give-them-as-gifts-13.html] by visiting [http://www.coffeeateria.com], a popular coffee website that specializes in coffee blends, gourmet coffee, and espresso to include coconut flavored coffee [http://www.coffeeateria.com/coconut-flavored-coffee-14.html] so you can enjoy a unique blend of coffee.

Author: Samantha Evans
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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There are different types of cappuccino, espresso and coffee makers on the market. It’s true that when it comes to coffee makers there are thousands to choose from. If you were to go into any home in America, the chances of finding a coffee maker sitting on the counter are quite good.

Once you have a new coffee maker, you will be able to spend less time waiting in lines at the coffee shop. You’ll save time and money. Or if you want to purchase one for a gift, you are sure to make any coffee enthusiast very happy.

It’s not necessary to get a coffee maker that produces 12 cups of coffee or more. Programmable one cup coffee makers are a type of coffee maker that is becoming more and more popular not only in the workplace, but in homes as well.

Whether you just need one cup of Joe to start the day or you are trying to limit your caffeine intake by fixing just one cup at a time, the single cup coffee makers are an excellent solution.

There are some excellent features available on today’s coffee makers. Some coffee makers have a delay brew feature which you can set up to 24 hours in advance so you can have the coffee brew automatically at whatever time you sit it for. An automatic shut off has become standard on every model so you don’t have to worry if you leave the house without turning it off.

Perhaps you prefer Espresso. Espresso makers create a powerful and strong coffee that can really wake you up in the morning. You can select from a wide range of impressive espresso coffee maker machines available in the market to suit your needs.

Among coffee makers, Cuisinart is a big name in the small home appliance world and their coffee makers make that statement as well. Krups is another fine company that offers some fine coffee makers. The Bunn coffee maker is also very popular.

One of the hottest products that coffee enthusiasts will enjoy from Gevalia is their twelve-cup coffee maker. The Gevalia coffee maker is a suitable kitchen appliance that you can buy for your own home, and it also serves as a nice gift set for friends and family who are coffee aficionados.

Using a coffee maker could not be simpler. It is a simple and easy process: Cold water is poured through the flap on the top of the slip and stored in the back cylinder until the machine is heated up.

When the water is at the right temperature and the pad at the bottom of the machine is hot, the water in the cylinder is channeled through the slip and down into the coffee grounds within the filter, and from there down into the pot.

An exceptional cup of coffee doesn’t need to be an occasional treat anymore because it can easily be a part of your daily routine with just about any coffee maker. At this time in history there are plenty of different espresso makers, espresso machines, and coffee makers out there. With the availability and reasonable prices, there is no reason not to have your own automatic coffee maker at home.

Carol Stack has written numerous articles and reviews about coffee and related items. She lives with her husband, three children, and various dogs and cats in the United States. Carol and her sister Barbara are constantly adding to their website dedicated to the enjoyment of coffee. Visit it at: http://www.coffeeloversportal.com

Author: Carol Stack
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Coffee can actually be healthy for you! This is good news for all coffee lovers out there. Many people assume that caffeine is bad for you. Caffeine has been blamed for everything from high blood pressure to cancer. Many people still avoid caffeinated beverages because they worry about the health effects. However, current research reveals that not only is coffee safe but it even offers some health benefits.

Some of the most significant research recently relates to caffeine and diabetes. A study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that participants who regularly drank coffee significantly reduced the risk of onset of type 2 diabetes, compared to non-coffee drinking participants. Scientists are quick to caution against increasing your caffeine intake as a way to decrease your risk of diabetes as they aren’t sure why caffeine is beneficial to diabetes and have indicated that more research is needed. However, it does clearly show that coffee may be healthier than people have thought in the past.

In other promising research, at least six studies indicate that people who drink coffee on a regular basis are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson’s, with three studies showing the more they drink, the lower the risk. Also, research shows that coffee may reduce the risk of developing gallstones, discourage the development of colon cancer, improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of liver damage in people at high risk for liver disease.

Contrary to popular opinions, coffee can also actually be beneficial to heart health. One study found women who drink two to three cups of coffee a day have a 25% lower risk of heart disease and an 18% lower risk of developing diseases other than cancer than non-coffee drinkers. And, some research indicates that coffee can offset some of the damage caused by other vices. People who smoke and are heavy drinkers have less heart disease and liver damage when they regularly consume large amounts of coffee compared to those who don’t. These health benefits may be linked to the anti-inflammatory properties in coffee as well as its rich supply of antioxidants. On the flip side, however, caffeine is also linked to coronary vasospasms – the cause for 20% of all fatal heart attacks. Both decaf and regular coffee increase cholesterol and homocysteine, the biochemical that is linked to increased risk for heart attack.

More good news about coffee – it also can have beneficial effects that people can relate to on a daily basis. Caffeine can help with headaches as it is a mild analgesic, or painkiller, and it has the ability to increase the availability of other analgesics that it’s combined with. It also can cause blood vessels to constrict which assists with those types of headaches which are caused by the dilation of blood vessels.

Caffeine can improve mood and irritability in some folks. Studies have shown that people report increased well-being, happiness, energy, alertness and sociability after consuming caffeine in moderation. This may be the reason that women who drank coffee were less likely to commit suicide than those who drank none. Beware, however -consuming excessive amounts of caffeine can produce increased anxiety, nervousness, jitteriness, and upset stomach in some people.

Coffee can enhance athletic endurance and performance. Caffeine helps the body burn fat instead of carbohydrates, and it blunts the perception of pain. Both can boost endurance. In fact, caffeine works so well in boosting athletic performance; it used to be on the list of banned substances from the International Olympic Committee. Even though caffeine has now been removed from the list of prohibited substances, the controversy continues as experts differ in their opinions as to whether caffeine consumption on the day of performance can give an athlete an unfair advantage or not.

Why is coffee healthy? This is largely attributed to the antioxidants present in coffee. In fact, a recent study found that coffee is the No.1 source of antioxidants in the U.S., largely because Americans drink so much of it. Coffee has large amounts of antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid and tocopherols, and minerals such as magnesium which are beneficial in a variety of ways. For example, antioxidants help quell inflammation, which might explain coffee’s effect in inflammation-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Magnesium in coffee might help make cells more sensitive to insulin.

This is not to say that coffee is not completely innocent or that you should drink coffee to prevent disease. Caffeine, coffee’s main ingredient, is a mildly addictive stimulant. And coffee does have modest cardiovascular effects such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and occasional irregular heartbeat that should be considered. However, the studies clearly show that consuming coffee in moderation definitely can have beneficial effects on your health.

Conclusion: There is no health reason to avoid consuming caffeine or coffee. If you enjoy it, go ahead and drink it in moderation. However, if your goal is to prevent disease, it is too early in the research to say that coffee is a health drink.

Rachel Nielsen is a coffee lover and a coffee fanatic. See her website The Java Press for a more complete coffee resource guide.

Author: Rachel Nielsen
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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