Coffee Break decreases performance: New Study

A new study reported by New Scientist news reveals an astounding fact. It says ‘taking a coffee break might actually sabotage the employees ability to do their jobs and undermine teamwork instead of boosting it’

Dosing up on caffeine is particularly unhelpful to men, disrupting their emotions and hampering their ability to do certain tasks, suggests a report by psychologists Lindsay St Claire and Peter Rogers at Bristol University in the UK.

It is believed by many that taking coffee breaks at work will reduce their feelings of stress. But in reality, the theories about the effects of caffeine are conflicting. Some studies suggest caffeine can worsen anxiety and trigger stress, while others show it boosts confidence, alertness and sociability, making certain tasks easier

But this latest report, released by the UK's Economic and Social Research Council on Friday, supports the view that coffee exacerbates stress, especially in men, and makes people less co-operative when working in teams

"Our research findings suggest that the commonplace tea or coffee break might backfire in business situations, particularly where men are concerned," says St Claire. "Far from reducing stress, it might actually make things worse."

St Claire and Rogers decided to investigate caffeine's effects on work stress after hearing an anecdote at a stress workshop. A man described how he and a group of normally cohesive colleagues went on a business trip to the US.

Unlike in the UK, coffee was freely available and the team over-indulged. Within days their stress levels had escalated and they believe the extra caffeine had disrupted their working relationships, and impaired their working ability.

The Bristol team tested caffeine's effects on 32 coffee-drinkers. They told them they would be given a caffeinated coffee that would boost their performance, or a caffeinated coffee, which causes stress-like side effects, or decaffeinated coffee. However, unknown to the volunteers, only half the drinks contained 200 mg of caffeine and the other half contained none. The subjects then carried out two stressful tasks.

"Unexpectedly, men told their coffee 'contained caffeine, which enhances performance' had higher heart rates and used less adaptive coping strategies - that is showed more stress," say the pair.

This worsened men's performance during a public speaking task. However caffeine did not disrupt the ability to do mathematical tasks. When the subjects performed a "desert survival task" in groups, taking a coffee break did reduce stress, especially in men, but drinking coffee seemed to reduce teamwork.

Jim Lane, a medical psychologist at Duke University, North Carolina, who is researching caffeine's stress effects, calls the work "very novel". It is the first to look at the caffeine's effects on groups.

"Certainly in our experience of people drinking coffee there's a tendency for all sorts of personal interactions to get a little more intense. If there was a stressful situation there would be more shouting, yelling, louder talking," he told New Scientist. "This is very interesting confirmation."

He adds that caffeine's effects on men may be worse because men may feel more threatened or challenged by some tasks than women, and caffeine amplifies their stress.

The British Safety Council wryly notes: "Timely and adequate breaks are vital in the workplace, however, maybe it is advisable that the coffee machine be removed to a women's only area!"

St Claire warns against people being "seduced by into having extra coffee". "And if you are hosting a business meeting go a bit easy on the percolator - you might actually find wacky things going wrong from your attempt at hospitality," she adds.

Next time we really must think whether or not to put a coffee vending machine in our companies.

Why Coffee Is Better Than Women

1. You don’t have to put cream in your coffee to make it taste good.

2. Coffee doesn’t complain when you put whipped cream in it.

3. A cup of coffee looks good in the morning.

4. You won’t fall asleep after a cup of coffee.

5. You can always warm coffee up.

6. Coffee comes with endless refills.

7. Coffee is cheaper.

8. You won’t get arrested for ordering coffee at 3 AM.

9. Coffee never runs out.

10. Coffee is out of your system by tomorrow morning.

11. You can take black coffee home to meet your parents.

12. You can make coffee as sweet as you want.

13. You can smoke while drinking coffee.

14. You can put out a cigarette in a cup of coffee.

15. Coffee smells and tastes good.

16. You don’t have to put vinegar in your coffee.

17. If your coffee pot leaks, you can use a regular paper towel.

18. You can always get fresh coffee.

19. You can turn the pot on, leave the room, and it’ll be hot when you get back.

20. They sell coffee at police stations.

21. You can always ditch a bad cup of coffee.

22. Coffee goes down easier.

23. If you put chocolate in your coffee, it doesn’t put on weight.

24. No matter how ugly you are, you can always get a cup of coffee.

25. A big cup or small cup? It doesn’t matter.

26. Your coffee doesn’t talk to you.

27. Coffee smells good in the morning.

28. Coffee is good when it’s cold too.

29. Coffee stains are easier to remove.

30. Coffee doesn’t care when you dunk things in it.

31. Coffee doesn’t care what kind of mood you’re in.

32. Coffee doesn’t shed.

33. Coffee is ready in 15 minutes or less.

34. You can’t get a cup of coffee pregnant by putting cream in it.

35. Coffee doesn’t mind being ground.

36. No matter how bad coffee is, you can always make it better.

37. Coffee doesn’t have a time of the month...it’s good all the time.

38. When coffee gets old, you can throw it away.

39. When you have a coffee, you don’t end up with a pube in the back of your throat.

40. Coffee doesn’t take up half your bed.

41. Coffee doesn’t mind if you wake up at 3 AM and decide to have a cup.

42. INSTANT COFFEE!

43. You can have an intelligent conversation with coffee.

44. It can take up to 2 weeks for coffee to grow mold.

45. Your coffee won’t be jealous of a larger cup.

Coffee at its best!

Keeping Coffee at its freshest best
When purchasing coffee beans, take care to buy whole beans and grind only enough for one pot of coffee at a time. Whole beans retain their flavors, oils and aromas much longer than ground coffee. Buy only enough coffee beans as you will use in one or two weeks; this will help insure freshness. Its best if you could store your beans in an air tight glass, ceramic or plastic containers. If you use plastic, you should use the beans in one week or less.

Never store beans or ground coffee in the refrigerator or freezer. Both the Specialty Coffee Association of America and the National Coffee Association of USA recommend storing whole coffee beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry location (in a cabinet); never freeze or refrigerate the beans. Roasted coffee beans contain volatile flavor oils and essences that can crystallize in cold temperatures. Once crystallized, they are locked up and can no longer contribute to coffee flavor or taste.

Brewing Coffee
Brewing the perfect cup of coffee is easy. Always start with fresh, filtered water and freshly ground coffee beans. Always consume brewed coffee within 30 minutes or, store in a thermal carafe (a carafe will hold coffee for up to 2 hours). The method of brewing is up to your personal taste. Here are the most popular methods.

Automatic Drip
This is probably the most popular method of brewing. This method produces a clear, crisp cup of coffee with little or no particulates. Depending on preferences, you can use either a permanent gold filter or disposable paper filters. If you use paper, always use natural unbleached or pre-washed filters. If you use regular filters, rinse with water prior to using. Never reuse a paper filter. Always brew at least 80% of the coffee maker's capacity unless it has a short brew cycle.

French Press
The French press has a loyal following. It produces a very rich, full bodied cup of coffee with a small amount of coffee particulate that many find desirable. To brew, take coarsely (standard perk) ground coffee and add it to the bottom of the container. Add hot water (about 190 degrees), put the cover in place and push the plunger down about 1/4 of the way and let steep for about 3-5 minutes, depending on taste. Push the plunger down to trap the grounds and stop the brewing and serve immediately.

Vacuum Brewing
Vacuum brewing was popular in the 1930s and 40s. It is now making a comeback. This method produces full bodied coffee with very little particulate. Most brewers use a nylon filter that filters out most of the particulate but allows body and flavor through. Place cold water in the lower part, insert the upper part and add coffee grounds (grind to standard drip or electric perk). Follow instructions for your particular maker. The water is heated to near boiling, forced into the top and steeps. As the lower part cools it forms a vacuum and draws the brewed coffee back down. Serve immediately or pour into a thermal carafe.

Despite the way you make your cup of coffee in the morning, always note that the more coffee you consume, the more addictive it gets, morning after morning. So its best if you can avoid it at times, besides it takes 24 hours for one cup of coffee to pass through the kidneys and urinary tract. (For those who drink 7 or 8 or more cups a day, you might want to invest in your own dialysis machine ... or at least invest in the company which makes them!) Cheers!

Coffee…The True Story

Legend has it that around the eight century AD, an Ethiopian goatherd, Kaldi, discovered coffee, when his frolicking goats tried the taste of a deep red berry growing on the hillside. The animals became friskier and Kaldi was tempted too, soon, he joined them.

The monks of the area tasted these bitter berries and that night they prayed with greater fervor than before! Soon the fame of the flavor spread and Africans of those times actually made bars out of this bean and animal fat balls.

There was also wine made out of this berry that was very popular. But it was not until the tenth century that the coffee berry found its way out of the African continent. It moved out through the route of Arabia where it was again zealously guarded for many centuries before the white man could get at it.

By 1000 AD, roasted beans were first brewed in Arabia, probably brought across the Red sea by wayfarers, and in less than three hundred years, coffee became an integral part of the Arabian culture. Over the course of time, wherever Islam traveled, coffee went too, and thus reached places like North Africa, South East Asia, India and the Eastern Mediterranean. By 1600 AD, it had conquered most of the palates of the Eastern world. The secret of this brew, however, remained a well-guarded secret, and in Arabian countries, the bean was actually made infertile by parching or boiling, so it could not be exported, thus preventing its spread to alien cultures and other countries.

It took Indian guile to smuggle the bean out of Arabia. Baba Budan, an Indian pilgrim smuggled some fertile beans in his waistband when he returned from Mecca around 1615, and the plant reached Asia. From here, there was no stopping the spread of the coffee plantations in the whole world. Baba’s seeds bore fruit that was to colonize the globe!!!

By the middle of the sixteenth century, the Dutch were the first to grow a coffee plant in European soil, in 1616 to be precise. Eighty years later, they founded the first European owned Coffee estate, albeit back in Asia, on the island of Java, which is now a part of Indonesia. This was the year 1696. This made the Dutch the first coffee businessmen, but it would be a while before the rest of Europe could catch on.

In 1714, Louis XIV received a coffee plant for the royal Botanical Garden in Paris, the Jardin des Plantes. It was kept under royal security. Several years later, a young naval officer, Gabriel Mathieu de Clieu, who was in Paris on leave from Martinique, requested for a clipping of the plant but was denied permission. He had, however, made up his mind, so he stole into the garden by moonlight and took his object of desire, anyhow. He had to protect this plant with his life on his voyage back to Martinique, water it with precious rations, protect it from pirates and stormy seas, but he did it. The plant arrived safely in Martinique, and was planted there. It flowered, and bore good fruit in the fertile soil. Over the next 50 years, the plant spawned about 18 million trees; coffee had arrived in Latin America, at least in French Guinea.

In 1727, the idea of coffee as a rich cash crop tempted the King of Brazil. He wanted a share in the profits, but that meant someone would have to smuggle the seed into Brazil. Lt. Col. Francisco de Melo Palheta was the man identified for the job. He took off for French Guyana and was confronted with armed guard over fortress like plantations. He chose the less painful method, the way he took him through the Governor’s wife’s heart. His plan bore fruit…and seedlings. At a state banquet she presented him with a bouquet made of coffee seedlings…a job well done.

This sly token of affection fathered the world’s greatest coffee empire, and Brazil soon topped the list of coffee consumers, it had become the brew of the common man.

Scientifically speaking, the word `coffee" is derived from the Latin form of the genus Coffea, a member of the Rubiaceae family which includes more than 500 genera and 6,000 species of tropical trees and shrubs. Today, 70% of the world’s coffee is produced from the plant Arabica, which is the strain cultivated in Brazil, hence it is also called Brazils. The other popular strain is Coffea canephora, which provides the robusta beans, usually grown in West and Central Africa, South East Asia and some parts of South America including Brazil.

In general, arabica beans tend to have less caffeine but milder flavor than robusta beans.
In its natural form, Caffeine is present in the leaves, seeds or fruits of more than sixty plant species worldwide. In addition, it is sometimes used as an additive to enhance flavor or, in the case of medications, to enhance effectiveness.

Coffee has been known to have various kinds of effects on human system. While there have been infinite number of researches on these effects, the latest evidences show that coffee or caffeine does not constitute a risk factor in cardiovascular diseases or even strokes, even for people who drink up to 4 cups a day.

As far as other parts of our system are concerned, studies have revealed that consuming upto 3 cups of caffienated coffee in a day actually reduced the risk of gallstones by at least 40%. For those who drank 4 cups, the risk fell by 45%. Since gallstones are primarily made of cholesterol, the cut down may be explained by the fact that caffeine prevents cholesterol from crystallizing. In addition, consumption of coffee strongly helps to field off cirrhosis of liver, which happens to be the ninth leading cause of death in the US. Drinking 3-4 cups of coffee a day cuts down this risk by almost 80%.

Coffee has also shown a protective effect against colon cancer, by as much as 24%. The reason, say experts, could be the enhanced colic activity triggered by coffee, and anti-mutagenic components that are present in coffee inhibit the formation and growth of carcinoma. Colorectal cancer being the second largest cause of death in USA and Canada, this seems to be a great bit of information.

More mundane discomforts like heartburn and acidity also do not seem to find aggravation in coffee. Even for individuals with aesophagal reflux, coffee consumption did make any significant difference. Another condition that coffee can help control is asthma. The chemical theophylline present in coffee is capable of reducing the incidence of asthma by almost 25%.

Apart from adding life to the years, coffee can also add years to your life. It has been observed that a serving of coffee contains up to four times as much anti-oxidant activity as a serving of green tea, has a large amount of anti-oxidant "polyphenols" in its roasted form. No additives such as creamers or milk can diminish this property. The effect of this chemical is that scientists today believe it may be possible to prevent, postpone or limit a number of degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, cataracts, and diseases of the nervous system (simply by prescribing a regular intake of coffee…What a great idea).

Coffee is an excellent anti-depressant and an effective performance enhancer, improving one’s memory and energy levels for both mental and physical activities.

Coffee, both caffeinated and decaffeinated, has been known to help prevent the formation of kidney stones, by increasing the flow of urine and decreasing its concentration.

Parkinson’s, an incurable and debilitating disease affecting 1 million elderly Americans every year, is a horror story. Today, a number of studies have proved that regular coffee consumption over time may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s Disease and the single component most likely to be to produce this effect is caffeine. Six studies have found that people who drank coffee on a regular basis were 50%- 80% less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than those who did not consume coffee.

The single biggest doubt in the minds of coffee lovers has always been its addiction factor. But now even that fear has been dispelled. There is, today, scientific evidence to show that coffee drinkers do not get addicted, or at least coffee is not responsible for their addiction. There is no record of any crime of passion committed as a result of caffeine withdrawal symptoms, no death by coffee…no evidence, absolutely. So go ahead, do what Kaldi did fifteen hundred years ago, drink from the berry of divine flavor!!!

Caffeine, our everyday Buzz, does it really work?

Doughnuts with caffeine?

The caffeine- powered doughnut is invented. Look where we have come from the days the goats ate the red coffee berries back in the year 850 as the Legend of goat herder Kaldi of Ethiopia says. He experienced the berries "power" himself and since, we all have come to know coffee and its buzz. The caffeine is what makes us "wake up" after drinking our coffee and now we have it in pastries too!

Adding caffeine to baked goods? The idea of mixing caffeine in bagels and pastries was introduced as the researchers found a way to eliminate the bitter taste of caffeine. Therefore, the doughnuts taste will remain unchanged while they will contain an amount of caffeine equivalent to a 5-ounce cup of coffee, "Buzz Donuts". Yes, after all, we are living in a world with countless possibilities and combinations like these can suit so many people as we all seem to be in such a hurry. Grabbing a "buzz donut" can make things easier at times and oh, they are so tempting!

Regardless where caffeine is, its consumption has the same effects but, when we think about it, the doughnuts do have extra calories and fat when compared to a cup of "good old" coffee.

Anyway, caffeinated pastries have all the chances to become popular in our time when everyone looks for "instant" solutions for each problem.

Coffee 'no buzz' after all?

Coffee doesn’t cause people to be more active or vigilant than normal although it wakes you up faster after the night sleep is what the researchers in the University of Bristol showed. Their work, pointed out the fact that the coffee buzz is present only with people who stopped consuming caffeine for a certain period, and it is only after this "coffee break" that they get the buzz back.

Here is a fragment of what Zoe Wheeldon, of the British Coffee Association, said: "There are two sides to the debate and a wealth of scientific evidence suggests that moderate coffee consumption of four to five cups per day is perfectly safe for the general population and does have a beneficial effect on alertness and performance even in regular coffee drinkers."

Those who swear by their morning caffeine fix say it wakes them up, and if they missed out they would feel sluggish and unable to get on with their day.

Professor Peter Rogers, a biological psychologist who led a research on the coffee’s effects with the Bristol researchers, affirmed: "We do feel a boost from caffeine in the morning, but that's probably due to a reversal of the withdrawal symptoms." So that alertness you feel is your getting back to normal, rather than reaching above the normal level of alertness .
Professor Rogers said caffeine did have some benefits, such as preventing cognitive decline in the elderly, yet the best choice is choosing drinks that have no caffeine.

Pros and cons but who can stop you if you like it? If you know it harms your health you should find other drinks to replace it like coffee made out of soy or tea. Of course when it comes to tea you need to pay attention to its ingredients as it is not the same if you drink a mint tea or a green tea. Caffeine is not present in the mint tea but the green tea contains it and has a coffee-like effect.
However, had it been only for the caffeine, we could drink caffeinated water as well, but it is a different taste experience to drink a coffee that along caffeine has got all the other ingredients as antioxidants, potassium and magnesium. "When you give somebody caffeine without all of the other substances that are in coffee you have a very different situation," one of the researchers acknowledged.
Many times coffee is just a pretext to communicate with people and a nice conversation and the taste you like create a pleasant environment, besides, it does not take a chef to prepare this drink, you can easily do it yourself! Well, balance is good in everything including coffee consumption.

So we can decide for ourselves what to do, keeping our mug faithfully to our side or…go without as we’ll feel the same anyway?

History of Coffee

Sitting by the window, set amidst a cozy atmosphere, the fresh aroma of coffee stirred some thoughts in my mind. A group of boisterous teens nearby created quite a ruckus and I wondered if it was the result of perhaps, having too much coffee?

Hot and steamy or cold and frothy, I noticed, different people like their coffee’s served in various ways. This led me to think and ponder whether anyone has really wondered what went behind this alluring cup of coffee whilst they sipped the enticing brew?

The appeal of coffee has spanned over various continents but when I really discovered the origins of coffee is as rich as the brew itself, it really propelled me to share some of these fascinating stories with you.

History of Coffee:
There are lots of myths and legends when it comes to the history of coffee. Many thought the cup of coffee to be very mysterious and this stimulating coffee found itself shrouded in mystery in the earlier days. One of the most popular legends is associated with a goatherd named Kaldi. One day, when Kaldi was with his herd of goats he noticed a sudden change in their behavior. The goats turned spirited and that was made Kaldi hunt for the probable reason. That was the time he viewed a wild coffee shrub and it dawned on him that his goats probably had eaten some cherries off this shrub. Curious, it led him to have a taste of the wild cherries himself. Upon feeling energized, he spread the story of these wild cherries in his village. From the local monastery, the tale spread between the monks and even the locals.

The monks found it very useful as it helped them to stay awake for their ceremonies that went through the night. The Arabs were considered to be the first to cultivate coffee. They even began the trade. The first coffee plants are said to have come from the shores of the Red Sea. Coffee beans were actually considered to be a food in the olden days. The cherries were minced together and then mixed into the rest of the food. It was only in the 11th century that coffee first saw itself being developed into a hot drink.

The Venetian merchants imported coffee to Europe and by the 17th century, coffee had made its way not only to Europe, but was gaining popularity across the continent. Initially condemned due to religious reasons, one saw major controversies erupt around this dark beverage. Despite the facts that surrounded it, the mid 17th century saw a number of coffee houses cropping up all over the town. A lot of people gathered here to discuss business and to gossip in general.

The Arabs though were very possessive about the growing popularity of coffee and its spread around the world. The beans were dispatched from the Yemen province of Arabia and were kept a highly guarded secret. It was later thought, that it was either the Dutch or a group of Pilgrims who finally tried to smuggle the plants to India. After a few attempts, coffee finally took root in India. The cultivation then expanded to the islands of Java and Sumatra.

The Dutch brought coffee to France in 1715. Louis XIV of France was presented with a coffee plant and it was then planted in the Royal Botanical Garden. Also known as the Noble Tree, it had the French really hooked on to coffee and the crops really flourished with the plantation of the Noble Tree.

This tree saw itself have roots in various other parts of the world. Francisco de Mello Palheta is known to have brought the coffee into Brazil. He was sent to obtain coffee beans from the French Guinea. The French were known to guard this fiercely and Francisco de Mello Palheta would have actually been unsuccessful, had he not to have a very appealing personality. This resulted in the Governor’s wife presenting him with a huge bouquet of flowers. It was only much later; he made the discovery of the coffee seeds buried deep inside it!

The history of coffee has seen so many travelers, pilgrims and traders go on long voyages carrying these precious coffee seeds all over the world. New plantations meant more business and slowly, coffee plantations and its export, turned into a very profitable industry from the olden days till date.

Many innovations that go into the making of this beverage have seen the coffee really metamorphose over time. So the next time you sip your perfectly blended cup of coffee in a very swanky coffee shop, I hope this captivating history of coffee would linger on in your minds, for a long time to come.

Is coffee bad for your health?

For many years, coffee has been blamed for a series of medical problems from the amusing line "it will stop you from growing" to the less amusing worries that it might start heart disease and cancer. Despite all this, recent studies have shown that coffee isn’t as unhealthy as it was initially thought. So what’s the final answer? Is drinking coffee good or is it bad for your health? The best answer is that: it doesn’t seem to harm you and it might actually help you.

A recent study from May 2006 (128000 participants) has shown that there is no high risk for the appearance of cardiovascular diseases for filtered coffee consumers. The results of this study show that the risk of setting off such diseases is not influenced by the quantity of consumed filtered coffee.

In March 2006, 4000 coffee drinkers participated in a study showing the fact that two or more coffee cups per day can lead to high risk of setting off a heart disease. It only happens in the cases of persons suffering from a specific genetic mutation that slows down the body’s assimilation process when it comes to coffee.

There are two sides of the debate yet, considering the large number of participants in the first study we mentioned here (plus numerous other studies), it is logical that we come to the conclusion that this liquid causes very little or no harm to the persons that love to drink it.

However, this affirmation does not imply that you would exaggerate when it comes to drinking coffee. Even if large quantities of the stuff do not harm you, there are also a variety of other drinks such as milk or juice that contain certain nutrients that coffee does not. We should not exaggerate in any situation.

When it comes to other advantages that coffee can bring to your general state of health, there are some scientifically facts claiming that constant coffee consumption protects the body against type 2 diabetes and colon cancer.

There are no exact reasons why coffee has anything to say when it comes to that certain type of diabetes, but doctors have come up with a series of plausible explanations:

Coffee contains antioxidants that control the destruction of a cell that contributes to the evolution of the disease. In addition, it is a source of clorogenyc acid-in the case of experiments conducted on animals, it was proven that this reduces glucose concentrations.

Caffeine, maybe the most famous ingredient of coffee, doesn’t seem to be linked in any way to this fact. Studies that have analyzed decaffeinated coffee have shown that this prevents the disease in the same way as coffee containing caffeine does.

Large quantities of coffee seem to contribute to the prevention of diabetes – researches have discovered that people who drink four up to six cups of coffee per day have 28% lower risk in getting the disease compared to people who drink 2 or less cups per day. Studies show that people who drink over six cups per day have a lower 35% of getting the disease.

Though protection against these affections as type2 diabetes and cancel to the colon is more evident due to the consumption to fruit, vegetables and certain cereals then it is due to drinking coffee. Thus don’t be afraid to enjoy your cup daily, but keep in mind that your diet must contain a large variety of food and drinks.

There are also other advantages that coffee has on your general health state .The blacker the coffe, the better.That`s why researchers recommend an espresso over regular coffee. Coffee contains tannin and antioxidants that have benefit effects on the heart and arteries.

Also coffee can be held responsible for the disappearance of headaches and can bring advantages to the liver’s activities –it can prevent cirrhoses and stones. Caffeine can reduce asthmatic attacks, improving blood flow through the heart.

Nevertheless, drinking coffee is not recommended to everyone. Drinking the world’s most popular drug in large quantities can increase anxiety, determining shaking of hands and fast cardiac rhythm. Pregnant women, patients with heart disease and those who suffer from ulcer are advised to avoid drinking coffee.

There are numerous studies and their conclusions even more so. With all this, scientists recommend that one should not drink more than 3 maximum 4 cups of coffee per day.

Coffee, Our Daily Delight

I got this funny idea of Google-searching for "the coffee addict's prayer". And here is a part of what I've found: "Caffeine is my shepherd; I shall not doze. It makes me wake in green pastures; it leads me beyond the sleeping masses." Obviously, this prayer is inspired by the famous Psalm 23. Another old advertisement says "Coffee-you can sleep when you're dead!" Coffee undoubtedly is enjoyed daily by a lot of people all around the world.

How is the perfect coffee? It depends on the person's taste and temperament. The French statesman named Talleyrand made a quite witty description of his favorite type of coffee: "Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love." This is his very own recipe of the perfect coffee.

Coffee appeared in Arabia, around the year 1000 A.D. That was when the very first coffee beans were brewed. Muslims took the act of coffee drinking very religiously, so to say. They discovered that coffee had the quality of keeping them awake during prayers and worship time. So they took coffee wherever they went, spreading it around the world.

There are at least two legends telling us how coffee came into being. One story refers to an Ethiopian goat-herder who once noticed that his goats acted strangely after eating the fruit of wild coffee shrubs. Thus, the goats became more playful and energetic. So the herder decided to taste and see if there was any connection between his animals' behavior and the consumption of coffee. And, yes! There surely was something going on! He loved the energizing effect of those red berries.

Soon after, monks began boiling those coffee fruits and use that special liquid to stay awake all night, performing their rituals. At any rate, coffee has a very special place in Ethiopia, especially since it produces over 2/3 of the countries industry. It is regarded as the best coffee in the whole wide world, and therefore the most expensive!

The Ethiopian ceremony of serving coffee may last for hours on end, and it seems to have a highly-social value. It helps people interact, become more communicative and interested in spending time together. The coffee ceremony usually involves a young lady wearing Ethiopian national clothes; however, young women practice these rituals for years. So it takes a lot of training to be able to pour that fine stream of delicious beverage into those tiny little cups from a one foot distance. If you are invited to such a ceremony, it is a sign of respect and friendly intentions. The coffee ceremony is part of the Ethiopian culture, and therefore extremely important to them, that’s why the time span is quite generous - a few long hours - when compared to our western culture where we might just drink our coffee on the go.

Coffee took the place of wine in certain religious rituals which condemned the consumption of alcohol. Nonetheless, it was proclaimed as heresy by certain Muslims, and was forbidden at the beginning of the 16th century. It was also considered as unacceptable by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, until the year of 1889.

Nowadays, Ethiopians regard coffee as a national drink, regardless of religion and ideologies. The same act of prohibition also occurred in Europe, where it was initially associated with rebellions due to its invigorating effects. There are some contemporary religious groups, like the Mormons, who ban it even to this day.

In spite of these prohibitions, coffee remains a highly-consumed drink all over the world. It seems to have been many great writers’ favorite beverage throughout the centuries, if we are to mention names like H. de Balzac, the celebrated French writer. Balzac is notorious for his writing habits. He did not rush into writing; he took it at a quite slow pace, analyzing and focusing on every little aspect of his descriptions and characters. He usually had his light meal in the afternoon, then had some sleep until late at night, generally until twelve o'clock a.m. Then he got up and, while drinking an enormous quantity of black coffee, he wrote his highly-appreciated works.

The conclusion is quite simple: poison is in the dose. Coffee drunk in reasonable quantities can have a good, refreshing effect on us as long as we do not exaggerate about its consumption. So enjoy your coffee!

Can’t get enough Coffee!

Most of us can’t function without our morning cuppa, this is because our system is so used to the caffeine that we just can’t function without it. What a sad state of affairs that is! But it’s a habit that I can’t kick and am almost bored of the same cup of coffee every morning. So I decided on trying out some different drinks and desserts using coffee.

Apricot Iced Coffee
Ingredients:

    * Chilled Coffee – ¾ the cup.
    * Apricot juice, chilled – ½ cup.
    * Cold milk – 1/3 cup.
    * Vanilla ice cream, softened – ½ pint.
    * Fresh Apricots, chopped – ½ cup.

Preparation:

    *
    * In a mixing bowl, add the coffee, milk and apricot juice and mix.
    * Then blend in the ice cream till it is smooth.
    * In another bowl add the fresh apricots and blend.
    * Pour this apricot mixture in a tall glass, and top with coffee mixture.
    * Garnish with a slice of fresh apricot and a coffee bean.

Coffee Punch
Ingredients:

    * Vanilla ice cream, softened – 2 quarts.
    * Strong brewed coffee – 2 quarts.
    * Milk – 2 cups.
    * Whipped cream – 2 cups.
    * Sugar – ½ cup.
    * Vanilla extract – 1 tablespoon.
    * Nutmeg, ground – 1 teaspoon.

Preparation:

    * In a bowl add the brewed coffee, sugar, vanilla and milk and blend well. Allow this to chill in the fridge for an hour.
    * In a punch bowl, add the vanilla ice cream and pour the chilled coffee mixture and mix slowly.
    * Pour into tall glasses and top with whipped cream and nutmeg.

Creamy Irish coffee
Ingredients:

    * Freshly brewed coffee – 4 cups.
    * Whipped cream – 1 cup.
    * Irish whiskey – ½ cup.
    * Sugar – ¼ cup.
    * Sugar – 2 tablespoons.
    * Irish whiskey – 2 tablespoon.

Preparation:

    * Take a pan and in it add the 4 cups of freshly brewed coffee, the Irish whiskey and sugar. Heat but be careful not to boil.
    * In a mixing bowl, beat the whipped cream along with the 2 tablespoons of sugar and whisky till it is light and frothy.
    * Pour the coffee in large mugs and top with whipped cream.

Frozen Coffee Parfait
Ingredients:

    * Heavy cream – 1 cup.
    * Condensed milk, sweetened – 14 ounces.
    * Strong brewed coffee, hot – 1/3 cup.
    * Sugar – 4 tablespoons.

Preparation:

    * In a bowl add the hot coffee and sugar, mix till the sugar dissolves.
    * Beat the heavy cream till it is frothy and light in a separate bowl.
    * In yet another bow add the condensed milk and coffee mixture. Mix together for at least 3 minutes and then add the whipped cream.
    * Pour this mixture in small bowls and freeze for 3 hours till it is completely set.

Mocha Coffee
Ingredients:

    * Evaporated milk – 1 can of 14 ounces.
    * Strong coffee, freshly brewed – 2 cups.
    * Hot water – 1 cup.
    * Cocoa powder – ½ cup.
    * Sugar – ½ cup.

Preparation:

    * In a medium sized cooking dish, add the cocoa powder and sugar, then add the hot water and whisk and blend it well.
    * Heat for 2 minutes till the mixture thickens.
    * Next add the evaporated milk and coffee and bring to boil.
    * Serve in pretty coffee cups and garnish with whipped cream and chocolate flakes or shavings.

Cowboy Coffee and Other Hot Campfire Drinks

Like billions of other people, you probably start your morning with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Even when camping, this is one part of your routine that you would probably prefer not to change. There’s no need to. Although it may take a little more work, even when "roughing it," you can make something hot to drink in the morning (or whenever) with very little equipment (and no electric coffee maker).

Perhaps the most familiar way to make coffee when camping is with a non-electric coffee maker. This is a device that works much like the coffee maker that you have at home, except that it doesn’t plug in. Instead of using electricity to heat the water, it is heated over a fire. After that, the process is the same. Drip style non-electric coffee makers are available and at least one company even makes a non-electric expresso maker.

If you don’t want to haul a special appliance through the woods just to make coffee, you can always pretend that you’re a cowboy of the old west and make cowboy coffee. This is coffee at its most primitive. You boil water in a pan, add your coffee grounds, and let it steep. Many people then recommend adding a few drops of cold water to help the grounds to settle. Of course, this also affects the temperature of the coffee, so some just wait a few minutes longer to let the grounds settle naturally. It’s helpful if the pan is set on a slight slope, so that the grounds settle more to one side. Wrapping the pan with something, or setting it in sand or soft soil, will help to keep the coffee hot. Since your goal, presumably, is to have coffee and not coffee soup, you should pour the coffee as carefully as possible so the grounds aren’t disturbed. No matter how careful you are, you will probably end up with a few grounds in the bottom of your cup, so you might want to throw out the last tablespoon or so.

If you don’t like coffee (this is hard to imagine, but I suppose it’s possible), tea can be made in the same way. Of course, if you’re roughing it, you might have neither coffee nor tea. With a little knowledge of the natural world, this isn’t a problem. The ingredients for various kinds of herbal teas grow practically everywhere, and there are many plants that have been used as coffee substitutes.

Two of the better known coffee substitutes are chicory and dandelion, which both grow as weeds around the world. In both cases, the roots are roasted, ground, and used in the same way as coffee.

Herbal teas are easier to make. In most cases leaves or flowers are simply steeped in hot water until the desired strength is obtained. Strawberry and raspberry leaves can be used, as can most members of the mint family. The blossoms of red clover and chamomile are also used for tea. The inner bark of the red birch tree makes a tea that smell and tastes like wintergreen (this is where the flavor for birch beer soda originates). Perhaps one of the most interesting, surprising, and abundant sources for herbal tea can be found above your head when hiking through an evergreen forest. In addition to an interesting taste, tea made from the needles of evergreen trees is high in vitamin C. Just for the record, the hemlock tea made famous by Socrates was made from a plant, not from the tree.

So then, whether you are "camping" in an RV or roughing it in the woods, there’s no reason why you should have to go without your morning cup of coffee, or at least some facsimile thereof.

Almond Flavored Coffee

If you have often wondered what’s brewing in the coffee shops and the reasons why people flock to these places…well, there’s more out here than you can ever imagine! The enticing aroma of coffee can beckon even those who are not really addicted to coffee. This simple beverage has now turned into a lifestyle for many! Youngster’s love hanging out at coffee shops and young professionals are even known to have important business meetings in swanky coffee outlets!

If you have ever stepped into any coffee shop you must have been dazzled by the wide variety of coffee blends you must have come across! Well, this is the very factor that gets people hooked on to drinking coffee. The combination of chocolate and coffee is very well known and is popular as well! Now, we can come across other combinations such as chocolate mint flavored coffee, French vanilla flavored coffee, peach coffee and even strawberry coffee. The one flavor that has really caught on is the almond flavored coffee! Almond flavored coffee is amongst the recent additions to the coffee flavors that have been created to satiate the taste buds of all coffee lovers!

For those who do not really understand what the fuss is all about need to have a whiff of the same. For me, even the gentle aroma of coffee would get me all ready for a delicious hot cup of flavored coffee! Almond flavored coffee is the latest on the coffee scene for those seeking a delicious flavor to their regular coffee. This can be further mixed with other flavors to create a divine flavor for coffee.

So, what exactly is Almond Flavored Coffee?
There are certain ways to create almond flavored coffee. In many cases, the flavor is added immediately after the coffee beans are roasted. The method employed is as such- the freshly roasted beans are brought in close contact to the flavorings for some period of time. This duration should be sufficient enough for the beans to absorb the flavor. In case of almond flavored coffee, the beans are exposed to certain natural flavors so that they can get the required kind of flavor. Other methods employed to create the almond flavored coffee would be to mix some amount of almond syrup with the roasted beans, which should give it the almond flavor. At times, one can even add freshly ground almond before the preparation of the coffee grounds. This method may not always get the desired intensity of the flavor, as it may not be absorbed well into the coffee grounds.

Almond flavored coffee can be combined with other ingredients for a completely divine experience! Chocolate is one such tempting ingredient that is added to almond flavored coffee for a rich taste.

Almond Flavored Coffee Recipes:

Creamy Almond flavored coffee with a dash of alcohol

Ingredients:

Hot coffee (3/4 cup)
Almond liqueur (1 shot)
Heavy cream - scalded (1/4 cup)

Preparation:
You only need to combine the ingredients and serve. If you wish to avoid alcohol, you can even use almond extract to enjoy the rich flavor of almond flavored coffee.

Delicious Almond flavored coffee

Ingredients:

Medium roast brewed coffee (10 ounces)
Lightly whipped coffee (1/4 cup)
Toasted, sliced almonds (1/2 teaspoon)
Amaretto liqueur (1 1/2 jiggers)
You would also need a brandy snifter – preheated (1- large)

Preparation:
First, you would need to pour the hot coffee in the brandy snifter, which has been heated in advance. Stir the liqueur in this mixture and top it with some whipped cream and almonds!

O Espresso!

When people ask me if I drink coffee, I have to take a moment to give the question its proper response.

Usually, it’s something like, "Oh, you mean the sweet, dark nectar of life?"

Unless I have not yet had my daily espresso when asked, in which case the person asking does not merit a reply. Of course I would drink coffee, moron, who would dream of trying to exist without it, what would a life without the holy bitter bean be worth? Duh.

And now, a new study says that coffee drinkers may live longer than…those other alien people who do not imbibe.

Studies about coffee and its supposed benefits or harms come along regularly, and tell us that caffeine raises blood pressure or is linked to diabetes, or that it has beneficial antioxidants and improves athletic and mental performance, etc.

I only focus on the studies that say caffeine is good for you. It doesn’t matter if coffee is bad for you, because life without it is not worth examining.

The most recent study to come out, which claims that coffee is not bad for you and in fact may confer "a reduced risk of death" is a welcome one, indeed. Reducing the risk of death is especially impressive, since last I checked, everyone is at risk of death.

I knew it! My beloved espresso has the ability to make me immortal.

The study, published in last month’s issue of The Annals of Internal Medicine used data gathered from 42,000 men and 84,000 women over a long period of time, 24 years for women and 18 years for men.

The study participants answered extensive questionnaires every two to four years, including information on their dietary and lifestyle habits, including coffee consumption, exercise, weight, smoking and drinking habits.

The results were more noteworthy for women.

Women who drank coffee were 25% less likely to die of heart-disease related causes than non-coffee drinkers. They were also 18% less likely to die of any other cause, besides cancer, than those weird people who don’t consume coffee.

"Our results suggest that long-term, regular coffee consumption does not increase the risk of death and probably has several beneficial effects on health," said the study’s lead author Dr. Esther Lopez-Garcia, an assistant professor of preventive medicine at the Autonoma University in Madrid, Spain.

Cancer death rates appeared to be unaffected by coffee drinking habits.

Men who drank 2-3 cups of coffee per day had no significant changes in death rates than non-coffee drinking men.

Being an espresso-guzzling woman, this didn’t concern me too much.

The study’s authors did not extrapolate on the results to tell us exactly what about coffee was beneficial to women’s health. Maybe the coffee drinkers were more inclined to exercise after they’d had their jolt of joe, and therefore had healthier hearts.

Maybe the people who can afford to buy coffee just have more money in general, a correlative factor in living longer, as those with comfortable finances can also afford good health insurance, healthy food, and the like.

As for avoiding "other" causes of death besides heart attacks (and excluding cancer, as the coffee consumption had no effect on this), perhaps the coffee drinkers were more alert in general and didn’t say, fall asleep at the wheel of a car as often, or maybe they were buzzed-up on their dark roast and simply moving too fast to be say, hit by a truck.

Who knows? I can say that coffee drinkers are happier people in general, based on my completely objective observations. And happier people live longer.

Coffee has kept me company through sleepless nights and early mornings in college, sleepless nights and early mornings as a new mom, and sleepless nights and early mornings as……an older mom and an older college student.

Every morning, no matter what, my espresso is by my side, my old and reliable friend, outlasting boyfriends and pets, moves across the country, big changes and little. Life is unpredictable and messy. But my short, dark, double shot of espresso is neat and predictable, with its trusted rich nutty aroma rising to greet me in the same friendly way every single day.

There is a reason that, no matter where we are, on a trip to the in-laws or in the middle of nowhere, I will scope out the nearest Peet’s (or Starbucks if I’m desperate), or better yet, carefully pack my espresso machine into my tightly stuffed suitcase. Cute outfits be damned, that espresso machine is more important.

Don’t ask me to choose between my double shot and my husband if I were stranded on a desert island. For one thing, I like being alone. Just me and Joe.

And while I was pleased to read this study, I couldn’t disagree more with one expert’s read on it.

"I think that what this study tells us is not so much that coffee is the answer to everything," says Dr. Peter Galier, an internal medicine specialist at UCLA. "But, rather, that some compounds, such as the antioxidants found in coffee, may be healthy."

Wait, I did not hear the second part of what he said. Dr. Galier, you are dead wrong. Coffee is, in fact, the answer to everything.

Nutrition Facts for Coffee

What's your idea of pleasant morning? I like to enjoy my morning sitting in balcony or garden reading daily newspaper with a sip of steaming, refreshing coffee in a cheerful atmosphere. I am sure; most people start their day in a similar way. Coffee is one of world’s most frequently consumed beverages. It is popular not only for its amazing smell and taste, but for its stimulation properties. Coffee is derived from coffee beans, which are roasted, ground to powder and dissolved in water. Coffee can be taken in hot or cold form such as cold coffee. You can choose to have coffee with sugar and milk or without them. Coffee usually comes in a wide variety such as regular, drip, instant, brewed, espresso and decaffeinated. You must be curious to know about nutrition facts for coffee, your favorite beverage.

Nutrition Facts for Coffee

Caffeine is the main component of coffee. Average caffeine content in various types of coffee is as follows:

    * Espresso-100mg
    * Drip coffee-115-175mg
    * Instant-65-100mg
    * Brewed-80-135mg
    * Decaf, instant-2-3mg
    * Decaf, brewed-3-4mg

Other compounds found in coffee are carbohydrates, lipid, vitamins and minerals. Besides this, there are more than thousand compounds likely to present in coffee. The qualities and quantities of these compounds may vary depending upon processing of coffee.

Coffee beans are likely to contain abundant quantities of three major polysaccharides. Out of them, galactomannan and type II arabinogalactan are dominant in coffee beverage. There are mainly two types of polysaccharides such as digestible and indigestible. The indigestible form is known as dietary fibers. Coffee beans are known for having a large quantity of dietary fibers. However, they are not passed onto coffee beverage consumer due to roasting, grinding and brewing of coffee beans. Coffee beans have abundant amount of phenolics, which are able to bind to dietary proteins and fibers, possessing significant nutritional benefits.

General nutrition facts for coffee include about 0.01g of total fat, 0mg cholesterol, about 1mg of sodium, approximately 14mg of potassium, about 0.01g of total carbohydrates and nearly 0.04g of proteins. This amount is for serving size of 1 fl oz. Coffee with sugar and milk, if served 10fl.ozs, contains about 1gm of total fat, about 5mg cholesterol, approximately 70mg sodium and nearly 16gm of total carbohydrates. It consists of 4% calcium. Coffee consists of numerous trace minerals such as Niacin, Thiamin, Magnesium, Phosphorous, folate and Manganese.

Possible Benefits of Consuming Coffee

Coffee is known for several heath benefits. Caffeine present in coffee is mild stimulant and shows effects on central nervous system. It enhanced and alters mood as well as increases alertness. Caffeine is found to be effective for decreasing muscle pain and augmenting pain-reliving ability of other drugs. It also boosts athletic performance and endurance. Consumption of coffee can help to lose weight, improves normal glucose metabolism and burn excess calories.

    * Reduced risk of gallstone disease
    * Decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
    * Reduced risk of Type 2 Diabetes
    * Enhanced cognitive performance
    * Analgesic enhancement
    * Cardioprotective
    * Antioxidants present in coffee are beneficial for health
    * Reduced asthma attacks
    * Reduced risk of cancer such as esophageal, oral and pharyngeal cancer.

Take advantage of unique nutrition facts for coffee and keep your energetic and healthy.

The South Indian "Dikashan" Coffee

Coffee is a major social institution in our part of the world. It can be described as being an icon of Kannada and even Tamil culture and is a revered tradition in most households. It is customary that a cup of coffee is offered to any visitor when visiting a household in South India (In North India, Tea is preferred.) One sip of this delicious drink will make you understand why Indian "Dikashan" coffee is such a revered beverage down South.

Serving the filter coffee is one of the most interesting parts of preparing the coffee. The coffee is poured back and forth between the ‘Dawra’ and the ‘Lota’ in huge arc-like motions of the hand. A ‘Dawra’ is a wide metal saucer that is used to gently spin the coffee around to cool it. The ‘Lota’ is a tumbler used to hold the coffee and the coffee is drunk from the Lota. By pouring the coffee between the Dawra and the Lota, you will cool the hot coffee down to a suitable temperature while leaving a thick layer of froth on top to enjoy.

Recently, me and my friends went to a Cafe Coffee Day outlet at the Sector-14 shopping arcade in Gurgaon. The menu card had Hot Chocolate, Espresso with cream, Tropical Iceberg, Almond Frappes and what not. I felt there ought to be a place for the traditional ‘Hot filter Coffee’ amongst these. I ordered for a simple Capuccino while my friends went for those customized drinks.

I remember drinking mesmerizing coffee made by my both grandmas. I don't get to drink it often at home here. Maybe this was the only trait my Mom didn't inherit from her mother. That is why I like visiting my cousin a lot. My Aunt makes filter coffee 6'o clock every morning. An apt drink for refreshment. Here at home, I have to drink tea or Corn flakes with milk. Drinking these two is a sacrilege to me.

I love coffee any time of the day. And by coffee, I mean filter coffee. I know a lot of people who are coffee addicts. A friend of mine drinks a lot of Coffee in college. He says, "If you don’t drink coffee at least thrice a day, it’s a violation". He certainly has brown blood in his veins.

I consider that the making of filter coffee is almost a ritual, for the coffee beans have to be roasted and ground first. Then the powder is put into a filter set and boiling hot water is added to prepare the decoration and allowed to set for about 15 minutes. The decoration is then added to milk with sugar to taste. The final drink is poured individually from one container to another in rapid succession to make the ideal frothy cup of filter coffee.

And you get steaming, hot filter coffee with an exhilarating aroma, creamy-golden-brown froth, fulsome flavor and lingering after-taste. Nothing like it to refresh and stimulate. And so easy to achieve if you make it right.

Next time you go to a Lavazza or a Barista, recommend those guys to add this celestial drink on their list.....

Frozen Coffee Drinks

"A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent."

Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic variations of coffee as also the iced and frozen coffee drinks have a great taste. Try some of these recipes this summer.

Frozen Coffee Mocha
Ingredients

    * 1 tray of frozen coffee ice cubes
    * 1 cup + 2 tablespoons milk
    * 1 and ½ tablespoon cocoa powder
    * 2 tablespoons sugar (fine-grained)
    * 1/2 tablespoon vanilla

Procedure
Freeze some coffee in an ice-cube tray. Heat 2 tablespoons of milk in the microwave. Mix cocoa powder and sugar in the milk. The milk should be hot enough to melt the cocoa powder and add sugar to this mixture of milk and cocoa powder. Add the remaining milk to this sweetened mixture. Blend this mixture and add the coffee ice cubes to the blender, and blend it until it becomes smooth.

Frozen Irish Coffee
Ingredients

    * 3 tablespoons Irish whisky
    * 5 oz of hot black coffee
    * 1 tablespoon vanilla ice-cream
    * 1 teaspoon sugar

Procedure
Mix the whiskey, hot black coffee and sugar with three quarters of ice, in the blender. Top it with a scoop of ice-cream and add grated chocolate to enjoy the highball.

Frozen Coffee Cooler
Ingredients

    * 4 cups of coffee (brewed and then cooled)
    * 6 cups of ice cubes
    * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    * 3/4 cup sugar
    * 1 cup milk
    * 1 cup coffee liqueur
    * Whipped cream and ground cinnamon for garnishing

Procedure
Take all the ingredients, except milk, in a mixer and mix it until a smooth mixture is formed. Add milk and again blend the mixture. Pour the coffee in glasses (makes 8 glasses) and garnish it with whipped cream and cinnamon.

Irish Mocha Smoothie
Ingredients

    * 3 scoops of frozen coffee yogurt
    * 1 tray of frozen coffee cubes
    * 3 tablespoons of chocolate syrup
    * 1/2 cup milk
    * 1/4 cup Irish cream

Procedure
Mix all the above ingredients in a blender until the mixture becomes smooth. Serve the smoothie in a tall glass.

Brandy Mocha Almond
Ingredients

    * 1 tablespoon brandy
    * 1 tablespoon almond liqueur
    * 5 tablespoons hot coffee
    * 5 tablespoon cocoa powder
    * Sugar to taste

Procedure
Mix brandy, almond liqueur, hot coffee and cocoa powder in a blender. Add sugar and again blend the mixture. Serve this drink in a heatproof glass.

Frosty Cappuccino
Ingredients

    * 3 and ½ cup coffee (brewed and strong)
    * 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    * 1/3 cup bourbon
    * 1 cup milk
    * 2 cups ice-cream (preferably coffee-flavored)

Procedure
Freeze the strong coffee in an ice-cube tray. Mix bourbon, milk, cinnamon and frozen coffee in a blender until the mixture is smooth. Serve the mixture with coffee-flavored ice-cream.

Iced Vanilla Coffee
Ingredients

    * 8 cups hot coffee (hazelnut-flavored)
    * 1 tablespoon vanilla
    * 2 cups milk
    * 1/2 cup sugar
    * 5 oz vanilla yogurt

Procedure
Combine coffee, sugar and vanilla and stir to dissolve sugar. Pour milk in the mixture and refrigerate. While serving, top it with 1 tablespoon yogurt. Instead of hazelnut-flavored coffee, you can also use any of your favorite coffee flavors.

Frappuccino
Ingredients

    * 1 cup of vanilla yogurt
    * 3 teaspoons of vanilla
    * 20 oz of ice cubes
    * Cocoa powder and honey as per flavor
    * Milk

Procedure
Mix yogurt, vanilla, ice cubes, cocoa powder and milk in a blender. Serve the mixture with ice-cream or coffee liqueur.

Creamy Island Coffee
Ingredients

    * 4 oz iced coffee
    * 1 banana
    * 1 oz chocolate syrup (raspberry and peppermint can also be used as per liking)
    * 1 cup milk

Procedure
Mix iced coffee, banana, chocolate syrup and milk in a blender. Top the frozen coffee drink with whipped cream and cherries.

Orange Mamba Latte
Ingredient

    * 1/2 oz orange syrup
    * 1 cup iced coffee
    * 2 scoops of vanilla ice-cream
    * 1 oz milk

Procedure
Blend iced coffee, milk and orange syrup in a blender to get a smooth mixture. Add the vanilla ice-cream and blend the mixture once more. You can use yogurt or heavy cream instead of ice-cream. Garnish the mixture with an orange slice.

These were some of the frozen coffee drink recipes. Slight variations in the ingredients can make your drink tasty. Enjoy the frosty delight!

Caffeine Content in Coffee

Caffeine is chemically a xanthine alkaloid that acts as stimulant of the central nervous system. It ranks as the world's most popular psychoactive substance. Medically, caffeine is referred to as trimethylxanthine. In the United States, about 90 percent people consume caffeine every day, in one way or the other. We all have a fair idea regarding the caffeine content in coffee. Besides coffee, caffeine is present in other natural plant sources like tea, kola and guarana. Among the several food items, coffee beans is the main source for caffeine worldwide.

Though the FDA enlisted caffeine as a substance safe for consumption, consuming a high concentration is harmful for health. In some people, caffeine intake causes certain adverse effects like headache, sleep disorder, nervousness and irritability. Considering the various caffeine side effects, it is very important for us to learn the pros and cons of caffeine intake and the amount of caffeine in coffee and other beverages.

Caffeine Content in Coffee
The diuretic and stimulative properties of caffeine induce certain metabolic effects. Hence, consuming caffeinated beverages like tea, coffee, soft drinks and energy drinks aids in overcoming drowsiness and increasing alertness. The ingested caffeine is not retained in the body, but its effects are observed after 15 minutes and last for as long as 6 hours. This is the reason as to why, many people state that they cannot start their day without a cup of coffee in the morning. So, are you aware about the amount of caffeine content in a cup of coffee?

The amount of caffeine content in coffee varies significantly based on the coffee type and the mode of brewing. The usual drip-brewed coffee contains approximately 100-135 mg per cup (8 ounce size), while the espresso contains about 30 mg per ounce coffee and instant coffee contains about 95 mg per cup (8 ounce size). On a general note, drinking two to three brewed coffee cups a day is not harmful for people who are not hypersensitive to caffeine. Read more on nutrition facts for coffee.

Caffeine Sensitivity
Caffeine sensitivity is the term that refers to the body's responses towards caffeine intake. To be precise, the amount of caffeine that stimulates a person may vary, depending upon the body size and the sensitivity. The smaller the size of the individual, the lesser is the caffeine amount to produce effects and vice versa. People who take coffee several times a day require more concentration of caffeine than first time coffee drinkers to experience the same effect.

Decaffeinated Coffee and Other Products
It is to be borne in mind that decaffeinated coffee also contains caffeine. Nevertheless, the amount of caffeine in decaffeinated coffee is comparatively lesser (about 5-7 mg per 8 ounce cup) than the regular coffee. In medical science, caffeine is administered as a mild diuretic and cardiac stimulant. Commercially, caffeine is extracted as a white, crystalline and bitter powder, which is then used in various processed food items and pharmaceutical products. For example, pain killers, diet pills and common cold medications are formulated by using caffeine in specific concentrations.

Overall, caffeine is a highly addictive substance and is referred to as a commonly consumed drug. It works in the same brain stimulating mechanism as that of other strong drugs, but in a subtle way. As per studies, ingesting a very high dose of caffeine is fatal. Taking 10 gm of caffeine, which accounts to 170mg/kg of the body weight can lead to life-threatening symptoms. To be on the safer side, take a note of the caffeine content in coffee and keep it minimum, not more than 2-3 cups per day.

How Much Caffeine in a Cup of Coffee

How much caffeine in a cup of coffee? Have you ever given it a thought? I sincerely doubt it. The only 'thinking' that a coffee drinker usually does, is to contemplate on whether to opt for an expresso, a decaf, a cappuccino, a latte or a mocha, etc. In any case, the caffeine content in coffee is the last thing on our minds. However, as the wise old men say, "too much of anything is bad", similarly, the same applies in case of caffeine as well. Too much intake of caffeine is harmful to one's health. But then, just how much is too much? Well, in order to answer that question, it would be necessary to have an accurate idea about the amount of caffeine in coffee, wouldn't it? Of course it would. Here are some interesting numbers regarding the same.

How Much Caffeine is in a Cup of Coffee?
Well, to answer the above question, a general estimate is about 100 mg per cup. However, in reality, there can be no universal absolute number as such. Simply because, the caffeine content in a cup of coffee depends on a variety of factors, such as the type or the variety of coffee, the method of preparation, the serving size, etc. However, for your benefit, here is a sample chart to provide you with some useful numerical values pertaining to a few types of coffee.

How Much Caffeine in a Cup of Coffee - Comparative Chart

Type of Coffee     Amount of Caffeine
Instant Coffee (8 oz)     70 mg (approx)
Brewed Coffee (8 oz)     125 mg (approx)
Drip Coffee (8 oz)     145 mg (approx)
Cappuccino (8 oz)     75 mg (approx)
Expresso (2 oz)     90 mg (approx)
Cafè Latte (8 oz)     75 mg (approx)
Starbucks Expresso Solo (1 oz)     75 mg
Starbucks Expresso Doppio (2 oz)     150 mg
Dunkin' Donuts Coffee (16 oz)     180 mg (approx)
Starbucks Vanilla Latte (16 oz)     150 mg
Coffee Decaf (brewed) 8 oz     6 mg (approx)
Coffee Decaf (instant) 8 oz     3 mg (approx)

Adverse Effects of Caffeine
For those of you who are heavy coffee drinkers, beware! Excessive intake of caffeine is harmful for your health. Caffeine side effects are aplenty, and when consumed in an addictive manner or in excessive proportions, caffeine can have the following adverse effects on a person's health:

    * A person who gets addicted to caffeine (through coffee) may suffer from sleep disorders i.e. Insomnia. Drinking coffee (or for that matter, even tea) at, or around bed time is a bad idea simply because, once caffeine gets into your blood stream and begins to have its effect on your body, your tiredness will temporarily fade away and you will experience a state of alertness. This will naturally delay the process of sleep.
    * Excessive caffeine consumption may trigger panic attacks. Read more on the negative effects of caffeine on the body.
    * Contrary to what people think, coffee actually dehydrates you. Caffeine has diuretic properties and over-intake of caffeine may leave you severely dehydrated.
    * Addiction and dependency are two common side-effects of excessive caffeine intake. An addicted person cannot do without his daily dose of coffee, and failure to satisfy his caffeine cravings may lead to depression, nervousness and anxiety, in addition to other caffeine withdrawal symptoms.

I hope the aforementioned information has helped answer the query 'how much caffeine in a cup of coffee'. You can also read more on caffeine content in coffee. Take care!

Negative Effects of Coffee

Coffee, a beverage which is liked by many, is consumed by most of us on a daily basis. Though, drinking coffee makes you feel fresh and energetic, there are a few side effects associated with it. The negative effects of coffee are mainly due to the presence of caffeine and tannic acid in it. The negative effects of drinking coffee start appearing slowly but, once they affect the body, they are most of the times permanent and it is difficult to reverse the situation. Read more on caffeine content in coffee.

Negative Effects of Coffee Consumption

    * It heightens the energy levels for a short term. But, after you get used to it, even that cup of coffee will not show the results which it used to show previously. Hence, you will tend to drink more coffee which will develop an addiction for it. This negative effect of coffee on your health will also lead to adrenal exhaustion.
    * A person on medication should avoid coffee as it interferes with the medicines and hence, the effective result of it on the body. This negative effect of coffee on the body can cause serious problems as it blocks the medicines from working according to their desired way.
    * The caffeine present in coffee also interferes with a brain chemical named adenosine which helps in providing the calming effect.
    * Coffee might also give rise to constriction of blood vessels. This condition occurs due to the increase in the cortisol levels.
    * Young children should not be given coffee as it is difficult for them to digest it. Their liver cannot metabolize caffeine and hence, it remains in the body for 4 to 5 days. This can lead to sleeplessness and irritability.
    * Pregnant females should avoid coffee as it might lead to birth defects, miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight.
    * Another negative effect of drinking coffee is, it can lead to sluggish sperms and also inability to conceive.
    * Coffee can damage the teeth which can cause yellowing of the teeth and also caries.
    * It even increases the blood sugar level. Hence, people with diabetes should avoid it. According to a research made, it causes deprivation of sleep among those who consume it in excess level.
    * Coffee is known to alter blood pressure and heart rate as well. It even leads to frequent urination. It is known to disturb the absorption of essential minerals and nutrients which are required for the functioning of the body. This can cause adverse effect on the body and can lead to diseases which are caused due to the lack of these minerals. Vitamin A, B and C are the ones which are most affected. Along with this, the absorption of minerals like iron, zinc and calcium are also affected due to the consumption of coffee.

If taken in moderate amount, coffee will not cause an adverse effect on the body. The side effects of coffee are observed only if it is consumed in excess amount. I guess, now after knowing the negative effects of coffee, you will think twice before consuming it. Its fine to consume it occasionally on moderate basis but its too much consumption should be strictly avoided.

How Many Calories in Coffee

A lot of us consume coffee without thinking twice about how many calories in coffee there may be. It is a must have to be able to keep ourselves going. Many consider it to be the oil that keeps the human machine running. However, it is not coffee itself, but the way you have it that determines the amount of calories in a cup of coffee. Choosing the right kind will not affect your weight, but the wrong one may increase the chances of failure in that diet you are following religiously, to desperately lose weight.

How Many Calories in Coffee?

As mentioned earlier, the calorie count in coffee completely depends on how you like it. Now coffee is a bitter drink, and it is natural for us to add some kind of additives to sweeten it, at least until we develop a taste for bitter coffee. It is however, interesting to note that the calories in black coffee are much lesser than the calories in coffee with cream and sugar.

The average calories in cup of coffee - plain brewed, black (8 oz portion) is 2-5 calories. Similar is the case with an espresso. These calories come from some protein and mono-unsaturated oils present in coffee beans. It is the addition of milk and sugar, and various other toppings, that add to the calories in coffee. The addition of one teaspoon of sugar, increases the average calories in a cup of coffee by almost 15 calories.

Moreover, as the quantity consumed increases, for example, medium or large servings, so do the calories in that cup of coffee. To give you an idea about how many calories in coffee there are, given below is a table, that mentions the amount of calories in a cup of coffee.

Beverage     Serving (per ounce)     Calories
Instant Coffee     8     4
Espresso     1     1
Cafe Latte – Whole Milk     16     260
Cafe Latte – Non-Fat Milk     16     165
Cafe Mocha – Whole Milk – With Whipped Cream     16     400
Cafe Mocha – Non-Fat Milk – With Whipped Cream     16     330
Cafe Mocha – Non-Fat Milk     16     220
Cappuccino – Whole Milk     16     150
Cappuccino – Non-Fat Milk     16     100
Cafe Americano     16     15

Here's a list of the calories in the additives that go into making our coffee a special (and calorie-filled) treat.

Additive     Calories (per tbsp)
Cream     52
Whole Milk     9
Non-Fat Milk     5
Skimmed Milk     6
Soy Milk     6
Sugar     48
Whipped Cream     52
Chocolate Syrup     50
Coffee Creamer – Liquid, Regular     20
Coffee Creamer – Liquid, Fat Free     10
Coffee Creamer – Powder, Regular     60 (20 - 1tsp)
Coffee Creamer – Powder, Non-Fat     30 (10 - 1 tsp)

After getting an insight into the number of calories you have been consuming daily via coffee, you may want to think twice before going ahead and purchasing your favorite coffee drink. You may also want to know how to reduce the amount of calories in a cup of coffee. Yes, it is possible to have your cake (in this case, your coffee) and eat it too.

Reducing the Calorie Count in Coffee

By cutting down the number of calories consumed in coffee, you need not give up your favorite coffee drink. Nevertheless, the average calories in coffee will drastically reduce, making it relatively guilt-free.

    * Try to develop a taste for black coffee. It may take a while, but as you have seen, it is almost a zero-calorie drink. To start off with, purchase a black coffee and add the additives on your own. In this way, you can slowly reduce the amount you put and in turn, reduce the amount of calories consumed.
    * Try to reduce the serving size of the coffee. Go in for a medium instead of a large, or a small instead of a medium. By reducing the serving, you can reduce the total amount of calories you consume through coffee. Moreover, if you reduce the number of servings you have per day, it will make a vast difference in the long run.
    * In coffees that contain syrups, try to reduce the number of pumps that go into making the coffee as sweet as it is. For instance, even 1 pump of syrup is enough, rather than 4 pumps that are usually present in one cup of coffee. Also, a number of sugar-free syrups are available that taste the same, yet are relatively calorie-free.
    * You can also begin to reduce the calorie count in coffee, by having your coffee without the whipped cream you may have always liked. The calorie count in coffee can reduce by almost 80 calories when you decide to avoid whipped cream.
    * Opt for substitutes such as saccharine instead of sugar, and try to avoid having coffee with additives like chocolate in it. Slowly, you can try to get out of the habit of adding sugar or sweeteners at all.

By now, you may have become a coffee expert, after understanding how many calories there are in a cup of coffee, and also by finding ways and means to reduce the calories in your daily calorie intake. You might not be able to tell the difference immediately. Nevertheless, over a period of time, say in a span of one year, you will realize how many calories in coffee you may have saved yourself from, by finding other suitable and effective alternatives to your favorite drink. Even then you will be able to relish it in the same manner.

Decaffeinated Coffee Process

Caffeine
Caffeine is a form of drug, that is found in the leaves and seeds of most of the plants. It is bitter in taste and can be found in many beverages like coffee, tea and soft drinks. It is also one of the ingredients of chocolates and certain medications. It is referred as a drug, since, it stimulates the central nervous system of our body. The effect of caffeine can be seen after 15 minutes of consumption and it takes almost 6 hours to eliminate half the amount of caffeine consumed. Caffeine, when consumed in excessive amount, can pose certain health problems, which include, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, headaches, increased heart beats, etc. Read more on negative effects of coffee.

Studies say, that the effect of caffeine is different on every person. A person may be too sensitive to the effects of caffeine, while other person may develop less sensitivity. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means, you urinate quite frequently. Moreover, it also makes the body to lose calcium, which increases the risk of bone problems like osteoporosis. It is recommended that one should consume caffeine in a moderate amount, to avoid any health risks. Caffeine is quite addictive and one may undergo the caffeine withdrawal symptoms, while avoiding the caffeine intake. Read more on, caffeine withdrawal remedy.

Decaffeinated Coffee Process
With increased awareness about the caffeine side effects, people are looking forward for options, that will help them to enjoy the taste of a cup of coffee, without worrying about its caffeine content. Read more on, how much caffeine in a cup of coffee. Decaffeinated coffee, as the name suggests, is the coffee with reduced caffeine content. It contains about 0.1 percent of caffeine in it. A decaffeinated coffee process usually includes three basic steps, which are, dissolving the caffeine content from the coffee beans, by soaking them in water, then absorbing this caffeine with the help of a certain solvent and soaking the beans back in the decaffeinated water. All these processes try to decaffeinate the coffee, by maintaining good quality of the coffee taste. Read more on, caffeine content in coffee. Given below are some of the popular methods of decaffeinating caffeine from coffee beans.

Carbon Dioxide Process: The technical name for this decaffeinated coffee process is supercritical fluid extraction and is one of the most promising methods of decaffeinating. The initial step of this process involves steaming the coffee beans. Then these beans are soaked in carbon dioxide at a pressure of 73 to 300 atmospheric pressure. Carbon dioxide at this pressure acts both as gas and liquid. The molecules of carbon attract the caffeine molecules, which are smaller as compared to the molecules that give flavor to the coffee. The soaking of the steamed coffee beans continues for about 10 hours and then the carbon dioxide is filtered to remove its caffeine content. This carbon dioxide is used again to decaffeinate more coffee beans.

Swiss Water Process: This is a very simple and natural process of decaffeinating coffee and was developed by the Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company. This process guarantees 99.9 % removal of caffeine from the coffee beans. Initially, the coffee beans are soaked in hot water. This step removes all the caffeine and flavor content of the coffee, by dissolving it into the hot water. Once the caffeine is removed from the beans, the beans are removed from the water and the concentrated water is carbon filtered to remove the caffeine dissolved in it. The concentrated water left is the flavored content of the coffee beans. Then the green decaffeinated beans are soaked in this solution to absorb the flavor molecules. This decaffeinated coffee process is 100% chemical free process.

Direct Method: The direct decaffeinated coffee process, involves the use of certain chemical solvents, to absorb the caffeine present in the coffee beans. Methylene chloride and ethyl acetate are two types of chemical solvents, that can be used for this process. The coffee beans are initially steamed for 30 minutes, before the actual process starts. After steaming, these beans are soaked in any of these solvents for about 10 hours. Then the caffeine content solvent and the coffee beans are separated and the steps are repeated, until maximum percentage of caffeine is removed from the coffee beans. When ethyl acetate is used as a solvent, the decaffeinated coffee process is called as naturally decaffeinated coffee process, since, ethyl acetate is found naturally in certain fruits. But the ethyl acetate used as solvent for the decaffeinated coffee process is in artificial produced form.

Indirect Method: Indirect method also uses methylene chloride or ethyl acetate for decaffeination of the coffee beans. The process is called as indirect decaffeinated coffee process, since, the coffee beans do not come in direct contact with the chemical solvent. Initially, the coffee beans are soaked in hot water for many hours. This makes the coffee beans to lose the flavor and the caffeine molecules into the water. Then the coffee beans are separated from the water and this water is transferred to another container. The concentrated water is then mixed with solvents like methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. The caffeine molecules get combined with the solvent molecules. Then the water is heated at a temperature, where the solvent evaporates along with dissolved caffeine in it. Thus, the water left, contains flavor molecules of the coffee beans and is free of solvent and caffeine. Coffee beans are then again added to this water to absorb the flavor.

We can conclude, that a decaffeinated coffee process aims at removing the caffeine content from the coffee beans, without harming the taste of the coffee. So, enjoy your decaf cup of coffee and stay away from the side effects of caffeine.

Best Coffee in The World

Coffee is simple ground coffee beans brewed into a caffeinated drink that has become more like water for many parched souls looking for some instant energy. Many begin their day with a fresh, crisp and natural flavor of coffee and end their day's work with the same. For many drinking coffee is like an experience, to savor the aroma, the flavor and to feel the warm cuppa flowing down gently through their throat.

Coffee is basically a bean that is grown in more than 70 countries around the world and many countries have the major chunk of their economies based on coffee export. Coffee needs specific conditions to grow and produce the best coffee in the world. Let us see some legends of the best coffee in the world, before we go into the details of where does the best coffee in the world come from.

Legends of the Best Coffee in the World

The legendary Ethiopian goatherd Kaldi, saw some of his goats dancing from one shrub to another. This shrub had cherry-red beans and were hungrily grazed down by his goats. Kaldi too felt like having some and after popping a few he too began to dance merrily with his flock. His merriment and the cause of this energetic change was witnessed by a monk who too picked the berries and shared it with his brothers. To their amazement, they were able to stay alert for their nightly spiritual inspirations. This was the first ever discovery of the coffee beans in Circa, A.D 800.

By 1000 A.D, Arabia started to brew roasted coffee beans and by the 13th century, the Muslims were drinking coffee regularly. This 'bean broth' became the best concoction to help the worshipers stay awake in the night and worship the Almighty. Thus, coffee began to spread around the world with the Muslim traders to North Africa, eastern Mediterranean and India. But the clever traders of Arabia, parched or boiled the beans to make them infertile. This way they could only be grown on the soils of Arabia and Africa.

Until one day, Baba Budan, an Indian pilgrim cum smuggler to Mecca, could smuggle the coffee beans, strapping them to his belly. His beans could be planted successfully and that was the end to the Arabian monopoly. Soon the Europeans got a wind of this black drink on 1615 and the Dutch could get coffee into the European countries for the first time in 1616. By 1696, the first coffee estate was founded in the colony of Java, a part of Indonesia today. The Dutch now has the monopoly of coffee production. Soon others had an eye on this black bean and by many means, coffee was produced in many other countries and colonies. You can read more in detail about coffee in the article history of coffee.

In 1727, the James Bond of Beans, Lt. Col. Francisco de Melo Palheta smuggled seeds from a coffee country to Brazil. The scanty shoots of coffee harvested in Brazil soon turned from an elite indulgence to a drink of the common people. Now that you have got a drift of the aromatic legend of coffee beans, let us now go into the details of where does the best coffee in the world come from.

Where Does the Best Coffee in the World Come from?

Coffee has since 800 AD come a long way and is produced by majority of the countries. If you are searching for some answers, where does the best coffee in the world come from, then the following explanation may answer your query.

Brazil
The king of coffee world, Brazil is the largest coffee bean producer. Although, you can't give the title 'best coffee in the world', a small island called Reunion, once known as Bourbon can be called as a coffee delight of South America. This cultivar island produces just perfect aromatic beans with the right balance of bitter acids and dark body.

Colombia
The best coffee in the world is won hands down by Columbia. The Juan Valdez is synonymous with the word sweet and light flavored Colombian coffee.

Cuba
You tend to name Cuba and Cuban cigars in the same breath, but the country is not far behind in production of some of the strongest and best coffee in the world. You can sip down a Cuban coffee cup and feel the kick you get from drinking whiskey.

Indonesia
How can one forget Indonesia and Malaysia when it comes to coffee. The Javan coffee is one of the most renowed coffee around the world and the first Dutch colony to produce coffee. Americans call their daily cuppa as 'Java', and it is also an American slang for coffee.

Although, many are put off by the harsh taste of Indonesian coffee, the Organic Sumatra Reserve produces a medium boiled brew that is sweeter than the average coffee. It has a thick aroma and fruity overtones that make Sumatran coffee one of the best coffee on the world. You can read more on organic coffee

Ethiopia
The legend began from Ethiopia and it is not left far behind in brewing the best coffee in the world. The Yirgacheffe region is known for its dark coffee that has fruit overtones known as the Coffee Klatch. The Sidamo region produces the dry processed beans that will create an illusion of its sun drenched country in the throats of its samplers called the Counter Culture. A blend from five different regions creates an enticing and complex textured coffee and if you are in the mood for a delicate expresso, the Belle Expresso from Coffee Klatch is the answer.

Hawaii
Kona Peaberry and Kona Extra Fancy will offer your taste buds a full-flavored and smooth balance. A straight coffee makes it one of the best coffee in the world, and gives you just another excuse to visit the holiday islands of Hawaii.

Nicaragua
The pungent and full body cup of coffee will make your day. The coffee from Nicaragua, a country in Central America will entice your mind that will charm you to have another cup.

Panama
One of the most under-rated and overlooked coffee, Panama coffee gives each cup a new character. The Panama coffee has brightly toned, aromatic, fruity flavors. The flavors are long lasting, making Panama coffee, one of the best coffee in the world.

This was a short list of the best coffee in the world. You can read more in detail about Costa Rica coffee and Italian coffee. You may beg to differ, but you can't deny these are a few countries that do produce the best coffee in the world. Your taste buds may take you far and wide in search of the best coffee in the world. Each individual taste may find one better than the other, but that does not make the other any less. You can always experience an international coffee cup and make you your own list of best coffee in the world. Coffee has come a long way since Kaldi and his goats kick of alertness. We all enjoy our daily cup of coffee and for some drinking their coffee, sorry savoring their coffee is like a religion. No wonder many relate to the tagline: 'Caffeine Binge: That which is necessary to function normally.'

Coffee Drink Recipes

"Is there life before coffee? There is NO life before coffee. There is life AFTER coffee!!"

Whoever said that is my soul-mate. Every thought, sight and sound is muffled and blurry before the first cup of coffee after leaving bed. Only coffee - a hot cup of milky, sweet coffee can restore orientation and put the brain back in gear. I generally utter very few words and that also after vehement coaxing before my morning cup of café. So, the program, "COFFEE.SYS Not Found: User startup disabled" is really bang on, as far as I am concerned. But coffee is a beverage that can be enjoyed at any time of the day and makes for one of the most versatile drinks. Just a few culinary tweaks here and there and you can make it ideal for any occasion. Even otherwise, taking a break for the normal cuppa concoction is always a welcome break. So, here I give you some very different coffee drink recipes that are delightful and lip-smacking. Try them out if you already haven't, as honestly you can't get enough coffee!

Coffee Drink Recipes with Alcohol

"Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and fat." ~ Alex Levine/ Irish actor and musician.

Perfect for a cold, cozy evening indoors to keep the shivers away. But other than just Irish coffee, there indeed exists a few other variations which can satiate both liquor and coffee lovers alike. Here are some of them.

Hot Coffee with Rum Punch
For a serving for two, you'll need,

    * Black coffee, 2 pints (strong)
    * Rum, a glass
    * Cloves, 6
    * Cinnamon, a stick
    * Orange rinds, 2 (finely pared)
    * Sugar, 2 tbsps

Procedure
Take a saucepan and put the orange peel, cloves, cinnamon and sugar into it. Now, put the vessel on medium flame and gradually add rum. Keep stirring the solution gently, all the while keeping an eye that it doesn't catch fire. When it comes to a strong simmer, add the coffee and voila! Serve it to people with shivering issues.

Café Brulot
For a group of four, you'll need,

    * Coffee, 2 cups (strong and hot)
    * Cognac, ½ a cup
    * Orange liquor by the likes of Grand Marnier, 2 tbsp
    * Cloves, 4
    * Cinnamon, a stick (crudely snapped)
    * Orange peel, ½
    * Lemon peel, ½
    * Sugar, 4 cubes

Procedure
Take a saucepan and put the orange peel, lemon peel, cloves, cinnamon and sugar into it. Now put on a low flame and pour in the cognac and the orange liquor and keep stirring gently. Now take a long match and set the concoction ablaze. Now pour the coffee in a circular motion over the flaming liquid. Do not stop stirring at the same time, until the flame subsides. Use punch cups to serve this drink and drink up.

Jedi Mind Trick
For a sherry glassful, you'll need,

    * Kahlua, 20 ml
    * Cognac, ½ a cup
    * Amaretto, 10 ml
    * Bailey's Irish cream, 20 ml
    * Vodka, 30 ml

Procedure
Just mix everything together and pour over 2 - 3 ice cubes and nirvana!

All Canadian Coffee
For a foursome, just gather,

    * Coffee, 3 cups (black and double-strong)
    * Rye whiskey, ½ cup
    * Maple syrup, ¼ cup and 4 tsps separately (pure)
    * Whipped cream, ¾ cup

Procedure
To prepare the topping, beat the cream and 4 tsps of maple syrup together until soft mounds are formed and keep aside. Now take 4 goblets and pour equal amounts of maple syrup and whiskey into them. Pour the coffee up to 1 inch of the rim. Next spoon the topping over it and servez vous!

Brandied Chocolate Coffee Punch
For a glassful, ensure that you have,

    * Coffee, 1 cup (prepared cold coffee)
    * Brandy, 2 tbsps
    * Milk, 1 cup
    * Chocolate, 2 squares (semisweet and molten)

Procedure
First, pour the coffee in an ice cube tray and freeze to have coffee cubes. Now add the cubes to the milk, along with the molten chocolat and brandy. Now blend in a mixer until it becomes a frothy delight. Great for a evening with books to catch up on!

Coffee with Butter
To make this smooth drink for two, you need just about,

    * Jamaican coffee, 45g (freshly made)
    * Dark rum, 2 tbsps
    * Butter, 2 tsps (unsalted)
    * Cloves, 2 (whole)
    * Brown sugar, 2 tsps
    * Nutmeg, ¼ tsp

Procedure
Place the butter in Irish coffee mugs and then pour the coffee into it. Stir in the brown sugar, followed by the rum and a clove in each glass. Sprinkle some fine nutmeg for flavor and then drink up like there's no tomorrow! This is the drink you should make for a date and believe me, things will warm up...

Rich, Creamy Coffee Drink Recipes

"A cup of coffee - real coffee - home-browned, home ground, home made, that comes to you dark as a hazel-eye, but changes to a golden bronze as you temper it with cream that never cheated, but was real cream from its birth, thick, tenderly yellow, perfectly sweet, neither lumpy nor frothing on the Java: such a cup of coffee is a match for twenty blue devils and will exorcise them all." ~ Henry Ward Beecher.

The joy of licking off the creamy froth resting on the upper lip, after a satisfying coffee sip is sheer unadulterated bliss! Go on and try some of the following coffee drink recipes to relive this joy every time.

Alexander Expresso
For a couple, grab

    * Coffee, 1 tbsp (ground expresso)
    * Brandy, 2 tsps
    * Water, 1 cup (cold)
    * Whipped cream, 2 tbsps
    * Crème de Cacao, 4 tsps
    * Cinnamon, 1 (3" long)
    * Chocolate, 1 (semisweet and grated)

Procedure
Make expresso in the usual manner with coffee and water and then then add the cinnamon to it, after breaking it into small pieces. Keep aside for slight cooling. Now, add the brandy and Crème de Cacao to it, all the while mildly stirring. Then pour this into demitasse cups. Now beat the cream and add a scoop of it as a topping on each cup. Now generously add chocolate gratings or curls on it and your treat is ready.

Black Forest Coffee
For a goblet, take care to have,

    * Coffee, 6 oz. (freshly brewed)
    * Chocolate syrup, 2 tbsps
    * Maraschino cheery juice, 1 tbsp
    * Whipped cream, 1 tbsp
    * Maraschino cherry, 1
    * Chocolate, ½ (semisweet and grated)

Procedure
Simply blend together coffee, chocolate syrup and cheery juice. Add a dollop of whipped cream on top and sprinkle some chocolate gratings on top. Place a cherry on it and it's ready to be enjoyed.

Orange Coffee
For a cozy twosome, you should have,

    * Coffee, 1 cup (strong)
    * Hot chocolate, 1 cup
    * Orange, 2 slices
    * Whipped cream, 1 tbsp
    * Cinnamon, a dash

Procedure
Blend together coffee and chocolate. Next pour this into cups, each wedged with an orange slice. Top with cream and sprinkle with cinnamon. A baby could prepare this!

European Coffee
For 2 people, you need to have,

    * Coffee, 1 cup (strong)
    * Egg white, 1
    * Vanilla extract, ¼ tsp.
    * Half and half, 2 tbsps (half cream and half milk)

Procedure
Whip the egg white until soft mounds form and then add the vanilla extract. Continue beating until mixture stiffens. Pour it into mugs and then pour the coffee on it. Use the half and half as the lathered topping.

Coconut Coffee
For a group of eight, you should have,

    * Coffee, 4 cups (hot brewed)
    * Cream of coconut, 15 oz.
    * Whipped cream (sweetened)
    * Half and half, 2 cups

Procedure
Commingle cream of coconut and half and half, and boil them together on medium flame. Stir constantly and add coffee, when boiling. Top with whipped cream.

Cold Coffee Drink Recipes

"The morning cup of coffee has an exhilaration about it which the cheering influence of the afternoon or evening cup of tea cannot be expected to reproduce." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

So, on a summer morning, to tingle your family's taste buds, try out these delectable cold coffee drink recipes and freshen them up! Read more on frozen coffee drinks.

Frappé
For a mugful, get in place,

    * Instant coffee, ½ tsp
    * Sugar, to taste
    * Water, ½ tsp
    * Milk
    * Ice cubes

Procedure
Take a shaker and add coffee, water, sugar and ice and then give it a nice vigorous shake. Pour into flutes and see to it that the top is frothy. Next pour the milk as per your liking. Tweak the ingredients to suit thy taste buds!

Coffee Soda
For a glassful, gather,

    * Coffee, ½ cup
    * Cola, ¼ bottle
    * Orange, a slice

Procedure
Pour coffee over ice cubes and then the cola. Garnish with orange slice and there you are.

Iced Coffee
For a drink for one, you need to grab,

    * Coffee, ¼ cup (freshly brewed, chilled and pretty strong)
    * Milk, ½ cup (chilled)
    * Ice, ¼ cup (crushed)
    * Cream, ½ tbsp (thick)
    * Chocolate, a little (plain and grated)
    * Sugar, to taste

Procedure
Layer a glass with crushed ice and pour cold coffee into it so that it fills ⅔ of the glass. Now add the milk and sugar. Scoop out a helping of fresh cream and place the blob on top. Dust some chocolate shavings on top and serve with a long spoon.

Ice Cream Mocha Coffee
For two people, you need approximately,

    * Coffee, 4 tbsps (ground to dust)
    * Milk, 2 cups
    * Water, ¼ cup (hot)
    * Cream, 2 scoops (sweetened and whipped)
    * Chocolate ice cream, 2 scoops
    * Club soda, ½ quart

Procedure
Mix coffee and milk with hot water and stir till it becomes a uniform solution. Now place a blob of ice cream in both the glasses and then pour the coffee solution over it. Now fill the remaining part with soda, up to the brim and squeeze out fresh, sweetened cream on top. Mmmmm!!!

Cola-Coffee Float
What you need for a two servings of this are,

    * Coffee, 1 ¼ cups (sugarless and cold)
    * Cola, 500 ml
    * Cream, 75 ml(not thickened)
    * Vanilla ice cream, 2 scoops

Procedure
Coalesce coffee and cream and fill two tall glasses with the admixture, up to half. Add a layer of ice cream and then gently pour cola from top. Serve with a long spoon.

With 400 million cups of coffee being drunk everyday and the Americans, Germans and the French consuming 65% of it, coffee indeed takes a very special place in the hearts, or more precisely tongues and minds of earthlings. In the words of Honoré de Balzac, "Coffee falls into the stomach… ideas begin to move, things remembered arrive at full gallop… the shafts of wit start up like sharp-shooters, similes arise, the paper is covered with ink…" Even Napoleon Bonaparte couldn't resist the magic induced by this drink made from coffee beans and popularized St. Helena coffee, which he had developed a liking for during his exile years in the Isle of St. Helena. As for me, well I stand by Stephanie Piro's take on coffee, "Behind every successful woman is a substantial amount of coffee." My keyboard and mouse would have remained untouched without the daily dose of coffee, you know. So, try some of these coffee drink recipes today and enjoy!