Roasted: Common Coffee Myths Debunked
Published: Friday, September 7, 2012
Updated: Friday, September 7, 2012 22:09
As hard-working college students, we all appreciate the stimulating effects of coffee and other caffeinated drinks. Yet how much do we really know about these beverages on which we so mindlessly rely? Here are a few dispelled myths and confirmed facts about coffee that you should know in order to stay as caffeinated as ever.
Myth. Espresso has more caffeine than a cup of regular drip coffee.
An 8-ounce cup of drip coffee has about 100 milligrams of caffeine, while one shot of espresso has only 65 milligrams Espresso is brewed for a much shorter time than drip coffee: 20 to 30 seconds as opposed to four to six minutes. This means that less caffeine is extracted from the beans during espresso brewing compared to drip coffee.
Myth. Darker coffee roasts contain more caffeine than lighter roasts.
Darker roasts have less caffeine content than lighter roasts because the beans are roasted longer. The heat from roasting process destroys the caffeine contained in the acidic oils of the beans.
Fact. Coffee is a diuretic.
Coffee is a mild diuretic because of the stimulating effect of caffeine. In moderation, the diuretic effects are barely noticeably. Be careful when drinking caffeine in large amounts though, or you will be visiting the restroom more frequently than usual.Myth. Tea has the same amount of caffeine as coffee.
Coffee contains more than twice as much caffeine as tea. Here is the breakdown:
8-ounce cup coffee: 100 milligrams of caffeine
8-ounce cup black tea: 40 milligrams of caffeine
8-ounce cup green tea: 20 milligrams of caffeine
Red Bull: 80 milligrams caffeine
5-Hour Energy: 200 milligrams caffeine
Fact. Coffee will help prevent memory loss.
In 2005, researchers in Austria showed that caffeine helps temporarily improve focus and memory. In a more recent study, researchers found that women who drank three or more cups of coffee a day had 33 percent less of a decline in memory than those who drank only a cup or less. However, the researchers did not find such a correlation for the men in the study. Ladies, drink up.
Myth. It is okay to store coffee in the refrigerator.
Storing coffee in the refrigerator actually exposes the beans to moisture and unwanted food odors. Since coffee beans are porous, they take up these odors and lose their flavor, becoming stale. The best place to store coffee is at room temperature in an airtight container.
Fact. Coffee is good before working out.
Coffee is a stimulant, which can give you that edge during your workout. A cup of coffee has been shown to enhance athletic performance in those who exercise frequently. Drink a cup an hour or so before exercising in order to get the full effects of the energy boost.
Myth. Coffee dehydrates.
Caffeine is a mild diuretic in moderation, but if you drink more than a moderate amount (more than 600 milligrams a day), you will be urinating much more than usual and this can eventually lead to dehydration. This is easily remedied by balancing out the fluids lost by drinking more water throughout the day.
Fact. Bottled water is best for brewing coffee.
Tap water contains chlorine that can noticeably tamper with the taste of even the best coffee. The quality of drip coffee depends much on the kind of water used. Bottled water is recommended to keep coffee tasting fresh and crisp.
Myth. Espresso is a special type of coffee bean.
Espresso is a method, not a bean or a type of roast. In fact, espresso beans are the same beans used to make drip coffee. The difference is in the brewing method: Coffee beans are ground extra-fine and brewed under high pressure for about 20 to 30 seconds. Any coffee bean can be used to make espresso.
Fact: It is pronounced “ES-pres-so” not “EX-pres-so.”
6 comments
Beks
Anonymous on Sept 8th,You missed the point. The article refers to the typical way it is served. Yes, there is more caffeine per fluid ounce in espresso, however, very few people are going to drink an 8 oz espresso. That is usually served in a one/two oz portion, while coffee is served in an 8 oz portion. When you compare them this way, you realize that ordering a small cup of coffee will give you more caffeine than ordering a single espresso. The myth is that ordering a single espresso is more caffeinating than an 8 oz cup of coffee. I'm a barista and find these facts fascinating. Good work, Thresher. And to you trolls, get a life.
Anonymous
@Luther, isn't the statement "This means that less caffeine is extracted from the beans during espresso brewing compared to drip coffee" still false though, despite the fact the article compares a cup to a shot?
Luther
The reference to caffeine content is per cup, not per ounce serving. It is rare that you find someone drinking 12 espresso. However, take an espresso, straight or in an americano and the cup rule stands. This is the most common metric that a consumer would take away.
The comment about refer and airtight. Yes, you would avoid picking up the odd flavors. However, you fail to remember that the air that is trapped in your airtight container contains moisture. As you drop the temperature you would condense some of this vapor to a liquid. Bad for coffee by any measurement.
The comment about refer and airtight. Yes, you would avoid picking up the odd flavors. However, you fail to remember that the air that is trapped in your airtight container contains moisture. As you drop the temperature you would condense some of this vapor to a liquid. Bad for coffee by any measurement.
Anonymous
Wow, what a seminal treatise on coffee.
Oh Please
To Anonymous: The trouble is that you are trying to read the Thresher as if it contains facts. In my six years of reading reading the Thresher, I found it is generally better if you treat it like a trashy tabloid. I wonder if someone at the Thresher has the guts to make this the online comment of the week rather than the one anonymous pro-Thresher comment (among a much larger number of negative comments) that generally ends up being picked.
Anonymous
The bit about caffeine content in drip coffee versus espresso simply isn't true. Drip coffee contains between 8 and 15 milligrams of caffeine per fluid ounce. Espresso contains between 30 and 50 milligrams per fluid ounce. The conclusion is clear: espresso contains a higher concentration of caffeine than does drip coffee. The espresso brewing process, utilizing steam and less overall contact time with the coffee grounds, ***more*** effectively extracts caffeine. You are making a comparison without taking into account fluid volumes! By that metric, I could say that potato chips are healthier than fruit, because a single ounce of potato chips contains less sugar than two kilograms of strawberries! Am I missing something here? Also, it is fine to store coffee in a refrigerator if it is in an airtight container. This invalidates your argument about moisture exposure, as the container would protect it from the humidity and smells of a refrigerator.
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