Emmy:  

   Coffee. Hmm? What is the first thing that comes to mind when hearing the word coffee? Utter disgust? The urge to go and grab some from your local cafe? Maybe excitement because of the new fall flavors that came out in Starbucks? The controversy that surrounds this caffeinated, caramelized, whipped, espressoed drink brings many discussions about whether or not coffee is worth the craze. A coffee lover may not hesitate to explain why coffee is superior while someone who does not enjoy coffee just doesn’t understand all the talk surrounding the brewed drink of a roasted coffee bean. 

     Coffee has a lot of pros as to why it is the ruler of the beverage kingdom. For starters, coffee can have many flavors to satisfy the taste buds. When drinking a cup of coffee, the flavors are the key to the perfect caffeinated drink to start your day. Everyone has different tastes when it comes to what may be the perfect coffee to them. A rich hazelnut pumpkin spice latte with whipped cream added with caramel drizzle to accompany you on an autumn evening might sound like a perfect idea or maybe a hot cup of a warm almond fudge mocha on your way to school might sound like a comforting way to start your day. Coffee has many varieties to choose from and that’s what makes coffee unique, so really anyone can create an ideal mug of coffee that suits them. People seem to stereotype coffee with that hot bitter taste that can easily be turned down; however each person’s coffee preference is different, and it can be a chance for someone to try something new and experience the wondrous choices of distinct coffee flavors and combinations. Surprisingly the little roasted ground coffee beans that come together to create that special drink can do a lot more than satisfy your taste buds. 

  As you know, coffee contains an infamous amount of caffeine. Caffeine is the most psychoactive stimulant that is consumed all over the world. People mostly know coffee as the drink to make you feel more awake and to help increase the levels of energy throughout the day, but caffeine has more complex roles than that. When caffeine is consumed, it gets immersed in the bloodstream leading to the brain. From there, the neurotransmitters in the brain increase, which are chemicals that allow neurons to communicate with each other. Caffeine enhances the power of these neurons. This overall effect improves the energy levels in the brain. With more energy, it will be much easier to stay awake in the early mornings and get through the day. Having more energy can perhaps make one feel more motivated to get tasks done and stay productive. Caffeine can also help with improvement in exercises, helping the body stay more alert. Coffee itself has a lot of exciting factors that make it a beverage to always look forward to whether you are making it yourself at home or ordering one to try the new inviting seasonal flavors. After all, it seems like coffee is worth the craze in the end. 

Hallie:

     Coffee. That early morning beverage that oodles of people purchase day after day from chain coffee shops like Starbucks or their favorite cafe claiming to have the best concoction of whipped cream, caramel, and espresso. But, of the people who drink coffee daily, how many of them actually enjoy (or even like) the flavor of coffee? I know what you might be thinking; “how can anyone not absolutely love coffee?!” Still, there are plenty of cons leading to the case that coffee is not all it’s hyped up to be.

     For starters, that steaming cup of coffee you drank this morning to keep you alive and awake throughout the school day can make you more anxious. School is stressful enough, and drinking coffee day after day may increase that stress. Caffeine can make you more jittery, less focused, overstimulate your brain, and cause/increase anxiety, making it harder to focus on studying for the next bio test or taking ELA notes in class. Coffee contains a lot of caffeine, roughly 95 mg in that itty-bitty eight-ounce mug. Yikes! Just for ONE mug of coffee? The average person can safely have a maximum of 400 mg of caffeine in one day. Your caffeine consumption really doesn’t need to be maxed out by coffee. Along with increased anxiety, coffee brings another friend with it to the party: insomnia. Caffeine-induced insomnia can cause you to be sleepy, lethargic, and grumpy. Just another reason to stay away from this appalling beverage. 

     Not to mention, coffee is E-X-P-E-N-S-I-V-E. A tall Starbucks frappuccino costs $3.25. This doesn’t seem like a lot at first, but the cost quickly adds up. Imagine buying just one of those (and nothing fancy) every single day. That’s $1,186.25 a year wasted for JUST COFFEE! That is plenty more than I would want to spend. Also, most people don’t get the basic stuff. They get the special seasonal mochas and go all out with the craziest cappuccino combos (that cost a lot more money). No wonder most high schoolers are broke! That hard-earned money gets discarded down the drain to pay for a wimpy styrofoam cup filled with watered-down, bitter coffee and whipped cream. Is coffee really worth it?

  Emmy: 

    Now it is known that drinking an excessive amount of coffee can lead to many sleepless nights of tossing and turning, and everyone hates that feeling of laying awake as the time seems to go by slowly minute after minute. Although this can be an issue, the amount of caffeine in coffee is what is creating those nights of insomnia. By limiting caffeine intake you can still get through the day with your coffee without sleepless nights. Getting in a routine can be taken into consideration that way you can drink coffee in the morning to prepare for the day ahead. If you have a hard time falling asleep in general, then watch the amount of caffeine you consume. Having the right amount of caffeine to keep your energy levels up for only the start of the day won’t be much of a problem. Spacing out the amount of coffee you drink throughout the day can be notable. Don’t assume that you need to start drinking coffee or caffeine midway through the day if you feel tired. Your body could be telling you that you need sleep. Coffee is a very addictive drink mainly due to the caffeine. Spacing out your coffee intake and drinking it when it is necessary will be important for those who need more sleep. 

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Hallie:     

     I get what you’re saying here. Coffee does have a lot of versatility in flavors and creative combinations. Nonetheless, no matter what you add to a coffee concoction, it still will continue to have that pungent and bitter taste that belongs to the likes of coffee beans. Coffee is not for everybody; it’s an acquired taste that many people just don’t like. But for those who do enjoy a golden bean brew, coffee addiction can be a big and unexpected problem. Caffeine is easily an addictive energizer that can unconsciously become a necessary element in your daily routine. Parts of your life can slowly be affected by the question, “Did I make a Starbucks run today?” Continued caffeine consumption can change your brain chemically by altering the production of certain receptors in your brain and building a tolerance to a certain amount of caffeine. Caffeine tolerance causes you to feel like you need more caffeine in your system. Whether you believe it or not, that’s not a good thing. There is an easy way to protect yourself from a constant coffee craving: stay away from this distasteful beverage. 

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    Coffee’s controversies may never be resolved, and while it has been an age-old question if coffee is superior, it is now time for you to decide. Some people stand with the coffee lovers who adore the jolt of energy they get once they take a scorching sip or an icy gulp of the iced java while others loathe the smell, the taste, and everything that ever has been associated with coffee. Now it’s time for you to decide: do you stand with the coffee craze, or are you against this bitter brewed bean?