A Journey through Time; The Intriguing History of Coffee
The captivating story of coffee traces to the Middle Ages when the first coffee plants were discovered in what is now Ethiopias Kingdom of Kaffa. These plants were later transported to Yemen. Eventually spread across the world through trade. In Asia it was known as " wine" and served as a substitute for locally prohibited alcoholic beverages.
During the century coffee made its way to Europe where it faced initial criticism as the "devils drink" due to its stimulating effects. The Church believed that coffee consumption led people to lose their inhibitions. However in the 1600s Pope Clement VIII praised this beverage and opposed its prohibition. This favorable view led to the establishment of coffee houses that quickly became popular meeting places, for intellectuals and philosophers.
The Art and Science of Coffee Production
Coffee production goes through stages starting with harvesting then seed extraction, roasting and finally packaging.
Harvesting; The First Step
Different methods are used for harvesting coffee, including techniques and mechanical processes. Manual picking involves selecting only the ripe fruits by hand. On the hand stripping techniques involve using tractors to gather both ripe and unripe fruits, which are then sorted meticulously.
Seed Extraction; Unleashing the Flavor
After harvesting comes the seed extraction stage, which can be done using either wet processing methods. Dry processing involves drying, crushing and cleaning the coffee beans. Wet processing requires soaking the beans in water for fermentation and cleaning before sun drying them. This drying process changes the color of the coffee beans from green to yellow.
Roasting; A Flavorful Transformation
Roasting plays a role as it involves heating the beans at high temperatures. During this stage a chemical reaction called Maillard reaction occurs where sugars and amino acids interact to create flavors. It is, during roasting that coffee beans develop their characteristics.
Packaging; Preserving the Aroma
In the stage of coffee production – packaging – great care is taken to preserve all of its properties including aroma and freshness.
Vacuum packing is the commonly used technique, where specialized machinery is employed to remove air from the container. Coffee is then sold in forms like pouches, jars, capsules and pods depending on its intended use.
Have you ever wondered why its not recommended to have coffee after waking up? Well coffee contains caffeine which makes it a stimulating beverage. Caffeine is an alkaloid that affects our nervous system and keeps us awake while providing the energy we need to start our day. Interestingly during the hours of the day our bodies tend to absorb caffeine more effectively. This can stimulate cortisol production. Also known as the stress hormone. Which impacts metabolism, immune system function and blood sugar levels. Therefore its often advised to enjoy your cup of joe around mid morning or prior to engaging in activities.
Now lets talk about why excessive coffee consumption should be avoided. Consuming amounts of coffee can lead to various discomforts such as insomnia, feelings of anxiety, nausea, hindered absorption of calcium and iron in our bodies elevated cortisol levels associated with stress and tension states along with increased blood pressure. Additionally due to its acidity level coffee stimulates gastric secretion which can potentially harm our system by causing issues like ulcers or conditions such, as gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux.
Are there any options besides coffee?
Experts suggest that it's best to limit caffeine intake to 300 mg per day. To avoid going over this limit there are beverages you can try. For individuals who're sensitive to caffeine or have health issues related to excessive coffee consumption its recommended to replace it with alternatives like green tea, which also provides a good energy boost.
Decaffeinated coffee is another option for those looking for an alternative to coffee. Decaf contains than 0.1 percent caffeine and is rich in flavonoids, which offer liver protection from harmful free radicals. Additionally it acts as an antioxidant and may help prevent type 2 diabetes.
Another natural option is ginseng, a drink derived from the root of the Panax Ginseng plant, to Asian countries. Ginseng is known for its immune boosting properties and its ability to reduce stress and fatigue.
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