Death Wish Green Tea Recipe - The Pursuit of More Caffeinated Energy

Remember that old Daft Punk song Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger?

Well, just like that song, it feels like ever since humans first discovered caffeine in tea leaves, we’ve been on a quest to find ever-more powerful sources of energy to keep us working, philosophizing, and, most of all, partying.

Nowadays, tea or coffee is the bare minimum. People are starting to reach for super-caffeinated brands of coffee, and many often go for a cold beverage: sugary, sweet, ultra-high-caffeine energy drinks.

But is it good for us to keep upping the caffeine content, and is there a healthier way to do it?

Energy Drinks, High Caffeine Products & Green Tea with a Twist

In this article, we will dabble in the world of high-caffeine products.

Some you may have heard of, and some you might find a little surprising.

First, we will talk about a coffee product that has taken the U.S. market by storm over the last ten or so years.

After that, we will uncover some of the history of Japan’s (and the world’s!) very first energy drinks. Finally, we have an adults-only recipe to share with you as an alternative to late-night pick-me-ups like espresso martinis and the ever-popular Red Bull and vodka.

Coffee with Double the Caffeine

In the recent years, a wave of coffee beans has hit the shelves with a claim of being "extra-strong."

Regular old coffee isn't powerful enough for some people anymore. Of course, as the YouTuber and coffee nerd James Hoffmann points out, “strength” can mean a lot of things when it comes to coffee. Still, even if some of these claims of “strength” are a little dubious, people on a night out or working hard clearly love the idea of super-charged coffee.

Death Wish Coffee Co.

One brand particularly well known in the U.S. for its claims of extra caffeine and strength, is Death Wish Coffee Co. And, to their credit, it appears that they may have created a very potent blend. Established in 2012, they have been consistently growing in popularity not only because of their powerful brew, but also for their humorous and skull-filled branding. Looking at their packaging makes you feel like you’re in the leather-clad Japanese band Guitar Wolf.

Taste Vs. Potency

However, it has to be said that this attitude in the industry of pursuing high-caffeine content, even at the cost of flavor and health, is different from how we like to enjoy our coffee. We want to think that coffee is about more than just the kick it gives you – there are delicate notes and an entire experience that goes with it. And if all you care about is caffeine, there are other ways to get more of that…

The Rise of Energy Drinks

So, suppose you don't want to mess with your coffee, but you're desperate for a significant energy jolt. In that case, you'll need a little Japanese invention called the energy drink.

That’s right!

The very first energy drink was made in 1962 by Taisho Pharmaceutical Co. in Tokyo, Japan.

It has the medicinal-sounding name Lipovitan-D, or simply Lipovitan, and is often advertised for its high level of taurine (1000mg in a 100ml bottle, is that a lot?). Ever since the introduction of Lipovitan, more and more energy drinks have been hitting the shelves.

 

 

On a side note, I grew up in Japan during the peak of the bubble in the 1990s. I remember the commercial for this product being aired very heavily.

 

This is a kind of commercial on TV that encourages people to work harder with the energy drink, and I think many did, including my parents. : )

Krating Daeng (Red Bull)

In 1976, the Thai-made precursor to Red Bull appeared, Krating Daeng, which also contained taurine and other vitamins.

This original version of Red Bull isn’t carbonated, and so it tastes a little odd to the Western pallet. An Austrian entrepreneur named Dietrich Mateschitz tried Krating Daeng on a trip to Thailand and loved its effect on curing his jet lag. So, he got together with the original company to reformulate the drink into the Red Bull we know today. It's now one of the best-known energy drink brands in the world.

 

 

Better than Tea or Coffee?

Energy and healthy vitamins – surely these wonderful products are far better than tea or coffee!

Or… are they?

If you haven't already guessed, the kick these drinks give you is more due to the high caffeine and sugar content than any vitamins or other chemical additives. They are not all bad — we did a comparison here between Red Bull and Green Tea — but it's safe to say that ultra-processed drinks full of additives are rarely a good thing.

Big Energy, Big Problems

Some energy drinks can have double the caffeine, or even more than a standard cup of coffee.

On top of this, they also tend to be overloaded with sugar, having often at least as much as most sodas. So, be prepared for a major crash after you are caffeinated high.

Granted, it isn't entirely fair to vilify energy drinks when plenty of people like to put milk and sugar into their coffee and tea – but you're probably not going to put 14 teaspoons of sugar into your cup of coffee, as is found in a 16-ounce can of Monster.

Green Tea – A Healthier Alternative?

Don’t get us wrong, we love coffee (of course we do!), and having an energy drink from time to time when you need a big boost isn't the end of the world.

But we always return to green tea for its vibrant flavor, and most of all, for its many health benefits. And, because green tea tends to have less caffeine than black tea or coffee, you can drink a little more without risking losing sleep.

It’s a more sustainable and healthier way of keeping your energy levels high throughout the day.

Sip Your Toxins Away

Green tea is full of good stuff – we’re talking catechins, polyphenols, and detoxification enzymes; and guess what? Green tea might even strengthen your bones!

Enjoy a nice cup of Japanese green tea instead of adding more chemicals to your body through ultra-processed foods or risking your heart health with super-high doses of caffeine.

It detoxifies the body, increases your energy levels and endurance, and it's just plain delicious.

Our Death Wish Green Tea Recipe

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- Kei and Team at Dream of Japan