More about Coffee (Part 1 of 2)

Q. How do you reduce the caffeine in coffee?

A. Water definition process one: coffee and water are placed in a tank; the water absorbs/soak caffeine; the water is placed into a second tank where it is decaffeinated by a solvent (methylene chloride); decaffeinated water is then returned the first tank with the beans.

B. Processed coffee and water are in a tank; the caffeine laden water is put in a second tank where it is decaffeinated by a series of charcoal filters. The water is returned to the first tank with the beans. Tasters use natural coffee oils instead of charcoal filters. Folgers and high points use coffee with ethyl acetate.

Q. Why is coffee roasted?

A. So the oils in the beans will be released to flavor the brew. Like a beer brewmaster, a coffee roastmaster is the highest paid coffee worker because, relying on instinct and experience, he alone knows how to make the perfect roast.

Q. Blending?

A. Two kinds: mixed coffee from different nations or mix different roasts of the same coffee.

Q. Why blend?

A. Natural calamities (typhoons, earthquakes, droughts, and local economic revolutions, strikes in factories, ports transports) affect the supply. If Nescafe uses only Sumatra coffee and Sumatra is hit by tsunami, forest fires, etc., it will not produce enough coffee for Asia and competitors gain part of the Asian market. You spread the risk by getting beans from Ceylon, India, Vietnam, Thailand and Philippines.

Q. Grinding?

A. Only rule: brew the coffee after grinding while the delicate oils are still there. Storing the granules/powder/mist even in a freezer destroys the freshness because the oil escape after the beans are grinded.

Q. Health.

A. The pure form of caffeine is a white bitter tasting chemical called methyl xanthine. The American Cancer Society and American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affair says it will cause cancer. Others link caffeine to pancreatic cancer and benign fibrocystic breast lumps.

Q. Wow

A. The facts are 1. Caffeine stimulates secretion of gastric acid and pepsin aggravating stomach ulcer. 2. It stimulates the heart muscles increasing the pulse and raising blood pressure slightly so those with heart problem should limit intake. 3. It is a nutritional disturbance which may lead to osteoporosis. 4. Studies show it does not harm developing babies but pregnant women and nursing mother should avoid Coffee. In 1868 Sicilian Procopio Del Coltelle opened the first coffee shop in Paris located in Rue de I’Ancienne Comedie and for the first time the word “Café” is used.