☕ Memories of Burnt Coffee

In French, a “Madeleine de Proust” is an expression used to describe smells, tastes, sounds reminding you of your childhood or bringing back emotional memories from a long time ago.

In French, a “Madeleine de Proust” is an expression used to describe smells, tastes, sounds reminding you of your childhood or bringing back emotional memories from a long time ago.

I was thinking about what to write about next when I smelled burnt coffee. It was caused by some coffee dripping onto the hot plate of my coffee maker and immediately brought memories of that smell coming from my grandmother’s stove.  

She used an old fashioned percolating coffee pot (If you’re of a certain age, that Maxwell house jingle “good to the very last drop” still rings in your ear),  and it would stay on the stove all day. My grandfather or uncles would come in from the field pour some in the sauce pan next to the coffee pot. Most of the time they would burn it, and hence the smell.

It was 20th-century writer Marcel Proust who coined the term “involuntary memory”, the curious phenomenon of a memory triggered by a smell, a taste, or even a sound. When Proust's narrator in In Search of Lost Time  Marcel, eats the crumbs of a madeleine cookie dipped in lime blossom tea it triggers a process of remembering that brings his past to life.

a madeleine cookie dipped in lime blossom tea triggered a process of remembering that brings his past to life.

That’s what the burnt coffee smell did to me. Brought me back fifty-years or so into that kitchen—and of course thinking about coffee. It’s a staple in our kitchen now. My wife and I both drink coffee every day.

In my parents day, there was only one kind of coffee, Maxell House or maybe Chock full O Nuts (that heavenly coffee). It was regular black coffee percolating hot water over ground coffee beans.

Now we are pampered with so many selections.  It reminds me of Bubba in Forrest Gump going off on how many kinds of shrimp recipes there are: shrimp salad, shrimp scampi, shrimp cocktail, fried shrimp and on and on. Funny scene.

It’s the same with our coffee. Check this list.

Espresso: A strong and concentrated coffee shot brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee.

Americano: Made by diluting a shot of espresso with hot water to create a coffee similar to drip coffee but with a different flavor profile.

Latte: Espresso combined with steamed milk and a small amount of foam.

Cappuccino: Equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and foam, resulting in a strong and frothy coffee.

Macchiato: Espresso "stained" or marked with a small amount of milk or foam.

Mocha: A chocolate-flavored variant, typically made with espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup, often topped with whipped cream.

Flat White: Similar to a latte but with a higher coffee-to-milk ratio and a thin layer of microfoam.

Cold Brew: Coffee brewed with cold water over an extended period, resulting in a smoother and less acidic taste compared to traditional hot-brewed coffee.

Iced Coffee: Regular coffee served over ice, often sweetened and/or with milk.

Nitro Cold Brew: Cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen, creating a creamy and effervescent texture.

Affogato: A dessert coffee where a shot of hot espresso is poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Red Eye: Black coffee with a shot of espresso, providing an extra caffeine kick.

Bulletproof Coffee: Coffee blended with grass-fed butter and MCT oil, believed by some to offer sustained energy and mental clarity.

This is just to get started. There are many regional and specialty variations across the country. Plus, with growing of coffee culture, new and creative coffee beverages are introduced all the time.

Health benefits

But-- bad or not? How  is it healthy?

T.H. Chan of Harvard School of Public Health says that moderate coffee intake—about 2–5 cups a day—is linked to a lower likelihood of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver and endometrial cancers, Parkinson's disease, and depression. It's even possible that people who drink coffee can reduce their risk of early death.

So there you go. Safe!

Here are some more specific potential health benefits associated with moderate coffee consumption:

Rich in Antioxidants: Coffee contains a variety of antioxidants, such as chlorogenic acid, which may help neutralize free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress.

Improved Mental Alertness: Caffeine, a natural stimulant found in coffee, can enhance cognitive function, improve alertness, and reduce the perception of fatigue.

Mood Enhancement: Caffeine may have a positive impact on mood by increasing the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

Reduced Risk of Certain Diseases: Some studies suggest that moderate coffee consumption may be associated with a lower risk of certain diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and certain types of cancer.

Liver Health: Coffee has been linked to a reduced risk of liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. It may also help lower the risk of liver fibrosis.

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention: ome research indicates that regular coffee consumption may be associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Heart Health: Some studies suggest that moderate coffee consumption may be linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.

Physical Performance Enhancement: Caffeine can stimulate the release of adrenaline and increase the mobilization of fatty acids from the fat tissues, potentially improving physical performance.

Reduced Risk of Stroke: Some studies suggest that moderate coffee consumption may be associated with a decreased risk of stroke.

Protection Against Neurological Diseases: Coffee has been studied for its potential neuroprotective effects, and some research indicates that it may be linked to a lower risk of certain neurological conditions.

Heck, it’s almost a miracle drug.

Now for the bad. You knew this was coming.

The Disclaimer:

It’s important to note that while coffee can have health benefits, excessive consumption (more than 3-4 cups per day) may lead to negative effects such as insomnia, increased heart rate, and digestive issues. Consuming large amounts of coffee might also cause headache, anxiety, agitation, ringing in the ears, and irregular heartbeats. Coffee containing caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness and restlessness, stomach upset, nausea and vomiting, increased heart and breathing rate, and other side effects.

Additionally, individual responses to caffeine can vary, and pregnant individuals or those with certain medical conditions should consult with healthcare professionals regarding their coffee consumption. As with many aspects of diet and lifestyle, moderation is key.

That’s a buzz kill. It’s like those pharmaceutical commercials. They list all the great benefits, but end up —except you can go blind or die.

Coffee’s getting cold. Time to warm it up.