Coffee consumption and your health. This sought after bean has some suprising health benefits.

A growing anatomy of research which shows that coffee drinkers, compared to nondrinkers, are:

1. less likely to have type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and dementia
2. have fewer cases of certain cancers, heart rhythm problems, and strokes


Researchers don't ask people to drink or skip coffee for science's sake. Instead, they ask them about their coffee habits. Those studies can't show cause and effect. It's possible that coffee drinkers have other advantages, such as better diets, more exercise, or protective genes.

There isn't solid proof. But there are signs of potential health perks.

If you're like the average American, who downed 416 8-ounce cups of coffee in 2009 (by the World Resources Institute's estimates), you might want to know what all that java is doing for you, or to you.

Here is the condition-by-condition look at the research.

Type 2 Diabetes

Dr. Hu of Harvard University calls the data on coffee and [type 2] diabetes "pretty solid," based on more than 15 published studies.

Dr. Frank Hu of Harvard University Medical School found that, among study participants, those who drank several cups of coffee per day were, on average, 35% less likely to have type 2 diabetes than those who reported drinking two cups of coffee or less every day. This is due to a combination of magnesium and chromium, two compounds found in coffee that help the body use insulin more effectively.

More recently, Australian researchers looked at 18 studies of nearly 458,000 people. They found a 7% drop in the odds of having type 2 diabetes for every additional cup of coffee drunk daily. There were similar risk reductions for decaf coffee drinkers and tea drinkers.

How is coffee a potential diabetes preventative?

Dr. Hu states that "it's a complete package". He indicates coffees antioxidants and nutrients help prevent tissue damage caused by molecules called oxygen-free radicals. “We know that coffee has a very strong antioxidant capacity," States Dr. Hu.

Coffee also contains minerals such as magnesium and chromium, which help the body use the hormone insulin, which controls blood sugar (glucose). In type 2 diabetes, the body loses its ability to use insulin and regulate blood sugar effectively.

Studies also show that it's probably not the caffeine, based on the studies of decaf coffee.

Graphic Design by: Janis Amoura

Single-cup brewing is a great way to enjoy coffee or tea – your cup is ready in under a minute – and everybody gets their choice of beverage.

Pod brewing is a great option – we believe it is the best – when it comes to single-cup coffee and tea. Pods are round bags – made of a gauze-like material – that, unlike other single-cup capsules, are biodegradable and compostable. They are also the least expensive of all single-cup brewing systems.

Pods make one cup of coffee or tea at a time – meaning everybody gets their choice of beverage. It is done quickly and easily, and there are no filters or coffee grounds to mess around with. It’s a great way to make coffee or tea whether you are alone or with a larger group.

The new Bunn MyCafé MC pod brewer is a great all-around home pod brewer – here is our review.

First Steps

When you first open the box, you will find a small carton containing several different varieties of coffee and tea pods from various manufacturers. But don’t get too anxious about trying them out just yet – you’ll need to go through a few steps first, which prepare your brewer for initial use. It won’t take long; just follow the steps that are clearly outlined in the instruction booklet.

Brewing Process

The brewing process works as follows: First, you open the pod drawer and place your choice of pod inside. Next, using the mug or cup you plan to brew your beverage into, measure a desired amount of water (up to 14 ounces) and pour it into the brewer reservoir. Lastly, place the mug or cup under the brewing spout, and press the brew button. Your beverage of choice will be ready in under a minute!

While it might seem like a hassle to pour in water for each cup you want to brew, this function allows you the choice of brewing (cup) size. Another advantage – if the coffee (or tea) is too strong, run just an ounce or two more of water into the same cup just to ‘weaken’ it a bit. However, using more than 10 ounces of water tends to result in a less flavorful beverage.

Other Features

In addition to the regular brew mode, the brewer also has a “pulse” mode that is recommended for tea and also can be used to make a stronger cup of coffee.

Also, after 6 hours of non-use the brewer will enter into an energy-savings mode. Opening the pod drawer will ‘awaken’ the brewer and cause it to enter ‘ready’ or pre-heat mode. Preheating only takes about a minute or so.

Finally, while these aren’t really features, the brewer is really quiet, and at the end of the brewing process the brewer evacuates any excess water out of the pod drawer leaving the pod dry, making disposal a cinch. Compared to most other single-cup brewers found in the market today, the Bunn MyCafé MC has one of the highest brew temperatures.

We feel this is one of the best single-cup pod brewers on the market, with its ease of use and brew capabilities. If you are planning on buying a single-cup brewer, make sure to consider the Bunn MyCafé MC.

That single cup of coffee that we wait in line at the drive through every morning on our way to work is becoming more expensive. 

Tim Hortons coffee announced it's 4.5 % price hike on April 4th of this year with U.S prices already being raised by about 3 %. Unfortunately, Columbia has had the worst rains in decades which have created a huge problem with fungus that destroys the coffee plants. This issue is not only the contributing factor as growing economies like China and India who willingly spend the money on the caffein fix, has led to dwindling world coffee stockpiles.

Starbucks announced last month that it will sell packaged coffees for an average of 12 per cent more. The chain has also raised prices on some drinks in its coffee shops last year.

Obtaining that single cup of coffee outside the home or office is becoming more expensive and quite unpredictable with the world market as it is. It only makes economic sense to purchase your own Single Cup coffee brewer. There is a considerable difference in cost with no loss in quality and an increase in variety that caters to all especially those with a serious global conscious.

Brewing your own single cup coffee in the morning before you head out to work not only saves you the aggravation waiting in line at the drive through, which can be quite long if you didn't arrived at the right time when running a little late. Your choices are greater with home single cup brewing and without the higher cost, lost time in line ups at the drive through and the ability to explore other specialty blends from some of the top roasters and brand names in the world. 

Graphic Design by: Janis Amoura

Being a newly converted consumer to the convenience of single cup coffee brewing; I was taken with the new BUNN, MY CAFÉ Single Cup Coffee Pod Brewer. Instead of having to brew an entire pot of coffee which is wasteful and time consuming first thing in the morning when all I want is a quality cup of coffee before I have to fly out the door. 

The MY CAFÉ Coffee Pod Brewer precisely controls brewing temperature and time to extract the superior flavor of your favorite brand of coffee and tea pods. Pods typically range in weight from 6 – 12 grams or more, so experimentation with the amount of water you add to your brewer is encouraged in order to obtain the perfect cup of coffee for your personal taste. I also use MY CAFÉ Single Cup Brewer to dispense hot water for cocoa as well as other hot drinks. Just leave the pod out of the pod drawer and press brew. 

I also appreciate the green factor when using my new BUNN, MY CAFÉ Single Cup Coffee Pod Brewer as there are no plastic cups to dispose of that is common with the Keurig Coffee Brewers. 

I have to say that going back to brewing full pots of coffee are long gone for me and I know that anyone who has never tried the BUNN, MY CAFÉ Single Cup Brewer will be easily converted just for the convenience alone.

Did you know people have been drinking coffee for thousands of years? The drink has been ingrained in international culture for generations upon generations, but we are still learning about new health benefits created by consuming the beverage. According to folklore about the origin of coffee, the positive mental and physical boost gained through coffee consumption was first noticed once upon a time in Ethiopia.

Nobody really knows the date of the origin of coffee, nor the exact circumstances under which it was found, but a tale passed along through many generations says that we can credit an Ethiopian goat herder for the fantastic discovery.

The goat herder named Kaldi is said to have been minding his herd one day when he noticed a strange occurrence. Some of the goats who were eating from a particular bush were behaving differently, in a more jovial mood than the other goats. They were acting excited, prancing around the fields, nearly dancing on their hind legs. Kaldi became curious as to why they were suddenly so lively. He studied the circumstance and made the connection between the pleasant activities of the goats and the bright red berries hanging on the mangled, half-eaten coffee plant.

Like most curious discoverers, inventors, entrepreneurs and risk-takers of the world, to whom we can credit the better portion of our world’s advancements, Kaldi swiftly decided to try the berries for himself. He tried one – or did he boil them? History can not relay the exact details, and different stories contradict each other regarding the exact circumstances, but regardless, he too noticed the strange energy gained by coffee consumption.

Folklore says he tasted the bitterness of the tree’s fruit, yet found it vaguely sweet and very satisfying. Refreshed, renewed and more alert, he set off to tell his wife about the fascinating discovery.

His wife compelled Kaldi to inform the monks of the strange berries. Strictly religious and highly suspicious of any mind or mood-altering substance, as they considered it, the monks swiftly decided to cast the “sinful” berries into a fire. The action led to the sweet aroma we now attribute to a fresh, delicious coffee brew. The monks, also curious, are said to have crushed the beans, raked them out of the fire and distilled the beans in a pot of boiling water.

According to folklore, it was only minutes before the heavenly aroma drew more monks towards the smell, all gathering to investigate the source of the blissful smell of roasting coffee. The monks tried the substance and were able to maintain energy all night long without sleep. They were pleasantly surprised by the productivity allowed by the drink, which gave them a renewed energy to continue their holy devotions. The abbot and the monks then thanked God for the gift, thinking he had given them the berries so they could pray all night.

Though the exact details for the origin of coffee might not be on record, it’s no surprise that coffee holds a special place in Ethiopia’s culture to this day. Coffee growing and picking produces the livelihood for over 12 million Ethiopians and brings in over two-thirds of the nation’s annual earnings. The nation’s coffee is still internationally recognized as some of the world’s finest.

Image Credit: Steve Evans