Coffee Science: Caffeine in Beauty Products

Caffeine is used in both commercial beauty products and homemade coffee-based preparations.

Many think that the properties of coffee can only be exploited when it is brewed and drunk, but this is not the case. Today, caffeine and even coffee grounds are used to create a variety of caffeinated medicines for certain disorders and beauty products that aim to rejuvenate the skin and improve its elasticity. It could be said that its use is more frequent in the beauty industry where its properties are exploited to the maximum to achieve the best results. Do you want to know why? That Coffee Roasters gives you the answer!

Why you should use caffeine-based beauty products

In general, caffeine is defined as a substance that suppresses sleep and migraines. However, its use extends to many other fields such as the beauty sector, where it has found a fairly important market niche. But why? Why has it been so well received in this industry, and why is it used in creams to reduce wrinkles, cellulite, and fat cells?

The answer lies in the properties attributed to caffeine. On one hand, this substance works as a blood vessel constrictor and therefore helps to reduce swelling. On the other hand, even though excessive coffee consumption can cause dehydration, caffeine can function as a diuretic that, when applied to the skin, reduces fluids in fat cells. As you can see, both qualities could temporarily help you to have a tighter tummy, reduce the waist and thighs centimeters, and eliminate those dark and puffy under-eye circles.

Likewise, it has been proven that caffeine also contains antioxidants that prevent the appearance of free radicals, slowing down the aging process, and protecting skin cells. In the latter case, Harvard studies have found that people who consume over three cups of caffeinated coffee a day actually have a lower risk of suffering from skin cancer than those who consume one cup a month.

Finally, another of the wonderful qualities of coffee and its caffeine is the lightening effect on the skin; as a blood vessel constrictor, this miraculous substance has the ability to reduce redness and provide a smoother skin.

Now the question should not be “why use coffee as an ingredient in your beauty products”, but “why not?”

Homemade caffeine-based beauty products

Now, in this section, you’ll be able to witness all the virtues of caffeine with some coffee-based products that you can make at home. You don’t need a lot of ingredients, just to make a good cup of joe to use a good cup of coffee grounds.

Scalp scrub

This type of conditioner is very beneficial for those suffering from oily hair, psoriasis or dermatitis. Coffee, in this case, will work as an antioxidant and antibacterial, as well as a color shade, as it can paint gray hair and revive the dark color (not recommended for blond or light hair). To make this product at home, all you need is conditioner, coffee grounds, and tea tree oil.

Under eye cream

With this product, you can see the effects of caffeine in action. Its role as an antioxidant will prevent the early formation of wrinkles, and its property as a vessel constrictor will reduce the swelling and dark color under the eyes. To make a cream that gives you these benefits, all you have to do is mix coffee grounds, aloe vera, and vitamin E oil, then apply the product around the eyes for over 10 minutes.

Mask and skin scrub

This exfoliator mask has several properties thanks to the ingredients it uses. To make it, you only need sugar, which acts as a chemical-free exfoliator to remove dead cells; coconut oil, which provides vitamins and minerals to hydrate the skin; cinnamon to protect the skin from bacterias; and ground coffee, which provides the caffeine needed to reduce puffiness and lighten skin spots.

Coffee, besides being one of the most consumed beverages in the world, has the potential to become one of the most versatile elements in the food and beauty industry. Its benefits are endless and this is known by coffee companies such as That Coffee Roasters. By understanding the benefits coffee can offer, we strive to create a wide variety of quality products that provide consumers with all the properties of caffeine. If you want to know more about our types of coffee and roasting, do not hesitate to follow us through our social networks and enjoy the world of coffee from another perspective.

Caffeine has more benefits than you can imagine. 

That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

Facebook: That Coffee Roasters

Instagram: thatcoffeeroasters

Do You Want to Grow a Coffee Tree at Home?

If your idea is to produce some homemade coffee, you must be patient. The coffee trees take a minimum of 3 or 4 years to mature.

Last week, That Coffee Roasters taught you how to roast coffee beans at home. This is a very rewarding experience that any coffee lover can appreciate. But what other knowledge about coffee could you learn and apply in your home life? This time you might choose a basic process, but perhaps more complicated to accomplish: planting a coffee tree in your garden.

Although it may sound like a simple procedure, growing plants, in general, requires dedication and following certain steps, and with the coffee tree it couldn’t be any different. On today’s blog, That Coffee Roasters offers you all the information you need to know to plant your tree outside the tropical climate of countries such as Colombia and Brazil, two of the world biggest coffee producers.

How to grow a coffee tree at home

If you’re in Miami, you’ve probably succumbed to the quality of ground coffee or coffee beans that big roasting companies, such as That Coffee Roasters, have produced with quality products brought from the tropics of the continent. This constant exposure to coffee only generates more interest in learning about the subject, and many may be wondering if it’s possible to have a small plant at home outside the coffee growing areas. The reality is that it is possible to grow a coffee tree at home with proper care. Want to know how? Keep reading!

Finding the seeds

The first step will be to find the seeds to plant the tree. The ideal would be to find the fresh berries of an already constituted coffee plant. In these cases, the berry is usually opened and the beans are removed from the inside. These are fermented in water for several days and then dried in the open air until they are dry on the outside, but still moist on the inside.

If it’s not possible to get the necessary amount of red berries, you can choose recently harvested green beans. It is important that they have less than four months of harvest because it’s easier for them to germinate when they are planted.

Planting the seeds

Once the seeds are ready, you should proceed to prepare the soil, which should be clean and free of stones; in these cases, many people also use homemade fertilizers as a supplement. The most important part of this step is to put the seed in the middle of a small pot and spray it with water twice a day, without flooding the soil. The seed should be moist, not soaked in water. Then, you should allow the seed to germinate from two to five months (depending on the freshness of the seeds you have obtained). After that period, if the pot is not deep enough, it’s advisable to transplant the seed into a larger one.

Growing the tree

Nine months later the plant will have fully germinated and developed its leaves. During this time it’s necessary to water the plant once a day carefully. Depending on the area you live in, it may not be advisable to transplant the coffee plant in the garden. Extreme temperatures don’t benefit tree growth, so you should be very careful when making a decision.

To keep the coffee tree inside the house, it should be transplanted again into a larger pot and placed in a room where it receives sunlight and temperatures are kept between 45 and 80 °F.

If it’s possible to keep the tree out of the house in your home, choose an area where it doesn’t receive direct sunlight all day. Remember to water it away every day, use fertilizers and fight any pest that wants to damage your beloved plant.

Finally, you need to know that this is a matter of patience, as the process to obtain a good coffee from your coffee tree can take from 3 to 6 years. It’s a long wait, but it’s worth it. And if you’re not sure, just ask That Coffee Roasters!

As a company specialized in providing the best roasted coffee, we know what it’s like to wait for a good product that meets all your expectations. While waiting for your coffee plant to produce a good harvest, don’t hesitate to consume the best variety of coffee. Follow us through our social networks and discover the best coffee products to ease the long wait.

Growing a coffee tree outside of tropical lands can be difficult, but not impossible. 

That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

Facebook: That Coffee Roasters

Instagram: thatcoffeeroasters

How To Make Espresso at Home Without an Espresso Machine

You don't need the fanciest machine to have a shot of espresso.

Going to the nearest coffee shop and asking for their favorite espresso drink, whether it’s a cappuccino, latte or anything else, is many people’s most awaited part of the day. But what happens when you go home and start craving that sweet and warm flavor? Nothing can compare to the espresso’s aromas and flavors. We have to give that to the Italians. So wouldn’t it be great if you could have one in the comfort of your living room?

Sure, you could always buy an espresso machine, but that might be a little too much for you, as they can be a bit expensive and therefore not immediately available to satisfy your cravings. Don’t worry! Not all is lost. There are ways to brew an espresso, one that can almost perfectly imitate the one from your favorite cafe, right in your kitchen!

First, we have to understand how espresso is made. Both coffee and the process used to brew an espresso are unique on their own. To give your drink that strong and potent flavor, you’ll need a dark-roasted coffee. A finely ground coffee helps to increase the pressure required to push the water through the filter and create a good shot of espresso.

And that’s exactly the key to a good espresso drink. Espresso machines use boiling water and push it through the coffee with a lot of pressure. That’s what you’ll be hoping to imitate when you’re working on your homemade cup. Depending on what kind of coffee machine you own, an Aeropress, a Moka pot, or a french press, you’ll find the right method to do it just fine.

French press

As it’s more likely that you own a French press instead of any of the other two machines, we’ll beginning with a recipe for it. If you do it right, it’ll definitely give you a high-concentrated coffee. You’ll need:

• French press
• Ground coffee
• Tablespoon or scale
• Kettle

Grind the beans finely, measuring out about 2 tablespoons (preferably more). You’ll want a hefty mound of coffee in your French press to add some richness to the brew since it won’t come out as frothy as with a Moka pot or an Aeropress. Boil water and remove it from the stove for 30 seconds. Add the coffee to your French press and then add a few splashes of hot water to it. This will allow the coffee to bloom and release its oils. Let it sit for 30 seconds. Pour the rest of the water in and stir the coffee to make sure all coffee grounds absorbed it right. Close the lid and let it steep for approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds. The stronger you want it, the longer you should leave it. Afterwards, simply press the plunger on your machine, slowly but steadily. Plunge it halfway and then raise the plunger before plunging all the way down. Enjoy!

Moka pot
However, due to to the water pressure it generates, the best way to prepare an espresso without a machine is to do it with a Moka pot. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Moka pot
• Ground coffee
• Tablespoon or scale

Measure out 1 ½ tablespoons of coffee, or measure out on a scale to about 21 or 22 grams. Grind your coffee beans as finely as possible. Moka pots work best with a fine ground coffee. Pour 3 ½ fluid ounces of water into the bottom of the pot. Inside it will also be a built-in filter, where you’ll place coffee. Heat to about 200 degrees. When water begins to heat to a point where coffee would naturally sinks, and sugar would dissolve, stir and lower the heat. You’ll want this mixture to simmer without ever coming to a boil slowly.

The rest of this process is a lot like listening and waiting for a tea kettle to whistle. Wait until coffee begins to expand and foam to the upper level of the pot. The hot water will create the pressure needed here to produce a strong coffee, as well as a bit of foam. When the top is filled with coffee, stir and pour it into a cup. And that’s it! You’ve made your own espresso!

Aeropress
Finally, if you happen to have it, an Aeropress could also do the job and create a good espresso imitation. It's easy to make single and double shots using it, and one of the best things is that it can make other types of coffee just as well as it brews espresso. It's also a portable device, making it an ideal solution if you want to make espresso while traveling or camping. This time, you’ll need:

• Aeropress
• Coffee grounds
• Tablespoon or scale
• Grinder

Stack your Aeropress. Place one or more filters inside the drain cap, lightly rinse, and then put it inside the press' compartment that will rest atop your coffee cup. Prepare about 2 tablespoons of coffee by grinding coffee beans the most finely you can. Drop them into the filter. Add approximately 3 ½ fluid ounces of water, heated to about 200 degrees. Stir along with the coffee. Then, press down the plunger – hard. Remember, pressure creates espressos! Pour your espresso into your favorite coffee mug, and enjoy!

There you have it! It’s not an impossible task so you can start experimenting making espressos at home. At That Coffee Roasters, we know that creativity and passion fuel the best of the art of coffee making, so never stop trying and having fun while you’re at it! Let us know in the comments how did it go for you and follow us on our social media for more.

Source: Atlas Coffee Club

Mix and experiment with different coffee recipes.

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That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

Facebook: That Coffee Roasters

Instagram: thatcoffeeroasters