Stimulating Beverages

    I. Caffeine
        A. Where does it come from?
            1. Caffeine comes from certain plant seeds and young new leaves
        B. Physiological effects
            1. What is it?
                a)    is a stimulant: alkaloid
            2. Why would a plant need caffeine?
            3. Why do we like to drink caffeinated beverages?
            4. Why is it bad for me?

    II. Coffee (Coffea arabica and Coffea robusta)
        A. Origin: Africa (Ethiopia)
        B. Is a small tree. Main types:
            1. C. arabica: high cool altitudes; better quality
            2. C. robusta: low warm altitudes; harsher quality, but more disease resistant
        C. Alkaloid stimulant: caffeine
        D. Processing:
            1. Small fruit contains two seeds (‘beans’) covered by pulp.  Harvested by hand.
            2. Fermented to remove pulp
            3. Dried and roasted: produces the flavor
            4. Decaffeinated while bean is green

    III. Tea (Camellia sinensis)
        A. Origin: China
        B. Youngest leaves at stem tips are used
        C. Alkaloid stimulant: caffeine and theophylline
        D. Processing:
            1. Black tea:
            2. Green tea:
            3. Oolong tea:
        E. Aroma and flavor: oils and tannins

    IV. Cocoa or Cacao (Theobroma cacao)
        A. Source of cocoa and chocolate
        B. Origin:  Central America and Mexico
        C. Introduced to Spain by Cortes (1520’s); Spanish added sugar.
        D. Alkaloid stimulant: theobromine
        E. Processing:
            1. Fruit (pod) grows directly on tree trunk.
            2. Seeds (‘beans’) fermented to remove pulp and then dried.
            3. Seeds cracked open to release ‘nibs’ = the cotyledons.
            4. Nibs are ground to a paste.

    V. Cola tree (Cola acuminata)
        A. Origin: Africa.
        B. Extracts from seeds used to make coca cola beverages
        C. Seeds contain caffeine