Coffee improves your memory. At least according to this article.
It’s the caffeine, actually.
Maybe that’s why I used to get 100s on my spelling tests when I was in grade school? Because my Aunt, who lived with us for a while and didn’t know better, gave me (and my brother) coffee to drink for breakfast and off we went.
I always did well on spelling tests and now I’m thinking it was the coffee.
I will confess here that I am addicted to coffee. I need some hot in the morning and at various times during the day. Like before noon and around 3 in the afternoon. I used to have some after dinner but gave it up.
Somewhere around this time of year I switch to iced coffee after that first mugful in the morning. But I am very particular about this. Good iced coffee starts out with COLD, STRONG coffee. I hate those places where they make it from hot coffee because then the coffee melts all the ice and the drink is too diluted and doesn’t taste like anything except maybe something is wrong with the water.
I brew a batch of strong coffee, let it cool and keep it in the fridge for when I need a coffee boost. Most of the time I drink it plain, mixed with a little milk. But the other day I prepared some spiced iced coffee and it was quite good too. You can drink it plain also, or with milk or cream.
It becomes dessert if you add a blob of ice cream. And a really lovely grownup beverage if you mix in some rum or brandy.
Spiced Iced Coffee
4 cups strong coffee
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 broken 4-inch cinnamon stick
8 whole cloves
8 whole dried allspice berries
ice cubes
1/3 cup rum or brandy
milk or cream or ice cream if desired
Brew the coffee and place it in a bowl. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves and allspice berries. Let the coffee cool in the refrigerator. Strain the coffee into tall glasses filled with ice cubes. Stir in the rum or brandy, if desired. Add milk or cream to taste, if desired, or add a blob of ice cream. Makes 4 servings