Your Cup, Deconstructed

Are you confused by so many different versions and names for coffee drinks? Here is a simple standard guide. Keep in mind that some baristas may add their own twist to classics. Which one is your favorite?

Espresso - 1oz of single espresso
Cappuccino - 2oz milk foam, 3oz steamed milk and 1oz espresso (my favorite #1)
Latte - 1oz milk foam, 6oz steamed milk and 1oz espresso (my favorite #2)
Americano - 5oz hot water, 1oz of espresso (definitely not for me!)
Cafe Mocha - 1oz milk foam, 5oz steamed milk, 1/2oz chocolate syrup, 1oz espresso and whipped cream on top (some countries in Latin America call this one Cappuccino)
Expresso Macchiato - 1/2oz milk foam, 1/2oz steamed milk, 1oz espresso

Sources: multiple, including healthmag.com

Coffee Lovers

Most of us love coffee, pure or mixed with milk. However, many of us wonder how good or bad it is for our health. In a study published in a special supplement to the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers explored the potential benefits of caffeine and found substantial evidence that it may be protective against the cognitive decline seen in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
For the study (“Therapeutic Opportunities for Caffeine in Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases”) a group of international experts looked into the effects of caffeine on the brain. The result was a collection of original studies exploring a number of topics ranging from molecular targets of caffeine, neurophysiological modifications and adaptations, to the potential mechanisms underlying the behavioral and protective actions of caffeine in distinct brain pathologies.

Here’s a brief summary of what they found:
1. Caffeine has a positive effect on cognition, memory performance, and the ability to complete complex tasks.
2. An inverse association between regular caffeine consumption and the incidence of Parkinson’s disease was found -- in other words, caffeine looks to be protective against Parkinson’s disease.
3 . The consumption of moderate amounts of caffeine was seen to decrease the cognitive decline associated with aging, as well as the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Caffeine prevented motor deficits, normalized brain function, and prevented brain degeneration.

Other studies have shown:
5. Caffeine improves a sense of well-being, happiness, energy, alertness and sociability.
6. Caffeine enhances aerobic endurance.
7. Consumption of coffee can lead to a decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes.
8. Coffee has a whopping amount of antioxidants -- on average, Americans receive 1,299 milligrams of antioxidants from their 1.64 cups of daily coffee.

When selecting your coffee, opt for Fair Trade, organic, or shade grown–coffees farmed with these farmer and planet-friendly systems are becoming increasingly available in the mainstream marketplace.

Source: Yahoo