"monster" news and stories

Teen consumption of energy drinks is way up and the reason for their popularity is primarily their caffeine content. A Red Bull has 9.64mg of caffeine per ounce, while a Coke only has 2.83 mg per ounce (Pepsi has 3.17mg). The extra caffeine can help to keep the chronically sleep-deprived awake, but more interesting to the students this time of year is the fact that caffeine can potentially help them concentrate slightly better in class or on exams by making them more alert.  Columnists at the Mercury News - judged to be amateur, moderate or pro caffeine consumers - tested three popular drinks: Red Bull, Rockstar (9.38mg/oz.) and Monster (8.75mg/oz.). They rated them on taste and how long it took the boost to kick in. Not completely scientific, perhaps, but an interesting look at the drinks and certainly a good start for anyone looking to get through finals. 

 

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Yes, really. Folks in the town of Felton, England, near Newcastle, claim that a giant rabbit has been tearing through their vegetable patches and eating their crops. As you might expect, there have been plenty of references to Wallace and Gromit. Felton residents have even posted an armed guard, according to a Reuters article. Witnesses say that the beast is black and brown, with one ear longer than the other. The bunny pictured here is a German breeding rabbit, just to give you an idea of what the people of Felton may be dealing with. Breeds such as the Continental Giant commonly grow to this size, according to an AFP article about the Felton monster.

Perhaps this beast has learned to swim and is also responsible for the Massachusetts parsnip theft mentioned earlier.

[Via Knit Flix]

Energy drinks are an explosive market, especially popular among young people, including teenagers and college students. Coffee has always been the morning pick-me-up of choice, but the producers of energy drinks are trying to muscle into the morning market. Monster Khaos is an energy drink that contains 70% juice – more than many processed juice drinks. It is lightly carbonated and lower in carbs than some other ultra-sugary drinks, with flavors of orange, peach and pineapple. Monster Energy drinks have a “natural” energy formula, which includes ginseng and guarana, not caffeine. Will the fruity energy drinks be able to compete with good, old-fashioned coffee? Perhaps a better question, since they are already popular in the youth market, is whether they will be able to complete with specialty coffee drinks, like mocha lattes and caramel-hazelnut cappuccinos.