Bonjour Brioche Articles

Coffee is a beverage made by percolation or infusion of roasted, ground, or crushed seeds from a coffee plant known as a Coffea. This plant is native to tropical Africa and today is cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in the Americas, Southeast Asia, and India. Once ripened the berries are picked, processed, and dried, then roasted to varying degrees depending on the desired flavour. Coffee is a major export commodity and indeed is one of the most valuable, and coffee cultivation is changing to incorporate fair trade and organic varieties. Read on…Organic CoffeeIn order for a coffee to be certified organic it must be proven that both the soil and the beans are fertiliser, chemical, and residue-free, which takes at least three organic growing seasons to achieve. These triple certified coffees come from farms that have been awarded organic certifications from Quality Assurance International. The highest quality organic beans you can buy are triple-certified arabica beans.Most organic coffee growers will grow their plants in the shade of the rain forest where the ecosystem provides adequate nutrition, and its biodiversity eliminates the need for chemical herbicides and pesticides. Organic fertilisers such as coffee pulp, compost or chicken manure are used, emitting less carbon than chemical farms, and as a result organic beans are richer in healthy antioxidants. Forested farms are resilient and can handle unusual weather patterns, making them a safe investment for farmers and their futures.Equal Exchange is an organisation that has partnered with small farmer co-ops to support sustainable agricultural practices. Every co-op has its own social and ecological system and fosters sustainable agricultural production, and the market access provided by Equal Exchange is vital in restoring regions with landscape degradation. The overwhelming majority of organic coffees are shade grown, and this certificated system works alongside Fair Trade and organic practices as they don’t significantly alter.Regular CoffeeCoffee production is the industrial process of converting the raw fruit of the coffee plant into the finished coffee. The harvesting consists of strip or selective picking, wet or dry processing, milling, hulling, and polishing. The final step is the cleaning and sorting procedure before the beans are graded. Over time farming methods have been developed to maximise production, but this is often at the expense of harming both people and the environment.Conventional coffee is one of the most heavily chemically treated foods, being sprayed with fertilisers, pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides! Farmers are exposed to a high level of all of these chemicals when spraying and handling the crops, and they impact the surrounding land through residues in the air and water. These pesticides can cause damage to both our nervous and reproductive systems, disrupt hormone and immune systems, and pose developmental and behavioural risks.Excessive coffee consumption may have some very negative health effects as caffeine and other acidities can cause ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. Heartburn, digestive tract issues, and mineral absorption can all be attributed to drinking lots of conventional coffee, as can stress and tension, so drinking organic coffee may reduce your risk of chronic disease as well as extending your lifespan and improving the environment!

A healthy, balance diet is what we all should be aiming for and it’s a good idea to learn what food, drinks and dietary patterns help promote good health. Knowing what to eat for breakfast will help give you the energy you need – see the 10 best foods to eat in the morning below…1.OatsOatmeal is a wonderful choice for cereal lovers as the oats contain a fibre called beta-gluten, which has lots of health benefits - one of the most well-known is reducing cholesterol. This viscous fibre gives a feeling of fullness, so a bowl of oats will keep you going until lunchtime! Oats are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, potassium and folate, as well as antioxidants which help protect heart health, and decrease blood pressure. A cup of cooked oatmeal contains protein which can be boosted with milk.2. EggsStudies have shown that eating eggs at breakfast time increases the feeling of fullness, as well as helping to maintain steady blood sugar. Calorie intake at the next meal has also shown to reduce, as appetites remained satisfied for longer. Eggs are one of the best sources of choline, a nutrient important for liver and brain health, and although they’re high in cholesterol they don’t raise the cholesterol level. Three large eggs provide high-quality protein and can improve insulin sensitivity.3. FruitFruit is a great source of vitamins, fibre, and potassium, and it contains antioxidants that can help reduce the risk of disease. It’s also very filling due to its high water and fibre content. Citrus fruits are also very high in vitamin C, and a large orange gives the entire recommended daily intake. Fruit is low in calories and just one cup provides about 80-130 calories, depending on the variety. Grapefruit has beneficial effects on blood sugar and insulin levels and is packed with immunity-boosting antioxidants.4. NutsNuts are a great addition to a healthy breakfast as they’re filling and also help to prevent weight gain. Although high in calories, all of the fat isn’t absorbed, so they can improve heart disease risk factors, decrease inflammation, and reduce insulin resistance. All nuts are high in potassium, monounsaturated fat, and potassium, making them beneficial for people with diabetes as they can reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels.5. Greek YoghurtGreek yoghurt is a creamier version that’s more concentrated in protein which has been proven to reduce feelings of hunger as it increases the metabolic rate. Increasing levels of hormones after eating the yoghurt can help with weight control, and the conjugated linoleic acid found in this full-fat yoghurt can increase fat loss, and decrease the risk of breast cancer.6. Cottage CheeseCottage cheese is high in protein which gives a feeling of fullness and increases your metabolic rate – a cupful provides 25g. Full-fat cottage cheese also contains conjugated linoleic acid which can help with weight loss. Cottage cheese has proven to be as filling and satisfying as eggs for breakfast.7. FlaxseedsFlaxseeds are rich in viscous fibre which promotes a feeling of fullness for many hours after eating. They can also improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels, alongside giving protection against breast cancer. Just two tablespoons of ground seeds contains 3 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fibre. Remember that whole flaxseeds can’t be absorbed by your gut and will simply pass through your system, so make sure you choose the ground variety.8. Protein ShakesProtein shakes or smoothies provide several health benefits as well as reducing appetites. Whey protein led to the lowest calorie intake at the next meal, and can help lower blood sugar levels when combined with a carb-containing meal. It can also help preserve muscle mass during weight loss and aging. Promoting fullness and helping stabilise blood sugar levels are just two of the benefits of this high-protein breakfast choice.9. CoffeeFor an amazing beverage you should choose coffee to start your day. The high levels of caffeine improve mental performance and mood, as well as increasing the metabolic rate and help with fat burning. Coffee is rich in antioxidants which reduces inflammation, and decreases the risk of diabetes and liver disease.10. Green TeaGreen tea also contains caffeine and has shown to be especially helpful against diabetes – studies have shown that green tea drinkers had reductions in both blood sugar and insulin levels. This beverage contains an antioxidant called EGCG which has benefits for the brain and nervous system.

Our annual consumption is a slim 1.7 kg per person, compared to the 9.6 kg drunk by the the Fins, Europe's top coffee drinkers.Things are changing though...

Love Coffee? Live in London? If you’re looking for something to do between the 6th and 9th of April, London Coffee Festival 2017 is the place to be! Attracting over 30,000 professionals and…

http://bonjourbriochecafe.co.uk Bonjour Brioche Cafe is an independent deli and coffee shop in London run by my mother Mojgan Mohajer and myself, Nooshin Att...

Forget breakfast…. get in early on lunch. Combining these two meals together opens up infinite possibilities for culinary and social delight. Read o

Coffee is the biggest source of antioxidants in the diet. It has many health benefits, such as improved brain function and a lower risk of serious diseases.

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