Caffeine - What Is It Made Of?

What Is It Made Of?

Caffeine, the active substance responsible for the stimulant effect of the coffee plant's berry, is a xanthinePronounced ZAN-thene; a compound found in animal and plant tissue.. Xanthines are compounds made of the elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. Some xanthines occur in the blood, urine, and muscle tissue of animals; others are found in certain plants.

The caffeine xanthine is one of the family of stimulants present in more than sixty different species of plants. The pure chemical is a yellowish-white, bitter crystal. Other xanthines related to caffeine include theophyllinePronounced thee-AFF-uh-lun; a xanthine found in tea leaves. and theobrominePronounced THEE-uh-BROH-meen; a xanthine found in cacao (kah-KOW) beans (the source of chocolate).. The pods of cacao beans (better known in the United States as cocoa beans) are ground to make chocolate.