Debunking the Aftermath of your Cup of Joe
As a barista and someone highly affected by caffeine intake after 1 pm, I always have to ask the customer who is ordering a quad shot after three in the afternoon what their evening plans are. There must be something happening to warrant the pick-me-up that was almost always too casually ordered. To me, the quad shot at three pm would easily keep me up until midnight, and then the idea of not sleeping would keep me up for the next two, so it’s out of the question. Early on in my coffee career, I started surveying these orders, and to my surprise, the majority of customers who preferred more coffee in their drinks did so because they felt the caffeine didn’t affect them; thus, thinking that perhaps adding more would do the trick.
In the coffee industry, it is easy to see that everyone has a different response to and tolerance when it comes to caffeine. There are those who need the first cup of black coffee finished before they start any semblance of a conversation, and then those who wake up chipper and ready to go without any caffeine aids. Some people find a green tea matcha to be the perfect afternoon buzz, while others order the large cold brew to get through the last few work meetings of the day.
And then there are the times when you have those big plans, the ones that require you to be wide awake and ready to go, and you think coffee is just the little treat you need. You order, you drink, you enjoy, you wait, anticipating the subtle alertness that is sure to come. And nothing. You drink your coffee, and not only do you not feel energized, but you still feel sleepy. So what happened? I’ll start with the obvious: no, your barista did not mistakenly serve you decaf. And no, the coffee wasn’t any less strong than normal. The coffee is staying the same, at least at Tala! I promise.
Coffee is a magical little indulgence, a rhythmic morning routine, and for some, the only way to get through the day. So why does it sometimes feel like it’s actually doing the opposite, tragically making us more sleepy and less refreshed? The sad reality is, it really is you, not the coffee.
So let’s dive in and dig deeper to understand how to get the most out of your delicious drink.
Coffee before water.
If you find yourself two cups in and you haven’t drank water today, that is probably your problem. Coffee is a diuretic, which means it causes mild dehydration if you consume a lot. While a cup of black drip coffee does have about 100 milligrams of caffeine to get you going, you’re going to be feeling super groggy and dehydrated if you don’t drink water before or soon after having your cup of joe.
Coffees with lots of added sugars.
If you love your specialty drink (and how can you not with all the fun seasonal drinks?!), make sure to drink lots of water and have a bit of food in your system. The quick spike in insulin to manage the sugar intake means you could face a sugar crash later in your day. To avoid this, try ordering a little less sweet, drink lots of water, and eat balanced meals.
Too much coffee!
Sadly, yes, there can be such a thing as too much coffee. After consuming more and more caffeine, your body starts to adjust, and the caffeine no longer has as noticeable an effect. Getting caffeine headaches when you don’t have coffee right away? You’ve built up a tolerance. That may be your body’s sign telling you to slow it down because you’ve become dependent. We know it’s not fun, but cutting back doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy our sweet, beautiful coffee; just take it in moderation!
No chill when it comes to your coffee.
I know coffee is exactly what you want first thing in the morning, but your body will thank you if you opt for a glass of water and then go for your coffee! The “optimal time” to drink your first cup is 90 minutes after waking up so that your natural cortisol levels (which help you become alert) have time to rise and fall. This also helps avoid those afternoon crashes!
Long Story Short:
If you’re not getting the same pep in your step from your daily coffee intake, it’s time to look at the habits surrounding your coffee consumption. Coffee is the perfect incentive to get out of bed, the reward to a productive morning, or the fun excuse to go chat up the local baristas, but if you’re not feeling ready to go afterwards, don’t blame the coffee! And also, please don’t panic, there is a solution. Drink more water, make sure to get plenty of sleep (sadly, coffee won’t make up for all-nighters), eat a balanced diet, and don’t overdo it. It’s simple, really!
Haley Horvat
Meet Haley, our resident globetrotter here at Tala. When she’s not behind the bar, she’s likely baking something sweet or traveling the world, making new friends along the way. She’s always chasing good coffee and her next adventure!