Over the years, I've come to terms with the fact that I am embarrassingly susceptible to the power of caffeine. One cup of coffee on an empty stomach and I begin to feel hot, sweaty and utterly jittery. More than one cup of coffee with a meal and the same thing happens. I've stopped ordering a post-dinner coffee when I eat out, because while I request decaf, I can't ever guarantee that's what I'll actually get and I value my ability to sleep far more than I do a few sips of a postprandial cup of joe. While I'm quite happy abstaining from afternoon and evening coffee drinking, sometimes the lure is too much to resist. For those situations, there's a new doodad that will allow me to test my java and determine if it really is the decaf I requested. Called D+caf Caffeine Test Strips, these testers allow you to scrutinize the amount of caffeine in your mug. Anything over 20 milligrams of caffeine per a 6 ounce serving will register as caffeinated.
These might be a little silly for the average coffee drinker, but for those folks who avoid caffeine for health reasons, they could be a lifesaver. However, just remember, all coffee, even the decaf stuff, contains some caffeine, so your mug will never be completely decaf.
[via CNET Appliances and Kitchen Gadgets]











