Monday Coffee News

Happy Monday! Here’s some interesting coffee-related news I wanted to share: a recent study indicates that drinking coffee may change how the consumer perceives sweetness, research suggests that drinking coffee may actually lead to a longer life, and Dunkin’ Donuts launched their “Sip. Peel. Win.” promotion and also announced the winners of their Baskin-Robbins inspired iced coffee flavor poll for 2018 summer flavors. On Kickstarter, a company launched a campaign for the world’s first certified ketogenic convenient coffee promising the benefits of Bulletproof Coffee with the convenience of a K-Cup.

A recent study published in the Journal of Food Science looked into the affect of caffeine consumption on perceived sweet taste. For the study, 107 panelists were divided into 2 groups and both were given decaf coffee, with one group’s coffee being supplemented with 200 mg of caffeine and the other group’s coffee having an equally bitter concentration of quinine added (to level the bitterness playing field). The panelists were then told to add sugar to their coffee and rate how sweet it was as well as subsequent sucrose (sugar) solutions. Those who drank the caffeinated decaf coffee perceived less sweetness than those who drank the decaf. Why? Apparently it has to do with adenosine receptors. Adenosine receptors located on taste buds are activated to enhance sweet signals. Caffeine acts as an antagonist for these receptors, binding to the receptors and blocking or dampening its normal biological response.

Researchers out of Barcelona, Spain recently presented data on a ten year study which looked at nearly 20,000 participants who averaged  37.7 years old when the study began. The participants completed a validated questionnaire to collect information on coffee consumption, lifestyle and sociodemographic characteristics, body measurements, and any known health conditions at the beginning of the study and then followed up with approximately 10 years later. Overall, the data collected by the researchers indicated that those in the study that consumed an average of at least 4 cups of coffee a day had a 64% lower risk of mortality from all causes than those who never or almost never drank coffee. Each two additional cups of coffee per day showed a 22% lower risk, with participants who were 45 years old and older showing a 30% lower risk of mortality for drinking two additional cups of coffee per day, an association not found in younger study participants.

Now through September 30th, while supplies last, Dunkin’ Donuts is giving away prizes, including a year’s worth of free coffee, and special offers through “Sip. Peel. Win.”, the brands first national on-cup peel and reveal promotion. Customers can enter at participating locations by purchasing large or extra-large hot coffee (excluding espresso), tea, or hot chocolate served in cups with stickered game pieces on the side. Dunkin’ Donuts also announced the results of their customer poll for favorite Baskin-Robbins inspired iced coffee flavor. The winners are Cookie Dough, Pistachio and Butter Pecan – one of the winners may return to the 2018 summer coffee menu.

Tokelau coffee launched a Kickstarter for the world’s first certified ketogenic convenient coffee. The coffee promises the fast energy and weight loss benefits of ketogenic coffee, like Bulletproof Coffee, with a healthy dose of C8 and C10 MCTs, but packaged in a single K-Cup for super easy convenience. See the campaign video below for more info:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/628290928/tokelau-mct-coffee