Drink Decaf and Die

jose parinas writes "Decaffeinated -- not caffeinated -- coffee may cause an increase in harmful LDL cholesterol by increasing a specific type of blood fat linked to the metabolic syndrome, hints a new study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2005."

Comments

Robust == Robust flavor? This is incorrect

[ReformedExCon]

From the article:

quote:
"Whether coffee has caffeine is not the only thing that differentiates caffeinated from decaffeinated types," Superko said. "Caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees are often made from different species of beans. Caffeinated coffee, by and large, comes from a bean species called coffee Arabica, while many decaffeinated coffees are made from coffee Robusta. The decaffeination process can extract flavonoids and ingredients that give coffee flavor. So decaffeinated brands usually use a bean that has a more robust flavor."
/ end quote

Robusto is named not because it has a more robust flavor than Arabica, but because it is a hardier species. In fact, the taste of robusto coffee is so heinous that only people without the sense to drink freshly ground coffee are susceptible to this travesty. I suppose that also includes decaf drinkers, but it also includes those who drink freeze dried coffees and mass produced brown powder that comes in cans.

To be blunt, Starbucks coffee would actually be a step up in quality from robusto beans.

Re:I've always known...

[RocketRainbow]

Grandparent:Can you imagine what chemicals are needed to turn plant fats into something you can put on your bread?

Parent replied:hydrogen

Problem is, once you bind the hydrogen it's trans fat and no longer vegetable oil - it's gone from super yummy and healthy to ugly grey goo that happens to be one of the unhealthiest things you can eat.

Personally, I prefer to make my sandwiches with hommus and dip my bread roll in fresh olive oil.

Re:Starbucks is good coffee

[Levilprivateer]

As a former barista at a Starbucks competitor, I have to disagree. While Starbucks coffee might not be the premium coffee on the planet, it is no worse (and oftentimes, better) that competing specialty shops. Granted, you are right about people adding so much to the coffee that it becomes a dessert rather than coffee. Still, I can get a good Americano or French press at Starbucks too... and they pull the shots properly, unlike a few other places around here.

The prioes are, alas, competitive too.