What is Coffee Made From
It is said that coffee is the second most popular drink in the world, next to water; and is enjoyed by people all over the world. Coffee is made from the seeds of a ripened fruit of a tree which is native to Africa but is also cultivated in other continents. Being an immensely popular drink, it is not surprising to find a wide array of brands, styles and preparation method for coffee.
See How Coffee is Made
Coffee Facts
Here are some facts about coffee:
- Coffee has no calories without sugar or milk.
- Did you know a cup of coffee does not only depend on the type of blend but also on the coffee-water ratio used for brewing.
- In ground coffee, the loss of flavor is accelerated because a larger part of the bean is exposed to the elements. This explains why when serving coffee, grinding is done right after brewing.
- More than 400 billion cups are drunk by people all over the world every year.
- Coffee does not grow as plain brown beans but as red berries with green beans. One berry contains two beans.
Roasting of coffee beans dries out the beans and caramelize the sugars in it.The two main types of coffee is Robusta and Arabica. Robusta, which has more caffeine, is considered as lower grade and is often used in instant coffee. - Roasted coffee beans begin to lose flavor after only 48 hours.
- Espresso has less caffeine than drip coffee. When espresso is made, hot water is forced through ground coffee under pressure, which limits the time of contact between coffee and water. This process extracts the flavor effectively but leaves a large amount of the caffeine.
- Green coffee beans can keep its quality for up to a year if kept in a cool, dry place. The flavor that a coffee bean lends depends on the region and climate of where it has grown. It is also affected by the drying, storing and roasting methods that it undergoes.
Coffee Facts Health Benefits
When you think about coffee, you almost think about caffeine as well. Caffeine is the substance that is found in coffee that has both positive and negative sides to it. Through the years, the caffeine content of coffee has given this beverage some kind of controversy. It is a known stimulant and affects the nervous system. Some people have put the blame on caffeine for certain health problems such as increased blood pressure, higher heart rate, irregular heartbeat and heart disease. Further, the body also develops a certain dependency on it when taken regularly. This is why coffee drinkers always need their caffeine fixes at certain times of the day. However, recent studies have discovered that this substance also provides immense benefits to health.
The most beneficial property of coffee comes from the antioxidants present in it. It is known to contain more antioxidants than a single serving of raspberries, blueberries and oranges. Antioxidants prevent cell damage by minimizing the action of free radicals and it also helps in controlling inflammation.
The caffeine that you get from coffee is not all that bad. This caffeine that can potentially cause cardiovascular diseases is the same caffeine that can help reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes and improve the normal metabolism of glucose. Moreover, it also aids in weight loss by increasing thermogenesis, the process of generating heat in the body. A scientific study has concluded that the regular consumption of six cups of caffeinated coffee daily makes the body expend 100 kilocalories daily as well. The other benefits that coffee provides include improve alertness, reduced risk of gallstones, liver damage and colon cancer, improve endurance and enhanced cognitive function.
Because of its pros and cons, coffee must be taken in moderation. The recommended intake is two to four cups daily. Some even argue that health benefits can be gained by drinking six cups daily; however, if the intake is more than this amount, the health benefits will be negated. In the same vein, if you drink less than two cups daily, you will not be able to feel the benefits as well.
