05/10/2025

ON SUNDAY October 5, 2025 theSunday Special VII

W E Malaysians love our cof fee, don’t we? It seems we not only consume them, but we make pretty good ones, too and this is not a self-proclaimed statement. According to The World’s 100 Best Cof fee Shops list for 2025, three Malaysian cafés made the cut: Story of Ono (in SS2, Petaling Jaya, ranked at number 9), Ome E\ 6SDFHEDU &R̆ HH 3HQDQJ UDQNHG DW number 56) and Sin See Tai (Melaka, ranked at number 73). These cafés were evaluated on everything from bean quality DQG EDULVWD ¿QHVVH WR VXVWDLQDELOLW\ DQG public acclaim. It’s proof that Malaysia is VWHSSLQJ XS RQWR WKH JOREDO FR̆ HH VWDJH H LGGHQ SHUNV RI FD̆ HLQH \RX SUREDEO\ GLGQ¶W NQRZ T KH UHDVRQ PRVW SHRSOH ORYH FR̆ HH LV LWV ability to perk us up. This is due to the pri PDU\ FRPSRQHQW LQ FR̆ HH ± FD̆ HLQH %XW beyond the ability to increase alertness are VRPH OHVVHU NQRZQ FD̆ HLQH EHQH¿WV WKDW make it worth sipping on: • C D̆ HLQH SURPRWHV '1$ UHSDLU Studies show caffeine triggers en hanced DNA repair mechanisms, particularly after UV exposure. This helps shield skin cells from mutations. In short, your morning cuppa might support your cellular bodyguards. • B RRVWV IDW EURZQLQJ LQ IDW FHOOV Research has found caffeine boosts thermogenesis and encourages white fat to convert into metabolically active brown fat. This process raises calorie burn in the background. It’s not a miracle diet, but it is a neat metabolic assist. • S XSSRUWV OLYHU FHOO UHQHZDO M RGHUDWH FR̆ HH LQWDNH KDV EHHQ OLQNHG to increased autophagy in liver cells. What is this fancy word, you may ask? It is a cellular process where a cell breaks down and recycles its own damaged or unnecessary components. $ )LQQLVK VWXG\ VKRZHG WKDW FR̆ HH drinkers had healthier livers on scans, as a result of increased autophagy. • E QKDQFHV H[HUFLVH HQGXUDQFH Caffeine helps muscle cells release DQG UHXSWDNH FDOFLXP PRUH Ḣ FLHQWO\ improving endurance performance. Athletes often use it to delay fatigue because calcium management directly boosts muscle contraction stamina. Don’t believe us? Go to the ingredients list of a pre-workout drink and the PDLQ LQJUHGLHQW ZLOO OLNHO\ EH FD̆ HLQH • 1HXURSURWHFWLRQ EH\RQG DOHUWQHVV R HJXODU FD̆ HLQH LQWDNH KDV EHHQ DV sociated with a lower risk of neurode generative diseases like Parkinson’s

Coffee uncovered: More than ¦ËÃÈ v ³À®œ®— ïá

BY ASHRAF WAHAB

IF you’re craving caffeine but tired of typical brews, these natural sources are worth exploring: • Tea leaves: Black, green and oolong teas contain caffeine plus antioxidants like EGCG that support heart and brain health. • Yerba mate: A South American brew rich in caffeine, theobromine and theophylline. It gives smooth energy without the jittery highs. • Guarana: Native to the Amazon, gua rana seeds have double the caffeine content of coffee beans. Common in energy drinks and weight-loss supple ments. • Kola nut: Traditionally used in West African cultures, the kola nut is caf feinated and used as a flavouring for sodas like cola and root beer. • Cacao: Raw cacao powder con tains small amounts of caffeine and mood-lifting compounds, including theobromine and phenylethylamine. • Coffee fruit: The husk or “cascara” of coffee cherries is dried and brewed into tea. It’s a mild, fruity caffeinated drink with added antioxidants. While caffeine offers more than just alertness, from DNA repair and mood stability to fat-burning and muscle endur ance – moderation is key. Responses vary from person to person; too much may disturb sleep or provoke jitters. Aim for a moderate intake of around 200mg to 400mg daily (approximately 2 to 4 cups of coffee). So, the next time you sip your Ameri cano, latte or kopi O , remember: You’re tapping into more than just a wake-up call. You’re joining a global ritual with surprising health perks and cultural quirks that stretch beyond our mugs. Beyond coffee: Other natural caffeine sources

and Alzheimer’s. Studies suggest it may reduce abnormal protein clumps in the EUDLQ DQG HDVH QHXURLQÀDPPDWLRQ • $ PRRG VWDELOLVHU DOWHUQDWLYH L RZ GRVH FD̆ HLQH KDV GHPRQVWUDWHG PLOG DQWLGHSUHVVDQW H̆ HFWV LQ VRPH WULDOV 7KLV ZLWKRXW WKH VLGH H̆ HFWV RI prescription meds. It works by boost ing neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, subtly lifting mood. S WUDQJH FR̆ HH ULWXDOV C R̆ HH FXOWXUH VSDQV WKH ZRUOG LQ GHOLJKW fully odd ways. Here are some curious sips worth trying: • G HRUJLDQ TYHYUL FR̆ HH I Q *HRUJLD WKH\ EUHZ FR̆ HH LQ HQRU mous earthenware amphorae, known as qvevri. Beans steep slowly alongside wine lees and spices in clay vessels buried underground. The result? A WKLFN IUXLW\ EUHZ WKDW¶V SDUW FR̆ HH part local tradition. • S ZHGHQ¶V ND̆ HVODEEHUDV This is not your quick espresso run. .DɣHVODEEHUDV is an all-day, sit-and FKDW FR̆ HH IHVW %UHZV UXQ VWURQJ DQG

socialising even stronger. It’s about FRPPXQLW\ QRW FD̆ HLQH WKRXJK \RX¶OO want more than one cup to stay awake. • S ZHGHQ¶V VQRZ FR̆ HH Snow coffee is taken literally. Yes, brewed coffee is poured over clean snow in the northern part of Sweden. The sudden chill crystallises oils in the brew, giving a sharper taste. Beyond novelty, it’s a matter of survival: Snow was used as impromptu ice when no fridge was available. • E WKLRSLD¶V EXQQD FHUHPRQ\ W KROH FR̆ HH EHDQV DUH URDVWHG RYHU charcoal, ground by hand and brewed in a clay vessel called a MHEHQD . It’s a rit ualistic three-round pouring ceremony with incense and deep conviviality. The ¿UVW FXS LV ELWWHU WKH VHFRQG ULFKHU WKH third mild. Make no mistake, every cup brings people closer. • K RSL OXZDN &R̆ HH E\ FLYHW Arguably the most controversial and H[SHQVLYH FR̆ HH LQ WKH ZRUOG NRSL OX wak hails from Indonesia and nearby regions. The beans are eaten, digested and excreted by the Asian palm civet (an animal which looks like a cross between a fox and a raccoon). The coffee beans are then taken from the civet’s faeces. Fermentation in the animal’s gut is said to remove ELWWHUQHVV DQG LPSDUW VPRRWKHU ÀD vour notes. While some connoisseurs swear by its velvety taste, concerns over animal welfare and commercial exploitation have led to calls for sourc ing only wild or ethically harvested NRSL OXZDN .