I can’t believe I quit coffee.

I LOVE COFFEE. I mean, lo-oooove it.  I’ve been drinking coffee for 20 years and have never considered stopping.  So I still don’t quite understand what came over me a few weeks ago when one morning I decided that I should switch to tea.  Right now.

It seemed to be an impulsive decision, but the idea must have been brewing for awhile.  I think the continuous caffeine intake makes me jumpy.  Like Tweek. I start with coffee first thing in the morning and then am on a cycle of highs and crashes all day.  If I don’t replace the coffee with more caffeine then I start snacking on sugary treats.  Also, I think it was contributing to having difficulty sleeping (in addition to my annoying work schedule of course).

Anyway, I quit drinking coffee cold turkey.  I had a headache for three days.  Then sporadic headaches for another week or so.  One would think this would make me grab and glug the closest latte available, but it just made me more determined to kick the habit addiction (a habit is something one does routinely, an addiction must to be done).

On the positive side I am surprised at how much easier to get up in the morning.   Usually nothing, let me emphasize NOTHING else happens until I start the coffee.  Now, by the time get into the kitchen I’m pretty much awake.  Sometimes I make and eat my oatmeal before I even start the tea.  It’s crazy.

According to the Mayo Clinic if you drink 200 to 300 mg of caffeine a day you might want to consider cutting back if you experience any of a long list of effects.  200 to 300 is considered moderate usage.  500 to 600mg a day is heavy usage.  I estimate my 20 or so ounces of morning coffee was about 300 mg, followed by another 150 to 200 mg in the afternoon.  Plus black tea sometimes.  So maybe that was a little much.

I was still drinking tea while suffering coffee withdrawal (I can’t imagine  the headaches if I’d had no caffeine).  Which brings me to the subject of this post:  Caffeine Content in Tea Versus Coffee.  Several people have made a point of informing me there is nearly as much caffeine in tea as in coffee and that green tea in particular has a lot.  So I thought I would research this topic a bit.

It is difficult to assess the exact caffeine content of beverages due to the individual bean or tea leaf variations, roasting process, brewing time, etc. but the sources I looked at all show the same trend.  This is a compilation from several sources which are listed at the end of the post.

Brewed Coffee, 8 0z.

95 – 200 mg caffeine

150 – 200 mg

60 – 120 mg

5 oz.  average: 80 mg

.

Black Tea, 8 oz

40-120 mg caffeine

60-90 mg

45 mg

one tea bag average: 40 mg

.

Oolong Tea, 8oz.

50-75 mg caffeine

one tea bag average: 30 mg

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.

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Green Tea, 8 0z.

30-70 mg caffeine

one tea bag average: 20 mg

.

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White Tea, 8 oz.

30-55 mg caffeine

one tea bag average: 15 mg

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.

.

.

Who stops at 8 ounces?

Ben & Jerry’s Coffee Fudge Frozen Yogurt, 8 oz.

85 mg caffeine

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.

Basically, a cup of black tea has about 2/3 the caffeine of a cup of brewed coffee.  A really strong green tea could have as much caffeine as a very weak cup of coffee, but most likely has less than either coffee or black tea.  And trust me friends, I was not drinking weak coffee. Also, if you re-brew with the same tea leaves then the caffeine content will be very little the second time around.  I do that anyway because I’m cheap and lazy.

I’m still enjoying a home-made espresso on Saturdays, but that’s it.  This may not last forever, but for now I’m loving it.

More info:

According to Stash Tea, “One of the more confusing aspects of caffeine content is the fact that coffee contains less caffeine than tea when measured in its dry form.  The caffeine content of a prepared cup of coffee is significantly higher than the caffeine content of a prepared cup of tea.”

According to MayoClinic.com, “Research suggests that men are more susceptible to caffeine than are women.”  O. M. G.  Something that effects men more than women.  Pick me off the floor.

If you want to learn about the different type of tea, I suggest this easy guide by The Tea Source.

Sources:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine/AN01211

http://www.choiceorganicteas.com/caffeineintea.htm

http://coffeetea.about.com/library/blcaffeine.htm

http://www.stashtea.com/caffeine.htm

http://www.choiceorganicteas.com/caffeineintea.htm

http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/index.php?mode2=detail&origin=ibids_references&therow=196672

http://www.medicinalfoodnews.com/vol10/2006/green_tea

Happy brewing.

Open Letter to Kowalski’s Market of White Bear Lake

Dear Kowalski’s Market of White Bear Lake,

I have been a good customer since moving here and discovering that you are the closest grocery store with an olive bar.  I have purchased many ridiculously over-priced items from you including but not limited to produce, various cheeses, greek yogurt, and fancy flavored nuts that I didn’t really need.  However, there has been one issue that has grown increasingly annoying and I just can’t take it any more.

First, a confession:  I carry my own grocery bags.  I do this for several reasons – because it is good for the environment,  because I don’t like having the house overrun with bags and because it’s easier to carry a sturdy bag with good handles.  But your employees cannot deal with this apparently shocking behavior.  Not one cashier has ever handled this with grace.  I don’t even know why “grace” needs to be involved – it doesn’t seem all that complicated.  Put the groceries in the cloth bag JUST LIKE YOU WOULD IN A PAPER BAG.

Ta da. 

Kowalski’s, you are the only grocery store in the area with a second clerk at each register whose sole job is to pack groceries.  You’d think they would do that really well.  But no, at least half the people can’t seem to grasp the concept.  Deli container of olives sitting on its side.  What’s the big deal?  It’s not like it’s predisposed to leakiness.  Cooking oil on top of imported brie.  Who cares?  Jar of salsa on top of  fresh scallops.  So?  Scallops are neither expensive nor delicate.   If this were a low-end corner store I wouldn’t find this so annoying, but you are the most expensive grocery store ever.  If I’m going to spend $8 on peaches shouldn’t I at least be able to leave the store without them being bruised?  WHO PUTS A CAN OF TUNA ON TOP OF PEACHES?  One guess – Kowalski’s cashiers.

Now, throw in the added difficulty of a non-standard grocery bag and all hell breaks loose.  Even the half of the bag-packers that actually have some clue as to how to pack a bag become completely confused when faced with the daunting task of packing a grocery bag not made of paper or plastic.  It’s rectangular – just like a Kowalski’s bag.  It has 2 handles – just like a Kowalski’s bag.  It is roughly the same size, but OH MY GOD IT’S NOT MADE OF PAPER.  What do I do?  I can’t handle the pressure!!  Obviously I should set the bottle of vinegar on top of the marshmallows.

It’s not enough for the register worker to seem confused about a customer bringing her own bags; some of them are hostile.  The woman that pushed me over the edge today actually scowled at me then threw my bags onto the counter with a huff.  Seriously.  You realize that I’m helping you, right?  The cost of the bags is being added to my groceries, but I’m not taking the product.  I am giving you money. 

Come on, Kowalski’s of White Bear White Lake, get with the program.  Your competitors – Whole Foods,  Lunds & Byerly’s and The Wedge Co-op – welcome customers who bring bags.  Even the cashiers at Cub Foods don’t make faces and the workers of Rainbow Foods couldn’t care less what I use to carry my groceries. 

Kowalski’s you are losing a good customer – the best kind of customer.  I am the primary grocery shopper for a two-income childless couple.  I spare no expense – I don’t have to and cooking is our entertainment.  I spend extra for organic, never scrimp on good fish and don’t bother with coupons (let me clarify – I save coupons, stick them on the fridge under a magnet then rediscover them three months after the expiration date).  I come prepared with a list, but still make impulse purchases.  I shop quickly during off-peak hours. 

But I just can’t handle the bag situation.  I’m done with you and you should be sorry.  Let me know when you enlighten your employees and I’ll come back.  Meanwhile you’re going to notice a serious drop-off in business at the olive bar.

Most sincerely,

An Unsatisfied Customer

And now, my poem. In the style of Ogden Nash.

Tomato Perfecto

Three cheers for gazpacho,

The soup that is macho.