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Photo: Stock.Xchng

A full-bodied espresso should take about 30 seconds to make ‑ so that you are left with a small cup of aromatic and flavourful velvety-smooth coffee. The quality and taste of your espresso will depend on several factors: the types of beans that were used, where they originate from, how they were grown, how they were roasted, their age and the quality of the water used. But then espresso wouldn’t be what it is without a powerful, good quality espresso machine. (more…)

Photo: kadluba / Flickr

You’ve likely heard or even said the phrase, ‘Mmm, this is a great cup of coffee!’ The morning cup of coffee has become the ultimate pick-me-up for people on their way into work and is enjoyed by individuals worldwide. You may have drunk a thousand cups but have you ever thought what your coffee is really worth? In the interested of the great caffeine high we take a look at some of the most expensive coffees in the world – as well as the cheapest – to find out what really does make a great cup of coffee. (more…)

Photo: Stock.Xchng

Caffeine changes behaviour – in fact, according to food scientist Harold McGee, it is the most widely consumed behaviour-modification chemical in the world. As an alkaloid, it affects the body in many ways, including stimulating the nervous system. In moderate doses, it can relieve drowsiness and improve reaction times. But when the dose is too high, it can cause one to become restless and nervous ‑ and can result in insomnia. Habitual consumption may even lead to osteoporosis. (more…)

Photo: Tammy Green / Flickr

A cup of steaming coffee or tea can be really great early in the morning, or any time of day for that matter. If you are the type of person who loves your drinks sweet then you probably find your sugar intake is way over the recommended daily allowance. The refined sugar added to drinks and snacks can be stored as fat and supports tooth decay. Swap out your sugar for other products while still satisfying your cravings for something sweet. (more…)

Photo: Leonard John Matthews / Flickr

If you are drinking iced coffee on a regular basis you may want to examine which ones you are drinking. With so many variations of blended coffee shakes on the market you will want to know exactly what is in each drink as each calorie does indeed count. The menu at your local coffee house can be confusing to say the least, so when you order your frappe or latte know what you’re talking about! (more…)

Photo: jovike / Flickr

If you can’t face the day without a coffee fix, your genes could be to blame. It seems those who drink a lot of coffee have a gene that helps the liver break it down. So, craving a cup of tea or coffee in the morning may be due to your biology rather than personal taste. People with the caffeine gene – ‘caffeine addicts’ – need more coffee than others to get the same buzz. The gene could also explain why some people just can’t resist chocolate. (more…)

Photo: n2linux / Flickr

You may have bought the best, imported coffee beans and you know the perfect way to prepare your favourite cup but have you ever thought of what you’re drinking it out of? Believe it or not your coffee cup, or mug, can make or break your morning pick-me-up. Be it paper, porcelain or plastic, you will want to examine your options when it comes to choosing your coffee cup. (more…)

Photo: Ianiv & Arieanna / Flickr

When ordering your favourite morning coffee it can be a hard choice deciding between a latte, a cappuccino or an iced coffee. There are so many different types of coffees available on the menu at your nearest coffee house. Take a look at which coffee you should order this morning as you consider your day ahead and avoid coffees with high milk, sugar and fat content if you wish to cut back on time spent at the gym. (more…)

Photo: matsuyuki / Flickr

For many of us, regular fixes of caffeine are the only thing that get us through a stressful day. Around the world, over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed every day! Not counting the millions who have a cup with breakfast, coffee culture is also alive in Britain, with about 20 million people frequenting coffee shops on any given day – that’s almost a third of the population. This popular beverage has a long and colourful history – follow us into the past to find out where it came from. (more…)

Photo: amarmstrong / Flickr

I did it again! I walked into the kitchen and once there had absolutely no idea what I was there for – I’m sure there should be a word for that. This was made particularly annoying by the fact that I wasn’t hungry and had interrupted one of the many things I had to get done that day to go and do/get this thing which I’d forgotten. I decided I needed to boost my brain power – immediately. Here’s what I’m going to eat next time I find myself in the kitchen wondering exactly what it is I’m doing there – brain food. (more…)