Beyond the Morning Cup: Finding Your Afternoon Energy Ally

Question: When I want to transition from my morning coffee to a lighter afternoon pick-me-up, what’s a quick and healthy beverage swap that offers a gentle energy boost?

The Afternoon Slump: A Familiar Foéble

Many of us experience a natural dip in energy and focus as the afternoon wears on. While the morning coffee ritual provides a robust start, reaching for another high-caffeine beverage can sometimes lead to jitters, disrupted sleep, or a subsequent crash. The quest for a gentler, yet effective, afternoon energizer is a common pursuit. Fortunately, the world of coffee offers more than just the roasted bean. Exploring the by-products of coffee cultivation reveals intriguing possibilities for a more nuanced approach to our afternoon pick-me-ups.

Unveiling Coffee Fruit Tea: Nature’s Gentle Stimulant

Beyond the familiar roasted bean lies the coffee cherry, the fruit that encases the beans. Historically, the pulp of this fruit has often been discarded as a waste product. However, innovative processing methods have transformed this once-overlooked component into a delightful and beneficial beverage: coffee fruit tea. This infusion, also known as cascara (meaning ‘skin’ or ‘husk’ in Spanish), is brewed from the dried skins and pulp of the coffee cherry [3].

Unlike traditional coffee, coffee fruit tea boasts a unique flavor profile. Sensory evaluations have identified notes ranging from honey and spice to fruit and even a subtle brandy-like character, thanks to compounds like phenylethyl alcohol and hexanoic acid ethyl ester [3]. This complex aroma and taste offer a refreshing alternative to the sometimes intense bitterness of coffee. Crucially, while coffee fruit tea does contain caffeine, its levels are generally lower and more gradual in their release compared to a concentrated espresso or drip coffee [5]. This characteristic makes it an ideal candidate for a mid-afternoon beverage, providing a mild energy lift without the dramatic peaks and troughs associated with higher caffeine intake.

The Science Behind the Boost

The energy-boosting properties of coffee fruit tea can be attributed to a combination of factors. While caffeine plays a role, the presence of other beneficial compounds within the coffee fruit is significant. Research into coffee co-products has highlighted their rich chemical composition [2]. For instance, coffee silverskin, another by-product, has been studied for its potential prebiotic properties due to its chemical makeup [4]. Although coffee fruit tea and silverskin are distinct, this broader research underscores the complex matrix of beneficial compounds that can be derived from the coffee plant. These polyphenols, present in coffee and potentially in its fruit derivatives, may contribute to neuroprotective effects, offering a more holistic approach to cognitive support than caffeine alone [5]. The gentler energy release, coupled with these additional beneficial compounds, provides a sustained sense of alertness and focus.

Brewing a Better Afternoon

Transitioning to coffee fruit tea for your afternoon pick-me-up is remarkably straightforward. The brewing process is similar to making regular tea. Typically, dried coffee fruit pulp is steeped in hot water. While specific parameters can vary, general guidelines for brewing coffee co-products suggest water temperatures in the range of 90-96°C (194-205°F) are effective [4]. The steeping time can be adjusted to achieve desired flavor strength, usually between 5 to 10 minutes. The resulting beverage offers a naturally sweet and fruity taste, often requiring no additional sweeteners. This makes it a healthy choice, free from the added sugars and artificial ingredients often found in commercial energy drinks [5]. Furthermore, embracing coffee fruit tea is an environmentally conscious decision, giving new life to a part of the coffee plant that might otherwise go to waste.

In conclusion, for those seeking a delightful and effective alternative to their morning coffee for an afternoon energy boost, coffee fruit tea presents a compelling option. Its nuanced flavor, lower caffeine content, and potential for sustained energy make it a healthful and satisfying choice, fostering a gentler transition into the latter part of the day without compromising on alertness or well-being.

References

[1] — Ernesto Illy, Luciano Navarini — Neglected Food Bubbles: The Espresso Coffee Foam. — 2011-Sep — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21892345/ [2] — Katarína Poláková, Alica Bobková, Alžbeta Demianová, Marek Bobko, Judita Lidiková, Lukáš Jurčaga, Ľubomír Belej, Andrea Mesárošová, Melina Korčok, Tomáš Tóth — Quality Attributes and Sensory Acceptance of Different Botanical Coffee Co-Products. — 2023-Jul-11 — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37509767/ [3] — Rongsuo Hu, Fei Xu, Liyan Zhao, Wenjiang Dong, Xingyuan Xiao, Xiao Chen — Comparative Evaluation of Flavor and Sensory Quality of Coffee Pulp Wines. — 2024-Jun-27 — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38999011/ [4] — Marlene Machado, Iva Fernandes, Ana Fernandes, Liliana Espírito Santo, Cláudia Passos, Aroa Santamarina, Alejandra Cardelle-Cobas, Manuel A Coimbra, Maria B P P Oliveira, Helena Ferreira, Rita C Alves — Impact of In vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion on the Chemical Composition and Prebiotic Potential of Coffee Silverskin. — 2025-Sep-05 — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40911156/ [5] — Jose Antonio, Brandi Antonio, Shawn M Arent, Darren G Candow, Guillermo Escalante, Cassandra Evans, Scott Forbes, David Fukuda, Maureen Gibbons, Patrick Harty, Andrew R Jagim, Douglas S Kalman, Chad M Kerksick, Jennifer A Kurtz, Joseph Lillis, Lonnie Lowery, Gianna F Mastrofini, Scotty Mills, Michael Nelson, Flavia Pereira, Justin Roberts, Michael Sagner, Jeffrey Stout, Jaime Tartar, Adam Wells — Common Questions and Misconceptions About Energy Drinks: What Does the Scientific Evidence Really Show? — 2024-Dec-27 — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39796501/