Incredible Coffee Art - Taking Lattes to a Whole New Level

Incredible Coffee Art Taking Lattes to a Whole New Level

Mike Breach creates beautiful coffee art while working as a New York City barista

Check out Baristart images on tumblr

The Medical Benefits of Being Addicted to Coffee Infographic

The Medical Benefits of Being Addicted to Coffee

Thanks kickstandglobal.com and happytoserveyou.com for the Infographic

The information shared on the Hawaiian Energy Sports website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult a physician with medical concerns.

How to Brew Coffee with the AeroPress ~ A Video Tutorial

AeroPress, previously included on our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide, is the "latest craze" in coffee brewing.  Check out this video tutorial by Coffee Nate on how to brew a rich, flavorful cup of coffee using the AeroPress.

Step By Step AeroPress Instructions (as outlined on the video):

1. Wet the rubber piston and insert it into the brewing chamber about 1/4 inch
2. Stand the brewer upside down (look at the numbers)
3. Place the black funnel over the opening
4. Pour the ground coffee into the funnel
5. Remove the funnel, start the timer, and slowly add the hot water
6. Pour the water in a circular motion, ensuring that all of the coffee is saturated
7. Fill to the top of the circle around the number “1″
8. Slowly stir for about 10 seconds (Stir slowly to reduce the drop in brewing temperature)
9. Place the filter disk onto the top of the brewer and secure with black filter cover by turning clockwise
10. Wait until the timer reads “1:00″
11. Carefully, with two hands, flip the brewer upright, and rest it on the top of your mug
12. Apply slow, steady pressure on the piston (Like a giant coffee syringe)  Be sure you are pushing straight down, no angling
13. When you get close to the bottom, you will begin to hear a hissing noise.  Remove the brewer from your mug when this starts.
14. Use second container to finish pressing out the rest of the air and liquid.  Press very firmly.
15. Remove the filter cover and filter disk
16. Eject the spent coffee grounds into the second container or compost pile/bucket 
17. Rinse the rubber piston with water before pulling it back through the brewer
18. Enjoy!

Mahalo, Coffee Nate!  

Who knew that AeroPress is from Aerobie, the makers of "high performance toys"?

"Caffeinated" Valentines Ideas

Want to try something a little different than flowers for Valentines Day?  Here are a few suggestions to spoil your coffee-loving Valentine. 

"Coffee Lovers" Gift Basket

Have fun with gathering up items to include in your gift.  Anything from gourmet whole bean coffee to Biscotti to Espresso Candy will fit perfectly in the coffee-themed gift.

Red French Press Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker

Red is the perfect color for Valentines...why not buy your coffee lover a red french press.  Much more affordable than an espresso machine, the french press does not filter out the essential oils and sediment, delivering an intense, flavorful cup of coffee.  

Handmade Chocolate Covered Beans 

Want to make your Valentine something?  Using two ingredients - coffee beans and chocolate - you can make your own chocolate covered beans.  

Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans

• Good coffee beans (you can use flavored beans)
• Chocoate - a richer chocolate, such as Dove's Bliss or Ghiardelli, balances out the bean. You can also use "regular" chocolate.

Using approximately 4 ounces of chocolate for every 1 cup of coffee beans, melt the chocolate in a double broiler until creamy.  Add the coffee beans and stir until completely coated.  Remove with a slotted spoon, allowing excess chocolate to drip off, then lay the beans on wax paper to set.  Once the coffee beans have cooled sufficiently, but while the chocolate is still soft, roll the beans in your hand to form round balls.  You can skip rolling the chocolate covered beans into balls if you prefer the "coffee bean" shape.  Harden the chocolate covered beans by freezing for 30 minutes or refrigerating for 1 day.  

Variations - add a splash of liquer to the chocolate, roll the chocolate covered beans in cocoa powder (once the coffee beans have cooled sufficiently, but while the chocolate is still soft - after you have rolled the beans to form balls) or experiment with the chocolate you use...milk, dark or white chocolate.

You can also roast the beans in the oven prior to dipping in chocolate if you prefer a "crisper" coffee bean.  Simply preheat the oven to 350 degrees, place the coffee beans on a baking sheet and roast for 8 - 10 minutes.  

Be creative with the packaging - a nice container or cellophane bag (used for candy making) tied with a nice ribbon. 

Do you have any "caffeinated" Valentines ideas? 

Top Ten Health Benefits of Coffee

Love coffee?  You also have to love the many health benefits of coffee...and the list continues to grow.  Here are "top" ten benefits to consider. 

Coffee...

A good source of Antioxidants

Coffee has been shown to have more antioxidant properties than green tea and cocoa. Scientists have identified approximately 1,000 antioxidants in unprocessed coffee beans with hundreds more developing during the roasting process. Antioxidants fight inflammation, an underlying cause of many chronic conditions, including arthritis, atherosclerosis and many types of cancer. Antioxidants also neutralize free radicals, which occur naturally as a part of everyday metabolic functions, which can cause oxidative stress that leads to chronic disease. In simpler terms, antioxidants help keep us healthy at the micro-level by protecting our cells from damage. 

May help keep your Mind Healthy

Regular coffee consumption may help prevent cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. In one recent study, researchers found that drinking three to five cups of coffee daily was associated with a 65 percent decreased risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. According to studies published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, caffeine is a cognitive stimulant that boosts brain functioning.

Good for your Heart

Coffee may protect against heart disease. A recent Dutch study found that moderate coffee drinkers (two to four cups daily) had a 20 percent lower risk of heart disease as compared to heavy coffee drinkers,  light coffee drinkers and nondrinkers. Coffee is full of flavonoids, a powerful antioxidant, which help to prevent LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol).  Chlorogenic acid, an important antioxidant found almost exclusively in coffee, is also thought to help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Helps Exercise Performance

We often hear that caffeine is dehydrating, however moderate consumption (3 to 4 cups daily) doesn’t dehydrate enough to interfere with your workout. Caffeine is a performance and endurance enhancer; not only does it fight fatigue, it also strengthens muscle contraction, reduces the exerciser’s perception of pain and increases fatty acids in the blood which supports endurance.

May decrease your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes

Scientific research suggests an association between coffee drinking and a reduced risk of diabetes. The antioxidants in coffee help prevent tissue damage to the body. Coffee also contains minerals that helps the body use insulin effectively.

Good for your Liver

Coffee consumption has been linked to a lower incidence of cirrhosis, especially alcoholic cirrhosis. A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine demonstrated an inverse correlation between increased coffee consumption and a decreased risk of cirrhosis - a 20 percent reduction for each cup consumed (up to four cups).  Scientists found an inverse relationship between coffee drinking and blood levels of liver enzymes. Elevated levels of liver enzymes typically reflect inflammation and damage to the liver. The more coffee subjects drank, the lower their levels of enzymes.

 Good for your Teeth

Did you know that a recent study found that people who drink coffee are less likely to have cavities?  Roasted coffee beans have antibacterial effects against the microorganisms which cause tooth decay.

Curbs Depression

Multiple studies have linked coffee drinking to lower rates of depression in both men and women.  The science evidence is not sure how coffee helps with depression, but it is known that caffeine activates neurotransmitters that control mood, including dopamine and serotonin.

Reduces risk of Strokes

Studies have shown women who drank four or more cups of coffee a day had a 20 percent lower risk of stroke, compared to those who had less than one cup a month. As with heart disease, the antioxidants in coffee may offer protection by improving blood vessel function. 

May help curb certain Cancers

Men who drink coffee may be at a lower risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. In addition, new research from the Harvard School of Public Health suggests that drinking four or more cups of coffee daily decreased the risk of endometrial cancer in women by 25 percent as compared to women who drank less than one cup a day. Researchers have also found ties between regular coffee drinking and lower rates of liver, colon, breast, and rectal cancers.  Polyphenols, antioxidant phytochemicals found in coffee, have demonstrated anticarcinogenic properties in several studies and are thought to help reduce the inflammation that could be responsible for some tumors.

Thanks to Find Me Coffee and One Medical for compiling the list of Top 10 Health Benefits of Coffee.  

Information provided on this website is for entertainment and information purpose and not intended to diagnose or give medical advice. Consult a physician with your medical concerns.