Is there Something Called Organic Filter Coffee?

Coffee is a favourite beverage for many of us and has become a regular feature in our day-to-day schedule. There is a lot of news doing the rounds that coffee is beneficial when consumed in moderation. It is said to protect us against certain types of cancer, certain types of diabetes and also help with weight loss. However, all this also comes with a warning that consumption of an excess of coffee is harmful to our health. The benefits, as well as the dangers of coffee, are due to the caffeine present in it. But, another lesser known factor that affects the way coffee impacts our health is the way it is grown.

Today, conventional coffee is usually grown using pesticides, herbicides, insecticides or chemical fertilisers. These chemicals leave a residue on the coffee beans and end up contaminating our cup of coffee heavily. In fact, the FDA had ranked coffee beans as the 8^th most contaminated food that is grown. These chemicals are known to cause harm to the reproductive as well as nervous health of consumers. To ensure that our cup of coffee benefits us and does not harm our health, we should pay attention to where our coffee comes from. Pure Organic filter coffee is coffee grown using natural methods that involve no chemical treatments. 

What is organic coffee?

Organic coffee is coffee that is grown using natural fertilisers such as natural waste, composted bio-waste, etc. Chemical pesticides or insecticides are not used and traditional pest-control methods are used instead. For example, in shade-grown coffee, the birds from the trees pick on the insects that are attracted to the crops and the falling leaves act as fertilizers when they mix with the soil.

Organic and naturally grown coffee is beneficial to us in many ways. Let us see how.

It retains maximum natural goodness of coffee

There can be up to 100 chemicals present in our cup of non-organic coffee! These chemicals are eliminated to a large extent when organic coffee is consumed. The natural goodness of coffee that comes from the potassium, manganese, riboflavin, niacin and other minerals and vitamins can be enjoyed in an unadulterated cup of coffee.

It keeps you as well as the farmers healthy

Although producing organic filter coffee is more expensive for farmers and thus it gets reflected in the price of coffee, the benefit of organic filter coffee for farmers far outweighs this. Farmers are susceptible to many dangerous diseases and disorders due to high exposure to chemical fertilisers and artificial pesticides. When organic farming is undertaken, the farmers can stay healthy and produce great coffee as well. This is also an ethical practice. 

It supports an eco-friendly lifestyle

Organic farming methods further enrich the soil as opposed to inorganic methods that strip the soil of essential nutrients and make the land barren in the long run. The carbon footprints for organic coffee is also lesser due to the requirement for lesser treatments.

It tastes divine

The pure, unaltered, natural taste of coffee reaches your cup when you consume organic filter coffee and this has no match at all in taste and experience!

Why Chicory is Important to Make a Perfect Cup of Filter Coffee

Every South Indian filter coffee lover knows that chicory forms an integral part of a good filter coffee brew. How did this ingredient become a part of our favourite cuppa? Let us find out.

What is Chicory?

Chicory is a flowering plant and is actually quite a beauty to look at. It produces light-blue colored flowers and its leaves look like a shrub. It grows to a medium height. However, what is of interest to coffee-lovers actually lies below the ground. The root of this plant is what is used in coffee brews.

The root is ground and roasted to be brewed along with the coffee powder. This is prevalent not only in case of the South Indian filter coffee but in many other places in the world as well.

How did Chicory Become a Part of your Cuppa?

Chicory leaves have been part of salads and other dishes in world cuisine. However, the use of chicory in coffee brews is an interesting concept.

The exact origin of the practice of mixing chicory with coffee is not well documented. The addition of chicory is said to have been related to the fact that coffee is not locally available to a lot of countries and thus there has been instances of coffee scarcity in many places of the world due to strained relations with other countries or simply logistic difficulties. This made the price of coffee rise. As it became more expensive, additives that could be added to coffee were searched. This led to the practice of adding chicory that could pump up the coffee volume in a cup. Chicory has a similar flavour to coffee and is thus a great way to stretch limited coffee supplies.

It is also said that Napolean’s Continental Blockade in France led to serious coffee shortages in the country and this led to large scale mixing of chicory with limited coffee supplies. Even after the crisis ended, the practice was carried on, though not at such a large extent.

The Chicory Effect 

• Taste

Roasted chicory root has a dark, deep flavour with bitter and sweet notes. Yes, you guessed it. It is similar in taste to coffee although it does not taste 100% like coffee. Chicory does not contain caffeine even though it tastes similar to coffee.

• Thickness

Roasted chicory powder is slightly thicker than coffee powder. This is one of the major plus-points of chicory when it is a part of filter coffee. The thicker chicory powder will make the hot water stay longer with the coffee grounds and hence aid in more absorption of coffee flavour into the decoction.

• ·        Quality

The quality of South Indian filter coffee decoction is definitely better when the powder has an addition of chicory powder. The resultant decoction is thicker, fuller and has more of flavour and color.

The Right Amount of Chicory

There are different rations of filter coffee powder and chicory that people of India prefer. Most popular ones are 70:30 or 60:40 ratios of coffee and chicory. Try out different blends to see which ratio suits your taste!

Cup & Chemistry: A Rundown on Coffee Composition and Its Implications on the Body

Among beverages, coffee’s popularity is definitely undisputed. Coffee-lovers swear by the amazing effect that coffee has on their mental state and their energy. However, what is there inside the cuppa that creates this magic? Let us find out.

The Chemistry of Coffee

The main chemical component of coffee is caffeine. Caffeine is chemically called trimethylxanthine and is also known as theine, mateine or methyltheobromine among other names. It is a naturally produced chemical that occurs in certain plants such as coffee beans, cacao beans, tea, etc. However, out of all plants, coffee has the most concentrated amounts of caffeine.

Caffeine is actually a chemical that is produced as a survival mechanism in coffee plants to ward off insects and pests with the bitter taste. When caffeine is isolated using purification methods, it becomes a white crystalline powder that is extremely bitter. In fact, one teaspoon of such purified caffeine can turn lethal if consumed.

If we dive further into the chemical structure of caffeine, we can see that the structure of caffeine is very similar to adenosine. Adenosine is a chemical produced by our body to keep track of our energy levels and signal the brain to shut down when the energy levels drop. Since caffeine has a similar structure, it acts as a substitute to adenosine and blocks the actual effects of adenosine. In this way, it helps to keep tiredness at bay and keep you feeling energized for a longer time.

Effects of Coffee on the Body

·       Enhances Alertness

Our brain tells our body what to do by sending messages to various organs through neurotransmitters in the body. When caffeine enters this system, it blocks the receptors in the brain from receiving adenosine (as we discussed in the previous sub-section). Since adenosine is mainly responsible for regulating sleepiness, the blocking of this will enable all other neurotransmitters to work without slowing down and hence give us an active and alert feeling.

·      Increase in Energy

As a continuation of the previous point, once adenosine is blocked, neurotransmitters that will otherwise be subdued by adenosine become free. This results in more firing of neurons, which in turn activate the pituitary gland. The activated pituitary gland reacts by releasing hormones that activate the adrenal gland. Finally, this causes the release of adrenaline, which creates an upsurge in energy.

·       Improvement in Mood

Dopamine is called the “feel-good” chemical because it is the chemical that gives us a feeling of happiness. While it is always present in the brain, certain activities create elevated levels of dopamine. Although coffee does not really increase the levels of dopamine in the body, it slows down the absorption of the chemical. This leads to a feeling of happiness for a short while after drinking coffee.

·       Effect on Other Organs

When coffee enters the digestive system, its acidic nature increases the amount of acidity in the stomach. This might cause acid reflux when coffee is consumed with other acidic food or in large quantities. Coffee also induces gall bladder contractions which can be painful if a person is suffering from gall bladder stones. Also, coffee is a mild diuretic that will increase the frequency of urination for a while.

What are the Signs of Trouble When Drinking Coffee?

Coffee has a lot of benefits when consumed in moderation. In fact, it is said to delay the occurrence of Parkinson’s and certain types of diabetes. The safe limit to consume coffee for your health is one or two cups per day where the total amount of caffeine consumed is less than 100 mg.

Consuming large amounts of coffee can be harmful to health and cause high blood pressure, aggravate heart conditions or cause acid reflux. Pregnant women are also advised to limit consumption as caffeine can pass through the placenta.

One more thing to note is that coffee that is damaged by mold is harmful to health. So, it is better to buy coffee from trusted brands that tell you where your coffee is grown and how it is processed in safe conditions.

Therefore, the benefits of coffee turn into ill-effects when the number of coffee consumption tips to the other side. In moderation, coffee can make you feel great while giving you that jolt of energy. So, be mindful of the quality and quantity of coffee that you drink and have an awesome coffee experience!

Why Coffee Machine is Indispensable for any Office

For every employee, the workplace is nothing less than a second home. As a house becomes ‘home’ with the addition of things that people love, the office becomes a perfect second-home when the employees really feel comfortable and have access to all that they need to have a productive work environment.

Apart from the actual machines and other things that an office needs, a coffee-machine is one important part of any office. Why? Simply because there is a large population of coffee lovers in our country and it is likely that the employees in your office are a part of this club too. Making sure that they get the right coffee can be a great way to put them at ease and contribute to their productivity. How? Read on to know exactly why a coffee vending machine is required in every office and how it benefits the employees as well as the bosses.

Good coffee is a great boost to productivity

The main ingredient in coffee is caffeine and this has been proven to reduce drowsiness and improve mental alertness when taken in certain doses. This is great news for any employer as it makes sure that the employees remain fresh and energetic with a filter coffee machine in the office. Also, different people react to coffee in different ways and if your employees are already coffee-lovers then it is likely that they enjoy the benefits of coffee and get into a pleasant mood after a cuppa.

Employees may need coffee as per personal schedule

It is true that you can get coffee for your employees even without having a coffee machine in your office. You can arrange for coffee to be delivered during break-time. However, there is a good chance that each employee will require coffee at a different time. In such a case, having an office coffee machine will give them the advantage of consuming coffee whenever they want it as opposed to being forced to drink it at the same time every day.

Employees will be able to enjoy the brew that they love

People who love coffee know that there is not just one type of coffee. There are a variety of brews and each person may have a different preference. Some people my love an espresso while some swear by a cup of filter coffee. The brew makes a lot of difference because people’s taste buds get accustomed to a particular taste and only that particular type of coffee can really appeal to them.

So, as per the preferences of your employees, you can set up a coffee machine that provides specific brews. You can take a poll and decide which the best commercial coffee machine to buy is and what the most-loved brews are.

Great coffee equals great office

Let’s face it. When employees love their workplace, they will definitely work with more passion and enthusiasm. And, great coffee is one major factor that will tilt the scales in the favour of the workplace when it comes to being a favorite of the employees. Just as they post everything that they love on social media, your employees will be posting about the great coffee machine at office soon and that will confirm the fact that your employees love their workplace indeed.

5 Mistakes Everyone Makes when Brewing Coffee!

Coffee brewing is an art. The process of brewing coffee is as relaxing as drinking it itself. However, there are certain nuances that need to be taken care of in order to obtain great coffee every time that you brew it. These nuances can go a long way in determining the quality of the resultant coffee no matter how small or ignorable they seem.

So, let us take a look at some of the common mistakes that people make when they brew coffee.

Wrong kind of grind

Grinding the coffee beans is one of the most basic steps of coffee brewing that we have to do in the right way. Two main things to consider for getting the grinding done right are the size of the grounds and the shelf-life of the ground powder. The size of the grounds will determine the quality of your coffee and better grounds result in better coffee. When the coffee beans are ground too coarsely, the flavour of coffee doesn’t come out and when they are ground too finely, then the coffee gets a bitter taste.

As far as the shelf-life is considered, coffee powder will start to turn rancid in a few weeks due to oxidisation and this makes it imperative to use freshly ground coffee powder for a better cup of coffee. Make sure to get fresh coffee powder every two weeks for best results. Also, it is best to store in air-tight and dry containers to retain maximum freshness.

Incorrect water temperature

The next step in the brewing process is to get the water ready for the brewing process. The water has to be brought to a rolling boil and allowed to cool for a seconds before it is ready to be poured into the coffee filter. Pouring boiling water directly after removing from heat will absorb the oils from the filter coffee powder along with the flavour and this will result in reduced quality and an acidic taste.

Bad water quality there

The purity of water that is used for the brewing process is another aspect that will make a difference to the quality of coffee. Using pure, treated water that is not flavoured or unfiltered will make sure that the coffee that you drink will have the full flavoured coffee and nothing else. Otherwise, the minerals and contaminants in water will give a different taste to the coffee.

Wrong ratio of coffee-to-water

The next step is where you add the water to the coffee grounds and brew the coffee. For this, around 2 tablespoons of coffee powder are used to get around 5 ounces of coffee. Adding more water will result in runny and tasteless coffee while adding too little of water will give you very thick coffee that cannot be consumed with ease.

Incorrect equipment

Brewing coffee calls for appropriate equipment that is made of the right materials. Also, it is important that the equipment is cleaned properly after every use without any residue. This equipment and apparatus should be maintained in the right way to brew amazing coffee each time.

Popular Science behind Brewing a Traditional South Indian Filter Coffee!

Say what you will, filter coffee made in South India is uniquely delicious. Let us find out how to make this heavenly beverage South Indian filter coffee at home.

Coffee Making Ingredients

The ingredients required for South Indian filter coffee are surprisingly simple for a coffee of such amazing quality. The main things required are coffee grounds and a metal percolator.

The metal percolator is the hero of the South Indian filter coffee. This device is fashioned based on a simple concept of allowing hot water to collect the essence of the coffee powder and drip into the collecting container.  A tiny umbrella shaped device allows for effective tamping of the coffee grounds as well. The next main ingredient is coffee powder. Fresh coffee powder is used where expert-roasted coffee beans are ground. This is bought freshly from time to time and is not stored for a long time to retain the freshness. The coffee powder is sometimes mixed with a certain percentage of chicory to give a denser volume to the coffee powder. The coffee to chicory ratio can be 60:40, 70:30, 80:20 or 90:10.

Coffee Preparation Methods

Preparation mainly involves keeping all the ingredients ready. Water should be boiled to a rolling boil and kept ready for pouring into the coffee filter. Milk is added to the coffee decoction and hence milk should be boiled and kept ready at an appropriate temperature as per individual preference. Sugar should be kept ready as per requirement.

The Brewing Procedure

To brew filter coffee, 4 to 5 tablespoons of fresh filter coffee powder is loaded into the top container of the coffee filter apparatus. The metal tamping device is placed on top of the coffee powder to evenly distribute the coffee powder and tamp it. This device has holes on top to let water mix with the powder. Rolling boiling water is poured into the top container and the lid is closed to maintain the steam.

When you let this sit for 4 to 5 hours, the water passes through the tamping device and through the coffee grounds into the lower container. The holes in the top container allow the decoction to drip into the lower container. The decoction collects into the lower container and is typically stronger than a shot of espresso.

The Serving Style

Once the decoction is ready, it is mixed with milk and sugar to make a cup of coffee. Usually, two tablespoons of decoction are mixed with 6 to 7 tablespoons of milk. This can be varied as per the required "strength" of the coffee that is required. One tablespoon of sugar is added for sweetening and can be varied as per personal taste.

The characteristic feature of Traditional South Indian filter coffee is the way that the coffee is poured between a davara and a tumbler. The davara is a flat-bottomed short metal cup and the tumbler is a metal container that is narrower and lengthier than the davara. The process of pouring the beverage back and forth creates an airy froth that lends a great taste to the coffee. 

Pain Points in Picking the Right Coffee Machine for Office: Things You Need to Know

There is a predominant coffee culture in the majority of offices in India. Many employees love a great cup of coffee that keeps them going in full swing throughout the day. A decade ago, helpers at offices were a common sight and they regularly supplied coffees and teas during break time from nearby shops. However, the work culture at present is very different and each employee is working on their own timing and schedule. This means that there is a requirement for coffee round the clock.

So, buying a coffee machine for your office is definitely a good investment. However, when deciding about which machine to buy, a lot of care should be taken. There are mind-boggling varieties of machines at different price ranges. Finding out what your office needs is a challenge because buying a less-suited machine will be a waste of money and resources.

Here are a few pain points that you need to deal with while buying a coffee machine for the corporate office.

Not knowing where the coffee machine will be placed

It is essential to plan in advance about where you will be placing the coffee machine once you buy it. The machine that you buy has to fit the space that you have allocated. Also, the inputs that the coffee machine will need such as water, coffee beans, etc should be in proximity to the coffee machine for ease of use. Ignoring this factor and buying a filter coffee machine without having a clear idea of where it will be placed will lead to confusions and hassles.

Having an Ambiguous Budget

All of us want the best of quality when we make a purchase. But, when the product that we are looking for offers an array of choices, there will be many other factors based on which a decision has to be made. One of the main factors is the price of the product. Keeping a fixed budget will help you narrow down your options and make a good decision without wasting time.

Not knowing the taste of employees

All said and done, the employees are the ones who will be using the coffee machine and so it is essential to spend time in knowing what they really want. Different coffee machines can give you different types of coffee and knowing the preferences of your employees will help you make the right choice.

Zero down on the right machine

When you finally get to a stage where you have to zero down the coffee machine that you should buy, you will be thrown off-guard by the various types of machines available. Here is a brief about the different types of machines.

Filter coffee machines

These machines use boiling water to collect the essence of ground coffee beans. The water is allowed to seep through the filter coffee powder to give you coffee. The downside is that these machines can make only filter coffee. The advantage is that the coffee quality is good as it retains the authentic flavor of the beverage.

Capsule coffee machines

This produces coffee at the touch of a button and is cheaper than other coffee machines. This is more suited for low-usage scenarios where less than 5 cups per day are needed. Coffee capsules have to be reloaded frequently and this is a hassle when more cups of coffee are required.

Bean to cup machines

These are automatic machines that need very little intervention and can give you various types of coffee. However, they need a lot more milk than other machines and need to be cleaned regularly to work properly.

Other types of machines such as coffee vending machines and semiautomatic coffee machines can be explored before making a choice.