Cricketscoffee Blog

 Spring is almost here and summer is not far behind. We all know what that means . Thats right sunburn. Well throw away that greasy sunscreen and stock up on the dark chocolate.    A study, published by the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in 2009, determined that chocolate consumption helped protect against ultra-violet (UV) sunshine exposure. They divided 30 participants into two groups of 15. One group was given high flavanol (HF) chocolate while the other 15 were fed low flavanol (LF) chocolate daily for 12 weeks.   After the 12 week period, the minimal erythema dose (MED) level was twice as high for the HF group. Erythema is when the skin starts turning pink from sun exposure. The MED test measures that threshold. So if you want to suck up more UVB sunshine-sourced vitamin D without burning, skip the Mars Bars and eat high organic cacao content dark chocolate.

  E cigarettes are getting a lot of bad press lately. With the recent report of an e cigarette going ballistic as the user was enjoying his e cigarette in bed as the latest. The unexpected launch sent the e cigarette flying into and penetrating the ceiling. The user suffered only minor burns but was a little shaken by the event as evidenced by the 911 call. This will be used as yet one more reason for government to fast track e cigarette regulations.    Case and point. A recent draft bill in a state that will go unmentioned was so over reaching that it would have regulated the vapor you see from your breath in cold weather. That's right.  Punishable by a fine of up to $25.00 for "vaping" with in 8 feet of an entrance to a public building and $100.00 if on school property.   The supporters of the bill said it was an oversight and would be corrected in the final version.

Coffee is not just caffeine  there are hundreds of other compounds in there as well, many of which science has yet to identify.   Many of these compounds are antioxidants that protect our bodies from oxidation, which involves those nasty free radicals that damage molecules in your body.    Oxidation is said to be one of the mechanisms behind ageing and diseases like cancer and heart disease.   Coffee, are you ready for this, happens to be the biggest source of antioxidants in the Western diet , outranking both  fruits and vegetables put together.   When you’re having your daily cup or cups of coffee, you’re not only getting caffeine but a whole bunch of other beneficial compounds, including powerful antioxidants.  

  The federal government's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is going to approve the sale of a powdered alcohol product, it is called Palcohol.  Its inventor is Mark Phillips who says the product is meant for hikers and the like who do not want to pack additional bottles of alcohol when they’re out on the trail. Just add 6 oz of liquid to the powder. Be it water, coffee, or whatever suits your taste, to your alcohol powder and you can have your alcohol fix on your hike.    To say the least there’s been loud roars of protest with the approval.  Those in opposition are saying that Palcohol is a form of alcohol that is going to lead to uncounted way's for it to get into the hands of under age drinkers. Not to mention the countless ways for the product can be misused by the adult population. Yes, it's true ...

  Need to lose weight? Champagne may be the alcoholic beverage to turn to if someone is looking to lose a little weight, as it is as a rule is lower in calories than red wine, white wine or beer.    And that is not all that champagne has to offer.  Like red and white wines, champagne has heart-healthy properties, according to some study's.  Researchers found that, as in red wine, champagne has a positive effect on endothelial function, a strong indicator of heart disease. Study results indicate that daily moderate consumption of champagne may improve vascular performance. Beyond the heart, champagne could benefit your brain as well.  Three glasses a week of bubbly could help prevent brain disorders, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Study's have found that certain black grape varieties used in champagne can aid memory because of a compound called phenolic acid.  Researchers recommend that ...

Chocolate sales in China are expected to grow but over 50 percent in the next four to five years, and people in the Asia-Pacific region are eating nearly double the amount of chocolate as ten years ago.    Europe’s huge consumption of chocolate of all kinds is straining growers ability to produce enough coco. Adding to the problem are two other issues, disease and bad weather. Disease has wiped out the trees in Costa Rica, the bad weather is lowering rainfall in West Africa. The new found preference for dark chocolate isn’t making it any easier on the world’s supply, either. While the average chocolate bar contains about 10 percent cocoa, dark chocolate contains up to 70 percent.coco.  Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/ana-veciana-suarez/article11930324.html#storylink=cpy

 Climate change.....it's too hot...it's too cold.....wet....dry.. and so on and so on. The climate is always in some state of change.   The news today is that climate change is going to have a huge impact on your coffee. What ever you stand is on climate change and what if any "change" is a result of the human race is not the point of this post.    Just beware of the doomsday predictions. It's information that can cost you money be it true or false. My guess is that the recent good growing conditions for coffee is depressing the market and so a few well placed doomsday story's will help support coffee prices.  As for now enjoy that 3rd cup of coffee it's good for you and a little dark chocolate wouldn't hurt.

   Around 400mg of caffeine per day is commonly cited as a safe intake level for healthy adults. That's about 6-7 cups of black tea, 4-5 cups of home brew coffee, 2-3 Starbucks Grande Lattes, 8 cans of Diet Coke, or 5 cans of Red Bull. A typical serving or portion of caffeine is usually an 8 fl oz cup of home brewed coffee, a 20 fl oz diet cola, a 1.5 fl oz espresso shot and an 8.4 fl oz energy drink, all of which are about equal with a range of approximately 70-90mg.   Caffeine is found in the seeds and leaves of more than 60 plants around the world. Coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa beans, kola nuts, guarana plants, and yerba mate are just a few that contain caffeine.

 Stop looking for the fountain of youth. I have the answer we have all been looking for. Start you day with a nice hot cup of coffee......  and a second.....and a third. Skip the salad bar at lunch and un wrap an extra large piece of dark chocolate. Your finally home from a hard days work. Kick back un cork a new bottle of red wine and turn on the evening news. Well if all the great news on the health benefits of coffee, dark chocolate and red wine is true how could I be wrong?   Nervous about Trump and Nukes? We can help.

 How hot is too hot for that great cup of coffee?    The brewing temperature of the water used is very important. It should be between 195 F (91 C) and 205 F (96 C).  205 F (96 C) is considered best. Boiling water (212 F - 100 C) should never be used, as it will burn the coffee. Keep in mind your altitude as it will have a large effect on when your water will boil. The 212 F is the boiling point at sea level. The higher your altitude the lower the temperature needed to boil water and burn your coffee.    Water that is less than 195 F (91 C) will not extract properly. Keep in mind that if frozen beans have been ground, the aggregate will drop the temperature of the water upon contact. In this instance the temperature of the water being added to the aggregate should be right at 205 F (96 C).

  We love red wine for many reasons. We love it for its deep, rich, earthy notes, for its air of sophistication, and, because the last decade of red wine research has a terrible confirmation bias on its hands, for its supposed health benefits. Each year, a handful of studies say red wine is good for heart health.  Chocolate has a similar status as red wine, according to the Mayo Clinic. There could be some heart benefits, such as lower blood pressure, but any consumption should be in moderation. If you want to add chocolate, make it cocoa or dark chocolate. Chocolate could boost memory, but that study has many of the same drawbacks as the red wine research.   Research suggesting that there may be some potential health benefits to coffee is growing. One recent study found that those who sipped several cups every day had a decreased risk of developing multiple sclerosis. Another, published in the journal Heart, found that consuming three to five cups a day was associat...

  One years of used K cups will more than circle the Earth is the big coffee buzz. Okay so what's the problem. This could be said of countless items we use everyday.  The world uses disposable packaging by the countless millions of pounds. With the vast majority disposed of in a proper way.  The most pressing problem with K cups is the cost, not the used K cup that goes into the trash. A cup of coffee from a K cup can be four times the cost of other methods of brewing your morning coffee.  Is a K cup easy to use and  faster? Yes. Faster and easy cost money it's a way of life.  So don't let those used K cups keep you up all night. If the environment is that big of a concern for you then buy an electric car and keep your Kreurig. .