Category: HEALTHY COFFEE

Drink responsibly and coffee can be a real benefit to your health!

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The Artistry of the Roast

The Artistry of the Roast

Does your cup of coffee transport your senses to a different place depending on the flavor and your mood? Roasting coffee beans is an art no different than painting a masterpiece; time, heat, and color take the place of brushes and palettes. Your favorite roast requires an artist skilled in the nuances of coffee bean flavors and aromas; anything less is like snapping a Polaroid versus creating a Rembrandt.

The heat is on

A coffee bean starts out as a hard pit; then it goes through a process of fermentation and drying making it softer and sort of grassy smelling. In this state, it can be stored without losing its quality or taste, but you wouldn’t be impressed by either of those attributes until its flavors are released through roasting. Roasting machines are set to temperatures between 370 and 540 degrees Fahrenheit, the beans are constantly moving for even heating from a few minutes to a half hour. Once removed from the heat, the beans are immediately cooled.

The process of roasting causes changes to occur in the bean’s chemical make-up. A combination of science and years of experience are what make a Roast Master; you don’t just walk in off the street and get a job roasting coffee. Beans are brought to high temperatures pretty rapidly it takes a master roaster to know the moment the beans have reached roasting perfection.

Color me fascinated

Different roasts create different depths of flavor; lighter roasts keep most of the natural bean flavor while darker roasts remove more of the sweetness for a full bodied taste. Each degree of roasting is gauged by color; obviously, the longer the beans are left to roast the darker they get.

Lightly roasted beans will have a more cinnamon color, light brown with reddish tones, original bean flavors. Mild beans are better when lightly roasted, leaving you with layers of flavor depending on where the beans were grown and the surrounding vegetation.

Medium roasts are the most popular because the flavors are the most enhanced, the color palette for medium roasts ranges from light-medium brown to medium brown and oily. A shiny appearance will happen when temperatures are high enough to begin releasing the natural oils within the bean. Often, big coffee companies will employ a medium roast to average quality beans in an attempt to fool you and bring out a richer flavor. Camano Island Coffee is made from the highest quality, single-origin Arabica beans, so our medium roast coffees are balanced and flavor filled.

Dark roasted coffees range in color from medium-dark brown and oily to very dark brown. The longer the beans are left to roast the smokier the flavor, with a lower acidity and richly coated in coffee oils these tend to be internationally favored. Make sure you’re getting high-quality beans since many mass-produced coffee makers will use the dark roast in an attempt to hide poor quality.

There is a niche market of coffee lovers that prefer extra dark roast coffees, the beans are almost black in color and can be shiny or brittle. These beans have none of their original flavor left; you have to be of a strong constitution to enjoy this flavor of roast. We don’t go too dark, instead relying on varietal beans that blend so well you can enjoy your espresso alone or in your favorite creamy concoctions.

Regional flavors

Our regional blends offer another option. We roast our single-source coffees separately, then blend the regional coffees together to bring all of your favorite coffees into a single cup. Camano Island Coffee offers a variety of roasts and blends, including espresso and less caffeinated choices.

The daily grind

Everyone involved in the process at Camano Island Coffee Roasters is there to bring you the best tasting, highest quality coffee you’ve ever had. We believe everyone from the farmer to the consumer is of the utmost importance, and because we believe that on every box we make sure to pass along the messages of hope and success that we’ve created together. Together is the most important idea of all, for once you decide to support social and environmentally sound businesses you change the world with every purchase, with every cup, with every sip. Now, isn’t that a great tasting cup of coffee?

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Top Five Health Benefits of Coffee

Top Five Health Benefits of Coffee

Are you wondering if your coffee has any health benefits? Are coffee naysayers touting the ill effects and making you want to give up on your cuppa coffee? Well, we have put together the top five reasons why you shouldn’t.

Lowers the Risk of Heart Disease

Studies have shown that individuals who consume three to five cups of coffee in a day are less likely to exhibit the signs of heart disease. Individuals with an intake of at least three cups of coffee are less likely to develop calcification in the coronary arteries. For more info on coffee and heart health check out our blog post, 3 Ways Coffee Improves Heart Health.

How is this possible, you ask? Well, coffee protects the muscular chamber of the heart from artery damage which may be due to inflammation.

Lowers the Risk of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is increasing rapidly in the aging population. Since there is a lack of curative treatment as of now, the protective effect of coffee against Alzheimer’s disease is of great importance. Based on the findings of studies regarding coffee, in relation to Alzheimer’s disease, coffee has favorable effects when it comes to cognitive decline / Alzheimer’s disease. For more information on coffee and brain health check out our blog post, 4 Ways Organic Coffee Improves Brain Health.

Caffeine can reduce beta-amyloid buildup. Beta-amyloid is reckoned to be the prime reason for Alzheimer’s disease. Polyphenol, found in coffee, has antioxidant effects that lower inflammation and helps to protect the brain from a decline in function due to age.

Lowers the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)

The inefficiency of the body to sufficiently produce or effectively use insulin results in T2D. This results in an increase in the level of blood glucose. Findings in research show that individuals who upped their intake of coffee by a cup per day, were less likely to develop T2D and those who reduced their intake of coffee by a cup per day were more likely to develop T2D. For more info on coffee and diabetes check out our blog post, 3 Ways Coffee Prevents Diabetes.

Reduces Depression

It comes as no surprise that coffee does have a positive impact on the mood. Besides uplifting your mood, studies have shown that coffee helps in preventing depression of mild level to moderate level. The bad immune reaction causes inflammation in our brain. This results in depression. Due to the combination of various antioxidants in coffee such as nicotinic acid, chlorogenic acid, tannic acid, quinolinic acid, pyrogallic acid, trigonelline, etc. coffee helps to relieve this inflammation.

Protects Against Liver Cirrhosis

Sure, one can reduce the intake of alcohol to prevent liver cirrhosis. However, a study indicates that drinking coffee protects the liver. As per the study, levels of the liver enzyme were lower among those who consumed decaf and/or regular coffee.

Conclusion

While there are many more healthy reasons not to give up your coffee, this list of the top five health benefits of coffee will easily help you ace your debates with coffee naysayers. Being able to brew yourself a great cup of coffee at home is valuable. It makes sense to have a good home espresso machine to maximize convenience. That said, it is also essential to remember that coffee is not a magic potion. Coffee alone is not responsible to keep your overall health in top shape. You must ensure that you eat healthy food, workout regularly, and maintain a wholesome and healthy lifestyle.

About The Author

Olivia is an avid traveler, has a quest for music, adventure and is a coffee junkie. She co-owns and writes at Fourth Estate Coffee & Pretty Home. She lives to explore and can never say no to a well-made cup of coffee.

Sources:

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Reducing the Risk of Liver Cancer is Easier Than You Thought: Drink Coffee!

Reducing The Risk Of Liver Cancer Is Easier Than You Think: Drink Coffee!

Check out this latest guest post by Greg Haver of coffeeorbust.com. Greg dives into the latest research on how coffee reduces liver cancer risk. Once you’re done with this post, check out the other great content on coffeeorbust.com.

While I usually tout moderation pretty ardently, this is the one time science has literally proven that taking in an enormous amount of one substance can be super healthy for you. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s not alcohol.

And tea drinkers can choke on the smoke from coffee roasters, because drinking a mug of java has a benefit that tea can’t compete with: coffee greatly reduces the risk of liver cancer.

Yes, on top of doing a world of good against cirrhosis, reducing the risk for type II diabetes, and the whole host of antioxidant benefits, coffee fights cancer.

Who Says So?

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Southampton in the UK somehow interacted with 2.25 million people across 26 observational studies. If that doesn’t offer enough credo for you, you’re forever going to be dissatisfied with life, friend.

These studies were global, too, so it meshed together findings from the US, Japan, Europe, Hong Kong, and Singapore. There were eight case-control groups, too, but they do notate that the caffeine content wasn’t regulated at all. While the average mug of joe has 95 mg, the study didn’t account for the multiple ways we consume java across different cultures.

They did, however, find that coffee’s benefits are pervasive; they apply whether you’re a smoker, with or without the presence of alcohol, have Type II diabetes mellitus, have a high mass body index, or have hepatitis B or C.

Why Do I Care?


You are clearly not hearing me! Coffee can significantly reduce the risk of cancer! There are more numbers and cool things to go along with that, and I’m getting to it, but just read those words a few times.

We, a group of intelligent beings, are struggling to find ways to prevent cancer other than yearly screenings to catch it at early stages. Coffee, that stuff you mindlessly pour into a mug every morning, then again at 2pm to mitigate the mid-afternoon drowsiness, is dominating the game.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer, and it often develops from those stricken with chronic liver disease.

Liver cancer often has a poor prognosis, which largely is what makes it the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. In the US, 40,710 adults will be diagnosed with liver cancer this year alone, while men are three times more likely than women to develop it. The general 5-year survival rate is at a despairingly low 18%.

I’m not trying to make it as depressing as a high school poetry club reading in here, but I’m just trying to emphasize how damn impressive it is that coffee’s able to hold this hellish cancer at bay.

Okay, I Care. What Now?

Drinking one cup of coffee per day reduces your risk by 20%. Two knocks that number up to 35%, and drinking five cups of this magical bean juice reduces your risk for liver cancer by a whopping 50%.

They also measured those who drank decaffeinated coffee and found that it decreased the risk of liver cancer, but not as drastically as the caffeinated version, so everything is right with the world.

There wasn’t any documentation for consumption of more than five cups, but, well, to be honest, we all know over five cups of coffee per day and you evolve into a superhuman being impervious to any and all ailments.

What’s even cooler is that this study also showed that the decrease in risk is available to even those jumping on the coffee bandwagon later in life! You don’t have to have been endlessly consuming it for 10 years (*cough* me *cough*) to reap the benefits. March your butt to the nearest coffee shop and take a sip knowing that you’ve immediately reduced your risk like the total boss of your life you are.

You don’t even need to prepare it in any special way – boil it, brew it, filter it, whatever your cute little heart desires. As long as it makes its way from the mug to your gut, you can take pride in the fact that you’re doing your body good.

Disclaimer and Conclusion


Drinking coffee isn’t for everyone, and drinking five cups of the stuff every day really isn’t for everyone. The researchers didn’t measure whether or not imbibing that much caffeine outweighs the benefits of reducing liver cancer.

Read your body, search your soul, and do what’s right for you. If you want to drink a cup or two and bask in the benefits like reducing the risk of liver cancer, totally do it! If you’ve long since hopped on the caffeinated train like yours truly, you just keep doing your thing.

Greg Haver
Greg Haver

A ten-year veteran of the coffee business, Greg Haver is the creator and editor of Coffee or Bust, a blog for coffee lovers. With an audience ranging from aspiring home baristas to coffee-making veterans, Coffee or Bust provides in-depth equipment recommendations, brewing guides, and other information on coffee-related topics.

Follow Greg on Facebook and Twitter for more recipes and coffee news!

Try Your First Bag Free When You Join The Coffee Lover’s Club

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13 Reasons Why Your Brain Craves Coffee

13 Reasons Your Brain Craves Coffee

Each and every one of us has our own excuse for drinking coffee. Some do it for social purposes, for an extra dose of energy, or because they simply like the taste. However, there are very few people who admit that they need the coffee, not just want it. Or more precisely, it’s your brain that needs it.

In these cases, our brain knows better than us. It knows what it needs to clear that annoying fog resting around it at the same time every day. And here are a few quick reasons why you should give in to that urge, according to Dripped Coffee’s infographic:

Summary:

  1. It gives you an energy boost
  2. It reduces the risk of depression
  3. It reduces cravings and helps you burn calories
  4. It strengthens your DNA
  5. It improves your focus and stimulates your central nervous system
  6. It improves your short term memory
  7. It protects against diseases such as Alzheimer’s, gout or type 2 diabetes.

Your brain sees coffee as humans see a hug: it’s soothing, its helpful, and it’s one of the best addictions to have. We know we are coffee addicts; we just don’t care. And if we are to be completely honest, neither does our brain.

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How Coffee May Lower Melanoma Risk

lower melanoma risk

How Coffee May Lower Melanoma Risk

Guest post by Remy Bernard ~ Owner and Editor at Miss Mamie’s Cupcakes

I’ll be honest, I’m a little biased when it comes to talking about anything related to coffee. It’s the first thing I’m after when I wake up in the morning and it never lets me down when I need to get going in the afternoon. I can count on it. Not to mention the hundreds of experiences, memories, sights and smells I have come to associate with expertly roasted and well-brewed coffee. So many of the details of this humble bean have integrated themselves into some of the most fulfilling parts of my daily life.

So naturally, I was excited when, over the last 10 years or so, tons of research started pouring out of the scientific community touting the various health benefits of my beloved beans. The blog has already covered in detail how coffee can help prevent diabetes and even keep your heart healthy, but another recently discovered arrow in the health-boosting quiver of coffee is its ability to lower your risk for melanoma, one of the most deadly forms of skin cancer. A study performed in 2015 found that drinking around 4 cups of coffee a day (not a problem here) has a definitive link to lower melanoma risk.

Just to quickly dive into what we are dealing with, melanoma is the 5th most common form of cancer in the United States, and tops the list as the leader in skin-cancer related deaths. In 2016, about 9,500 people died from melanoma out of the 77,000 that received a diagnosis. This puts the mortality rate at a staggering 12%. I talk about these numbers not to get all doom and gloom, but just to drive home that it has the potential to be a very serious problem. I am very interested in doing everything I can to lower melanoma risk.

So how does coffee play into all this? Well, even though exposure to UV light is the risk factor you have the most control over, there are others that will raise, or lower your risk. In the National Cancer Institute study linked above, compounds found in coffee were shown to actually lower melanoma risk. In the study, researchers analyzed the data from 447,357 subjects and determined that there was a lower melanoma risk by up to 20% for those who consumed four or more cups per day, compared to those in the study that did not drink any coffee.

It is important to note that this protective effect only took place when the subjects consumed caffeinated coffee. Although it’s not totally clear, it would seem since compounds like polyphenols and diterpenes are already associated with the health benefits of coffee, the caffeine is largely responsible for the protective mechanism. Other studies have also shown that there is a ‘sunscreen effect’ produced by caffeine that inhibits DNA mutations that can lead to development of skin cancer.

While most researchers largely point to caffeine as the super hero in the story, it’s important to acknowledge that other variables may come into play when correlating it with the reduction. For example, the people that tend to drink tons of coffee may work indoors more where the access to a full carafe of hot coffee is easier to come by, while those working outdoors and in the sun all day don’t have the ability to drink cup after cup throughout the day. I only mention this because when looking at newer scientific data, it’s always important to consider all sides of the argument. Practicing safe sun habits will always be the most important thing you can do to protect yourself.

Like I said before, I would recommend practicing common sense when it comes to your health, but it is nice to know that the more we look into coffee, the more we find out about how good it can be for us. I’m not going to go sit in the sun all day without sunscreen while pounding cup after cup of coffee and hope for the best, but I will continue to consume my 3-4 cups a day and relish in study after study that tells me coffee is so much more than just a delicious beverage.

Remy Bernard – Owner and Editor at Miss Mamie’s Cupcakes

A baker, chef and writer, Remy started missmamiescupcakes.com as a way to deepen and spread her passion for making delicious food. She can also be found on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.

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3 Ways Coffee Prevents Diabetes

3 Ways Coffee Prevents Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes is a scary disease that is becoming more and more prevalent in the U.S.

Diet and exercise are an important part of lowering your risk, but recent research suggests coffee prevents diabetes. Check out the 3 ways coffee prevents diabetes below.

1. Coffee Prevents Diabetes By Reducing Glucose and Insulin Levels

Lots of studies and statistics show that Type 2 Diabetes is on the rise. Unfortunately this can lead to two to four times the risk to develop cardiovascular disease.1 Diet and exercise are an important part of lowering your risk, but drinking coffee can also be a big prevention tool, too.

A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that drinking 3-4 cups of coffee per day was associated with an approximate 25% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to consuming none or less than 2 cups per day.2

What is it about coffee that reduces your risk for diabetes? What you might not know is coffee is actually a great source of antioxidants — chlorogenic acid, and trigonelline to name a couple. These antioxidants work together to regulate your glucose and insulin levels which in turn helps to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Another study from 2002 found that coffee drinkers consuming at least 7 cups of coffee per day were half as likely to develop type 2 diabetes.3 The interesting thing about this study is when you compare it against recommended levels of caffeine consumption this is far higher than what is recommended to prevent overcaffeination. One way to have your coffee and drink it too so to speak is to only drink arabica, shade-grown coffee. Arabica beans contain half the caffeine content of other coffees. This enables you to drink more coffee without getting the jitters of overcaffeination. Shade grown coffee contains less acidity because it grows slower. This slow-grow process develops a smoother more flavorful cup without bitterness.

2. Coffee Prevents Diabetes By Reducing Oxidative stress and Increasing Cell signalling

Another cause of type 2 diabetes is oxidative stress — something the antioxidants in coffee reduce.4

But, what exactly is oxidative stress? Oxidative stress causes issues with how your cells respond to insulin. It is this incorrect response to insulin that creates an environment where Type 2 diabetes is more likely to develop.5 Antioxidants in coffee prevents diabetes by preventing one of the main mechanisms of type 2 diabetes — oxidative stress.

3. Coffee Prevents Diabetes By Increasing Liver Function

Your liver function is directly related to your risk of diabetes. How? Well, a good, healthy liver should be regulating the glucose in your bloodstream.

Harvard researchers found improvements in adipocyte and liver function as indicated by changes in adiponectin and fetuin-A concentrations when drinking 5 or more cups of coffee per day.5

A healthy liver is something you want to have for a wide array of medical reasons, but since it also reduces risk of Type 2 Diabetes, why wouldn’t you make sure and take good care of it?

There are many choices in lifestyle and diet that you can make to reduce your risk of diabetes. But coffee is tasty, easy and an excellent addition to any prevention measures you are already using. Coffee prevents diabetes and it tastes delicious, so make sure to drink the best coffee you can. That’s why here at Camano Island Coffee Roasters we only roast USDA Certified Organic coffee beans and ship within 48 hours to give you the freshest taste possible.

1.http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/Diabetes/WhyDiabetesMatters/Cardiovascular-Disease-Diabetes_UCM_313865_Article.jsp#.WIvdWrYrJTY

2. Crippa A. et al. (2014) Coffee consumption and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer: a dose-response meta-analysis. Am J Epidemiol. 180(8):763-75

3. van Dijk A.E. et al. (2009) Acute effects of decaffeinated coffee and the major coffee components chlorogenic acid and trigonelline on glucose tolerance. Diabetes Care, 32:1023-1025.

4. Koloverou E. et al. (2015) The evaluation of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers on coffee-diabetes association: results from the 10 year follow up of the ATTICA Study (2002-2012). EJCN, 69(11):1220-1225

5. N M Wedick et al, 2011. Effects of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee on biological risk factors for type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial. Nutrition Journal, 2011, Volume 10, published online ahead of print.

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3 Ways Coffee Improves Heart Health

3 Ways Coffee Improves Heart Health

Did you know coffee can be a key player in keeping your heart healthy? Yes, really! Coffee Improves heart health. Check it out below.

1. Coffee Improves Heart Health By Lowering Calcium Deposits In Arteries

The same old story you hear about heart health usually is something like this: if you have calcium in your coronary arteries, you may be at risk for coronary artery disease(CAD). The reason this is a problem is it can lead to reduced blood flow or cause clots, which then leads to heart attacks.

This is all pretty scary stuff. Doctors recommend different diets, prescriptions, and exercises to prevent CAD. But did you know that drinking coffee is another step you can take to lower your risk?

Seriously, listen to this:

Those who drank 3-5 cups a day had 40% less calcium in their arteries than non-coffee drinkers. This was reduced to 35% for those who drank 1-3, and 23% for those who drank just one. Coffee consumption and coronary artery calcium in young and middle-aged asymptomatic adults.1

Those are some pretty impressive numbers. While there are many ways to keep your calcium levels low, coffee is an easy and tasty way to work on it.

2. Coffee Improves Heart Health By Reducing Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Lots of studies and statistics show that Type 2 Diabetes is on the rise. Unfortunately this can lead to two to four times the risk to develop cardiovascular disease.2 Diet and exercise are an important part of lowering your risk, but drinking coffee can also be a big prevention tool, too.

A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found, “Drinking 3-4 cups of coffee per day was associated with an approximate 25% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to consuming none or less than 2 cups per day.”3

What is it about coffee that reduces your risk for diabetes? What you might not know is coffee is actually a great source of antioxidants — chlorogenic acid, and trigonelline to name a couple. These antioxidants work together to regulate your glucose and insulin levels which in turn helps to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Another study from 2002 found that coffee drinkers consuming at least 7 cups of coffee per day were half as likely to develop type 2 diabetes.4 The interesting thing about this study is when you compare it against recommended levels of caffeine consumption this is far higher than what is recommended to prevent overcaffeination. 

One way to have your coffee and drink it too so to speak is to only drink Arabica, shade-grown coffee. Arabica beans contain about half of the caffeine of other beans enabling you to drink more of it without getting the jitters of overcaffeination. And, because shade-grown coffee grows slower, it develops a smooth flavor with no bitterness. So enjoy a delicious cup of joe and let your coffee improve heart health.

3. Coffee Improves Heart Health By Reducing Your Risk of Stroke

Like the other ailments listed above, stroke could also be prevented by coffee. Did you know that by drinking at least one cup a day, you can reduce your risk of stroke by 20 percent?5 That’s a pretty great start, if you ask me.

The science behind it is relatively simple, too:

Dr Yoshihiro Kokubo, lead author of a study published in the journal Stroke, said: “The regular action of drinking tea, coffee, largely benefits cardiovascular health because it partly keeps blood clots from forming.”6

Simple, straightforward, and easy. Drinking coffee is good for keeping your blood flow smooth and your heart happy.

Whether you only have one cup in the morning, or you drink a steady 4-5 cups a day, you’re keeping your heart in good shape. We may not be doctors, but the research available sure speaks for itself. Good coffee improves heart health.

Sources:

1. Yuni Choi1, Yoosoo Chang Seungho Ryu Juhee Cho Sanjay Rampal Yiyi Zhang Jiin Ahn Joao A C Lima Hocheol Shin Eliseo Guallar. “Coffee consumption and coronary artery calcium in young and middle-aged asymptomatic adults.” Heart.

2. Kannel WB, McGee DL. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The Framingham study. JAMA.1979;241:2035–2038.

3. Huxley R. et al. (2009) Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, and Tea Consumption in Relation to Incident Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Archives of Internal Medicine, 169:2053-2063.

4. Van Dam R.M. et al. (2002) Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lancet, 360:1477-1478.

5. Yoshihiro Kokubo, M.D., Ph.D., chief doctor, department of preventive cardiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan; Ralph Sacco, M.D., past president, American Heart Association, and chairman, neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; March 14, 2013, Stroke, online

6. IBID.

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4 Ways Coffee Improves Exercise

4 Ways Coffee Improves Exercise

Whether you’re a hardcore marathon runner, a dedicated crossfitter, or a busy mom doing yoga, we’ve got some news for you: coffee improves exercise. Don’t believe me? Keep reading to learn how that daily cup gives you some extra fuel for your daily regimen.

1. Coffee Improves Exercise Through Increased Aerobic Capacity

We’ve all huffed and puffed our way through a workout. It’s just something that comes with the gig. But studies have linked caffeine intake with improved aerobic(high reps low- weight) performance.

According to the European Food Safety Authority, drinking a cup of coffee an hour before you workout boosts your capacity, endurance, and makes you feel less tired at the end of your workout.1

More specifically, the study found that if you consume 3mg of caffeine for every 1kg of weight 1 hour before will increase your endurance performance and capacity. If you consume 4mg of caffeine for every 1kg of weight one hour before exercise your workout will seem easier.2 We could all use a little help there, right?

So how many milligrams of caffeine are in one cup of coffee? Well, approximately 90 milligrams of caffeine per 12oz cup of coffee.3 Considering most of us drink anywhere between 12 -16 ounces of coffee per day, that’s plenty of caffeine to help improve your workout with organic coffee.

Whether it’s running, rowing, or biking, a higher aerobic capacity will be a great help in meeting new goals and feeling accomplished at the end of your workout. Improved Aerobic capacity is one way coffee improves exercise.

2. Coffee Improves Exercise Through Faster Muscle Recovery

We all know that feeling that comes the day after a workout. Every movement hurts, rolling out of bed and getting dressed takes way more effort than it should. Aches are felt in places that you didn’t even know could be sore.

Studies have shown that having caffeine in your system during a workout can aid in muscle recovery. Why? Because Glycogen (the stuff that fuels your muscles) is rebuilt faster when you have caffeine in your system. In fact athletes who ingested caffeine with carbohydrates had 66% more glycogen in their muscles four hours after finishing an intense workout.4 By ingesting caffeine, you’re giving your muscles the fuel they need to recover faster.

If you want to ease those next-day aches and pains, make sure you enjoy a cup of coffee before hitting the trail or the gym.

3. Coffee Improves Exercise Through Reduced Muscle Pain

Not only does caffeine help with the recovery process, it can also ease muscle pain. We know that feeling the burn is always a part of every workout, but you can make it burn a little less by downing some coffee before you get started.

In the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, it was reported a significant decrease on muscle pain during 30 minutes of high-intensity cycling due to the effects of caffeine. This study found caffeine ingestion (5 mg/kg body weight) statistically significantly reduced the reported intensity of muscle pain.5

Try it out next time you’re heading to the gym – You might surprise yourself and be able to work harder than you usually do!

4. Coffee Improves Exercise Through Better Performance

Looking for a little extra boost? Coffee can help with that, too.

In another report from the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism researchers studied the effect of caffeine (3.7 mg/kg body weight) in addition to a carbohydrate-electrolyte supplement in a simulated soccer performance and found that the caffeine group better maintained, and improved, short distance sprinting and jumping performances, compared to the no-caffeine group.6

Grab a cup of coffee before your next soccer game and you won’t regret it! But make sure it’s organic, shade-grown and fairly traded to ensure you’re getting a healthy amount of caffeine. Too much caffeine can lead to jitters but with Camano Island Coffee you never have to worry about that. All of our coffees are shade-grown and sourced from arabica beans which means they have much less acidity and half the caffeine content of other coffees.

So make sure to brew up a cup of organic, shade grown, and Top 1% arabica so you can take advantage of the ways coffee improves exercise.

Sources:

1.EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) (2011). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to caffeine and increase in physical performance during short-term high-intensity exercise (ID 737, 1486, 1489), increase in endurance performance (ID 737, 1486), increase in endurance capacity (ID 1488) and reduction in the rated perceived exertion/effort during exercise (ID 1488, 1490) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal;9(4):2053 [24 pp.].doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2053

2. IBID.

3. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Coffee, Brewed From Grounds, Prepared with Tap Water

4. http://www.the-aps.org/mm/hp/Audiences/Public-Press/Archive/08/24.html

5. Gliottoni R.C. et al. (2009) Effect of Caffeine on Quadricep Pain During Acute Cycling Exercises in Low Versus High Caffeine Consumers. Intern. J. Sport Nutrition Exercise Metabolism, 19, 150-161.

6. Gant N. et al. (2010) The Influence of Caffeine and Carbohydrate Coingestion on Simulated Soccer Performance. Intern. J. Sport Nutrition Exercise Metabolism, 20, 191-197.

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Coffee and Beer – A Perfect Match

Coffee and Beer – A Perfect Match

We consider ourselves coffee aficionados and our customers appreciate our dedication to great tasting coffee, but coffee isn’t the only beverage that has its own experts on body, flavor, and aroma. Talk to a brewer and they will tell you beer is defined by the ingredients: hops, malts and flavor additives. Because we insist on only using the best coffee beans, you can expect that we wouldn’t partner with just anyone when it comes to creating the perfect coffee porter. That’s why we teamed up with Island Hoppin’ Brewery to bring two of your favorite flavors together in Camano Coffee Porter.

The History of Coffee Beer

Coffee has a long and colorful history. The legend tells of dancing goats and energy-giving berries. The history of beer is believed to go back as far as prehistoric nomads who made beer from grain and water. Some say that Noah kept beer in the provisions he loaded on the Ark, and at one point in history, beer was so highly valued it was used as wages and offering a lady a sip in ancient Egypt was considered a marriage proposal. However, the history of coffee beer is much more recent, beginning in the early 1990s and it isn’t stopping anytime soon.

The Art of Using Coffee in Beer

Most brewers will tell you that a quality dark roast pairs best with porter and stout beers; they’ll also tell you using cold-brewed coffee in the beer brewing process is far superior to using hot brewed coffee. There are a variety of methods for getting the coffee flavor in the beer, and it differs with each brewer to some degree.

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Some brewers prefer to partner with large coffee roasting manufacturers because they deliver beans that are both high-quality and consistent in flavor. Other brewers, mostly micro-brewers, may look for more local coffee roasters because they’re experimenting with different flavor notes and aren’t necessarily looking to brew mass quantities of beer.

Brewers use cold-brewed coffee to extract all of the flavors with lower acidity than hot brewing. Whether the coffee is coarsely ground or whole beans are used, it is steeped in cold water or cold beer for anywhere from 12 – 24 hours; occasionally it may be steeped longer, but should definitely be less than 48 hours for best results. A brewer may choose to have the coffee roaster perform the cold brewing or they may opt to do it in-house. Island Hoppin’ Brewery cold brews our Camano Island Coffee, and then adds it to their dry porter.

The coffee is then added to the beer either during the brewing process or after the initial fermentation. Usually a sample of beer is pulled, and then small increments of coffee are added until the flavor is just right. The same ratio used on the sample is then calculated for the large batch. After mixing, the brewer will “rack” the beer for a specific time to allow the flavors to disperse evenly.

Flavor is Important, but it isn’t the Only Thing

We care deeply about our coffee, our farmers, and our customers. We are pleased to partner with a brewery that has equally high standards for quality that also gives back to the community. We believe in being socially responsible and work with our coffee farmers to maintain our promise of using only fairly-traded, organic coffee beans. Island Hoppin’ Brewery honors our commitment to being socially responsible with the proceeds from every sale of Camano Coffee Porter benefitting the non-profit organization called “Brews for Books,” which assists veterans in getting the books they need for college. Start your day with Camano Island Coffee, unwind at the end of the day with a Camano Coffee Porter, and know that every sip makes a difference in someone’s life.

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Arabica vs. Robusta

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are over 6,000 species of coffee, but the debate over coffee always comes down to Arabica or Robusta coffee beans. It doesn’t matter if you’re a casual coffee drinker, or you consider yourself a connoisseur, you have your favorite brands and you know what flavor you enjoy. Take a break, grab a cup of that magic elixir and read this before your next coffee purchase; it just might have you reading the label more closely.

Just the facts

Yeah, we know facts can be boring, let’s get it out of the way so we can get to the good stuff: taste and quality! Think about most commercial coffee manufacturers, they are trying to mass produce a product while making as much profit as they can; which is why most of them use Robusta beans. Cheaper isn’t better, it’s just cheaper, and it tastes that way too.

Arabica coffee plants are slightly shorter than the Robusta plant, which means the plant doesn’t have to work as hard getting nutrients to all its branches. While both plants like a warm, moist climate, the Arabica plant flourishes in higher altitudes making it more difficult to cultivate and harvest due to steeper terrain. This harsher climate forces the plant to grow slower creating the most refined flavors you taste in your brew. One of the more interesting differences between the two varieties is that Arabica plants are self-pollinating, which means they have fewer mutations and variations through the growing cycle for flavor consistency from bean to bean.

Robusta coffee plants are hardier because they contain more caffeine and another natural chemical compound that makes them more resistant to disease and pests. These higher levels change the flavor of the bean making them more bitter than the sweeter and more fragrant Arabica bean. The Robusta plant does not require high altitudes to grow, and they grow faster; two more reasons why big business likes to use them. Their accessibility and hardiness make it easier to have higher profit margins; and you, dear consumer, end up with a more bitter tasting beverage.

Sip, savor, swallow; repeat

Arabica beans have less caffeine than Robusta, caffeine is naturally bitter. Arabica coffee beans have a general sweetness, but also provide more depth of flavor with fruity, nutty, and chocolatey undertones. You aren’t going to get that in a Robusta blend.

Most coffee in the Unites States is made with Arabica beans, but what kind of quality markers are you going to find in a can of coffee that was mass produced? Camano Island Coffee Roasters uses only organically grown Arabica beans that are grown as nature intended, in shaded sunlight. Coffee plants, like all plants, pull their nutrients from the ground and the air meaning land conservation is just as important to the flavor of coffee as it is to sustainable farming.

Your coffee choices change the world

Speaking of sustainable farming practices, for most crops it makes more sense to clear away trees and other vegetation for planting; that isn’t the case for coffee. It takes more than one growth cycle for coffee plants to mature and become productive, when you remove surrounding vegetation you change nutrient make up in the soil, take away much-needed shade, and promote erosion; all of which are devastating to the wildlife and environment.

You’re probably thinking, so? So, it changes the taste of the bean! Over time, the inability to rotate crops depletes the vital nutrients in the soil that coffee plants need to produce high-quality beans. We believe our coffee tastes the best, not just because we exclusively use Arabica beans, but because we are willing to pay our coffee farmers a premium if they keep the rainforest vegetation intact. We know only the best beans grow in nutrient rich soil, with plenty of shade. We even go a step further and choose organically grown beans, because chemical pesticides aren’t just bad for bugs, they’re bad for everyone.

Let your thoughts percolate on this . . .

You can grab the economy size can of coffee on the supermarket shelf, or zip through the drive-thru for that mocha caramel iced latte, or you can make the choice to drink Camano Island Coffee because our quality is second to none. We live by a social initiative to make the world better through what we love to do, and we love to do coffee. At the end of the day what you pour into your favorite mug should taste amazing and make you feel good about drinking it. It’s a fact, Camano Island Coffee puts both of those sentiments in your cup.