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The third Monday is January, known as Blue Monday, is typically considered to be the most depressing day of the year. Our bank accounts hit an all time low after Christmas and the knowledge that the festive season is over really sets in.

The Students' Union over in DCU wanted to do their part to bring a smile pack to people's faces last Monday… and what better way to do that than with a free caffeine boost?

The first five people to comment with their current location on the SU's Facebook page received a hand-delivered coffee of their choice to anywhere on campus.

So sweet. BTW guys, ours is a skim vanilla latte. Just sayin'.

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If you're a coffee addict, you've no doubt been privy to the long list of disadvantages it comes with. Blood sugar spikes, dehydration, bloating… it would be enough to make us throw in the towel and have a green juice instead, if only our morning latte wasn't so darn tasty.

Luckily though, there's finally been some good news about our favourite beverage – hurrah!

A significant new study has found that drinking coffee regularly could reduce your chances of developing cancerous melanoma, a.k.a skin cancer.

Over the 10.5 year study, the US National Institute of Health found that people who drank four or more cups of coffee a day were 20% less likely than non-drinkers to develop malignant melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer. The benefits even apply to decaf coffee, though the best results were achieved with the standard caffeinated version.

Coffee is thought to contain various compounds that help our body to fight cancer by suppressing certain cells, reducing inflammation, absorbing harmful UV rays and detoxifying carcinogens.

So next time you're craving a caffeine hit, don't feel too guilty about indulging!

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There is no great joy in life than a fresh cup of coffee, but just how addicted are you?

Here are some key signs that you should just call it a day and start investing all of your earnings in Nescafé shares…

1. You make a cup on auto pilot the second you get up
It wouldn't be morning without coffee!

2. You're pretty much a walking zombie til that first sip
You can't be help responsible for anything you say/do before you get your fix.

3. You lust after fancy Nespresso machines like other people lust after clothes
Think of all those pods waiting to be used…

4. You spend more on coffee than food or clothing in any given month
It's a fact.

5. You know Starbucks is "the enemy" but you can't help but love it
Who can resist the legendary Pumpkin Spice Latte?

6. You openly judge strangers on their coffee orders
You can tell a lot about someone by their choice of brew.

7. Just the smell is enough to get you all jittery and excited
DID SOMEONE SAY COFFEE?

8. You tried to give it up for a day and it was a total car crash
It's just too good!

 

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Like the Coca-Cola trucks, the Brown Thomas windows and the Late Late Toy Show, the Starbucks red cups are a sign that Christmas is well and truly on the way.

With the arrival of the Pumpkin Spice Latte last month for autumn, we knew the Christmas flavours wouldn't be long coming. But things are about to get even more festive this year with the arrival of a NEW drink – the Chestnut Praline Latte. Call us "basic" if you like, but this news has us VERY excited.

The drink was released in a few branches in the US last year as a test run, and it looks goooood:

 

Early morning #Starbucks! New Flavor: Chestnut Praline!!! Amazing!

A photo posted by Naomi Parfait (@naomiparfait) on

​The Chestnut Praline Latte is the first new Christmas beverage to be released by the coffee giant in five years, and it will accompany our old faves, the Gingerbread Latte and the Peppermint Mocha. 

It apparently beat the Cherry Jubilee Mocha to win a place on the Christmas menu. Couldn't we just have had both?

The new drink has "flavours of caramelized chestnuts and spices" and comes topped with whipped cream plus a light sprinkle of praline crumbs. Nom. Roll on November 12th!

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Whether you drink it first thing in the morning or after dinner, there's nothing better than a creamy cup of coffee. Espresso, americano, latte, or some crazy flavour combo from Starbucks – whatever your poison, coffee is the uncrowned king of hot beverages. Except maybe tea – but that's another story altogether!

Although coffee is often criticised for its unhealthy properties, a steaming mug of java (even decaf!) actually has some great health benefits too…

1. It can make us happier!
Studies have shown that those who drink four or more cups of coffee a day are less likely to be depressed. It's not from the "caffeine high" though – instead it's down to the high level of antioxidants found in fresh coffee. Which brings us to our next point…

2. Coffee is a HUGE source of antioxidants
Although fruit and vegetables are also great sources, apparently the antioxidants found in coffee are absorbed by our body much more easily.

3. The smell alone makes stress levels drop
The scent of fresh coffee or coffee beans reduces stress levels – but specifically the stress that comes with sleep deprivation. So your morning coffee isn't just waking you up when you're overtired, it's calming you down too!

4. Coffee helps liver health
A 22-year long study, published in 2006, showed that people who drank coffee were 20% less likely to get liver cirrhosis – a disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption which can lead to liver failure.

5. Drinking coffee can even make you more intelligent!
The jolt from a cup of coffee not only makes you more focused, it also improves logical reasoning, reaction times and vigilance – all of which are linked to levels of intelligence.

And finally… if you're really not convinced, maybe this drool-inducing latte GIF will tip you over the edge… 

So beautiful!

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Ah, caffeine. Truly the best friend of anyone who hates mornings.

Is there anything better than a steaming mug of coffee or milky tea to get the day started off on the right foot? Yes, it turns out. Although many of us rely on our morning cuppa to get us going, excess caffeine can actually work against you. High levels of caffeine can cause increased heart rate and stress, while the blood sugar crash later in the day will only make you more tired. Not ideal.

Here are some other energy-boosting options to try in the mornings:

1. Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea contains no caffeine – so it will leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated without any jitters. This minty tea also aids digestion so it’s a great option if you’re feeling cramped, bloated or sluggish.

2. Ginger and honey tea
Ginger is a great immune-boosting ingredient and its zingy flavour will wake you up instantly. Honey will tone down the ginger’s strong flavour, making a nice sweet tea. Make your own by slicing some fresh ginger and placing it in a cup of hot water with a half-spoon of honey, or buy the pre-made teabags.

3. Smoothie
Smoothies are a great option if you have a little extra time in the morning. Using banana and yoghurt as a base, add citrus fruits and berries for an extra wake-me-up kick. Alternatively, go for a nutrient hit with a green smoothie containing superfoods like spinach and kale alongside fruits.

4. Green tea
This does contain caffeine but generally less than black tea, and far less than coffee. If you’re not a fan of the earthy taste, add some lemon juice or honey or try flavoured green tea. Green tea boosts your metabolic rate, which not only helps your body to kick off the day, but is also an advantage if you’re trying to lose weight.

5. Lemon and water
This might be a simple option but it will definitely give you that extra push to get going in the mornings. Simply pop a slice of lemon into some ice water, or for an extra zing, grate some lemon zest in there too.

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If nothing gives you more pleasure during the day than sipping on a flavoursome cup of coffee, well then we have some good news.

Coffee – in moderation of course – actually has some health benefits, although we have never really associated caffeine with being healthy so we’re a little sceptical here.

Well, this is all according to BuzzFeed who has created a awesome video that means we can drink more coffee! Well, if they say we can we’re taking it for proof.

So drink up, ladies!

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Word on the street is that you can walk into Starbucks and order something that isn’t even on the menu – well, at least not the menu that we all see. There is another, SECRET menu that has been created for Starbucks fans, by Starbucks fans.

Here are five drinks from it that we think sound absolutely delicious – have you tried any of them?

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Frappuccino
If you’re a fan of Aeros, then you’ll probably enjoy this too!

Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino
Made up of mocha syrup mixed with cinnamon dolce syrup and topped with cinnamon powder, this one should satisfy cinnamon loves no end.

Kit Kat Frappuccino
There aren’t any actual Kit Kats in this, but it’s meant to taste just as good!

Cha Cha Latte

If you like green tea, you should give this mix of green tea and chai syrup a go. A healthy option, perhaps?

Almond Roca Frappuccino
A mixture of caramel and toffee nut syrup, this sounds like the dream coffee. We’ll definitely be giving this a go one of these autumn evenings!

You can find more amazing drinks at starbuckssecretmenu.net

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If you thought the only thing your coffee did was wake you up in the morning, then think again. A survey of 1,000 people by the Irish Coffee Council has found that the kind of coffee you choose, can actually reveal a lot about your personality.

In a general sense, coffee drinkers were found to be more extroverted than non-coffee drinkers, meaning they enjoy being around other people, which could explain why coffee houses are always so packed! But if you want to get down to the nitty gritty of specific coffees, the read on:

Americano drinkers: crowd-pleasers who are generally considered out-going and sociable. They actively seek out new personal engagements and thrive in groups. However, they are more likely than others to be somewhat moody and unpredictable with their emotions, so watch out!  

Cappuccino: the people who drink this style of coffee are full of life, energy and positivity. Cappuccino drinkers are likely to be seen as kind and considerate.

Latte: more reserved than others, preferring to create close personal relationships in intimate settings rather than socialising in larger groups. They are also seen as helpful and generous with their time.

Coffee with a sprinkle of chocolate: these people seek out new experiences and love to meet new people. They tend to be spontaneous and prefer to take the world as it comes!

Espresso: disorganised and spontaneous. They enjoy their own company and enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. They are introverted but they have no difficulty speaking with others, they just prefer their own company.

So, does your coffee choice match your personality?

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If you love nothing more than sitting in a cafe with a delicious, flavoursome cup of coffee then you need to head to these places.

Reamy Camera Cafe, Yangpyeong, South Korea
A coffee shop that looks like a giant camera? What’s not to love! Although, we think it resembles a speaker more than a camera…

Cafe Grumpy, New York City
Lena Dunham worked here as a barista in Girls so we are definitely popping in for a coffee the next time we’re in New York. Plus it’s called Cafe Grumpy – amazing!

Screaming Beans, Amsterdam
This cafe is not as scary as it sounds. It is a sleek and cool place to while away the afternoon.

Kronotrop, Istanbul
You can get coffees from all over the world in this one spot including Nicaragua and Ethiopia – amazing.

Coffee Kiosk, Dublin
You have definitely driven past this, but next time you do park the car and pop in. With beans sourced from around the world, this tiny takeaway coffee shop needs to be on your morning run.

 

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Buzzfeed have published a list of ’25 coffee shops around the world you must see before you die’, and 3fe on Grand Canal Street made it to number 15!

In the article they said that “The vibes are so peaceful and calm that you’ll get lost watching the baristas prepare coffee” – we are SOLD!

Owner Colin Harmon is delighted with the publicity: “We’ve managed to make it onto a few international lists over the years, mostly thanks to the various baristas we’ve had compete at the World Barista Championships.

“We have quite a high profile internationally as a result but most of the coffee drinking public in Ireland have never heard of us so lists like this are great for business.”

Harmon appreciated how the article paid tribute to his dedicated staff as well: “It’s so nice that the article made reference to the staff in 3fe because they all put a huge emphasis on service and making sure customers feel welcome at the shop.”

We’ll definitely be heading down soon!

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Many food trends have come and gone, but Bulletproof coffee looks like it might be here to stay.

The idea sounds disgusting and even dangerous, but many health addicts swears it gives you the much needed energy boost to help get you through the day.

The butter and coffee mix apparently provides your brain and body with the healthy fats that are apparently missing from our diets.

So as well as giving you energy, Bulletproof coffee will help to also increase cognitive function that you can literally feel when it kicks in for about six hours- and without the crash.

Not only has it been proven to help give you a much needed kick for your day, but it can also help with weight loss. Drinking it each morning puts your body in the routine to burn fat all day, helping you trim down overall.

So what do you need to do? Well, it’s simple really – just add two tablespoons to your coffee and there’s your perfect breakfast alternative.

We doubt it tastes nice, but if it does this and more, it’s worth a try?

 

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