café - AlterNativa3

With the cold weather, what better way to enjoy this long weekend afternoon than to try out the cherry, raspberry, chocolate and coffee muffins recipe by @drabeatiful ?

Discover the step by step

  • 100 grams of defatted almond flour @naturseed
  • 10 grams vegan vanilla protein @natruly_en
  • 1 egg
  • pinch of salt
  • 20 grams of erythritol
  • 125 ml decaffeinated coffee @alternativa3scoop
  • 60 ml coconut oil in liquid form
  • 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips 100%
  • 1/2 teaspoon aluminium-free baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 50 grams of chopped cherry-raspberry mixture

Beat the egg with the erythritol until well blended. Add the coffee and coconut oil and beat again, mixing well. Add the sieved dry ingredients (including the bicarbonate and, finally, the apple cider vinegar to activate it). Add them to the wet mixture while continuing to whisk. Finally, stir in the fruit and chocolate with a spatula or wooden spoon. Pour into muffin tins. Decorate with cherry halves and coconut chips. @naturseed. Bake for about 15 minutes at 150 degrees in a preheated oven. It is best not to open the oven to prevent the muffins from dropping.

Author: Eugenia González.

Is coffee a healthy drink? What is the daily amount of coffee recommended by health professionals? What kind of coffee will suit me best? In this post you will find all the answers you need to enjoy this special treat.

I love coffee, but sometimes I read information that makes me doubt. Is it really a healthy drink? Maybe I should switch to herbal teas... But I like it so much! I have informed myself and found a lot of reasons to stick to coffee. 

However, in order to enjoy it safely, it is necessary to comply with a series of conditions regarding its cultivation, roasting and processing. 

Here I tell you all about it so you can decide what kind of coffee you want to drink.

Why do we love coffee so much?

Because it is a unique product. It is a drink with an unmistakable aroma and flavour... 

Nothing compares to a freshly brewed coffee in the morning. And what about those coffee breaks during the working day? Spending an after-dinner drink with coffee and good company is one of life's simple and wonderful pleasures. 

Coffee invigorates, comforts, its taste and aroma are delicious... and it is integrated into our daily lives. That's why it's hard to imagine life without it.

tasty coffee

Why do I need to drink coffee?

Caffeine is the most widely consumed stimulant substance in the world (it is found in coffee, tea, mate, cola and energy drinks).

Caffeine has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. After drinking coffee you feel more energetic, more alert. Many studies show that moderate doses of caffeine can help improve cognitive and physical arousal levels. It even improves work performance.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) does not consider caffeine to be a drug that creates dependence. But we all know the reality: if you drink coffee regularly and stop drinking it, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. In some cases it is short and mild, but some people notice it a lot. 

How do you cope with a morning without coffee?

Is it a healthy drink?

Yes, it is a drink with many health benefits. However, as it is very tonic and invigorating, it is important to consume it in moderation.

Benefits of Fairtrade coffee

What are the contraindications of coffee?

The first is not to drink it after lunchtime. Caffeine in the afternoon will affect the quality of your night's sleep.

Important: too much coffee can be bad for your bones. Studies show that caffeine can affect the absorption of calcium in the intestine and accelerate its expulsion. Women aged 50 and over are advised to moderate their coffee consumption. 

How much coffee can I drink each day?

It is suggested not to exceed a dose of 4 cups a day (although, of course, an espresso from a bar is not the same as a soluble coffee prepared at home...).  

If you exceed the recommended amounts, you will notice contraindications: nervousness, insomnia, heartburn. 

But hey, in the end, I think it's very important to listen to your own body. There will be days when you'll feel you need a little extra energy and you'll want another coffee. But maybe on a quiet Sunday at home you'll have enough with just one cup in the morning.

As with so many other products, the key to enjoyment is moderation.

WHICH COFFEE WILL SUIT ME BEST?

First of all, it must be environmentally friendly. It is very important that no chemicals have been used in their cultivation or processing. The only healthy coffee will be organic coffee. 

Secondly, it is very important that it is not roasted. This refers to the type of roasting (a fundamental step in the production of any coffee). Roasted coffees add sugar during the production process. Do you know the disadvantages of white sugar? Well, they are all present in any roasted coffee. Don't drink it. 

Natural roasting, on the other hand, roasts the coffee only with hot air, without adding anything else.

Fairtrade organic and natural roast coffees
Fairtrade coffee is the only ethical and sustainable option.

What is an origin coffee?

I am a coffee lover and I like to prepare my coffee at home. That's why I like origin coffees. And you, do you have a favourite coffee?

When we talk about origin coffee, we mean a bean that comes from a specific country, region or producer. There are no blends, but you can fully enjoy coffee from a specific area.

Just as when buying a wine you may want a Denominación de Origen from La Rioja for the nuances that characterise the area, you may like Colombian coffee more for its flavour and aroma. There are many quality origins. 

AlterNativa3 focuses on the bean from certain countries that are already renowned for their coffee growing tradition: Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, Chiapas, Nicaragua...

  • Nicaraguan coffee is smooth, creamy and sweet, with a warm aroma of cocoa...
  • Colombian coffee is recognised all over the world as a high quality product because of its taste and aroma. I like it, I find it a bit stronger. It is ideal for gourmet palates.
  • What about Guatemalan coffee? It is one of the most renowned for its exceptional quality and taste. It is my favourite: it has an aroma of cocoa and caramel, and in its flavour you will find notes of chocolate, almonds and nuts. If you haven't tried it, I recommend it.

Fancy a coffee?

Why is it better to choose Fair Trade coffee?

  • The first product traded in the world is oil. The second is coffee
  • Every day, 1,400,000,000,000 cups are drunk in the world. Yes, 1.4 billion cups...
  • Coffee is worth some $71 billion annually.

But...

  • Coffee is one of the products that generates the most injustice and inequality worldwide. 

That's why the most ethical and sustainable alternative is to consume Fairtrade coffee. 

Fair Trade products ensure that the producers, grouped in cooperatives, receive a fair payment for their work. In addition, the Fair Trade label certifies that they have been produced according to sustainability criteria, i.e. protecting the planet.

AlterNativa3 at the BioCultura Seville 2019 trade fair
ALL AlterNativa3 coffees are organic and Fair Trade.

When you go to AlterNativa3 you are always greeted with a coffee and a smile.

At AlterNativa3 they are experts in coffee making. Visiting them is an experience in itself. 

Downstairs is the warehouse, full of rich products. The office is above it. The aroma of coffee, cocoa and sweet and aromatic products wafts up to the office and makes you smile. 

When they start talking about coffee, you can tell they could go on for hours. They know everything, they explain all the details, it's their job... 

That's why their coffees are so special.

Fair Trade Company in Spain
AlterNativa3 is a family cooperative based in Terrassa. Since its beginnings in 1992 they have been committed to Fair Trade products.

What I am clear about Fairtrade Coffee

Fair Trade is a tool to build a more critical society and a fairer world. 

In a world where there are governments and institutions determined to make you believe that the only way to be part of public life is by voting once every 4 years, or by giving money to NGOs, I know there is something else we can do: replace everyday consumer products with more ethical and sustainable alternatives. These are powerful actions, with a direct impact, that you can do on a DAILY basis.

That's why I suggest you switch to Fairtrade Coffee. It's a powerful action you can take every day and make a real impact TODAY.

Show me Fairtrade coffees

As you know, AlterNativa3 are expert coffee growers. They buy the coffee beans from cooperatives in Southern countries, bring them to Spain and take care of the elaboration with great care and skill. As they are experts, their coffees are very special. On her blog you will find delicious and original recipes with organic and Fairtrade coffee.

Do you want to know more about Coffee? This AlterNativa3 Blog is a mine of information 😊.

Author of the paper: Ariadna Coma, Journalist , Journalist bio@bioecoactual.com  | Here is the original publication.

Enjoying a good coffee, its aroma, its intense flavour, with the peace of mind of knowing that it has been produced with respect for nature and people. This is the concept under which the cooperative works AlterNative3one of the major references in the Spanish organic and Fairtrade sector.

©Bio Eco Actual. Coffee roasting process

AlterNative3 was founded in Terrassa (Barcelona) in 1992 with the aim of offering responsible, sustainable and quality alternatives to everyday consumer products. For almost 30 years, it has been processing coffee, cocoa and sugar in its own processing factory, always combining the respect for the environment with the economic sustainability and a fair treatment producers and workers. A philosophy that drove the project from its origins and that is still present throughout the entire production process: from the procurement of raw materials to the final product.

The cooperative's daily work is based on the production of healthy products, without preservatives or artificial additives, taking the utmost care in the process. To this end, the best raw materials are selected. They are grown in small cooperatives of producers of origin, located mostly in Central and South America, Africa and some regions of Asia. True to the essence of fair trade, AlterNative3 maintains long-term relationships with producers to ensure that they receive a fair price for the production of raw materials and a sufficient economic margin so that they can continue their activity and live in dignified conditions.

Thus, AlterNative3 offers an extensive range of products ethical and quality in its catalogue. Specifically, more than 200 items including coffee, cocoa, sugar, drinks, infusions and sweets, all of them certified by the Fairtrade labels (Fairtrade) and ecological (Euro Leaf).

©Bio Eco Actual. Franc Baile (right) together with the Bio Eco Actual team.

Coffee artisans

The team of Bio Eco Actual was able to witness the dedication and passion of the cooperative's members as soon as they entered the roasting plant, the first and only Fairtrade coffee roaster 100% in Spain. Amidst the enveloping smell of coffee, Antonio Baileco-founder of AlterNative3shows us a small toaster with more than twenty years of history. It was the first to come into operation in the cooperative and is, to this day, a piece honoured for its historical and emotional value.

After the roasting tests, in order to always seek the best point, aroma and flavour of each unique variety or blend of coffee, looking for the perfect formula, the process is automated and the machinery comes into action. The green (raw) coffee beans, from between 15 and 18 origins, are unloaded onto a large scale, where they are measured and mixed or not, depending on the product, to achieve the desired balance for each of the varieties. From there, the coffee travels to the roaster to be slowly roasted at the desired temperature. This is the only way, Antonio explains, to achieve a homogeneous and uniform result for each bean. Finally, the coffee beans are cooled and transferred to the grinding and packaging machines, from where they leave the roaster. more than 100 tonnes of fair trade and organic coffee per year.

Cocoa and sugar

The cocoa and sugar processing plant is located in the adjoining hall. Every year, the following are produced and packaged there 600 tonnes of cane sugar and more than 20 tonnes of cocoa. All the products, once packaged, are transferred to the cooperative's logistics centre: the main warehouse, located a few metres from the factory, next to the offices. There, orders are organised and prepared for shipment to specialised shops, catering establishments and also to private individuals, via the online sales channel.

©Bio Eco Actual. Oriol Urrutia (left) and Antonio Baile, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Alternativa3 (right)

30 years of constant evolution

Strolling among the sacks of coffee, Antonio recalls the evolution of AlterNative3 throughout its almost 30 years of existence. Always seeking the perfect balance between innovation and tradition, the cooperative has grown in terms of production, maintaining its involvement with the philosophy of Fair Trade and with a high level of awareness.

The commitment of AlterNative3 The company's commitment to social responsibility policies encompasses all areas, starting with the relationship with producers and extending to consumers, in order to offer maximum quality and transparency. For this reason, one of its main objectives is to further promote the traceability of the products. "Product traceability is very important for Fairtrade. We would like to be able to better communicate the journey that products take, although it is a global issue for the whole Fairtrade movement," he says. Francisco Baile.

Likewise, the desire to innovate has been key to the cooperative throughout its history in order to adapt to the dynamism of the market and new consumption models without losing sight of its commitment to sustainability. In this respect, the introduction of new packaging machines and the search for new biodegradable materials that generate less waste while keeping all the product's properties intact is one of the cooperative's most recent actions. Likewise, the development of new products, such as the line of zero waste items or the new biodegradable coffee capsules of biodegradable originThe new "new" consumer models, which will be presented shortly, are crucial in order not to lose the thread of the new consumer models.

The cooperative is therefore a clear example of constant reinvention while remaining true to its philosophy. It guarantees that responsibility, solidarity, sustainability and ethics are present in every cup of coffee or chocolate from AlterNative3.

Fancy trying something different in the kitchen? This raw carob, cocoa and coffee biscuits recipe Follow the step-by-step!

Ingredients

  • 125 g raw macadamia nuts (or unroasted almonds or cashews)
  • 20 g cocoa powder
  • 20 g carob powder
  • 30 g cocoa butter
  • 30 g chia seeds
  • 30 g ground erythritol
  • 1 teaspoon of our coffee Chiapas 100 % Arabica
  • 1 teaspoon of vegan vanilla protein
  • 60 ml vegetable almond drink

Step by step

  1. Place all the ingredients, except the cocoa butter, in a food processor and grind into a mouldable dough. Set aside in a bowl.
  2. Then we chop the cocoa butter into small pieces and add them to the batter.
  3. Finally, put the dough into moulds or shape it with your hands and freeze for about 2 hours. It can be kept in the fridge without any problem.

Ready, you've got your raw carob, cocoa and coffee biscuits recipe ready, bon appetit!

How many ways do you know of preparing coffee? For many, morning coffee is a must to start the day with energy, but... do we really appreciate this moment? Today we want to dedicate this article to some of the many ways we have to prepare our coffee. Even if we have only focused on the most basic ones, the truth is that there are quite a few!

But let's start with the type of coffee you buy. If you prefer coffee beansWe recommend that you do not grind it until you are going to prepare it. This way you will retain all the flavour and aroma. If you don't have that much time in your day-to-day life, of course, you can always opt for ground coffee or even capsules. At AlterNativa3, we always strive to offer you the highest quality in any of our products.

But let's move on to the modes of preparation!

Which of these ways of preparing coffee is your favourite?

We are going to see only the main ones, although there are many more that we encourage you to try: with cinnamon, with caramel... there is no limit to the possibilities of coffee!

● Espresso coffee: It needs no introduction. It is the typical black coffee prepared with an espresso machine and served in a small cup with a light layer of foam due to the pressure. Perfect if you want to appreciate the aroma of the coffee or after a meal.
● American coffee: Filter coffee? False! American coffee is actually an espresso to which hot water is added to make it smoother. It originated in the Second World War: American soldiers wanted a bigger coffee than the classic Italian espresso and the problem was solved... by adding water. Curious, don't you think?
● Cut: Another classic that is a must for every after-dinner drink. This is an espresso to which a little hot milk is added.
● Stained milkAnd the other way around! If you fancy a coffee, but nothing too strong, this is a very good option. It involves adding a small amount of coffee to a cup of milk, always putting the coffee on afterwards.
● Coffee with milk: Its name says it all, who hasn't had it for breakfast?
Cappuccino: Cappuccino is not characterised by chocolate! You can add it if you want, of course, but we talk about cappuccino when we have a third of the cup of espresso, a third of milk and a third of foam.
● Mocha coffee: Here, yes, we have a cup divided into three equal parts of coffee, milk and chocolate. If you want, you can also put some chocolate or cinnamon on top.
● Coffee bonbon: It has become a favourite of many. It consists of adding a little condensed milk to an espresso. The truth is that it will delight the sweet tooth.

We also have the Viennese coffee, the Irish coffee, the frappéTurkish coffee and many more! Today we have focused on the basics, but we will continue to expand in future articles. How do you usually prepare your coffee? Tell us about it!

Origin coffee: what is it?

In the last few days, we have been telling you about our origin coffees, which are on promotion during the month of January. But, if you haven't tried them before, you may have wondered whether you'd like to try them. what exactly is an origin coffeeWhat exactly makes it different from any other coffee?

Don't worry because, in this article, we solve your doubts!

What distinguishes an origin coffee?

Very simple: when we talk about origin coffee, we are referring to a bean that comes from a specific country, region or producer. There is no blending, but you can fully enjoy coffee from a specific area.

Just as when buying a wine, you may want a Denominación de Origen from La Rioja because of the nuances that characterise the area, you may like Colombian coffee more for its flavour and aroma. Or you may simply fancy it more at that moment. 

When buying origin coffee, you can genuinely enjoy the flavours and aromas of a particular region.. In the case of AlterNativa3, we focus on beans from certain countries that are already renowned for their coffee tradition. We will tell you more about this later.

Why origin coffee?

Keep in mind that there are many factors that determine the taste and aroma of a coffee. Apart from the way the beans are treated, altitude, weather and many other factors will influence their characteristics..

That's why, if you try all the origin coffees available in our catalogue, we are sure you will be able to detect various nuances. Beyond the work of the cooperatives, you can be convinced that each coffee is imprinted with the character of the area.

We can see it like this: every country, every area is different, and coffee is no different! If you like to try new things and want to discover the history of coffee plantations in different parts of the world, origin coffee is for you.

And the truth is that now... we make it easy for you! Visit our online shop, where you can get our origin coffee in different formats. Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, Chiapas and Nicaragua: which one do you choose?

 

A pumpkin muffins recipe? Sounds like the perfect sweet for autumn, don't you think? @drabeatiful teaches you how to prepare it! Read more.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

  • 65 g almond flour
  • 15 g or 2 teaspoons of ground linseed
  • 10 g psyllium
  • 1 and ¼ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • A pinch of salt
  • 2 eggs
  • ⅓ cup erythritol
  • 1 teaspoon natural vanilla flavouring
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 40 g butter
  • 1 tablespoon of the Chiapas ground coffee by AlterNativa3
  • Coconut cream

For the filling:

  • 60 g pumpkin puree
  • 56 g coconut yoghurt
  • 1 teaspoon erythritol
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla flavouring
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Step by step:

  1. First, we prepare the filling. Add the pumpkin puree and yoghurt to a medium bowl and whisk until well blended. Then add the erythritol, vanilla flavouring and pumpkin pie spice.
  2. Preheat the oven to 180º and meanwhile, mix the almond flour, ground flax, psyllium, baking powder, salt and pumpkin spice in a medium bowl. Whisk well and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, add the erythritol and eggs and beat for 3-5 minutes until the mixture is airy and light in colour. Then add the vanilla flavouring, coffee, apple cider vinegar and butter, still whisking.
  4. Still whisking, add the coconut cream.
  5. Place the dough in muffin tins, put a spoonful of filling and add a little more dough.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes, leave to cool and then make the topping.
  7. Beat an equal quantity of butter and the Greek coconut yoghurt with erythritol and vanilla flavouring to taste. Use a piping bag or a piping bag with a hole in it to make the topping.
  8. That's it! Now you can put the finishing touch by placing chocolate chips as the ghost's eyes.
  9. Finally, leave to cool in the fridge until it has a good texture and enjoy.

Are you up for this autumnal and Halloween-perfect recipe? Then, enjoy your meal!

What is freeze-dried coffee?

The freeze-dried coffee is an instant drink that, when it comes into contact with water, recovers its fundamental characteristics in seconds. This coffee is gaining popularity in Spain, where more and more people are consuming it due to its immediacy in preparation and practicality.

Today, we are going to talk about this delicious coffee and learn all the details about how it is made, what its advantages are... and, of course, how to get it.

Is freeze-dried coffee the same as soluble coffee?

The freeze-drying process is the method that best preserves the aroma and taste of instant coffee. Unlike soluble coffee, freeze-drying does not undergo any chemical manipulation and is therefore more environmentally friendly and more complex.

To make soluble coffee, the coffee powder is extracted, concentrated and dried and spray-dried. In this process, the aroma and flavour are lost, so they need to be added artificially at a later stage.

In the freeze-drying process, the coffee is deep-frozen. It is then placed in a chamber that dehydrates it directly. In this way, the coffee retains all its organoleptic properties intact.

How is freeze-dried coffee made?

To make freeze-dried coffee, expert hands are required, as it is a complex process. We explain it step by step:

  1. ROASTING. First, the coffee is roasted at high temperatures to obtain its unmistakable aroma, flavour and colour.
  2. GRINDING. The coffee beans are then ground.
  3. EXTRACTION. It is then placed in closed tanks where it undergoes a solid-liquid extraction process by injecting hot water at high pressure.
  4. CLARIFICATION. The coffee is then filtered, cooled by lowering the temperature to the point where ice crystals begin to form. Dry air is then added to the extract at a low temperature.
  5. FREEZING. Finally, the extract is frozen at approximately -50ºC and subjected to a sublimation process. In other words, it evaporates due to the effect of vacuum and temperature.

And... voilà! Finally, we have a freeze-dried coffee.

Now all that remains is to enjoy it by simply adding water, milk or vegetable drink to obtain the infusion again with all the aroma and flavour characteristics perfectly preserved.

Advantages of freeze-dried coffee

The main characteristics of freeze-dried coffee are:

  • You can easily prepare your coffee in an instant.
  • It dissolves easily in both hot and cold water or milk.
  • It can be easily mixed with other products to make more complex drinks (cappuccinos, mochas or coffees with more or less milk).
  • It retains aroma and flavour for longer.

Will any freeze-dried coffee do?

As with all coffees, the most important thing is the origin and type of coffee. That is why, at AlterNativa3, our freeze-dried coffee is 100% Arabica, considered to be the highest quality bean.

Plus, our freeze-dried coffee is organic and Fairtrade, so it takes care of you and the planet. Would you like to try it?

 

Today, we explain to you how to prepare a delicious coffee flan? @real_food_vegan tells us her step-by-step instructions for making this delicious dessert, which you will love! Read on and find out all the details.

Ingredients

  • 300 g vegetable drink
  • 100 g of the AlterNativa3 coffee
  • 40 g sweetener or sugar 
  • 2 g agar-agar (vegetable thickening powder)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla essence

Step by step

  1. First put the vegetable drink, coffee and sweetener (or sugar) in a saucepan. Then add the agar-agar with a sieve and finally the vanilla.
  2. Stir well and, in about 2 minutes, bring to the boil.
  3. Remove from the heat and continue stirring.
  4. Now, divide into moulds, leave to warm and then put them in the fridge until they are well set.
  5. Finally, unmould and serve: plain, with cream, with caramel... whatever you prefer!

Are you ready to prepare your own coffee flan?

@little.paleo brings us the step-by-step to prepare a mocha pudding fitDo you want to try it? Read on!

Ingredients (2 persons)

Step by step

1️. First hydrate the gelatine sheets in water.

2. In a saucepan over medium heat, mix the eggs and beaten egg whites with the rest of the ingredients (except for the soaked gelatine sheets, which we will put in at the end) and stir continuously with a whisk.

3. As soon as it thickens a little and is homogeneous, add the gelatine sheets and stir for a further 30 seconds (just to integrate them).

4. Once the mixture has been integrated, put it all in a bowl and leave it to stand until it has cooled.

5️. Once lukewarm, put it in the fridge and wait at least 4-5 hours before eating.

6️. When we are going to eat it, we add our favourite toppings on top. For example, we can add creaminess with some nut cream and a crunch with cocoa nibs.

Have you got your mocha pudding fit yet? Bon appetit!

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