Coffee in Baking?

[winter]

Hey all-

I wanted to check this out before purchasing anything that would be unhealthy for myself and for others I bake for:

I have heard that a small amount of espresso powder can add depth to chocolate baked goods, however, I wasn't sure if that would be something that is against the church. I know drinking brewed coffee is, but I didn't know if it was the actual coffee bean that was bad to consume or just the brewing of the bean, since that makes it a "hot drink". I was also wondering about coffee flavoring (the kind that comes in a bottle).

I have shied away from purchasing these products in the past, but would like to know what you all think. If you have facts, too, that would be great. I have had a hard time finding out much about caffeine levels and tannic (sp?) acid in coffee beans and the liquid flavoring- or if there is a chemical change that happens when coffee is brewed compared to when pre-brewed.

Thanks!

[Wingnut]

I haven't ever used coffee in baking, mostly because I don't like the flavor. I do use wine and occasionally even beer in cooking.

[Godless]

Originally Posted by Wingnut

I haven't ever used coffee in baking, mostly because I don't like the flavor. I do use wine and occasionally even beer in cooking.

Cooking with beer = win.

I have no clue what the chemical makeup of coffee flavoring or cooked beans are. I doubt that the bottled stuff would have the tannic acid in it though. It may still have the caffeine, but from what I understand, that's not the reason why your church forbids it. I guess your best bet would be to read the ingredients on the label and see if there is any natural coffee extract in it or if it's all just flavoring.

[ADoyle90815]

First of all, the tannins in tea and coffee are the same thing as found on grape skins, so there's another reason why LDS are told not to consume those things. I myself use coffee in chocolate on a regular basis, as I love the flavor. Then again, I'm not LDS so I never made the commitment to give up coffee, tea, or alcohol. I never smoked, but that's because I realized on my own that tobacco is dangerous.

With coffee, you have to brew it in some form even for cooking because the beans are still grainy after grinding. It might be best to leave coffee out of cooking if it concerns you.

[winter]

This is to Godless and ADoyle-

Thanks for replying-

ADoyle:

I don't understand this part: "First of all, the tannins in tea and coffee are the same thing as found on grape skins, so there's another reason why LDS are told not to consume those things."

The last part of that sentence doesn't seem clear to me- LDS aren't supposed to consume grapes? Or they aren't supposed to consume tea and coffee because of the tannins found on grape skins? Neither sounds correct and I don't think you meant either of them, but it's all I can get out of it. Could you clarify?

And normally, yes, you would have to brew the coffee to put it in, but there is actually a powdered form of espresso that you can put right in as is, no brewing required. =)

Godless:

I am not concerned about beer or wine, both of which I also use in cooking often- wine nearly 3x/week. I also am of the mindset that the church doesn't forbid coffee and tea because of caffeine necessarily, but I personally believe it is not good for you and choose not to drink anything with caffeine in it. (I know chocolate has some). I do believe it has more to do with the tannic acids (the church stance on coffee and tea) and maybe even the heat of the beverage.

I have tried reading the labels, but information about tannic acid is never listed =).

[TeancumsSword]

Originally Posted by winter

This is to Godless and ADoyle-

Thanks for replying-

ADoyle:

I don't understand this part: "First of all, the tannins in tea and coffee are the same thing as found on grape skins, so there's another reason why LDS are told not to consume those things."

The last part of that sentence doesn't seem clear to me- LDS aren't supposed to consume grapes? Or they aren't supposed to consume tea and coffee because of the tannins found on grape skins? Neither sounds correct and I don't think you meant either of them, but it's all I can get out of it. Could you clarify?

And normally, yes, you would have to brew the coffee to put it in, but there is actually a powdered form of espresso that you can put right in as is, no brewing required. =)

Godless:

I am not concerned about beer or wine, both of which I also use in cooking often- wine nearly 3x/week. I also am of the mindset that the church doesn't forbid coffee and tea because of caffeine necessarily, but I personally believe it is not good for you and choose not to drink anything with caffeine in it. (I know chocolate has some). I do believe it has more to do with the tannic acids (the church stance on coffee and tea) and maybe even the heat of the beverage.

I have tried reading the labels, but information about tannic acid is never listed =).

Do you drink caffeinated soft-drinks (pop for those out East)? If you do you shouldn't worry about a little coffee flavoring in your baking.

[winter]

Wait! I have to stand up in defense of the East (which is where I am from!) It's soda back East, at least anywhere I have been along that coast- not pop! Pop is out here in Utah (where I live now!) and everywhere else out West that I have been. =) Everyone I know out East makes fun of Westerners for saying "pop". It's kinda a big deal (in a fun way). There's a lot of playful banter about what the correct term is.

Ok, back to our regular conversation. No, like I said earlier, I don't drink caffeine- period. I don't even drink soda, for that matter. Juice, herbal tea on occasion, milk and water.

[TeancumsSword]

Originally Posted by winter

Wait! I have to stand up in defense of the East (which is where I am from!) It's soda back East, at least anywhere I have been along that coast- not pop! Pop is out here in Utah (where I live now!) and everywhere else out West that I have been. =) Everyone I know out East makes fun of Westerners for saying "pop". It's kinda a big deal (in a fun way). There's a lot of playful banter about what the correct term is.

Ok, back to our regular conversation. No, like I said earlier, I don't drink caffeine- period. I don't even drink soda, for that matter. Juice, herbal tea on occasion, milk and water.

Oops I had it backwards. It's probably because I'm from the West and I say
"soft drinks"

[Godless]

Originally Posted by winter

Wait! I have to stand up in defense of the East (which is where I am from!) It's soda back East, at least anywhere I have been along that coast- not pop! Pop is out here in Utah (where I live now!) and everywhere else out West that I have been. =) Everyone I know out East makes fun of Westerners for saying "pop". It's kinda a big deal (in a fun way). There's a lot of playful banter about what the correct term is.

Ok, back to our regular conversation. No, like I said earlier, I don't drink caffeine- period. I don't even drink soda, for that matter. Juice, herbal tea on occasion, milk and water.

Lol, I'm right there with you on that one!

[john doe]

I don't know the official rule, but for me personally, if it contains the coffee bean or portions of it, I don't knowingly use it. It's probably fine, but that's my personal preference. I'm really not informed enough about all these newfangled espressos and hot drinks to be an authority to tell what exactly is what, so on this one I err on the side of caution.