Coffee and music are two of the myriad ways to get energized, whether it's a morning boost or an afternoon pick-me-up. ... Both caffeine andmusic access the pleasure and reward centres in our brains, helping release the neurotransmitter chemical known as dopamine.
Which one is more energizing: Your coffee or Your music?
Some people are naturally energetic; others need to get it from an outside source. Coffee and music are two of the myriad ways to get energized, whether it's a morning boost or an afternoon pick-me-up. But is one more effective than the other?
There are currently no research studies that have looked at comparing the two specifically, but for us to get to the bottom of this answer we'll be analyzing the inner workings of our bodies. And while food and beverages often help create energy through the digestion process, this comparison between coffee and music — the latter being a non-digestible matter — will take a closer look at how our brains handle these elements.
Both caffeine and music access the pleasure and reward centres in our brains, helping release the neurotransmitter chemical known as dopamine. But the way they access and help release it are very different.
When you listen to music that you like or are familiar with, your brain will likely release dopamine, which will allow you to feel good and experience joy. The emphasis here is on listening to music that you like.
"Most of us listen to music and so you passively absorb or process the rules of music — the relationship between pitches, whether music is syncopated or not, the timing of the musical notes — and through this history of listening, you've built up this repertoire in your brain and you are able to build up expectations of what's going to happen next. So when these expectations are met, that's when it's rewarding and it releases dopamine."
By that theory, music doesn't have to be accelerated to get your brain revved up. In fact, classical composers like Beethoven create the kind of music that gives her goosebumps, one of the signs that dopamine is coursing through your central nervous system.
Just like music, caffeine also unlocks dopamine in the brain but its consumption and absorption into the bloodstream makes it a much more noticeable energizer than music. Whereas music simply releases the natural amount of dopamine, coffee or any substance containing caffeine.
So next time you need a boost, what will you reach for: a cup of coffee or your music playlist? I say "BOTH"!!!
There are amazing movies about coffee that take you inside the world of the professionals, showing the hard work and dedication behind the scene. There are many ways to learn and get inspired in what you do -
As barista's might say working at a well equipped café, I can’t imagine myself brewing or pulling an espresso shot without a scale. It tells us exactly how much water and coffee we are using, and it enables us to be consistent with each brew as well as to each other.
During this pandemic, we are all trying to stay home, but we must have our daily caffeine! Not everyone has all the tools at home. So, here are some tips on how you could brew an excellent pour over of coffee without a scale.
For this example, I use 24.5g of coffee to 380g of water — a 1:15.5 ratio. (You could also do 1:14 or 1:18 ratio depending on what recipe you’d like to use. In order to weigh out 24.5g of coffee beans or ground coffee, I used a ¼ measuring cup and filled it up all the way as shown in the picture below.
Afterwards, using a bigger measuring cup or a mason jar that has measurement, you can measure out approximately 380ml (13oz) of water and boil that to 205°F. If you don’t have a measuring cup, grab a 12oz mug and fill it up all the way to the top and use that to brew coffee, your final brew should be an inch (2.5cm) below the rim of your mug. Then, proceed to brew normally! Put a filter on your pour over device and make sure to give it a thorough rinse with hot water. Your first pour needs to be about twice the volume as the coffee you are using, and let it bloom for 45seconds. After the bloom, you can pour in a slow circular motion and fill it up all the way and let it drip for about 10seconds. Repeat this process a few times until you run out of water.
