CAFÉ

¿Qué es el café?

Coffee is a popular beverage obtained from the beans of the Coffea plant. The beans are seeds contained in the fruits, called cherries, which are harvested, processed, and then roasted to produce the beverage. This drink is characterized by its bitter taste and stimulating effect due to caffeine.

Properties of coffee

• Stimulant: Caffeine is the main active component. It increases alertness, improves concentration, and reduces fatigue.
• Antioxidant: Coffee is a rich source of antioxidants, which can help fight cellular damage caused by free radicals.
• Improves physical performance: Caffeine can increase exercise capacity and endurance.
• Potential health benefits: It may reduce the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and type 2 diabetes, although studies are mixed.
• Mood enhancement: It is believed that coffee can have a positive effect on mood due to the stimulation of the central nervous system.

Coffee varieties:

There are several varieties of Coffea, but the most well-known are:

• Coffea arabica: It is the most cultivated variety, appreciated for its smooth, fruity, and less bitter taste.
• Coffea canephora (robusta): It has a stronger and more bitter taste, and a higher caffeine content than arabica.
• Others: There are some minor varieties, such as Liberica and Excelsa, which have unique flavor profiles.

What types of coffee are there? - Blog mentta

Main coffee-producing countries

Coffee is mainly grown in tropical areas of the world, in countries near the equator, such as:

• Brazil: The world's largest coffee producer.
• Vietnam: The main producer of robusta coffee.
• Colombia: Famous for its high-quality arabica coffee.
• Ethiopia: The birthplace of coffee, known for its fruity flavor.
• Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico: Other important producers of quality coffee.

Preparation methods:

There are several ways to prepare coffee, depending on style and personal preference:

• Filtered coffee: Uses a filter to separate the ground beans from the liquid.
• Espresso coffee: Made with a pressure process that passes hot water through finely ground coffee, creating a concentrated beverage.
• French press coffee: The ground coffee is allowed to steep in hot water for a few minutes before pressing the plunger to separate the coffee.
• Turkish coffee: The coffee is boiled in water with sugar (optional) in a container called a cezve.
• Cold brew coffee: Made with cold infusion or through a slow drip process.

Effects of coffee on our body - Blog mentta