Coffee, the Ultimate Energy Drink!

Coffee makes the world go 'round... literally. In today's ever-globalizing society, not only is business conducted at all hours of the day (or night), but you're expected to be perky, peppy and happy at all times while managing said business. Unlike sports drinks full of sugar and color, coffee's tang and bitterness offers a bit of a more gradual awakening of the palate in the early AM, while still offering the same immediate boost of energy.

Good hot or cold, it's an on-the-go, appropriate drink to drink pretty much anywhere. It's cheap, quick, and easy-to-make (the best energy drinks take the least amount of energy to make.) And if you're really cheap, no drop of coffee has to be thrown out-just add a couple of ice cubes and call it "iced." Yum! Or better yet, reheat it and try one of the gazillion flavored coffee recipes online!

Coffee also is a lasting testament to the value of tradition-it's hard to beat an energy drink that's outlasted the term "energy drink." Anything that's still popular with the masses 1200 years after its birth has got to have something going for it. According to coffeefacts.com, coffee has been around since the 9th century! But the number one reason coffee is the ultimate energy drink? A typical cup of coffee has between 65 and 100 milligrams of caffeine in it-the same amount as a Red Bull-which means energy, energy, ENERGY!

Key Facts:

1. It's easy, quick, and cheap. Sure, Starbucks can pack a wallop on your wallet but good old canned roast from Wal-Mart is inexpensive and can last a long time. Plus, you get the added benefit of having it ready and available whenever you want and just the way you like it, without having to wait in lines.

2. It's good hot or cold. As noon rolls around, add ice cubes to the leftover coffee in your pot to make iced coffee. Just as good and just as energizing!

3. Energy! An 8 oz cup of instant coffee has between 65 and 100 milligrams of caffeine in it, according to http://wilstar.com/caffeine.htm. An 8.2 oz Red Bull has 80 mg.

4. Tradition: Anything that still remains popular with the masses 1200 years after it's birth has got to have something going for it. Coffeefacts.com says coffee has been around since the 9th century!

5. Have it any way you like. Allrecipes.com features 72 different recipes in its coffee drink category that you make right at home. So for the simpleton who likes black coffee to the sweet tooth who'd rather drink a half-sugar, half-coffee concoction, there's something for everyone.