Once people learn about the INeedCoffee website, they come to the same conclusion. You must drink a lot of coffee! I tried to defend myself for the longest time by explaining that I prefer quality over quantity. I don’t think I drink a lot of coffee. But what is considered a lot of coffee? I have an uncle who consumes more coffee in a day than I do in a week. But I also know people who could make the same comparison about me.
In this article, I’ve decided to lay my cards on the table and let you decide if I consume too little or too much caffeine. To make it more interesting, I’ve invited other INeedCoffee contributors to send me a typical day journal of caffeine consumption.
Michael Allen Smith, Seattle
My weapon of choice is espresso, although recently I have developed a taste for many oolong and green teas.
- 5:45 AM – Oolong Tea
- 6:15 AM – Double Espresso
- 7:45 AM – Double Espresso
- 10:00 AM – Coke Zero (1 can)
- 12:15 PM – Double Espresso
- 2:45 PM – Double Espresso (gym days only)
- 5:45 PM – Green Tea
Coke Zero in Thailand
Paul Rj Muller, CaffiNation USA
Paul runs the CaffiNation website. He drinks coffee from morning to night. On the weekends he consumes a drastically smaller amount of coffee.
- 6:25 AM – 1 Mug of black coffee, usually instant, as I’m rushing out the door.
- 7:30 AM – 1 Large cup from an on-campus coffee stall that roasts their own beans each morning (the Freshest cup I’ve ever had)
- 10:30 AM – 1 Mug of black coffee (Office coffee; this past week, it was Chock Full of Nuts)
- 12:30 PM – Small mug with lunch
- 3:00 PM – 1 large mug from the same pot as earlier
- 10:00 PM – 1 large mug of good coffee before I get to work writing articles, podcasting, and answering emails.
Myron Joshua, Israel
Myron has written a few articles on coffee history and he prefers drinking French Press coffee. He drinks it all day long and often makes coffee for his co-workers.
- 7:00 AM – French Press (7-10 grams)
- 9:30 AM – French Press
- 1:00 PM – French Press
- 4:30 PM – often the “usual” French Press before the trip home. (Thank G-d it is not usual.)
- 7:00 PM – Double Espresso or French Press
- 10:30 PM – Double Espresso or French Press before bed
Chris Arnold, San Diego
Home roaster Chris Arnold has recently started writing country guides for the coffee-growing regions. He actually drinks more coffee on weekend. Below is Chris’s typical weekday caffeine journal.
- 9:00 AM – Double shot of espresso at home
- 10:00 AM – Cup of Drip Coffee at work
- 11:00 AM – Cup of Drip Coffee at work
- 7:00 PM – Cup of Drip Coffee or Cappuccino after dinner at home
Stella Espresso
Ryan Jacobs, Columbus
Longtime contributor Ryan Jacobs consumes most of his coffee in the morning.
- 6:30 AM – 2 mugs of drip coffee or two double espressos
- 8:00 AM – 1 mug of drip coffee
- 2:30 PM – 1 mug of drip coffee
Alex Scofield, Cape Cod
Frequent contributor Alex Scofield is a fan of the giant mug.
- 7:00 AM – 2 giant mugs of drip-pot coffee (each mug approx. 4 “cups” as listed on the drip pot)
- 11:00 AM – 2 large mugs of French Press coffee at the office (each mug approx. 3 “cups”)
- 6:00 PM – 1 giant mug drip-pot coffee – at home on a short workday, in the office out of a go-cup if I’m working late.