Stimulants: Caffeine

Caffeine

Trimethylxanthine alkaloid, mild diuretic and stimulant, calming agent

Theobromine

similar to caffeine, found in chocolate and cola, stronger diuretic

Coffee (coffea arabica/robusta)

tree, native Africa (arabica - ethiopia/ robusta - west central africa), contains 1-2% caffeine, 2 seeded reb berry fruit, seed is coffee bean, bean extracted/fermented/dried/roasted

history of coffee

cultivated in ethipoia and arabian peninsula, introduced to Europe by Venetian merchants, along with tea is most widely consumed, grwon commercially in south america (Brazil) and southeast Asia (Vietnam)

Tea (Camellia sinensis)

shrub, native southeast Asia, new young leaves used, contains 1-4%caffeine, Green or black

history of tea

introduced to Europe by portuguese, Dutch held minipolized for while, British later took over trade of green and black tea

Green Tea

consumed in China/Japan, partially shredding and quickly drying fresh leaves

Black Tea

consumed in India/Europe/north America, slowly dried in cool damp condition, initiate enzymatic process, shredded helps oxide bitter leaf tannis and phenols, quick dried/fired to produce characterisitc dark colour

Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis)

tree, Holly (Aquifoliaceae) family, native sub-tropical South America, contains 0.8-1.3% caffeine, tea-like beverage - social drink, dried leafs used

Yerba mate serving

serve in cup (mate) made from dried gourd, powdered leaf and water strain through bombilla, social affair with friends

Guayusa or Amazonian Holly (Ilex guayusa)

tree, Holly (aquifoliaceae) family, native Amazonian forest, contains 3.4-7.6% caffeine, adverse effects like headaches/bloodshot eyes/mild hallucinations

Guayusa and Achuar Jivaro people

use ritualistically, Men drink upto 2L per day, vomit 45min later to avoid side effects

Cocoa (Therbroma cacao)

understory tree, native southamerica, seeds within pod like fruit used, contains 2-3% theobromine and anandamide

Making of chocolate

beans extracted from mature fruits and fermented, roasting and grinding of bean makes oily mass (Cocoa liquor), gently pressed to separate fat rich cocoa butter and bitter cocoa powder, blend cocoa liquour and butter with emulsifiers (prevent congealing) and sugar/milk/flavouring agent 

anandamide

cannabinoid neurotransmitter, in chocolate, affects appetite/mood/time perception, promotes dopamine release

History of Cocoa

criollo variety appeared 5300 yrs ago, Mayan cocoa consumed fresh (not roasted), Aztec consumed cold bitter beverages containingCorn/cocoa/chillies/spices ritualistically (considered aphrodisiac), Spainish modified Aztec recipe removing chilies and adding sugar/anise/cinnamon, Only weathly could afford in Europe (opened chocolate house)

Cola or Kola (Cola acuminata/nitida)

tree, sterculaciaceae family, native west-central Africa rainforest, related cocoa, contains2-3%caffeine and 1-2.5% theobromine, pod like fruit contains 8-12 seeds (beans)

Cola flavouring

extracted from cola bean using hot water, concentrated into thick syrup, used to flavour soft drinks

History of Cola

chewed as oral stimulant, initially bitter tasting but become sweet as chewed, relieve hunger pangs and various ailments, used traditional spirtual and divination ceremonies

Guarana (Paullinia cupana)

climbing plant (vine) or native tropical South America, seed used(roasted), contains 4-6% caffeine

history of Guarana

Satere-Maue tribe of Amazonia used to produce caffeinated bevarage, popular in brazil (national drink), main stimulant in some high energy drinks