whats wrong with a little wine?

[_JAK]

Not that it's vital to the conversation, but chocolate does not contain caffeine. It's theobromine, which has similar effects but is not caffeine.

-From xocoatl.org

There is a persistent urban legend that Chocolate contains caffeine. It would seem that this rumor is based primarily on a confusion between two similar alkaloids: caffeine and Theobromine. Theobromine is the active ingredient in Chocolate and it occurs only in Cacao. The two stimulants are related and have a similar structures, but are very different chemicals with different properties, effects and origins. There are of course, some Chocolate products that have added caffeine, but it does not occur naturally in Chocolate.

Actually, there is a slight amount of caffeine in chocolate - it occurs naturally in cocoa beans. It's probably about a third of the amount of theobromine found in chocolate. Further research has shown that some studies show no caffeine due to variations in measuring methods. The actual amount in a bar of chocolate tends to be no more than what you'd find in a cup of decaf - very minimal. Of course, theobromine is similar to caffeine, so it may be hair-splitting.

I'm too lazy to google all of this right now (I've done it before) - If I recall correctly, that xocoatl.org link comes up first in a chocolate and caffeine google search, followed by other studies or information that counters it.

Then unless one reads the label, one does not know if caffeine has been added. So (assuming the validity of your statement), one can only know if caffeine is present if one sees that clearly identified in the fine print.

I’m skeptical of your conclusion.

See 1

See 2

“There is caffeine in chocolate, present only in small amounts. For those who must avoid caffeine completely, this may be bad news. However, for those who can have a small amount of caffeine, the caffeine in chocolate is not likely to be problematic unless one consumes vast quantities of chocolate on a regular basis.

“The caffeine in chocolate varies according to the type of chocolate one chooses. Caffeine in chocolate that is unsweetened or is semi-sweet usually contains about five to 10 milligrams of caffeine per ounce of chocolate. Caffeine in chocolate with milk added is usually measured at five milligrams or less per ounce. Generally, caffeine in chocolate is present in higher amounts, as the chocolate gets darker.”

See 3

JAK

[_JAK]

Contrary to your position, such mentality is beatable. Ignorance is defeated with information and evidence. That some refuse to see the information is trivial. The discoveries move forward and the information accumulates in spite of the blind faith and refusal to examine with open mind that information.

In principle, religion/superstition is revised by information. It may take generations, but it happens.

JAK

In case you didn't catch it, my words were sarcastic. Of course I agree with you...I especially agree with your statement "It may take generations, but it happens," but I sometimes get a bit frustrated at the patience it is going to take the rest of us!

Thanks for the added clarification.

JAK

[_skippy the dead]

Actually, there is a slight amount of caffeine in chocolate - it occurs naturally in cocoa beans. It's probably about a third of the amount of theobromine found in chocolate. Further research has shown that some studies show no caffeine due to variations in measuring methods. The actual amount in a bar of chocolate tends to be no more than what you'd find in a cup of decaf - very minimal. Of course, theobromine is similar to caffeine, so it may be hair-splitting.

I'm too lazy to google all of this right now (I've done it before) - If I recall correctly, that xocoatl.org link comes up first in a chocolate and caffeine google search, followed by other studies or information that counters it.

Then unless one reads the label, one does not know if caffeine has been added. So (assuming the validity of your statement), one can only know if caffeine is present if one sees that clearly identified in the fine print.

I’m skeptical of your conclusion.

See 1

See 2

“There is caffeine in chocolate, present only in small amounts. For those who must avoid caffeine completely, this may be bad news. However, for those who can have a small amount of caffeine, the caffeine in chocolate is not likely to be problematic unless one consumes vast quantities of chocolate on a regular basis.

“The caffeine in chocolate varies according to the type of chocolate one chooses. Caffeine in chocolate that is unsweetened or is semi-sweet usually contains about five to 10 milligrams of caffeine per ounce of chocolate. Caffeine in chocolate with milk added is usually measured at five milligrams or less per ounce. Generally, caffeine in chocolate is present in higher amounts, as the chocolate gets darker.”

See 3

JAK

I don't understand why you're "skeptical of my conclusion"; essentially I was saying that there is a small amount of caffeine present in chocolate. Your sources seem to bear that out. Plus, caffeine is not "added" to chocolate, so there's no need to read fine print to identify it - it's chemically part of the cocoa bean. Looks like my memory was off on the ratio of caffeine to theobromine, but other than that I don't see where the problem is.

[_JAK]

Actually, there is a slight amount of caffeine in chocolate - it occurs naturally in cocoa beans. It's probably about a third of the amount of theobromine found in chocolate. Further research has shown that some studies show no caffeine due to variations in measuring methods. The actual amount in a bar of chocolate tends to be no more than what you'd find in a cup of decaf - very minimal. Of course, theobromine is similar to caffeine, so it may be hair-splitting.

I'm too lazy to google all of this right now (I've done it before) - If I recall correctly, that xocoatl.org link comes up first in a chocolate and caffeine google search, followed by other studies or information that counters it.

Then unless one reads the label, one does not know if caffeine has been added. So (assuming the validity of your statement), one can only know if caffeine is present if one sees that clearly identified in the fine print.

I’m skeptical of your conclusion.

See 1

See 2

“There is caffeine in chocolate, present only in small amounts. For those who must avoid caffeine completely, this may be bad news. However, for those who can have a small amount of caffeine, the caffeine in chocolate is not likely to be problematic unless one consumes vast quantities of chocolate on a regular basis.

“The caffeine in chocolate varies according to the type of chocolate one chooses. Caffeine in chocolate that is unsweetened or is semi-sweet usually contains about five to 10 milligrams of caffeine per ounce of chocolate. Caffeine in chocolate with milk added is usually measured at five milligrams or less per ounce. Generally, caffeine in chocolate is present in higher amounts, as the chocolate gets darker.”

See 3

JAK

I don't understand why you're "skeptical of my conclusion"; essentially I was saying that there is a small amount of caffeine present in chocolate. Your sources seem to bear that out. Plus, caffeine is not "added" to chocolate, so there's no need to read fine print to identify it - it's chemically part of the cocoa bean. Looks like my memory was off on the ratio of caffeine to theobromine, but other than that I don't see where the problem is.

I may not have seen your post recognizing some caffeine in chocolate.

I was skeptical of the initial position that there was no caffeine in chocolate.

Because of the way this forum works, I actually don’t know from the post who said this:

Quote:
There is a persistent urban legend that Chocolate contains caffeine. It would seem that this rumor is based primarily on a confusion between two similar alkaloids: caffeine and Theobromine. Theobromine is the active ingredient in Chocolate and it occurs only in Cacao. The two stimulants are related and have a similar structures, but are very different chemicals with different properties, effects and origins. There are of course, some Chocolate products that have added caffeine, but it does not occur naturally in Chocolate. (emphasis added for focus)

It was a quote in a post by krose. That may be where I saw it. (Mon Feb 04, 2008 3:57 pm)

It was that statement with which I took issue.

If the quote was not in one of your posts, my comment should have been directed to the one who stated the above.

JAK

[_skippy the dead]

I was skeptical of the initial position that there was no caffeine in chocolate.

Because of the way this forum works, I actually don’t know from the post who said this:

Quote:
There is a persistent urban legend that Chocolate contains caffeine. It would seem that this rumor is based primarily on a confusion between two similar alkaloids: caffeine and Theobromine. Theobromine is the active ingredient in Chocolate and it occurs only in Cacao. The two stimulants are related and have a similar structures, but are very different chemicals with different properties, effects and origins. There are of course, some Chocolate products that have added caffeine, but it does not occur naturally in Chocolate. (emphasis added for focus)

It was a quote in a post by krose. That may be where I saw it. (Mon Feb 04, 2008 3:57 pm)

It was that statement with which I took issue.

If the quote was not in one of your posts, my comment should have been directed to the one who stated the above.

JAK

Ah - we're of one mind on this. I was also skeptical of krose's quote (about the "persistent urban legend" of caffeine in chocolate). I was similarly responding to that statement. That would explain why our replies made the same point. Cool beans, then.

[_Tori]

Speaking of wine......A certain handsome guy and I are heading down to Sonoma this weekend. Yippee! (insert excited smilie here...Oh heck, I'll put my own in

I'll be sure to have some wine in honor of my favorite people here!

Rick will have some too! :-)

[_JAK]

Speaking of wine......A certain handsome guy and I are heading down to Sonoma this weekend. Yippee! (insert excited smilie here...Oh heck, I'll put my own in

I'll be sure to have some wine in honor of my favorite people here!

Rick will have some too! :-)

That’s great! But keep moderation in mind on wine.

I’ll have a little sip to your health as we speak.

JAK

[_Jersey Girl]

There's not a thing wrong with a little wine, nor is there anything wrong with excessive amounts of caffeine.

All Hail the god of Lipton!

Jersey Girl

[_skippy the dead]

All Hail the god of Lipton!

Jersey Girl

Oh, I fear you worship a false god, Jersey Girl. All Hail the god of espresso in its many forms!

[_Moniker]

I'm a coffee fiend. I need a vice -- that's it.