Is coffee diuretic? – The facts in a row

There are quite a few myths floating around about drinking coffee. One states that drinking coffee makes you dehydrated. Professor of Nutrition and Cardiovascular Diseases Marianne Geleijnse, (Wageningen University & Research) debunks this myth in a Volkskrant interview.

She states that the caffeine present in coffee can stimulate the bladder a little more quickly, but that there is never more fluid out than entered. She thinks that starting the day with coffee is an excellent choice because coffee is not diuretic.

A glass of water with the coffee – the culinary 'why?' behind an Italian custom.

But why, if coffee does not remove extra moisture from the body, do some restaurants serve a glass of water with the espresso?

The culinary journey

Inspired restorers know that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Culinary translation: a good dinner is an exciting but harmonious journey through the land of flavours. Aperitif, starter, main course with matching wine and dessert: they are separate chapters but together they form a story, one whole.

Harmony and contrasts

The character of a dinner is adapted to the company, occasion and season. For example, the starters are intended to stimulate the appetite and initiate the meal, proteins in main courses soften the dry mouthfeel of tannins (present in red wine) and the bitterness in black coffee provides a pleasant counterbalance to lavish, sweet desserts.

Because these kinds of culinary adventures influence the taste of their coffee too much for many Italian espresso lovers, a glass of water is served with the order. The water is drunk before the coffee with the aim of neutralizing the taste in the mouth. The pure, invigorating sensation of coffee comes into its own.

How does it actually sound?

A clear “How is it supposed to be?” is not there. With or without water with an espresso? You can, but you don't have to. If you want to enjoy the taste of our top coffees the Italian way, just drink a glass of water first. Tasty and beautiful food, preferably with friends and family and ending with fantastic coffee… Life is beautiful, it makes me hungry!