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Coffee Cups
Coffee and Blood Pressure
The medical establishment has changed its view of the way caffeine affects blood pressure several times over the years. It kind of reminds me of that old song, "First you say you do and then you say you don't, first you say you will and then you say you won't…"
While it IS true that drinking a cup of coffee temporarily and very briefly raises blood pressure by a tiny bit, the caffeine does not cause the blood pressure to remain elevated for any length of time, and now almost all medical research suggests that there is no correlation between coffee drinking and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, there is very good research that has determined that coffee drinking is actually helpful in preventing colorectal cancer and delaying the onset of Alzheimer's and dementia.
Actually, it would be nice if simply giving up caffeine were the complete answer and an easy fix to the problem of high blood pressure. That isn't the answer, though. You can keep your coffee mug in action, but you do need to lose weight and start exercising….see, I told you it would be easier to just give up coffee, but that won't do the trick.
Blood pressure that is constantly too high can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Those are not good things. You want to avoid those if at all possible. It is even becoming widely accepted that coffee drinking (including caffeine) can help lower your blood pressure. Drinking coffee can give you that added burst of energy that will help you do the exercise that will help to lower your blood pressure.
Coffee is a natural appetite suppressant, so it can help you lose those extra pounds and that will help to lower your blood pressure as well.
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Home | Coffee Cups
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Kings Queens and the Coffee Bean
Decaf Coffee
Caffeine is a natural substance that is found in coffee. Caffeine is also found in tea, soft drinks, and chocolate. Caffeine is what helps to wake us up in the morning as we sip that first cup of coffee. It is what gives us that little added boost in the afternoon when our energy is flagging.
There is research that "proves" that caffeine is bad for us and good for us. It has been determined that caffeine is a stimulant, and some researchers see that as a good thing; while others see it as a bad thing. It is true that caffeine is somewhat addictive and there are those who are deeply opposed to anything and everything that might possibly be addictive in any way.
My point is that the caffeine might be called the "active ingredient" in coffee. So, of course, it can be removed. When the caffeine is removed from coffee, though, most of the taste goes with it. Coffee that has had its caffeine removed is called "decaffeinated," or "decaf."
There are at present two basic ways in which caffeine is removed from coffee. The two processes for decaffeination are known as (1) European Process; and (2) Swiss Water Process.
The European Process uses methylene chloride to wash the coffee beans. The chemicals absorb the caffeine. The beans are then washed to remove the chemical, roasted, and ground. The European Process actually leaves more flavor in the coffee beans, but there are those (surprise) who object to the use of chemicals.
The Swiss Water Process for removing caffeine from coffee beans is a multi-step process that only uses water and steam. The Swiss Water Process, however, removes more than just the caffeine from coffee beans. Many of the oils are also lost in the process, and the coffee made from beans that have been decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process is pretty much tasteless. |
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Iced Coffee
How to Make Good Coffee
The definition of a "good" cup of coffee is relative. It all depends upon the taste buds of the person determining whether the cup of coffee is good or bad. Haven't you ever wondered why there are so many different brands of coffee? Yep…just like horse racing, it's the difference of opinion that makes the coffee industry tick, keeps the competitive spirit alive, and the prices down so most of us poor schmos can afford to buy coffee by the 13-ounce "pound" at our local supermarkets.
No matter what "brand" or "grind" of coffee makes the best cup of coffee in your opinion (and your opinion is the only one that counts), or whether you prefer drip coffee or perked coffee, there are a few simple things that will make your cup of coffee just taste better.
The number one "secret" of all good coffee is to begin the brewing process with a clean coffee maker. It doesn't matter whether the coffee maker is an automatic drip coffee maker, a percolator, a fancy espresso machine, or a plain pot that will be heated over a campfire to make river coffee. The cleanliness of the coffee maker has a great deal to do with the quality of the coffee that is made. Coffee makers can be cleaned with baking soda, cream of tarter, of any of the commercially sold coffee maker cleaners that are available on the market today.
The second factor for making a good cup of coffee is the water that is used at the beginning of the coffee-brewing process. Most all of the water that is delivered through a tap has been treated with several chemicals. These chemicals affect the taste of brewed coffee. Use bottled water to make your next pot of coffee. You will be amazed at the improved taste.
The third factor for making a good cup of coffee is the ratio of coffee grounds to water. Remember that the more grounds that you use per cup of water, the stronger the coffee will be. Strength of coffee is a personal choice, so a little experimentation might be in order.
Related Topics: Iced Coffee,
Italian Coffee, Starbucks Coffee
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