Page 10 - All About Coffee by Café du Jour, the Coffee Expert

Most coffee lovers have heard of Arabica and Robusta, but the difference between the two? That often stays a bit vague. Yet it’s really interesting and pretty handy to know which bean you’re drinking. The flavour, the amount of caffeine, the price AND even where the coffee comes from: it all depends on the type of bean.

Here’s an overview of all the differences in a table

Arabica and Robusta: the two main coffee species

When you talk about coffee, it almost

You're looking forward to a tasty cup of coffee, but then... yuck! It tastes sour. Not fresh or fruity, but really unpleasantly sour. Sound familiar? Don't worry, sour coffee is a common problem and luckily easy to fix.

The cause often lies in the grind, water temperature or the roast of your beans. We'll explain exactly why your coffee tastes sour AND what you can do about it. That way you'll soon be brewing a cup you can really enjoy again.

Why does my coffee taste sour?

Sour coffee can be a real disappointment, especially when you fancied a full, warm flavour. But what actually causes that sour taste? It all starts with balance: a good cup of coffee has a mix of bitter, sweet and sour. If that balance is disturbed? Then one sour note can take over.

Here are the most common causes:

• Grind too coarse
  If your coffee is ground too coarsely, the water flows through too quickly. As a result the acids are released first, but the sweet and bitter notes don't get a chance.
  
  
• Water temperature too

A warm mug, a hint of Irish charm and that creamy dollop of whipped cream… Irish Coffee isn’t just a drink, it’s pure indulgence in a glass! Whether you’re drinking it after a slap-up dinner or on a chilly winter evening — with this recipe you’ll conjure up a café-worthy Irish coffee in no time. In this article you’ll learn step by step how to make one, get handy tips AND we share some surprising variations. Time to get your favourite whiskey ready and grind those coffee beans.

What is Irish coffee and where does it come from?

Irish coffee is a delicious warm coffee cocktail consisting of black coffee, Irish whiskey, a little sugar and a creamy dollop of whipped cream. But did you know that this lovely drink was an accidental invention?

The story goes back to the 1940s, when a cold evening and tired travellers at an airport in the Irish town of Foynes asked for something to warm them up. Chef Joe Sheridan decided to combine strong coffee with Irish whiskey and top it with whipped cream.

Have you ever bought coffee beans that gleam as if they've been dunked in oil? Those are oily coffee beans, and they can raise quite a few questions. Are they worse in flavour? Can they damage your coffee machine? And how do you actually spot them? Here we take you through the world of oily coffee beans. That way you know exactly what to look out for AND how to keep enjoying delicious coffee without the hassle.

What are oily coffee beans?

Every coffee bean naturally contains oils. During the roasting process, these oils slowly come to the surface of the bean. This happens especially with dark roasted beans: the longer the bean is roasted, the more oils are released and become visible. This gives that characteristic shine you sometimes see on coffee beans.

With a light roast, the oils usually stay neatly locked inside the bean. But with a dark roast — think espresso roasts — the bean's structure opens up. That's how the oily layer forms. So it's perfectly normal and even desirable if you

Coffee, the favourite morning ritual for so many. But did you know that your daily coffee can have an influence on your cholesterol? You may have heard that coffee can have both good and less good effects on your health. An important substance in coffee, called cafestol, plays a big role in this. But what exactly is cafestol, and how does it affect your cholesterol level?

In this article we dive into the relationship between coffee and cholesterol. We look at which types of coffee have the biggest effect and give you handy tips to enjoy your favourite cuppa worry-free.

What is cholesterol and why is it important?

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance your body needs to function properly. It plays an important role in the production of hormones, vitamin D and bile acids that help digest fats. But not all cholesterol is the same.

There are two main types of cholesterol:

• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) – also known as the ‘good’ cholesterol. This helps remove excess cholesterol from your blood

Coffee, the black gold so many people start their day with. But besides that lovely pick-me-up effect, you sometimes hear that coffee is supposed to be a diuretic. Does that mean you're getting dehydrated from your daily cup of coffee? Or is it a persistent myth? In this article we dive into the science behind caffeine and find out whether you really need to drink extra water with your coffee.

What does diuretic mean?

A diuretic is a substance that makes your body excrete more fluid through urine. That can be useful with certain medical conditions, like high blood pressure or fluid retention.

Many natural products, like tea, cranberry juice and yes — coffee too — are sometimes considered diuretic. But does that also mean your body dehydrates when you drink these drinks? That depends on several factors, including the amount of caffeine and how your body reacts to it.

Is coffee a diuretic? The science behind it

Coffee has a mild diuretic effect, but not to a degree that gets you into trouble

Coffee isn’t just a lovely pick-me-up in the morning, but also a surprisingly effective way to neutralise unpleasant smells. Whether it’s a stuffy fridge, smelly shoes or stubborn cooking smells — coffee can be the solution! Thanks to its absorbent properties, ground coffee absorbs unwanted smells and leaves behind a subtle, pleasant scent. In this article you’ll discover how coffee works as an odour neutraliser and what you can use it for.

How does coffee work as an odour neutraliser?

Coffee naturally has absorbent properties, which means it can absorb and neutralise smells. That’s because the structure of ground coffee contains tiny pores that work like a kind of sponge. When you put coffee in a place where there’s an unpleasant smell, it pulls that smell out of the air.

On top of that, coffee itself has a strong, pleasant smell that can mask other odours. Freshly ground coffee beans are especially effective for this, but even used coffee grounds can still help reduce smells. That makes

Yes, but we’re talking about coffee grounds, not leftover brewed coffee with milk or sugar. Coffee grounds can enrich your soil and contain nutrients that some plants benefit from.

That said, it’s not a miracle solution. Too much coffee grounds can actually cause problems, such as compacted soil or mould growth. So how does it really work? And which plants actually benefit from it? Below, you’ll find how to use coffee in a smart way in your garden or with your houseplants.

Are we talking about coffee grounds or brewed coffee?

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

Brewed coffee is something else entirely. A small splash of black coffee in a plant pot usually won’t do much harm, but it doesn’t add much value either. And once there’s milk, sugar or syrup in it, you

Are you a real coffee lover looking for a simple but flavourful brewing method? Then the French Press is exactly what you need. With this classic technique you get the most out of your coffee beans and enjoy a full, aromatic cup of coffee. But how do you brew the perfect French Press coffee? What grind do you need? And what are the secrets to that rich flavour? In this blog you’ll discover everything you need to know to get going like a real barista.

What is French Press coffee (Cafetière coffee)?

French Press coffee, also known as Cafetière coffee, is a popular brewing method where ground coffee and hot water come into direct contact. This happens without a filter, so the coffee keeps its full flavour and oils. The result? A rich, aromatic cup of coffee with a hearty body.

This method is loved by coffee lovers for its simple preparation and intense flavour profile. You don’t need expensive kit, just a French Press (Cafetière), coarsely ground coffee and hot water. But how do you brew