Coffee: The Golden Hour Dream We Hope, Cherish And Treasure

Coffee the golden brown liquid is not only an instant energy booster but also seems like a dream for many people. A dream is always beautiful as long as one can have the right to keep it dreaming. Coffee is just like a dream with a rich woody aroma that can make our senses zestful. Imagine taking a sip of coffee before starting your day you can feel the freshness and warm hug without knowing it. The heady aroma of the beans, enjoyed straight up or teamed with milk and sugar into a foamy concoction, makes for a delightful start to the day. 

Coffee is not just your regular beverage but almost a ritual. There is a considerable amount of skills required to master the perfect cup of coffee! right from sourcing the beans and grinding them, to brewing the liquor. But for those who love coffee but don’t have the time to dedicate to making the beverage from scratch, there’s instant coffee to the rescue. While coffee connoisseurs may dismiss it as lacking flavour, for some it is the next best thing. 

Coffee, Myths and Truth

Many myths existed in our lives that we simply believe without verifying the truth. Coffee also carries its kind of myth! “Traditionally, coffee has been seen as a bad thing,” says Marc Gunter, head of the section of nutrition and metabolism at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). “Research from the 1980s and 90s concluded that people who drank coffee had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease but it’s evolved since then.”

Coffee has been associated with an increased risk of cancer because it contains acrylamide, a carcinogenic substance found in foods including toast, cakes and chips. However, the IARC concluded in 2016 that coffee is not carcinogenic unless it’s drunk very hot. Not only that, but more research has found that coffee may have a protective effect. Some studies have shown an association between coffee drinking and lower severity, and recurrence, of colon cancer in patients, for example

In 2017, Gunter published the results of a study that looked at the coffee-drinking habits of half a million people across Europe over 16 years. Those who drank more coffee had a lower risk of dying from heart disease, stroke and cancer. These findings are consistent with research from other parts of the world, including the US.

Now, whenever we drink coffee we always think coffee is just a beverage without acknowledging that there are 2 types of coffee. Yes, You read it right! There are 2 types, Decaffeinated Coffee and Caffeinated Coffee.

 Decaf coffee has similar amounts of antioxidants as normal coffee, research has found. Gunter didn’t find differences between the health of people who drank caffeinated versus decaf, which led him to conclude that the health benefits associated with coffee are due to something other than caffeine.

Cause and Effect

Well, in all the research and theory there don’t have solid data that can prove that Coffee can do this or that with our health. 

People who consume coffee may simply have better underlying health than people who choose not to, as quoted by Peter Rogers, who studies the effects of caffeine on behaviour, mood, alertness and attention at the University of Bristol. That’s despite their unhealthier lifestyle habits, as found in Gunter’s research.

“Some people suggested there might be the protective effect, which is somewhat controversial as it’s based on population evidence,” he continues.

In the meantime, people who consume coffee regularly often have higher blood pressure, which should increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Rogers says, there isn’t evidence that higher blood pressure from drinking coffee is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Coffee and miscarriage

Earlier in Pregnancy, there are theories not having coffee is particularly confusing. Esther Myers, chief executive of EF Myers Consulting, reviewed 380 studies and concluded that four cups of coffee per day for adults, and three for pregnant women, shouldn’t lead to any adverse effects.

The Food Standard Agency advises pregnant and breastfeeding women not to have more than one to two cups of coffee per day. Later, a survey done in 2020 concluded that pregnant women should cut out coffee entirely to reduce the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight and stillbirth.

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Emily Oster, economist and author of the book Expecting Better, the book explores the data behind pregnancy recommendations and found guidance around coffee to be inconsistent.

“The big concern is the possibility that caffeine consumption is linked to miscarriage, especially in the first three months,” she says.

Moreover,  there isn’t much-randomised data on this, and concluding observational data isn’t reliable.

“Women who drink coffee during pregnancy are likely to be older and are more likely to smoke. We know age and tobacco consumption are causally linked to higher rates of miscarriage,” she added.

Now that we come to know various facts about coffee, how about we go to some easy simple recipes? Recipes that are easily followed by everyone, from beginners to pros! 

 

The Cool & Hot love for Coffee

Coffee is a unique drink, believe me, or not coffee has the power to warm our heart just in one sip or soothes our heated self. The best part about coffee is that there is a recipe for everyone. You can make it in different ways to serve your taste. While espresso and cappuccino are the most popular forms of coffee in the morning, coming to South India, the filter coffee rules through and through. Served in a small steel glass that is placed in a steel bowl.

Recipes

Here are some classic yet modern Coffee recipes- 

Cappuccino

Ingredients

2 cups milk

1 cinnamon stick

2 cups of strong coffee

Sugar – to taste

Ground cinnamon

How to Make Cappuccino

In a saucepan heat the milk and the cinnamon stick just until the milk comes to a boil.

Turn the heat down and let the milk simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove the cinnamon stick from the heated milk.

Pour 1/2 cup of coffee into the cup and add sugar to taste.

Now pour the hot milk, raising it high.

Sprinkle ground cinnamon and serve hot.

 

Cold Coffee

2 cups espresso shots

Crushed ice

4 Tbsp condensed milk

1 cup milk

Instructions

Take some espresso, crushed ice, condensed milk or ice cream of your choice and 1 cup of regular milk.

Throw them all in a blender.

Blend it for a few minutes and served chilled.

 

 Spiced Coffee

Ingredients 

50 gms of freshly ground coffee

2 tsp cardamom powder

3 tbsp ginger, finely chopped

200 ml milk

1 1/2 tsp sugar

4 tbsp cream

25 gms chocolate, grated

How to Make Spiced Coffee

Combine coffee, 1 1/2 tsp cardamom powder and ginger. Brew in 1 litre of water.

Heat milk and sugar together until a sizzling point.

Pour in the hot coffee with the milk.

Whip cream and 1/2 tsp cardamom powder together.

Spoon over the coffee.

Serve with grated chocolate on the top.

Ingredients of Instant Coffee

Coffee powder

Water

Milk

Sugar

How to Make Instant Coffee

Mix 1 tsp of instant coffee per cup of hot water or hot water and milk solution.

Serve hot with the desired amount of sugar.

Now, what are you waiting for go and have a cup of coffee and kick-start yours on a positive note!