We all know that it is difficult to find someone who does not enjoy coffee. For some, it’s simply an excuse to catch up with friends or take a coffee break while at work. However, there are those who adore coffee and cannot imagine a day without it. Some people drink coffee after every meal.
For such people, the morning routine always starts with a steaming cup of coffee. They can’t imagine surviving the day without it. They will surely be very gloomy without coffee to start their day.
The History of Coffee
Although there are numerous legends surrounding its discovery, no one knows for certain how or when coffee was discovered.
Ethiopian Folklore
Ethiopian coffee is the oldest coffee in the world. This legend has it that the goat herder Kaldi discovered the greatness of these beloved beans. It has since become known as Kaldi’s Gift
According to legend, Kaldi discovered coffee after noticing his goats became so energized. They refused to sleep at night, and that’s after eating the berries from a specific tree,
Kaldi told the abbot of the local monastery that he drank from the berries. He told him that during the long hours of evening prayer, it kept him alert. The abbot informed the other monks at the monastery about his discovery, and word of the energizing berries spread.
As they traveled east, word of mouth started the journey of these beans. Until the travel reached the Arabian Peninsula and around the globe.
Arabia’s Peninsula
Coffee growing and trading was born on the Arab peninsula. In the 15th century, it was grown in Yemeni Arabia. It was well-known in Persia, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey by the turn of the 16th century.
Coffee was consumed not only at home but also in the numerous public coffee shops known as qahveh khaneh. Then it began to appear in cities throughout the Near East. People frequented coffee houses for all kinds of social activities, and their popularity was unparalleled.
Not only did customers drink coffee and talk, but they also listen to music and watch performers. They also played chess, and read the news. Coffee shops quickly became important information exchange hubs, earning the moniker “Schools of the Wise.”
The word about this “wine of Araby” spread from all over the world. Most especially to those who visited the Holy city of Mecca yearly.
Arrival of Coffee in Europe
European Near East travelers have brought back an unusual dark black drink. By the 17th century, coffee reached Europe and became popular throughout the continent.
Some reacted with suspicion or fear to this new drink. They called it Satan’s “bitter invention.” When it arrived in Venice in 1615, the local clergy condemned coffee. Pope Clement VIII sought intervention because the dispute was so large. Prior to his decision, he decided to taste the drink for himself. He found the drink so satisfying that he approved it papally.
In spite of this controversy, in the big cities of England, Austria, France, Germany, and Holland coffeehouses rapidly grew. They became centers for social activities and communications. In England, “penny universities” came because one could buy a cup of coffee. They can enter into stimulating conversation for the price of one penny.
Coffee began to substitute for the drinks of the common breakfast of the day — wine and beer. Those who drank coffee instead of alcohol started the day alert and energized. The quality of their work has not surprisingly improved significantly. Consider the forerunner to the modern office coffee service.
By the middle of the 17th century, London attracted more than 300 cafés. Many of these cafés were of the same mind, including traders, shippers, dealers, and artists.
From these specialized coffee houses, many companies grew up. For example, Lloyd’s of London appeared at the Coffee House of Edward Lloyd.
The New World
In the mid-1600s, coffee, which the Britons later dubbed New York, was transported to New Amsterdam.
While coffee houses began to appear quickly, tea remained the favorite drink in the New World until 1773. It is when the colonists revolted against King George III’s high tea taxes. The Boston Tea Party would change the American preference for drinking coffee forever, known as The Revolt.
Plantations Around the World
As demand for the beverage grew, there was fierce competition to cultivate coffee outside of Arabia.
The Dutch finally obtained seedlings in the latter half of the 17th century. Their first attempts to plant them in India failed. But they were successful in Batavia, on the island of Java in what is now Indonesia.
The plants flourished, and the Dutch soon had a thriving coffee trade. They then expanded coffee tree cultivation to the islands of Sumatra and Celebes.
Arrival in America
In 1714, the Amsterdam Mayor gave King Louis XIV of France a young coffee plant. The King had it planted in the Paris Royal Botanical Garden. In 1723, Gabriel de Clieu, a young naval officer, obtained a King’s seedling. Despite bad weather, a saboteur attempting to destroy the seedling, and a pirate attack, he made it to Martinique safely.
Over the next 50 years, the seedling spread over 18 million coffee trees on Martinique. The parent of all coffee trees in the Caribbean, South, and Central America.
The emperor sent Francisco de Mello Palheta to French Guiana to obtain coffee seedlings. Before he left, the French Governor’s wife gave him a large bouquet of flowers. It contains enough smuggled coffee seeds to start a billion-dollar industry.
Missionaries, travelers, traders, and colonists planted coffee trees all over the world. Plantations sprung up in beautiful tropical forests and mountain highlands. But not all crops grew well. Coffee economies aided nation-building. There has been money made and money lost. Coffee had become one of the world’s most profitable export crops by the 18th century. In terms of global demand, coffee is only second to crude oil.
Reasons Why People Drink Coffee After Meal
In the Horn of Africa, a 15th-century niche beverage became a ubiquitous dining subculture. Coffee is one of the world’s most valuable commodities, and caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance. The average American adult drinks one cup daily. Coffee, whether it’s a gourmet brew or a mug-whisked instant, is a universal post-dinner drink.
1. Coffee Culture: Drinking Coffee After Meals
Serving coffee after dinner implied that guests could light up cigarettes or cigars. Men and women are still served coffee in separate lounges at formal dinner parties. Usually, coffee was served with cigars or digestifs like Cognac. Where smoking is not permitted or desired, coffee can be used to balance the palate after a heavy dessert. For the French, coffee is always served after dessert and is savored slowly before asking for the bill.
Drinking Coffee After Meal Become a Family Tradition
What better way to end a home-cooked meal than with a cup of coffee. Having a cup of coffee with your relatives is a great way to strengthen the family bond. Many families still have a weekly or monthly lunch or dinner night. It is where parents, siblings, and other relatives gather in one location for a large meal and conversation. What better reason to have coffee is to have sit-down conversations with your family once in a while?
Drinking Coffee Serves Social Benefit
One study linked social isolation to poorer cognitive function in older adults. And another found that offering coffee in a nursing home’s lounge increased social interaction.
Coffee is a common workplace beverage that is part of the workplace culture. “Let’s have a cup of coffee” is often used to mean “let’s have a conversation”.
Coffee breaks also provide a moment of ‘downtime’ at work. While more research is required, one study of public employees in Denmark discovered that forming “communities of coping” was beneficial. Coworkers during coffee breaks helped reduce stress. These communities allowed employees to socialize and share professional and personal frustrations with their jobs.
2. People Drink Coffee After Meal for Health Gain
Coffee connoisseurs regard after-dinner Robusta or Arabica coffee as a healthy indulgence. Coffee is one of the best sources of antioxidants in the Western diet, easily absorbed into the bloodstream. Similarly, coffee increases metabolic rate by up to 11%, helping to burn fat after a meal. Coffee has been shown to improve cognitive brain function, including alertness, by increasing neurotransmitter firing. After a long, rich meal, a quick shot of coffee helps combat fatigue.
Coffee, according to one 2017 study, actually aids digestion. Caffeine, according to studies, stimulates the production and release of stomach acid. Caffeine has an unexpected effect on gastric acid secretion (GAS).
Homoeriodictyol, a bitter-masking compound, can sometimes alter the process of GAS regulation. These findings could help with the treatment of diseases like gastroesophageal reflux and peptic ulcers.
Drinking Coffee After Meal Can Suppress Your Appetite
It has happened to each of us to eat dinner, go to bed. Then get the urge to snack an hour or two later. We’ve all heard how bad snacking is for our bodies, especially when it’s close to bedtime. We are not as active at night as we are during the day. Hence, the calories from the snacks accumulate in our bodies. That is why some people drink coffee after dinner to suppress hunger and the desire to eat unhealthy foods.
Chlorogenic acids are found in coffee. It is especially found in green and roasted beans. These acids have the property of controlling control of hunger and reducing the appetite that appears in humans. Also, coffee contains a protein known as PYY protein, which helps to suppress appetite and control hunger.
PYY is an abbreviation for Peptide Tyrosine Tyrosine, which is encoded by the PYY gene. In response to feeding, PYY is released from the ileum and colon. Numerous studies have shown that people who are overweight have much lower PYY. This is why, in order to lose weight, many people take chemical pills containing PYY protein. Those who want to lose weight gradually and in a healthy and natural way should drink coffee. Why? Because it is a natural stimulant of the PYY hormone.
People Drink Coffee After Meal for Its Calorie-Burning Benefits
Coffee increases thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is the process by which organisms generate heat. In addition to heat, the body produces energy. Coffee contains several components that stimulate the body to burn fat and calories, resulting in loss of weight. These are the following :
- caffeine
- theobromine
- theophylline
- chlorogenic acid
The following is what happens in your body when you drink coffee.
- Caffeine and other active components of coffee stimulate the nervous system.
- It causes sending signals to fat cells instructing them to begin fat breakdown.
- This is accomplished by stimulating the nervous system, causing the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, to increase.
Some People Drink Coffee After Meal To Aid Digestion
Calorie burning is only possible if the person consumes more calories than he ingests. It means that simply drinking too much coffee won’t burn calories if you’re not physically active. And you should be tracking your food intake. So, that was one of the ostensibly beneficial coffee after dinner benefits; let us now move on to another.
People Drink Coffee for Energy Boost After Meal
We’ve all had the experience of having many responsibilities to complete after meals. It is critical to maintain energy and avoid falling asleep.
Caffeine in coffee boosts energy levels. It enters the body via the bloodstream and eventually makes its way to the brain. When coffee enters the brain, it inhibits adenosine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. When this occurs, neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine begin to rise, leading to increased neuronal firing.
Dispelled Myths on People Drink Coffee After Dinner Meal
Many diners avoid after-dinner coffee for fear of indigestion, stomach pains, or even heart palpitations. Overindulgence in spicy or rich foods is often the cause of these symptoms. Having an espresso after dinner slows digestion, allowing the body to better digest a heavy meal. Caffeine slows food transit from the stomach to the duodenum and speeds up metabolism. Contrary to popular belief, coffee can cause heartburn in some people.
Cultural Factors of Why People Drink Coffee After Meal
After-dinner espresso in Italian or French restaurants is usually a demitasse cup. With just enough rich roast flavor, it complements a heavy meal. While a macchiato (with a dash of milk or cream) is acceptable, a cappuccino after dinner is not. This frothy, foaming milk and coffee blend dusted with chocolate powder is strictly a morning drink. Italians don’t even drink it after lunch.
Conclusion
Many people are curious about the best time to drink coffee. After a meal is definitely my answer. Perhaps you’re wondering why you should drink coffee after meals. There are numerous reasons why you should drink a good cup of coffee after every meal. One is that it smells good, it wakes you up in the morning, and it tastes so good.
Coffee after meals can actually aid in digestion and be beneficial to your overall digestion. Still, if you’ve ever wanted to be more regular, you should start drinking coffee after every meal. It can help keep your system “flowing” and your digestion on track.
