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You make two discoveries about coffee as you get on in years.

One – you need it to function properly, because early mornings can take a turn south if you don’t get your caffeine fix.

The second is that your morning cuppa can do more than just power your morning – it can also make a big difference to your health.

The instant stuff is convenient, but if we take a minute to be honest with ourselves, it’s never as good as a freshly ground brew.

To make sure that you’re really getting the most out of that daily dose, Mindbodygreen put together a few tips and tricks.

Buy dark-roasted, fresh coffee beans

The fresher the better.

Fresh coffee beans support brain health. Compared to a light or medium roast, dark-roasted beans tend to have the lowest levels of acrylamide.

Unsure where to find these magic beans?

I keep my kitchen stocked with this caffeine-infused miracle and it hasn’t failed me yet:

Trust me when I say that it will get you going in the morning.

Grab it online here.

Store your coffee properly

Whether you prefer to order your beans from all corners of the world, or have grown wise to the ethically sourced, expertly farmed and roasted coffee beans that you can buy locally, they need to be stored properly.

Beans need love, and leaving them open to the world is going to change their flavour profile. Oxygen, moisture, and light are the enemy.

Grind your coffee just before you use it

Buying whole beans and grinding them just before you need them is a surefire way to get the most out of that flavour profile.

Whole beans hold their flavour for longer.

Make it a cold brew

Brewing methods with a shorter contact time, like espresso, Turkish coffee, or Aeropress require more finely ground coffee beans. Use a medium grind for stovetop coffees, and course grounds if you’re making a cold brew.

A cold brew contains less acidity than your standard hot cup of coffee, which can make it easier on the gut.

At the same time, they can be tricky to make and can be ordered online if you’re not up to the task of trying your hand at making one at home.

Microdosing

The idea here is to make your coffee last to avoid the afternoon jitters.

Personally, I don’t mind the jitters – it keeps me on my toes.

If you’re not a fan, limit your intake to one cup a day, followed by some green tea.

My preferred port of call when it comes to fresh beans and the happiness they bring is Terbodore Coffee Roasters.

They also deliver my order to my door which means zero effort, but all the rewards.

You can check them out here if you want to elevate your coffee game.

[source:mbg]