September 16, 2008 - In the past century the incidence of male pattern baldness (MPB) has significantly increased and according to many, part of the blame is due to the modernization of our society. Today, Western diets contain high concentrations of sugar, fat and animal protein, which according to researchers - have all been correlated in some way to the increase in dihydroxytestosterone (DHT) - a compound believed to cause male pattern baldness. Luckily, according to German scientists at Alpecin Cosmetic , experiments with caffeine laden shampoos have shown significant  increases in hair growth and overall results.

September 9, 2008 - the year has come and gone, but this year in particular holds a special significance. This month, in my final issue of Under the Microscope, we discuss some of coffee's darker side - coffee adulteration. Thats right, even as far back as the 1700's coffee adulteration was such a wide spread issue, that the British Parliment passed the "Adulteration of Coffee Act" - a law which essentially forbade the adulteration of coffee with cheaper products. In the years therafter the law twarted many would be perpetrators but only for a short time. As human nature...

August 20, 2008 - Dora Jaramillo slides off the top of a wooden box to reveal 36 numbered vials of "perfume." Each number in the kit corresponds to a different aroma commonly found in coffee, some positive (lemon and butter) and some not so positive (medicinal and rubber). These codified aromas are part of Jaramillo's professional infrastructure...

See LA Times article

July 18, 2008 - What do rotten eggs, bad breath, and stinky feet all have in common with coffee? Well more than you think! In this months issue - The Science of Coffee Aroma - by Roast Magazine - well discuss one of the complex areas of olfactory research. Even in this modern age we still have not fully understood what makes up coffee's aroma, and we know even less on the science behind smelling itself. Interesting when you consider that 75% of coffee's flavor is simply smell alone. The subject was one which I presented at Specialty Coffee Association's Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. So enjoy this months column as we take you on a brief tour of coffee aroma!