Encaff Energy Stix

In my eternal quest for the latest and greatest caffeine delivery system, I recently came across Encaff Energy Stix. These single serving pouches each house 75 milligrams of caffeine alongside sugar, salt, flavoring, coloring, and citric acid. Think of them like the new Starbucks Via instant coffee pouches, only you don’t need water to make them do their trick, just rip open the package and dump it on your tongue, very similar to a pixie stick.

The flavor claims to be black cherry, but I thought it was grape until I re-read the package, although in fairness, nobody else has had this issue.

One of the more clever elements of this candy is the inclusion of salt in the powder. Just as the tongue begins to register the bitter tang of caffeine, the salt kicks in and masks the bitterness perfectly.

The caffeine boost is smooth and solid, much like a cup of coffee, but be careful, because more than one of these guys at a sitting will leave you as jittery as drinking too much coffee or energy drink would do.

I have to say, I am impressed with the attention to detail that Encaff has put into this product, and at three dollars per twin-pack, Energy Stix are less expensive and more portable than a cup of coffee or can of Rockstar.