Anyone who knows me well will tell you I can’t function without several cups of coffee in the morning.
After 11am I’m just not interested, but before that it’s an absolute essential and it’s best not to talk to me until I’ve had at least one dose of caffeine.
So I was happy to except delivery of a coffee goody bag from the British Coffee Association with a coffee scented candle, chocolate covered coffee beans and The Little Book of Coffee Tips. Bizarrely there was no coffee included.
But no matter. The tips book is particularly interesting and there are a few facts I wish I’d known earlier.
A few facts about coffee
- You can clean coffee stains from mugs with coffee itself. Simply dunk a cloth in cold coffee and wipe it over the stains. It works by the acids in the coffee cutting through the dried-on brew.
- Coffee beans can be ground straight from the freezer. There’s no need to defrost before grinding so, in fact, the freezer is actually a good place to store them.
- Old coffee grounds can be out on the compost where their nutrients will be recycled. Or put them under plants that need acid soils like azaleas. So don’t just put them in the bin!
- If you warm your coffee cup before adding your drink it keeps the coffee hotter for longer but also helps the oils and other elements to stay mixed together.
- Insect pests hate coffee grounds. So spread them by the door to keep our ants, or rub them on your dog’s coat to get rid of fleas (but don’t forget to rinse the dog afterwards!).
- Coffee stains on the carpet can be removed by blotting up the excess liquid with a damp cloth and sprinkling on tonic water or soda water, but you have to act quickly. Wait one minute then rub with a damp cloth. Repeat the process until the stain disappears.
Coffee, stress and anxiety
I’m not in a position to debate the health benefits or otherwise of coffee but I am interested in the relationship between caffeine consumption and stress and anxiety.
According to Dr Christian Jessen from Embarrassing Bodies, moderation is key, and 4-5 cups of coffee per day is safe for most people, unless pregnant, in which case you are advised to drink less. Here’s what he has to say on the subject.
What about you? Can you function without coffee?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m not a big coffee drinker to be honest, I much prefer tea, but if I’m out and about I always order coffee because I’m just a teeny tiny bit fussy about how my tea is made. I know that’ll surprise you.
I have never ever had a mug of tea. Herbal teas, yes, but never the ‘normal’ stuff. Not one mug in my entire life! That’s seems unusual now reading your comment!
I have to have my coffee in the morning as well but I’m not a coffee snob – anything instant will do. Some good tips there.
No, I’m not a coffee snob either. I only ever have instant. Because I need it STRAIGHT AWAY!!
I had to give up coffee as it was considered a factor in my developing an irregular heart-beat. Actually, it was a lot easier than I thought – I now drink it in quite strict moderation, and mostly de-caff. But yes to warm cups and keeping coffee in the freezer – essential tips!
Give up coffee?! Actually I used to drink a lot of diet coke and then gave it up because I was concerned about all the acid. I definitely craved it for a while and then it passed. I’d struggle without my caffeine fix though. I’d have to find another drug. I joke, of course.