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The false god of coffee

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Re: The false god of coffee

#91

Post by raintrees »

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.

Of the possible (related to this or something else I changed at the same time) benefits I may have incurred by cutting coffee back to twice a week (one cup, half caf, half-decaf Wednesdays and Sundays): breath not as bad, stopped grinding my teeth at night, my back is less sore/achy, better sleep/more rested, any caffeine has a more pronounced affect.

I do drink green tea on the other days, a caf green first and then decaf the rest of the day. If I stop entirely, then out comes the aspirin, so I obviously am still "addicted."

Re: The false god of coffee

#92

Post by jamesbritt »

awolf wrote: post #36
jamesbritt wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Ritalin and Adderall target just the specific parts of the brain used in learning and for concentration." Ritalin (methylphenidate) boosts dopamine; Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamin) ups the level of dopamine and norepinephrine. Caffeine effects levels of adenosine and dopamine. There is nothing targeted about this, nor do the chemicals only work on select parts of the brain. Now, perhaps for certain pract…

My understanding is that Adderall amplifies brain activity in whatever part of the brain you are using. Coffee just stimulates everything. Of course that's a major simplification, but this is what I mean by "targetted".

At what point are you not using your entire brain?

Re: The false god of coffee

#93

Post by Dove »

silentbicycle wrote: post #80
cpach wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bet most people don't drink two bottles of fine wine every day ;-)

Well, touche, but that much tea could last a while. A couple ounces of tea is like a couple cases (not bottles) of wine, several pounds of coffee beans, etc. I'm not sure exactly how long 4 oz. of tea would last (my wife and I rotate through a couple different teas), but probably several weeks. Good tea is cheap, you typically just mail-order a good quantity at a time and keep it in an airtight tin. The samplers from…

Correct, really good tea can be cheap. I am a fanatical tea drinker -- something like a gallon a day. And I find a 100 gm supply (3.5 oz) to go for about a month. At teaspring.com, that much of a geniunely good Taiwanese oolong (my favorite) costs about $20.

I don't know how much a month's supply of really good coffee costs for the fanatical drinker, but I know my monthly budget sure wouldn't get you far at Starbuck's . . .

Re: The false god of coffee

#94

Post by Dove »

Mongoose wrote: post #45
mdemare wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Black tea contains about as much caffeine as Red Bull (per liter). Admittedly less than coffee, but hardly minimal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine

Comparing caffeine content in tea vs coffee is a tricky argument to make. The caffeine content in tea varies on many factors, including oxidation level, steep time, and leaf agitation. On average, the amount of theine/caffeine in a cup of tea is much less than that of a cup of coffee.

Furthermore, the caffeine content in tea is quite easy to manage while making it.

A nice tea is good for three to seven brewings, depending the type and your brewing preferences. I understand that the amount of caffeine in the pot falls by roughly an order of magnitude with each brewing. Thus if you like the tea but are concerned about the caffeine, just throw the first pot away. Many folks think the second has the best flavor anyway . . .

Re: The false god of coffee

#95

Post by silentbicycle »

Dove wrote: post #94
Mongoose wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Comparing caffeine content in tea vs coffee is a tricky argument to make. The caffeine content in tea varies on many factors, including oxidation level, steep time, and leaf agitation. On average, the amount of theine/caffeine in a cup of tea is much less than that of a cup of coffee.

Furthermore, the caffeine content in tea is quite easy to manage while making it. A nice tea is good for three to seven brewings, depending the type and your brewing preferences. I understand that the amount of caffeine in the pot falls by roughly an order of magnitude with each brewing. Thus if you like the tea but are concerned about the caffeine, just throw the first pot away. Many folks think the second has the b…

If you just want to reduce the caffeine, steep it for just a few seconds before pouring out the first pot. The caffeine dissolves out almost immediately (it's very soluble in hot water), but you'll still have most of the tea's flavor.

Herbal teas are also worth a try. I like rooibos and roasted barley. Korean grocery stores often have big bags of the latter ("barley tea"), and it's great iced. (Roasted barley is also used to add flavor to some darker beers.)

Re: The false god of coffee

#96

Post by percept »

swombat wrote: post #71
pg wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When I stopped drinking caffeinated coffee, I lost my taste for coffee, but developed a great interest in tea.

Caffeine addiction transference?

It's like methadone.

I quit coffee every once in a while and it usually takes a couple of days to return to normal functioning. The tea helps.

BTW there are some interesting coffee documentaries shown occasionally on the tube (available on Netflix too).

Re: The false god of coffee

#97

Post by percept »

holygoat wrote: post #66
jseliger wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"a press pot" Try a Chemex: http://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/ . It's not as bitter.

An Aeropress is awesome, too. Cheap ($25), easy to clean, makes fantastic coffee.

I didn't see it mentioned in the thread, so here's coffee's HN equivalent:

http://coffeegeek.com/forums

Re: The false god of coffee

#98

Post by coolnewtoy »

gcheong wrote: post #87
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?

http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/theanine-and-caffeine.html

Many people reach for a cup of coffee when they need to concentrate. People with flagging focus might, however, get more bang for their buck with a cup of tea.

A 2007 study conducted by Doctor Foxe found that theanine and caffeine synergise to boost the activity of brain neurons.

Re: The false god of coffee

#99

Post by cschick2317 »

arketyp wrote: post #10

I dunno. I drink coffee because it good.

Same. It's nice to have something warm and tasty to sip on in the morning after getting to work. Makes that first hour of the day more pleasant.

It's kinda strange though...I almost never drink coffee on the weekend. It never crosses my mind after I wake up on weekends. Where as in the morning, before work, I can't wait to get in and start drinking my coffee.

Re: The false god of coffee

#100

Post by fjabre »

coolnewtoy wrote: post #98
gcheong wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Data?

http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/theanine-and-caffeine.html Many people reach for a cup of coffee when they need to concentrate. People with flagging focus might, however, get more bang for their buck with a cup of tea. A 2007 study conducted by Doctor Foxe found that theanine and caffeine synergise to boost the activity of brain neurons.

Thanks for this. I didn't have any data other than what I experienced.

With coffee I just feel energized but that energy isn't directed. With good tea (the loose leaf kind) I feel both energized and focused. I could never explain it but the article above might be the reason.

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