Coffee and its reason for existing

[burntcopper]

Hmm. Thinking about coffee.

Coffee and tea are both used as your standard non-alcoholic beverage. However, intrinsic differences in their use, because coffee's other main use is as a stimulant, whereas tea is a relaxant or 'argh, want something soothing/hot and sweet'. (they're more popular than, say, hot milk, because they can be stored for long periods without going off - similar for juice. Mind you, we know what happens to juice that's stored for long periods. But alcohol is a whole nother topic.**)

Look at their differences in origin. What I've been able to find on the legends of tea's origins is that the leaves blew into a mug of hot water someone was drinking, and they liked the taste it produced. Its primary function is that it *tastes good*.

Whereas coffee = stimulant. Primarily a stimulant. The discovery legends tend to focus on discovering goats or animals (normally by a goatherd or a mystic) eating the berries of the bush and skipping around with energy. we wouldn't have it if it wasn't a stimulant; taste is secondary.

So what, might I ask you, IS THE POINT OF DECAF?

**alcohol, on the other hand, cannot be categorised so easily, as it has three primary functions, which are all equal in popularity : Taste, ability to get drunk, and alternative when the water's undrinkable. (though in the undrinkable case it tended to be watered down *a lot*. Most of our ancestors never drank beer, mead or wine in undiluted form, which is why the drinking feats in sagas and so on sound so bloody impressive.)

Comments

[jamjar.livejournal.com]

It should be noted that tea, while not a stimulant as such, is a fortifier. That is, you take it when you neeed strength, when you need something to get you going or even when you need to wake up a little.

[rossetti.livejournal.com]

That is a very good question.

[cynicalcylon.livejournal.com]

"So what, might I ask you, IS THE POINT OF DECAF?"

I drink it for the taste.
I love the taste of coffee, but am allergic to the actual caffeine.

[i_kender]

Firstly, there is no point in decaf. Let's get that out of the way. unless, of course, you're allergic to caffeine. Or, you know, addicted and trying to wean yourself off.

Secondly... I am mostly a coffee drinker. Coffee is the nectar of the gods, and can only be improved by the addition of, say, chocolate. (Or gold flakes, or blood. But they're less fashionable these days) I do drink tea occasionally, either to relax, or when I'm feeling ill or in need of mellowing.

So imagine my surprise in discovering that tea actually contains more caffeine than coffee! Or so I hear*. The only thing I can think of is that caffeine has more of a slow release in tea, rather than the mule kick of coffee.

Does anyone know if this has any basis in fact?

* Unless, that is, your coffee consists of "pour it in until it looks like there's enough" like mine...

[mingmerciless.livejournal.com]

Decaf simply doesn't exist, as far as I'm concerned!

[poisoninjest.livejournal.com]

Caffeinated skipping goats = funniest mental image ever. *g*

[sakara75.livejournal.com]

whats also odder is that tea contains more caffeine than coffee does, but it releases it slower so you dont get that kick.

[minkboylove.livejournal.com]

Never mind decaf.

What the hell is the point of HALF-CAFF??

[burntcopper.livejournal.com]

...Half-caff. You're kidding, right?

[hackenbacker.livejournal.com]

oh, it's real enough (http://www.nescafe.co.uk/products/at_home/nescafe_halfcaff.asp)