Coffee Lovers! How Does Coffee Make You FEEL?

We all know that coffee elicits an epic morning response. It's what gets us out of bed in the morning. And with Millennials drinking more coffee than just about anyone on the planet, you had to figure that would bring some changes to the coffee industry.

It has, and in more ways than one.

While the Millennials have definitely upped the ante on coffee drinking, coffee has now become a science project. I believe that's a result of Millennial coffee habits. For example, coffee companies can no longer just offer a good quality cup of coffee.

The Millennials have raised that coffee bar, too. Coffee now must be gourmet with different notes and flavors, like wine.

Brazilian researcher, Emilia Ricardi, conducted a study to try and create an emotion-based lexicon of our responses to drinking coffee. She was inspired by the SCAA Flavor wheel. By using emotion-based words like:

• awake
• happy
• pleased
• satisfied
• sociable
• guilty
• angry

and so on. She wants to better describe our habits surrounding coffee consumption. I have no idea why this is so important, even if the Millennials have upped the coffee game. But, apparently, it's a thing.

I digress.

Coffee Testing for Emotional Response

In Ricardi's study, she had 7 coffee samples from leading brands and producers. These included coffees classified as traditional, superior, and gourmet. She created a quantitative descriptive analysis to describe the coffees, such as earthy, mellow, nutty, less complex and even, sour.

You can read in depth about Ricardi's coffee study here. And you can read the Kansas State University coffee study that sparked Ricardi's interest here.

The long and the short of her study was this. There were 3 different coffee-drinking groups:

1. Those that preferred strong-tasting cups
2. Those that preferred light to medium roasts
3. Those that enjoyed many different types of coffee

The coffee volunteers for this study described their feeling toward drinking coffee as stimulated, satisfied, fine, warmed up, awake, and full of beans. (Not sure how to take that last one).

Those that preferred gourmet coffee were not older than 29, which was 80% of the group.

Coffee Shops are Also Influencing Coffee Preferences

So if the Millennials are upping the ante on coffee preferences, new coffee shops are too.

"We can say that...new coffee shops (are) influencing the taste and habits of this generation, making younger people prefer superior or gourmet coffees," Ricardi says.

For those older generations, "traditional" coffee is still preferred. Why? Again, it's tied to a feeling. It reminds them of the days when their mothers and grandmothers made coffee on the wood stove. Nostalgia.

It may sound funny to think of coffee as an emotionally driven drink, but aren't all beverages the same way?

For the younger generations, the drive for higher quality coffee beans will continue to fuel today's coffee consumption. No surprise there.

What's surprising to me is how much coffee has evolved into more than just a cup of Joe. It's attained a cult status all its own. Does that seem strange to anyone besides me?

Looking for an excellent cup of coffee in all its variations? Visit the Coffee Cave, Staunton, VA. Be sure to check us out on the web, too. http://www.jakescave.com We've got a gift for new customers!

Gourmet Coffee Frothing for Newbies

Ever wonder why some cappuccinos and lattes taste better than others? After all, they're made from the exact same ingredients.  Chances are the difference is in the froth, or foam. Why is that? A good froth has a smooth texture because itís created with the smallest of bubbles, referred to as microfoam.

These little bubbles are so small you have to look close to see them. But the large bubbles? That's what leaves the froth dry, flat and tasteless.

There's not much you can do about the froth if youíre purchasing from a coffee house. However, making your coffee froth at home is a different story. And, it requires very little effort.

To enjoy a great latte or cappuccino, you must start with the proper milk temperature, approximately 150-160 degrees Fahrenheit (65 -70 C). So it's important that you use a thermometer to get it right.

 For espresso machines, turn the steam off about 5 to 10 degrees before it reaches the desired temperature. Since the thermometer doesn't adjust instantly, it will continue to rise for a few seconds after turning off the steam.

Coffee Machines

If you're considering purchasing an espresso machine for your home, do your research.  Read user reviews on several models before you make your purchase. Most coffee machines will produce a decent coffee, and it can steam milk well enough. But a good espresso machine? It will create great froth with its built-in steam wand.

An excellent coffee machine will make a great coffee drink, there is more to it than just the mechanics of coffee-making. Rather than just sticking the steam wand into the milk, you want to keep the froth hole at the surface of the milk.

The steam wand has a small hole on one side. That's the froth hole. You want to keep the froth hole

on the surface of the milk. This allows the milk to be drawn in, which creates a denser, smoother froth.

Hold the pitcher at a slight angle to let steam wand rest on the side of the pitcher, allowing the milk to swirl and create froth.

Should you keep the froth at the top of the milk when steaming? Many baristas think so, but it really isn't true. During this step, you want the froth and milk to mingle.  As the milk expands into frothy goodness, gradually lower the level of your pitcher.

This keeps the froth hole at the proper level. Keep working the milk. The more you do, the more froth you create. Once your coffee is poured into your cup, that's when you want to see all that lovely froth sitting on the top.

So to recap how to make a great froth, here are the steps.

1. Start with cold milk and a cold pitcher

2. Only use as much milk as you need. Never try to re-steam milk

3. Use a thermometer to achieve the right temperature (150-160 degrees Fahrenheit)

4. Keep the froth hole on the surface of the milk

5. Work the milk until you get the amount of froth you are seeking. For lattes, the milk expands by one-third. For cappuccinos, it expands by half.

6. Pour the desired amount of milk into your cup then spoon on the froth

Here are a few more tips to help get a great coffee froth. 

Start with cold milk. You can froth just about any type of milk, including soy, rice and almond. Non-fat milk foams the best whereas whole milk is much harder to coax good foam.  However, there's nothing quite like a cappuccino or latte made with whole milk.

When you turn off the steam wand and before you pour, tap the side of the pitcher several times. Give it a couple of quick spins. Then let it rest for just a moment. This helps pop larger bubbles, creating a smoother texture.

If you don't own an espresso machine you can froth by hand. Warm the milk on the stove to the desired temperature. Or, you can use a microwave but it destroys all the vitamins. Pour the warmed milk into a coffee cup. Insert a small hand whisk into the cup and whisk until you get the desired amount of froth. You can also purchase stand-alone frothing machines, and even battery operated whiskers, if you prefer.

Getting the proper froth will take practice so don't get discouraged. Have fun with it as you learn a new coffee skill! In the meantime, if you're running late, just stop by The Coffee Cave, we're happy to make it for you.

10 Fun Facts, Myths, and Trivia About Coffee

Ah, coffee! If you love it, you can’t imagine living without it. Maybe it’s because this hot cup of sanity is so popular, but it sure does have its fair share of facts, trivia and myths.

Of course, some are true and some aren’t. While others are just fun facts.

But what’s true and what isn’t? Let’s take a look.

1. Coffee Houses and Shops

Coffee shops have been around for centuries, literally. In fact, they were so popular during the time of King Charles II, he actually banned them in 1675. Why? The king was fearful that his enemies were meeting in coffee houses, plotting against him. Lucky for us, that didn’t work out so well.

2. Mocha = Chocolate?

The word “mocha” is usually associated with chocolate. For coffee aficionados, it’s automatically paired with a chocolate/coffee drink. Really, the word “mocha” is the name of a port in Yemen. Coffee beans from Africa are transported there. So long story short. A mocha coffee refers to the origin of the coffee bean, not chocolate. (Sorry!)

3. How Much?

Who drinks the most coffee in the world? We do. The US consumes 400 million cups every day. ‘Nuff said.

4. Espresso versus Cappuccino versus Latte

An espresso coffee is not a coffee bean. Instead, it’s how the coffee is prepared. To make a cup of espresso, a small amount of hot water is forced through very finely ground beans to produce a concentrated coffee.

Both cappuccinos and lattes are made with espresso as their base. Interestingly, the frothy, peaked white topping you get with a cappuccino is a reference to the Capuchin friars' white hood. It’s said that it resembles their habit.

The difference between a cappuccino and latte is this. A cappuccino has the white topping; the latte does not. Glad we got that settled.

5. Coffee Trees

Although coffee trees live up to 100 years, it takes about 5 years before they start producing coffee beans. Each coffee tree yields about a pound of coffee each year. And, it takes close to 2000 raw beans to make that pound of coffee.

6. A Cup of Joe

So why is coffee called a cup of “joe”? You can thank Admiral Josephus "Joe" Daniels for that. In the early 1900’s, he banned alcohol on all Navy shops. So, sailors turned to the next best thing, coffee. In the admiral’s honor, they named the coffee after him, just a little remembrance of his alcohol restrictions.

7. One Bean or Two?

Raw coffee beans, often called coffee “berries,” are round and smooth. However, they split in half when roasted. So, those coffee beans you measure out each morning? They’re actually half-beans. Who knew?

8. Oil and Coffee

What’s the largest traded commodity in the world? Oil. The second? Coffee.

9. Perky Beverage

Just 6 days before the year rolled over into 1866, James Mason invented the coffee percolator. We are forever grateful.

10. Memory Boost

Does coffee really improve memory? Well, a 2005 study showed exactly that. A follow up study also indicated that those memory boosting effects may be long term.

Take us up on our coffee offer. Visit our website and get a coupon for a FREE cup of medium-sized gourmet coffee! http://www.jakescave.com

7 Tips for Making Smooth Iced Coffee

7 Tips for Making Smooth Iced Coffee

Winter or summer, we have coffee lovers that enjoy iced brewed coffee. They love the low acid smooth taste! So we thought we'd share our tips for making iced coffee at home.

1. Start with fresh coffee beans. Using stale beans won't cut it for a great cup of iced coffee. So, always avoid buying your coffee beans on sale. If you don't drink iced coffee often, just buying fresh beans from a coffee shop. That way you can purchase only the amount you want. 

2. Test the taste. Because hot coffee tastes different than cold coffee, let it cool to room temperature. You'll get a good idea of your cold coffee will taste like.  

3. Use fresh ice. Ice has a tendency to get stale if it sits in the freezer too long. Not sure if your iced will make the grade? Test them!  Let a few cubes melt to room temperature. Then taste the  water. If the water tastes good, you're good to go. If not, toss it. Go buy a bag of ice instead. It will be worth it.

4. Brew it strong. You need to brew your coffee strong because the ice will weaken it. At the same time, you don't want the ice to dilute your drink too much. To keep this from happening, turn leftover coffee into ice cubes. You'll keep the coffee love going!

5. Try a cold brew. Cold brewing greatly reduces the acid content of coffee by a full pH (versus hot coffee). In a Mason quart job, place 3/4 cup ground coffee. Fill it with water, stir, then cap it. Put the coffee mixture in the refrigerator for 12 hours. Remove and strain the coffee concentrate through a coffee filter to remove the grinds. Then add water to taste when you're ready. You can even heat the reconstituted beverage for a quick, low-acid cup of hot coffee later.

6. Don't use burned coffee for your iced coffee. Don't use the dregs of a burnt coffee pot. Yes, it's fine to save leftover coffee for iced beverages. Just don't be tempted to use the dregs. It it didn't taste good hot, why do you think it will taste good cold?

7. Add some zip to your iced coffee. Add fruits like strawberries, oranges, blueberries or even cherries to your iced coffee. Spices like nutmeg, cinnamon or cardamom also make a great addition to your brew. Just have fun with it. 

If you need a quick workaround because you're short on time, try the recipe below using instant coffee. It won't have the full robust flavor of ground coffee, but it's pretty good!

Health Benefits of Coffee

Let's face it. Most of us are bleary eyed, stumbling about with feet dragging when we first wake up in the morning. Yet, when that delightfully rich, and oh so tantalizing coffee aroma tickles our nostrils we schlep, yawning and stretching in its direction.

Not only is the smell of coffee a great eye opener, recent studies show that consuming up to three 8-ounce cups of coffee a day has proven health benefits.  Let's take a look at a few.

1. Helps fight disease. Caffeine may help protect our brain cells from damage that causes Parkinson's, dementia, and Alzheimer's. Also the antioxidants in coffee could, actually, help prevent liver disease.

2. Gives the brain a boost.  Coffee keeps you alert when you may otherwise feel drowsy. Try drinking a cup before an exam or if you have a long drive to sharpen your memory and to stay alert.

3. Helps you lose weight. Caffeine consumption can speed up metabolism and the fat-burning process, which also helps lower the risk of obesity. It is also one of the lowest calorie drinks you can choose, when you drink it black.

4. Lowers risk of diabetes. Drinking just one cup of coffee a day - caffeinated or decaf - can decrease the risk of developing diabetes by 13%. But at 12 cups a day, the risk of getting diabetes is slashed by 67%. While these are staggering results, you should consult your doctor before taking the 12-cup a day challenge and always consume caffeine in moderation.

5. Coffee may help with depression. People who consume four or more cups of coffee a day are 10% less likely to be depressed than someone who doesn't drink coffee at all, says a joint study from the National Institutes of Health and the AARP. Strangely the same benefits are not found in other caffeinated beverages, such as colas whose consumers are linked to a higher risk for depression.

Since studies show that black coffee has the highest benefits, perhaps it is the high sugar content in cola that places its consumers at such a high risk for depression.

6. It might be good for your liver. Studies suggest that caffeine helps the liver regulate itself. A person's risk of developing Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), (a rare autoimmune disease that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure, and even cancer.), with regular coffee consumption is reduced, says research this month by the Mayo Clinic.

Also, a separate 22-year study of 125,000 people discovered that those who drank at least one cup of coffee a day were 20% less likely to develop alcoholic cirrhosis.

With its brain and metabolism boosting power as well as its disease and disorder fighting properties coffee may be just the super-juice you need with your daily morning meal.  When you say you need your morning cup of Joe, you now have a whole new and beneficial set of reasons to place behind that statement.

Remember if you suffer from high blood pressure, anxiety, or have an over active thyroid you may want to check with your doctor before drinking coffee. In addition, if you have trouble sleeping it's best to avoid caffeine consumption at least 4 hours before bedtime.

Learn more about our coffee shop, The Coffee Cave!