"caffeine" news and stories

Turns out there's another thing you can blame your parents for: your need for a Starbucks fix.

Yes, like receding hairlines and pendulous earlobes, it seems your daily 3 o'clock caffeine craving can also be traced back to your genes, according to new research released this week.

As USA Today reports, scientists have identified two genes that decide whether you're a double-shot-of-espresso sort of gal or a "one-cup-gives-me-the-jitters" kind of guy. Essentially, depending on whether you carry a "high-consumption" variant or "low-consumption" variant of either gene determines just how fast or slow you metabolize caffeine, and thus, just how much java juice it takes to get your motor running in the morning.

(We imagine that if you carry the "high-consumption" variant of both genes then you're probably something of a pit bull before 8 a.m.)

Happy Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day!

It's a fact: Americans love their sodas, so much so that, for the average American, carbonated beverages alone account for approximately 7 percent of their daily caloric intake. And, although soft drink companies would surely be disgruntled to be associated with this very adult sip, it would hardly seem appropriate to discuss caffeinated beverages these days without mentioning Four Loko.

Containing the alcohol content of three beers and three coffees in just one potent can, Four Loko is one of many caffeinated alcohols lately that have been under public scrutiny for their "blackout in a can" effect. They seem to be destined to follow in the (less-energized) footsteps of Sparks, which removed the taurine and caffeine from its contents two years ago, at the urging of the Food and Drug Administration. After purportedly landing students across the country in hospitals, Four Loko has been banned in numerous states and deemed unsafe by the FDA -- and on Tuesday announced that it would be removing caffeine, taurine and guarana from its beverages.

What do you think about caffeinated booze? Spark up a debate in the comments!

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Is coffee just a caffeine-delivery system?

It seems like the folks behind Stōk "black coffee shots" think so: Packaged like individual creamers and smothered in warnings blaring "Limit 2/day" and "Not for those under 18, pregnant or caffeine sensitive," these little jolts are designed to get dumped into a cup of convenience-store coffee.

Of course, no one who drinks convenience-store coffee is doing so because it tastes great -- they're looking for something to stave off that highway hypnosis. But do these "shots" go too far?

A vintage couple gets the jitters

There's nothing like the calming warmth of a shot of espresso -- that old friend you count on to get you going.

But like the passive-aggressive pal leaving catty notes on your Facebook wall, your morning joe can turn on you in an instant, especially if you have one too many.

I've only been betrayed once, but it was enough to permanently slow my caffeine binge habits: The moment I swallowed the offending shot, my heart started pounding, I saw double, my hands started sweating and I stumbled blindly towards the door of my favorite café, trying to sneak out unnoticed. (It is not ideal for a CoffeeMeister's reputation to be crumpled on the floor of a café in a fit of caffeine-induced hysteria).

It's easy for people to forget -- or deny -- that caffeine is a drug, but the facts say otherwise: Like its distant cousins cocaine and nicotine, it's an alkaloid, though there aren't typically state-funded "quit cappuccinos" campaigns. The stimulating stuff's natural function is as a built-in pesticide for plants like coffee, cacao and tea.

Contrary to the paralyzing effect it has on crawling critters, it sends us skipping back to our desks at 3 p.m. with a renewed sense of joie de vivre. Sadly, however, too much of a good thing is bad news indeed.

As we've noted, it's iced coffee time, folks. While we can all agree that the best version is that which is freshly brewed, sometimes you've got to make do with what can be grabbed out of the convenience store fridge. Starbucks' Frappuccino is a perennial favorite, and we're fans of their Doubleshot Energy Drink (especially the new Cinnamon Dulce flavor) when caffeine alone isn't quite enough.

Behold, however, a challenge to Starbucks supremacy from Pom Iced Coffee. Far from an unpleasant mix of joe and pomegranate juice (though it does feature a touch of the antioxidant-laced fruit extract), this is one smooth-blended iced coffee drink. The cafe au lait version is delightful, but it is the chocolate that may soon boast the title of best bottled iced coffee, with an addiction-inspiring taste reminiscent of a blend of Yoo-Hoo and chocolate Nestle Quik.

The only problem with this cooling nectar? It's only available at select stores and Whole Foods in the Northeast (though bottles have been spied at 99-cent stores on the west coast). If anything were to make a convenience store crawl or a trip to a pricey specialty grocer worth it, it is Pom Chocolate Iced Coffee. So stock up.

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