Hot Hot Hot

A few weeks ago Evan and I watched a show that explained the science behind a new self-heating coffee cup. I believe ti was on TLC, but can't quite remember. What I do remember is being totally intrigued by the explanation of the development of the packaging and how it would be marketed for cosumer use. It all seemed so futuristic. Low and behold at the store this weekend, we walked by a whole endcap of this new Self Heating Coffee Cup. Here's how it works:

You flip the cup upside-down and peel off a seal that allows you to push in the bottom of the container. Green fluid, calcium oxide (quicklime) and water, mixes and runs through the core of the container. This chemical mixture heats the coffee to 145 degrees in six minutes and a circle on the back of the container turns from red to white to let you know that it’s hot.

For a reasonable price of $2, we each got one to try. I love coffee, but don’t usually drink it during the week because too much caffeine in the morning makes me sick. I made an exception this morning and was surprised by the heat. I actually burnt my tongue. I’m probably more sensitive than most, because I don’t drink coffee every day and I was so excited to try it that I didn’t give enough time to cool off. The taste was pretty good as far as instant coffee goes. I had the French Vanilla Late. It tasted like the French Vanilla Coffee you would get from a machine at a gas station. The best part was the whole experience of removing the seal and starting the chemical process of heating. I had a group of coworkers around my desk who were all intrigued to see how it worked. I don’t think I even finished half of the drink before I started to feel the jitters and poured out the rest.

If you like coffee and inventions, I would suggest that you pick one up. I probably won’t be a repeat consumer, but it was a fun way to start my Tuesday.