College students are notoriously caffeinated individuals. It becomes a necessary part of life: a cold brew for a late night study session, a latte for an early morning class.
The stimulant is a worthwhile treat and for some, a fun hobby as well. For Benedictine students, it also provides the backdrop to great conversations in Holy Grounds, meeting up with friends in Café 62, lazy afternoon book browsing in downtown Pace e Bene and more. Junior and former barista Ann-Sophie McGuire says coffee “can open up conversations and put smiles on people’s faces, which is hugely rewarding!”
Coffee is a great daily pick me up, but how can one get the most caffeine bang for their buck?
When making your own at home:
The coffee aficionado with their own grinder is in quite a bit of luck. Grinding the beans to a finer grit will allow the water to interact more with the bean grounds, leaving the sipper with a stronger brew with just a little kick more of caffeine.
Regardless of whether you own a grinder, being picky with the beans you choose will result in more tailored-to-you cup. Different beans have different caffeine contents, as well as different taste notes.
Looking for a strong espresso-like taste with a lot of caffeine? Go Robusta.
Looking for lighter notes and less caffeine? Go Arabica.
Controlling the caffeine content of your cup of joe can also be achieved by simply using a different ratio of grounds to water. Experimenting with the intensity of your daily cup can give you a better sense of your own palate, and help you hit the sweet spot between taste and functionality in morning beverage.
For some, it might be worth investing in a moka pot, French press, or pour over glass.
If you’re going to order it:
Most coffee drinkers are already familiar with the tried-and-true latte and have maybe even ventured into cappuccino territory. But there is a whole landscape of caffeinated beverages out there. If you enjoy stronger coffee, consider a cortado or even simply add an extra shot of espresso to your typical order.
Psychology Today contributor Linda Wasmer Andrews writes that you should order your drink between 9:30 am and 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. This is because your cortisol levels, which keep you alert and energetic, drop around these times and you could use a little pick me up.
Pair it with…
A nap. Crazy, right? But science tells us that if you get your caffeine right before a quick snooze, you will still get the replenishing energy from the nap along with the energy from your coffee once it kicks in, about 20 minutes after its drink.
Dark chocolate. It’s not as if any of us need another excuse to eat chocolate, but dark chocolate contains some caffeine – the darker the chocolate, the more caffeine!
Tea. Try cycling between coffee and tea to keep warm-beverage withdrawal at bay and maintain sensitivity to caffeine. If you still want some caffeine in your cup, try a black or green tea – there are plenty of variations. Otherwise explore the non-caffeinated world and its herbal goodness!
Water. Water will help keep away jitters and other uncomfortable side effects that come with caffeine.
At the end of the day, just remember to sleep!
