lifestyle

You see rich, brown nectar with a white, foamy head kissing the rim of a glass. Bubbles rise through a gradient of deep amber. It’s cold, inviting, and you may be forgiven by thinking that the drink in question is a draft beer.

This is nitro coffee, a popular drink that has created a cult following in both massive coffee chains and independent specialty coffee houses.

Although they might sound similar, instant coffee and espresso powder, also known as instant espresso, are very different.

In Singapore and Malaysia, instant coffee is more common and can be found easily at most convenience and grocery stores.

Espresso powder, on the other hand, is less accessible and pricier than instant coffee.

However, if you have some espresso beans on hand, a coffee machine, a coffee grinder, and an oven, you can also make your espresso powder at home!

In this article, we will find out the difference between espresso powder and instant coffee in terms of taste, how they are made, how much caffeine they have, and in what ways they are used.

This way, you will know how to use and substitute them if you see them in recipes in future!

How Are They Made

Being on a ketogenic diet doesn’t mean having to give up coffee. By making careful choices on what you add into your coffee, you can continue enjoying your daily brew while keeping to your low-carb, high-fat keto diet.

The biggest tip for coffee lovers on a keto diet is to avoid high-carb additions such regular milk, sweetened creamers, sugar, honey, and standard flavouring syrups.

If it sounds like all is lost, don’t worry! Here are eight easy ways to prepare keto-friendly coffee.

Drink it Black

How much do you really know about your favourite beverage? There are many myths that surround coffee and you’ll be surprised to know that what you may believe as ‘truths’ may well be just ‘fake news’. Here are five common myths about coffee and the truths behind them.

Coffee is Dehydrating

There is no surprise why coffee is fast becoming one of the most popular beverages around the world. But have you ever wondered — how healthy is coffee? For avid coffee lovers, you’ll be pleased to know that coffee consumption and health are closely linked.

In fact, one cup of coffee per day can make you a better athlete. Moreover, studies have shown coffee to be associated with lowering the risks of several types of cancers, and even neurodegenerative conditions like dementia or Parkinson’s.

We’ve rounded up 6 easy ways to make your next coffee drinking experience a healthier one.

Avoid Artificial Creamer or Sweeteners

In celebration of the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, let’s take small steps toward becoming a more sustainable coffee drinker to ensure our coffee cup stays full well into the future.

Here are 9 easy ways to get started:

Support Responsible Growers

Take a closer look at the label on your coffee beans as it tells you all you need to know about its origins.

If you want peace of mind knowing that your coffee beans were sustainably grown or ethically sourced, look for certifications such as Fair Trade Certified, USDA Organic, and Rainforest Alliance.

Purchasing coffee beans like these help enterprises dedicated to supporting sustainable agriculture and fair working conditions.

By choosing organic coffee, for instance, you are consuming chemical-free coffee that’s made by farmers who focus on the use of renewable resources.

Go Local

Delicious artisan brews, a homely atmosphere, and an economic boost for the local community – there are plenty of great reasons to support your local independent coffee shop.

Think of the environmental impact of your regular coffee spot, too. After all, a small local business like a coffee shop is likely to have a smaller carbon footprint than larger chains.

Do you have a favourite local independent coffee shop? Perhaps it’s located near to where you live, close to your office, or handily placed near the school where you drop off your kids each morning.

You might use it as a quick early pitstop or treat it as a remote workspace for a leisurely afternoon session on your laptop. Some local coffee shops are so popular they attract customers miles out of their way to indulge in their quality brew.

As independent businesses, the local coffee shop doesn’t enjoy the large financial safety net of the big chains. These small operators can’t spend big amounts of money on advertising or marketing, so they tend to rely on word of mouth to attract new customers. With that in mind – and as fellow fans of the coffee bean – we think they deserve some special attention.

So let’s look at 3 great reasons why you should support your local coffee shop….

1. They make great coffee!