Coffee

I have never been a person to like coffee.

I hate coffee, coffee tofee, coffee cake … I basically hate anything related to coffee.

As Arabs, we are known to love coffee. And I do think Arabic coffee is one of the best coffees in the world. Coffee is even associated with some of our traditions. Whenever you have guests over at your place, it is considered generous and respectful of you to serve coffee. However, coffee is mostly served last; shortly before the guests are supposed to leave. Some people might find it offensive to be served coffee first, as they think they are unwelcomed.

Anyway, I really do not know of many people who dislike coffee. I know my aunt does, and whenever coffee was served, she would drink tea. She was the only one who drank tea while everyone else had their coffees, maybe it is the reason why I developed this idea that all Arabs should like coffee since it is too important social wise. I mean tea and coffee are always served, yet I do not drink neither coffee nor tea. I will be having my special Nescafe with 3/4 of it being milk.

Now, I do not know how accurate the following health benefits of coffee are, but if they are true, then you coffee drinkers got lucky somehow

• Coffee drinking may lower your risk of colon cancer by up to 25 percent because of its ability to help keep you regular.
• Two observational studies found that regular coffee intake reduced the risk of developing kidney stones.
• People with asthma who drink coffee can have up to 25 percent fewer symptoms because one of the compounds in coffee – theophylline – acts as a bronchodilator.
• Other diseases that coffee may help prevent: cirrhosis of the liver, Parkinson’s disease, skin cancer, and gallstones.
• Research shows that three or four cups a day (under two cups for pregnant women) are not going to do any harm.