Drinking Coffee All the Time

Coffee has a language of its own. Whether it’s a long macchiato, an Americano, or a ristretto, each drink is unique. A list of 18 coffee drinks, compiled by Webstaurant Store, depicts each drink and shows the difference that one shot of espresso, or a slightly different brewing method can make. What's a Ristretto? I consider myself in the know when it comes to coffee language, but I was shocked by how many coffee drinks I did not recognize in that list. For example, a ristretto sounds amazing. It is brewed in a similar method to espresso---hot, pressurized water is passed through the coffee grounds. However, only half the normal amount of water is used. Ristrettos are STRONG. A red eye combines 6 ounces of drip-brewed coffee with a shot of espresso added, while a black eye is a doubled version of the red eye. And then there’s the breve---a cup of espresso with steamed half-and-half added. While reading all of these coffee drink descriptions, I thought about the joy of descri

  Quick question:   Are you drinking less coffee because you’re concerned about dehydration? Well, don’t worry. Another myth about coffee has been debunked. Medical studies have refuted the longstanding idea that coffee causes dehydration. In fact, drinking hot coffee in the summer actually improves well-being, because it increase energy levels; replenishes antioxidants in the body; helps prevent dizziness and vertigo due to heat; and helps to replenish fluids in the body.   The Science Behind the Effect According to Mayo Clinic: “ Drinking caffeine-containing beverages as part of a normal lifestyle doesn't cause fluid loss in excess of the volume ingested. While caffeinated drinks may have a mild diuretic effect — meaning that they may cause the need to urinate — they don't appear to increase the risk of dehydration. ” So although caffeine has a slightly diuretic effect, the hydration from coffee (or tea) more than offsets the effect.   A rigorous study , conducted in