The Drawbacks of Finding that Perfect Cup of Joe On Campus

By Staff Writer Maria Cianfichi

Frustrated junior undeclared major Mark Baumgardner left the One Stop Patriot Shop convenience store. Every morning, Baumgardner stops at the store on the bottom level of the Blue Ridge dorm for his daily cup of coffee.

Columbian Mix, Baumgardner’s favorite flavor, was nowhere to be found in the store. So this day, Baumgardner had to settle for American Blend—not his favorite but still better than having to resort to decaf or some elaborate coffee drink.

“I only drink straight black coffee,” said Baumgardner. “I like the robust flavor.”
Taking the healthier route to coffee drinking puts Baumgardner in the minority at George Mason University. According to www.positivelycoffee.org, a daily cup of regular brewed coffee can help to decrease the risk of different types of cancers and diabetes, relieve headaches and promote general well-being and good moods.

While students drink more than enough coffee, most students seem to prefer the many forms of blended coffees, lattes and frappuccinos.

With names such as Caramel Frappuccino and Mocha Blast, it’s difficult to resist such delicious-sounding drinks. Students enjoy the mild taste of coffee in their drinks. They have a hard time enjoying the taste of straight coffee.

Senior psychology major Jessica Alva never drinks straight coffee.
“It’s very acidic,” said Alva. “I prefer peppermint mochas because I like chocolate and it’s not too coffee-y.”

Sophomore English major Kristen White agrees with Alva. She bases her coffee choice on the season. The outside temperature helps her to decide between an iced or hot caramel latte.

“If it’s cold outside, I would want a hot drink,” said White, “but if it’s warm outside, I would rather a cold drink.”

White is not the only student who bases her coffee needs on the season. Erik Seidler, who works at Jazzman’s in the Johnson Center, said he has noticed that more students buy hot drinks in the colder weather and cold drinks in the warmer temperatures. He also notices that the time of day has an influence on what type of drink students purchase.

“Iced coffees seem to be the most popular in the morning,” said Seidler, “while some variation of the mocha drink seems to be more popular in the afternoon.”
All of these coffee drinks might be jam-packed with flavor, but at what cost?

These drinks are not cheap. At Jazzman’s, a medium Iced Caramel Latte costs $3.94 and a medium Mocha Blast is $3.50, that is compared to a medium cup of regular coffee at $1.80.

And there’s another cost to these delicious drinks—the calories. According to starbucks.com, a medium cup of straight black coffee contains 10 calories.

In comparison, the popular Caramel Frappuccino has 270 calories without whipped cream. Adding whipped cream to a drink adds another 90. An iced café latte is not quite as bad as the frappuccinos: 120 calories. However, add a flavor shot and there’s another 20.

Yet the expense and high calorie count does not seem to bother students. Jazzman’s is always packed. Lively chatter fills the air as students take a break between classes, and tables are covered with books.

On average, students stop at Jazzman’s several times a week.
“It depends on my mood, but I normally go between three and four times a week,” said White.

Constant stops at the coffee shop can only mean one thing: that coffee in any form is extremely popular. Each student has his or her own reason for drinking coffee, but there is one similarity: these drinks taste good.

“I like to buy a coffee drink when I’m not really hungry but still want something,” said White.

“I love the way they taste and how they give me more energy to help me wake up,” said Alva, “although I never buy them because I’m thirsty because they don’t really quench your thirst.”

Baumgardner, who rarely drifts from straight coffee, relies on his daily dose to help him function throughout the day.

“It helps me stay awake in class,” he said. “I also need it to function when staying up late to study for an exam.”

Whether it is a classic cup of joe or a blended Peanut Butter Mocha Blast, students just do not seem to be able pull themselves away from coffee.