Cup Of Coffee Research Articles

South Africa’s crowded cannabis market: identifying new market opportunities for Ilco Farming’s “green gold”

Learning outcomes Following a discussion of the case, students should be able to analyse competitive dynamics: provide an in-depth critical analysis of Ilco Farming’s microenvironment, using the structure–conduct–performance framework; evaluate strategic positioning: conduct a SWOT analysis of Ilco Farming’s medicinal cannabis business; and develop strategic approaches: propose actionable strategies that would provide effective solutions to the problem of constrained market conditions currently faced by Ilco Farming. Case overview/synopsis Coenie and Ilse Venter established Ilco Farming, a cannabis farm located in the Viljoenskroon district in the Free State province in South Africa, in 2021. From the beginning, they poured their hearts and souls into their new venture, which soon paid off. A few short months after Ilco Farming began operating, despite the presence of other large competitors, Ilco Farming supplied a large share of the domestic medicinal market with flower heads. But then an unexpected challenge presented itself. In March 2023, Ilco Farming was operating at only 23% (600 m2) of its production capacity of 2600 m2 and had considerable room for growth, the local market – at least the local legal market – for cannabis began to show signs of saturation. Coenie and Ilsa found themselves at the proverbial crossroads, grappling with the crucial decision of how to secure their farm’s future in the face of a fast-saturating local (legal) cannabis market and a thriving (illegal) black market. Coenie and Ilse refused to entertain the idea of going the black market route, as they were unwilling to risk losing their operating licence. They calculated that the farm would reach breakeven point within the next two years, with profits unlikely during this period. Should they persist with their current strategy of producing high-quality products and delivering a superior service in the hopes of growing their market share? Or should they consider other strategic options? Coenie and Ilse were sitting at their boardroom table having a cup of coffee and looking out of the window at Ilco Farming’s impressive SAHPRA- and GAP-approved warehouse and tunnels. “What should we do?” they both wondered. Complexity academic level The case study can be used in postgraduate courses in microeconomics (PGDIP/MBA) and agricultural economics (PGDIP/MBA). Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 5: International business.

Modification of the association between coffee consumption and constipation by alcohol drinking: A cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2007-2010.

The association between coffee consumption and constipation remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationship of coffee consumption with the risk of constipation, while also investigating potential effect modifiers. This cross-sectional study included 7844 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2010. Coffee consumption was extracted from the 24-hour dietary recall. Constipation was assessed using the Bristol Stool Form Scale. The association between coffee consumption and constipation was assessed using multivariable restricted cubic spline and logistic regression with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). There was a J-shaped relationship between total coffee consumption and the risk of constipation in the whole population (p for nonlinearity = 0.049), with 1-2 cups/day of total coffee potentially reducing the risk of constipation by 39% (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.35-1.06, p = 0.07). As for caffeinated coffee, a J-shaped association between its consumption and the risk of constipation was also observed in the whole population (p for nonlinearity = 0.008), with 1-2 cups/day being significantly associated with a reduced risk (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.35-0.95, p = 0.03). When restricting to never drinkers of alcohol, the associations between total and caffeinated coffee consumption and constipation shifted to inverse linear trends, where at least 3 cups/day was significantly associated with an 88% reduction in constipation risk (total coffee: OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02-0.68, p = 0.02; caffeinated coffee: OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02-0.70, p = 0.02). Decaffeinated coffee showed no association with constipation. Consuming 1-2 cups of caffeinated coffee daily was associated with a reduced risk of constipation in the general population. Among never drinkers of alcohol, a linear protective effect was observed, with a notable 88% reduction in constipation risk for those consuming at least 3 cups per day. Moderate caffeinated coffee intake may therefore be a viable dietary strategy for managing constipation in the general population.

From the Editor

So Labor Day is past, and we have begun a new year—new school year, that is, and therefore a time of celebration. Not just as parents whose children are headed back to school, but also the appreciation we get to feel as the summer’s heat subsides and we start looking forward to crisp evenings, steaming cups of coffee, and warm conversation with friends.

So Much Depends Upon a Cup of Coffee: A Reader Response Analysis of Eliot’s “Sweeney among the Nightingales”

T.S. Eliot’s poem “Sweeney among the Nightingales” is a short dramatic monologue that introduces Sweeney as rude and cruel character, in a setting where he interacts with several women referred to as ‘Nightingales’ in a brothel. Sweeney finds himself involved in a cunning plot in that brothel. He is seduced and given alcohol to impair his judgement. To thwart the conspiracy against him, he has to have a cup of coffee to help him remain awake. By having one of the women drop the cup of coffee, Eliot paves the way for unconventional reading of the text that focuses on the unmentioned spilled coffee in the poem. The unmentioned spilled coffee becomes more important than the cup of coffee dropped by the woman in the Spanish cape. For the absence of coffee at the end of Sweeney’s late night activities deters his sobriety; helps the conspirators to attain their goal, and further contributes to the theme(s) of the poem.

Phenome-Wide Analysis of Coffee Intake on Health over 20 Years of Follow-Up Among Adults in Hong Kong Osteoporosis Study

Background/Objectives: There has been limited evidence on the long-term impacts of coffee intake on health. We aimed to investigate the association between coffee intake and the incidence of diseases and mortality risk over 20 years among community-dwelling Chinese adults. Methods: Participants were from the Hong Kong Osteoporosis Study who attended baseline assessments during 1995–2010. Coffee intake was self-reported through a food frequency questionnaire and was previously validated. Disease diagnoses, which were mapped into 1795 distinct phecodes, and mortality data were obtained from linkage with territory-wide electronic health records. Cox models were used to estimate the association between coffee intake and the incidence of each disease outcome and mortality among individuals without a history of the respective medical condition at baseline. All models were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol drinking, and education. Results: Among the 7420 included participants (mean age 53.2 years, 72.2% women), 54.0% were non-coffee drinkers, and only 2.7% consumed more than one cup of coffee per day. Over a median follow-up of 20.0 years, any coffee intake was associated with a reduced risk of dementia, atrial fibrillation, painful respirations, infections, atopic dermatitis, and dizziness at a false discovery rate (FDR) of <0.05. Furthermore, any coffee intake was associated with an 18% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (95% confidence interval = 0.73–0.93). Conclusion: In a population with relatively low coffee consumption, any coffee intake is linked to a lower risk of several neurological, circulatory, and respiratory diseases and symptoms, as well as mortality.

Association between coffee consumption and metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional and Mendelian randomization study.

This study investigates the associations between coffee consumption and metabolic syndrome and its components, as well as the effect of milk, sugar, and artificial sweeteners on these associations. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 351805 UK Biobank participants. Coffee consumption data were collected via food frequency questionnaires and 24-h recall. Metabolic syndrome was identified through blood biochemistry and self-reported medication use. Odds ratios were calculated using multivariable logistic regression, and results were verified with two-sample Mendelian randomization. Consuming up to two cups of coffee per day was inversely associated with metabolic syndrome (1 cup/day: odds ratio [OR]: 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85-0.92; 2 cups/day: OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.86-0.93). Higher intakes showed near-null associations. Mendelian randomization did not support a causal link between coffee intake and metabolic syndrome. Both self-reported and genetically predicted high coffee consumption (four cups per day or more) were associated with central obesity. The inverse association between coffee consumption and metabolic syndrome was more profound among drinkers of ground coffee than those of instant coffee. Results were similar when stratified by the use of milk and sugar, yet the use of artificial sweetener with coffee was positively associated with metabolic syndrome and all component conditions. Coffee consumption may increase the risk of central obesity but is unlikely to impact the risk of metabolic syndrome. The potential health effects of artificial sweeteners in coffee need further investigation.

The acute effects of coffee ingestion on postural control and physical function in older adults: A randomised crossover trial

Caffeine consumption can elicit improvements in aspects of physical function in older adults but also, negatively modify standing balance, potentially increasing fall risk. However, balance alterations and changes in physical function induced by commonly consumed caffeine vehicles such as coffee have not been investigated. Therefore, this study investigated coffee ingestion providing 3 mg·kg BW−1 caffeine on balance performance and physical function, in a group of older adults. In a randomised, crossover design, 22 older adults (Male n = 10, Age: 68 ± 6 years) completed bipedal standing balance and physical function assessments (Senior Fitness Test) under one of the following conditions: caffeinated coffee (COF), decaffeinated coffee (DEC), placebo (PLA) or a control (CON) (no fluid ingestion). Centre of pressure (COP) root mean square and power frequency were calculated to characterise postural performance and strategy, respectively. The complexity (i.e., regularity) of the COP signal was also determined by calculating sample entropy. Caffeinated coffee had limited effects on COP outcomes. Frequency of the COP in the anteroposterior direction was greater following COF compared to DEC (P = 0.047;g = 0.29) but there were no statistical differences between COF and PLA or CON (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there were no significant performance differences between any conditions in all tests of physical function (P > 0.05). This suggests that coffee has limited effects on balance performance or physical function but may influence both balance complexity and the strategy utilised to maintain upright stance. Overall, a strong cup of coffee does not significantly influence balance and measures of functional performance in healthy older adults.

The Embodiment of National Image in Ceramic Products with China and European Countries Exchange and Dissemination Case Study: Turkish Coffee Cups

Culture is a broad concept encompassing material and spiritual aspects acquired through socialization and experience. It includes language, beliefs, ethical standards, and consumption patterns, uniting people within a community and significantly influencing their behavior. Culture plays an important role in design and influences the design process according to ever-changing behavior patterns. Product design, a subset of the design field, provides a tangible platform for expressing cultural knowledge. Consequently, product design is a significant medium for illustrating the impact of cultural influences. The interaction between different cultures further shapes design fields, leading to the development of products that may acquire new characteristics or undergo adaptations based on the specific geographical context in which they are situated. Especially when the field of gastronomy, and food and beverage utensils is examined, it is known that the ceramic tools used are in new design relationships in this context. Traditional Turkish coffee culture encompasses the convergence of Chinese, Turkish, and European influences in product design today, exemplified by the use of Turkish ceramic coffee cups. The purpose of this study is to illustrate how national images and a country’s national identity are constructed and expressed in the designs of its ceramic products from the perspective of material culture studies, from past to present, starting from the Chinese, Ottoman Empire and Europe interaction, how shaped today’s ceramic Turkish coffee cups of today and also new possibilities that can process around this area.

Association between coffee and tea consumption and the risk of dementia in individuals with hypertension: a prospective cohort study

Many studies have shown that drinking coffee and tea may be associated with the risk of hypertension and dementia. Limited research exists on their impact on dementia risk in hypertensive patients. This study aimed to determine the association between coffee and tea consumption and the risk of dementia development in hypertensive population by utilizing Cox proportional risk modeling with 453,913 participants from a UK biobank. Our findings reveal a J-shaped and U-shaped association between the risk of all-cause dementia and the consumption of coffee and tea respectively in hypertensive people. The hypertensive patients who drink 0.5–1 cup of coffee or 4–5 cups of tea per day have the lowest risk of dementia. A U-shaped relationship was observed between daily caffeine consumption and the risk of developing all-cause dementia and vascular dementia in the hypertensive population. Furthermore, the significant association between the amount of coffee and tea consumed and the risk of all-cause and vascular dementia were more likely to be found in hypertensive patients than in the non-hypertensive population.

How a soup bowl and a coffee cup cool down

How a soup bowl and a coffee cup cool down

Predicting best planting location and coffee cup quality from chemical parameters: An evaluation of raw Arabica coffee beans from São Paulo over two harvests

Arabica coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. The chemical components present in raw Arabica coffee beans (RACB) are directly related to the cup quality of the beverage. Environmental and genetic factors influence the content and profile of these components. Then, this work aimed to evaluate different chemical parameters of RACB from 3 varieties planted in 3 different experimental farms located within the “Alta Mogiana” terroir harvested in 2021 and 2022 to identify a better variety for each farm to produce a high cup quality Arabica coffee. The harvest period had a strong influence on most of the studied parameters because atypical weather conditions occurred in the 2021 harvest. The RACB harvested in 2022 yielded better results and supposedly will produce a beverage of high cup quality. Samples harvested in this period presented mainly average moisture levels closer to optimum (11.02 against 8.56 % in 2021); low total titratable acidity (98.00 against 169.75 mL 0.1 M NaOH/100 g in 2021); high amounts of free amino acids (0.96 against 0.93 g GAE/100 g in 2021), low amounts of CGA (4.27 against 4.85 g/100 g in 2021) and caffeine (1.08 against 1.76 g/100 g in 2021) and high amounts of trigonelline (1.12 against 0.96 g/100 g in 2021). The Rome Sudan variety had the best combination of chemical results, mainly when cultivated in Farm 2 in 2022, presenting high amounts of protein content (15.24 %) and free amino acids (0.96 g GAE/100 g), low total titratable acidity (98.3 mL 0.1 M NaOH/100 g), low amounts of CGA (4.55 g/100 g) and caffeine (1.29 g/100 g) and high amounts of trigonelline (1.11 g/100 g). The analysis of chemical compounds could predict the best farm to cultivate each variety studied and was a guide to foresee a higher cup quality of RACB beverages.

Customer Service Management on Enhancing Customer Loyalty in Food and Beverage Industry: Case Study of Starbucks Malaysia

In the highly competitive coffee industry, the operation of a successful coffee shop involves more than just providing a simple cup of coffee. Organizations are now recognizing the need to focus on delivering high-quality service to gain a competitive advantage. Emphasizing service quality is crucial for building customer loyalty. This paper aims to demonstrate and investigate the service quality using the SERVQUAL model, specifically in the context of Malaysia's Starbucks outlets. To gather real-time data, this paper employs a questionnaire-based survey. A total of 221 questionnaires were distributed to the public. Following data collection, the obtained data is analyzed using SPSS software. Additionally, this paper offers insights into the current state of Starbucks in Malaysia and proposes practical actions to enhance service quality. The objective is to not only attract and retain customers but also cultivating customer loyalty within the competitive coffee chain industry. By focusing on the SERVQUAL model, this research seeks to identify the key dimensions of service quality that significantly impact customer loyalty. These insights are essential for Starbucks to make informed decisions and implement effective strategies to elevate its service quality.

The future of presence in distance learning, a speculative design approach

Face-to-face teaching remains for many teachers the golden standard in education. However, learning is always emergent, dependent on the socio-material context. Sharing a physical space is one option, but with new digital technologies, alternative assemblages can create new and exciting learning environments and experiences. Based on the community of inquiry model, I consider cognitive, social, and teaching presence as central to a valuable educational experience in higher education. The aim of this research is to look at what presence could look like in the distance university of the future. Traditional research methods, whether quantitative or qualitative, focus on what is and on linear causal effects. However, education is open, recursive, nonlinear, and new environments introduce new actors, human and material, that affect the learning and teaching. In this research, I experiment with a speculative design method to see if it can lead to opening up new possibilities and to their critical evaluation. In six speculative design workshops, teachers developed prototypes of what presence and affective closeness could look like when students and teachers were spatially and temporally distant. I present the three main categories of prototypes that answer the needs of distance teaching creating social interactions, offering feedback, or re-creating a virtual classroom. These all show how presence can be enacted at a distance, including asynchronously. From a science-based and data-driven approach to the Virtual Reality University, via a live course map and the connected coffee cup, each prototype offers a different view of education with its opportunities, but also challenges. The prototypes also highlight how difficult it is to change our perception of what presence could look like in higher education. I use Bourdieu’s concept of habitus to help explain the difficulty of moving away from the face-to-face experience, and how a revolutionary view rather than a marginal approach to change requires a return to the fundamental questions of how students learn, the purpose of education and the role of the teacher.

Studi Analisis Pergeseran Nilai Mahar Perkawinan Menurut Wahbah Al-Zuhaili

The objectives of this study To find out the forms of shifts in the value of marriage dowry in Indonesia. The type of research used in this study is library research, which is an effort to find and collect materials from book sources, research results and so on related to the research problem to be carried out, both in the form of an explanation of the research focus aspect (operational definition in qualitative terms), and to emphasize the position of the research to be carried out (standing position). As a result, there is a shift in the value of dowry in Indonesia, which was originally a symbol of love, affection, and respect for the future husband to the future wife. However, currently forms of dowry such as a glass of water, a cup of coffee, a bird, a crowbar, three chicken eggs, and flip-flops show a decline in value. An expensive gift that should be valuable, useful, and valuable becomes a gift that is worthless, has little benefit, and is not worth at all.

Evaluation of the Caffeine Content in Servings of Popular Coffees in Terms of Its Safe Intake-Can We Drink 3-5 Cups of Coffee per Day, as Experts Advise?

The spreading knowledge of the health benefits of coffee and the development of gastronomy with a wide range of coffees prompt an evaluation of their caffeine content in terms of safe intake. The study analyzed the caffeine content of popular coffees in comparison with recommendations for a safe single dose (200 mg) and daily caffeine intake (400 mg), and guidelines for drinking 3-5 cups of coffee per day. A total of 299 coffee samples from franchise shops and homemade coffees were tested. The "takeaway" coffees had a three times higher mean caffeine content (p < 0.005) compared to homemade coffees. Americano coffee was the "strongest" (143 mg caffeine/serving on average), while coffee prepared by pouring hot water over one teaspoon of ground coffee was the "lightest" (23 mg caffeine/serving on average) (p < 0.05). Over 200 mg of caffeine per serving was found in 4% of samples. Over 400 mg of caffeine would be consumed by people drinking "on the go" 4-5 servings of many types of coffee, except espresso. In this respect, homemade coffees are safer. Therefore, recommendations on drinking coffee should be more practical, and indicate not only the number of cups, but also the "strength" of various types of coffee, in order to avoid the regular intake of high amounts of caffeine.

Risks associated with the presence of PFAS in FCM: An investigation of the Belgian market

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that have been widely used by various industries, including the food contact material industry. These substances are favoured for their ability to repel oil and resist moisture. However, exposure to PFAS has been linked to several health problems, including effects on the immune system. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), food contact materials (FCM) are likely to contribute to human exposure to PFAS. Therefore, this study investigated the exposure to PFAS from FCM. One hundred and ten FCM made of paper and board (e.g. straws, cups, bowls, boxes etc.), sugar cane or wheat pulp-based FCM, called paper analogues (e.g., cup, bowls, plates, hamburger boxes etc.) were carefully selected on the Belgian market and investigated using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometery. Out of the 25 PFAS targeted, 11 were detected in the samples, mainly perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoDA, PFTrDA) and PFOS. It was found that all of the paper analogue samples contained PFAS, while 43% of the paper and board samples showed the presence of these chemicals. Except for one sample, most detections suggest contamination rather than intentional use. Finally, a risk assessment was conducted, which revealed potential risks for consumers related to a coffee cup made of paper and board and a food tray made of sugar cane.

Recording of hippocampal activity on the effect of convulsant doses of caffeine

Seizures occur when there is a hyper-excitation of the outer layer of the brain, with subsequent excessive synchrony in a group of neurons. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 50 million people are affected by this disease, a third of whom are resistant to the treatments available on the market. Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine), which belongs to the purine alkaloid family, is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug in the world. It is ingested by people through drinks containing this substance, such as coffee, and as an adjuvant in analgesic therapy with non-steroidal antiflammatory drugs. The present study evaluated the electrocorticographic changes observed in the hippocampus of Wistar rats subjected to acute doses of caffeine (150 mg/kg i.p), which represents a toxic dose of caffeine corresponding to an estimated acute intake of more than 12 cups of coffee to record its convulsant activity. Our results showed, for the first time, that the administration of high doses of caffeine (150 mg/kg i.p.) in rats caused an increase in the spectral distribution of power in all frequency bands and suggested the appearance of periods of ictal and interictal peaks in the electrocorticogram (ECog). We have also shown that the anticonvulsants phenytoin, diazepam and phenobarbital have a satisfactory response when associated with caffeine.

Julia Stauber.

"A good day at work starts with a cup of coffee and a clear plan… A turning point in my current research project was when I successfully synthesized a complex molecule that had been deemed too challenging to make…" Find out more about Julia Stauber in her Introducing… Profile.

Effect Of Coffee Drinking Habit to Blood Pressure and Hemoglobin Levels on Women of Childbearing Age

Background: Tenggerese people, especially women, have a habit of drinking coffee, and it has become a daily habit. Coffee is often associated with risk factors for diseases in the community such as anemia and hypertension. This study aims to determine the effect of coffee drinking quantity (1-2 cups, 3-4 cups, and ≥ 5 cups of coffee per day) on hemoglobin levels and blood pressure. Subjects and Method: A quantitative study with a cross-sectional study design was done. This study population was women of reproductive age (15 to 49 years) in Ngadipuro Hamlet, Tengger, East Java, Indonesia. The independent variable of this study is the of daily coffee drinking per cup and the dependent variable of this study is the hemoglobin levels in women of childbearing age. The study instrument used was a questionnaire to screen for those who were a daily coffee drinker and a blood hemoglobin rapid test kit was used to measure the level of hemoglobin.The number of samples in this study was 193 respondents which was chosen using the random sampling technique. Analysis of the quantity of coffee drinking on hemoglobin levels by the Annova test while on blood pressure by the Kruskal Wallis test through SPSS software. Results: The result showed that the quantity of coffee per day on hemoglobin levels had a significance p&lt;0.001. While the quantity of coffee per day on blood pressure had a significance p=0.361. Conclusion: It can be concluded that drinking 1-2 cups of coffee, 3-4 cups, and ≥ 5 cups of coffee daily simultaneously affects hemoglobin levels. In this case, the more quantity of coffee per day, the lower the hemoglobin level. However, the quantity of coffee had no significant effect on blood pressure.

Tracking Trace Elements Found in Coffee and Infusions of Commercially Available Coffee Products Marketed in Poland.

Coffee is a source of micronutrients, including iron, zinc, copper, and manganese. It may also contain toxic metals, such as lead and cadmium. The effects of coffee on the human body may vary depending on its composition. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of ground and instant coffee with regard to the content of selected trace elements. The concentrations of trace elements, including copper, iron, manganese, and zinc, were determined by ICP-AES, while the levels of lead and cadmium were quantified by GF-AAS methods. Furthermore, the degree of coverage of the recommended intake of elements and the risk assessment for human health (EDI, THQ, PTMI, and TWI) were determined. Our findings indicate that the consumption of a cup of coffee provides the body with only small amounts of these elements. A coffee prepared from 6.33 g of ground coffee beans provides 0.08-1.52% of the RDA value, while a coffee prepared from 6.33 g of instant coffee provides 0.46-13.01% of the RDA, depending on the microelement. The low transfer to the brew (Pb = 7.1%; Cd = 30.0%) of the analyzed ground coffees renders them safe for the consumer, even at a consumption of six cups per day. The percentage of benchmark dose lower confidence limit (BMDL0.1) in the case of lead did not exceed 0.9%. The estimated value did not exceed 0.2% of the provisional tolerable monthly intake of cadmium (PTMI). None of the analyzed coffees exhibited any risk regarding the trace elements.