Tis’ the season for a good cup of coffee! But what is a good cup of coffee? Starbucks and Dunkin’ offer multitudes of different names, tastes and caffeine levels. Depending on the caffeine content you can handle and the time of day, your body can have varying reactions to the amount you consume.Â
The science behind caffeine
Let us get the boring stuff out of the way: what is caffeine and how does it work? Caffeine acts upon the brain by blocking the binding of adenosine, which naturally builds up throughout the day breaking down ATP and giving us that drowsiness that wears us down. As you consume caffeine within larger amounts and more frequently, your body will produce more adenosine in order to work around it, creating a caffeine tolerance. This tolerance is the reason in which some people cannot handle a simple Diet Coke’s worth of caffeine and others may be able to regulate multiple energy drinks, or shots of espresso.
Beyond this, what about the actual drink? Stepping into chain coffee shops nowadays is no easy feat, let alone a local cafe with minimal options. For starters, a cup of black coffee is a diluted form of caffeine containing around 60 milligrams, slightly more than in a standard Diet Coke can. When you customize coffee, it would typically be mixed with a splash of milk, or a dollop of cold foam for a creamier taste. Aside from this, a standard coffee typically does not mesh well with any flavoring. Flavoring generally mixes best with a latte, which contains espresso, as opposed to coffee, and are put on a 1:3-1:5 ratio of espresso to milk. Beyond these options, there are tons of alternatives and the main difference falls on how much milk or water is added in ratio to the espresso.
Ordering coffee
“I’ve never ordered from a cafe before; what do I get?” Depending on the cafe, they may offer different options. However, most cafes serve honey, and an iced or hot honey latte has never failed me before. However, if you are not a honey fan, there are tons of flavors out there to meddle with. Test something: see if the cafe offers a special, but if you play it safe, vanilla will never do you wrong. Neither will a mocha, essentially a chocolate milk latte, which tastes as good as it sounds! Pair it with a chocolate croissant, and you have chocolate heaven. But truly, just mess around with flavors that sound good, and eventually you will understand your taste buds more. Are you craving sweetness, or do you thrive on the taste of espresso?
When in Amherst, it is almost inevitable that you will run into a cafe downtown. So what are the classic gems? Well for a true cafe with standard drinks, Amherst Coffee and Bar is a spot that will never fail you. They can make a fabulous cup of coffee and their pastries are to die for. However, if you are hunting something more unique, direct your attention to Share Roasters. This cafe has an adorable interior and flavors to hit every craving you have ever had. Their beverages will give you a kick when paired with late night study sessions. Do not fret if you still hate coffee after reading this, as they also offer a variety of delicious pastries and meals to keep you energized throughout your day.Â
Overall, caffeine is a blessing within our daily lives, allowing us to push through these long days of class and studying while still keeping our sanity intact. Just be careful, play it safe within your consumption of coffee before you gain jitters that overpower your mindset.Â
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