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Reading Coffee Grounds – The Enjoyable Look Into The Future

Reading coffee grounds has a long tradition. Now the tradition is being revived on New Year’s Eve in order to look to the future in a cheap and environmentally friendly way.

Reading coffee grounds – the alternative to pouring lead

New Year’s Eve is the perfect moment to make plans for the new year and take a daring look at the future. What will next year bring? Many people still rely on lead casting, in which lead is melted and the newly created figures are interpreted. Unfortunately, lead casting is harmful to the environment and health, so more and more people are doing without it. But there is a healthy and environmentally friendly alternative that is at least as much fun – namely reading coffee grounds.

The origins of reading coffee grounds

Reading the coffee grounds is an old tradition. Like the coffee itself, the tradition comes from the Orient. No wonder that not only the enjoyment of coffee conquered the world, but also the mystical reading of coffee grounds. It is a popular pastime, especially in Southeastern Europe and Turkey. Looking into the future works best with a poured mocha or Turkish coffee. This leaves a large amount of coffee grounds at the bottom of the cup. But even with simple filter coffee, the necessary coffee grounds can be produced quickly and easily.

Reading coffee grounds on New Year’s Eve

Reading coffee grounds is great fun for the whole family. It is best for everyone to get their own coffee, after all, everyone has an individual future ahead of them. Depending on their age, children can take part in the spectacle with decaffeinated coffee substitutes or the adults drink an additional cup of coffee and provide it. Together, looking into the future is twice as much fun:
Put finely ground coffee in a pot and then fill it up with hot water. Stir a little
When the ground coffee has settled, you can pour the coffee into the cups
Now it gets exciting, because according to the real Turkish ritual, they now have to swirl the cup three times and breathe into it three times
Enjoy your coffee now
Put a saucer over the empty cup. Now the moment has come to ask a specific question about the future
Just wait a moment and then turn the cup and saucer over so the coffee grounds are on top of the saucer
Then you have to breathe on the saucer three more times and let the resulting patterns work on you

Interpret the coffee grounds

Now the exciting part of the evening begins: reading the coffee grounds. They recognize a variety of shapes, patterns, and sometimes figures that look like animals, plants, or objects. Each form can be interpreted in a certain way. This creates fun discussions. Other divination systems such as symbol books or tarot cards are suitable as templates for the interpretation of the patterns. The list of symbols and their meaning is endless. But you can also not take the whole thing too seriously and let your imagination run wild with the interpretation. Together, while reading coffee grounds, the most exciting future prophecies emerge.

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Irish Coffee – The Irish Coffee With a Kick

Irish Coffee ist gerade in der kalten Jahreszeit eine willkommene Alternative zu Glühwein oder Lumumba. Aber auch dank vieler Variationen erfreut sich das Heißgetränk großer Beliebtheit.

Delicious Irish Coffee Recipes

The Irish – a jolly, cheerful bunch with red hair. Granted, not every Irishman has red hair. Most of them are in a good mood. One reason for this could be that they like to refine their coffee with alcohol. With our delicious recipes, a traditional Irish coffee can also be made in Germany. Coffee with a shot is a delicious alternative to mulled wine or hot chocolate, especially at Christmas time. Even a dull winter’s day becomes an enjoyable experience and the mood brightens.

The History of Irish Coffee

According to legend, Irish coffee was created in 1942 in the west of Ireland. The inventor, Joseph Sheridan, was a restaurant chef near Foynes Airport. When a group of Americans had to wait in the cold for their return flight due to the Irish weather, Sheridan wanted to heat it up with a hot drink. To do this, he simply poured some Irish whiskey into a coffee before serving it. He called the resulting mix Irish Coffee. The specialty is also called Gaelic Coffee and is now warming up coffee lovers all over the world.

It doesn’t take many ingredients to make an Irish coffee. Absolutely necessary are:

Hot coffee
Some hot cream
1 teaspoon brown sugar
4 cl Irish whiskey
For the preparation, the whiskey is first heated together with the sugar in a preheated glass. When the whiskey and sugar have mixed well, add the coffee. To top it all off, the coffee gets an icing on the cake. You should be a bit careful with this step so that the cream does not immediately mix with the coffee. It works best if you carefully spread the cream over the coffee with a small spoon – and the Irish coffee is ready.

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Brazil is World Champion – at Least When it Comes to Coffee

Not only in football Brazil is usually at the top. The country on the Sugar Loaf is the clear number one worldwide among coffee producers.

Perfect climate for cultivation

Almost five million of the approximately 190 million inhabitants live directly from coffee cultivation. Around 60% of the annual harvest is exported. Every fourth coffee plant in the world grows on Brazilian soil. And because the climate in the South American country is usually ideal for growing coffee, almost 30% of all coffee beans come from Brazil – more than a million tons. So it’s no wonder that the recent period of drought in the country has led to a steep rise in the world market price for green coffee because of fears of massive crop failures. Brazilian coffee is very popular, especially in Europe. The Germans and Italians alone import almost 100,000 tons of coffee a year. The low acid content paired with a high caffeine content, which characterizes the coffees from the South American country, is particularly appreciated.

Because the climate in the South American country is usually ideal for coffee growing, almost 30% of all coffee beans come from Brazil – more than a million tons.

The first coffee plants were brought to Brazil from French Guiana around 1730 by the officer Franciso de Melo Palheta. From this point on, coffee cultivation and coffee culture spread rapidly. At the Sugar Loaf there are a number of coffee specialties that are an integral part of everyday life there. These include, for example, the Café de olla and the Cafezinho. For Brazilians, making a good coffee starts with choosing the right water. It must be pure, rich in minerals and oxygen, because this is the only way the coffee can develop its full taste.

Café de olla refreshes and invigorates

The café de olla is not only a popular coffee specialty and refreshment in Brazil. It is usually drunk cold and made from coffee powder with various spices such as cinnamon, orange peel, chili or vanilla. The drink is available in many variants, of which we would like to present a typical one for you to cook at home:

Cafe de olla recipe

Ingredients:

1,000 ml still mineral water,
30 g freshly ground coffee powder,
125 g brown sugar,
2 cinnamon sticks,
5 cloves,
Zest of half an orange.

Preparation:

First bring the water to the boil in a small saucepan along with the cloves, the cinnamon stick and the zest of the orange.
Once it boils, let it simmer for about 10 minutes more.
Then add the coffee powder and the sugar and let it boil again briefly.
Finally, remove the pot from the hotplate and let it steep for about 5 minutes.
To pour into a pot or bottle, it is best to pass it through a fine sieve.
The café de olla tastes best when it has been well chilled. Bottled and refrigerated, this Brazilian refreshment can easily be kept for several days.

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True or False – Coffee Myths Cleared Up

There are many rumors about coffee: coffee makes you fat – coffee makes you slim – coffee is healthy – coffee is unhealthy. Time to clean up the rumor mill.

#1:The name cappuccino came about because this coffee specialty resembled the color of the clothes of a group of monks.

True!

The cappuccino comes from the Austrian Kapuziner. This Viennese coffee specialty – a mocha with whipped cream – got its name from the similarity of the color of the drink and the color of the Capuchin monks’ robes. The name “cappuccino” comes from the Italian “cappuccio” which means “hood”.

#2: The Germans are world champions in coffee consumption.

Not correct!

Germany only ranks 8th in the statistics for global coffee consumption (as of 2017). The Finns are the true world champions. On average, every Finn takes up to 5 “coffee breaks” a day, consuming about 1 liter of coffee. That would be 10 kg of coffee beans per year and rightly number 1 for the Finns.

#3: The first German coffee house opened before 1700.

True!

The first coffee house actually opened in Bremen in 1673. At that time, the “Schütting” coffee house was considered a meeting place for merchants, scholars and philosophers. Today the Bremen merchants and the Chamber of Commerce are located in Haus Schütting.

#4: In Japan, there is a pet kitten with coffee.

True!

Hard to believe, but it’s actually true! Since many Japanese homes are simply too small to keep a pet there, some businessmen developed the cat café business model. Here, anyone who cannot keep their own animal partner at home can not only enjoy the coffee, but also enjoy the presence of several cats. Many Japanese now use these facilities to relax after a hard day’s work with a few cuddles with a cat.

The petting pleasure costs the equivalent of four euros per hour plus the cost of the coffee. Before entering the cat café, visitors must disinfect their hands and exchange their street shoes for slippers.

The business idea is very successful in Japan, so it is not surprising that this trend has now arrived in Europe. Germany’s first cat café opened in Munich – there are now eight cafés in Munich, Cologne, Berlin, Aachen, Bielefeld, Hanover and Nuremberg.

#5: Coffee beans last longer when stored in the refrigerator.

Not correct!

Coffee beans are porous and therefore absorb food odors and moisture very quickly – so the fridge is the last place coffee belongs.

Tip: Buy beans fresh, store in an airtight container at room temperature and use within a week.

#6: When dieting, you should avoid coffee.

Not correct!

No, on the contrary: caffeine increases fat burning, heat production and blood pressure in the body, thereby boosting the metabolism.

Tip: a cup of strong coffee or espresso after the meal!

#7: Low-fat milk is good for foaming.

True!

The foam quality depends on the protein content and not on the fat content of the milk. Any milk can therefore be foamed – including soy milk and lactose-free milk.

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Lemonade Made From Coffee – Coffee With a Difference

The lemonade made from coffee is refreshing and sweet, instead of aromatic and slightly bitter. It tastes like a hint of orange and honey.

Coffee cherry lemonade

The world of coffee is diverse and full of surprises. Or would you have thought that there is a fruity fresh lemonade made from coffee? It is an absolute trend drink, which is a great alternative, especially in summer. Instead of the typical coffee aroma, the drink is more reminiscent of orange soda. The soda is made from the coffee cherry, which is otherwise a waste product in coffee production. In fact, the coffee bean is only a small part of the entire coffee cherry. In this way, the “selosoda” showerhead contributes to the extensive use of the coffee plant. This protects the environment and tastes really good at the same time.

selosoda – This is how the coffee lemonade came about

Lara Zumbaum, who was once responsible for beverage brands in marketing at mymuesli, had the innovative idea for the lemonade made from coffee. In fact, one-third of the coffee cherries harvested go to waste when used industrially. The outermost layers are thrown away, although there is still a lot of flavor variety and natural caffeine. Lara Zumbaum recognized the potential and developed selosoda. After the founder initially used the coffee cherries as tea, the idea of ​​a soft drink came up. The very sweet coffee cherry allows for a tasty coffee waste-tea based lemonade that is less sweet and made with no additives.

In the meantime, however, selosoda was threatened with extinction, because the approval of the coffee cherry as a foodstuff was revoked in the EU in 2017 – because it was not consumed in significant quantities in the EU before 1997. But the founder decided against giving up and decided to rethink: Now the focus is on the green, unroasted beans – Selo Green Coffee is born. The taste deviates somewhat from the original selosoda, but the cold drink has lost neither its freshness nor its aroma.

This is what coffee lemonade tastes like

Anyone who thinks that the lemonade tastes like coffee is wrong. In addition to the coffee cherry, the ingredients are organic citrus juice and carbon dioxide. Although there is only 15.6 grams of natural sugar in one liter, the soda tastes sweet and both orange and a little honey. The lemonade cannot serve with a bitter coffee taste, although the caffeine content corresponds to that of a double espresso. That is why it is also ideal as a refreshing pick-me-up on a warm summer’s day. The lemonade made from coffee just complements the diverse world of coffee drinks.

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Food

Washing or Soaking Rice – Does That Make Sense?

Before preparing it, you should wash and soak rice. We explain why and what you should pay attention to.

At first glance, it is actually quite easy to cook rice. If we take a closer look at the topic, it becomes apparent that there are quite a few things to consider when preparing rice. It’s not just about the consistency and taste of the cooked rice, but also about the health aspects. Find out here why you should definitely wash and soak rice.

Washing and soaking rice: That’s why it’s so important

Some people cook rice directly without washing it first. Others swear by washing the grains thoroughly beforehand. Very few, however, remember to soak the rice beforehand. These are important steps, because with the right preparation you can reduce the arsenic contained in rice.

Background: In recent years, various studies and investigations have repeatedly found arsenic residues in rice. Arsenic is a semi-metal that occurs naturally. This element is classified as “carcinogenic to humans” according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This is why there have been maximum levels for arsenic residues in rice and rice products in the EU since 2016.
Arsenic can also be found in other foods such as bread or cow’s milk, but rice is particularly contaminated. This is because the rice fields are flooded during cultivation and the arsenic is released from the soil. Arsenic was found in all six products examined in a WDR random sample study. More information on this topic: Arsenic in food.
Due to the arsenic residues found, the Federal Office for Risk Assessment (BfR) advises against consuming rice too frequently and in too large quantities. Instead, you should replace rice and rice products with other grains and foods – especially for babies and children. Incidentally, brown rice and parboiled rice are particularly affected, since the arsenic is mainly deposited in the outer layers of the grain. However, these types of rice also contain more valuable nutrients than white, polished rice.
But you don’t have to do without rice completely, because the method of preparation plays a major role and can significantly reduce the arsenic content in rice. It is important to wash the rice before preparation – and preferably even soak it.

Soaking, washing and cooking rice: arsenic content

There are two popular methods of cooking rice: the swelling method and the water method. (More info on the two methods: Cook rice)

Culinary connoisseurs argue about which method gives the rice the best consistency and tastes best. Scientists, on the other hand, want to find the preparation method that can remove the most arsenic from the rice.

A study from 2015 took on this task and tested various methods. The results for this:

Thorough washing can leach some arsenic from the rice.
The arsenic contained can be reduced even more by soaking the rice for several hours beforehand.
The rice-water ratio when cooking is also crucial. With the swelling method (water 2:1 rice) almost all of the arsenic remains. For the test, the researchers cooked the rice in the ratios 3:1, 6:1 and 12:1. The more water you use, the more arsenic you can end up rinsing out with the cooking water.
The researchers achieved the best result by soaking the rice overnight, then washing it and then boiling it in water at a ratio of 12:1. With this method, over 80 percent of the arsenic could be reduced.
These findings apply to all rice varieties examined. The exact percentage of arsenic content varies depending on the type of rice. You can find this in the linked study.

Step-by-step instructions: wash and prepare rice

According to research, you should soak and wash rice beforehand. Also, a relatively high water to rice ratio is important for cooking. However, so that you don’t have to use too much energy to heat the water, we do not recommend the 12:1 ratio, but a ratio of 5:1. This represents a good compromise and is also recommended by the BBC, based on the findings of Prof Meharg, one of the authors of the study mentioned above.

Prepare rice correctly – instructions:

Soak the rice in enough water overnight. To do this, cover the rice with water by about an inch.
Drain the water the next day.
Then wash the rice with water until the waste water is clear and no longer cloudy. This not only flushes out arsenic, but also excess starch and any impurities.
Place the rice in a saucepan with water in a 1:5 ratio.
Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down to low. Then let the rice simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. The exact cooking time varies depending on the type of rice.
Drain the cooking water and drain the rice in a colander.

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Pink is The New Black – Pink Coffee

Pink coffee is not only a great splash of color, thanks to the healthy ingredients, the colorful coffee variant is also a fitness booster.

Pink coffee – a colorful trend drink

The times when coffee was only drunk black are finally over. Not long ago, the Matcha Latte with its greenish color was an absolute must for every trendy café. In the meantime, the color palette has been expanded and pink coffee is conquering the cafés. Its strong pink color makes it a real eye-catcher on the coffee table. But is it just a colorful gimmick? Or what is behind the pink variant of coffee?

The success story of pink coffee

The USA are regarded as absolute trendsetters, especially in the food sector. How surprising that the pink coffee does not come from the land of unlimited opportunities, but from Down Under – Australia. Here the “Beetroot Latte” conquered the Australian cafes. The trend spread via Instagram and social networks, especially among health-conscious food bloggers. These posted colorful snapshots of the trend drink. In the meantime, the pink coffee has also arrived in Germany and inspires with its appearance, taste and healthy ingredients.

The question arises as to where the pink coffee got its striking color from and why it is considered particularly healthy. The Australian name “Beetroot Latte” already provides information about the special ingredients of the coffee specialty: It is made from beetroot. It can be prepared with fresh beetroot or with finished beetroot juice. The other ingredients include espresso, hot milk (also with plant-based milk) and honey. No wonder, then, that pink coffee is rich in vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin C, iron and folic acid. The pink coffee variant thus strengthens skin and hair, supports blood formation and strengthens the heart.

This is how the pink coffee succeeds

Many lose their appetite at the thought of beetroot. But it’s worth trying the pink alternative to black coffee. In fact, it’s very easy to make at home. With the following recipe, the pink coffee is conjured up in no time at all:

Just peel a beetroot and juice it
Add some grated ginger to the juice. But be careful: It’s better to add a little more afterwards before it gets too spicy!
Mix this mixture in boiled almond or soy milk.
Finally, you can add some agave syrup for sweetness.

The trend drink is even faster with ready-made beetroot juice. The pink coffee looks like a latte macchiato or cappuccino, but the recipe actually doesn’t contain any coffee. In principle, however, it can be converted into a caffeinated drink with an espresso.

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Cold Brew – Anything But Cold Coffee

Cold brew is not only a refreshing treat, the preparation of the coffee specialty differs significantly from that of other coffee drinks.

Pleasure on hot days – cold brew

Many coffee drinkers are terrified of cold coffee, after all, many people associate the ceremony of drinking coffee with an aromatic, fragrant cup of hot coffee. Cold coffee is often equated with old, stale coffee. Cold coffee in the form of an iced coffee or a cold brew is also a special treat, especially during the hot season. Cold brew and iced coffee are not the same thing. Both taste refreshing and contain caffeine, but the preparation is very different from each other. Which variant has the edge is not just a question of taste, after all, cold brew has many positive properties.

The origins of cold brew – a trendy drink with a long history

Who would have thought it, although cold brew is a current trend drink, this special way of preparing coffee is quite old. As early as the 17th century, the Dutch came up with the idea of ​​preparing coffee cold. They wanted to be independent of heat sources when preparing coffee and store and sell the drink better. In 2015, cold brew experienced a revival. The trend continues and especially in the summer heat, cold brew is a delicious alternative to iced coffee.

How to prepare a cold brew

The translation of the name already provides information on the correct preparation of a cold brew. Cold Brew means “cold brewing”. However, the term “brewing” is misleading, after all, the cold brew is not made with hot water, but with cold. For the production of one liter of cold brew you need at least 60 grams – some also take up to 200 grams – of ground coffee and patience. The preparation is very simple: the coffee powder is mixed with the cold water and then has to steep for at least 12-24 hours. After this procedure, the brew only needs to be filtered. The trend drink is ready.

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Coffee-To-Go – Pleasure or Hectic?

For many, the coffee-to-go is an integral part of the morning. Whether at the train station or in the nearest kiosk – coffee to go is now available almost everywhere.

The coffee-to-go: coffee enjoyment in the 21st century

Everyone is probably familiar with the following situation: you’re running late, don’t have time for breakfast or a coffee and you’re stressed out and setting off. However, many do not want to do without a stimulating coffee, after all it is simply part of the morning ritual and at the same time awakens tired spirits. Fortunately, on almost every street corner there is the opportunity to buy a coffee-to-go and thus drink the coffee on the go.

The history of the coffee-to-go

The history of the coffee-to-go begins in the USA and is closely related to the development of the paper cup. This was developed by Lawrence Luellen as early as 1907 and was considered to be particularly hygienic, especially in times of the Spanish flu. In the beginning, people didn’t drink coffee from paper cups, they drank water. It was only many years later that the kiosk chain 7-Eleven began selling hot drinks to take away, after all, most people could not afford coffee as a luxury item until after World War II. The coffee-to-go was born. Instead of continuing to rely on paper cups, plastic cups were preferred. The plastic cup was supplemented with a matching lid. Incidentally, this was invented by the well-known coffee chain Starbucks.
The coffee-to-go only found its way to Europe many years later. Around 1990 the trend swept over to Germany. Initially only filter coffee was offered in this country, but over time more and more coffee specialties were added. You can now drink almost any coffee as a coffee-to-go. Here, too, the USA is regarded as a pioneer. Many trends that are already widespread in the States are also very popular here. While numerous fads disappear from the market after a short time, others prevail. It’s the same with coffee-to-go. There is probably no longer a train station or a kiosk that does not offer coffee to go.

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Coffee Capsules – Enjoying Coffee at The Expense of The Environment?

In addition to coffee pods, coffee capsules are also very trendy. But this one is criticized because the capsules produce a lot of waste.

A controversial trend in the coffee market – the coffee capsules

Fast, uncomplicated coffee is trendy. No wonder, after all, fewer and fewer people are taking the time to have a relaxed breakfast in the morning. Instead, it has to be quick at this time of the day. The portion coffee machines are just what they need here and are therefore real bestsellers. Whether with pad or coffee capsules, the desired product only has to be inserted and after a few seconds the coffee will bubble into the cup. There is no need for time-consuming preparation or follow-up work. The stylish coffee machines are particularly popular in single households, but they are also very popular as a supplement to the classic filter machine. However, the capsule machines have come under criticism for various reasons. Is this criticism justified?

The history of coffee capsules

The history of coffee capsules is closely related to the food company Nestlé and the associated label Nespresso. After the Second World War, the filter coffee machine dominated German households for a long time. But the first portion coffee machines were developed as early as 1970. Nestle also experimented with the first capsules from 1970 and applied for a patent for them. The market launch took place in 1980. Initially, sales were rather sluggish. It was not until the 1990s that the coffee capsule became more and more popular. The reason for this was not least the intensive advertising campaigns with George Clooney, among others. Since then, coffee from the capsule has been a worldwide success. For a long time, Nestlé was unrivalled. Only when the patents expired did a battle for market leadership in the coffee capsules area develop.

This is how the coffee capsule works

Coffee capsules only work with special coffee machines. Usually only one capsule of the same brand fits into the corresponding coffee machine. To enjoy the coffee, hot water is pressed into the capsule at high pressure. The coffee is brewed in the capsule itself. As soon as the maximum pressure is reached, the aluminum capsule ruptures and the drink flows into the cup. Due to the different capsule sizes from 40 to 110 milliliters, different portions are possible. Of course, the coffee capsules are available in many different flavors

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