It's a struggle for true coffee lovers to not indulge in a cup of joe right before bed. It's either drink your last drop before 3 p.m. or risk being wide awake at 3 a.m. But now there's a coffee that may actually help you fall asleep.
Counting Sheep Coffee is a java designed to help you unwind after a long day. The coffee is made from a blend of Swiss Water decaffeinated coffee and organic valerian root, which works as an herbal sedative.
"Instead of a glass of wine, we'll brew up a cup of coffee instead," Deland Jessop, who launched the company in 2013, told TIME.
Valerian has actually been used as a mild sedative for centuries in Europe, and it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in food. However, to be clear, Counting Sheep Coffee is a food product, not a sleep aid. While some research has shown valerian to be effective, it does have its side effects as well.
Jessop's wife inspired him to find a way for coffee drinkers to sip their beloved drink at any hour of the day. She loves coffee, and even drinking decaf kept her up at night. Jessop experimented with herbs, such as chamomile and lavender, before settling on valerian root.
All of you reality TV fans out there may have seen Counting Sheep Coffee on Dragon's Den, a Canadian show that served as the inspiration for Shark Tank on ABC. Fun fact: Mr. Wonderful himself, Kevin O'Leary was on that show, too. Counting Sheep Coffee was lucky enough to snag a deal on Dragon's Den, because this product is ingenious, obviously.
Though the company is based in Vancouver, us Yanks can get our hands on some of this stuff online through Bed, Bath & Beyond and Amazon, as well as some brick-and-mortar stores. Right now, Counting Sheep Coffee comes in two flavors, 40 Winks, which has less valerian in it to make you drowsy, and Lights Out!, which will help you fall into a deep sleep.
It's official. We're never going to stop drinking coffee now.
Image: Jewell / Flickr
