How Much Caffeine is in Your Daily Cup of Coffee?
Have you ever wondered just how much caffeine is in your morning cup of coffee? While we attribute our morning pick-me-ups to the caffeine in our drinks, it may astonish some at just how much or little caffeine is actually in the drink.
While espresso drinks are notorious for their higher caffeine content, nitro cold brew coffee may have it beat. Despite being a cold drink, the way in which nitro cold brew is made allows more caffeine to remain present. With other drinks, like coffee and decaf drinks, the caffeine content is at a much more modest level.
Caffeine Variations by Drink
Coffee is arguably the most prominent source of caffeine for human beings. In fact, in the United States alone, the average coffee drinker consumes between 110-260 mg of caffeine per day. With that said, the amount of mg of caffeine consumed greatly depends on the type of drink you like to indulge in.
Instant Coffee
Instant coffee is made by processing coffee beans to remove coffee extract through freeze-drying or spray-drying. Although the extract is more concentrated than a whole bean, instant coffee tends to have less caffeine content than its brewed counterpart. One cup of instant coffee can have anywhere from 30-90 mg of caffeine. Waka’s instant coffee blends contain 60-70 mg of caffeine per cup.
Decaf Instant Coffee
Decaf, by name, is meant to be decaffeinated. However, trace amounts of caffeine can still remain present in a cup of decaf. Decaf versions of instant coffee will typically contain roughly 2.5 mg of caffeine per cup. While caffeine is still present in decaf, it’s such a minuscule amount that you likely won’t feel the effects caffeine typically comes with.
Although the average caffeine content of decaf is roughly 2.5 mg, Waka decaf instant coffee contains around 3.6 mg of caffeine per cup.
Black Coffee (Brewed)
The caffeine content in a black cup of coffee largely depends on the type of roast being brewed. With that said, a typical cup of black coffee will contain around 95 mg of caffeine per cup. While 95 mg is the average amount, some coffee roasts and beans can skyrocket the caffeine content up to 500 mg per cup.
Decaf Black Coffee (Brewed)
While a regular cup of coffee may contain around 95 mg of caffeine, decaf comes in with a far more modest amount. The average cup of decaffeinated black coffee may contain up to 7 mg of caffeine per cup.
Drip Coffee
Drip coffee contains slightly more caffeine content than a regular coffee brew. The average cup of a drip coffee may contain anywhere between 65 and 120 mg of caffeine per 8 fl oz. However, just like with a regular brew, the type of roast, the bean, and the brew/drip time also play a significant role in the amount and potency of the caffeine content.
Cold Brew Coffee
The caffeine content in a cold brew is generally much higher than typical coffee drinks with an average 200 mg of caffeine per cup. This high concentration of caffeine is due to the fact that cold brew is made using more beans and less water than a regular coffee. The exact amount of caffeine in a cold brew depends on a variety of factors, including the brew time, the type of bean and roast used, and drink size, among other things.
Nitro Cold Brew Coffee
Nitro cold brew is slightly different from standard cold brew coffee as this version has nitrogen infused into the drink. The nitrogen in the cold brew gives the drink a smoother texture that gives the drink a creamy consistency. The caffeine content is similar to regular cold brew, but reigns in slightly higher at 280 mg per cup.
Espresso
Espresso-style drinks, like lattes and macchiatos, have varying levels of caffeine. However, a single shot of espresso holds roughly 75 mg of caffeine per shot. While many drinks only call for a 1-ounce shot of espresso, you may add more for an extra kick. As you can see, those milligrams can quickly add up.
Can You Consume Too Much Caffeine?
The level of tolerance the human body has to caffeine really depends on the person. However, according to The Cleveland Clinic, the average healthy adult shouldn’t consume more than 400 mg of caffeine per day. In that same respect, the clinic states that teens shouldn’t consume more than 100 mg of caffeine per day.
What Happens When You Consume Too Much?
When a person consumes too much caffeine, they may start to feel a variety of physical side effects. Among these side effects are insomnia, the “jitters,” heart palpitations, and dehydration to name a few. In extremely serious cases of caffeine overdose, some people have found that they experienced serious heart issues.
Cutting Back on Caffeine
If you feel like you may be consuming too much caffeine on a regular basis, you may want to consider cutting back a bit. While you don’t need to cut yourself off cold turkey, you may want to try limiting your intake or switching to decaf.
Switching your caffeine preference from coffee to tea can also make a huge difference. While green and black tea are known for their caffeine content, it’s still a lower concentration than coffee. As a result, you get the pick-me-up you need without having a caffeine overload.
At the end of the day, it’s all about balance. Everything is okay in moderation and you shouldn’t deprive yourself because you feel like you need to.
Parting Thoughts
Overall, the caffeine content in your morning cup of coffee varies by roast, drink size, blend, and other factors. While your decaf instant coffee may only contain trace amounts of caffeine, a nitro cold brew may leave you with enough caffeine consumption to last the entire day.
When trying to cut back on your caffeine intake, consider using a decaf instant coffee blend. This version will give you the coffee fix you need without leaving you with a racing heart for the rest of the day.
