Is a caffeine thread possible?

[Torvald Von Mansee]

I am not a drinker, nor a consumer of other substances, save one: caffeine.

My favorite means of delivery is in cold beverage form: Coke Zero, Diet Mountain Dew, etc. However, I'm told that this is not good for one's long term health, so I had to switch to other means.

Tea - this is OK. There are many kinds of tea, but not usually my thing.

Coffee - OK, I will sometimes brew coffee before I go to bed at night. I will wake up in the morning and shotgun the lukewarm coffee. I know there are various forms of coffee, but I am not an gourmet on the subject (am I using gourmet properly, here? It seems that it is something which should be reserved for food. Maybe connoisseur is more apt). I used to drink LOOOOOTS of coffee and go to the gym and do leg presses until I got really, really high off of endorphins. That was fun, but could have potentially been fatal.

Anyway, does anyone else have a preference for caffeine over other substances? Or enjoy it at all?

[Skybird]

I like the taste of the brews, Espresso with plenty of Robusta (not Arabica), sweetened; and coffee made via French press, with sugar and condensed milk. Its the sugar and milk that turn an undrinkable bitter brew into an enjoyable experience. The caffeine I just accept, I do not chase after it, I do not need it. I find coffee without caffein does not taste as good, something is missing in it. Its flatter in taste.

Soft drinks I avoid. All that sugar and fructose in them makes them de facto poisonous. A bit of sweetness, why not, but the many lots and lots of it that industrially processed candies and soft drinks include, is way over the top for me.


Tea - I tried ever agaiun at times ove rthe yeards, but never realyl got into it, and my tummy doer snot seem to like it too much either. Except Roibosch tea, whcih is not really a tea by leaf, only gets brewed like a tea. I lioke that one with mild sweetness and milk. In Southenr africa, this comb9nation - is a drink for little children I know I know... But I like it. Reminds of vanilla. No coffeine in it.


Tip: eating salty is a natural remedy to cure the "sweet tooth". If you eat very salty, you lose appetite for sweets and candies. If you crave for soemthign sweet, eat a Brezel onstead, salted sticks, etc. - And no, salt is NOT the big evil that still many unknowing doctors try to tell you. Quite the opposite. Saving salt has acchieved the opposite of what they promised to accheive when inventing this paradigm: salt reduced eating makes people seriously ill, in scores and scores, and does not prevent cardiovascular deseases, but provokes them. Sugar is the white crystal you need to be on your guard against, salt not.

I learned last year about coconut oil, and I am addicted to the taste of it. I use it on bread like butter, for cooking, in the pan (heated up it looses the coconut arome and then is a neutral pan fat), on hot toast with honey - and I sometime put some of it into the mug with hot coffee. I heard that some people liking black coffee also put some salt into that, together with coconut. But salt with coffee - thats not for me.

[Jimbuna]

Personally speaking I can't stand the suff. The same for tea and milk as well.

[Mr Quatro]

I like coffee and I drink it once in awhile, but I have to stay close to the head (bathroom) in case it causes a certain developing action in my rear.

Not good for me to drink coffee in public :o

[Dowly]

I tend to alternate between coffee and tea. Sometimes I have a cup of tea in the morning instead of coffee, but then usually have coffee at work.


Then there's also Susan Coffey I'm quite fond of, does that count? :hmmm:
https://i.imgur.com/pwEwRzy.jpg

[Mr Quatro]

I tend to alternate between coffee and tea. Sometimes I have a cup of tea in the morning instead of coffee, but then usually have coffee at work.


Then there's also Susan Coffey I'm quite fond of, does that count? :hmmm:
https://i.imgur.com/pwEwRzy.jpg

We tend to like the same things except for presidents :D

[Dowly]

We tend to like the same things except for presidents :D
Well, your president is not mine, our's is quite fine (hot wife too), so I don't think that counts as a disagreement. :hmmm::up:

*internet high five*

[Sean C]

I love coffee and tea. The caffeine is just a bonus.

My favorite tea is matcha (https://shop.ippodo-tea.co.jp/kyoto/shopf/goods/index.html?ggcd=184024) - ordered directly from Japan and prepared in the traditional way. But I love all kinds of tea.

I drink about two cups of coffee almost every day.

None of this is probably helping my migraines. :damn:

Anyway, here is a recipe for an amazing matcha smoothie. (Pro tip: Use high quality matcha such as the one linked above and maybe consider using less simple syrup.)


1. To a standard blender, add a teaspoon of matcha, 4oz half & half, 5oz of simple syrup, and 16oz of ice.

2. Pre-blend on low speed for about 30 seconds.

3. Blend on high for about 2 minutes until smooth consistency.

4. Pour into a tea mug and top off with whip cream and a dusting of Matcha powder.

Simple Syrup

In a sauce pot, add:

1. 1 cup sugar

2. 1 cup water

3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.

4. Stir well and let sit until all sugar dissolves. About 5 minutes.

5. Strain, let cool in fridge and Ready to Use!

*We recommend for immediate use of simple syrup, use 'quick ice method' to bring temperature down. Fill pitcher with ice cubes, strain warm water and dissolved sugar directly on pitcher. Strain excess ice cubes with a mesh strainer, directly into a reusable container. Ready to use immediately. Simple syrup stays fresh in fridge for one week.
I also would like a cup or two of Susan. :yeah:

[Commander Wallace]

I do like a cup of coffee in the mornings. I have developed a taste for hazelnut or regular blend coffee's with a little bit of cinnamon and perhaps some Irish Creame or other flavored creamers.



I also like a good cup Earl Grey Tea. Other than that, I just drink ice water and lots of it.:yep:


I love coffee and tea. The caffeine is just a bonus.

My favorite tea is matcha (https://shop.ippodo-tea.co.jp/kyoto/shopf/goods/index.html?ggcd=184024) - ordered directly from Japan and prepared in the traditional way. But I love all kinds of tea.

I drink about two cups of coffee almost every day.

None of this is probably helping my migraines. :damn:

Anyway, here is a recipe for an amazing matcha smoothie. (Pro tip: Use high quality matcha such as the one linked above and maybe consider using less simple syrup.)


I also would like a cup or two of Susan. :yeah:


I'm sorry you have to deal with Migraines. I know a few others that suffer with that too. They tell me caffeine helps with the Migraine symptoms. Similarly, other over the counter Migraine medications like Excedrin Migraine have caffeine as an active component.



Quote: Caffeine helps acetaminophen and aspirin work more effectively. "Caffeine can also relax blood vessels in the brain to improve blood flow during a migraine headache," Dr. Grosberg explains.


https://www.livestrong.com/article/4131132-just-whats-in-excedrin-migraine/


By the way, thanks for the great recipe on the smoothie. :yep:

[August]

I love coffee but now limit my caffeine at the instructions of my doctor after my Myocardial Infarction (heart attack).

He said that caffeine is a vein constrictor and heavy use over time will cause hardening of the arteries and heart disease. Nicotine does the same thing. You clever vapers might be dodging the big C by substituting the pen for the smokes but heart disease is just as deadly, even more so if you look at the numbers.

[Reece]

Personally speaking I can't stand the suff. The same for tea and milk as well.
Cripes Jim, you're English!! You have to drink tea!! :yep:

The wife & I like a nice spice chai for smoko and cappuccino in the arvo. :up:

This is our setup:

https://thegoodguys.sirv.com/products/50034813/50034813_125509.PNG?scale.height=505&scale.width=773&canvas.height=505&canvas.width=773&canvas.opacity=0&q=90

[August]

The local Boston way to drink tea is to first soak it in salt water. :yep:

[Platapus]

I love coffee, I love tea
I love the java jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the jivin' and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup

[ET2SN]

If addiction came in a can, it would look like this:

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ywQAAOSw2lxfS3vd/s-l1600.jpg

or, as I remember them:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/coca-cola-japan-georgia-coffee-error-511523919

:D

Georgia coffee is sold in Japan (using heated vending machines). What you get is something about half the volume of a can of soda. Hot but not too hot and fairly sweet and almost thick with just a hint of milk. A fairly heavy dose of caffeine yet incredibly mild tasting. The strange part is that its made and sold by Coca Cola yet is only available in Asia.

:yeah:

[Aktungbby]

The local Boston way to drink tea is to first soak it in salt water. :yep:....in a loin cloth with lots of feathers...:D

[Sean C]

Georgia coffee is sold in Japan ...


Japan does have some tasty beverages. I was even served one by Tommy Lee Jones!


https://i.imgur.com/rvUQg8uh.jpg


:D

[ET2SN]

:D

Grape Nehi in Japan was also a lot of fun. First because, wow, someone still sold it. Second was because it was old school Grape Nehi with a Concord grape in every can. :up: I think a lot of these oddball US products became popular during the reconstruction period of the 50's and 60's.

Vending machine culture in Japan was a trip. You could buy a 2 liter "beer torpedo"* of Asahi Dry because..well, why not? :yeah:


*- Imagine a typical 1 liter plastic soda bottle. Now make it twice as tall and change the plastic to aluminum and fill it with beer.

[August]

....in a loin cloth with lots of feathers...:D


I'm wearing a loin cloth right now. :salute:

[Aktungbby]

I'm goin' visual Squanto!:O:

[skidman]

Cripes Jim, you're English!! You have to drink tea!! :yep:

The wife & I like a nice spice chai for smoko and cappuccino in the arvo. :up:

This is our setup:

https://thegoodguys.sirv.com/products/50034813/50034813_125509.PNG?scale.height=505&scale.width=773&canvas.height=505&canvas.width=773&canvas.opacity=0&q=90

I like coffee. 100% Arabica. No milk. No sugar. Coffee.

This is my setup:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zhsz096x348u2xn/Setup.png?raw=1

[Reece]

:haha: Point taken though! :up:

[Sean C]

I'm sorry you have to deal with Migraines. I know a few others that suffer with that too. They tell me caffeine helps with the Migraine symptoms. Similarly, other over the counter Migraine medications like Excedrin Migraine have caffeine as an active component.


Thanks. Caffeine does help, especially when combined with pain relievers, like Excedrin does. I'm fortunate that it works for me. It's not enough for some people. The problem is when you start consuming too much caffeine. That can cause headaches - especially when you stop consuming it.



I'm also fortunate in that I get a warning. About 30 minutes before any pain starts, I get "auras". That's usually just enough time for the pills to kick in. For those that don't know: auras are commonly reported by migraine sufferers. They are typically some variation of partial or total vision loss due to blurry or "static-like" areas developing in one's vision.


Mine almost always start as a small area in my peripheral vision - although sometimes it will be in the center. It's hard to describe, but it's kind of like what you see after looking directly at a bright light. There's a sort of multi-colored spot there. Except it's shimmering very quickly in vague bands of color. Those small spots eventually grow until they are covering most of my field of view. I can still see light and basic shapes - but reading is out of the question, and something like driving would be ... dangerous. Then - suddenly - they disappear ... and the headache starts.



If I don't take Excedrin immediately upon seeing the first spot, I risk being essentially incapacitated. All I can do is lie in the fetal position and occasionally crawl to the w/c to be sick. And it may last a couple hours.


I have Excedrin in my pocket at all times.


God help those miserable souls who get cluster headaches.
















... And that's probably waaay more than you wanted to know about my headaches. Back to talking about caffeine! :arrgh!:

[vienna]

....in a loin cloth with lots of feathers...:D


Boston does seem to have a lot of Village People fans, then...?... :D


Japan does have some tasty beverages. I was even served one by Tommy Lee Jones!


https://i.imgur.com/rvUQg8uh.jpg


:D


There seems to be a popular Japanese soft drink missing from that machine; LA is home to a huge Japanese-American/Japanese ex-pat population as well as a lot of Japanese tourists passing through; as a result, it is not that difficult to find Japanese food and drink products here in many places; one soft drink was imported here a long time ago which was very, very popular in Japan but struggled, at first to gain any acceptance, even among Japanese-Americans and ex-pats; it seems the main problem was the original Japanese brand name, under which the drink was originally sold in the US; it was changed, some time ago, to Calpico here in the US; the original, unappetizing-to US-buyers name?...


...Calpis...





<O>

[ET2SN]

...Calpis...





<O>

Right up there with Pocari Sweat. :o

[vienna]

Right up there with Pocari Sweat. :o


Had forgotten about that one; used to see it in the LA-area Japanese stores over the years... :haha:





<O>

[Sean C]

...Calpis...


Yes, that was probably in the vending machine across the street. As anyone who has been to Japan knows: vending machines are everywhere.

[vienna]

Yes, that was probably in the vending machine across the street. As anyone who has been to Japan knows: vending machines are everywhere.


...and selling just about everything and anything...


12 Japanese vending machines you won’t believe exist --

https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/japanese-vending-machines/


...and that's only scratching the surface of what is sold in vending machines in Japan, including such things as pantyhose, canned bread, lettuce, and, for those inclined to the lewd and lascivious, porn...


...there are even restaurants where all the food and drink is dispensed by vending machines, sort of like the old Automats...




<O>

[Buddahaid]

Step away...

This is my coffee machine.
https://melitta.factoryoutletstore.com/details/520414/melitta-cone-160-counts-natural-brown-with-a-free-filter.html?category_id=81493

[vienna]

I actually very rarely drink coffee and haven't drunk it as regular habit for 30-35 years; my mother used to give me a cup of coffee of two with breakfast before school since she thought it was easier to just give me what she was having than go to the trouble and/or expense of providing something else (the caffeinated effects on my behavior in school must have been a treat for the nuns); as I got older, into my teen years, I darnk large quantities of coffee and, as I started playing in clubs and hanging out after closing in coffee shops and the like, I really consumed a lot of the stuff; it didn't help that there were several places, like IHOP, where, if you asked for coffee, they didn't just bring you a cup of coffee, they brought you a full carafe of it; I finally got to the point where I was pretty much fed up with the taste of it and switched to various teas; I did manage to get my morning jolt of high caffeine by drinking a cola in the morning, followed by a few later in the day; I would sometimes get disapproving comments from co-workers who would say things like, "how can you drink that so early in the day?'; I would them point out that the coffee they drank was little more than water, caffeine, and sugar, pretty much an accurate description of cola...




<O>

[Buddahaid]

I actually very rarely drink coffee and haven't drunk it as regular habit for 30-35 years; my mother used to give me a cup of coffee of two with breakfast before school since she thought it was easier to just give me what she was having than go to the trouble and/or expense of providing something else (the caffeinated effects on my behavior in school must have been a treat for the nuns); as I got older, into my teen years, I darnk large quantities of coffee and, as I started playing in clubs and hanging out after closing in coffee shops and the like, I really consumed a lot of the stuff; it didn't help that there were several places, like IHOP, where, if you asked for coffee, they didn't just bring you a cup of coffee, they brought you a full carafe of it; I finally got to the point where I was pretty much fed up with the taste of it and switched to various teas; I did manage to get my morning jolt of high caffeine by drinking a cola in the morning, followed by a few later in the day; I would sometimes get disapproving comments from co-workers who would say things like, "how can you drink that so early in the day?'; I would them point out that the coffee they drank was little more than water, caffeine, and sugar, pretty much an accurate description of cola...




<O>

I really started drinking coffee when I left home in Napa for college in SF and split rent in the SF Richmond district with the son of the owners of "Best of Holland" in Ghirardelli Square at that time. I've never looked back and still drink what is now called pour over daily.

I've lost touch with Menno over the years but still cherish those times.

[3catcircus]

Yes, that was probably in the vending machine across the street. As anyone who has been to Japan knows: vending machines are everywhere.

And often times with what appears to be no visible means of power...

Pouring down a calpis or pocari sweat after you've walked two blocks to Shinagawa station in the middle of summer sure hits the spot. Iced oolong is great too. Heck - I've never had anything bad fine out of a vending machine in Japan.

That having been said, whenever I've been overseas, at breakfast, I much prefer a flat white from the machine in the exec lounge at the Intercontinental Hotel in Adelaide. Never had a bad coffee served there. Heck - *any* flat white I've ever had in Australia has been outstanding - I've never needed sugar. Of course, the post-work beverages I've had there are for a different thread...

At home, however, I make do with a french press if making for both me and the wife in the mornings, or my moka pot for my afternoon hit. Just need to find a decent bean. Right now we're doing monsooned malabar, but I'm looking for a whole bean with a bigger kick and am looking at Stocking Mill and deciding if it is worth more than the local grocery (which is itself kinda expensive).

[Torvald Von Mansee]

That's it, all this talk means I'm going to go and brew some more coffee in my French press.

[Torvald Von Mansee]

And now we play the wait game...

*steeples fingers together*

[vienna]

https://togotuentinain.myblog.it/media/01/02/919874518.jpg






<O>

[Torvald Von Mansee]

Eeeeeeeexcellent!!!!