For many of us, coffee is a necessity. Sure, it’s delicious. Yes, it’s a creature comfort. However, we are all fooling ourselves if we do not accept the real reason we crave it: The buzz.And yet, so many of us are drinking our morning joe all wrong. You do not have to be a coffee aficionado, a barista or even someone who grinds their own beans; however, if you are looking for that morning jolt (or afternoon jolt, or after dinner jolt), keep these few things in mind.
A serving of regular coffee can have up to twice the amount caffeine as a serving of espresso.
A serving of regular coffee can have up to twice the amount caffeine as a serving of espresso.
It is easy to get wrapped up in the world of lattes and espresso drinks. Espresso boasts more caffeine pure sip, BUT the one serving size still contains only about half the amount of the average serving of coffee. The milk in lattes and cafe au lait often dilutes the espresso, whereas a black or off-black coffee is much more coffee than milk. If you want a bigger jolt, go with a coffee.
Light beans are roasted less and usually have more caffeine.
Light beans are roasted less and usually have more caffeine.
The longer the roast, the more likely the caffeine will be burnt off. Therefore, whilst shopping for beans, opt for a lighter one. A lighter bean (or, if labeled, a lighter roast) tends to have a higher caffeine content.
Coffee has more caffeine than green tea, but green tea has more antioxidant benefits.
Coffee has more caffeine than green tea, but green tea has more antioxidant benefits.
It is apples and oranges to most people, but if you are considering the move to green tea, it will come at the cost of a caffeine decrease. Green tea, however, provides a host of other benefits – including being an excellent antioxidant. Coffee has some antioxidant properties as well, but green tea has much higher levels.
Adding more skim milk could boost calories, as opposed to adding less whole milk.
Adding more skim milk could boost calories, as opposed to adding less whole milk.
Many people opt for skim milk for a lighter option in their morning coffee but they may be doing themselves a disservice. You need more skim milk to lighten up your coffee. A smaller portion of a higher fat milk can go a longer way. Try adding just a few tablespoons of whole milk rather than a quarter cup of skim. However, when ordering lattes or milkier drinks, stick to the skim if you are looking to cut calories.
Sip it, don’t pound. To minimize stomach issues, and to keep a steady stream of caffeine in your system, do not chug your morning coffee. Try to sip it, enjoy it and take your time with your brew. An abrupt spike in caffeine levels could provide a faster crash when it wears off. Besides, it is coffee. It’s beautiful. It took a long time to be created, traveled a long distance and went through a long process to become the beautiful beverage it is. Respect it. Enjoy it.
Sip it, don’t pound. To minimize stomach issues, and to keep a steady stream of caffeine in your system, do not chug your morning coffee. Try to sip it, enjoy it and take your time with your brew. An abrupt spike in caffeine levels could provide a faster crash when it wears off. Besides, it is coffee. It’s beautiful. It took a long time to be created, traveled a long distance and went through a long process to become the beautiful beverage it is. Respect it. Enjoy it.
