Zen Cafe, Kala Ghoda

The cafe lives upto it's name Zen with the serene and secluded location. Although life is buzzing about in the busy Fort area, the soothing music and minimal decor, hushed voices of the patrons and staff, create a space where you feel unbusy and unhurried.

My go-to drink at a new cafe is usually an espresso shot. Since this was my second visit to this location, I decided to switch it up for an iced Americano. The service was prompt, and the Americano came with a bite size dessert.

It was a balanced cup of coffee and packed with flavour. I did find it a little weak depite it being a dopio (two shots of espresso). When I reached the end of my cup after sipping on the coffee for an hour, I discovered my folly. I had forgotten to stir the coffee, and got a jolt of flavour concentrate in the last two sips. Lesson learned for the next time I visit the cafe, which will be very soon.

Espresso Machine - Rancilio
Menu - http://www.zencafe.co/themenu.html
Timings - 11-11

Benefits of Drinking Black Coffee

A few months ago, I walked into a quaint cafe and treated myself with chocolate mocha after a delicious meal. The decadent cup was inhaled in three large gulps. For my gluttony, I was about to suffer miserably.

As soon as I clicked on the car seat belt, I felt uncomfortable. An hour-long walk in the playground nearby felt like I was dragging a heavy rock behind me on that beautiful Spring afternoon . As soon as I was indoors, the walls began to close in. So I headed out again into the chilly twilight for a breath of fresh air and ponder why I couldn't stomach one day of indulgence.

As the blood flowed freely, I recollected other times when I felt similarly uncomfortable. The culprit was identified milk. More specifically, my lactose intolerance.

While my usual cup of coffee at work or home has a splash of cream or milk (which didn't noticeably irritate my stomach), a full cup of whole milk was too much. I also happen to dislike ice-cream since a young age, and now it makes sense why orange popsicle was always my jam!

With this new insight, I updated my coffee to black "normal coffee", without any additives. Most of us don't like coffee black because we don't pick quality coffee. We add milk/cream and sugar to make it more palatable, because cafe solo (Spanish for 'coffee alone') can taste bitter. When brewed right, black coffee is a delightful sensory experience!

Cognitive and mood benefits are often attributed to caffeine in coffee. The aroma of freshly brewed mug of coffee dispels brain fog. Hence the idiom:

Wake up and smell the coffee

The jolt of caffeine can kick start your metabolism. Bonus points when you hit the gym right after consuming your cup of joe.

Psychoactive effects include better concentration and faster response. I give credit to successful score during my Class 10 exams to coffee. I'd wake up at 5am for final revision with a steaming cup of coffee in my hand. Whatever I'd crammed up last night was lost from memory; the formulas and names I read in the morning seemed to stick. I went on to apply the same recipe for Class 12 and college grad exams. Coffee is often prescribed for teens suffering with ADHD for less disruptive classroom behavior and better test scores.

On days when I haven't slept enough (less than 8 hours), I take a 'coffee nap' to feel less like a zombie after lunch. For nailing a successful coffee nap, you guzzle a quarter mug of coffee, set your alarm for 20 minutes, put on your eye mask and play a white noise soundtrack. The caffeine starts to work its magic in 20 minutes and you awake pumped up and revving to go. It's the same reason a cup of black coffee is advocated before a workout.

Don't just take my word for it. This video by Michael Greger shows scientific studies confirming that milk blocks absorption of good nutrients in coffee, chocolate, tea, even blueberries.

x

South Indian coffee takes on Americano

Filter coffee served hot and frothy in a traditional tumbler and dabara (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

During a holiday to India, I jetted to namma Bengaluru (Bangalore) to regale in the most exhilarating 3 years I had spent, living independently in an unknown city. When in Karnataka, does as the Kannidiga's do.

Thanks to generosity of a dear couple friend, every morning I woke up to the refreshing smell of freshly brewed coffee. Exhausted from the last evening's merriment, I sleepwalked and placed myself at the dining table. An early riser, my friend, a thoroughbred Kannadiga, cheerily placed a steaming mug in front of me. Caring not the beverage was scalding, I greedily drank it; mid-mug I'd pace myself down to savor its rich flavor. Although I'd grudgingly controlled  my coffee consumption to one cup in two days or less on account of a homeopathy medication, the frothy sweetness of fresh South Indian coffee delectably awakening my wits was a treat I couldn't resist.

Used to a medium-dark roast of Arabica or Sumatra beans, ahat makes the South Indian Filter Coffee so unique are two things - fresh coffee from the source and Chicory. The source is Coorg, one of the most beautiful hill stations in Karnataka. Coorg produces two vanities of coffee – Coffea robusta and Coffea arabica. The freshly ground beans are mixed in a 80-20 proportion with Chicory powder. Also spelled Chicoree, this root has been adopted as a coffee substitute plenty of time. In the filter coffee version though, it adds fuller flavor.

My request for acquiring a small package of Chicory bewildered her family's coffee supplier. He'd have thought me mad to ignore the beans and press for the commonplace root. Truth be told, I've searched high and low - online and offline, in Bombay and in USA. This was the only coffee supplier who agreed to sell me Chicory without coffee. My dependable coffee supplier Philips Coffee has long stopped selling coffee with Chicory.

When I griped about this to a friend recently, he cautioned me that Chicory root is harmful for long-term consumption. The word he used was 'poisonous'. The claim seemed dubious, so I launched my own investigation.

Here are the facts about the Chicory plant

• its roots, leaves and flowers are used to make medicine
• it is used to balance the stimulant effect of coffee
• it looks and tastes something like coffee but is caffeine-free, and produces a more 'roasted' flavor than coffee does
• because it has a smooth and creamy texture, it enhances the richness of coffee 

Which makes it into a thick dark ambrosia you can savor in every sip.