A close up of two mugs. The mug in the foreground is a green mug of matcha with a floral design in the milk. The mug in the background is a brown mug of coffee.

Slow Acting vs Fast Acting Caffeinated Drinks

  • by Kayleigh A Rohrbach

By Nutrition Peer Counselor Rebecca Johnson

Ever need a little boost to start the day? Many people rely on caffeinated beverages to give them an extra spark of energy at work or school. However, some may feel as if caffeine works for a certain amount of time or for less time than they might prefer. This could be due to the fact that different caffeine-containing beverages have slower or quicker caffeine absorption times! 

Slow-acting caffeine is absorbed in the body over a longer duration of time and can make a person feel like they have more sustained energy without a “crash” after the caffeine levels drop. A fast-acting caffeine gives a quicker energy boost as the caffeine enters the bloodstream a lot quicker than slow-acting caffeine. Some may experience a “crash” or drop in energy after the fast-acting caffeine wears off. These different absorption times are often due to other contents present in the beverage like fiber, antioxidants, and even amino acids like L-theanine. 

Some examples of slower-acting caffeinated beverages include different types of teas like matcha or green tea. Faster-acting caffeinated beverages consist of some coffees and energy drinks. However, these beverages exhibit different individualized responses depending on the person. Overall, through trying new drinks, you can find a caffeinated beverage that gives you the type of energy that you need to succeed!

Golden Ratio Matcha Latte 

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoon matcha (in powdered form) 
  • ¼ cup water 
  • ½ - ¾ cup milk 
  • 1 teaspoon of a sweetener of your choice (honey or agave works well) 

Instructions

1. Heat up a cup of water to a gentle boil and place matcha whisk in the water to bloom and open up. However, if you don’t have a matcha whisk, feel free to use a small electric whisk or even a hand whisk used in baking. 

2. Sift 2 teaspoons of matcha through a small strainer and into a medium bowl. 

3. Add ¼ cup of water to the matcha. This water can be hot or cold. Depending on the type of matcha, different temperatures can bring out different flavors and aromas. 

4. Whisk matcha powder with water using the matcha whisk. 

5. After bubbles form and there aren’t any more matcha sediments visible, pour matcha into a cup. 

6. Add ½-¾ cup of milk to the cup depending on how strong you want the matcha to be. 

7. Add 1 teaspoon of your favorite sweetener like honey! 

8. Mix together the contents with a spoon or straw, use an electric whisk if you want it more frothy.

Primary Category

Healthy Aggies