Coffee

Coffee can make us feel more alert, boost our metabolism, make our heart race, affect our digestive system and more. And though most of us are aware of the brief caffeine high that coffee offers, most of us don’t really know how coffee truly affects our body.

To learn more about the effects of coffee, both immediate and long-term, keep reading.

Coffee as a Stimulant

Coffee and caffeine are stimulants. You know that when you drink coffee you feel more awake, but you also know that too much coffee can give you the jitters or cause irritability.

Because coffee is a stimulant, it can also wreak havoc on your sleeping schedule. If you have trouble falling asleep at night, try cutting back on your coffee consumption or opting for water or decaf after noon.

Coffee on the Digestive System

Coffee actually has fairly high acid levels, particularly with beans like Kenyan or Ethiopian roasts. This is why when you drink too much coffee on an empty stomach, you’ll often experience “coffee tummy” or “coffee gut,” a basic discomfort in your digestive system.

The caffeine and acid in coffee can also be problematic for people suffering from ulcers. So, if you’re having trouble with coffee, try switching to water, herbal teas or drinking milk with your coffee.

Coffee and Antioxidants

Coffee is actually the primary source of antioxidants for most North Americans. Antioxidants are, essentially, any compounds that fight or neutralize free radicals, which cause cells to break down and are cancer causing agents.

Studies have shown that coffee consumption can reduce the risk of developing liver cancer, throat cancer, Type 2 Diabetes, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s disease and cancer of the esophagus.

Coffee and Physical and Mental Performance

Coffee isn’t just a study aid because it helps you stay awake – regular coffee consumption can actually improve your cognitive ability. A recent study showed that participants who regularly consumed at least one to two coffees a day scored higher on short term memory recall, spatial ability, logic tests and general IQ testing.

Coffee and Weight Loss

Coffee is a stimulant, meaning with every sip of caffeine, your metabolism will get a kick start. You’ll also have more energy. For example, if you read the ingredients list for most pill-form dietary or weight-loss aids, you’ll see one of the main ingredients is often caffeine.

Coffee and Your Teeth

While coffee can actually reduce cavities thanks to its acidity, it can also cause major teeth staining. To keep your teeth white, follow a cup of coffee with a bottle of water and brush your teeth at least two to three times a day.

For details on enticing coffee flavors that explode your taste buds, please visit coffeetryst.com, a popular site of great coffee options, such as almond flavored coffee, a commercial super automatic Espresso machine, and many more!

Author: Wesley Johnson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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You can make a great cup of coffee. With patience, diligence and the right ingredients, anything is possible. To learn how to make the best pot of coffee at home, keep reading.

Start With Good Tools

A great cup of coffee can’t be made with a dingy old filter and a coffee pot that’s older than you. Start your home coffee barista career with quality equipment that’s designed to last and made to make great coffee.

Look for a machine that has a stainless steel, reusable filter and a built-in water filter. For your coffee accessories like your scoop, choose a stainless steel scoop and clean it thoroughly after every use. Leftover coffee grinds and oil residue can affect the taste and flavor of the next batch.

Keep Your Coffee Fresh

The best way to keep your coffee fresh is to buy whole bean coffee in small batches of one to two week supplies. Then, keep your coffee at room temperature in an airtight container. Avoid extreme temperatures, moisture, odors and direct sunlight.

Grind each pot of coffee right before you brew it. Because grinding releases so much aroma and flavor, this is the best way to retain as much of that as possible.

Use Filtered Water

Always use filtered, pure or bottled water for your coffee. Tap water, while perfectly healthy, often contains a chlorine, metallic or mineral taste that can adversely affect your brew.

Measure Properly

The ideal amount of ground coffee is about one to two tablespoons for every six ounces of coffee. Once you have your machine and have settled on a particular blend or roast, try experimenting with different amounts to find that perfect balance.

Don’t Overbrew

Be sure your coffee pot is heating the water at a fast enough rate to avoid over brewing. If the water is boiling too slowly, this can slow the brewing process and make the coffee taste bitter and overbrewed.

Clean Your Pot Regularly

A good coffee pot is a clean coffee pot. So, clean out your coffee pot with mild soap after every use and make sure you rinse it thoroughly. Keep your machine running smoothly by decalcifying or descaling it as needed on a monthly or even annual basis.

Never Reheat Coffee

Once coffee has fallen below 175 degrees, its flavor begins to change. So, after a pot of coffee is finished or cooled, consider it done; then throw it out and brew another pot.

For informative details on coffee and enticing flavors that explode your taste buds, please visit http://www.coffeetryst.com a popular site providing great insights on coffee options, such as vanilla flavored coffee, specialty gourmet coffee, and many more!

Author: Wesley Johnson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Considering the average American drinks about 1.6 cups of coffee a day and the majority of Americans drink coffee, it makes for a perfect gift that everyone loves. If you’re looking for a great coffee gift, keep reading for suggestions, including links to where you can find them.

Coffee of the Month Clubs

Coffee of the Month clubs are a great gift that keeps on giving and serves as a monthly reminder of your generosity and thoughtfulness. By allowing the recipient to sample a different quality coffee every month, Coffee of the Month Clubs provide a fantastic variety of gourmet coffees.

Igourmet, with a popular gourmet food website, offers a great coffee of the month club for just $17.99 per month with shipping included. Each month, members receive a different coffee along with a brochure describing the bean and roast.

Coffee Gift Basket

A coffee gift basket is something you can purchase pre-made or even make yourself. Pack a few selections of coffee beans inside a mug, carafe or coffee machine to make a great gift with a lot of impact.

Gifttree.com (http://www.gifttree.com), a well-known online gift store stocks and sells a number of coffee-themed gift baskets that are great for presents, events or corporate giving.

Coffee Gift Cards

If your gift recipient makes a daily stop at their local Starbucks, Timothy’s, Tim Horton’s or neighborhood coffee shop, why not get them a coffee gift card or gift certificate? This gift makes the perfect small gift item for Secret Santas, stocking stuffers, corporate giveaways or tiny treats.

Starbucks even sells personalized coffee cards that you can have printed with the recipient’s name and coffee order.

Coffee Accessories

For the true coffee aficionado, nothing tops high quality coffee accessories. Whether it’s a French press, espresso machine, scoop or reusable and high-grade filter, your recipient is sure to appreciate the thought.

Cooking.com (http://cooking.com), a great source for cooking tools and kitchen gadgets, sells a wide range of coffee accessories ranging from a $1 coffee scoop to a $10,000 espresso machine.

Coffee Candy and Chocolate

Coffee lovers will absolutely love a sweet treat like chocolate-covered coffee beans, coffee-injected chocolate or even coffee sponge cake. You can even make or bake coffee sweets yourself for that truly personal touch that says “I’m thinking of you.”

NutsOnline (http://www.nutsonline.com) sells a popular brand of chocolate-covered espresso beans that are tasty and deliver a real punch of caffeine.

For details on enticing coffee flavors that explode your taste buds, please visit http://www.coffeetryst.com – a popular site of great coffee options, such as almond flavored coffee, a commercial super automatic Espresso machine, and many more!

Author: Wesley Johnson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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