Deconstructing The Decaf Myth

tidbits that tantalize

I Asked for

Decaf...

Researchers recently rushed nervously about town sampling decaf coffee from local coffee houses. Their findings sent a shock wave of panic through the usually demur decaf crowd. It seems, contrary to all sense of fair play, the dedicated decafers are getting more than their fair share.

A study, conducted by researchers at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, found caffeine in all decaf samples, with one notable exception: Folger's Instant was found to be truly caffeine free. The decaffeinated coffees contained between 3 and 15.8 milligrams of caffeine per cup. By comparison, a caffeinated specialty coffee drink typically contains about 190 milligrams of caffeine per cup.

While the caffeine content is small, consumers should be aware that, as in the world of politics, true meaning is often in the innuendo. So, next time you saunter up to a Starbuck's counter and say, "Could I get a decaf mocha latte?" don't be surprised if the barista answers, "That depends on what your definition of decaf is."