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By Becky Mahan, Editor
And while Europeans love their coffee and chocolate, the next group of caffeine-junkies revolve their whole days around tea. The point is: caffeine is king. It makes the world go ’round. It provides the lifeblood for many a human being, from yawning morning commuters to close-knit families bonding over the table to trendy hipsters seeking out the best craft cup in town.
But there’s even more than just coffee and tea. In honor of Caffeine Awareness Month, here are awesome ways to get that hand-pumping, heart-shaking jolt you KNOW you so desperately crave:
Kopi Luwak
A.K.A “poop coffee.” Sounds dee-licious, no? This specialty drink is made from partially-digested coffee cherries eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet (weasel-like animal.) If you’re making a face right now, you might want to consider that *some* people will pay up to $100 for a cup of this (literal) crap. So, bottom’s up! (All puns intended.)
Maté
Also known as yerba mate, chimarrão or cimarrón, this traditional South American caffeinated drink is particularly popular in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Considered “the drink of the gods” for centuries, the drink is also wildly nutritious (packed with vitamins), and used as a general nerve tonic for pain, fatigue, and depression, or for allergies and sinusitis.
Matcha tea
Matcha is actually entire green tea leaves ground into a fine powder, instead of steeping them in hot water and then discarding them. Traditionally, it’s whisked into boiling water with a bamboo brush until it gets frothy. And since you’re consuming the entire tea leaf, this baby packs three times the amount of caffeine of traditionally brewed tea — which brings its jolt potential close to that of a cup of coffee.
Caffeinated peanut butter
Yep, you read that right. A compay called STEEM has taken one of the best foods ever (peanut butter) and added the surge of energy we all desperately crave (caffeine.) JEAN.YUS. The java PB is designed to provide a consistent release of sustained energy via caffeine, as well as protein and electrolytes. So really, it’s good for you.
Dark chocolate
The darker the chocolate (and purer the cocoa content), the higher the level of caffeine. For example, Hershey’s Dark Chocolate bar contains nearly as much caffeine as a can of Coca-Cola! So the next time you need a jolt, why not go for a win-win and grab a dark chocolate bar?
How junkies enjoy coffee around the world:
Kaapi – India
In India, finely ground coffee powder is mixed with frothed milk, and traditionally served in a stainless steel tumbler and dabarah (cup used to cool the coffee.)
Mélange — Austria
Similar to a cappuccino, mélange contains one espresso shot served in a large cup, topped with steamed milk and milk foam. There’s also the uber fancy kaisermelange: espresso topped with a honey-egg yolk mix and whipped cream.
Café Bombón — Spain
Espresso and sweetened condensed milk are layered strategically in a glass, then stirred (rendering the layering kind of pointless) together into a sweet, creamy treat.
Café de Olla — Mexico
Traditionally prepared and served in red clay earthenware, this Mexican specialty is mixed with cinnamon and piloncillo, an unrefined molasses-like cane sugar, and served warm and sweet.
Pharisäer — Germany
Pharisäer is a triple threat: dark roast coffee, dark rum, and whipped cream. Because why stop at just coffee?
Türk Kahvesi — Turkey
Traditional Turkish coffee is a mix of finely-ground coffee beans, sugar, and a pinch of fragrant spices, heated in a cezve (copper) pot, and served in a communal fashion, poured into small ornate mugs.
Trip.com makes finding your next adventure – or caffeine fix – less work and more fun. Seek out the best cup of coffee, tea, matcha, kopi luwak, or even caffeinated peanut butter in your city on the free app.
Source: gogobot.com