Tag: Trimethylxanthine

Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world, with billions of people relying on it daily to boost their alertness. The technical name for caffeine is 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, a more formal designation that sheds light on its chemical composition and classification as a methylxanthine alkaloid.

According to the National Institutes of Health, pure anhydrous caffeine is a bitter, white powder or silky needles. This fact often comes as a surprise to those who associate caffeine with the dark appearance of coffee beans or dark sodas. The question of what color is caffeine in its pure form has a definitive scientific answer that clarifies misconceptions.