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The Forgotten Flavor of 1942: How Soldiers Drank Coffee During WWII

The Forgotten Flavor of 1942: How Soldiers Drank Coffee During WWII

Real talk: When America plunged into WWII, coffee wasn’t just a morning ritual—it was a war effort. By 1942, the U.S. military had commandeered coffee production to fuel troops, and the result? A bland, industrial brew that prioritized fuel over flavor. Brazilian beans dominated the supply chain, harvested in massive quantities to meet demand. Instant coffee, pioneered by Maxwell House and others, became the norm, but it wasn’t the creamy, aromatic stuff we know today. It was more like a thick, bitter sludge—something soldiers would have sipped from tin mugs while waiting at train depots to ship out. The problem?…
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Functional Coffee: Trend or Trojan Horse?

Functional Coffee: Trend or Trojan Horse?

The verdict is in: functional coffee isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a seismic shift in how we think about caffeine. Brands touting “non-jittery” blends, mushroom-infused brews, and adaptogen-laced syrups are flooding shelves, but the question remains: are they revolutionizing coffee or just cashing in on wellness hype? At the heart of this trend is a simple truth: modern consumers want more than a buzz. They crave balance. Mushroom-based blends, like those from Four Sigmatic or Vittoria, promise sustained energy without the crash, while adaptogens like ashwagandha and rhodiola are marketed as stress-busters. These ingredients tap into a growing appetite for holistic…
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