Nothing gets the day started like a good cup of coffee. This welcome jolt of caffeine gets us up and moving and keeps us going throughout the day. But how much caffeine in a cup of coffee?
Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in coffee beans. Want to find out how much caffeine in an espresso? Typically, an eight-ounce cup of coffee contains 90-100 milligrams of caffeine. The Mayo Clinic recommends that healthy adults limit their caffeine intake to 400 milligrams per day. This includes coffee and any other sources of caffeine you may consume during the day, including tea, soda, chocolate and energy drinks.
WHAT EFFECTS THE AMOUNT OF CAFFEINE IN MY COFFEE?
When it comes to caffeine in coffee, however, not all beans are the same. The caffeine content of your coffee depends on a few factors:
- Type of coffee bean used
- Brewing method
- Amount consumed
Bean Type
The two types of beans that are used to make coffee are Arabica and Robusta. Robusta beans are generally higher in caffeine than Arabica. Robusta adds the full body and intensity of the espresso, also gives a long lasting crema. While the taste of Arabica beans is considered superior, bringing sweeter, softer notes and hints of fruit and berries to the coffee.
Lavazza is master of blending since 1895, with Lavazza’s classic collection range of espresso beans, they select the best Arabica and Robusta beans from 15 countries and 25 origins.
Brewing Method
You may have heard that darker roasts have more caffeine, but this isn’t true. Dark and light roasts have nearly identical caffeine content. What really differentiates the amount of caffeine in your morning cup of joe is the way in which the drink is brewed and how much coffee you use.
Typically, the longer the water has contact with the grinds, the stronger the coffee. That makes cold brew an especially potent concoction, while espresso actually has less caffeine than you might think since it is not in contact with water as long. However, keep in mind that cold brew typically has water added prior to serving, as well as milk or cream, while espresso is consumed in its original, concentrated state.
The drip brew, Moka pot, French press and many other brewing methods would normally produce coffee with higher caffeine contents than espresso.
Amount Consumed
One of the biggest factors effects caffeine content is simply how much you drink. It’s definitely the most straightforward factor affecting how much caffeine is in your coffee, but it’s often overlooked. For instance, it’s not unusual to drink a 24 oz hot or iced coffee or to order a large latte with three shots of espresso. This really ups the caffeine content, though you may not realize how much caffeine you’re consuming since it’s “only” one drink.
HOW MUCH CAFFEINE IS IN DECAF COFFEE?
Decaffeinated coffee is almost identical to caffeinated coffee- it is still made from either Arabica or Robusta beans- but it has undergone a process to remove the naturally occurring caffeine within those beans.
The resulting products taste just like caffeinated coffee, but at least 97% of the caffeine has been removed. A very small amount of caffeine may remain, but it is typically in the 2-10mg range.
Lavazza’s Dek range of decaffeinated espresso beans, filter and blue capsules are carefully roasted, so the aromatic profile of these coffees is carefully preserved during the natural decaffeination process, caffeine is removed using carbon chloride before the roasting process begins. Which respects the true nature of the beans and maintains the strength and aromatic richness of the blend.
Discover the Lavazza Coffee Range Now.
Credits to: Lavazza Professional, Mayo Clinic
May | 2019
