Px Coffee: For many people, consuming too much coffee can lead to several unpleasant effects, such as trembling hands, a racing heart, and heightened anxiety. Px CoffeeThese reactions are typically caused by excessive caffeine intake.
To prevent such issues, many coffee drinkers turn to decaffeinated options. In recent years, however, naturally low-caffeine varieties like Laurina have gained popularity, Px Coffee offering a way to enjoy specialty coffee without sacrificing taste or quality.
Now, a new decaf alternative is emerging in the market: Paraxanthine, or Px coffee. But what exactly is it, and could it reshape the coffee industry?
Unique Brew: To explore this, I spoke with Jeffrey Dietrich, CEO of Rarebird Coffee, and Chahan Yeretzian, a Chemistry Professor and Director of the Coffee Excellence Center at Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
Px Coffee: A New Take on Paraxanthine in Coffee
In simple terms, Px (Paraxanthine) is the primary metabolite produced when the body breaks down caffeine.
Coffee plants synthesize caffeine from the organic molecule xanthosine. When we ingest caffeine, our bodies metabolize it, mainly through the enzyme cytochrome P450, which converts approximately 80% of the caffeine into Px, while the rest is transformed into theobromine and theophylline.
Unique Brew: Since coffee plants don’t naturally produce Px during caffeine synthesis, scientists replicate this process in a lab by enzymatically breaking down caffeine, mimicking the body’s own metabolism.
Functionally, caffeine and Px behave similarly in the body. A 1995 clinical study showed that both inhibit adenosine receptors, which leads to increased mental alertness, adrenaline and dopamine release, and activation of the sympathetic nervous system (the fight-or-flight response). Px also produces effects comparable to caffeine on cardiovascular, hormonal, and metabolic systems.
Although Px has been used in energy drinks and workout supplements for some time, Px coffee is a novel concept. Rarebird Coffee is currently the only company offering Px coffee and even won the Best New Product Open Class category at the 2023 Specialty Coffee Expo in Portland, Oregon.
Jeffrey Dietrich, CEO of Rarebird, explains that Px coffee is virtually indistinguishable from regular coffee in taste, aroma, and preparation. The process involves roasting high-quality decaffeinated beans, which are then infused with Px provided by their supplier.
How Does Px Coffee Affect Coffee Flavor and Mouthfeel?
Chahan notes that Px has minimal impact on the sensory profiles of coffee.
“Given the amounts used, the effect on flavor is negligible,” he states. He explains that isolated caffeine has only a subtle taste, while Px has an even lighter flavor.
Jeffrey echoes this sentiment, asserting, “I can confidently say that Px is very similar to caffeine in taste. You won’t notice any difference in mouthfeel or the organoleptic properties of the coffee.”
Unique Brew: He also mentions that Rarebird has collaborated with Major Cohen, a former Senior Project Manager at Starbucks, and Paul Songer, a head judge at Cup of Excellence, to source high-quality decaffeinated options. Currently, the company offers only medium roast Colombian coffee, but they plan to introduce various origins and roast profiles in the coming months.
Benefits of Enjoying Px Coffee
While Px coffee is still a relatively new concept, there is over a decade’s worth of in vitro and clinical research demonstrating its potential health benefits, including:
– A **2012 study** on rats found that Px is a more potent stimulant than caffeine.
– A **2015 study** on rats indicated that both caffeine and Px increased brain dopamine levels, with Px being more effective.
– Another **2015 study** suggested that Px may enhance athletic performance more consistently than caffeine, benefiting both slow and fast caffeine metabolizers.
– A **2021 clinical trial** on Enfinity Px showed that daily Px consumption improved cognitive measures, including memory, reasoning, response time, and attention.
– In **2023**, Rarebird funded a study indicating that Px could be a safer alternative to caffeine while still providing similar stimulant effects.
Px Coffee: Research also highlights the significant role of genetics in caffeine metabolism. Individuals who produce less of the enzyme cytochrome P450 metabolize caffeine more slowly, making them more susceptible to its negative side effects, especially at higher doses.
Chahan notes, “I wouldn’t go further than saying Px’s difference from caffeine in this regard is a hypothesis developed from feedback and anecdotes from Px coffee drinkers. We’re excited to see what future clinical studies reveal, but I’d prefer to wait for those results before claiming these benefits.”
He emphasizes that Px may not have as pronounced an effect on individuals who are tolerant to caffeine.
However, for many people—likely the majority who experience jitteriness and over-caffeination—Px coffee can make a noticeable difference.
Are There Any Negative Health Effects of Px Coffee?
Numerous clinical studies have suggested that Px consumption is associated with few, if any, negative side effects. However, it’s essential to recognize that Px-infused coffee and similar products are not naturally occurring.
Most people aren’t familiar with Px, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t exposed to it—we actually have a better understanding of it than we realize,” Jeffrey explains. “We’re not creating something new or unfamiliar that your body hasn’t encountered before.”
He adds that while additional research is needed specifically on Px coffee, he believes there are still more benefits to uncover.
Chahan notes that individuals who metabolize caffeine quickly may need to consume larger quantities of Px coffee to achieve comparable effects.
I would assume that to achieve similar physical and mental enhancements, a higher dose of Px would be required compared to regular caffeinated coffee,” he states.
Unique Brew: Moreover, for fast caffeine metabolizers, Px coffee does not provide the same adrenaline surge that caffeine can offer—this can be seen as both an advantage and a disadvantage.
The primary difference between caffeine and Px is that caffeine activates the body’s fight-or-flight response,” Jeffrey clarifies. “Px does not elicit that reaction.
Is the Popularity of Px Coffee Expected to Rise in the Future?
With the recent surge in the functional coffee market, there is significant potential for Px coffee to become more widely available, although decaffeinated options are likely to remain the most popular choice for caffeine-free beverages.
Unique Brew: Jeffrey mentions that Rarebird launched a subscription service in August 2023, which has received positive feedback from customers, highlighting benefits like improved sleep quality and the ability to enjoy coffee later in the day.
“About 92% of our customers report feeling better when drinking Px coffee compared to traditional caffeinated beans,” he adds.
Chahan also believes that the broader trend of fortifying coffee with functional ingredients will continue to grow in the coming years, as consumers increasingly prioritize quality and health.
In addition to decaf, half-caf and low-caf options are gaining traction among consumers looking to manage their caffeine consumption more effectively.
Unique Brew: As awareness of Px coffee increases, it could significantly influence the industry, potentially leading more roasters and companies to introduce their own Px products. For the time being, it will be interesting to observe how this trend develops.
