jueves, 19 de abril de 2018

Reusing coffee grounds

The benefits of coffee can also be enjoyed by plants.

This world’s resources are not infinite, and knowing this, some people decide to take certain measures to save and extend the use of some things that most people discard after fulfilling their purpose. It’s unusual, but not completely uncommon to see someone reusing the coffee grounds, even more than twice, which can result into intrigue to disgust in people who aren’t used to this habit, generating debates that we have been carrying on for years. In this article we will talk about the coffee grounds, and whether it is reusable or not, as well as denying some myths that revolve around this particular custom.

Is it dangerous if you do it?

Not really, there isn’t any study that says that second-brewed coffee is bad for your health. This applies if you immediately (or in the short-term) decide to reuse it.

If you care much for the original flavor and that rich, strong taste of fresh coffee in your mouth, you’ll probably get disappointed when reused coffee grounds. It’s not that it's unhealthy, it’s just not recommended.

It could be dangerous if you let the coffee grounds alone and exposed, damp grounds can be a potential petri dish of bacteria and fungus, thus endangering your health. If you really want to reuse the coffee grounds, let them dry for about three days (use the sunlight for this), and avoid exposing them to humidity.

Tip: some people use second-brewed coffee as a base for their protein powders.

How else can I reuse my coffee grounds?

This has been the million dollar question for years, fortunately, many people have experimented over and over and have landed in many useful ways we all can reuse the coffee grounds. Whether it is because they don’t like to waste, or because they’re just trying to be eco-friendly, there is more than a reason to give those coffee grounds a second chance. Here is a list of ways you can reuse your coffee grounds.

Refrigerator deodorizer: fill a cheesecloth with dry coffee grounds, and place the bag on a shelf in your refrigerator. The coffee grounds absorb strong odors
Face and body scrub: the abrasiveness of the grounds helps to remove dead skin cells, without irritating your face or body. To use them, rub the coffee grounds on in the shower, then wash them off with cool water
Hair shine: running coffee grounds through your hair can give it a nice sheen. Just rub the coffee grounds in as part of a final rinse, and wash them out with cold water
Shoe deodorizer: sprinkle dry coffee grounds into your shoes, let them sit overnight, and then shake the grounds out over a trash can. The grounds soak up any odors, leaving your shoes smelling cleaner
Natural abrasive: sprinkle old coffee grounds onto an old cleaning cloth and use them to scrub away stuck-on food from counters or dishes. While used grounds are abrasive, they aren’t so harsh to damage the surfaces in your kitchen
Beautiful golden dye: turn that pesky coffee stain around and use it to your advantage. Re-wet old coffee grounds and use it to dye everything from feathers and cloth to Easter eggs. Used coffee grounds soaked in a bit of water can also be used to turn boring white paper into ‘antique’ parchment
Rejuvenating facial: just as it works as a body scrub, coffee makes an excellent facial. Mix two tablespoons of used coffee grounds with an equal amount of organic cocoa powder. Add three tablespoons of whole milk or heavy cream and top it off with a heaping tablespoon of honey for the perfect all-natural alpha-hydroxy and antioxidant facial
Cellulite treatment: use a scrub made with coffee grounds and warm water for ten minutes twice per week on any areas affected by cellulite. Results should start to become apparent within four weeks of steady treatment
Washing hands: always keep a generous amount of coffee grounds next to the sink. Use the grounds to help remove the smell of your hands when you’re cooking or after washing dishes. Particularly good for removing garlic, onions and fish odors
Unclog drains: pour your used coffee grounds with a little dish soap and (important) hot water. This will help clean your drain and remove grease residues
If you enjoyed our content, follow us on our social networks! We’ll be glad to answer all your questions, so don’t be shy and leave them in the comment section.