Why Do People Drink Coffee After Dinner?

-

Paying for Dinner A single coffee shot can provide an exquisite finish to a dinner. Image Credit: Steve Mason/Photodisc/Getty Images

What started as a niche beverage in the Horn of Africa around the 15th century has graduated to a ubiquitous dining subculture. Worldwide, coffee is among the most valuable commodities, and caffeine, its vital ingredient, is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance. More than half of American adults drink at least one cup daily. Whether a gourmet brew percolated with specialty apparatus or a generic mug-whisked instant, coffee remains a universal conclusion to dinner.

Video of the Day

Coffee Tradition

In the era of unbridled tobacco consumption, serving coffee after dinner provided a tacit signal for guests to light up cigarettes or cigars. At formal dinner parties, the practice still exists of serving coffee in separate lounges to men and women, usually accompanied by cigars or digestifs such as Cognac. Where smoking is not permitted or desired, coffee remains an appropriate method of balancing the palate after a particularly sweet dessert. In France, coffee is always served after dessert, not with it, and is savored at length before the check is requested.

Health Benefits

Coffee aficionados argue that an after-dinner Robusta or Arabica brew is not so much indulgence as plain healthy living. Coffee is one of the single leading sources of antioxidants in the Western diet, absorbed more effortlessly into the bloodstream than other nutrients. Likewise, coffee increases the metabolic rate by up to 11 percent, improving fat burning after a heavy meal. Evidence also exists that coffee boosts cognitive brain function, including alertness, by facilitating the enhanced firing of neurotransmitters. After a long, sumptuous dinner, a quick shot of coffee is the ideal way to counter sluggishness and lethargy.

Myths Busted

Many diners shy away from the after-dinner coffee in the belief that even the shortest dose is responsible for indigestion, stomach pains or even heart palpitations. The real culprit of these symptoms is often overindulgence of foods that were too spicy or rich. Medical evidence shows that drinking an espresso after dinner slows digestion, better equipping the body to break down a heavy meal. In particular, caffeine slows the transfer of food from the stomach to the duodenum and increases metabolism. Contrary to popular belief, coffee does not cause stomach ulcers, although it can exacerbate heartburn in some people.

Cultural Considerations

Italian or French restaurants typically serve a short shot of espresso in a demitasse cup as their after-dinner coffee, delivering the perfect amount of rich roast flavor to complement a heavy dinner. While it is acceptable to add a dash of milk or cream (called a macchiato), it would be something of a faux pas to order a cappuccino after dinner. This frothy, foaming milk and coffee blend dusted with chocolate powder is strictly a morning drink; purists would never drink it after midday, because the milk is thought to hamper digestion. Italians do not drink it after any meal, even lunch.

Share this article

Recent posts

Teachers’ Top Needs for 2019

0
Teachers’ Top Needs for 2019Great classrooms don’t happen by accident. Teachers across the country work hard to build vibrant, energizing learning environments for their students, which often means ev

Top Tips to Transition Back to Work After Baby

0
Top Tips to Transition Back to Work After BabyMany new parents spend hours preparing for the arrival of a new baby – reading books, seeking professional advice and consulting friends and family. Howev

Get Away Without Going Away

0
Get Away Without Going Away5 family staycation ideas that won’t break your budgetFamily vacations are a great way to bond and take a step back from the hectic schedules that accompany everyday life, b

5 Common Questions for Memorializing a Loved One

0
5 Common Questions for Memorializing a Loved OneOne of the most difficult conversations in a person’s life typically takes place near the end of that life. Planning for a funeral can put an emotional

Boat Safe

0
Boat SafeEnsure your boat is ready for the water with this checklist No matter how much experience you have on the water, prepping your boat – and your passengers – before leaving the dock can make fo

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Recent comments