Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Control Your Stress at Work with Coffee

Work can give a lot of stress to people. In the offices, deadlines can be very stressful that you have to work overtime just to finish a certain task. You have to rush on accomplishing something especially when the pressures from your boss and co-employees are present. Shifting schedules which includes night shifts like that of nurses and customer service employees can be very tiring too. You need to adjust your time and cycle of sleep and rest with that of your working schedule. These are just examples of the different stressful situations that an employee can experience at a working area.

However, in order to manage stress, you need to come up with something so that you will still have grace even under pressure. You need to acquire a lot of energy even if you have to work late hours in the office. If you could only grab the most powerful stun gun and temporarily shock yourself so that you will be back to work when you get tired and sleepy then you would really do it. But you don't have to over react and make measures like this anymore because one of the favorite beverages that people would run too especially when under stress is the coffee. It provides a lot of benefits that anywhere we go in offices, we would generally see someone bringing with them their cups of coffee.

First of all, it can provide you with increased alertness. Due to its content of caffeine, it has a certain effect in your system which increases your attention on things. You become alert and effective at work even if you have to work overtime. Attention to details is very important while working because as you become exhausted you tend to leave out very important details which can affect your work.

In addition, coffee can boost your energy. Since you become alert, you also have the tendency to recharge your body and mind. Your whole body is ready for additional tasks that you need to finish. With just a coffee in hand you are good to go even if you have to wake up and work early in the morning.

Moreover, coffee is a good partner as you pause for a while and have a break. The aroma itself is very relaxing and it calms your tensed nerves with pressures on deadlines. It also gives you a time to think while taking sips from your own cup. With an alert mind, new ideas can rush in to your thoughts and you can continue on with what you are doing. After the work is done, you can assure yourself that you can drive safely as you go home as long as you drank enough coffee to keep you from accidental sleeping while driving.

Coffee can be a very beneficial beverage and as proven in some studies is good for the health too especially when taken in moderate amounts. At work, it can be your best all to relieve you from any stress. You don't have to hurt yourself by pinching your skin just to wake up or over imagine by using a shock gun just to be alert. All you need is a cup of coffee and you will be more than ready in doing what you need to finish.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Two Coffee Recipes with Mango

Do you ever think of using Mango to mix with coffee? If your answer is yes and you are up for a try, then you should not stop reading. This article is especially for those who likes coffee as well as mango which will bring you to another level of mixture or coffee. Sincerely, you rarely can found this where coffee mixed with Mango and a lot of us know like this too.

I have tried and I like it so much. This is the reason why I introduce these coffee recipes for you. Hope you like it too.

First Coffee Recipe: Mango Latte

Ingredients
Enough for 1 person (just nice for one tall glass)
  1. 4 tablespoons of Mango syrup
  2. 1 shot of organic espresso
  3. 0.75 cup of low fat steamed milk
  4. 2 to 3 ice cubes (if you put more ice, remember to add your mango syrup as well).
  5. 2 small slices of chopped dried mango as garnish
Equipments Needed
Espresso maker and electronic blender

Steps for preparation
  1. Take a new blender cup and pour mango syrup, espresso, steamed milk and ice cube into the cup and start to blend it.
  2. Blend it until well mix.
  3. Take a new glass and pour your latte into the new glass.
  4. Lastly, put some dried mango on top of the latte as garnish.

Second Coffee Recipe: Mango and Almond Latte

Ingredients
Enough for 1 person
  1. 1 shot of organic espresso
  2. 0.75 cup of low fat steamed milk
  3. 1 tablespoon of Almond syrup
  4. 3 tablespoons of Mango syrup
  5. 3 to 5 ice cubes
  6. 1 tablespoon of powdered almond as garnish
Equipments Needed
Espresso maker and electronic blender

Steps for preparation
  1. Take a clean blender cup and pour all into the blender cup except powdered almond which we will be needed at the last step.
  2. Start to blend it with low speed for 60 seconds.
  3. Take a clean glass to pour your latte.
  4. Lastly, on top of the latte, spread some almond powder as garnish.

Try the Sensation of Drinking Vietnamese Coffee


You do not have to go for the classics all the time. The same applies to drinking coffee. You should definitely try different recipes. You will be surprised how many new and tasty drinks you will discover. Vietnamese coffee is just one of them.

The original beverage created in this Southeast Asian country contains coffee, milk and ice. In fact its original name in Vietnamese is milk coffee with ice. The drink is perfect for the hot summer days when you need refreshment and a steaming liquid is not the best choice.

The Vietnamese coffee is easy to prepare. You can use any type of medium roast. It is best if the coffee does not contain chicory. It should also be coarsely ground. Still, you can base your choice on your own preferences and taste. The next ingredient you need to use is condensed milk. The sweetened varieties are recommended. You need ice of course. It is best for you to use cubes.

You need a portion of coffee and a quarter to half a portion of condensed milk. You should pour the dairy ingredient into a cup. Then you have to add the freshly brewed coffee. Mixing the two ingredients well is essential. After the stirring the substance has to be perfectly homogenous. The next step is to put some ice in a glass. The amount is up to you to decide. Then pour the mixture into the glass with the ice. You can leave the drink for a couple of minutes in order for it to cool. You can choose to make the beverage even tastier by adding some whipped cream.

This is how to make Vietnamese coffee. The recipe is simple and you can prepare the beverage in a couple of minutes. The result is totally amazing. So, enjoy!

Monday, March 29, 2010

The History of Coffee Starts from 15th Century


The history of coffee dates back to the 15th century although the definitive origins of this popular drink remain unclear. One theory is that Ethiopian ancestors of today's Oromo people discovered and recognized the energizing effect of the coffee bean plant. But we don't know where in Africa coffee grew or who among the natives utilized it as a stimulant or knew about it earlier than the 17th century.

There are several legends about the origin of coffee. One involves the Yemenite Sufi mystic Shaikh ash-Shadhili. It is said that while traveling in Ethiopia, he noticed goats that had unusual vitality. He attributed this to the berries that the goats had eaten after trying them himself.

Another "Legend of Dancing Goats" tells us that coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi. He supposedly found his goats dancing joyously near a dark green leafed shrub with bright red cherries in the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. Like Shadhili, Kaldi learned this was due to the stimulating effects of the cherries on the shrub. After ingesting the cherries, he experienced their powerful effect. The same berries were later used by monks at a local monastery to stay awake during long hours of prayer. They distributed this to other monasteries all over the world and coffee was born.

From Ethiopia, coffee reportedly spread to Egypt and Yemen. The earliest credible evidence of either coffee drinking or knowledge of the coffee tree appeared in the middle of the 15th century in the Sufi monasteries of Yemen. It was here that coffee beans were first roasted and brewed, similar to how it is prepared today. By the 16th century, coffee reached the rest of the Middle East, Persia, Turkey, and northern Africa. It also spread to Italy and to the rest of Europe, Indonesia and the Americas. Looking for the finest coffee in the world?

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Decaf Coffee for Coffee Lovers who Want to Drink Coffee without Caffeine

 
Most Americans love their morning coffee. Even when we are rushing out the door, we still have time for that all important cup of joe. Caffeine occurs naturally in coffee and is therefore used as a beverage for its stimulating affect. Did you know that coffee is the most widely consumed beverage in the world?

Caffeine can cause jitters and nervousness and is not recommended for individuals with certain health problems. Because of this, some individuals have taken the decaffeinated route, but did you know you are still consuming a little bit of caffeine? Have you ever wondered how they get the caffeine out of those delicious aromatic little coffee beans? Well, if you have, you've come to the right place! Let's take a look at some of the processes used to remove caffeine from coffee beans.

The first step to removing caffeine from coffee beans is to soak the beans in water. This softens the beans. After soaking, a solvent such as methylene chloride is used to remove the caffeine. Methylene chloride is used in several products to remove caffeine as the molecules blend together. The beans are processed either directly or indirectly. The direct method is where the beans are soaked directly into the chemical solution. Indirectly is where the water is treated with the methylene chloride solution and then the beans are soaked in the water after the caffeine has been removed.

Coffee labeled naturally decaffeinated is another chemical process of removing caffeine from coffee beans. The beans are again soaked in water and then the coffee water solution is treated with ethyl acetate. Ethyl acetate is a chemical found naturally in fruits, therefore the term naturally decaffeinated. After the caffeine has been removed, the coffee beans are again soaked in the coffee water solution so they can reabsorb their natural flavor.

Water processing is where the beans are soaked in water and no chemicals are used. After soaking the beans, the solution is drained through carbon filters that remove the caffeine and then the beans are soaked in the water to absorb oils and flavor.

Another type of water processing is called the Swiss Water Process. This is similar to the water processing method however the coffee water is used instead of plain water. Basically the beans are soaked over and over again to preserve flavor after being passed through carbon filters.

The last process is carbon dioxide processing. That is where the beans are soaked in water and then treated with carbon dioxide in a pressure cooker at high temperatures and very high pressure. The carbon dioxide bonds with the caffeine molecules and is then removed from the beans.

Coffee beans are treated before roasting to preserve flavor. Even though coffees are labeled decaffeinated, they still contain some measure of caffeine. In the United States 97% of the caffeine must be removed to qualify as decaf. What do they do with this left over caffeine? Surprisingly it is used in soft drinks and other products.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Homemade Coffee Recipe


In this article I am going to share with you my secret tips for making the best cup of homemade coffee. Sometimes you need a drink that not only warms you up but gives you a kick and pick me up during those energy slump times. I love getting together with friends to discuss the latest developments and just chill out with a great cup of coffee, nothing gets the conversation started like a nice kick of caffeine fresh from those delicious coffee beans. Coffee tastes great and really does energize you and increase your mental alertness but be warned this surf is so good it's pretty addictive.

Proceed with caution!

What you will need
  • A kettle
  • Pure filtered water
  • A good quality ground instant coffee powder
  • Sugar or sweetener
  • A mug
  • Milk
  • A tea spoon

Method
First, start by boiling the water in the kettle. Grab your mug and add a tea spoon of your favorite brand infant coffee. Add the boiling water to the mug and give it a good stir. Add milk and sugar to taste. Voila! Enjoy you coffee with a nice biscuit or chocolate bar and get ready for that pick me up to kick in, you won't be disappointed! Twist tip - if you like a sneaky dink, why not try a Sober Irish coffee and add a dash of your favorite non alcoholic whiskey! Or you could try using steamed milk instead of boiled water to create a creamy and delicious latte, for a low fat calorie version using skimmed zero fat milk works great too. Some of my favorite chocolate bars to have with coffee are Lion, Snickers, Kit Kat, Mars bars, Milky Way, Twirl, Twix, or just some plain digestives! Just make sure to get down the gym after eating that lot! And make sure not to go too crazy! Ummm!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Dark Roasted Coffee is more Stomach Friendly


Recent studies conducted by Veronika Somoza, Ph.D. from the University of Vienna in Austria, and Thomas Hofmann, Ph.D. from the Technische Universität München in Germany indicate dark roasted coffee contain a substance that tells the stomach to reduce production of acid.

It is estimated that upwards of 40 million people in the United States avoid drinking coffee at all, or consume far less coffee to avoid stomach irritation. Doctors believe that chemicals in coffee cause the stomach to overproduce acid. Many people as a result drink only decaffeinated coffee or specialty roasts being marketed as stomach friendly. "The problem is that studies have not verified the stomach irritating potential of coffee or its components, until now," Somoza said. "Manufacturers currently make 'stomach friendly' coffees by processing raw coffee beans with steam or solvents intended to reduce levels of the irritants. But their effectiveness is unclear."

The manufacturing processes used to produce so-called "stomach-friendly coffee" also can reduce the amount of healthful substances in the coffee, including some that scientists have linked to benefits such as protection against diabetes and heart disease.

During the study the scientists exposed cultures of human stomach cells to a variety of different coffee preparations, including regular, dark-roast, mild, decaffeinated, and stomach-friendly varieties. Several substances were identified that were believed to trigger chemical changes associated with increased acid production. Among these substances were caffeine, catechols, and other ingredients.

"Our data show, for the first time, that caffeine, catechols and N-alkanoly-5-hydroxytryptamides are those coffee components that stimulate molecular mechanisms of stomach acid secretion in human stomach cells," Somoza said. Most of them are indeed removed by steam or solvent treatment of the raw coffee bean. We found out there's no single, key irritant. It is a mixture of compounds that seem to cause the irritant effect of coffee."

The research discovered that one of the coffee components, N-methylpyridium (NMP), seems to block the ability of the stomach cells to produce hydrochloric acid and could provide a way to reduce or avoid stomach irritation.

N-methylpyridium (NMP) appears able to block the ability of the stomach cells to produce hydrochloric acid. NMP is produced only upon roasting and is not found in raw coffee beans. Dark roasted coffee can potentially contain up to twice as much of NMP, but the levels vary greatly depending on the variety of coffee bean and the roasting method.

The researchers are testing different varieties of raw coffee beans and different roasting methods in an attempt to increase NMP levels to make a better stomach-friendly coffee.