I can’t find it right now, but I think you wrote somewhere that if you want an espresso, you use a Bialetti Moka pot. I like them too, but I’ve read that Moka isn’t true espresso because the pressure isn’t the same, and if you start with espresso grind you can clog the Moka pot. So the recommendation I’ve seen is to think of it more like a strong, unfiltered coffee and adjust the grind not to be too fine. That doesn’t bother me much in the context of low LDL (should it?), but should I worry about the aluminum content of the pot? I can’t find any reference to it being food safe aluminum. I’ll search your issues for aluminum. I’m not sure offhand if you’ve written about that.
I am curious about iron absorption with caffeine. I tend to get low ferritin levels and supplement with Floradix and I’ve been told not to have it an hour before or after caffeine because of absorption issues.
Is this not true?
Also, check out Overview coffee, they have super high standards for their coffee beans etc.
Hi, yes Floradix and other non-heme sources of iron are less absorbable than heme iron (like from meat and dairy) and the polyphenols in coffee may exacerbate this. And yes, Overview is really good. They serve it at my local coffee shop.
It was nice to read about your coffee brewing method and really appreciate the info sharing on the health benefits of coffee. My husband and I practice the same brewing method and have added roasting our own beans to the process. Roasting doesn't take long but definitely adds to the experience. La Cabra sounds wonderful!
Hi Annie! I signed up for the Brain Fog & Women's Hormones:
6 practical steps to get your thinking and focus back webinar on Wednesday, April 9, 2:00 - 3:00pm CST. I plan on joining the live webinar. Can we also watch a recorded version of the webinar later?
I think I mentioned that high end instant coffee (like from Blue Bottle) retain polyphenols and it has plenty of caffeine. But I don't believe that is true for most supermarket brands. I am happy to have someone prove me wrong! I couldn't find a lot of data on this.
Your timing is perfect! I am switching to pour over and even trying French Press polishing - instead of plunging after 2-3 minutes pour it through the pour over filter. One question for you - do you only use 12 ounces of water to 40 grams beans? That is double the beans I use. Are you using a light or medium roast? Thank you for all of your information! I love it!
Hi Elisa. Filtering after French press is a great way to get around the filter issue. I must like my coffee a lot stronger than you do. For example, if I use a French press, I brew for 4 minutes. And yes 40 grams of beans for 12 ounces, but I can get away with 30 grams and it still tastes great. I drink everything on the spectrum of light to medium, so if light I tend to you closer to 40, if medium a little less.
I use a french press. That way I can make a stronger brew, which is my preference. I add in some lion's mane, maca, collagen and ummmm... I am slowly decreasing sweet creamer each week. Thinking of going back to plain cashew milk with a touch of pure maple syrup.
How wonderful Melissa! Are you using mushroom powders or extracts. I mentioned before that the collagen may be one of those big proteins that could bind polyphenols, which hasn't been definitevly proven but is the current thinkng. Also, if you have my book, you may want to try the cashew creamer--I designed it for people who love cream in their cofee, but all plant based.
As one of those who get heart palpitations and significant anxiety from caffeine, I noted the "not decaf" mantra in your riff of Michael Pollan's quote. Do you think decaf organic green tea would be a more brain healthy option than decaf coffee, or no? And by "not decaf" do you mean that it just doesn't have the same level of polyphenols to contribute to brain health? I'm not recalling from your earlier posts any specific negative about decaf coffee other than that.
Hi Lisa. The issue isn't polyphenols--both coffee and tea can be very high in these. But the largest and best studies found that caffeine in coffee is linked to lower dementia rates. Decaf coffee didn't have this benefit. There's a lot of data about the health benefits of tea. When choosing decaf green tea, be sure to find one that uses a natural water process for decaffeination as it is less likely to take out the polyphenols. I wrote about this in detail in this post: https://brainhealthkitchen.substack.com/p/the-best-way-to-brew-tea-for-brain
Thank you for your reply! So, if I'm understanding correctly, caffeine is associated with lower dementia rates, and whether it's in tea or coffee might not matter. Decaf tea and decaf coffee are not associated with lower dementia rates. But, the right decaf process in either coffee or tea would still retain significant polyphenols. I hope that's the right understanding!
Well said Lisa! But do take a look at all the tea data we reviewed last year. I don't want anyone to feel like their are going to get dementia if they don't drink caffeinated coffee. There are plenty of ways to take care of your brain that don't require caffeine!
Thank you for clarifying pod-machines! but also wondered about home espresso machines that pull shots from your own ground espresso? This question might be too in the weeds…
I would rank home espresso machines same as other espressso makers--technically unfiltered but somehow retaining health benefits. Leave it to the Italians!
Wow to all of THIS great information! I guess it's time to make some changes. Do you buy the unbleached filters? Thank you for taking this deep dive into my favorite ritual of the morning!
Yeah, we could go on and on but I'll stop here! The filters I use with my pour over set are unbleached. But I use the white bleached ones for my coffee maker. I feel like the brown paper filters have an off taste.
Hi Molly! Sorry you asked me that before. I weigh my coffee and use 40 grams for 12 ounces water. 40 grams of coffee is about 7 tablespoons. It really depends on how strong you like it, so go up or down from there.
Thanks for the additional information about pods, Annie! Although I'm sad to give up my Nespresso, I feel validated that you confirmed my suspicions about the issue with the plastic. On the same topic, I'm very eager to hear about your Yeti alternative - I really need to replace mine! Thanks so much, as always, for your generosity and thoughtfulness in responding to all of us - it's such a gift and greatly appreciated. XO
Thanks, Annie! I’ll be thrilled when (hopefully one day soon) someone makes a tumbler with a nontoxic lid that can be sipped from, like a Yeti. I’ll keep my eyes out and let you know if I find one! In the meantime, I’ll give this one a try. 😊
Hi Annie, I, too, love the morning coffee ceremony! I use a Chemex with my light roast coffee and love to taste the nuances in good coffee. My favorite roasters are The Speckled Ax, Dune, and Wonderstate. I just ordered some LaCabra coffee - thanks for the rec :). Meg
I can’t find it right now, but I think you wrote somewhere that if you want an espresso, you use a Bialetti Moka pot. I like them too, but I’ve read that Moka isn’t true espresso because the pressure isn’t the same, and if you start with espresso grind you can clog the Moka pot. So the recommendation I’ve seen is to think of it more like a strong, unfiltered coffee and adjust the grind not to be too fine. That doesn’t bother me much in the context of low LDL (should it?), but should I worry about the aluminum content of the pot? I can’t find any reference to it being food safe aluminum. I’ll search your issues for aluminum. I’m not sure offhand if you’ve written about that.
Hello Annie,
Thank you for this post.
I am curious about iron absorption with caffeine. I tend to get low ferritin levels and supplement with Floradix and I’ve been told not to have it an hour before or after caffeine because of absorption issues.
Is this not true?
Also, check out Overview coffee, they have super high standards for their coffee beans etc.
Hi, yes Floradix and other non-heme sources of iron are less absorbable than heme iron (like from meat and dairy) and the polyphenols in coffee may exacerbate this. And yes, Overview is really good. They serve it at my local coffee shop.
It was nice to read about your coffee brewing method and really appreciate the info sharing on the health benefits of coffee. My husband and I practice the same brewing method and have added roasting our own beans to the process. Roasting doesn't take long but definitely adds to the experience. La Cabra sounds wonderful!
Oh I would love to roast my own beans. It must make the house smell amazing!
Great info!
Pls confirm... is your "cup" of coffee 8oz?
No, it about 12 ounces.
Hi Annie! I signed up for the Brain Fog & Women's Hormones:
6 practical steps to get your thinking and focus back webinar on Wednesday, April 9, 2:00 - 3:00pm CST. I plan on joining the live webinar. Can we also watch a recorded version of the webinar later?
Yes the webinar will be recorded. Thanks for joining Sarah!
Oh, yay! Thank you! I am looking forward to it!
What about instant coffee?
I think I mentioned that high end instant coffee (like from Blue Bottle) retain polyphenols and it has plenty of caffeine. But I don't believe that is true for most supermarket brands. I am happy to have someone prove me wrong! I couldn't find a lot of data on this.
Your timing is perfect! I am switching to pour over and even trying French Press polishing - instead of plunging after 2-3 minutes pour it through the pour over filter. One question for you - do you only use 12 ounces of water to 40 grams beans? That is double the beans I use. Are you using a light or medium roast? Thank you for all of your information! I love it!
Hi Elisa. Filtering after French press is a great way to get around the filter issue. I must like my coffee a lot stronger than you do. For example, if I use a French press, I brew for 4 minutes. And yes 40 grams of beans for 12 ounces, but I can get away with 30 grams and it still tastes great. I drink everything on the spectrum of light to medium, so if light I tend to you closer to 40, if medium a little less.
I use a french press. That way I can make a stronger brew, which is my preference. I add in some lion's mane, maca, collagen and ummmm... I am slowly decreasing sweet creamer each week. Thinking of going back to plain cashew milk with a touch of pure maple syrup.
How wonderful Melissa! Are you using mushroom powders or extracts. I mentioned before that the collagen may be one of those big proteins that could bind polyphenols, which hasn't been definitevly proven but is the current thinkng. Also, if you have my book, you may want to try the cashew creamer--I designed it for people who love cream in their cofee, but all plant based.
As one of those who get heart palpitations and significant anxiety from caffeine, I noted the "not decaf" mantra in your riff of Michael Pollan's quote. Do you think decaf organic green tea would be a more brain healthy option than decaf coffee, or no? And by "not decaf" do you mean that it just doesn't have the same level of polyphenols to contribute to brain health? I'm not recalling from your earlier posts any specific negative about decaf coffee other than that.
Hi Lisa. The issue isn't polyphenols--both coffee and tea can be very high in these. But the largest and best studies found that caffeine in coffee is linked to lower dementia rates. Decaf coffee didn't have this benefit. There's a lot of data about the health benefits of tea. When choosing decaf green tea, be sure to find one that uses a natural water process for decaffeination as it is less likely to take out the polyphenols. I wrote about this in detail in this post: https://brainhealthkitchen.substack.com/p/the-best-way-to-brew-tea-for-brain
Thank you for your reply! So, if I'm understanding correctly, caffeine is associated with lower dementia rates, and whether it's in tea or coffee might not matter. Decaf tea and decaf coffee are not associated with lower dementia rates. But, the right decaf process in either coffee or tea would still retain significant polyphenols. I hope that's the right understanding!
Well said Lisa! But do take a look at all the tea data we reviewed last year. I don't want anyone to feel like their are going to get dementia if they don't drink caffeinated coffee. There are plenty of ways to take care of your brain that don't require caffeine!
Thank you for clarifying pod-machines! but also wondered about home espresso machines that pull shots from your own ground espresso? This question might be too in the weeds…
I would rank home espresso machines same as other espressso makers--technically unfiltered but somehow retaining health benefits. Leave it to the Italians!
Wow to all of THIS great information! I guess it's time to make some changes. Do you buy the unbleached filters? Thank you for taking this deep dive into my favorite ritual of the morning!
Yeah, we could go on and on but I'll stop here! The filters I use with my pour over set are unbleached. But I use the white bleached ones for my coffee maker. I feel like the brown paper filters have an off taste.
I have the moccamaster too and love it! Need to look up La Cabra now. :) Your coffee ritual is making me feel meditative just reading it!
Yes! Go to the one on 2nd street. It's a Fench bakery too:)
Annie,
Approximately how many Tbsp or tsp equal 40mg of ground coffee?
Hi Molly! Sorry you asked me that before. I weigh my coffee and use 40 grams for 12 ounces water. 40 grams of coffee is about 7 tablespoons. It really depends on how strong you like it, so go up or down from there.
If the coffee is stronger, is it better for your brain?
I loved this coffee series. Informative, and fun!
Thanks Jeff! I hope your black coffee gets better and better.
Thanks for the additional information about pods, Annie! Although I'm sad to give up my Nespresso, I feel validated that you confirmed my suspicions about the issue with the plastic. On the same topic, I'm very eager to hear about your Yeti alternative - I really need to replace mine! Thanks so much, as always, for your generosity and thoughtfulness in responding to all of us - it's such a gift and greatly appreciated. XO
Hi Deb. My pleasure! You all have such great question. This is the ceramic mug I use, it has a wooden lid. You have to take the top off to drink from it, so not quite the same as a Yeti cup. https://www.getque.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopYMu9c4QgnEKRtdcHZtBgaqeb_ofEJD_fRgajrBODpIVKtjLrq
Thanks, Annie! I’ll be thrilled when (hopefully one day soon) someone makes a tumbler with a nontoxic lid that can be sipped from, like a Yeti. I’ll keep my eyes out and let you know if I find one! In the meantime, I’ll give this one a try. 😊
@annie - I love this new mug!! Thanks so much for the recommendation. 😊
Hi Annie, I, too, love the morning coffee ceremony! I use a Chemex with my light roast coffee and love to taste the nuances in good coffee. My favorite roasters are The Speckled Ax, Dune, and Wonderstate. I just ordered some LaCabra coffee - thanks for the rec :). Meg
I'll have to check those out. Thanks for the tips Meg, sounds like we have really similar taste in coffee!