I read this in October because I started wondering one day how it came to be that we have this drug, caffeine, that is absolutely accepted into our society, and it’s even normal for people to be addicted to, and no one cares. It’s me, so I quickly found a book about it, this one. The book has chapters on different sources of caffeine, and caffeine itself. He talks about the politics of caffeine, cola, coffee, laws, branding, and then how caffeine gets into different things, a bit of the history, and even a bit of science. It’s a good all-around book, and written in an interesting, not dry, way. I would follow up at some point with a more scientific-based book, and then maybe in depth more on something that follows the history of tea or coffee. This is a great book, highly recommended! The word "caffeine" is derived from the German word for coffee: "kaffee." Murray Carpenter describes caffeine as "the most popular, least regulated drug in the United States" and defines a Standard Caffeine Dose (SCAD) as 75 milligrams, roughly equivalent to 5 oz. of coffee, 2 cans of Coke, 1 8.4 oz. Red Bull. Arabica and Robusta are the most common commercially-grown species of coffee, and Robusta beans have nearly twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans. Almost all Colombian coffee is Arabica. Before reading this book. I didn't know that caffeine is now artificially synthesized in factories, many of which are located in China. I also didn't know the origins of the Keurig machine, to which I am opposed because of the wasteful and expensive packaging. Read this book for more details about about the gourmet coffee business, "energy" drinks, and the benefits and dangers of caffeine use.
What do You think about All Jacked Up (2000)?
Eye opening on the truth of our common addiction and the industries that depends on it.
—Kadia
Entertaining enough. Eye opening about how caffeine is regulated (or not).
—jmmamm
If you like caffeine, you will LOVE this tome on the bitter, white powder.
—lady
Finished the last chapter with a Gibraltar at Blue Bottle.
—Deeanna
