Coffee Cuppa :: Cuppa Tea

The Numbers Behind Caffeine

September 24, 2008 – 7:26 am

There is no doubt that coffee and more specifically caffeine, is the best way to get your day started. There are so many different options for getting that daily dose of caffeine that it’s hard to know which choice to make.

For those on the go, there’s the single cup coffee maker. For those at home there’s the staying power of a classic brewer. If you’re a fan of a stronger brew, or want the ability to steam milk, the at home espresso machine is an option. There is also your friendly neighborhood barista. How do you know which option to take though – that triple shot caramel latte, or a cheap at home single brew.

First off, how much caffeine will you be getting in each of your drinks? Caffeine itself is found in over sixty plants the world over, in the leaves and beans, usually acting as a natural pesticide. For us it is a stimulant when ingested. From coffee to tea, kola to cacao, caffeine inhabits many of the plants we refine and eat everyday.

Let’s take a look at what doses of caffeine you’re getting in those drinks.  A typical cup of coffee is going to hit you with 100 mg of caffeine, whereas a single shot of espresso is around 40-60mg, depending on the variety. Tea has about half as much as that drip coffee and energy drinks are filled with 80-300 mg of caffeine.

So, when you’re picking up your double tall mocha from Starbucks, you’re getting about as much caffeine as a typical cup of strong drip coffee. The difference is in the taste no doubt, but for those of you interested in a quick and easy option to getting up in the morning – something like a one cup coffee maker would be the go. You’re getting just as much in your single cup as you would stopping at Starbucks for that mocha and as an added bonus, you save four dollars a day.