Breaking
FoodNerdy Recipes Management System
Tag

vs.

Browsing
Cooking Tips

Espresso Vean vs. Coffee Bean

Both beans form the basis for an aromatic beverage. But what are the differences between espresso and coffee beans?

The espresso bean – just a special coffee bean?

The espresso is a special coffee specialty. Small, strong and powerful, it already differs from many other drinks in terms of quantity and taste. The preparation of the Italian specialty is an art in itself that not every barista masters right away. Above all, handling the portafilter machine requires a lot of practice. In addition to the right technique, it is above all the ingredients that create the special aroma of the espresso. Basically, you don’t need much for a perfect espresso: the right equipment, water and the perfect espresso bean. But what characterizes the optimal espresso bean? How can it be recognized and is this a normal, commercially available coffee bean?

Espresso bean and coffee bean – the small but subtle difference

Who would have thought? Although the espresso usually has a much stronger taste than normal filter coffee, it is basically the same raw material, i.e. the same coffee bean. The decisive difference here is the processing and the mixture. Espresso blends are more commonly blends. Blends are mixtures of different coffee beans. Even beans from different countries can come together in such a blend. Espresso beans usually contain a high proportion of Robusta beans. These grow in lower growing areas, are therefore stronger in taste and have a higher caffeine content. They also form a better crema due to their lower fat content. This makes the Robusta the perfect espresso bean. Most espresso blends consist of 50% Robusta beans.
Another distinguishing criterion is the length of the roasting process. The roasting of the espresso beans takes much longer. This creates the dark brown color and the oily, shimmering surface of the espresso bean. Thus, it can already be visually distinguished from the normal coffee bean. This is usually matt in color and significantly lighter. Due to the longer roasting, the essential oils contained in the bean come into their own better. These influence the taste and aroma of the coffee brewed from them. In addition, espresso beans contain less chlorogenic acid, making them more digestible than regular coffee beans.

Why is the espresso bean more expensive than the coffee bean?

Many coffee drinkers will have already wondered why espresso beans are more expensive than regular coffee beans. The reason for the price difference is the different roasting process. The longer roasting process removes more water from the espresso bean. As a result, she loses weight. In addition, the energy consumption is higher due to the longer roasting. The roasting of the espresso bean takes almost twice as long as the roasting of the coffee bean. No wonder these higher costs are passed on to the end product and reflected in the price. However, it is not worth sacrificing high quality and possibly making the espresso with normal coffee beans. Both the quality of the crema and the taste of the espresso suffer here – the enjoyment falls by the wayside.

Keep Reading
By
Cooking Tips

Energy Drink vs. Coffee – Which Provides More Energy?

Energy drinks and coffee are known for their stimulating effects as both drinks contain caffeine. But which drink provides more energy?

Pick-me-up with caffeine: energy drink and coffee

At first glance, energy drinks and coffee don’t seem to have much in common. One drink is cold, sweet as sugar and is preferably drunk quickly from cans. The other drink is usually comfortably warm, aromatic in taste and sometimes part of a relaxed ceremony. While energy drinks are particularly popular with young people, adults of all ages enjoy a good cup of coffee. However, one thing connects both drinks – the caffeine they contain. In addition, both drinks are absolutely trendy and score with a large number of variations. In addition, both energy suppliers are often viewed critically, as they are already consumed by young people as a stimulant and are therefore a reflection of our society, which is characterized by stress and pressure to perform.

The energy drink – flashy, caffeinated and dangerous?

Energy drinks are beverages that have a stimulating effect due to their ingredients. They come from Japan and were used here during the Second World War to improve the pilots’ vision thanks to the taurine they contain. The drink came to Europe at the end of the 1980s and was particularly popular in the techno scene. Since then, the sugar bombs have been an integral part of the beverage market. However, while coffee is the most popular drink among Germans, only a small group consumes energy drinks on a regular basis. Due to their colorful marketing and the promised increase in performance, young people in particular rely on energy drinks.
A coffee drink usually consists of coffee beans, water and, depending on taste, milk and sugar. The energy drink contains water, sugar, carbon dioxide, caffeine, taurine and many other additives. The effect of many ingredients is controversial. For example, experts disagree about the effect of taurine. While some studies state that taurine may have performance-enhancing effects, others state the complete opposite. Energy drinks have also come under criticism because they are often drunk with alcohol. The stimulating effect influences the self-assessment. An overdose of caffeine or alcohol can quickly occur. There is also the danger of judging yourself to be more alert than you really are, which sometimes provokes accidents.

Energy drink and caffeine – a comparison

But which drink actually contains more caffeine and how does it affect the body? If you convert the amount of caffeine to a liquid amount of 100 ml, normal filter coffee contains about 45 milligrams of caffeine, the energy drink contains about 30 to 40 milligrams. Due to the other ingredients, however, the effect of caffeine differs. A 250ml can of energy drink contains almost 30 grams of sugar. Sugar is not only a short-term source of energy, it also releases happiness hormones. The effect of the caffeine sets in after just 10 minutes – blood pressure and pulse rise.
In contrast to the effect of the caffeine in coffee, the performance-enhancing effect of the energy drink wears off after just one hour. Many consumers report feeling tired afterwards. The increased sugar is processed and the performance drops again. A coffee that is drunk without sugar keeps you awake and active a little longer, until the stimulating effect wears off here too. Due to the many additives in an energy drink, it is difficult to assess the effect. In some cases, there was even serious damage to health or even death. The sweet taste in particular encourages people to drink more, so that young people in particular quickly consume more caffeine than is healthy.

Keep Reading
By
Food

Arabica vs. Robusta: These Are the Differences

Arabica and Robusta: You are guaranteed to have drunk both of them before – because these types of coffee make up around 90 percent of the world harvest. They are often available as a carefully composed mixture, as each variety impresses with its own character. Are you interested in the bean? Then here is the most important information about the difference between Arabica and Robusta.

The difference between Arabica and Robusta plants

Both Arabica and Robusta thrive as shrubs and trees and belong to the Rubiaceae family. But that’s about all the two types of coffee have in common.

Because they are two very different types of plants. There is no “coffee plant” per se – “Coffea” is a genus of plants with over a hundred subspecies. Arabica and Robusta are two of them.

Arabica (scientifically: Coffea Arabica) is a delicate, sensitive little plant, the coffee has a fine aroma. Their beans are considered to be of particularly high quality, accounting for around 60% of the world market.

Robusta (Coffea canephora), on the other hand, is – as the name suggests – of a robust nature and strong in taste. The variety accounts for about 30% of the world coffee harvest.

The most important information about the Arabica plant:

Growth: reaches a height of up to ten meters.
Constitution: is quite resistant to frost, heat, humidity, diseases and parasites.
Cultivation height: 0 to 700 meters.
Maturity: about nine months
The main growing areas for Robusta are Southeast Asia and
West Africa. Since this type of coffee is mainly grown in the lowlands, it is also known as lowland coffee. Incidentally, the Robusta plant was discovered in the 19th century in the Congo and quickly spread from there all over the world.

What is the difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee?

The beans are as different as the plants. On the one hand already in appearance.

The Arabica bean is

rather elongated,
with curved notch,
greenish-brown in color, sometimes bluish.
On the other hand, the Robusta bean presents itself

plump,
with a straight notch
relatively small,
yellowish brown.
The beans also differ significantly in terms of their inner values – which later affects the taste of the coffee.

Characteristics of the Arabica bean:

relatively low caffeine content: 1.1 to 1.7%
little chlorogenic acid, so the taste is rather round and soft
pronounced aroma formation due to slow growth
Characteristics of the Robusta bean:

higher caffeine content: 1.7 to 3.5%
relatively high chlorogenic acid, therefore slightly bitter taste, pronounced earthy notes
low oil content, thus longer lasting crema

Arabica or Robusta for espresso?

Mixtures with a high proportion of Robusta are usually used for the typical Italian pick-me-up. Because Robusta impresses with a strong body and a nice crema – and also has the higher caffeine content. Southern Italians in particular are big fans of Robusta. If you prefer a milder espresso, choose a blend with a higher proportion of Arabica.

Keep Reading
By
Food

Matcha vs. Coffee

Coffee is well-known and proven as a pick-me-up. But the black broth is slowly getting green competition. Matcha not only contains caffeine but also has an energizing effect. We compared the two pick-me-ups.

Coffee and matcha have one thing in common, they both contain caffeine. But the stimulating substance works in very different ways. The caffeine in coffee has a quick and strong stimulating effect. You feel awake and fit after a very short time. However, this effect wears off after a relatively short time. Some people then feel a typical coffee nervousness.

Caffeine works differently in matcha, the ground green tea from Japan. The reason: is the different release of the alkaloid. Caffeine from tea is bound to polyphenols, so the caffeine is only released in the intestine. The effect: the effect occurs later and lasts longer. The caffeine in coffee, on the other hand, is bound to a chlorogenic acid-potassium complex. This releases caffeine immediately after roasting and contact with stomach acid. The effect: the caffeine works faster.
Matcha can also help to increase concentration, there is no nervousness as with coffee consumption.

On the following pages, we have compared coffee and matcha again with regard to certain points such as tolerability, effects, and health.
Our summary of the duel can be found on the last page.

Conclusion

Matcha scores with its health benefits and long-lasting effects. Coffee junkies probably won’t go without their morning “black brew,” but everyone else should definitely try Matcha. Many coffee shops now offer green tea as Matcha Latte. But Matcha can also be easily prepared at home with a so-called Matcha whisk.

Keep Reading
By
Food

Saturated vs. Unsaturated Fats: Which is Healthier?

What is behind saturated and unsaturated fatty acids? We will show you briefly and concisely where they are contained, what is better and what effect the fatty acids have on your body.

Difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids

Fat is important for our body – along with proteins and carbohydrates, it is one of the basic nutrients. Every fat contains saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

Fat isn’t clearly healthy or unhealthy – it depends on how much you’re eating and where it’s coming from. Unsaturated fatty acids are healthier. But saturated fats also have their place and don’t always have to be bad in moderation.

Which fatty acids are contained in which and what do they do?
Saturated fatty acids are mainly found in hydrogenated edible fats (e.g. margarine, palm fat, all animal fats, coconut fat) and in most finished products. You can tell they’re firm (or spreadable) at room temperature. Saturated fats provide a lot of energy.
Unsaturated fatty acids are mainly found in vegetable oils and are very sensitive to heat, which is why you should not use olive oil for frying, for example. Unsaturated fatty acids are divided into monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The monounsaturated fatty acids help build the cell membrane, polyunsaturated (also called essential fatty acids) are important for the development of the body. You can find them in meat, grains and potatoes, but also in vegetable oils, nuts, fish and avocados.

Saturated vs. Unsaturated Fats: How Much is Healthy?

Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends that no more than seven to ten percent of the total energy intake should consist of saturated fatty acids. Too many such fats can increase cholesterol and blood pressure. This, in turn, often leads to heart disease and obesity.

Monounsaturated fatty acids, on the other hand, have a positive effect on fat metabolism. Polyunsaturated fatty acids even lower cholesterol levels.

In the production of edible fat such as butter or margarine, but also if you heat fats too much, trans fats can be formed from unsaturated fatty acids. These also increase the “bad” LDL cholesterol level and lower the “good” HDL cholesterol level.

The Federal Office for Risk Assessment (BfR) recommends no more than one percent trans fatty acids for a healthy diet – however, trans fats are contained in many processed foods. They are currently not subject to declaration in Germany, so you cannot tell from the packaging whether a product contains them. For example, avoid them by cutting out fried foods, shortening, margarine, and baked goods made with them.

Coconut oil consists almost exclusively of saturated fatty acids, but is not harmful – provided it is “virgin coconut oil”.

Attention: Coconut products have been transported a long way and the cultivation is often not very sustainable either: In order to meet the increasing demand, coconuts are often grown in monocultures and treated with pesticides.

Summary: Which is better?

Even if fat is generally discredited, it is important and very healthy in moderation – it all depends on which fat you eat.

Saturated fats are found in many foods, especially processed ones. It therefore makes sense to avoid such products as far as possible. If possible, switch to unsaturated fatty acids in vegetable oils.

Keep Reading
By
Food

Soy Milk vs. Cow’s Milk: Which is Healthier, More Sustainable, More Ethical?

Cows are destroying the climate and soy is destroying the rainforest. Cow’s milk makes you fat and soy milk causes allergies. Or? Anyone who wants to consume milk responsibly or is looking for alternatives will encounter many rumours. We did our research: is soy milk healthy, sustainable, animal-friendly compared to cow’s milk and other milk alternatives?

Milk is one of the most common foods and one of the most controversial at the same time – for several reasons. While for decades it was considered essential for our health, today many people doubt the health benefits of milk or are even convinced that it is unhealthy. Others want to do without milk because of their poor climate balance or because they find animal husbandry unacceptable.

But how healthy soy milk (correct: soy drink) is is also the subject of wild debates. The popular milk substitute not only has fans: in addition to possible health side effects, the environmental impact of cultivation and transport and the use of genetic engineering are also criticized.

In the following, we will therefore take a very close look at soy milk and cow’s milk – and also show how healthy soy milk is in comparison to other milk alternatives.

Which is healthier: cow’s milk or soy milk?

From “cow’s milk is important because of the calcium” to “cow’s milk causes allergies” to “soy milk is so healthy that it helps against cancer” – there are tons of claims, rumors and half-truths circulating about the health effects of cow’s milk and soy milk. Some things are true, some aren’t.

Calcium: Is it missing in the soy drink?

Cow’s milk is actually high in calcium (or: calcium). Calcium is a very important substance for building and maintaining our bone mass. A lack of calcium can lead to or worsen osteoporosis. Sufficient calcium intake is particularly important for growing children.

However, we do not depend on milk for this. Calcium can also be obtained from other foods. There is a lot of calcium in green vegetables such as kale, broccoli, rocket, chard and spinach as well as in beans (including soybeans) and some nuts and seeds such as hazelnuts, Brazil nuts and sesame.

Conclusion: Soy milk contains less calcium than cow’s milk. However, there are alternative calcium-fortified soy drinks and other plant-based foods that help meet calcium needs.

Vitamin Content: Is Soy Milk Healthy Enough?

Both cow’s milk and soy milk contain some important vitamins. However, soy milk lacks the important vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 occurs naturally almost exclusively in foods of animal origin – and is very important for our bodies. A vitamin B12 deficiency can have serious health consequences.

However: Many soy drinks and other plant-based milk alternatives contain the additive vitamin B12 (also found on the labels as cyanocobalamin or cobalamin).

Keep Reading
By