Caffeine Dependence and How to Avoid It

Caffeine can be a great way to start any day, but it can also be a potential threat. Like most things, it's good in moderation, but when it gets to the point of seeing coffee as a necessity, it's time to admit there’s a problem.

The issue of potential dependence on caffeine has been a problem for many years. In humans, the widely recognized behavioral stimulant and reinforcing properties of caffeine are thought to be responsible for the maintenance of the consumption.

People may also drink coffee from habit: the possible reinforcing effects of the drink may not be due to the caffeine per se, but linked to the pleasurable aroma and taste of the beverage, as well as the social environment that usually accompanies consumption.

Being conscious of how much we consume is essential. The regular morning cup of joe is rather obvious, but also it is something to consider how many caffeinated sodas we drink. Then we must think about how many cups of black, strong tea we drink in the afternoon, even the most preferred painkiller has caffeine in it.

This value can add up pretty quickly, and if not careful, caffeine can become a vice instead of a joy.

How to avoid, prevent and control caffeine dependence

Keep your caffeine in check: it is vital to keep track of how much caffeine you take in. The best for this is to go slow. Caffeine is addictive by nature, and any drastic consumption change can bring about equally dramatic symptoms. Take right note of your daily intake over the first few days. By this, you'll be able to tell where you're struggling and make adjustments or hold at a given point without giving up and buying a case of soda.

Make a progressive reduction: it may be a common suggestion, but as we said before, drastic changes don’t often result. Try to go for 2 fewer cups of coffee each successive week (10 cups a day one week, then 8 cups a day the next, 6 cups a day the following, etc.). That should help reduce the typical withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, anxiety, and irritability. Start slow and give yourself time to eliminate the habit, or at least drink reasonable amounts of coffee.

Try other alternatives: if your usual drinks include black coffee, lattes and “tintos”, consider going for something with similar taste or texture but with less caffeine. That Coffee Roasters says “one shot of espresso has less caffeine than a cup of coffee,” so an even better for this could be the Americano, which is an espresso diluted in hot water. You might find the flavor intense, muddy and enjoyable, but the propensity towards caffeine can be decreased.

Drink water: this is a must. The benefits of hydration are well documented all over the world. In past articles, we've busted the myth that caffeinated beverages don't hydrate you before, but this is about cutting out caffeine consumption. A little water can replace the volume you usually take in after having a soda or coffee.

And remember, caffeine is a source of joy, not of excess; think of that when you ask for your next cup of joe. Don’t forget to leave your comments and questions on the section below, and follow us on out That Coffee Roasters social network. We’re the coffee roasters extraordinaire, your best choice for information, tips, and recipes!

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That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

Facebook: That Coffee Roasters

Coffee Etiquette: Manners at Coffee Time

Even coffee has its ground rules, which make the drinking a more enjoyable experience.

Coffee culture has gone mainstream, that’s a fact. If you live in or around any major U.S. city, chances are you've been to a couple (or more than) local coffee shop These artisanal shops can coexist in harmony even if they’re right next to a fancy Starbucks, there’s a coffee shop for every style of customer.

Manners, nonetheless, are universal, even if they seem to change from region to region, there are many global ways of being polite, the very existence of the words ‘’good morning’’ and ‘’thank you’’ are a proof of this.

Classic Etiquette for drinking coffee

Politeness know no timeline, and today, we’d like to list some practices that any educated coffee lover should apply.

1. Don't leave your spoon in the coffee cup/mug while holding it or drinking; place it on the saucer or a plate instead.
2. Don't use ice to cool a hot drink, it is an offense to the one that made your brew.
3. Don't dunk doughnuts, biscuits, or anything else in your coffee unless you're at a casual place where dunking is the norm (such as certain shops).
4. Don't extend your pinky finger when drinking from a cup, this in an obsolete fashionthat died with the Victorians.
5. After used, Crumple the cream or sugar empty packages and place them on the edge of your saucer or butter plate.

Social Norms That can be applied at any Coffee Shop

Manners are not a thing of the past, all the contrary, they adapt into social norms and expressions of politeness that we could all use to make the coffee experience a nicer, better one. These are some showings of politeness and social manners that you can apply whenever you decide to have a cup of coffee.

1. Be polite when ordering, the Barista is not a robot, say ‘’hello’’ and thank you when ordering.
2. Do not use your cellphone when ordering, take that call later or make that Instagram Post after you have your coffee.
3. If by the time you’re in front of the line you still don’t know what to order nor have your paying method ready, then please, let other people order, some of them might be in a hurry or just want to order a simple espresso and be good to go.
4. Be patient if you ordered more than two brews, specially if they are different kinds.
5. Don’t leave unexpected messes such as spills after you’re done at the table, passing a napkin over the spill will do you no harm.
6. Don’t sit on a big table if you’re on your own, and if you ever do, then let people sit on the same table (they have to ask you first, of course, but should be considered as well)
7. Don’t abuse the local wifi, sure, it’s there for a reason, but at least justify it ordering something worth the time you’ll spend on the computer.
8. If you pop up your laptop at the coffee shop, it’s okay to hear music if you’d like, but be considered with other customers and bring a long a set of headphones.
9. If you have to take a call, don’t be loud, people don’t need to overhear unwanted chattering.
10. Be respectful to the barista, don’t throw away some coffee on the trash bin for adding milk when you can just say to him/her ‘’please, leave room for cream’’ when ordering.
11. Don’t get mad or make a fuzz if they don’t get your name right on the cup, coffee shops can get loud when crowded, most names have many variants and most important, the coffee will taste all the same, so what’s the harm?
12. If you use the coffee shop as a workspace and decide to bring some food, make sure it’s something the shop doesn’t actually sell, you can bring a snack if they don’t sell any, but buy something to go with it.

As you have seen, dear readers, these simple manners can make a huge impact on the barista’s and the other customers day, turning a simple idle time at the coffee shop or a work meeting at a local Starbucks a more enjoyable and civilized experience for all of us, If you have any comments or want to add another social norm, please do so on the comment section below, and don’t hesitate in subscribing on our That Coffee Roasters Networks.

Only on informal occasions, it is acceptable to dunk food into coffee in public. Otherwise, it's seen as tasteless.

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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  

Here's one of the secrets to keeping your coffee fresh for a longer period.

As you probably already know, coffee goes through many processes and during them its properties and substances are transformed. Its quality has to do with many procedures that are carried out at the production stage, which includes harvesting the cherries, roasting the seeds and packaging the coffee within a bag of specific material. In the end, all these steps seek to ensure that the coffee, its taste, and aroma can last longer, which may lead you to ask yourself the following question: does the coffee really go bad?

Does Coffee Go Bad?

The reality is that, like any other product with an expiration date, coffee can “go bad.” However, this fact is conceived differently in the world of coffee. Clearly, any product that’s not hermetically sealed and is exposed to very specific moisture conditions may have fungus or mold. But when it comes to bad coffee, it’s not about rottenness.

In general, if the coffee is stored correctly, the fungus will not be a problem. The real question about the coffee duration is: is it possible that this product can be stored “for a lifetime”? Unfortunately, the answer is no. In the end, coffee does go bad, but not like other foods. Over time the coffee may become stale due to factors such as temperature and humidity, but it’s mainly due to oxidation.

As mentioned in the article “Why You Should Care About Roasting Date,” oxidation is the process by which the coffee bean comes into contact with oxygen. This element can degrade the components of the coffee, generating a product not suitable for coffee lovers.

How to tell if your coffee has gone bad

One detail you can’t overlook is the fact that the expiration date won’t really determine whether the coffee is stale or not. You could say that the best resource in these cases is the senses. One of the best ways to detect if your coffee isn't as fresh as you thought it would be, is through its aroma. If you can’t perceive a strong coffee smell when you open the bag, the product probably can no longer be consumed.

The taste will also be an important element in identifying stale coffee. If you are a coffee lover and know the quality of your favorite coffee, you will be able to identify elements that are not typical of the product. Stale coffee usually has a dull and an unpleasant taste.

How to make coffee last longer?

The secret behind coffee duration lies in the type of the coffee you purchase: bean or ground. If you store the coffee in a dry, dark, cool place and in an airtight container, it will last much longer. In this way, ground coffee can maintain its properties for a couple of months after its expiration date, and coffee beans can be consumed up to nine months after expiration.

Clearly, the best thing you can do to prevent a coffee from going bad is to consume it as fresh as possible, which is why it is important to try to locate the roasting date of each bag you buy. The closer you get to that date, the more likely you are to enjoy its good taste and properties.

The coffee industry is a world full of secrets and a lot of science. Only experts such as That Coffee Roasters know all the information needed to produce quality coffee. So what are you waiting for? Follow us through our social networks and get to know more about coffee products and all the processes you need to follow to improve your coffee experience!

Coffee expires in a very different way.

That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

Facebook: That Coffee Roasters

Instagram: thatcoffeeroasters