Method for the preparation of a caffeine-containing solution from dehydrated magic beans
Introduction
Caffeine is a stimulant that can induce alertness in certain individuals when consumed at an appropriate quantity. Caffeine is often obtained by ingesting caffeine-containing solutions. However, no protocol for obtaining caffeine from dehydrated, roasted beans using materials typically available in a Philadelphia office has been described in the published literature. Here, we report on the one-pot creation of a caffeine-containing solution from such beans using only the available materials.
Materials
- Roasted beans
- Technivorm Mochamaster KBT Model
- Hario Bamboo Coffee Syphon Stir Stick
- Kitchen scale
- Melitta #4 Cone Natural Brown Coffee Filters
- Baratza Virtuoso Coffee Grinder
- Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Coffee Canister
Methods
1. We weighed 2g of whole beans for each ounce of water. We brewed ten 4oz cups of solution in our Technivorm Moccamaster using 80g of beans.
2. We ground the beans setting our Baratza Virtuoso to grind size 16.
3. To prepare the filter for brewing, we folded the #4 cone filter to fit in the brew basket and pre-rinsed it with filtered water to remove any paper taste and prevent tearing.
4. We added 80g of ground beans to the brew basket and gently shook to create an even, flat surface.
5. We added 40 oz of cool filtered water to the Moccamaster tank and placed the manual-adjust drip stop in the “half open” setting.
6. We turned the machine on. At this point in the process, we felt like we were making real progress and said to ourselves: “You’re doing great! [Taroni and Taroni, Personal Communication]”
7. We ran two cups worth of water through the machine reaching the 8 cup mark. We sought to ensure an even extraction, so we stirred the grounds in the brew basket.
8. We adjusted the brew basket drip stop so that it was fully open. In previous work, we found that skipping this step led to an overflow error [Prasad et al. 2019].
9. We stirred the grounds a second time. This ensured an even extraction and prevented us from replying to GitHub issues before we consumed the caffeine-containing solution.
10. We waited for brewing to complete and closed the drip stop on the brew basket.
11. We poured the caffeine-containing solution into an 8 oz mug.
12. We drank the solution.
Results
The liquid tasted delicious. We were able to effectively respond to GitHub issues for a period of time following consumption. Subjects experienced a “caffeine crash” a few hours post-consumption of the solution. Unfortunately, such a decrease in caffeination levels tended to coincide with typical mid-day meal times. Subjects reported feeling “hangry” in semi-structured interviews and in mutterings under their respective breaths.
Discussion
Through extensive testing, we’ve found medium roasted beans that work as an espresso blend to yield solutions that are acceptable to all participants in our small pilot study. We currently serve Sterling Coffee Blendo Stupendo and have used Intelligentsia Coffee Analog Espresso Blend in the past. We purchase our whole beans in bulk (5 lbs at a time) to maximize the volume discount. All beans are stored in airtight containers that protect them from light. We use the Coffee Gator canister to store beans for use in the immediate term and store the rest in an airtight Cambro container still in the bag. Upcoming work will characterize methods for generating caffeine-containing solutions at room temperature (Taroni et al. In preparation.). In total, this approach lays important groundwork for brewing coherent responses in the context of asynchronous text-based communication.
RESOURCE AVAILABILITY
Brewed coffee described herein is available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request, where it is understood that no request is reasonable before coffee or from greater than 20 feet away from the brewing device.
Introduction
Caffeine is a stimulant that can induce alertness in certain individuals when consumed at an appropriate quantity. Caffeine is often obtained by ingesting caffeine-containing solutions. However, no protocol for obtaining caffeine from dehydrated, roasted beans using materials typically available in a Philadelphia office has been described in the published literature. Here, we report on the one-pot creation of a caffeine-containing solution from such beans using only the available materials.
Materials
- Roasted beans
- Technivorm Mochamaster KBT Model
- Hario Bamboo Coffee Syphon Stir Stick
- Kitchen scale
- Melitta #4 Cone Natural Brown Coffee Filters
- Baratza Virtuoso Coffee Grinder
- Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Coffee Canister
Methods
1. We weighed 2g of whole beans for each ounce of water. We brewed ten 4oz cups of solution in our Technivorm Moccamaster using 80g of beans.
2. We ground the beans setting our Baratza Virtuoso to grind size 16.
3. To prepare the filter for brewing, we folded the #4 cone filter to fit in the brew basket and pre-rinsed it with filtered water to remove any paper taste and prevent tearing.
4. We added 80g of ground beans to the brew basket and gently shook to create an even, flat surface.
5. We added 40 oz of cool filtered water to the Moccamaster tank and placed the manual-adjust drip stop in the “half open” setting.
6. We turned the machine on. At this point in the process, we felt like we were making real progress and said to ourselves: “You’re doing great! [Taroni and Taroni, Personal Communication]”
7. We ran two cups worth of water through the machine reaching the 8 cup mark. We sought to ensure an even extraction, so we stirred the grounds in the brew basket.
8. We adjusted the brew basket drip stop so that it was fully open. In previous work, we found that skipping this step led to an overflow error [Prasad et al. 2019].
9. We stirred the grounds a second time. This ensured an even extraction and prevented us from replying to GitHub issues before we consumed the caffeine-containing solution.
10. We waited for brewing to complete and closed the drip stop on the brew basket.
11. We poured the caffeine-containing solution into an 8 oz mug.
12. We drank the solution.
Results
The liquid tasted delicious. We were able to effectively respond to GitHub issues for a period of time following consumption. Subjects experienced a “caffeine crash” a few hours post-consumption of the solution. Unfortunately, such a decrease in caffeination levels tended to coincide with typical mid-day meal times. Subjects reported feeling “hangry” in semi-structured interviews and in mutterings under their respective breaths.
Discussion
Through extensive testing, we’ve found medium roasted beans that work as an espresso blend to yield solutions that are acceptable to all participants in our small pilot study. We currently serve Sterling Coffee Blendo Stupendo and have used Intelligentsia Coffee Analog Espresso Blend in the past. We purchase our whole beans in bulk (5 lbs at a time) to maximize the volume discount. All beans are stored in airtight containers that protect them from light. We use the Coffee Gator canister to store beans for use in the immediate term and store the rest in an airtight Cambro container still in the bag. Upcoming work will characterize methods for generating caffeine-containing solutions at room temperature (Taroni et al. In preparation.). In total, this approach lays important groundwork for brewing coherent responses in the context of asynchronous text-based communication.
RESOURCE AVAILABILITY
Brewed coffee described herein is available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request, where it is understood that no request is reasonable before coffee or from greater than 20 feet away from the brewing device.
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