CoffeeWriter

Knowing the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee is almost as much concern to coffee drinkers as is the amount of calories. So exactly how much caffeine is there in a cup? Short answer is that it depends; the amount of caffeine can range anywhere from 75mg per cup to 175mg per cup of coffee. A huge difference no doubt, let’s find out what accounts for the difference and whether or not you should be concerned.

Factors Affecting Caffeine Content in Coffee

According to the British Coffee Association, there exist a number of factors that affect the level of caffeine in coffee. Starting at the source, let’s consider the type of bean used. Arabica coffee beans, which are normally cultivated at higher altitudes than Robusta beans, contain less caffeine. In fact, even beans within the same bush can show variations in their caffeine concentration.

Coffee beans in their natural green state need to be roasted before they are used; this too can affect caffeine content. Darker roasts usually have slightly less caffeine than the lighter roasts because longer roasting periods reduce the bean’s caffeine content.

The brewing method used, also impacts the amount of caffeine found in a cup of coffee. The longer that coffee grounds are exposed to water, the more caffeine can be extracted. The espresso method, with its comparatively short brewing time, has less caffeine than the drip method. However, this is partially negated by the finer grind of coffee that is used for espresso. The finer a coffee is ground, the more weight per volume that occurs. As you can guess, more coffee grounds means more caffeine.
Lastly, it’s important to factor cup size into the equation. Naturally, the bigger the cup the more caffeine it contains. Which begs the question, “How big is a cup of coffee?” That’s why it’s better to use fluid ounces or metric equivalents in any measurement.

Caffeine Content in Coffee: The Experts Weigh In

So how much caffeine is there really? For that answer we look to the experts. This FDA publication here states that there are between 60mg and 150mg of caffeine in 150 ml (5 oz) of coffee. The International Coffee Organization reports that coffee made using the drip method contains between 60-180 mg of caffeine per 5 oz cup, with an average of 115 mg. The percolation method results in less caffeine, with 40-170 mg per 5 oz cup, with an average of only 80mg. Instant coffee contains even less caffeine, just 30-120 mg per 5 oz cup, with an average of 65 mg. The Canadian Coffee Association’s consumer website also provides information on caffeine content in coffee. According to their site, an 8 oz cup of brewed coffee contains 135 mg of caffeine, while the same sized cup of filter drip coffee contains 179 mg of caffeine. Of the three methods, percolated coffee contains the least caffeine, at only 118 mg per 8 oz cup.

How Much Caffeine is Too Much

Nobody really cares about the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee, despite the number of searches there are in Google. No, the reality is that people are more concerned about having too much caffeine because it can have some negative effects. In order to answer that question we turn to the world renowned Mayo Clinic for some insight. According to this article, “For most healthy adults, moderate doses of caffeine — 200 to 300 milligrams (mg), or about two to four cups of brewed coffee a day — aren’t harmful.”

Monitor Your Caffeine Intake

The Mayo Clinic article goes on to explain that if you drink more than the recommended limit you may experience some unfriendly effects. Heavy coffee drinkers who consume 500 to 600 mg of caffeine per day may suffer from insomnia, fast heartbeat, upset stomach, nervousness, irritability and restlessness. The bottom line is that caffeine most often doesn’t pose a health problem, but you need to be aware of situations in which you need to limit your caffeine intake, such as when taking certain medications or herbal supplements.

Here’s a good video from Starbucks on one of their suppliers, an organic coffee farmer in Costa Rica. It’s a very well done video and well worth watching.

Back in 1997 Denis Leary did his rant on the state of coffee. Just as valid now as it was then. Funny how some things never change. Warning: the language may not be suitable for all viewers.

This article in The Jarkata Globe reveals that Indonesian farmers are set to increase their plantation size in an effort to stop two consecutive years of falling production. They anticipate boosting production by at least 50 percent by 2021, according to the article. This will have a significant impact since Indonesia is the world’s third-largest coffee producer. Their plan is to increase both quantity and quality though increasing the acreage under plantation and using organic fertilizers. You can read the article in its entirety here.

I thought it used to be skirt length that forecasted stock prices and the economy in general. But according to Las Cruces Sun-News, it’s the price of coffee, more specifically the sales of coffee that can help in forecasting the economy. Apparently, healthy coffee sales mean people are will to spend more on discretionary items and services. But ask any caffeine addict and they’ll tell you, coffee isn’t discretionary its a necessity! Anyway, it’s an interesting read that ties in trucking and underwear into the economic forecasting mix. You can read the whole article here.