I have this nightmare that one day I'll develop an intolerance to caffeine and *gasp* chocolate. In this dream I walk around licking the rim of an empty cup, depressed and hollow-eyed, not from lack of sleep but from thwarted desires. What would I do without my 3 favorite things in the world? Coffee, tea and chocolate make life worth living!
Because of this nightmare, this product - D+Caf - caught my eye. It tests your beverage for caffeine to insure that - if you MUST drink decaf - your cup really does contain unleaded. I had to try it.
In case you don't know, decaffeinated beverages are not totally caffeine free. Under federal regulations in the U.S., caffeine levels have to be 2.5 percent of the product or lower in order for a product to be labeled "decaffeinated." (Check out this article if you're interested in how decaf becomes decaf. Or this great article if you're a home roaster who needs decaf beans.) Now, according to most sources, an 8 oz cup of regular drip coffee contains between 104-192 mg caffeine. Tea can run between 20-90 mg caffeine per 8 oz cup. What is being sold as decaf varies, too, but this study showed that your average restaurant unleaded can contain caffeine ranging from 8.6 milligrams to 13.9 milligrams, and Starbucks decaf espresso contained 3 mg to 15.8 mg of caffeine per shot.
Which isn't too bad IMO. But obviously if you have to cut caffeine out of your life entirely, drinking "decaf" won't do the trick. (Prune juice maybe? Gaaaah.)
Swenyway, this little D+Caf strip-doo-dad tests for caffeine levels of less than 20mg per 6 oz cup. I did the test using Millstone Hazelnut Cream, regular and decaffeinated, using the same amount of coffee / water and same brewing method. The picture here shows the results of the test strips. Yes, the one on the left is the decaf, the test strips worked.
But I must confess I was a bit disappointed. I was hoping for something more precise. Something ... well ok, something less than a tricorder readout, but closer to a pool chlorine test strip maybe, that would show me a range. Colored stripes ranging from green (really really LOW caffeine level) to RED for "danger zone". These little strips are more like a pregnancy test. It's either yes or no. Heh. So, if the little line on the left is all you see, then you're safely in the unleaded zone. If you see two lines, or one dark line on the right, you've got too much go-juice in your cup.
That is valuable info if you have a caffeine sensitivity and really REALLY need to know what you're drinking. I still would like to see more precise information, but I might have to keep a supply of these on hand, just in case my nightmare ever does come true.
Related: Can't Get Enough Caffeine?
Interesting concept - a tester....
In this house, unfortunately we do have to cut our caffeine consumption, not because of blood pressure, but because of anxiety issues. We still buy and grind good quality beans, so we're not losing taste, just the buzz (which is fine by me - I happen to like the taste of coffee). Since we drink mostly Americano's, here at home we've cut down to 1/4 caffe. When out in the world and we want a cup of coffee, we generally have a split shot. Works for us and we don't feel like we're compromising anything.
Posted by: Carole | May 15, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Wow! I am getting an unusual high just by looking at these pictures...I am definitely hitting the stores and get my choco dose...got to have one!
Even chocolate is perfect for a cup of espresso
Rock on!
http://coffeeshopsessions.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Abigail | May 04, 2009 at 11:11 AM
http://www.spainflorist.com
Send gifts to Spain, Online delivery of flowers to Spain, gift to Spain, chocolates, cakes, watches, teddy, sweets, fresh fruits, dry fruits.
Anniversary, birthday, wedding gifts, cakes to Spain, Same day delivery to Spain, Gift Shop.
Posted by: anamika | April 23, 2009 at 02:38 AM
Coffee in moderation is fine. Excess of anything is bad. I found the article at www.jacksoncoffeeco.com to be on point about this.
I used these strips and found that they are not as accurate as one thinks.
Posted by: brian | April 20, 2009 at 07:08 PM
Hi, I can't seem to subscribe to this, Thanks.
Posted by: | March 12, 2009 at 02:14 AM
Best not to drink Coffee at all...
Posted by: Cashmere | March 05, 2009 at 08:40 PM
Where are your related posts?
Posted by: | February 12, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Decaf is the way forward however a good balance is the key to a healthy coffee habbit. There are plenty of good decaf brands out there so we have no excuse if we choose to drink decaf only. I don't go cold turkey for caffine like some people so I find I can take it or leave it. Depends on my mood.
Posted by: Arthur John Cole | January 18, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Decaf coffee does little to help you speak with the dead. No really, read: http://www.chasingsanity.com/coffee-cheaper-than-a-psychic/
Posted by: ChasingSanity.com | January 18, 2009 at 06:58 AM
Check this awesome coffee class out...I am going.
Coffee Expert: From Plant to Cup
on February 23, 2009- February 24, 2009 at 9:00am-5:00pm.
It's a pricey class, the cost is $795, but it seems worth it. Check out the site and the description below.
www.internationalculinarycenter.com/rec
In this two-day intensive, created for devoted coffee lovers and industry professionals, students will dissect every detail that goes into crafting a superior brew. Class begins with a fascinating botanical and historical overview of the bean, touching on coffee’s cultural significance through the ages, before embarking on an in-depth study of coffee in two of its elemental forms, espresso and cappuccino.
Posted by: David Rodriguez | January 14, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Was just wrapping some coffee mugs, beans and cookies for Lovely Daughter and Son&Heir ("heir" means he gets to care for me in my old[er] age *heh*) and thought of you Christine. Merry Christmas.
As to decaf... you know, some *cough* biblical scholars assert that, because it was "pleasing to the eye" and its fruit "tasted good" (but was bad, bad, bad! ;-)), the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" in Genesis must have been the world's one and only decaffeinated coffee bean tree...
Caffeine=Good.
Decaf=The Devil's Brew.
Posted by: David | December 23, 2008 at 03:06 PM
I've always wondered about caffeinated vs. decaffeinated coffee, but have stuck with the 'hard stuff' most of my life. OR, I go half and half.
Those testers you have look like they belong in an 8th grade science lab. What were those for?? Testing pH levels? Probably very similar technology.
Posted by: Stemulite | December 04, 2008 at 08:14 AM
I need my caffeine but think this is great for people who simply can't have it for health reasons. I don't know what I'd do without my Kona coffee. I order it online at https://konaluna.com and make it at home so I don't even have to leave the house for this gourmet treat - bring on the caffeine!
Posted by: Mamasaid | November 19, 2008 at 03:18 PM
No one would ever drink decaf if they saw or knew how they dec it - and don't tell me the swiss water process is safer. It maybe safe but its not safe. Drink green tea and save your health or drink the real mccoy -
Boake Moore
www.missiongrounds.com
Posted by: Boake Moore | November 06, 2008 at 08:44 PM
If they were going to make something accurate, I'm sure it would be just like those old do-it-yourself chemistry kits. Not so very portable.
PS. Did the tall bearded one give you any of that toffee?
Posted by: Amber | November 06, 2008 at 03:12 PM
I rarely drink decaf. Occasionally, if I think I've had too much caffeine on a given day, I will mix a little decaf in with reg. coffee. Not for the purists, maybe, but it fills the cup and decreases the buzz a bit.
Posted by: bartolomo | November 06, 2008 at 07:52 AM
Decaf is really only if you have to do it (blood pressure etc.). It's a shame and it's not what coffee is about.
I recommend drinking coffee (or decaf if you have to) with this
http://worthtobeblogged.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Bluzica | November 05, 2008 at 08:28 AM