To Your Health

I drink coffee for a number of reasons. I love the aroma when I first inhale, before the cup even touches my lips. I love the deep and complex flavor of certain beans that seem to taste better sip after sip. And, I love the sense of community that is created when two or more people get together to share a cup of coffee.

Now, according to CBS News, I can also love my morning cup of coffee because studies show that the caffeine in it can help prevent memory loss. No kidding! Apparently, a study appeared in the July 2009 online edition of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease that reports positive results on the memory, and prevention of memory loss, of lab mice. They refer to it as yet another positive benefit of caffeine.

But- before you go pouring your 10th cup of coffee just because I said so, we all know that too much caffeine has its downsides too. That's why I always recommend that people choose a quality decaffeinated gourmet coffee to have on hand when they need it. Still, I do think it's great that science is looking at the effects of coffee in such a balanced way. Ultimately, a great life or a great cup of coffee depends on how balanced it is.

What makes for a balanced coffee? In coffee terms, it's the combination of acidity, body, aroma and flavor. Since I get so many folks asking me about these terms in our Vermont roastery, I'll devote the next blog to defining them for you so you know how to talk about that great cup of gourmet coffee you're holding.

Until our next cup,
Sandy Riggen