Coffee Drinkers Are A Different People

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30811, 24 July 1965, Page 2

Coffee Drinkers Are A Different People

Confirmed coffee drinkers are, as a race, more humorous, ambitious, adventurous and energetic than heavy tea-drinkers, according to a survey taken in Britain recently. Coffee drinkers worry more, tend to get depressed over trivial matters, but they make more invigorating companions, scientists found.

Small cups of very black coffee are favoured by people in a hurry, those who are determined to reach the top of their profession as quickly as possible. Strong black coffee is preferred also by men and women with a scientific or mechanical turn of mind, the researchers found.

White coffee was the Choice of young and early-middle-aged housewives, persons in clerical, creative or literary professions and by those who had time to spare during the day. Tea was still the cup that cheered most people, for world figures show that 51b

of tea are consumed to every 41b of coffee a year. But coffee is catching up on tea and should eventually overtake it Scientists have found that coffee does not as a rule, impair sleep unless the individual is already worried or preoccupied. Members of a typing pool in California, given small doses of caffeine, an important ingredient in coffee, found their typing speed and efficiency increased. But large doses slowed down their work and lowered its standard. The intake of the amount of caffeine found in two cups of white coffee increased general efficiency for three to four hours and in some cases until the next day.

As a stimulant, coffee is not habit-forming, nor does it cause depression. But many doctors maintain that sooner or later the body must repay, by rest, the added hours of stimulation that large doses of coffee bring. Up to five cups a day can be

consumed without any serious effect, the survey found. What is the best way to make coffee? The coffee industry recommends the drip method. Coffee should be freshly roasted, freshly ground and infused for one or two minutes at a little below boiling point in a glass or china utensil. Metal may affect the taste. The colour, experts say, is no indication of strength. A dark roast will naturally make a darker drink. Basic rules for making good coffee are, briefly as follows: Start with a really clean coffee-maker. Rinsing out is not sufficient. Use freshlydrawn cold water. Buy only a week’s supply of coffee at a time. Do not boil or overbrew. —Provincial Press Features.