Share:
What is healthier - espresso or plain filter coffee?
What tastes better and what is healthier? Many ask themselves this question with espresso and conventional filter coffee. Does coffee remove water from the body? Is coffee diuretic? A few answers will surprise you.
After a good meal, a cup of espresso tastes great. The earthy-chocolaty watchmaker has its home in the Italian metropolis of Milan and was initially prepared only in bars and on direct request. Therefore, the word "espresso" also means a "dish prepared for the guest".
Filter coffee or espresso? What is healthier and what tastes better? (Image: dimakp / fotolia.com) Compared to regular filter coffee, espresso is stronger in flavor and has a more intense flavor. This is not due to the bean, because the varieties Arabica and Robusta are used for both coffee and espresso. The difference is the roasting: For espresso beans are roasted for 15 to 18 minutes, for coffee only 10 to 15 minutes. This makes espresso beans darker.
Espresso is stomach friendly
For filter coffee, the water therefore has a lot of time to dissolve all the bitter and tannins from the powder. The espresso only comes in contact with the ground coffee for a very short time. Therefore, aroma and flavorings are well preserved or can develop properly. Experts: "The espresso is easier to digest and more heart and stomach friendly than filter coffee!"
In addition, they usually have a smooth, shiny surface as the fats and oils they contain come to the surface. Coffee beans are medium brown and rather dull. Another difference: Due to the longer roasting time, the acids contained are broken down.
Different preparation makes the difference - also in the taste
In addition to the roasting, the preparation of the stimulating hot drinks differs. For espresso, the pressure is crucial. The water must flow at least 9 bar at a temperature of 88 to 94 degrees Celsius through the previously pressed coffee grounds. Since the contact time with 25 to 30 seconds is only short, the degree of grinding must be fine. The pressure creates a velvety soft crema on the surface.
The specialty is served in a thick-walled, preheated cup. During coffee preparation, a higher water temperature is reached at 92 to 96 degrees Celsius, and no artificial pressure has to be generated. The ground coffee is coarser, because it is brewed for several minutes with water.
Coffee was considered unhealthy for a long time, but today people know that the popular hot drink can even serve their health. Because of the caffeine it also works very well against fatigue. (Image: ViewApart / fotolia.com) What has more caffeine?
Incidentally, it is a misconception that a cup of espresso provides the body with more caffeine than a cup of coffee. The caffeine contents are similar. A cup of coffee containing 150 ml contains between 50 and 100 mg of caffeine. With a cup of espresso with 50 ml, there are between 50 and 150 mg of caffeine. If you compare similar amounts of drink, the caffeine content of an espresso would be higher.
Coffee withdraws water from the body?
Often a glass of water is served with the espresso, as it is believed that coffee withdraws water from the body. However, a research team found that "it makes no difference in the fluid balance of adults, whether they drink their fluids through different drinks (which contain no pure water) or drinks that include water." That means coffee In addition to many other drinks can support the hydration. The diuretic effect is also comparable to water.
Not more than 4 cups a day!
More than four strong espressos or other comparable caffeinated drinks should not be consumed per day. More of the stimulant caffeine can harm your health. Researchers from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have identified this. About 400 milligrams of caffeine per day are "safe" according to the study. An espresso contains about 70 to 100 milligrams. (SB, Heike Kreutz, bzfe)