You Can't Make This Stuff Up!

[Lee Stewart]

People ordering espresso might think they’re getting more bang in espresso because it’s a more concentrated form of coffee, but according to the USDA, there’s only 64 milligrams of caffeine in one serving (1 fluid ounce). Coffee has 95 milligrams of caffeine in one serving (8 fluid ounces).

[Lee Stewart]

As a general rule of thumb, the lighter the bean, the more caffeine it has. So, a light roast is most likely to wake you up in the a.m. — or carry you through a lull in the afternoon — followed by a medium roast, and lastly a dark roast. As far as the type of coffee, reach for cold brew over iced or drip coffee on particularly groggy mornings. It has the most caffeine.

[Lee Stewart]

The average American spends about $1,100 on coffee each year, according to a 2016 study by investment app Acorn. An estimated 34 percent spent more money on coffee than investments. (Wait, coffee isn’t an investment?) This year, The Daily Meal found that we spend $4.63 on coffee every weekday, which amounts to $1,208.43 per year if we don’t buy coffee on the weekend.

[Lee Stewart]

According to a 2018 study by Wallet Hub, New York City has the most coffee shops, coffee houses and cafés per capita. (Maybe it’s no coincidence that the Big Apple takes first for most doughnut shops per capita, too.) Runners up include San Francisco, California; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and Las Vegas, Nevada.

[Lee Stewart]

Most coffee comes from high-altitude soil in Latin America and Africa, but it’s harvested right here in America as well. The only two states able to grow coffee commercially are Hawaii and California. The crop also grows in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory.

[Lee Stewart]

You may already know this, considering it’s held the title for more than 150 years now, but Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer. Data shows that the country is responsible for a third of the globe’s coffee production. Vietnam is responsible for about half as much, followed by Columbia and Indonesia.

[Lee Stewart]

No more crying! Before you chop onions, place the whole onion in the microwave for 45 seconds. By heating the onion before cutting it, you help break down the chemicals that cause your tears

[Lee Stewart]

Peeling garlic doesn't have to be a daunting task. Pop a full bulb in the microwave for 20 seconds to soften it, making peeling effortless. The cloves will slide right out of their skins with no mess or sticky, smelly garlic juices.

[Lee Stewart]

Fancy a foamy latte? Be your own at-home barista, no frother necessary. Fill a glass jar halfway with milk and microwave for one minute until hot. Screw on the lid and shake vigorously for 30 seconds, pour the milk into a mug, add espresso and enjoy.

[Lee Stewart]

Magically transform a soft tortilla into a hard taco shell with the help of—you guessed it—your handy microwave. Simply place the tortilla inside a tall, microwave-safe cup, heat it up for about one minute and... hello! A crunchy, crispy taco shell. ¡Olé!