The false god of coffee • Hacker News Board

Re: The false god of coffee

#81

Post by blhack » Sun, Oct 25, 2009, 2:51 PM UTC

I'm surprised that nobody here has yet mentioned Yerba Matte.

I've never seen any studies or anything, just going on what I felt like my experience was, but it seems like all the benefits of coffee (altertness) with none of the bad side effects (jittery, crashing, etc.)

Re: The false god of coffee

#82

Post by pbhjpbhj » Sun, Oct 25, 2009, 2:58 PM UTC

gord wrote: post #59

Recently took the plunge and went from 7 cups coffee plus 5 tea per day.. to around 1 coffee and 2 tea per day. First few days were very surreal.. equivalent to slight hangover. Drinking lots of water seemed to help. For me it was more some kind of subconscious routine habit that was too addictive, rather than the actual caffeine fix. I think I enjoy coffee more now I drink less of it. More of a treat, and I make sur…

When I was working in an office all day I was so bored out my skull I'd go and make a coffee for something to do that wasn't sitting at my desk. Result was drinking lots of coffee. I switched to drinking hot squash (ie fruit cordial mixed with hot water) and spiced teas without too much problem - few days of headaches.

I'm thinking I need to cut back again but at the moment it's the chocolate I'm craving, probably again for the caffeine but also for the sugar.

Re: The false god of coffee

#83

Post by JoeAltmaier » Sun, Oct 25, 2009, 3:02 PM UTC

arketyp wrote: post #10

I dunno. I drink coffee because it good.

Must be like the broccoli thing - some folks like it, some can't stand it. I can't stand coffee, and have absolutely no idea what people are talking about when they rave over its flavor.

Re: The false god of coffee

#84

Post by JoeAltmaier » Sun, Oct 25, 2009, 3:08 PM UTC

gord wrote: post #59

Recently took the plunge and went from 7 cups coffee plus 5 tea per day.. to around 1 coffee and 2 tea per day. First few days were very surreal.. equivalent to slight hangover. Drinking lots of water seemed to help. For me it was more some kind of subconscious routine habit that was too addictive, rather than the actual caffeine fix. I think I enjoy coffee more now I drink less of it. More of a treat, and I make sur…

"Took the plunge"? More like waded to the shallow end. Its a common addict's behavior - rationalization. Don't get me wrong; I'm glad your drug intake is down to manageable levels where you can function . The only way I managed that is going cold turkey.

Re: The false god of coffee

#85

Post by ichverstehe » Sun, Oct 25, 2009, 3:36 PM UTC

blhack wrote: post #81

I'm surprised that nobody here has yet mentioned Yerba Matte. I've never seen any studies or anything, just going on what I felt like my experience was, but it seems like all the benefits of coffee (altertness) with none of the bad side effects (jittery, crashing, etc.)

Yerba mate is really good. Unfortunately it's not commonly accessible. I wouldn't be surprised though, considering that Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile are the only countries where it's common.

Re: The false god of coffee

#86

Post by gcheong » Sun, Oct 25, 2009, 6:26 PM UTC

josefresco wrote: post #3

I'm considering quitting coffee for another reason; my wife tells me it gives me a wicked case of bad breath. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

It's one reason I don't drink coffee. I hate the smell of bad coffee breath, and if anyone near me has it I find it terribly distracting, and I cannot in good conscience drink coffee knowing that I may subject others to it.

Re: The false god of coffee

#87

Post by gcheong » Sun, Oct 25, 2009, 6:26 PM UTC

fjabre wrote: post #56

I've always found that tea, not coffee, has enabled me to concentrate more clearly on the task at hand..

Data?

Re: The false god of coffee

#88

Post by burke » Sun, Oct 25, 2009, 6:27 PM UTC

ichverstehe wrote: post #85

blhack wrote: post #81

I'm surprised that nobody here has yet mentioned Yerba Matte. I've never seen any studies or anything, just going on what I felt like my experience was, but it seems like all the benefits of coffee (altertness) with none of the bad side effects (jittery, crashing, etc.)

Yerba mate is really good. Unfortunately it's not commonly accessible. I wouldn't be surprised though, considering that Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile are the only countries where it's common.

Really? I live in Winnipeg, Canada, and it's pretty much everywhere here. There are bags of it in health stores, granolahead-oriented restaurants, and various other surprising places.

Re: The false god of coffee

#89

Post by olliesaunders » Sun, Oct 25, 2009, 6:43 PM UTC

tigerthink wrote: post #43

josefresco wrote: post #3

I'm considering quitting coffee for another reason; my wife tells me it gives me a wicked case of bad breath. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Try mint flavored coffee?

Does that exist? Sorry, I can't always tell if things are jokes.

Re: The false god of coffee

#90

Post by blhack » Sun, Oct 25, 2009, 7:07 PM UTC

ichverstehe wrote: post #85

blhack wrote: post #81

I'm surprised that nobody here has yet mentioned Yerba Matte. I've never seen any studies or anything, just going on what I felt like my experience was, but it seems like all the benefits of coffee (altertness) with none of the bad side effects (jittery, crashing, etc.)

Yerba mate is really good. Unfortunately it's not commonly accessible. I wouldn't be surprised though, considering that Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile are the only countries where it's common.

You can buy it at almost every "hippie" grocery store I've ever been to. (but the loose variety if you can get it).

Beyond that, you can order it from ma-tea.com (this is where I bought it up until a few yeras ago when it became popular enough to start appearing in grocery stores).