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Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
Contents
By
Ru Chen
Key Takeaways
So many people need their daily morning brew to boost their energy levels. But what about creativity? Can caffeine help you see the world through a clearer, artistic lens? Is it a catalyst for a day filled with inspiration and productivity, or a placebo effect?
A lot of science exists behind the coffee scenes. Let’s explore caffeine’s effects on the brain and coffee’s potential for enhancing creative thinking.
Coffee contains caffeine, the most popularly consumed stimulant in the world. Research shows that caffeine increases energy metabolism and promotes alertness. This is part of the reason why so many people need a cup of joe to jump-start their day: coffee helps them focus better.
Caffeine works by blocking the receptors of adenosine, a neurotransmitter. This increases the level of other neurotransmitters in your brain, including dopamine. Essentially, it leads to an increase in energy/reduction in perceived fatigue.
Are you expecting to pull an all-nighter to finish a creative project? If you’re trying to finish brainstorming late into the night, coffee could be a viable avenue for staying awake longer. It keeps you alert so you can focus on completing your project – though it is not typically recommended to intake caffeine right before sleeping.
Of course, caffeine doesn’t affect everyone the same. While some studies show that caffeine can improve your short-term and working memory, others indicate coffee consumption can negatively impact working memory. Caffeine jitters also affect people differently. It’s a good idea to monitor your caffeine intake to see if you are particularly sensitive to caffeine.
Morning rituals can add a sense of comfort and meaning to your day. The Harvard Business Review talks about how having a ritual (workplace or otherwise) offers real benefits. It can enhance performance, serve as a bonding ritual, and help you get started with the day. Drinking a cup of coffee is similar to psyching yourself up for whatever challenges come your way, including creative ones.
Many people feel drained of creativity. Creativity blockers are undeniably frustrating, whether that means burning out at work, suffering from writer’s block, or being unable to complete a new design. Sticking to a daily ritual, such as drinking coffee before working on your projects, could give you more mental energy and focus.
If you ever feel bogged down by everything around you, try out some fun coffee challenges. Between trying out a new brew method or specialty blends from around the world, coffee offers many ways to eliminate stagnation and stress from your life.
Interestingly, coffee has also been linked to significantly lower risks of depression. While this does not mean coffee causes better mood or emotional states, it does mean drinking daily cups of coffee correlates to lower depression risk in some populations.
To inspire your senses, it’s good to know your preferred coffee species and flavor profile. While there are over 100 varieties of coffee in the world (with many yet to be discovered), there are three main species you should know about:
Arabica beans are oilier, with a hint of zest and sweetness. They come from the Kaffa region of Ethiopia, discovered in the 15th century. Experts believe Arabica to be the first species of coffee cultivated. Today, around 60% of the world’s coffee production comes from the Arabica coffee plant.
Robusta beans are smaller, rounder, and have a more bitter taste. They are also more caffeinated than Arabica beans. If you want a greater boost of caffeine for more alertness (or you dislike high acidity coffee), Robusta might be the way to go. The harsh, distinctly Robusta taste is often associated with espresso and instant coffee.
Liberica beans have an almond shape and a strikingly floral and fruity aroma. Originating from western-central Africa, Liberian coffee has become naturalized in places around the world, such as the Philippines and Colombia. Liberica is not as popular in other countries, but it makes for a great new coffee experience.
As for flavor profiles, dedicated coffee drinkers can learn a lot by familiarizing themselves with a coffee flavor wheel. These wheels showcase the different coffee tastes, such as fruity, floral, and nutty. They then dive deeper into fancy, nuanced flavors. Here are some cool flavors of coffee.
When joining a coffee club, many clubs offer tasting tests to help you uncover your coffee preferences. Bean Box even offers a FREE Coffee Tasting Flight (with an incredible $24 value), which is great for amateur coffee drinkers.
Finding the right coffee bean can make all the difference. It should taste good, have a suitable amount of caffeine, and fall within your budget. The coffee should ideally be quick to make and suit your preferred type of coffee. For example, some beans are better for espresso, and others better for latte art.
Also consider the origin of your bean when choosing what coffee to buy. It can greatly influence the flavor and price point of the coffee. Here are the three types of coffee bean origins:
Single-origin
Single-origin beans only come from a single geographic region. If you source single-origin beans, you might even be able to find out which exact farm produced your beans. Single-origin beans tend to carry more distinctive flavors.
We recommend a batch of Atlas Coffee Club’s single-origin Yirgacheffe Kenyan coffee, which tastes of blueberry, raspberry, and sweet chocolate. Or try their Indian coffee that is reminiscent of milk chocolate, raisins, and marzipan. An exciting part of trying out different single-origin beans is that you can learn more about the distinct roasts, such as their roasting methods, altitude, region, and process. You can even explore different coffee cultures and histories through single-origin beans.
Blends
Coffee blends contain beans of multiple origins, which usually result in a more well-balanced taste. If you want consistent flavors for your daily brew, consider high-quality coffee blends as your bean of choice.
With fewer extremes, coffee blends tend to be more palatable and accessible to the average coffee consumer. Expect rounded flavors and subtler notes of brightness and acidity.
Flavored
Flavored beans have so much variety that there’s something for everyone. If you want to add a splash of excitement to your day, choose a bag of flavored coffee beans.
We love trying out new flavored specialty beans to jump-start our creative process, such as cherry, vanilla, coconut, and milk chocolate. Scheduling flavored bean deliveries from a coffee club is a great way to start the upcoming week of work with a new, refreshing cup of joe.
Coffee clubs provide you with subscription coffee based on your flavor and bean preferences. The best coffee clubs source ethically and offer sustainably grown, freshly roasted beans. Here are some fantastic coffee clubs to consider if you want a sweet creativity boost.
Atlas Coffee Club: Get high-quality single-origin coffee and savor it with a gorgeous postcard from a different country every month. Drinking Atlas Coffee Club is our favorite way to relax, unplug, and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee.
Bean Box: It’s natural to get bored by the same flavors, especially when you’re in a slump. While coffee can’t magically get you out of what’s bogging you down in life or a writer’s block, it can be a good way to give you a breather. Bean Box offers a wide variety of roasts, including award-winning options you can’t find locally.
Brews for Rescues: Contributing to something meaningful can help provide motivation. Brews for Rescues is a coffee club that donates 50% of net proceeds to animal rescue efforts – fantastic for animal lovers. Each delivery gets you a 12oz bag of coffee, 2oz bag of loose leaf tea, an adorable dog toy, and a dog treat.
Looking for more? Check out our curated list of best coffee club companies which gives a detailed review of the pros and cons of each recommended coffee club.
Integrating coffee breaks into your daily routine can be a great way to enhance productivity and increase your creative output. Here’s how you can incorporate coffee into your personal journey.
Schedule coffee breaks
5 to 10 minute coffee breaks can give your mind a chance to rest and reset. If you’re a subscriber of the Pomodoro time management technique, you can slot in a short break after your timer rings and make yourself a cup of coffee in the meantime.
When setting aside intentional coffee breaks throughout your day, try to choose times that sync with natural pauses in your workflow. There’s no need to interrupt your task right when you’re on the brink of a breakthrough or when you’re deep in a brainstorming session.
Many people prefer (and see better effects) when scheduling coffee for the morning. Late afternoon or evening coffee can lead to anxious thoughts or difficulty sleeping.
Consume coffee mindfully
Mindfulness is both a philosophy and a cognitive skill. When drinking coffee, pay attention to every moment. If you’re brewing it yourself, hear the soft rustling of the coffee beans, the sound of the pour, and the whirring of the espresso machine. Savor the taste – the subtly sweet and spicy notes, the texture and mouthfeel. Feel the warmth of the cup.
By taking the time to slowly enjoy each part of coffee consumption, you can get more out of the entire experience. Life in modern society can be chaotic, restless, and stressful. It doesn’t often give people time for self-care or mindfulness. Daily stressors can accumulate, to the point where you might not even have time to brew coffee.
While mindful coffee drinking can take more time out of your day, it’s a good way to incorporate coffee into your creative routine and give your mind more energy and enjoyment.
Design a coffee space
A coffee nook is a special area just for preparing and/or consuming coffee. It can be an inviting, relaxing, or energizing space. It can be whatever you need. Having a physical location separate from your normal workplace can be helpful in telling your mind it’s time to take a break or enjoy a creative act.
Here are some items you can add when setting up a coffee hub for creativity and inspiration:
DIY coffee accessories and other decor can make your coffee space more comfortable and better for putting you in a creative mood.
Drink coffee while doing creative activities
Drinking coffee while getting your brain into a creative headspace can be a good way to strengthen the link between the two. For example, you can brew a latte and sip it while freewriting, sketching, and reviewing projects. Over time, you will start to associate a latte with time for productive projects. Having this habitual routine can improve overall productivity.
Plus, caffeine comes with a stimulating effect, which could provide you with that burst of inspiration you need. Stuck on your current project? A comfortable coffee ritual could be what helps you get over that creative hurdle.
Coffee and creativity are closely entwined. Research shows us how caffeine can boost cognitive alertness and daily rituals can benefit productivity. So go forth and brew your own coffee, drink mindfully, and design cozy coffee nooks. Drink a cup of coffee to potentially boost your productivity and help you get into a more creative mindset. Looking for specialty roasts or high-quality beans? Check out the world of coffee clubs to ignite your creative spark and expand your coffee horizons today.
Ru Chen
Content Writer
Ru Chen is a content writer with several years of experience in creating engaging and well-researched articles. She mostly writes about coffee, business, digital marketing, and law. In her free time, she can be found watching horror movies and playing board games with her partner in Brooklyn.
Ru Chen is a content writer with several years of experience in creating engaging and well-researched articles. She mostly writes about coffee, business, digital marketing, and law. In her free time, she can be found watching horror movies and playing board games with her partner in Brooklyn.
