Milk + Coffee - A Complex Conundrum

"What milk in your coffee, sir?"

Will it be ordinary, permeate free, skim, light, A2, soy, lactose free, gluten free, goat, sheep,  or will sir's coffee be plain black?

It is a complex conundrum to decide what your milk choice will be today in many coffee shops.

It is that same issue of choice where too much choice is the problem.  Hark back to the time when a cappuccino was just that and the big question of choice was cup or mug - no, not even a take away.

Is the coffee any better?

While choice of coffee blend has improved, and that itself creates more choice..............is it worth it?

I admit, I do prefer certain coffee blends  - and a current one from the Brazilian Cerrrado region is a bit of a favourite right now - and best drunk black.

Aficionados might even say - is there any other way than black to drink coffee?

 

But so many milk choices, so many!  Think of the experimental interactions within a simple [???] cappuccino.  Eleven or more milk choices by shall we say three or four available blends at mild, normal, strong or extra strong  - That is a staggering   11 milks x 4 blends  x 4 strengths = 176 options.

No wonder that barista is sometimes a bit short in the mornings!!! 

Blinded by choice - best to do your own.  If you stuff it up........too bad.

Coffee Prices Are Falling

Arabica coffee is trading at its lowest level since 2009 but it is unlikely Australian baristas will slash the price of a macchiato.

The ICE coffee benchmark  [ that is NOT the iced coffee benchmark though] – which measures the price of arabica, the preferred bean for espresso coffee – has fallen almost 60 per cent since its peak in May 2011, The Australian Financial Review reports.

It is down more than 10 per cent in the year to date, falling below $US1.30 a pound, on the prospect of a record crop in Brazil and heavy shorting by speculative traders.

Robusta coffee prices are falling faster and further.  This is mostly used in instant coffee and other coffee blend mixes and drinks.

So...............do not expect your local cup of coffee to decline.  BUT, if they want to increase the price at least complain loudly!

More detail is here - http://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/news/agriculture/horticulture/general-news/arabica-coffee-prices-drop/2659451.aspx

will YOUR coffee price fall?

Chocolate is GOOD for YOU!

A recent finding, that is sure to delight many of us with a sweet tooth, claims that high levels of chocolate consumption may be associated with a 33% decrease in the risk of developing heart disease. The study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), confirms existing studies which have explored the positive link between eating chocolate and heart health. While other factors are much more important for a healthy heart, such as exercise and proper dieting, this finding gives a nice reprieve to chocoholics.

Chocolate has great qualities other than a great taste which include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can reduce blood pressure and improve insulin. This may be one reason people enjoy chocolate when they are stressed out. It can actually make you feel better.

Previous studies had found the link between chocolate and heart health but the evidence backing it up remained unclear. Researchers from the University of Cambridge, led by Dr. Oscar Franco, set out to establish the link by carrying out a large-scale review of existing evidence.

Previous studies compared two groups of individuals, those with high and low chocolate consumption.

Five studies reported a link between chocolate and heart health. Individuals with the highest levels of chocolate consumption had a 37 percent decrease in cardiovascular disease and a 29 percent reduction in stroke. This is in comparison with individuals with the lowest level of chocolate consumption.

The type of chocolate was not taken into consideration for any of the studies. For example, dark and milk chocolate were not differentiated. Nor were chocolate bars, chocolate beverages, or chocolate desserts differentiated.

The authors of the study caution that people should not take this as free license to consume bucket loads of chocolate. It is extremely high in calories which could lead to weight gain and diabetes. If the fat and sugar content of commercially sold chocolate could be reduced, it would be safer. According to the findings of the study, this is an option that should be explored.

Link to published article: http://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d4488

Studies Give Coffee a Positive Rap

The pundits say that tea is good for you. Well, it now seems that for us coffee drinkers there is a benefit too, so one can indulge in a great coffee.......now knowing it is good for your health, with 3-4 cups being a good 'dose" daily.

Recent studies show coffee makes you sharper, lowers cancer risks, reduces neural degeneration and age related brain damage.

It also seems to lower risks of incurring stroke and coronary diseases, by at least 19% in studies on female patients over the past 25 years. That is a significant longitudinal study.

Read more here -http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/41475

So, coffee drinkers..............here's to us!