This is a good start to my Friday morning! Hazelnut Coffee and the French Vanilla GC Control…mmm, mmm, good! Sometimes I mix my coffee together with GC Control Cream Brulée for a different and delicious morning treat.
Fabulous Friday!
Tag: coffee
The art of coffee perfection
Mountain Cabin Coffee has a unique coffee-crafting process is a careful combination of age-old artistry and state-of-the-art quality control. Their unique coffee-crafting process is a careful combination of age-old artistry and state-of-the-art quality control.
Here are six reasons why this coffee is so darn good!
- SOURCING: The exact location of the small, specialty farms that grow this coffee is a treasured secret, guarded so you can experience the most prized characteristics of each premium bean.
- SELECTION: To ensure the flavor and integrity of every bean, quality is monitored every step of the way from farm to roastery. Master cuppers continuously test the coffee for superior flavor, body, and aroma.
- ROASTING: Under the careful guidance of master roasters, this small-batch roasting process provides consistent, rich flavor and robust aroma in every roast, no matter the season.
- GRINDING: Mouontain Cabin uses water-cooled roller mill grinders to achieve the perfect grind without heating or re-roasting the beans.
- FLAVORING: The proprietary ribbon blending system ensures consistent flavor in each successive batch.
- PACKAGING: Special bagging technique preserves freshness and flavor by keeping oxygen levels at a minimum.
Here’s a list of some of the coffee styles that you can get with Mountain Cabin:
- HAZELNUT | Roast:LIGHT
A mild-bodied, mellow blend with a brilliantly rich hazelnut aroma and nutty flavor.—Mild body, mellow, hints of hazelnut Also comes in Decaf - VANILLA | Roast:LIGHT
A mild-bodied, mellow, and smooth-flavored blend with a creamy, buttery vanilla flavor.—Mild body, mellow, sweet vanilla - COLOMBIAN DECAF | Roast: LIGHT MEDIUM
A creamy-bodied, smooth, complex coffee with gentle acidity, made with 100% Colombian coffee naturally decaffeinated to retain its full flavor.—Creamy body, smooth, complex - KONA BLEND | Roast: MEDIUM
A medium-bodied, balanced, and mellow blend of the finest Kona beans and other premium Arabica beans.—Medium body, balanced, mellow, complex - COLOMBIAN | Roast: MEDIUM
100% supremo Arabica beans grown in the fertile Columbian highlands.—Medium body, complex, thin finish - ORGANIC SIGNATURE BLEND | Roast: MEDIUM DARK
A full-bodied, balanced, complex coffee with gentle acidity, made with 100% organic beans from specialty selected growing regions.—Full body, balanced, complex - ORGANIC RAINFOREST BLEND | Roast: MEDIUM DARK
A medium-bodied, smooth, complex coffee with lively acidic notes, made with 100% organic Arabica beans grown under a lush rain forest canopy.—Medium body, smooth, complex - ORGANICBREAKFAST BLEND | Roast: DARK
A wakeful, inspiring blend of the finest Central and South American beans.—Balanced body, complex, smooth - ORGANIC SUMATRA | Roast: DARK
Shade-grown, triple-picked beans from Sumatra’s Gayo Mountain region.—Full body, complex, smoky, dark
One taste of this and it is so easy to see why I love this brand!
Great news for coffee fans!
You can now justify every cup of coffee you drink because of its official health benefits. On average, coffee drinkers live longer than those who don’t.
I’m sure you’re thinking, “how?” Well, new data has the answer for us! Coffee has several effects which directly improve our chances of living longer, including reducing the risk of certain dangerous conditions. Find out what coffee can do for you—and how much of it you should be drinking—so you can be a healthy, long-lived coffee drinker!
The National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, and the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University teamed up to analyze data on coffee-drinkers as well as the long-term study of half a million people in the United Kingdom, ranging in age from 38 to 74 by UK Biobank tp determine health benefits.
Keep in mind that the research shows a noted correlation, rather than a direct causal connection. But due to the broad spectrum of people and other evidence provided by the study, we can still say that coffee is a good thing for the following reasons.
- Cut the Pain: Two cups of coffee can cut post-workout muscle pain by up to 48%. From the Journal of Pain, March 2007 (link)
- Increase your fiber intake: A cup of brewed coffee represents a contribution of up to 1.8 grams of fiber of the recommended intake of 20-38 grams. From the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (link).
- Protection against cirrhosis of the liver: This is a good on, of course, you could just cut down on the alcohol intake. From the Archives of Internal Medicine (link). Another more recent study also showed coffee’s liver protecting benefits. link. Yet another study showed that both coffee and decaffeinated coffee lowered the liver enzyme levels of coffee drinkers. This study was published in the Hepatology Journal.
- Lowers risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Those who consumed six or more cups per day had a 22% lower risk of diabetes. From the Archives of Internal Medicine (link). A recent review of research conducted by Harvard’s Dr. Frank Hu showed that the risk of type II diabetes decreases by 9% for each daily cup of coffee consumed. Decaf coffee decreased risk by 6% per cup.
Lowered risk of Alzheimer’s disease: There is considerable evidence that caffeine may protect against Alzheimer’s disease. From the European Journal of Neurology (link). A recent study also isolated the compounds in roasted coffee that may be responsible for preventing the build-up of the brain plaque believed to cause the disease. - Reduces suicide risk and Depression: A 10-year study of 86,000 female nurses shows a reduced risk of suicide in the coffee drinkers. From the Archives of Internal Medicine (link). Another study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health found that women who drink four or more cups of coffee were 20% less likely to suffer from depression. Study link.
- Protection against Parkinson’s: People with Parkinson’s disease are less likely to be smokers and coffee drinkers than their healthy siblings. From the Archives of Neurology (link). Research out of Sweden revealed that drinking coffee reduces the risk of Parkinson’s even when genetic factors come into play. link. Yet another study (published here) found that caffeine combined with EHT (a compound found in coffee beans) provided protective benefits to rats that were genetically predisposed to developing Parkinson’s.
- Coffee drinkers have lowered risk of heart disease: Korean researchers found that study participants who consumed three to five cups of coffee a day were less likely to show the beginning signs of heart disease. The study. Other dietary factors should also be noted as Koreans typically have a different diet than do Westerners. A more recent study conducted in Brazil found that those that consume at least three cups of coffee a day tend to develop less calcification in their coronary arteries.
- Coffee drinkers have stronger DNA: A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition showed that coffee drinkers have DNA with stronger integrity since the white blood cells of coffee drinkers had far fewer instances of spontaneous DNA strand breakage. Study abstract.
- Lower Risk of Multiple Sclerosis: Recent research showed that at least four cups of coffee a day may help protect against the development and reoccurrence of MS. It is believed that the coffee prevents the neural inflammation that possibly leads to the disease developing. The study was published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.
- Coffee reduces colorectal cancer risk: Even moderate consumption of coffee can reduce the odds of developing colorectal cancer by 26%. This protective benefit increases with more consumption. The study is described in detail here.
So it’s a safe bet to stick with coffee.
Welcome to my happy place
If you know me you know I love coffee and will normally drink it black, why would I want to hide that rich aroma and coffee flavor? Lately, there have been lots of studies touting the health benefits of coffee and how it is almost a cuure-all for all that ails you.
Personally, I drink an organic brand of coffee, Mountain Cabin Premium Coffee, it’s made from100% Arabica beans which I’m told are hand-selected and small-batch roasted with masterful precision to maximize the flavor, body, and aroma of every bean. All I know is that I love the rich flavor.
Mountain Cabin coffee makers only buy their beans from farmers that meet their strict requirements for quality and fairness. Farm workers must be fairly compensated for their labor and expertise. Farm practices must be environmentally sustainable. They believe that their relationship with the coffee growers is one of the most valuable investments a manufacturer can make. Each coffee batch is packaged within minutes of roasting to maintain freshness and it shows.
BENEFITS OF COFFEE
- Naturally occurring antioxidants
- Makes you more alert and attentive
- May improve energy levels
- Can help boost your body’s metabolic rate
- Boost physical performance
- Awakens your senses & lifts your spirits
- Contains essential micronutrients
My current go-to morning brew is the Kona blend and it is available in single-serve Keurig® 2.0 pods that make it so much easier when you’re in a rush in the morning!
What is your favorite brand?.
Living longer with coffee?
Feel free to pour yourself a cup of coffee before reading this — even if you’ve already had some today.
A study of half a million people found more evidence that drinking coffee is associated with a longer life
- A new study shows that people who drink coffee, even those who drink eight or more cups a day, are less likely to die early than non-coffee drinkers.
- This adds to a significant body of research indicating that coffee is connected to a long list of health benefits.
Yet another study has found that drinking coffee is associated with a longer life and lower risk of an early death. This adds to a significant body of research indicating that coffee has positive effects on the heart, liver, brain, and more.
The latest study, published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, reveals that people who drink more coffee have a lower risk of death even if they drink eight or more cups per day. The study, also found that even people who metabolize caffeine slowly are less likely to die early if they drink more coffee.
The study looked at 500,000 people in the UK for three decades., of whom 387,494 were coffee drinkers. The group studied was 54% female and had an average age of 57. Ten years after the start of the study, 14,225 people had died. The results suggested that people who drank two to five cups of coffee in a day were about 12% less likely to die than non-coffee-drinkers over the 10-year time period in the study. People who drank six to seven cups were 16% less likely to die, and people who drank eight or more cups were about 14% less likely to die.
In this study, coffee drinkers seem to gain health benefits from the habit. The study results showed coffee drinkers had a lower risk of death overall, just as many other studies have found.
It didn’t matter whether the coffee was decaf or regular, ground or instant — all were beneficial (though the connection to lower risk of death was weaker for instant coffee).
As with all studies like this in which researchers observe a group of people over time, this study can’t prove that coffee is the cause of the reduced risk of death. It can just say that people who drink coffee are less likely to die early.
Another large study of 500,000 people in Europe showed similar results to the recent UK research: men who drank three cups of coffee per day were 12% less likely to die over a 16-year period than coffee abstainers, and women who drank that much coffee were 7% less likely to die.
Another study of 185,855 multi-ethnic Americans confirmed that result, too. People who drank one cup per day were 12% less likely to die. Consuming two to three daily cups was associated with an 18% decrease in risk for early death. That study is particularly important, as it shows these benefits apply to African Americans, Native Hawaiians, Japanese Americans, Latinos, and white people. (People of color are not always as well represented in these types of studies.)
Other research has indicated that coffee drinkers are less likely to develop various forms of cancer, Type 2 diabetes, depression, Alzheimer’s, dementia, liver cirrhosis, and heart disease.
In many studies, it hasn’t mattered whether coffee was caffeinated or not, which indicates that many benefits may not be connected to caffeine — there are all kinds of other antioxidant-rich compounds in coffee that could have an effect. Still, at least one recent study attributed the lower risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke to caffeine, though those researchers still cautioned that overdoing it with caffeine was possible.
As all this data shows, coffee is likely beneficial for most of us, and at the very least not harmful. So the next time someone says they’re trying to limit their coffee consumption, you can tell them not to worry about it.
My favorite brand of coffee is Mountain Cabin what’s yours?
Caffeine Awareness Month
March is Caffeine Awareness Month, which comes at a time when caffeine from coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate bars, and other foods and beverages is an especially buzz-worthy topic for consumers around the world.
I love coffee and chocolate and have a tendency to consume one or the other (sometimes both together) daily. A day without chocolate is a day without sunshine! Both are considered sources of caffeine.
The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) published recommendations mentioned caffeine 414 times, and provided an evidenced-based guideline indicating caffeine consumption of up to 400 mg/day, or approximately three to five 8-oz. cups of coffee per day, can be incorporated into healthful, daily eating patterns.
While the DGAs are primarily centered on coffee, there are several sources of caffeine that can contribute to this recommended 400 mg threshold.
Ever wonder which foods contain caffeine and how much is recommended for you? Let’s take a quick look at a few common food and beverage sources and how much caffeine they contain:
- An 8.4-oz. energy drink, a 20-oz. diet cola, and a shot of espresso, all sources of caffeine, contain about the same amount as a cup of coffee (80 mg). Other recognizable choices include:
- A cup of green tea or a 12-oz. can of soda, both of which contain about 40 mg of caffeine.
- A 1.5-oz. chocolate bar, which contains about 10 mg of caffeine, whereas a darker chocolate bar the same size contains about 30 mg of caffeine. (No wonder I prefer dark chocolate!)
So know your sources of caffeine and the amounts. It all adds up across the day.
What’s your favorite chocolate or coffee?
A Valentine’s Kiss, before or after?
Do we kiss or drink coffee?
Why, we drink coffee first, of course!
Especially since we drink what must be the best coffee ever!
There’s no bitter aftertaste, nothing added, no chemical processing, just 100% Arabica Coffee beans from Colombia. Delicious!
It doesn’t need to be a National Coffee Day for us to be excited about our coffee. We get excited to drink Mountain Cabin Coffee every morning and every evening!
Now where is that Valentine’s morning Kiss?
#CoffeeLovers #MountainCabinCoffee #GetYourOwnBag #NationalCoffeeDay #InternationalCoffeeDay
Living longer with coffee?
I love my Mountain Cabin coffee and drink a cup or more daily. Growing up ideas on coffee have changed many times. Some years coffee was good for you with it’s energy boosting caffeine, then it was bad for you, too much caffeine was unhealthy and every few years the position would revert good to bad or bad to good. All I know I wasn’t giving up my coffee, I was sticking to caffeinated, black coffee and drinking in moderation. Most recently, coffee has been back on the “nice” list because it contains antioxidants that are good for us all.
Now there is a new study released by the University of California-Irvine that claims coffee and alcohol could help us live past 90. It claims moderate alcohol and coffee consumption could be linked to living a longer life. Started in 2003, “The 90+ Study” examined 1,600 participants of the “oldest-old” age group, to determine the key factors to living to 90 years of age and beyond. The study is one of the world’s largest examinations of the age group, which is also the fastest-growing in the U.S., the publishers of the study claim. According to the research, “people who drank moderate amounts of alcohol or coffee lived longer than those who abstained.” Somewhat surprisingly, the study also claims that “people who were overweight in their 70s lived longer than normal or underweight people did.”
There are other studies that claim that having a healthy coffee habit can help you live longer, as well as studies that report moderate alcohol consumption is the key to a long life. Perhaps combining these two things is the fountain of youth. One study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that drinking up to eight cups of coffee a day, even decaf, could prevent premature death.
A new study of nearly half a million people in the United Kingdom suggests a lower risk of death was associated with drinking more coffee, including among coffee drinkers who have eight or more cups per day, in both slow and fast metabolizers of caffeine, and in drinkers of ground, instant, and decaffeinated coffee.
The results come with a warning to interpret them with caution because they are based on observational data and cannot prove causation,” a press release about the August 2018 study explained. While a straight line can’t be definitively drawn between coffee and living longer, these types of studies certainly make a case for dedicating more resources to researching the properties of coffee and alcohol.
The critical word in all of this is “moderate” consumption, which the Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines as up to one alcoholic drink (containing 14 grams of pure alcohol) per day for women, and two for men.
As to whether or not casual alcohol consumption can help you live longer, an analysis of 87 studies about the topic published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs reported that there is no direct evidence that drinkers live longer than non-drinkers. Basically, it’s really not clear what will help you see your 90th birthday.
However, if you enjoy coffee, go ahead and drink it. If you like to have a few drinks a week, it’s probably not going to hurt you. However, if neither of these things are your jam, there’s no reason to start consuming them now.
All I know I’m sticking with my Mountaiin Cabin Coffee and wine with dinner.
How about you?
Great Coffee
The most popular hot beverage in this country is coffee. Millions of us enjoy a hot cup of coffee or two to start our day (or throughout). In searching for the best way to make a great cup of coffee we turned to (where else) the National Coffee Association.
Attached are some guidelines that the association recommends. Their advice in this article ranges from cleaning your equipment properly, to the beans, to the freshness, to the grind, to the water, including the ratio of water to coffee, the temperature of the water, brewing time. Some great basics that can make us all better at brewing that perfect cup.
Great coffee the NCA points out starts with great beans. That means that the beans you choose should match your own personal taste. The roast, the origins and even the preparation are matters of your own taste, so don’t hesitate to experiment while you search for you own “magical cup”.
A couple of years ago, my company introduced coffee to its wellness line of products. It took them years of research and tasting to find just the right beans and places that they were grown. The company is driven by quality so the research was an important part of introducing coffee to their product line.
They wanted to be sure that the coffee we offered was proprietary, so they contracted to purchase the entire production of the beans and the plantations they chose. Even the plantations and their locations are kept a secret to prevent duplication of our superior brand. The company did all that. All I have to do is enjoy a cup of this most delicious brew and it is priced so competitively that I am able to enjoy it every day.
Hayseeds Creative 