Page 4 - Jola K.

Coffee, the favourite drink of many, is loved for its rich flavour and energising effect. But what about the amount of caffeine in your cup? Is an espresso really stronger than filter coffee, or does the brewing method make more of a difference? In this article, we dive into the world of caffeine. We explain how many mg of caffeine are found in different types of coffee and what to look out for. That way, you can enjoy your daily cup with confidence!

What exactly is caffeine?

Caffeine is a natural substance found in coffee beans, tea leaves and even cocoa beans. It acts as a stimulant on your central nervous system, helping you feel more alert and energised. Once you drink a cup of coffee, caffeine is quickly absorbed into your bloodstream and reaches your brain within 15 to 30 minutes.

What does caffeine actually do? It blocks a substance in your brain called adenosine, which normally slows down brain activity and makes you feel sleepy. The result? You feel more awake, sharper and sometimes

An espresso martini is the perfect blend of two worlds: the kick of coffee and the elegance of a cocktail. This ‘80s classic is still hugely popular and makes the perfect finish to a dinner or a stylish start to a night out. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a silky-smooth coffee cocktail in no time that’s sure to impress.

What ingredients do you need for an espresso martini?

For one espresso martini, you’ll need:

• 45 ml vodka: a smooth variety works best
• 30 ml coffee liqueur: for example Kahlúa for that deep coffee flavour
• 30 ml fresh espresso: let it cool slightly before using
• Ice cubes: to properly chill the cocktail while shaking
• 10 ml sugar syrup (optional): for a slightly sweeter touch
• 3 coffee beans: use espresso beans for garnish

Equipment

Making an espresso martini doesn’t require much, but the right tools make it that bit easier:

• Cocktail shaker
• Fine strainer
• Martini or coupe glass
• Espresso machine or percolator

How to make the perfect espresso martini

Step 1: Brew a

Do you sometimes find espresso a bit too intense, but still want to enjoy a clear coffee flavour? Then you'll quickly come across lungo coffee. A lungo is made with more water than an espresso, giving you a larger cup with a milder, rounder flavour.

Here you'll find out exactly what lungo coffee is and why this coffee choice is so popular among lovers of a balanced cup.

What is Lungo coffee?

Lungo coffee is a coffee speciality made with the same amount of ground coffee as an espresso, but with more water. During brewing, you let the water run through for longer, resulting in a larger cup of coffee. On average, a lungo contains about 80 to 120 ml of coffee, while an espresso stays around 25 to 30 ml.

The name lungo comes from Italian and literally means 'long'. This refers not only to the amount of coffee in your cup but especially to the brewing method. Because the water stays in contact with the ground coffee for longer, different flavour compounds are extracted than with an espresso.

Yes, but it's about coffee grounds, not leftover brewed coffee with milk or sugar. Coffee grounds can enrich your soil and contain nutrients that some plants love.

Still, it's not a miracle cure. Too much coffee grounds can actually cause problems, like compacted soil or mould growth. So how exactly does it work? And which plants really benefit? Below you'll read how to use coffee smartly in your garden or with your houseplants.

Read here about what else you can do with coffee grounds!

Is it coffee grounds or brewed coffee?

When people say coffee is good for plants, they almost always mean coffee grounds. These are the wet coffee leftovers in your filter, percolator or French press. Coffee grounds still contain some nutrients and organic material, which can give your soil or compost a boost.

Brewed coffee is something else. A splash of black coffee in the pot usually isn't a disaster, but it doesn't add much useful either. And once there's milk, sugar or syrup in it, you definitely shouldn't

For healthy people, the short answer is: no, not if you drink in moderation. Several studies show that normal coffee consumption has no harmful effect on healthy kidneys.

Still, you often hear that coffee is diuretic or that it would "strain" your kidneys. That sounds worrying, especially if you drink several cups daily. So what's the real story? The answer depends on your health, the amount of coffee you drink, and whether caffeine plays a role in your situation.

Always seek medical advice from a doctor if you experience health issues after drinking coffee. This blog article is not medical advice.

What do your kidneys actually do?

Your kidneys act as a filtering system for your body. They remove waste products from your blood, regulate your fluid balance, and ensure important minerals like sodium and potassium stay balanced.

Every day, your kidneys filter tens of litres of blood. What you don't need leaves your body through your urine. That's why many people think everything you drink,

The short answer: usually Kahlúa. This is the most widely used coffee liqueur worldwide in this cocktail. But it doesn't stop there. The choice of a particular liqueur determines how sweet, powerful or intense your Espresso Martini tastes.

Do you want a full, sweet cocktail with soft coffee notes? Or a sharper version where the espresso really takes centre stage? By choosing the right coffee liqueur, you give your cocktail exactly the balance you enjoy. Below you'll find your options and what to watch out for.

The classic choice: Kahlúa in your Espresso Martini

In almost every cocktail bar, Kahlúa is used as the coffee liqueur for an Espresso Martini. This liqueur originally comes from Mexico and is made from arabica coffee, rum and sugar. The result is a smooth, lightly sweet liqueur with notes of coffee, caramel and vanilla.

Why is Kahlúa chosen so often? Simple: it provides balance. The sweetness rounds off the bitterness of the espresso and ensures your cocktail remains accessible

You want to make a Spanish coffee or order one at the bar, and the question quickly arises: which coffee liqueur actually goes in Spanish coffee? The answer is simpler than you think, but there are indeed differences that affect the flavour.

The classic Spanish coffee combines warm coffee with a sweet, aromatic liqueur that stays nicely balanced with the coffee flavour. By choosing the right liqueur, you give your Spanish coffee exactly the flavour experience you're looking for.

What is coffee cream?

Coffee cream is condensed milk specially intended to add to coffee. During production, some of the water is removed from milk, making coffee cream fuller and creamier than regular milk.

Because coffee cream is more concentrated, it mixes well with warm coffee and keeps your drink from cooling down too quickly. It softens the flavour of coffee without overpowering it, which makes it a nice choice for many people with their daily cup.

What exactly is Spanish coffee?

Spanish coffee is a warm coffee

You want a coffee-flavoured dessert, but not a heavy one that takes ages to prepare. Many coffee desserts are rich or require lots of prep, while you're actually looking for something light and well balanced.

Coffee mousse is a great choice then. This creamy dessert combines a full coffee flavour with a soft, light texture. With this recipe you can easily make a coffee mousse that works perfectly as a dinner finisher or a treat alongside your coffee.

What is coffee mousse?

Coffee mousse is a light dessert where the flavour of coffee takes centre stage. It usually consists of strong coffee or espresso mixed with a creamy base of whipped cream and egg or an alternative. This combination creates a soft, mousse-like texture that feels light but is full of flavour.

Unlike desserts like tiramisu or coffee pudding, coffee mousse is less heavy. The texture is airier and almost melts on your tongue. That makes it a lovely choice as a dinner finisher, especially if you want to serve something coffee-flavoured

You fancy some coffee, but a regular latte feels a bit too mild. You want something creamy, something with chocolate, without it turning into a sickly sweet drink like in some coffee bars.

A mocha latte is exactly what you're looking for. The combination of strong coffee, warm milk and chocolate creates a full flavour that feels comforting yet balanced. With this recipe, you can easily make a mocha latte at home that's perfect for a relaxed coffee moment.

What is a mocha latte?

A mocha latte is a warm coffee drink where espresso is combined with chocolate and steamed milk. The drink is also called caffè mocha and is known for its rich, creamy flavour where coffee and chocolate enhance each other.

The difference with a regular latte mainly lies in the addition of cocoa or chocolate. While a latte consists of espresso and milk, a mocha latte gets an extra deep flavour from chocolate. This makes the coffee a bit sweeter and richer, without it having to be heavy.

The origin of the mocha latte

You brew a fresh cup of coffee and take a sip right away… too hot. Or you wait a bit and think: now it suddenly tastes much better. The temperature of coffee plays a bigger role than many people think, both for flavour and drinking comfort.

Coffee is brewed hot, but not necessarily drunk hot. There’s a clear difference between brewing and drinking, and that’s often where confusion arises. When is coffee actually at its best, and when is it simply too hot?

Here you’ll read how hot coffee ideally should be to drink, why temperature affects flavour and how you can easily improve your coffee moment.

What is the ideal temperature to drink coffee?

For most people, coffee tastes best at a temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Celsius. Within this range, you can really enjoy the aromas without the coffee feeling too hot.

If coffee is hotter than this, you often taste less nuance and are more likely to burn your mouth. So let your coffee sit for a moment before drinking, so the flavour comes through