Tag: #coffee

How to Make Your Coffee Less Acidic

Acidic coffee can have negative effects on your stomach, including discomfort, acid reflux, indigestion, and irritation of the stomach lining. Consistently drinking highly acidic coffee can also contribute to gastrointestinal problems like heartburn and gastritis. In fact, in the early 1900s, coffee was even associated with stomach ailments, prompting the creation of low-acid coffee brewing techniques.

If you love your daily cup of coffee but find that it upsets your stomach, you’re not alone. The high acidity of coffee can cause digestive discomfort for many people. But fear not, there are ways to make your coffee less acidic without sacrificing flavor. In this section, we’ll discuss five simple methods to reduce the acidity in your coffee and make it gentler on your stomach. From choosing the right beans to brewing methods and additives, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in!

1. Use Low-Acid Coffee Beans

  • Selecting low-acid coffee beans is crucial for decreasing the acidity in your coffee.
  • Look for beans labeled as ‘low-acid’ or ‘smooth’ to guarantee a smoother coffee experience.
  • Choose coffee beans from regions such as Brazil, Sumatra, or Peru, which are renowned for producing low-acid varieties.
  • Try out various brands and types of low-acid coffee beans to discover the one that best suits your taste preferences.

2. Try Cold Brewing

  • Choose coarsely ground coffee beans.
  • Place the coffee grounds in a large jar or pitcher.
  • Add cold, filtered water and stir.
  • Cover the container and store it in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
  • Strain the coffee using a fine-mesh sieve or a coffee filter.
  • Dilute the cold brew concentrate with water or milk based on your preference.

    3. Add Milk or Cream

    • For a smoother and less acidic cup of coffee, try using whole milk or cream.
    • If you prefer a non-dairy option, experiment with plant-based milk alternatives such as almond, oat, or coconut milk.
    • To add a touch of sweetness and reduce the tartness of your coffee, consider using flavored creamers.

    Incorporating milk or cream into your coffee not only helps to reduce its acidity, but also adds a richness and creaminess that can make for a delightful and comforting beverage.

    4. Use a Paper Filter

    • Rinse the paper filter with hot water before adding the coffee grounds.
    • Use a paper filter designed for your specific coffee maker for best results.
    • Adjust the filter to fit properly for even extraction and a smoother taste.

    5. Choose a Dark Roast

    • Dark roast coffee beans are roasted for a longer time, resulting in a stronger, less acidic flavor profile.
    • The extended roasting process leads to the beans having a darker color and oilier surface.
    • Consider trying dark roast coffee if you prefer a bolder taste with lower acidity.

    Source: javapresse.com

    Homemade Coffee Creamer with Just 3 Ingredients

    Coffee creamer being poured into a cup of black coffee, from a small, disposable, plastic container.

    Coffee creamer contains neither milk nor cream. In fact, most of the time coffee creamer is dairy-free. Instead, the main ingredients include a combination of vegetable oil, water and sugar. Most store-bought coffee creamers are also processed with thickening agents like carrageenan and cellulose gum, preservatives and artificial flavorings. Walk down any coffee creamer section at the grocery store and you’ll see a variety of flavors in either liquid or powdered form, from classic French Vanilla to the trendier Pumpkin Spice. Coffee creamer is especially popular with those who are vegan or lactose intolerant. And since it doesn’t contain dairy, it has a much longer shelf life.

    3-ingredient homemade coffee creamer recipe

    Making homemade coffee creamer might sound complicated, but it’s actually surprisingly easy. In fact, most coffee creamers require only 3 ingredients: sweetened condensed milk, a dairy base like milk (or non-dairy product like oat milk) and flavorings. Justine at The Typical Mom blog shares this easy homemade coffee creamer recipe with a sweet vanilla flavor.

    Homemade vanilla coffee creamer

    Close-up of iced coffee with homemade coffee creamer on table

    Ingredients:1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk 1¾ cup milk, any variety 2 tsp. vanilla extract (or other flavorings)

    Directions:

    Yield: 12 servingsCombine sweetened condensed milk and milk into 1 (32 oz.) air-tight container or 2 (16 oz.) mason jars, for storage. Add vanilla extract and stir. Close container tightly and shake thoroughly until mixture is well-combined. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate.

    Note: Every ingredient can be adjusted and replaced to individual liking

    Pro tips for the best homemade coffee creamer

    To ensure every batch of homemade coffee creamer comes out tasting great, you’ll want to remember a couple things. First, how to adjust sweetness: “You can adjust the sweetness by [gradually] adding more sweetener,” says Thomas. It’s best to start slow and taste as you go (you can always add more). If it’s too sweet? Thomas notes that mixing in unsweetened cream, milk or non-dairy product can help, as well as flavor extracts.

    Once you’re finished prepping, you’ll want to store it correctly so that your creamer doesn’t spoil too soon. “You can make it in bulk and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks,” says Johny Morrison, founder and content creator at Coffee About. Be sure to shake or stir your creamer before each use.

    Want to make your homemade coffee creamer entirely non-dairy? It’s just as easy! You can substitute sweetened condensed milk with any non-dairy milk. We recommend soy or full-fat coconut milk for a creamier texture.

    How to customize homemade coffee creamer

    Homemade coffee creamer can have as much variety as the bottles on the shelves. Take it from Morrison: “I like to dissolve cocoa powder or instant espresso in the dairy [milk] for mochas or stir in pumpkin pie spice or hazelnut extract for nutty flavors.” Sip on happiness with these fun homemade coffee creamer flavor variations.

    1. Hazelnut

    An intense sweet and nutty flavor. Use 2 tsp. hazelnut extract.

    2. Caramel

    Enjoy that familiar buttery and creamy taste with 2 tsp. caramel extract.

    3. Chocolate

    Who doesn’t love chocolate? Combine 2 Tbs. chocolate syrup with 1 tsp. vanilla extract.

    4. Strawberry cheesecake

    Your favorite cake in your creamer. Add 1 Tbs. strawberry milk powder and ¼ tsp. cinnamon. 

    5. Cinnamon roll

    Sprinkle some sugary spice with 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1 Tbs. vanilla extract and 1 tsp. almond extract.

    Source: Woman’s World©

    Photo credit: Getty©

    Iced Coffee vs Cold Brew

    If you frequent your local coffee shop, you’ve probably seen cold brew listed on the menu. Compared to the classic iced coffee, cold brew is newer to the scene—but its popularity is on the rise.

    According to market research firm Statista, cold brew’s market value has tripled over the past five years and is projected to become a nearly billion-dollar industry by 2025.

     

    During warmer weather months, many of us make the switch from hot coffee to cold coffee. Iced lattes, frappes, iced Americanos, and of course, cold brew and classic iced coffee. So, what’s the difference?

    What Is Iced Coffee?

    “Iced coffee” is a broad term that can encompass numerous different drinks. Simply put, iced coffee is coffee, in any form, served over ice. Technically, cold brew, flash brew, or even a pour-over on ice can be considered ice coffee. In many coffee shops, iced coffee means drip coffee that has been refrigerated or poured over ice.

    What Is Cold Brew?

    A square is a type of rectangle, but all rectangles can’t be categorized as squares; in much the same way, cold brew is one type of iced coffee, but not everything labeled as “iced coffee” can be considered cold brew. So yes, referring to cold brew as “iced coffee” is technically accurate, but cold brew is a specific category of iced coffee with strict rules around preparation. Things can get confusing fast, but it’s important to remember that the distinction is right there in the name: Cold brew is brewed cold. Cold brew is coffee that is brewed with cold water instead of hot water, over a much longer period of time.

    The Technique

    Even though cold brew is a more recent trend, the technique dates back centuries. One of the oldest documented records of cold brew coffee can be traced to Japan in the 1600s.

    Unlike the standard coffee brewing method that extracts the flavor of the beans with hot water, cold brew is made exclusively with cold water. This process takes much longer than making hot coffee. Instead, cold brew sits in the fridge anywhere from 12 to 24 hours.

    Then, the coffee grounds are strained, leaving you with a chilled brew that’s ready to drink. The process is pretty hands off but requires a lot of patience.

    Sweet or bitter

    Besides a different technique, cold brewing coffee also has a different flavor. The use of cold water highlights the naturally sweet and mild taste of the coffee beans. Making coffee with hot water, on the other hand, brings out some bitterness and acidity.

    Another quality that makes cold brew distinct is the caffeine levels. Cold brew requires almost twice as much coffee grounds as regular coffee, so each sip gives you a much stronger buzz.

    You could simply enjoy cold brew over ice just as you would iced coffee. However, many artisanal coffee shops up the ante by offering nitro cold brew. True to its name, this version infuses nitrogen gas into cold brew and is served from a tap. The method adds tons of tiny nitrogen bubbles to your brew, which adds some sweetness and creates a velvety and creamy texture—almost as if you added steamed milk.

    The amount of coffee, time, and equipment required to make cold brew typically tacks on a premium. Some cups can cost upwards of $6, but coffee fanatics firmly believe that the flavor is worth the price.

    So, can you taste the difference?

    Source: allrecipes.com©

    If iced mocha is your drink, then check out this recipe:

    A Simple Iced Mocha – TUTORING YOU

    Are You Storing Your Coffee Wrong?

    There’s a good chance you have strong opinions about which coffee you buy to brew at home. But have you ever given much thought to how you store your coffee? Or why you store it this way? If not, you may be surprised to hear that coffee storage is pretty important and has a big influence on coffee freshness. And there’s a chance you’re not doing it right — especially if you’ve made a habit of tossing your coffee grounds or beans in the refrigerator.

    Given that there’s a whole lot of debate around coffee storage out there, we reached out to the experts who could quickly help us separate the truth from the myths. Here’s everything you need to know about storing coffee to maximize freshness and flavor, and why your storage method matters.

    What’s the best way to store coffee?

    Coffee storage may seem complicated, but it’s actually pretty simple as long as you keep a few rules in mind — you want to keep your coffee in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place, and away from direct sunlight.

    The goal is to protect the coffee from anything that ages it more quickly, which includes humidity, air temperature, light and oxygen.

    “I jokingly say that all the things good for humans are bad for coffee — like air, moisture and light,” said Jiyoon Han, a Q grader, barista and co-owner of Bean & Bean Coffee. “Proper storage is crucial to maintaining the quality of the coffee.”

    The same principles apply to both coffee grounds and coffee beans, but ground coffee will age more quickly than coffee beans no matter how it’s stored, simply because the greater surface area of ground coffee means more of the coffee is exposed to the air.

    “Because you want to limit air exposure, whole bean coffee has more of a natural barrier against the air than ground coffee, and it will maintain all of its great flavors for longer,” said Maryna Gray, director of coffee at Bean Box.

    How long does coffee stay fresh?

    Remember, coffee loses its freshness when exposed to air, light, heat and moisture. “Like any other specialty item in your pantry, [coffee beans] will go stale and lose their flavor after a certain length of time, but if kept in their original packaging and stored properly, you’ll be able to enjoy a coffee for weeks after it is roasted,” Gray said.

    Specialty coffee is often sold in a sealed coffee bag with a one-way valve that lets out carbon dioxide that the beans naturally release after roasting while also limiting exposure to oxygen, helping preserve the coffee’s flavor. Unopened, the coffee in this type of packaging will taste great for six weeks or longer, Gray explained. But once you open the packaging, it’s best to consume it within two weeks.

    Do you need to keep your coffee in a specific type of container?

    Coffee stays freshest when stored in its original packaging or an air-tight container — preferably one that’s opaque and doesn’t allow light to get in. If you’re using a canister, make sure it’s clean and doesn’t smell like anything you previously stored in there, because the coffee will absorb those odors, said Caroline Bell, founder of Café Grumpy.

    “There are special coffee canisters that will let a coffee’s carbon dioxide escape while keeping oxygen out,” Gray said. “You’ll want to keep the coffee container in a cool, dark space and avoid air and light exposure.”

    Can you store coffee in the refrigerator?

    Tossing your coffee beans or grounds in the refrigerator is a big no, according to the coffee experts we spoke with. Your refrigerator is home to a lot of moisture, but coffee beans and grounds maintain freshness for longer when stored in a dry environment.

    But exposure to moisture isn’t the only problem with storing coffee in the refrigerator. Coffee also absorbs odors easily, and this can affect the coffee’s taste. So, storing your coffee near a bunch of food with potentially strong odors isn’t ideal.

    “Coffee beans, in both whole bean and ground form, are like little sponges, very porous and susceptible to absorbing moisture and scent,” Gray said. “It’s preferable to keep your coffee away from other foods and sources of odor.”

    What about the freezer?

    Whether you can store coffee in the freezer is a bit more nuanced. On one hand, storing coffee in the freezer isn’t the best idea because moisture and odors can get in every time you open the bag to get some coffee beans or grounds.

    “Unsealed, the coffee will begin to take on freezer flavor. You also risk introducing moisture when you pull the bag out as it begins to unthaw.”

    This article first appeared in: huffpost.com©

    Photo credit: Peter Mead via Getty images

    5 Caffeine-Free Coffee Alternatives

    Enjoying a deliciously brewed cup of coffee (or several) is a daily pleasure for many people, but some simply can’t tolerate coffee. If jittery after consuming it, it upsets your stomach, or you simply want to cut back on your coffee intake, there are plenty of caffeine-free (and low-caffeine) alternatives, points out Dr. Jeffrey Bland.  He is a biochemist and nutritional medicine specialist based in Seattle. He suggests looking for an alternative that’s lower in caffeine but still contains theobromine. “It’s milder and provides a sustained boost in metabolism,” Bland says. You can find theobromine in most teas and green coffee beans. Ahead, some delicious coffee alternatives to consider for your morning wake-up routine.

    Yerba Mate

    Yerba Mate is a South American tea that’s made by steeping the leaves and twigs of an indigenous plant. It has a distinctive taste that is “strong, bitter, and vegetal.”

    Cacao

    Speaking of theobromine, it also happens to be in brewed cacao. While it won’t taste like a cup of hot chocolate, brewed cacao is packed with antioxidants, magnesium, and phenylethylamine. Unlike caffeine, theobromine expands your blood vessels rather than constricting them and the energy boost it provides lasts longer.

    Herbal “Coffee”

    Zoey Gong, co-founder of Five Seasons TCM, gets her energy from Better Than Coffee Tonic, a drink she developed using an assortment of Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs.

    “These herbs tonify Qi and blood and have a refreshing, aromatic flavor to wake you up while giving you energy in a gentle yet long lasting way,” she says. Ingredients include American ginseng, goji berries, mint, and du zhong. To make it, steep a bag with two to three cups of water for 10 minutes and drink it hot or iced.

    RASA is another adaptogenic coffee alternative that gets its boost from herbs. Some of their bestselling drinks include Bold, a blend of nine adaptogenic herbs, and Original, a rich, roasty blend. If you want to try a few flavors before committing to a full bag, they sell sample packs of their entire collection as well as bestsellers.

    Chicory Root

    When roasted, chicory root takes on a coffee-like aroma and has a strong taste that’s toasty and nutty. It’s like a smoother, less acidic version of coffee that for many is easier on the taste buds and tummy. It’s a key ingredient in Teeccino as it adds body and a deep, rich color to their herbal tea blends.  In addition, it’s featured in their herbal coffee blends in flavors like Caramel Nut and Coconut.

    Mushrooms

    If you’re not ready to give up caffeine completely, there are companies making mushroom coffee blends for a more balanced drink that won’t give you the jitters.

    Four Sigmatic’s Ground Mushroom Coffee with Lion’s Mane, for example, combines coffee, lion’s mane, and chaga to create a smooth, dark brew that is meant to prevent mid-morning crashing.

    MUDWTR, another mushroom blend that’s made with masala chai, cacao, turmeric, cinnamon, sea salt, and mushrooms (lion’s mane, chaga, reishi, cordyceps), has one-seventh the amount of caffeine as a traditional cup of coffee (about 100 milligrams of caffeine), and is meant to energize those who consume it without the jitters, crash, or dependency. Their Morning Ritual Starter Kit contains a 30-serving tin of product, a frother, guidebook, creamer sample, and sweetener sample.

    Article by Abigail Abesamis Demarest for Martha Stewart Living©

    Photo:  © Provided by Martha Stewart Living

    Here’s How Different Types of Coffee Drinks Impact Your Body and Brain

     

    If you’re a coffee drinker, you know there’s nothing more blissful than that first sip of hot (or iced) coffee in the morning. Sure, it tastes delicious, but that’s the least of it: With coffee running through your veins, you suddenly feel energized enough to take on the day ahead.

    Most studies have found that coffee is also pretty good for your health. As long as you’re not overdoing it (by that we mean more than six cups per day), coffee has been correlated with decreased risk of heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. And some research has found it could even decrease your risk of depression.

    So, we know — thankfully — that most of us don’t have to give up coffee. But most coffee drinkers have tipped over into uncomfortable territory at one point or another, whether that means the jitters, spikes in anxiety or a stomachache. And it never feels great.

    If you’re on a mission to enjoy your favorite comforting, steaming-hot beverage without the negative side effects, read on — because we may just have some answers for you.

    Let’s Talk About Caffeine

    First and foremost, everybody’s body is different, and we all metabolize caffeine differently. So while one person may be able to drink four cups of coffee after lunch, feel great and get an excellent night of sleep, another person might drink a smaller amount first thing in the morning, suffer a massive case of the jitters and stay up all night.

    There’s no way to figure out exactly how you react to coffee until you try it, but most people can experience some not-so-great side effects from the caffeine ― like the jitters, insomnia, a racing heart or even a full-blown panic attack.

    As a general rule, the higher the caffeine content in your coffee, the more likely you are to experience these symptoms. Interestingly, while we may associate espresso shots with a jolt of caffeine, two shots (which is a standard serving for many coffee shops) actually has significantly less caffeine (about 150 mg) than a 16-ounce cup of Starbucks coffee (at 330 mg)

    What About Acidity?

    While the biggest indicator of how coffee will make your body and brain feel is caffeine, if you’ve ever struggled with stomach problems while drinking coffee, acid content could be the culprit.

    People with inflamed esophageal, stomach and/or intestinal tissues may be especially sensitive to higher acid drinks like coffee because the acidity from coffee drinks can cause a burning sensation upon exposure to sensitive tissue.

    If that sounds like you, consider opting for coffee drinks that are less acidic.

    One study found that espresso, French roast and other dark-roasted coffees may be less irritating because they contain a compound — N-methylpyridium, which is only produced during roasting — that inhibits stomach acid production.

    That Triple-Shot Caramel Coffee Thing …

    Another thing that complicates coffee? All the stuff we add to it. For example, pouring a lot of milk into your coffee could increase its acidity.

    We’re also adding sugar, artificial sugar, butter, MCT oil — and all of that is affecting our bodies and brains in one way or another.

    In the case of Bulletproof coffee [which is supposed to be made with butter and MCT oil], MCTs may increase metabolism and improve mental clarity, but can also cause indigestion.

    Coffee drinks with added sugars can cause weight gain and potentially increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes. It really all comes down to the individual and what works for their body.

    Coffee Alternatives to Try

    If you find that coffee simply doesn’t jibe with your body, that’s OK — there are tons of options out there that are just as delicious and can provide a little caffeine jolt without the side effects. Matcha, for example, delivers caffeine and a compound called L-theanine, which produces a feeling of “calm alertness” in the body.

    If you like the taste of coffee but don’t do well with caffeine, try chicory root. “Chicory root is an herb that tastes similar to coffee when brewed and is naturally caffeine free.

    For many people, drinking coffee is also an important part of their morning ritual. You don’t have to lose that even if you’re sensitive to caffeine, acid or both. Find yourself another coffee-like (or not) beverage that can energize your day.

    Source:  huffpost.com