Posted by DrCoffee on Mar 12, 2011 in Coffee & Health, Coffee and Health | 1 comment
The wonder drug that is the coffee bean continues to show very positive health benefits! The most recent is from Sweden, where researchers followed 35,000 women for a 10-year period, covering an age range of 49 to 83. Those that drank at least one cup of coffee per day had a 22 to 25% lower risk of stroke than those who drank less or even none at all.
Yes, these beans are GOOD for you!
The study was published March 11, 2011 in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. (You can find a free abstract of the article here.) While the exact reasons remain unconfirmed, the speculation is that coffee consumption reduces inflammation and improves insulin resistance. Inflammation and lower insulin resistance are common risk factors for stroke victims.
Here’s the really good part – and something that many studies have concluded. Remember all the buzz about how green tea’s high levels of antioxidants? Research indicates that coffee may be an even larger source of antioxidants!
So pour that cup and enjoy the smooth taste of Smit & Dorlas, while doing something great for your body!
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Posted by DrCoffee on Jul 18, 2010 in Coffee & Health | 0 comments
It’s good to be back from vacation. One of the things I was doing while taking a few sips out of the office was catching up on some of the coffee-related research out there. And this one really jumped out at me.
Regular coffee drinkers, defined as those that drink four or more cups per day, have a 39% lower risk of developing oral cavity and pharynx cancers combined, as compared to non-coffee drinkers. The study, conducted by the American Association for Cancer Research (www.aacr.org), pooled together results from nine studies. The larger review provided a very strong statistically valid basis for the determination. The results were specifically for caffeinated coffee drinkers, as data for decaf coffee was not large enough for a detailed analysis.
There is of course much more study to be done, but the research trend continues to indicate that coffee has strong health benefits! You can check out the press release at the AACR website here. And as always, we’ll keep you posted here at Smit & Dorlas USA!
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Posted by DrCoffee on Jun 14, 2010 in Smit & Dorlas News | 1 comment
A Keurig Brewing System
Every now and then, we at Smit & Dorlas USA receive an email asking us if we have any of our roasts available in a convenient K-Cup. Well, the answer has always been no….but now, that answer is no…but YES!
First, let me explain – the K-Cup is a portion packet of coffee (or tea or even hot chocolate) used with the Keurig single cup brewing sytems. Each little plastic K-Cup container includes a coffee filter inside, along with ground coffee all packed in one little convenient single serving size.
Now, let’s get to your main concern. K-Cuppers are growing in size in North America. But at the time, Smit & Dorlas USA is not making a K-Cup of our great tasting coffee. We have however found a way for Smit & Dorlas Afficianados who are also K-Cuppers to enjoy the great tast of Smit & Dorlas! The folks at Keurig have created the My K-Cup reusable filter that snugly fits inside your Keurig machine and allows you to use your favorite Smit & Dorlas roast for a perfectly convenient cup of S&D.
While Smit & Dorlas USA is not affiliated with Keurig, My K-Cup, or any of the retailers who sell the My K-Cup, we wanted to help provide an answer to the many Keurig fans who still want to enjoy the great taste of Smit & Dorlas. My K-Cup is available direct from Keurig at the
Accessories page of their website, or from other retailers including
Amazon,
Wal-Mart,
Best Buy and more.
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Posted by DrCoffee on May 28, 2010 in Coffee & Health | 0 comments
A common version of a french press
You’ve probably seen one – usually made of glass or even plastic, it’s an odd looking contraption that could easily be mistaken for a tea pot. But in reality, it brews one of the best cups of coffee you can make – it’s called a French Press.
Its simplicity confounds people – there’s no basket to put grounds and a filter in (the filter is part of the plunger); there’s no plug to make the water hot (you pour hot water into the container, instead of heating cold water up inside it); there’s not even a way to make it percolate (it doesn’t percolate, the coffee grounds soak in the hot water).
The French Press has been around for over 150 years. Why has it managed to hang on for so long? Well, by allowing the coffee grounds to gently soak in the hot water, the process actually preserves the natural oils in the grounds, making for an exceptionally smooth finish after about 4 to 5 minutes. Then, press down on the plunger to contain the grounds, and serve yourself a tremendous cup of coffee.
Now here’s the healthy part – the black coffee made in a French Press contains no fat, no sugar, no cholesterol, and virtually no calories (about 2 per cup). Drinking your coffee without creamer and sugars keeps those numbers low. If you have never had coffee sans all the fixings before, a French Press should deliver a pleasant taste that you just might enjoy! (Especially if you are using Smit & Dorlas Coffee in your French Press!)
So start giving the French Press the credit it deserves – try one! Don’t forget to hold all the creamer and sugar to keep the health benefits of your cup of coffee at their highest!
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Posted by DrCoffee on Apr 11, 2010 in Coffee FAQs | 0 comments
Specialty coffee is defined as a coffee that has no defects and has a distinctive flavor in the cup.
Is specialty coffee too expensive to drink daily?
Specialty coffee, a term that refers to the highest-quality green beans roasted by true craftspeople, is surprisingly affordable. One cup costs about 24 cents (based on 50 cups/lb @ $12/lb) —making it cheaper than bottled water.
Is specialty coffee popular in the USA?
In 2005, 15% of the adult American population enjoyed a daily cup of specialty coffee.
What contributes to the unique taste and flavor of specialty coffee?
Like wine and honey, specialty coffee has a unique flavor thanks to the micro-climates that produce it.
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Posted by DrCoffee on Apr 11, 2010 in Coffee & Health, Coffee FAQs | 0 comments
Which method of coffee preparation produces the most caffeine, drip or espresso?
Surprisingly, a 1 oz. espresso contains less caffeine (approx. 40 mg) than a regular 8 oz. serving of drip coffee (approx. 85 mg). In fact, in the espresso brewing method, water is in contact with the grounds for only 20 to 25 seconds and extracts less caffeine than methods that put water in contact with the grounds for several minutes.
Does a strong or bitter tasting cup of coffee contain more caffeine?
Caffeine contributes no taste to coffee. Strong-tasting coffee has no more caffeine than its weak-tasting counterpart. Strong or bitter taste to coffee is a product of the type of bean, water-to-coffee ratio, and brewing method.
Should I use a darker roast coffee to get more caffeine?
The darker the roast, the less caffeine the bean contains. The caffeine burns off during the roasting process. More caffeine is present in your lighter roasts.
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Posted by DrCoffee on Apr 11, 2010 in Coffee FAQs | 0 comments
When should ground coffee be brewed?
To be considered truly fresh, coffee should be ground right before brewing.
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Posted by DrCoffee on Apr 11, 2010 in Coffee FAQs | 0 comments
What is the most popular type of bean Arabica or Robusto?
Seventy percent (70%) of the world’s coffee production is the Arabica species. Arabica also has a richer taste and a lower caffeine content than Robusto beans (which are more common in off-the-shelf coffee brands).
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