How much caffeine is in a coffee? The 6 variables at stake

Coffee is the most standardized beverage worldwide and its nobility has given it an extraordinary versatility that goes hand in hand with modern trends.

For many, it represents a tradition, others consider it the energy recharge of dawn or the one that snatches them from evening fatigue.

It is so, right? If you identify yourself, keep reading because this article is for you.

As a faithful coffee lover, it is worth knowing the different factors that influence the amount of caffeine that enters your body after each cup of coffee. Discover the details.

How many mg of caffeine is in a cup of coffee?

Caffeine is one of the natural chemicals found in the seeds and leaves of more than 60 plants around the world.

Coffee beans also enjoy its presence, being a key ingredient in the infusion.

Whether you are loyal to one type of coffee or if you like the variety, you can use the following table with updated information on the amount of caffeine according to the type of preparation you consume.

type of coffee	volume approx. of the cup (ml)	Average caffeine (mg) per cup
Decaffeinated coffee	150ml	3mg
Espresso	30ml	47-75mg
Double Espresso	60ml	94-150mg
Instant coffee	237ml	62mg
Decaffeinated Instant Coffee	237ml	2mg
filter coffee	237ml	95-200mg
American coffee	237ml	47-75mg
Decaffeinated American Coffee	237ml	2-5mg
capsule coffee	150ml	60-90mg
Latte, Cappuccino, Macchiato	237ml	63mg

Approximate values ​​of caffeine. Take this data as a guide.

Next, I will explain the secret of all this.

The 6 variables that influence the amount of caffeine

In case you don’t know, the percentage of caffeine in a coffee is determined by the total amount of ground coffee.

So, it is necessary to go to the point of origin of the coffee bean in order to evaluate the variables that are involved behind the simple mixture of hot water and ground beans that you already know.

Do you want to know what I’m talking about? Pay attention to the following tour.

1. Grain variety and origin

To arrive at the final calculation of the amount of caffeine in a coffee, it is essential to know the crop that gave birth to the fruit.

The two varieties of coffee that make a solid presence in the world market are robusta and arabica. Between both, there are marked differences that include the type of crop, the number of sugars, fats, and of course, the percentage of caffeine. Thus, Arabica coffee has a greater amount of natural sugars, oils and offers a lower proportion of caffeine, reaching 1.5%. For its part, the Robusta variety offers a 2.5% percentage of caffeine, as well as a more intense and bitter taste.

2. Roast profile

After the green coffee beans are selected, they go through the thermal process known as coffee roasting, being a key point in determining the amount of final caffeine.

During this process, the physical, chemical and sensory properties of the grains involved are modified.

Caffeine content tends to decrease as the roast profile increases. Thus, the coffee bean with a deep roast contains less caffeine compared to the one with a light roast.

Now, let me clarify an important point. During roasting the grain loses mass, so deep roasts are less dense. Therefore, a kilo of deep roast beans could contain more caffeine compared to light roast.

It is best to use measuring spoons to get the desired amount.

3. Degree of grinding

This variable refers to the thickness of the coffee particles after being ground. With proper grinding, we will be able to better extract all the properties that the grain has inside after roasting, which can be fine, medium, or coarse.

Indeed, fine-grain ground coffee releases a higher proportion of caffeine.

This thickness is the most appropriate for espresso and Mocha or Italian coffee machines, so the coffees made with these machines will have a greater presence of the stimulant.

4. Type of preparation

The preparation of your coffee varies according to the different types of coffee machines since each machine has a specific extraction system that influences the percentage of caffeine in the final drink.

The explanation is very simple, caffeine is released during contact of ground coffee with hot water and the longer the contact time, the higher the percentage of caffeine. In summary, the coffee obtained from coffee machines with a long-lasting preparation such as filter ones, for example, will have a higher percentage of caffeine than an espresso coffee that will be ready in about 25 seconds.

5. Quantity of coffee

There is not much to clarify at this point, for obvious reasons, and that is that the amount of ground coffee will be directly proportional to the percentage of caffeine in the drink.

I recommend you not to alter the measurements of the coffee preparation, especially if you are one of those who keeps track of the amount of caffeine that enters your body.

6. Preparation time

This variable is related to the extraction style of each coffee maker, assuming that the longer the preparation time, the greater the proportion of caffeine in the coffee.

I’ll explain it to you with an example:

Filter coffee machines use coarsely ground coffee, that is, with a lower percentage of caffeine. However, its preparation time is long (some take between 7-10 minutes), so there is a longer contact time of the coffee with the hot water, releasing more caffeine in your drink.

The same happens with drip coffee machines or infusions, if this is your usual method, I inform you that your coffee has more caffeine than that obtained in an Italian or espresso coffee machine.

What type of coffee has the most caffeine?

The time has come to choose the winner that will take the title of the most caffeinated coffee, and without further ado, it can be none other than espresso.

You may be wondering why, if it has already been mentioned that coffee from the filter or drip coffee machines has more caffeine. Ok, I will give you a clear and reasoned answer!

The cup of drip coffee offers you about 237 ml of drink with an average of 95-200 mg of caffeine, while the standard presentation of the espresso is 30 ml and its average of caffeine is 47-75 mg. The numbers are obvious, drip coffee contains an average of 0.6mg of caffeine per ml of coffee, while espresso offers an average of 2g per ml.

Do you see why he is the winner? You have a higher proportion of caffeine in less volume.

Now, if you just want to play around with the variables and create an intense combination at home, check out these highly caffeinated online options.

Go ahead, you have to choose!

Special mention deserves an American brand that since 2012 has become famous for offering “the strongest coffee in the world”, it is *Death Wish Coffee, a blend of Arabica and Robusta coffee with dark roasting. For now, it is not available in UAS, but it can surprise you at any time.

How many milligrams of caffeine can be taken per day?

To encourage the general population about the safe consumption of caffeine, the European Food Safety Authority, or EFSA, has conducted a study to determine the amount of caffeine that can be consumed daily without risk. To get to the point, I leave you a table with healthy levels.

Population	Healthy amount of caffeine per day
Adults	Single-dose of caffeine up to 200mg or at a rate of 3mg per kilo of body weight (mg/kg BW)Up to 400mg of caffeine intake throughout a day or at a rate of 5.7mg/kg BW per day.
Pregnant/lactating women	Up to 200 mg of caffeine intake throughout a day
children and adolescents	3 mg/kg BW of caffeine intake per day

The same study found that a single dose of 100 mg (1.4 mg/kg BW) of caffeine before bedtime can negatively affect sleep patterns in adults.

On the Infosalus website, you can check the pros and cons of caffeine according to data provided by the Nutrition and Endocrinology Service of the Infanta Elena University Hospital (Valdemoro), it will be useful for conscious and balanced consumption.

Remember that a safe intake of caffeine is what guarantees its health benefits.

How much caffeine is in a decaf coffee?

According to international regulations, coffee is considered decaffeinated when 97% of the caffeine in the green bean has been removed, keeping a minimum dose equivalent to 3%.

So, in answer to your question, I would like to inform you that a cup of decaffeinated coffee contains an average of 1 to 7 milligrams of caffeine. The specific amount varies depending on the type and time of preparation, but without a doubt, decaffeinated coffee has caffeine in a small amount.

The 3 most commonly used methods for removing caffeine from coffee are water extraction, methylene chloride extraction, and supercritical carbon dioxide decaffeination. In all of them, the rest of the components of the coffee bean are preserved, maintaining their quality.

Caffeine present in other drinks: Tea, Monster, Coca Cola, Red Bull

The caffeine extracted from the green coffee bean is not wasted. One part is used by the pharmaceutical industry and another is used by the food industry as an additive to certain energy drinks .

So, when it comes to famous drinks, have you ever wondered if your coffee has more caffeine than coke?

To resolve the doubt, the following table compiles information on the average amount of caffeine in widely consumed commercial beverages.

Drink (ml)	Average Caffeine (mg)
Black tea (237ml)	47mg
Green tea (237ml)	28mg
Coca-Cola (355 ml can)	40mg
Coca-Cola Energy (250 ml can)	80mg
Monster Energy Drink (500 ml can)	160mg
Red Bull Energy Drink (250 ml can)	80mg

Be careful, if you have already consumed 400 mg of caffeine per day, it is best to say STOP to these drinks.

Finally, as extra information, the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) offers a special portal on its website for calculating daily caffeine consumption. It will be very useful if you want to maintain risk-free consumption.

Do you already know how much caffeine your favorite coffee has?