Monthly Archives: September 2015

Latest Studies Reflect Positively on Coffee Consumption

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Latest Studies Reflect Positively on Coffee ConsumptionIt was not so long ago that science was telling us coffee is bad for one’s health. But then it was good. And then it was bad again. If you are middle-aged or older, you know that the scientific opinion of coffee has flip-flopped more times than a politician on the campaign trail. So where do we stand for 2015? Overall, coffee appears to be beneficial to health in very measurable ways.

A spate of new research has been released over the last 18 months lending credence to the belief that moderate coffee consumption can be a factor in mitigating some serious health concerns. For example:

  • Heart Disease – A South Korean study involving 25,000 coffee drinkers suggests that moderate coffee consumption can reduce the risks of heart disease by inhibiting the buildup of coronary artery calcium.
  • Cancer – Yale researchers published a study this past January that confirmed previous evidence suggesting moderate coffee consumption reduces the risk of basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer).
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – Research data released this past February shows a definite link between moderate coffee consumption and lower risk of developing MS. The evidence was especially compelling among long-term coffee drinkers who had been consuming the beverage for 5 to 10 years.

The positive MS research, combined with what science already knows about diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, is leading researchers to take a serious look at the neuroprotective benefits of certain compounds found in coffee. There is growing speculation that some of these compounds could be used to treat a range of dementia disorders.

The Bad News about Coffee

In the introduction to this post, we said that coffee appears to be beneficial to health “on the whole.” We phrased it that way because not all of the research on coffee is positive. There is some bad news.

First of all, studies seem to indicate that how a person’s body reacts to coffee consumption directly relates to how beneficial it is. In addition, how a person responds is apparently linked to genetics. Some people are more genetically predisposed to the health benefits of coffee than others are.

Second, moderate consumption is considered between three and five cups per day. Furthermore, researchers consider a single cup of coffee to be 8 ounces. A person drinking three to four 16-ounce cups from the local coffee shop every day is consuming more than is considered beneficial. The amount of caffeine associated with that much coffee is likely to have some adverse health effects as well.

Lastly, it is possible that adding sugar and calorie-rich creamers to coffee can offset some of its health benefits. The best way to maximize the positives appears to be drinking 3 to 5 cups of black coffee daily.

Galaxie Coffee believes there are few things better than a really good cup of coffee. We strive to always provide a great coffee experience for our satisfied customers throughout the greater New York area.

How Is the Coffee Industry Evolving?

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How Is the Coffee Industry EvolvingThe latest statistics from the National Coffee Association USA show that more than 75% of Americans consume coffee. The market is as strong as ever, so there are no real worries that the bottom will fall out of the coffee industry any time in the future. Yet the industry is evolving. It has to. Every industry changes and adapts to customer preferences and rising and falling trends.

So, just how is the coffee industry evolving? There are many examples of microevolution going on all around us. Examples include the development of new flavors, the growing popularity of espresso drinks and competition among coffeehouse chains to dominate the American landscape. However, there are much larger evolutionary influences currently underway that will have a profound effect on the industry of the future. Those influences are the further development of single-serve technology and the “new” coffee culture.

Developing Single-Serve Technology

You may be tired of hearing about single-serve in the coffee industry. Nevertheless, there is no greater force right now directing where things go with coffee. Some 27% of Americans own a single-serve machine; another 12% have serious intentions to purchase one in the future. Even more astounding is the fact that 75% of consumers have a general awareness of the single-serve option.

It is easy to assume that the phenomenon will only continue to grow to the point of completely dominating the marketplace. Nonetheless, that is not likely to happen. Why? Because price will eventually trump convenience. A case in point is the inventor of the coffee pod system, John Sylvan, who does not use the system himself. He has eschewed his own invention because it makes drinking coffee too expensive and goes against the ideals of sustainability. Eventually, the rest of the coffee drinking world will catch up to Sylvan. Single-serve will become passé; it is just a matter of time.

The “New” Coffee Culture

The coffee culture of the 1990s, created by the popularity of chains such as Starbucks, is itself evolving. In an attempt to elevate the morning cup of coffee from the working man’s beverage to something the elite can enjoy, a “new” coffee culture is emerging; a culture that is eerily similar to the wine and gourmet food culture. This new coffee culture is already having an interesting effect on the industry.

For example, cold-brewed coffee is now the hottest trend among millennials. Cold-brewed coffee is not new – it has been around for generations – but it is suddenly popular among younger coffee drinkers looking for a way to differentiate themselves from their older peers. We now have coffee purists whose preferences for gourmet products, different brewing methods, and sustainably sourced coffee beans will influence how the industry does things.

The coffee industry will continue to evolve with each passing year. At Galaxie Coffee, we are committed to providing our customers with the coffee, equipment, and complete beverage service they need for a productive and comfortable workplace. As the industry evolves, so will we.