March Matchups: Coffee vs. Tea

Coffee vs. Tea

"Ding ding ding ding....This contest is scheduled for one fall with a 20-minute time limit..." So we begin matchup number two here at "March Matchups." Yes, this one is Coffee vs. Tea!

Coffee seems to be more and more of a staple in our society. Every time I turn around I see a new Starbucks or a new Dunkin' Donuts opening up. Everyone seems to be getting into the act when it comes to coffee. Most people drink coffee to get a boost of energy. Some like the taste and others do it out of routine. As we all know coffee contains caffeine, unless if you get decaf which still has a substantial amount of caffeine. Studies have shown that caffeine can be bad for you over time. Plus most people usually add some form of sugar to their cup of coffee, which again over time and in large quantities can be bad for you. You know what is also bad for you? Listening to the liberal media fawn over Al Gore!

But I think everything in moderation is OK, except for Al Gore. I like coffee but haven't had a full cup in a few months - basically because if I am at Starbucks I usually order one of those ice cold frappuccinos or a cup of tea. If I get really strong coffee it can make me feel a bit jittery, as well. I also associate coffee with cigarettes, something else bad for you, which is also highly addictive. I bet if one stays away from both that it can significantly reduce their chances of having health problems down the line. Plus, both can yellow your teeth. Ughh!

If you click this link you can find out more about coffee, but I guess it started in the ninth century in Ethiopia and then kind of spread itself out around the globe. Coffee has been featured
all over. It seemed like Denis Franz was always drinking a cup of coffee on NYPD Blue and even Frank Sinatra sang about coffee with his quick-tempoed rendition of The Coffee Song.

Besides the usual spots that are famous for coffee, I have also found surprisingly that the Hess Gas station - which is within a mile of the ramps to I-95 and the Hutch in Mamaroneck - has excellent coffee. When I was living in New Rochelle, there was a great spot in neighboring Pelham Manor on the corner of US1 and Pelhamdale Avenue called The Four Corner's Cafe that had the smoothest tasting coffee I've ever had.

Coffee can be great and it can also be not so great, I suppose like anything. Oh yeah, if you are ever constipated coffee is the best remedy. Which leads me to tea...

Tea does contain caffeine despite what proverbial wisdom may be and can even have as much if not more caffeine than coffee. Again click on the highlighted word and you can find out about its origins. You can order decaf tea, but if you want to avoid caffeine altogether look for 'caffeine free' tea.

Many people like tea with milk or cream, some add sugar. More commonly I do see folks adding a lemon. Me, I like it plain. Here's what I like: Barnes & Noble in White Plains has the friendliest group of folks working not only in the book store, but in their cafe which sells Starbucks tea and coffee and has pastries from The Cheesecake Factory, which is within walking distance. So I go there and get a chocolate mint tea made by Harney's. In fact, the other day I went to B & N and the guy behind the counter told me they were not going to be making that flavor anymore. So he suggested I buy a tin which was on sale. So for $4 I got 20 bags of chocolate mint tea. Great stuff! Smells great and does contain some caffeine but not too much. Enough that I feel awake, but not wired. Plus it is very, very relaxing. That type of tea goes great with a chocolate almond biscotti (whatever the hell a biscotti is), but that's what I like. It actually is a black tea which is supposed to be good for you with all its antioxidants. I also have heard wonders about green tea. So the winner is...

After just five minutes (usually the right amount of time to let a cup of tea sit) tea has won by using a submission hold, probably the sleeper.

As always...

Stay Onsides!