Like many facts concerning food, the side effects of caffeine are still being debated. In addition to being a stimulant, caffeine also causes gastric acidity, so drinking too much coffee may be bad for those people with gastric acidity. Caffeine-free coffee – decaffeinated coffee – is becoming increasing popular. It is especially favoured by drinkers aged 40 and above, the group most concerned about health. Coffee ‘gourmets’ however, argue that taking the caffeine out not only takes away the kick but also the fine taste of coffee. This can be hardly true since caffeine constitutes only two percent of the seed. Besides, it has no smell and very little taste. For those who prefer no caffeine at all there are coffee ‘substitutes’ made from chicory and other herbs.
‘Instant’ coffee is made by actually brewing the coffee in the factory and then drying the concentrated brew. These are the dried particles in the jars. Coffee lovers also look down on instant coffee. They accuse instant coffee drinkers of putting time before taste.
Even among coffee lovers, coffee is consumed in a variety of ways. The Americans prefer percolated coffee mixed with milk and sugar. The French prefer café au lait, an equal mixture of coffee and milk. Many Europeans, especially the Italians, prefer espresso, a strong coffee drunk without milk. Whichever way it is prepared, coffee is consumed by one third of the world’s population.
