Page 6 - Coffee Facts

We all drink coffee, but have you ever really tasted what’s in your cup? Behind every sip lies a world of flavours, aromas and sensations. Tasting coffee — also known as cupping — is THE way to discover that world. Whether you’re a curious beginner or have been enjoying your morning espresso for years, your palate can always be developed further. In this article we dive together into the art of tasting coffee. You’ll learn how to do it, what to look out for AND how to host your own tasting at home. Ready to wake up your taste buds?

What does tasting coffee mean (and why should you do it)?

Tasting coffee is so much more than taking a sip and thinking “nice” or “meh”. It’s about consciously experiencing what’s happening in your cup — with your nose, your tongue AND your memory. You pay attention to aromas, flavours, mouthfeel and even how long a flavour lingers. This process not only helps you choose better coffee, but also discover your personal preferences. Think of it like wine tasting,

You're looking forward to a tasty cup of coffee, but then... yuck! It tastes sour. Not fresh or fruity, but really unpleasantly sour. Sound familiar? Don't worry, sour coffee is a common problem and luckily easy to fix.

The cause often lies in the grind, water temperature or the roast of your beans. We'll explain exactly why your coffee tastes sour AND what you can do about it. That way you'll soon be brewing a cup you can really enjoy again.

Why does my coffee taste sour?

Sour coffee can be a real disappointment, especially when you fancied a full, warm flavour. But what actually causes that sour taste? It all starts with balance: a good cup of coffee has a mix of bitter, sweet and sour. If that balance is disturbed? Then one sour note can take over.

Here are the most common causes:

• Grind too coarse
  If your coffee is ground too coarsely, the water flows through too quickly. As a result the acids are released first, but the sweet and bitter notes don't get a chance.
  
  
• Water temperature too

Most coffee lovers have heard of Arabica and Robusta, but the difference between the two? That often stays a bit vague. Yet it’s really interesting and pretty handy to know which bean you’re drinking. The flavour, the amount of caffeine, the price AND even where the coffee comes from: it all depends on the type of bean.

Here’s an overview of all the differences in a table

Arabica and Robusta: the two main coffee species

When you talk about coffee, it almost

Have you ever bought coffee beans that gleam as if they've been dunked in oil? Those are oily coffee beans, and they can raise quite a few questions. Are they worse in flavour? Can they damage your coffee machine? And how do you actually spot them? Here we take you through the world of oily coffee beans. That way you know exactly what to look out for AND how to keep enjoying delicious coffee without the hassle.

What are oily coffee beans?

Every coffee bean naturally contains oils. During the roasting process, these oils slowly come to the surface of the bean. This happens especially with dark roasted beans: the longer the bean is roasted, the more oils are released and become visible. This gives that characteristic shine you sometimes see on coffee beans.

With a light roast, the oils usually stay neatly locked inside the bean. But with a dark roast — think espresso roasts — the bean's structure opens up. That's how the oily layer forms. So it's perfectly normal and even desirable if you

Coffee, the favourite morning ritual for so many. But did you know that your daily coffee can have an influence on your cholesterol? You may have heard that coffee can have both good and less good effects on your health. An important substance in coffee, called cafestol, plays a big role in this. But what exactly is cafestol, and how does it affect your cholesterol level?

In this article we dive into the relationship between coffee and cholesterol. We look at which types of coffee have the biggest effect and give you handy tips to enjoy your favourite cuppa worry-free.

What is cholesterol and why is it important?

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance your body needs to function properly. It plays an important role in the production of hormones, vitamin D and bile acids that help digest fats. But not all cholesterol is the same.

There are two main types of cholesterol:

• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) – also known as the ‘good’ cholesterol. This helps remove excess cholesterol from your blood

Coffee, the black gold so many people start their day with. But besides that lovely pick-me-up effect, you sometimes hear that coffee is supposed to be a diuretic. Does that mean you're getting dehydrated from your daily cup of coffee? Or is it a persistent myth? In this article we dive into the science behind caffeine and find out whether you really need to drink extra water with your coffee.

What does diuretic mean?

A diuretic is a substance that makes your body excrete more fluid through urine. That can be useful with certain medical conditions, like high blood pressure or fluid retention.

Many natural products, like tea, cranberry juice and yes — coffee too — are sometimes considered diuretic. But does that also mean your body dehydrates when you drink these drinks? That depends on several factors, including the amount of caffeine and how your body reacts to it.

Is coffee a diuretic? The science behind it

Coffee has a mild diuretic effect, but not to a degree that gets you into trouble

Coffee isn’t just a lovely pick-me-up in the morning, but also a surprisingly effective way to neutralise unpleasant smells. Whether it’s a stuffy fridge, smelly shoes or stubborn cooking smells — coffee can be the solution! Thanks to its absorbent properties, ground coffee absorbs unwanted smells and leaves behind a subtle, pleasant scent. In this article you’ll discover how coffee works as an odour neutraliser and what you can use it for.

How does coffee work as an odour neutraliser?

Coffee naturally has absorbent properties, which means it can absorb and neutralise smells. That’s because the structure of ground coffee contains tiny pores that work like a kind of sponge. When you put coffee in a place where there’s an unpleasant smell, it pulls that smell out of the air.

On top of that, coffee itself has a strong, pleasant smell that can mask other odours. Freshly ground coffee beans are especially effective for this, but even used coffee grounds can still help reduce smells. That makes

Just enjoyed a lovely cup of coffee? Don’t just chuck the coffee grounds in the bin! What seems like waste to many people is actually a versatile and sustainable product with countless uses. From natural fertiliser to odour neutraliser and even as a scrub. Coffee grounds are worth their weight in gold. In this article you’ll discover 8 surprising ways to reuse coffee grounds. That way you save money, do your bit for a more sustainable environment and get the most out of your favourite coffee moment!

1. Coffee grounds as a natural fertiliser

Coffee grounds are a great natural fertiliser for plants. They contain valuable nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, which are important for healthy growth. By adding coffee grounds to the soil, you improve the soil structure and stimulate soil life.

You can sprinkle coffee grounds directly around your plants or mix them with compost for an extra nutrient boost. Acid-loving plants like hydrangeas, roses and tomatoes especially benefit

Are you just sitting outside enjoying a cup of coffee when those annoying wasps come at you again! Nothing is more irritating than constantly swatting at the air when you just want to enjoy the lovely weather. Luckily there’s a simple and natural solution: repelling wasps with coffee. It might sound odd, but the smell of smouldering coffee keeps those buzzing intruders at bay. How it works and how you can use it yourself? Follow the tips below.

Why does coffee work against wasps?

Wasps have an extremely sharp sense of smell, and you can use that to your advantage. The smell of smouldering coffee might be pleasant and spicy to us, but for wasps it’s an absolute nightmare. They hate the smoke and the intense smell of burned coffee grounds or coffee beans and would rather stay well away.

On top of that, coffee is a natural alternative to chemical pesticides. You don’t need to use any toxic sprays and you repel the wasps in an animal-friendly way. A win-win!

How do you use coffee to repel wasps?