Coffee Crunch

Drive down most streets and you don't have to look hard to find a place to stop for coffee. They're national chains and locally-owned. You can get a cup in the donut shop... across the street... or down the road in a parking lot. But where are all the coffee consumers coming from?

Todd Jarentowski, the owner of Black Sheep Coffee House in Sioux Falls, SD says, "More people have given it a shot, that's for sure. And just simply the growth of people appreciating higher grade coffee, fresh roasted coffee.

Todd Jarentowski has been brewing coffee for 15 years. He's noticed a change in the demand as well as who's reaching for a caffeine fix. "Earlier on it was the late 20s to middle 40s something was the core group. Just recently the next age group down has kind of taken the lead on that slightly."

While the coffee clientele has widened, even people who work at cafes are questioning whether the city is too saturated with coffee shops.

"I don't know if all of them will survive, you know, Coffee is not that new of a thing in Sioux Falls. There have been a fair amount of shops that have opened and for one reason or another haven't made it," says Jarentowski.

Even with all the increased coffee competition here in Sioux Falls, those here at Black Sheep says its what in the cup and behind the counter that bring customers back.

Jarentowski says, "If the quality is in the cup, people are going to keep coming back. Like any business it boils down to the service and quality of what you're providing the customer."

But even some customers are only interested in the jolt of energy the caffeine can deliver. Jarentowski will admit java needs to be enjoyed with some moderation. Dieticians will warn you that too much caffeine can make a person more that just a little jittery.

Teresa Beach, a Registered Dietician with Sioux Valley Hospital says, "A moderate amount that they recommend is 300 milligrams or less a day - which is the equivalent of three, eight ounce cups of brewed coffee."

But there is more than just the caffeine to worry about. When you begin adding milk, sugars, flavors and whipped cream, those specialty drinks become packed with calories.

Beach says, "Some coffees can be 5 to 600 calories depending on what they're putting in it."

But perhaps it's all those additions that have added to the perk...and those in the business don't see their black gold going dry anytime soon.

"Tthe variety is good, the competition is good. And it's just going to continue. It won't slow down anytime soon," adds Jarentowski.

Those with heart disease are advised to limit their caffeine intake, so excessive amounts of coffee should be avoided by them.