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The Myth of the Fully Automatic Coffee Machine

There is a lot of talk about fully automatic machines. But what is the truth of the stories and for whom is such a device suitable?

Coffee machines deliver comparatively bad coffee

If you talk about fully automatic coffee machines, it quickly becomes clear that the coffee from such machines can only be mediocre. In particular, supposed “coffee professionals” are critical of the taste quality of individual coffee specialties such as espressos, latte macchiatos or cappuccinos. All in all, of course, it has to be said that a fully automatic machine is not the perfect device for a specific coffee drink – it scores much more with its variety, high functionality and user-defined settings. So if you are looking for the best espresso and are not interested in other coffee variations, you would definitely be better off with an espresso machine. Nevertheless, a fully automatic coffee machine delivers a high coffee quality, which should not be underestimated and is sometimes on a gastronomic level.

How good the coffee from a fully automatic coffee machine tastes varies depending on the device. As with other things, there are bad as well as good automatic machines. If you invest a little more, you often get better machines and can therefore look forward to a great coffee taste. Modern devices also allow user-defined settings so that individual creations can be created.

Fully automatic coffee machines usually deliver better coffee than conventional coffee machines. Freshly ground coffee beans, pre-programmed processes and innovative technology ensure consistent results and meet even the highest demands. The myth that only bad coffee comes from fully automatic machines is therefore not true – no other machine can deliver such a variety of coffee drinks in a comparably high quality!

Coffee machines are often defective

“Fully automatic machines are full of technology and therefore often have a defect”. This thesis may sound logical, but unfortunately it cannot be true. In addition to smaller exceptions, fully automatic coffee machines convince with a long service life and hardly any incidents that can be mentioned. However, if you want to enjoy your device for a long time, you should take good care of it. Most defects are not due to technical defects or faulty products, but are the fault of user misconduct.

With proper care of a fully automatic coffee machine, defects are easy to avoid. Regular cleaning and descaling is important here. Hard limescale in particular can cause major damage. Here you should pay attention to the use of the right descaler. Agents that are too aggressive can also cause damage. Experience has shown that, with reasonable care, fully automatic coffee machines can last for several years without showing any major defects.

Fully automatic machines use far too much coffee

It is true that fully automatic coffee machines require a large amount of coffee, but of course the dosage also matters here. Many devices allow an individual setting. For example, those who prefer a mild aroma do not need as much coffee as someone who tends towards a strong aroma. The amount of coffee in a cup of coffee starts at around 6 grams and can go up to 13 grams or more. If you would like to use your coffee beans sparingly or prefer your own settings, you should look around for a fully automatic machine with the appropriate additional functions.

The coffee consumption is not the same for every fully automatic machine. Some machines consume more than others by default. Also, the difference to conventional coffee machines or filter coffee is not really big. The statement that the consumption here is far too high is therefore not entirely correct.

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Food

The Myth of Coffee: How Healthy is The Drink Really?

There have been numerous myths surrounding coffee for years. For many, it has now become an indispensable part of every day.

Caffeine as a stimulant

When it comes to coffee, the caffeine factor plays a crucial role. Many people reach for a cup of coffee early in the morning to shake off morning fatigue and start the day awake. The effects of caffeine are quite varied. First and foremost, it ensures that our circulation gets going and our mood rises positively. After consumption, our body needs about 30 to 45 minutes to transport the caffeine into our bloodstream. With normal consumption, caffeine has a stimulating effect on the psyche. The main advantage of this is that we can overcome performance lows and get into an alert and alert state. Even the memory capacity of our brain can be temporarily improved by consuming coffee. Concentration increases and we overcome phases of tiredness. Another great benefit of caffeine is that our peripheral blood vessels dilate – at the same time, the cerebral vessels shrink. This can alleviate migraines and headaches – a property that pharmaceutical companies have now discovered for themselves. Caffeine is found in many headache pills these days. Of course, excessive caffeine consumption can also have a negative effect on our body. Sleep disorders, headaches and restricted motor skills are side effects that can occur if consumption gets out of hand. As with so many things in life, enjoying delicious coffee should be done in moderation.

The side effects of too much caffeine are partly to blame for the fact that coffee has a bad reputation in some circles. But if you don’t drink dozens of cups at once, you have nothing to fear here either. This is different for pregnant women, for example. The half-life of caffeine elimination for a normal human is around four hours. Expectant mothers, on the other hand, have to reckon with a half-life of around 20 hours. Therefore, you should take a closer look here. A suitable alternative would also be decaffeinated coffee. Older people often use this variant, so that it can be one or two more cups a day. A variety of flavors and manufacturing processes allow everyone to enjoy an unforgettable coffee experience – with or without caffeine. After all, it’s not the quantity that counts, but the taste – and that’s just wonderful with coffee.

Coffee – healthy or unhealthy

With regard to the question of whether coffee is healthy or unhealthy, the advantages and disadvantages of coffee should be discussed. In general, however, it can be said that coffee is better than its reputation suggests. In the following, the symptoms of coffee consumption are to be considered in more detail:

The rumor has long been that coffee is harmful to the heart and even causes cancer. However, it is now known that exactly the opposite is the case. According to the European long-term study EPIC, in which health data from over half a million people were evaluated, there is evidence that the consumption of coffee protects against brain tumors, colon cancer, prostate cancer and much more. The complex composition of coffee, which consists of several hundred ingredients, indicates that this is more of a healthy than an unhealthy drink. Scientists have also observed that the arteries of people who drink three to five cups of coffee a day have less hardening than those of people who don’t drink coffee. This primarily benefits our heart and has a positive effect on blood flow. A study by doctors from Boston (USA) also showed that a few cups of coffee a day lowers the risk of heart disease. In total, more than 1.3 million coffee drinkers took part in the study. With the advancing studies, more and more all-clear signals are being raised about coffee. Myths about coffee consumption are losing ground and are making the already popular drink even more popular.

The fact that coffee was often considered unhealthy in the past is due to many characteristics and prejudices. Even today, some of these rumors persist and wrongly condemn the drink. For example, it is denounced that many coffee drinkers are also smokers and die earlier. However, recent studies show that people with a tendency to consume coffee tend to live longer rather than shorter. Earlier studies were simply falsified, since the factor of smoking was included there. A big problem factor for many is caffeine. But here, too, it is true that consumption in moderation is more beneficial than harmful. There are also numerous types of coffee without caffeine.

When it comes to our heart, coffee keeps coming up. So he should be responsible for high blood pressure. In people who drink coffee only occasionally, caffeine causes blood pressure to rise slightly for a short time. However, regular coffee drinkers get used to this increase in blood pressure and compensate for it after just two to three weeks. So this no longer occurs or only very slightly.

Not all coffee is the same

The variety of coffee beans and the different methods of preparation give the issue of coffee a whole new meaning. There is mild as well as strong coffee, tart flavors or a light variety of aromas. Everyone likes their coffee differently and this is where you have to take a closer look. Depending on the roast, type of coffee and preparation, every body reacts differently to the pleasure of coffee. Sensitive stomachs can, for example, tolerate strong roasts better than mild ones, since the longer roasting breaks down bitter substances. You just have to try it here. Once you have found the right coffee for you, it can work wonders. It can boost digestion, strengthen the liver and have an extremely invigorating effect.

If we look at the different types of coffee, the question quickly arises as to whether coffee also makes you fat. Here it can be said quite clearly that the standard black coffee, i.e. the pure caffeine drink, has just two calories – in other words, we could drink coffee all day long and would not gain weight. But that changes when milk and sugar come into play. The numerous coffee specialties such as cappuccino, latte macchiato and other milk coffees make the low-calorie drink look like a little fattening. But the same applies here: “the masses make the difference”. If you don’t reach for too many calorie bombs and don’t drink them in bulk, you certainly won’t gain weight. For some of us it is also worth taking a look at an organic coffee. This is purely natural and contains no additives. So coffee drinkers can breathe easy and don’t have to worry about too many calories.

Coffee is better than its reputation

The fact that coffee is considered unhealthy by some people is mainly due to the many prejudices and myths surrounding the subject of coffee enjoyment. Nowadays, however, it can be said that coffee is not only better than its reputation, but is also considered healthy. Side effects such as shaky hands, palpitations, weight gain and others have little to do with the coffee itself. With normal consumption, coffee has a positive effect on our body and also tastes wonderful. Everyone has to decide for themselves which coffee is the best. However, the variety of coffee types and flavors leaves nothing to be desired and gives us a true pleasure experience.

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Cooking Tips

Coffee in The Evening Makes You Sleepless – Myth or Truth?

Coffee is the classic pick-me-up. No wonder many experts advise against drinking coffee in the evening. But does this recommendation really make sense?

Does coffee cause sleepless nights?

For many people, a cup of coffee in the morning is a perfect way to start the day. No wonder, after all, a freshly brewed coffee simply tastes delicious and is also considered a practical pick-me-up. Many connoisseurs also like to drink coffee in the afternoon to overcome the midday slump or as a supplement to cakes and biscuits. However, many people refuse coffee in the evening, because everyone knows the warning that you cannot sleep well after a coffee.

Some coffee drinkers have experienced themselves that after drinking coffee they were practically insomniac and lay awake for a long time. Nevertheless, there are always people who can sleep well after a coffee and do not feel any effect. So why is it that coffee has such different effects? And is the myth that coffee makes you sleepless in the evening really true?

Caffeine – the pick-me-up in coffee

Caffeine is part of the coffee bean. Depending on the type of coffee bean, the coffee contains more or less caffeine. For example, the two most popular coffee beans, Arabica and Robusta, differ significantly in their caffeine content. While the Arabica bean, with a caffeine content of 1.1 to 1.7%, is considered gentle on the heart, the Robusta is a real pick-me-up. Here the caffeine content is between 2 and 4.5%. Extracted caffeine is a white powder that tastes bitter but is completely odorless. Thus, the caffeine content, along with numerous other aromas, contributes to the typical taste of the coffee.
Why the coffee bean contains caffeine is controversial. It is often assumed that it is a natural protection against eating, after all, a raw coffee bean tastes quite bitter. Thus, animals or insects avoid the coffee bean. Chemically, caffeine is an alkaloid, i.e. an organic compound. Caffeine affects both the human and the animal organism. Due to the stimulating effect, the pick-me-up belongs to the group of stimulants. Caffeine is not only found in coffee, it is also found in smaller doses in cocoa, tea and guarana. Energy drinks and cola also rely on the stimulating caffeine. However, coffee is still the classic pick-me-up.

Caffeine acts as a stimulant

Caffeine has a noticeable effect on the body. We ourselves usually notice it from a faster heart rate and increased blood pressure. The blood vessels in the body dilate, but in the brain they constrict. The central nervous system and the entire metabolism are also stimulated by the stimulant caffeine. As a result, we are more awake, active and focused. Since everyone has an individual caffeine tolerance, an overdose can quickly occur. Then the body reacts with headaches or nervousness and the positive effects turn negative.

The rumor still persists that strong, bitter coffee has a higher caffeine content than a mild beverage. However, this is not the case as the method of preparation does not affect the caffeine content. Only the caffeine contained in the coffee powder influences the stimulant factor of the coffee. Since different coffee specialties are prepared with a different amount of powder, this is the reason for the different caffeine content.

A coffee in the evening?

Coffee is indeed a stimulant. This effect only sets in after half an hour, because then the caffeine has arrived in the bloodstream. It takes the body about five hours for the body to break down half of the caffeine. So it’s no wonder that late coffee has an impact on the quality of sleep. In fact, the stimulant even influences the body’s biorhythm. The natural need for sleep is shifted backwards and can thus permanently disrupt the natural rhythm. If you want to prevent this effect, you should stop drinking coffee – or drink decaffeinated coffee – five hours before you want to fall asleep.

By the way, there are people who can sleep perfectly even after drinking coffee. It has not yet been researched why these people react little or not at all to the caffeine. So, try the effect caffeine has on your body.

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Food

Food Myth: Are Sprouting Onions Inedible?

Sprouting onions are difficult to avoid—even if you store them properly. After some time, the onion develops green shoots. In this article, you will learn what you can do with sprouting onions.

Sprouted foods are dangerous – many of us learned that at one point. But is that also true for onions? The myth that germinating foods are inedible probably stems from potatoes. Potatoes can be poisonous in certain stages of ripeness and are then no longer suitable for consumption.

However, germinating onions, like germinating garlic, do not produce any harmful substances. You can therefore eat sprouting onions without hesitation.

Germinating onions: you should pay attention to this

Germinating onions do not develop any toxic substances. So you can use them in the kitchen without hesitation. But you should keep this in mind when the onions sprout:

Consume them as soon as possible.
Germinating onions soften over time as the shoots eat away at their substance.
Older soft onions will begin to smell musty. This gives dishes an unpleasant aftertaste. Tip: Be sure to smell the onion before using it. Only overcook onions that smell fresh and pungent as usual.
For older germinating onions with little substance, you should only use the green onion shoots.

Here’s how you can use sprouting onions

Use sprouted onions preferably for cooking and frying. Since the onions are no longer so crisp, they taste better cooked than raw.

Sprouting onions should be consumed as soon as possible. Therefore, cook dishes that require a particularly large number of onions:

  • Potato goulash
  • French onion soup
  • Roasted onions
  • Onioncake

Tip: The young sprouts of the onions taste spicy and hot. Like the green of spring onions, you can use them in dips, herbal quark, or in salads.

Regrowing: Allowing germinating onions to grow

If you have a garden or balcony, you can also plant sprouted bulbs. The green shoots of the onions continue to grow back. This is called regrowing. You can harvest it continuously and cook it into delicious dishes.

Growing onions on the windowsill:

Place the sprouting onions in a small bowl filled with water.
Change the water daily.
Cut off the green shoots regularly and use them in the kitchen.
How to grow onions in a flowerpot:

Fill a flower pot loosely with soil.
Make a small well in the middle of the pot with your fingers.
Place the onion in the well, roots first.
Add some additional soil to the pot until the bulb is almost completely covered with soil. The tip of the shoot must look out of the ground.
Water the soil of the freshly planted onion.
Water the onion with a little water every two to three days.
Cut off the green shoots regularly and use them in the kitchen.

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