While a cold brew requires an average of 12 to 24 hours of infusion, German scientists have managed to prepare this tasty iced coffee in just three minutes, by developing a laser extraction method. A solution that they hope to market soon, before extending it to other drinks.

Extracted with a laser, this cold-brew coffee is prepared in three minutes

The scientists used a laser producing 80,000 pulses of 125 picojoules per second.

With several billion regular consumers, coffee ranks second among the most popular beverages on our planet, just behind water. Tight or long, with or without sugar, diluted with milk, depending on tastes, cultures, and morning mood, this simple pleasure can be declined indefinitely.

In recent years, caffeine junkies have been praising the merits of a beverage invented in Japan a few centuries ago: the cold brew.

Refreshing, less bitter, and less acidic, this preparation has everything to please, except for its infusion time. It is indeed necessary to wait between 12 and 24 hours so that the ground coffee diffuses all its aromas in cold water before finally being able to filter it and taste it.

 Suffice it to say that this recipe is not suitable for the heads in the air, nor for the impatient who demand their daily energy shot immediately. Fortunately for them, a team of scientists from the German University of Duisburg and Essen claims to be able to considerably reduce this waiting time, thanks to an ultra-short pulse laser.

 A revolutionary coffee pod that does away with capsules?

BIODEGRADABLE The pod would be surrounded by a biodegradable membrane

It could be a real “revolution”, according to the distribution giant. Migros must present a coffee pod only surrounded by a biodegradable membrane, which would make it possible to do without capsules, believes the Swiss daily SonntagsZeitung.

Migros will present under the CoffeeB brand a ball of ground and pressed coffee, surrounded by a thin membrane, which completely eliminates metal or plastic capsules, according to the Sunday newspaper. The coffee ball - an individual dose - is deposited by the user in a specially designed coffee machine and once used it is 100% compostable, including the membrane, explains the newspaper which relies on patents filed by Delica, a subsidiary of Migros.

A new way of sustainable coffee consumption

The group invited the press on Tuesday in Zurich, in the presence of Fabrice Zumbrunnen, the general manager of the distribution group. The invitation evokes “the launch of a breakthrough innovation, destined to become a new way of sustainable coffee consumption”.

With this innovation, “Migros has found a solution to a double problem: the current aluminum or plastic capsules are very energy-intensive to manufacture and they are the source of enormous quantities of waste”, underlines the newspaper. According to the latter, the Delica teams worked for five years at their Birsfelden site near Basel to develop this new product. If CoffeeB appeals to consumers, it will compete directly with that of another Swiss giant, the Nespresso capsules from the Nestlé group.

Coffee comes in several forms: in beans, soluble, in capsules, there is something for everyone. 

We will discover the Health Benefits and Disadvantages of Coffee :The most consumed drink in the world.

Caffeine, a stimulant

 Caffeine is a stimulant and acts on the entire central nervous system. Daily, it is recommended not to exceed 400 milligrams of caffeine, which corresponds to four cups of filter coffee or six espressos.

Caffeine increases alertness and concentration.

Thus, it gives an energy boost. After its absorption by the digestive tract, it quickly reaches the brain. There, caffeine blocks the receptors of a substance responsible for soothing the nervous system. As a result, it does not let the brain rest and increases alertness. Hence the fight against drowsiness.

Some athletes are also coffee lovers. By stimulating the nervous system, caffeine improves alertness during sports practice and delays the onset of the feeling of fatigue. A benefit for athletes! Be careful of overdosing so as not to have the negative effects of excessive consumption and choose a coffee without sugar.

Coffee, is an ally against migraine

Coffee is also an ally against migraine thanks to its vasoconstrictor effect, some people also notice that coffee can reduce the pain of a migraine.

Against Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease

In addition, for those who respect the dose of two to three cups a day, coffee reduces the risk of the onset of Parkinson's disease. Studies have also shown that caffeine can protect neurons and impact different brain mechanisms responsible for the development of Alzheimer's disease.

What impact for type 2 diabetes?

Coffee could also have a role to play against the onset of type 2 diabetes. High consumption would reduce the risk. Thus, a meta-analysis of 200,000 people found that drinking six cups a day reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by 35%. For the moment, the mechanism of action has not been identified nor the link of cause and effect.

Coffee, an ally against cholesterol?

In February 2022, a Canadian study looked at the role that coffee plays in the fight against cardiovascular disease. Researchers assure that two to three cups of coffee a day contain enough caffeine to trigger a biochemical reaction that leads to a decrease in LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. In 2013, a meta-analysis showed that those who drank three to five cups of coffee a day had a 15% lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Coffee, is good for the heart but with caution

Regarding the benefits of coffee for coffee, the studies do not follow but are not always alike. In August 2021, a study presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology, found those who drank up to three cups a day decreased the risk of death from heart disease, stroke, and premature death. A confirmed benefit in people without a diagnosis of heart disease. According to this study, the risk of death from cardiovascular disease is reduced by 17% and that of stroke by 21%.

So, drink coffee but in moderation. In September 2021, a study warned heavy drinkers. According to work by researchers at the University of South Australia, starting with six cups of coffee a day increases the risk of heart disease.

What impact on the appearance of cancers? What effect?

In February 2022, an English study assured that drinking three coffees a day could reduce the risk of mortality by 15% if the coffee is ground. The risk is even reduced by 25% for those who drink less than three cups. What about other types of coffee? Regarding decaffeinated coffee, more than three cups a day reduced mortality by 17%. These results, therefore, prove that the benefits of coffee are not only in the caffeine, further studies are needed to further explain the mechanisms of action and understand where the benefits come from.

No effect was seen for instant coffee drinkers. Instant coffee contains more caffeine and antioxidants than ground coffee, but it also contains twice as much acrylamide, which is neurotoxic and carcinogenic. This same study found a benefit against liver cancer. A downside, it is important to monitor the temperature of the coffee. Indeed, drinking too hot coffee could increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer.

A vitamin bomb

Coffee is an important source of soluble dietary fiber (19.8 grams per 100 grams of ground coffee). In addition, vitamin B3 (15 milligrams per 100 grams of ground coffee) contained in coffee is involved in the nervous system and the skin. Phosphorus (160 milligrams per 100 grams of ground coffee), is also present in coffee.

What are the contraindications of coffee and its side effects?

Good to know :

 Brewing your coffee has many benefits. You'll save money on your monthly coffee purchases, especially if there are multiple cups a day. You will also have more control over the flavor you choose.You need to determine which coffee beans the best suit your particular taste. We will look at The most appreciated and famous types of coffee beans. We will focus on the characteristics of each type and the flavor you can extract from it.

Arabica

This variety of beans is probably something you've been using for a while if you've been brewing coffee for a while. It is the most popular type of coffee bean, and it accounts for more than half of all cups of coffee in the world.

To grow the Arabica tree needs plenty of sunshine and regular rainfall. They can thrive at higher elevations and are low maintenance. These trees are easy to harvest and prune as they typically reach six feet in height.

Arabicas are very meticulous about their environment. They won't thrive if they don't get the right environment to grow in and can easily get sick. It is a bad idea for Arabian trees to be grown close together as the disease can spread quickly from tree to tree.

What flavors can you get from arabica beans?

All of its flavors will remain intact if served hot. The perfect amount of acidity will be achieved and you will also detect fruity undertones. It has an overall mild and slightly sweet flavor.

Liberica

Because Liberica is not as well known today as Arabica, it is hard to find these days. In the 1890s, Liberica was temporarily overtaken by Arabica as the favorite coffee bean variety due to a disease that nearly decimated the former's population. That all changed when Arabica was reintroduced as the top choice for coffee beans years later. This has led to a decrease in the number of Liberica tree plantations.

Due to their unusual and asymmetrical shapes, Liberica beans stand out from all other varieties. These beans are known for their strong, earthy flavor. This bean, like Arabica, also has distinct fruity undertones and a slightly charred flavor.

Robusta

In terms of popularity, the Robusta coffee bean is second. But that’s not where the similarities with Arabica end. Robusta trees are not susceptible to environmental conditions and are resistant to many of the same diseases as Arabica. Although they can thrive at low and high elevations, they need warmer temperatures to grow well. Their high levels of caffeine are the key to their remarkable disease resistance. They contain twice as much caffeine as Arabica.

If this variety is grown in the right climate, you should get a full-bodied, richer-tasting coffee. It will have a softer texture, less acidity, and more chocolate undertones. While it's okay to use Robusta beans to brew black coffee, coffee connoisseurs believe Robusta beans taste best when infused with cream, sugar, and milk. These additives do not alter the original flavor.

Robusta is a great choice if you like cream and sugar.

These flavors may not be apparent if you are unable to detect them.

Excelsa

Excelsa is the only coffee bean that closely resembles Liberica. Both types are the same species. This is because they are very different in taste. Excelsa is a mixture of different tones. This coffee has a combination of sweet and fruity flavors, with hints of darker notes. This gives a unique cup of coffee every time.

Racemosa

Coffea racemosa is a lesser-known variety, similar to Arabica. It is grown in the coastal strip of South Africa and Mozambique. Adapted to the local climate, it is drought resistant and also grows on sandy soils. Racemosa has a low caffeine content, less than half of Arabica and a quarter of Robusta. The coffee produced is very fragrant.

It may be worth researching the beans you buy if you plan to make your coffee. You will be able to identify the types of flavors you can expect from each coffee bean. Knowing the requirements of growing coffee beans will help you determine if you are getting a high-quality product.

Wath is The secrets to making a latte macchiato coffee like in Italy and How to prepare it at home?

Number of persons

4 PEOPLE

Preparation time

10 MINUTES

Cooking time

5 MINUTES.

Difficulty

Easy

Price

Cheap

INGREDIENTS

 33 cl of milk

15 cl of coffee

3 tablespoons chocolate powder

1 sachet of vanilla sugar

PREPARATION

Heat your milk and turn it off before it boils.

Meanwhile prepare your coffee as normal.

Pour the packet of vanilla sugar into your milk and stir well to dissolve the sugar. do the same with the chocolate.

Pour the milk into your glasses and using an electric whisk, create a froth.

Your coffee being ready you can add it to each of the glasses, the goal being that it goes below the foam. If this seems too complicated, feel free to do the opposite (first the coffee then the frothed milk).