Tag: Joffrey’s travels

Peru Alto Mayo | Origin Travels

For decades, the Amazon forest has been shrinking due to farmers cutting it down for new crop space, otherwise known as clearcutting. Although the production of new crops is on the upswing, this type of non-sustainable farming practice contributes greatly to deforestation. Eventually, this could mean an overall quality reduction and yield of crops as clearcutting continues. The San Martin area is particularly in critical danger, but the Alto Mayo Protected Forest project seeks to change all of this.

To support coffee farmers who participate in the Alto Mayo Protected Forest project, we sourced a single origin coffee to promote sustainable, environmentally friendly farming practices in Peru. Before you try a cup, you should know about the impact you’re helping us make just by drinking it.

Growing more fair-trade coffee is a wonderful thing, but the gallant story behind this project is that it impacts the lives of the producers in an incredible way. In return for using sustainable coffee farming methods, families are not only being paid more, but they’re receiving access to certain benefits and technologies that they didn’t have before (cooking stoves are just one example). Sustainable coffee farming also replenishes nutrients to the soil to keep it healthy and rich. Rich soil produces better beans and better tasting coffee. Would you want anything less in your coffee? The project also rehabilitates family farms that have been destroyed by Roya, a fungus that devastates coffee farms and financially devastates the families that live and work on them.

Our Roastmaster, Chris de Mezzo, explored the Alto Mayo Region, and witnessed the difference the project has made on coffee and the environment. This trip, however, was something special. It was the 31stanniversary of the Alto Mayo Protected Forest project. And what better way to begin the celebration than by a cupping of the region’s best coffee?

Chris’s first stop in the Alto Mayo Region was to the cupping lab Riojas, where he cupped coffee sourced by local farms of the Alto Mayo Region. “Every year in the 4 years I have made this trip, the coffee keeps improving.  this is no easy task to accomplish given all the variables that can really make farming in this region more difficult than it already is. We can see that sustainable farming is really making a difference for them. Soil quality, shade management, strict process guidelines, and great attention to detail is being followed from start to finish on every farm,” sated Chris. Chris went on to exclaim, “It is no surprise to us now as to why the coffee keeps improving each year, and why people who try this coffee enjoy it so much.” His next stop was to the Aquas Verde farm. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, even Chris was amazed by the care and dedication the farmers implemented. Farmers Xisto Vazquez and Edward Wibin Fernandez greeted him with open arms, and couldn’t be more excited to show off their work. “As they should have been,” Stated Chris. The trees were adequately shaded, evenly spaced, and were bearing healthy cherries. “It’s what every roaster who comes to visit wants to see,” exclaimed Chris.

Xisto and Edward took extreme detail with each step of the farming process. They showed Chris each intricacy of their caretaking, and even broke out the Refractometer that reads the level of sugar in a coffee cherry, which determines the correct time-frame to pick the cherries. “These guys have it down to science. Literally,” Stated Chris.

A new surprise to Chris was Edward’s use of a carved-out log for the fermentation (hyperlink to Sumatra blog) of his cherries. Chris was impressed with Edwards ingenuity as he was using a hollowed-out log to ferment & wash his coffee in. “Not only are they doing everything in their power to produce great coffee, but they are a resourceful bunch of farmers as well,” said Chris.

It’s no surprise with the amount of care the farmers put in, that they get out spectacular coffee.  Joffrey’s is proud to show off the hard work and dedication of the Alto Mayo farmers by bringing you a genuine taste of the region. Our Peru Alto Mayo roastis 100% USDA Organic and Fair Trade certified, with deep chocolate notes and fresh vanilla almond aroma. What better way to support a great cause, than with this stunning coffee?

Starting August 20th, Disney Organic Peru Alto Mayo (11oz) is available online at Joffreys.com, Joffrey’s Disney Springs Location, and soon available in select grocery stores nationwide. Look for it at a store near you.

Medium, Dark or Blend Roasts: Do You Know the Difference?

Standing in line for coffee is an inevitable part of life, and Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea is always worth the wait! If you’re craving a great cup, thinking about what you’re going to order is almost as exciting as your first sip. There’s the obvious vanilla latte if you’re in the mood for something uplifting and sweet, the tried and true americano and of course, the cortado for our coffee aficionados. Avid coffee drinkers might mumble the words ‘one hot coffee’ through early morning lips upon arriving at the counter. And although it seems like the easiest option, it’s the only one that comes with a follow up question. Medium or dark roast? Which begs the larger question… Do you know the difference?

There are many common misconceptions about coffee roasts and what each one means. Luckily, Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea is here to clear the coffee-infused air. Because when you’re staring into the eyes of a menu board, you should be able to stare back, confident and ready to be caffeinated! Let’s play a game of True or False to see how well you know your roasts.

TRUE OR FALSE: Medium roasts, like Joffrey’s Colombia coffee, are best paired with breakfast.

True. Medium roast coffees have earned a seat at the breakfast table because of their balanced flavor profile. These coffees boast harmonious levels of acidity and body that make them easy to digest in the morning. Not to mention, it plays nicely with a pancake stack drenched in maple syrup.

When you open a bag of medium roast coffee you’ll be greeted by rich brown beans with little to no natural oils present. Joffrey’s single-origin Colombia coffee is a fan favorite, but also loved amongst our staff. In fact, our Roastmasters refer to it as a “Christmas sparkle” in a cup! The beans for this brew are grown in the Andes Mountains in a high elevation, giving it a robust personality and an even better taste.

See for yourself! Click here to buy Joffrey’s Colombia coffee online.

TRUE OR FALSE: Dark roasts, like Joffrey’s Viennese coffee, have more caffeine.

False. All coffee starts as green coffee – meaning all caffeine levels are created equal. Dark roasts coffees are roasted longer and at a higher temperature, which is what gives them their deep brown color. By increasing the roasting time of the beans, our Roastmasters can tone down the acidity and highlight the body of the coffee to bring out the best nuances.

Dark roasts like Joffrey’s Viennese coffee have visible oils on the beans and bold, caramelized flavor. You’ll find that this popular coffee pairs best with decadent dark chocolate or savory meals. Here’s a pro tip from our Roastmaster: this coffee can be brewed as an espresso.

Click here to buy Joffrey’s Viennese coffee online.

 

TRUE OR FALSE: Coffee blends, like Joffrey’s Roastmaster’s Reserve, are packed with a variety of natural flavors.

True. Coffee blends are a mixture of one to four different types of coffee deeming them the most adventurous in the roast family! Each coffee in a blend is thoughtfully selected to serve a specific flavor purpose. Our Roastmasters use a variety of coffees to achieve the perfect amount of body, aroma, acidity and fruit notes in your favorite blends. Magical, right?

Speaking of our Roastmasters conjuring up delicious concoctions like wizards, Joffrey’s Roastmaster’s Reserve is an enchanting coffee we can’t get enough of. This blend is made from two hand-selected coffees grown in Africa and the islands of Indonesia. It’s roasted on the dark side with a hint of smoke, but promises to tap into your sweet side with warm swirls of caramel. If you’ve never tried this velvety brew, we strongly recommend you do.

Click here to buy Joffrey’s Roastmaster’s Reserve online.

Now that you understand the difference between roasts, it’s time to expand your coffee drinking horizons! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to try a new coffee. Stock up on medium, dark and blended roasts at www.joffreys.com.

 

Alto Mayo Forest Protected Coffee: Fair Trade Coffee with a Conscience

Fair Trade Coffee That Has a Conscience

We’re passionate about coffee and we know you are too – which is why Joffrey’s is committed to roasting the best beans in the world. Producing premium coffee is about taking care of our beans every step of the way, but there’s more behind the brew than you think. Farmers, hard-working communities, an incredible amount of knowledge and of course, the environment are key components to growing the finest coffee possible.

The first step to a beautiful cup of coffee is showing appreciation for the environment it was harvested in. Joffrey’s is proud to align with Disney to support one of our favorite growing regions, Alto Mayo in San Martin, Peru. The ecosystem of Alto Mayo plays a critical role in the survival of Peru’s widespread fauna and flora, and with the launch of the Alto Mayo Protected Forest project, we can help keep it alive.

To support coffee farmers who participate in the Alto Mayo Protected Forest project, we sourced a single origin coffee to promote sustainable, environmentally friendly farming practices in Peru and you’re going to love it! Before you try a cup, you should know about the impact you’re helping us make just by drinking it.

Why Revitalize Alto Mayo?

For decades, the Amazon forest has been shrinking due to farmers cutting it down for new crop space, otherwise known as clearcutting. Although the production of new crops is positive looking from the outside in, this type of non-sustainable farming contributes greatly to deforestation. Clearcutting can cause an increase in carbon dioxide emissions, threatening the lives of many animals and plants in the forest. The San Martin area is particularly in critical danger, but the Alto Mayo Protected Forest project seeks to change all of this. As a supplier and roaster of the coffees offered at select signature restaurants at Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort, Joffrey’s is invested in supporting sustainable practices and working with farmers engaged in the project. We are excited to align with Disney to bring this high quality bean to Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort guests. Why, you ask? Because sustainable coffee farming can help deforestation while delivering our fans another delicious brew – and that makes us feel amazing!

 

Earth Friendly, Animal Loving, Sustainable Goodness

Joffrey’s has always been proud of the relationships we build, whether they’re with our customers or suppliers. We first learned about the Alto Mayo Protected Forest project from Disney’s work with Conservation International (CI) – a global nonprofit organization working to build a healthier, more prosperous and more productive planet.  Disney helped CI launch a ground-breaking project in the Alto Mayo region of Peru, which is helping support coffee farmers to grow coffee in a way that helps the farmers be more productive while protecting the environment.  When we heard about this amazing work, we welcomed the opportunity and were anxious to learn more. So naturally, we sent our Roastmaster, Chris DeMezzo, to experience it.

And what an adventure it was! After landing in Peru, Chris and his team set out for the farm. First they rode mules and then took a ferry across the river. After drifting across the river, the team hiked an hour and a half through the Amazon to the reserve.

“When we got there, I pulled the farmers aside to get a sense of how they liked working with Conservation International (CI). They had nothing but positive things to say. Then I sat down with CI and asked questions about their involvement and what they’re doing – and concluded that it’s the real deal,” said Roastmaster, Chris DeMezzo. “I felt so good about moving forward with the project.”

The Alto Mayo Protected Forest project also gives coffee farmers the tools, education, funding, and wages they need to use environmentally friendly practices, and employs workers to help maintain sustainable farms. This means that the project is saving hundreds of thousands of acres of endangered species’ habitats, and is curbing greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation.

“Meeting the farmers was a humbling experience. I wanted to make sure that they understood that I appreciate and understand all the hard work it takes to produce a good coffee. During our first meeting, I was showing them pictures of all the cafes that serve our coffee at Disney Parks. I wanted them to know that this is where their coffee was going – and for them to be as proud as they deserve to be!” Roastmaster, Chris, shared regarding his visit.

Farmers and their communities will get an economic boost, the air will be cleaner, the forest is conserved, majestic animals keep their homes, and we get top quality sustainably grown coffee in our cups. Who could say no? Next time you buy Joffrey’s coffee online or sip on our coffee at Walt Disney World® Resort or Disneyland® Resort, you can take solace in the fact that you’re drinking coffee with purpose!

 

The Story Behind Sustainably Grown Coffee

Sustainable coffee farming replenishes nutrients to the soil to keep it healthy and rich. Rich soil produces better beans and better tasting coffee. Would you want anything less in your coffee?

Growing more fair trade coffee is a wonderful thing. But the gleaming story behind this project is that it impacts the lives of the producers in an incredible way. In return for using sustainable coffee farming methods, families are not only being paid more, but they’re receiving access to certain benefits and technologies that they didn’t have before (cooking stoves are just one example). The project also rehabilitates family farms that have been destroyed by Roya, a fungus that devastates coffee farms and financially devastates the families that live and work on them.

The Alto Mayo Protected Forest project doesn’t focus on coffee farmers alone, it helps families that farm shrimp, rice, cocoa, and tea too. When you buy this coffee online or purchase a cup of this coffee at select restaurants at Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort, you’re not just buying a memorable beverage; you’re helping improve the lives of families that call this region home.

 

Planet Perks

If this coffee supports animals, why shouldn’t it support the planet too? Protecting the Alto Mayo Protected Forest doesn’t just benefit the local ecosystem; it benefits the Earth entirely. Since CI’s work started with their key partner- Peru’s National Service of Natural Protected Areas, the project has generated over 6 million tons of emissions reductions. This is like removing over 1 million cars from the roads for an entire year. If that’s not progress, what is? Of course, there is still much work to be done.

Ordering the Alto Mayo Protected Forest coffee online and enjoying a cup at select restaurants at Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort are two ways you can support the Alto Mayo Protected Forest project. Beyond that, you can take care of the environment every day in small ways that add up to huge gains.

As a consumer, you have quite a bit of power because you can also support environmentally sustainable companies. The more you support companies that do business responsibly, the happier our planet will be. Animals, plants, and people all share the same Earth. Why not make it a better place for ourselves, our kids, and generations to come?

Support the cause. Click here to order Joffrey’s coffee online.

 

 

Love at First Coffee: Q+A Interview with Joffrey’s Roastmaster, Chris DeMezzo

 

Q: Tell us about the first time you drank coffee.

A: “It was a year after I’d been working at Joffrey’s. I was roasting by the seat of my pants – scared to death and hoping I wouldn’t burn the place down. I would drink a bottle of coke every morning and all the sales people would tease me. Don’t ask me why I remember this, but one morning I had just taken a roast out and I said, you know what, I’ve been doing this for a while and I never stopped to try or taste what I was doing all day, every day. It was time to try it! So, the coffee I had just roasted was Mocha Java, I went over to the barrel, took a handful and ground it, brewed it and poured it into an old ceramic cup. I remember taking a sip and I did what I call a “Joffrey’s Roll Back,” which is when someone tries our coffee and their eyes roll back in their head because they’re amazed it’s so delicious. I was really, really surprised that it tasted so good. Of course, I drank it black. And at that moment I caught the spark and it’s never left me.”

“Being a thorough bread Italian and being one of five children, I grew up on my mother’s apron strings. I was always in the kitchen cooking with her. She would explain all the flavors she was cooking with so I had a pretty decent palate for tasting things. After I tried coffee I was inspired to experiment with the different flavors of all coffees. Let me try this Panama, let me try this Ethiopia; I began to taste everything. I started to experiment with different roasting profiles – some a little lighter, some a little darker, mixing some together. It was an epiphany that I could effect change. Instead of settling for what any coffee gave me, I knew I could bring out the flavors I wanted. I realized that roasting coffee was not a one roast fits all proposition.”

 

Q: When did you realize, you wanted to be a Roast Master?

A: “Fate. I came down to Florida, after working for Reynolds Aluminum in New Jersey manufacturing beer and soda cans. I did that for 10 years and the plant was closing because of a labor dispute. At that time, I had the option to relocate to another branch of our company, either in Tampa or Virginia. I had a sister that was living in Tampa at the time and liked what I had seen while on vacation. So, I sold my house in NJ with my wife Linda and we moved to Tampa. When I got down here, the job I was supposed to work at fell through.”

“My sister introduced me to Joffrey’s because she was doing part-time accounting work here. And my first reply was I don’t know a damn thing about coffee… I ended up talking to the owner and he agreed to hire me to for 8 bucks an hour. The next day I showed up and that was the first day of my coffee experience. They brought me in the back of this little room, pointed to a bag of green coffee and said this is what it looks like before you roast it. Then we popped open the top of a coffee barrel and saw what the beans looked like after being roasted. We walked over to the old-pre-world-war 2 Probat roaster. They showed me how to turn it on and then they said have a great day, we’re going to lunch. That was it.”

 

Q: What do you love most about traveling the world to source the best beans?

A: “Seeing beautiful places and meeting new people. It’s a mix of emotions because amongst so much beauty there’s also a lot of hardships. There’s a lot of poverty along with primitive living and working conditions. You have to tell yourself that you’re looking at it from your eyes, not theirs. For them, that’s a way of life. One of the most rewarding things is going back to places I’ve visited before and seeing how coffee roasters, in general, have begun to contribute to improving the living conditions of the people we owe our living to. You have no idea how hard these people work and the amount of labor that goes into producing and growing great coffee. If you did, you would appreciate it so much more.”

 

Q: What’s the best part about your job?

A: “The fact that Miguel (my roasting partner at Joffrey’s) and I can see people’s reactions when they drink our coffee, is the most humbling, rewarding part of our job. We travel to origin and see our coffee being grown and nurtured by people who truly care about the product. If the farmers aren’t growing great coffee, we wouldn’t be able to roast great coffee. It makes the days of standing in 120 degrees for 8-10 hours roasting delicious coffees for our deserving customers, well worth the effort.”

 

Q: How do you know when coffee beans are perfectly roasted?

A: “The appearance will tell you. Every bean goes through 4 phases when they’re roasting. The first phase is when the temperature reaches 212 degrees and moisture dissipates, making the color of the bean fade. Phase 2 happens about two or three minutes later when the beans hit around 270. That’s when the beans change from green to yellow because the chlorophyll disappears. Phase 3 is what I consider most critical. At 320 degrees, the sugar breaks down. Sugars break down one of two ways, they melt and caramelize to remain sweet or they burn and become bitter and astringent. If you’ve ever had a cup of coffee that made the hair on the back of your neck stand up, or if you’re the unlucky recipient of the last cup of coffee after its been sitting on a burner for hours… then you know what I’m talking about. A lot of roasters roast coffee to be extra dark and have “more body.” They want that taste. As a rule, Joffrey’s doesn’t roast coffee past the point of what I’d call a French roast. The darkest we’ll go is between a chestnut brown or indigo color. I like my Kenya’s to taste like Kenya’s and my Sumatra to taste like Sumatra. The final stage is when the beans have heated to the epicenter, pores expand and then you get what’s called a crack. The first crack is slower; the second crack is rapid. When you hear a crackle in the beans and that means the c02 is being released. It sounds like a big bowl of rice krispies.”

 

Q: If coffee didn’t exist in the world, I would __________. (fill in the blank)

A: “Being as coffee is the second most consumed beverage after tea (and water), I think I’d be pretty heart broken. Bored. Unsatisfied. I can’t imagine life without coffee!”

 

Q: How often do you drink coffee and how do you take it?

A: “I start every day with a French Press of coffee, using beans we’ve roasted in the past 48 hours. I drink it black because I like the taste of coffee. And I drink it up until noon usually. I used to drink a lot more coffee than I do now, but I’m drinking probably 4-5 cups every day now. Then I’ll sneak in an espresso in the afternoon. There’s so many different nuances to each type of coffee. Even though I might drink a Kenya today, tomorrow I’ll drink it again and probably taste something different than I did the day before. This is the greatest job in the world because there’s always something else around the corner. I can’t wait to see what flavor I’m going to discover next.

 

Q: What inspires you when you’re inventing new specialty drinks?

A: “The unwavering commitment that I can, and we as a company, can always make something better. If it was good today, it’ll be better tomorrow. I’m strictly a black coffee drinker, but I love seeing the expression on people’s faces when I make them their first real specialty beverage, like someone who’s never had a good espresso and is amazed that they could drink it without sugar and enjoy it. It’s like YEAH BABY, that’s what this is all about.”

 

Q: If you could compare your love to coffee with something else, who or what would it be?

A: “God, my wife and my family are up in the top of my love list. The other thing that I LOVE is cooking. I’ll cook anything Italian.”

 

 

How Coffee and Tea Benefit Your Mind, Body and Soul

The delicious aroma of coffee and tea make waking up that much easier – and let’s be honest, we all need a little motivation! These drinks help us transition from mornings to meetings and give us a little something extra throughout the day. We love them because they give us something to look forward to, but when you take a closer look, the health benefits of drinking these amazing beverages are the real prize. So, what’s your body thinking when you have a cup of coffee or tea in hand?

Better Mood & Less Pain

We all know that coffee and tea can boost our energy, but did you know that it can improve our moods and help us feel less pain? Caffeine can help the body release hormones that keep you active and control blood pressure. All of this only takes ten minutes![i] Who knew our favorite caffeinated friends were so quick and efficient? Caffeine can also help increase the release of feel-good neurotransmitters, like dopamine, which makes pain receptors less sensitive and improves the mood.[ii] In a nutshell, whether you’re doing brutal jump squats at the gym or working overtime, coffee and tea can help ease the pain and improve your mindset! Raise your hand if you want more Joffrey’s coffee and tea!

Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Has Your Back

Cancer Prevention

Cancer is a horrifying disease that impacts so many people around the globe – which is why packing your diet with preventative antioxidants is very important! Antioxidants help our bodies fight free radicals (molecules that harm our bodies and cause diseases).  Everyone’s body has free radicals; but we don’t develop cancer unless they radically increase and become out of control. It just so happens that coffee and tea both have antioxidants that neutralize these unfortunate molecules and help us lead cancer-free lives! Did you know that Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other food source? (Per University of Scranton) See? Coffee and tea pack a lot of power!

The antioxidants in some teas (especially from the Camellia plant) and all coffees are called polyphenols. It turns out, polyphenols put up quite a serious Muhammed Ali style fight against free radicals too. Did you know that coffee has more antioxidants than fruits and veggies?[iii] It’s true!

Cardio Health

Coffee and tea can also promote cardiovascular health…especially artery health. When we’re young, we don’t necessarily think of cardio health, but if we pay attention to it now, we’re more likely to be healthy and happy a few decades down the road.

It turns out that those who drink tea have healthier arteries just minutes after drinking it…minutes! If you’re a tea drinker, know that Green tea could have one of the strongest impacts on cardio health, while coffee could benefit you regardless of the type[iv]. We know that coffee and tea hold special places in your hearts, but did you ever think they could impact your whole cardiovascular system?[v]

While many of us may wish Joffrey’s coffee and tea could replace treatments our doctors prescribe us, we’ll always require medical care…but we can sip coffee and tea to help stay healthy and know that our tickers are well taken care of!

Type 2 Diabetes

The health benefits of coffee and tea don’t stop at the cardiovascular system. Both can protect against type 2 Diabetes too! A Harvard study showed that those who increased their coffee intake by more than one cup a day over a 4-year period were likely to have an 11% lower type 2 Diabetes risk over the next 4 years, compared with people who didn’t change their coffee intake.[vi] Tea (especially green tea) helps prevent type 2 Diabetes too, because it helps regulate the body’s sugar metabolism.[vii] This is great news! In the mood to buy some Joffrey’s coffee and tea online? We recently launched a few new and exciting collections! Check out our organics and origins coffee. They taste so good that you won’t even realize they’re good for you.

Parkinson’s Disease

Oh, coffee and tea, what can’t you do? Coffee and tea may even help prevent Parkinson’s Disease and improve symptoms. Apparently, the caffeine in both drinks is the saving grace, and coffee and black tea may both help decrease the risk of Parkinson’s Disease. (Parkinson’s Foundation) For those who already have Parkinson’s, drinking coffee can block the malfunctioning brain signals in Parkinson’s patients, and help them function better.[viii]

Buying Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Online? Consider it Brain Food.

Supercharging the Mind

Coffee can supercharge the mind by increasing vigilance, reaction time, and cognitive function. After you drink caffeine, it travels through your bloodstream right to your  brain. Once it’s inside the brain, it increases the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, which keep your mind alert and on top of things.[ix]

Since caffeine is the magical ingredient responsible for this brain boost, we can assume that teas can have the same impact (if you drink the amount of tea needed to equal the caffeine in coffee). So, pick your favorite brain-juice and get to drinking! Of course, if you love both drinks equally, you can always buy Joffrey’s coffee and tea online and switch off day by day, so that neither drink feels neglected.

Fighting Brain Decline

Coffee is so good for the brain that it has the ability to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s by reducing brain inflammation. Studies prove that seniors who drink coffee not only delay the onset of Alzheimer’s, but can avoid it altogether. How does this magic work? Like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Caffeine blocks inflammation in the adenosine receptors in the brain, and this inflammation can start a chain reaction that causes mental decline. All the more reason to schedule regular coffee dates with Grandma and Grandpa (or Mom and Dad)! You could even slip a few bags of Joffrey’s coffee into their stockings at Christmas for a nice holiday treat. If they’re not fans of coffee, no worries, tea has caffeine too! Check out our fun flavors of coffee and tea online.

Helping us Feel and Look Good

Coffee and tea can prevent disease and help us feel good, but what if we told you they can also help us look good? If this raised your eyebrows, today’s your lucky day because it’s actually true. And when we look good, we feel good too!

Lean and Mean

So, we know that coffee and tea can boost your energy before a workout, which clearly can keep you lean and mean, but it just so happens that Joffrey’s coffee and tea can help in other ways. Starting with our calorie counters, coffee and tea both have a great taste and few calories. You can drink these liquid treats to your heart’s content and they’re only two calories per cup! In fact, many recommend three cups of coffee or four to six cups of tea per day.

Also, coffee and tea can help suppress your appetite, which can curb the temptation to snack throughout the day. Both of these lovely liquids also aid in thermogenesis (one way your body generates heat and energy from digesting food), which increases the metabolism.[x] Of course, nobody’s going to lose a two clothing sizes just drinking coffee or tea, but both drinks can ramp up the impact of any healthy eating and exercise regimen you’re following.

Did you know that coffee can also speed up the digestive system? Drinking coffee promotes the release of gastrin (a hormone that makes the digestive system more active and causes food to move through the system quicker.) This means coffee can prevent weight gain and bloat that a sluggish digestive system would normally cause (and this is a common problem – unfortunate, we know). (The Gut – Journal of gastroenterology) In short, be thankful your caffeinated friend is here to save the day…especially after a big meal!

The information we just mentioned came from studies that used plain tea and coffee…not fancy caramel mocha Frappuccinos with 3 tbsps. of sugar, syrup, chocolate, milk, and cream. Although we do respect fancy coffee drinks, guzzling them every day probably won’t support weight loss any more than eating cupcakes every day would. If plain coffee and tea aren’t your “cup of tea” (wink), but you want the low-cal benefit, there are plenty of flavors that will spice up your drink without adding calories.

Stevia is a great natural low calorie sweetener. For flavor, try cinnamon, vanilla extract, or mint oil to add some punch to the plain coffee or tea. Also, when you’re buying Joffrey’s coffee and tea online, remember, we have many tea flavors to choose from. Not to mention, teas rarely taste plain, even if you don’t add anything to them. If you’re a coffee fan, try flavored Joffrey’s coffees to start, and add other low-cal flavors to taste.

Skin & Beauty

Anti-Aging

Coffee skin rub and tea bags are popular in the beauty market, and we couldn’t be happier. Coffee rubs are now being used as anti-aging remedies, which makes sense because coffee has tons of antioxidants (which fight signs of aging). Also, caffeine boosts blood flow to the skin, which fights aging too. (An anti-aging double whammy! Yippee!)

Puff-Free Morning Skin Mask

We all know that putting tea bags under the eyes is an age-old remedy, but the tea bags  do reduce puffiness and leave the eyes looking brighter and more awake. You can take this a step further and de-puff your whole face in the morning by making a facemask out of coffee or tea. You may look like a scary swamp creature with a mask on your face, but once you take it off, you’ll be look radiant, flawless, and fabulous! After you buy Joffrey’s coffee and tea online and drink it up, don’t forget to put some aside for your morning beauty routine.

Fresh Glowing Skin

Another reason coffee impresses us is that it’s a great exfoliate for the skin. Rubbing the skin with coffee grounds can reduce dryness and  the appearance of fine lines, which will leave your skin with a fresh youthful glow!  That along with the kick of energy you’ll get from drinking the coffee, could make you feel a decade younger. You never know! 😉

Cellulite, be Gone!

If you thought the beauty benefits of coffee and tea were over, you were wrong. Coffee and tea can also reduce the appearance of cellulite, but only temporarily.  Because coffee and tea both have caffeine and caffeine is a diuretic, you can rub it into your skin to draw out the excess fluid build-up that causes the dimply appearance of cellulite. Need a beach body in a hurry? We’ve got your back.

Drink it, Rub it, Mask it, Love it

With so much evidence suggesting coffee to be a great part of your day why not have a cup or three? Coffee and tea have been around for centuries and both get lots of love from all around the world. As science discovers more and more about coffee and tea, it’s safe to say that they’re the gifts that keep on giving. Knowing this, nobody would fault you for stocking up on coffee and tea online, keeping some for yourself, and sharing the rest of these fabulous drinks with the ones you love.

 

 

 

[i] As mentioned by Dr. Laura Klein, Ph.D., associate professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State University

[ii] Via Heidi Skolnik, M.S., sports nutritionist

[iii] Sourced from John Weisburger, PhD, senior researcher at the Institute for Cancer Prevention in Valhalla, N.Y., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, National Institute of Health

[iv] Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg, professor of nutrition at Tufts University, European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University studies

[v] Dr. Seinbaum, a cardiologist and Director of Women’s Heart Health at Lennox Hill Hospital in NYC

[vi] Harvard School of Public Health

[vii] Dr. Seinbaum, a cardiologist and Director of Women’s Heart Health at Lennox Hill Hospital in NYC

[viii] Michael Schwarzschild, MD, PhD, of Massachusetts General Hospital

[ix] Nutrition Bulletin & Journal of Psychopharmacology

[x] Mayo Clinic

 

Websites:

https://www.academia.edu/4980787/Cosmetics_with_caffeine_real_benefits_versus_marketing_claims

https://www.parkinson.org/find-help/blogs/whats-hot/january-2016

https://www.fastcompany.com/3050478/are-coffee-based-beauty-products-a-cellulite-miracle-cure-or-social-media-fueled-bunk?utm_source

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-002-1175-2

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-3010.2007.00665.x/full

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00210835

https://phenol-explorer.eu/contents/food/552

https://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/79/5/727.full

https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/diet/drinking-tea-diabetes-prevention/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21045839

https://www.teaguardian.com/tea-health/how-many-cups-of-tea-a-day/

https://www.newsmax.com/Health/Health-News/coffee-heart-disease-hopkins/2015/03/03/id/627908/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/caffeine/faq-20058459

The Many Uses of Coffee – Mary, Mary Quite Contrary 

 

Our Head Roastmaster journeys to Nicaragua.

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