PODcast #61 : Espresso Pods News

Welcome to The PODcast, PodMerchant's newsletter of espresso pod news, education, tips and deals. Back issues of The PODcast are available online.

Coffee News

Dark-Roasted Coffee Contains Stomach-Friendly Ingredient

Scientists report the discovery of several substances that may be among the culprits responsible for causing stomach irritation from drinking coffee. Their report included the counter-intuitive finding that espresso, French roast, and other dark-roasted coffee may be easier on the stomach because these roasts contain a substance that tells the stomach to reduce the production of acid.

The study shows that caffeine, catechols, and N-alkanoly-5-hydroxytryptamides are the compounds in coffee that stimulate stomach acid secretion. Most of these compounds are removed by steam or solvent treatment of the raw coffee bean, which is why decaffeinated coffee is easier on the stomach.

Unexpectedly, the scientists found that one coffee component, N-methylpyridium (NMP), seems to block the ability of the stomach to produce hydrochloric acid. Since NMP is generated only upon roasting, and not found in raw coffee beans, darker-roasted coffees contain higher amounts of this stomach-friendly coffee ingredient.

So if drinking espresso is bothering your stomach, you might try one of our darker-roasted offerings, such as Miscela d'Oro, or a Neapolitan roast (PodMerchant Private Label, Izzo Caffe', or Caffe' Borbone).

Read the full article on Sciencedaily.com

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Caffeine Withdrawal Headache Explained

Ever miss your daily cup of coffee and subsequently get a pounding headache? Caffeine withdrawal is characterized by a headache, fatigue, reduced energy, and experiencing difficulty concentrating.

Researchers have recently studied the mechanism of caffeine withdrawal headaches and determined that acute caffeine abstinence increases brain blood flow, an effect that probably accounts for commonly reported withdrawal headaches. Acute caffeine abstinence also produced increased theta rhythm in EEGs (Electroencephalograms) that previously have been linked to the common withdrawal symptom of fatigue.

The researchers also discovered a provocative and somewhat unexpected finding — that there were no net benefits associated with regular caffeine use. Their study showed no difference between when the participant was maintained on chronic placebo, and when the participant was stabilized on chronic caffeine administration (I bet you didn't know you were engaging in "chronic caffeine administration." — Editor ). What this means is that consuming caffeine regularly does not appear to produce any net beneficial effects.

Read the full article on Sciencedaily.com

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Did Ancient Coffee Houses Lay the Groundwork for Modern Consumerism?

If you think that your favorite espresso bar is a great gathering place for discussion and socializing, you should have been around in the Ottoman Empire in the late 1500s. A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research examines the role of coffee houses in the evolution of consumerism.

Digging into the history of coffeehouses in the early Ottoman Empire, the authors found that beyond socializing and discussion, coffee-drinking patrons also partook of entertainment such as puppet theatres and musical or dance performances. Some patrons even engaged in gambling, taking drugs, and meeting with "young beautiful boys." Given the formal religious morality of the period (Orthodox Islam), these coffee houses were understandably controversial and often banned.

Despite that, the coffee houses flourished, and by the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Ottomans from all ranks of society met at coffee houses to do what has again become a common scene in modern life. Except... no WiFi.

Read the full article on Sciencedaily.com

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Caffeine Has Greater Effect On Men, And Starts Only Ten Minutes After Consumption

A study headed by researchers from the University of Barcelona shows that caffeine has a greater effect on men than women, and that these effects start just 10 minutes after it is drank. It was also shown that decaffeinated coffee produces an increased state of alertness (though less, of course, than caffeinated).

In the study, both the men and women saw an improvement in their activity levels with coffee, but they observed a greater impact among the males.

Previous studies had shown that alertness starts to increase 30 to 45 minutes after consumption, but the new study shows that the effects begin as soon as 10 minutes. According to a researcher, "45 minutes is the time needed for maximum caffeine concentration to be reached in the blood, but levels reach half this concentration after just a few minutes". Well, this fits my experience, and probably your's too.

The experts say the effects of caffeine last for between two and three hours, although some authors extend this to up to four or five hours, according to an individual's particular sensitivity and metabolic rate, which varies greatly with age.

Decaffeinated coffee was also studied, and the authors found a small subjective improvement in the participants' state of alertness. This time the effect was slightly more noticeable among women than men.

Read the full article on Sciencedaily.com

PodMerchant News

Biscotti Sale

We won't be restocking our supplies of Nonni's Biscotti. All we have left are the Originali, which we've marked down to $2.95 for a box of 8. Get them while they last!

Out of Caffe' Del Doge Rialto and Lucaffe' Mamma Lucia

I guess readers heeded my warning in PODcast Issue #60 of low stock on some items. We are now out of Del Doge Rialto, and won't have more until the first of the year. We still have stock of the Del Doge Blu Decaf, which is one of my favorite decaffeinated coffees.

Sadly, also out of stock is Lucaffe Mamma Lucia.

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Keep on brew'n...


Kevin Garrett, The PodMerchant.