The Biology of Coffee
Posted by freedomforall 4 years, 2 months ago to Science
"How popular is coffee? When news first broke that Prince Harry and Meghan were considering Canada as their new home, Canadian coffee giant Tim Hortons offered free coffee for life as an extra enticement.
Given coffee’s popularity, it’s surprising how much confusion surrounds how this hot, dark, nectar of the gods affects our biology."
Given coffee’s popularity, it’s surprising how much confusion surrounds how this hot, dark, nectar of the gods affects our biology."
Run by and for the above. Paid for mainly by the taxpayer but without accountability via universities and research institutes.
The breadth of freedomforall's reading continues to amaze.
Back to coffee: I do not drink coffee in the morning, I am up early, strictly by 10am, then I am busy. A cup at about 3pm is welcome. To me, a proper meal, evening dinner, should end with coffee, it does not interfere with sleep, one of my areas of competence.
H&M, there is a cat cartoon with the cat saying- will sleep for food.
H&M, have it easier, will smile for money.
I read it as any of the other scientific characterization of certain food items. There are fads that science warns us about only to backtrack years later. Like butter, or sugar.
Caffeine is unquestionably a stimulant. On the other hand, it acts in a totally different way when you are extremely exhausted: it induces sleep. This effect has probably to do with receptor dynamics.
One thing is certain: it has become the favorite ritual to get a cup of coffee on the way to work. Bottled water is another one, never mind it is irritating to see people in meetings suckling on their bottle.
My favorite coffee bean has been KONA Reserve but Peet's is unable to get it any more. Amazon has it but it is questionable how long ago it was roosted.
If you want to give a different appellation a try, I recommend https://happymugcoffee.com/ .
They don't have Kona at present and I can't comment personally, but they recommend this one for those who like Kona:
Roasted:
https://happymugcoffee.com/products/c...
Green: https://happymugcoffee.com/products/c...
My preference is for Sumatran, Indonesian, Java beans, but I also enjoy the Colombia Reserva del Patron (which is from La Minita like the Costa Rican linked above.)
Roasting at home with a popcorn popper gives you fresher roasted coffee at home if you can spare 45 minutes every 2 weeks to do it. You also get exactly the roast YOU like instead of what the store thinks you should like.
I like Sumatran, too, also Colombian when I can't get the others.
Never tried roasting at home but I'll give it a try.
How do you know when to stop to get your favorite roast? Is it by color or aroma?
BTW, the La Pavoni is making excellent espresso but comes up short for cappuccino. The steam pressure is not sufficient to do so.
I went around that by purchasing a hand held milk frother from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Handheld-Strea...
So I can have stiff milk froth in minutes for a fabulous cap.
Color is what I use to determine the roast initially and I time it. Then I adjust the time a bit and decide what tastes best to me. When I'm happy with the result I use the same timing and make adjustment for ambient temperature- I roast outside because there are husks that are blown out by the hot air popper. Good for compost outside- a mess to clean up inside. I do about 1/3 cup of beans at a time, but that will depend on the popper. My method to get there was to put in 1/2 cup and see if they start to be spun by the hot air after a minute or so. If not then its too many beans. (They will not spin immediately; they have to heat up a bit before they start to spin.) Then reduce the amount and try again until I have it right for the popper. My roasting method takes about 6-7 minutes to get a medium to dark roast of 1/3 cup with a new popcorn machine. As the machine ages the air flow will decline and I have to reduce the amount or buy a new machine (about $15 at target or Walmart.) My popper is a Nostalgia. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nostalgia-...
I usually have 2 cups of cappuccino or espresso in the morning, but might have one later if I need the caf to perform well.
I just bought some home brewing equipment last weekend so I can start home brewing stout and porter again. It's been 5 years and $4 a bottle for good stout is not as satisfying when I know I can make it myself for $1.50.
I enjoy not paying the tax to the state, too.
I cut back since and I have only one cup in the morning. Nothing in the afternoon, unless I am tired by 3 PM.
Sometimes I have wine with dinner. I love Shiraz.
https://foundersbrewing.com/our-beer/...
None of my favorite stores where I buy my libations carry it.
Searching online, the nearest shop is 35 miles from me...
How do you get it?
They have a "find our beer" page online (example with zip 94102):
https://foundersbrewing.com/beer/find...
I first had it at a bar in NYC in Sept.
I found it in Nov. at a liquor store in Atlanta. They carry other Founders beers, too.
I didn't see it when I was there in mid-December.
I bought all they had in Nov. - only 3x 4-packs at that time.
That beer was a limited release, so it may be harder to find.
The Frangelic Mountain Brown Ale may be available- it gets good reviews, too, but I haven't tasted it.
I also had the Boulevard Brewing, Whiskey Barrel Stout recently and it was very tasty, too.
We go to a bar regularly, they have local brews and some great specialties. They may have it.
Just out of curiosity: what kind of wines you prefer?