Do we wake up to drink our cup of coffee, or do we drink coffee to wake up? Hard to say. But we challenge you to answer us in a message on Instagram @mabo.coffee.
Until then, let's talk a bit about... coffee, of course. More precisely, about the caffeine content that gives us that energy boost we need throughout the day. Oh, what would we do without a good coffee in the morning? We don't even want to imagine.
Caffeine content differs depending on several factors — from the type of beans (Arabica vs. Robusta) to the preparation method. In this article, we'll focus only on the two main factors, but know that the list is much longer: roast level, processing method, the altitude at which the coffee grew — practically every step the beans go through can influence the caffeine level.
It's important to know these differences so you can brew the perfect cup, with a caffeine level suitable for the time of day. Do you have a long and busy day? Then perhaps you need a coffee with a more serious boost than on a relaxed day.
And something else useful: the recommended daily dose of caffeine for an adult is a maximum of 400 mg. This means approximately 3 cups of espresso (an espresso has, on average, 60–80 mg of caffeine, but can reach up to 120 mg depending on the extraction).
How much caffeine does coffee have depending on the bean type?
We've talked about Arabica and Robusta in a previous article (we'll leave it here if you want to delve deeper into the differences). Today, we're focusing on just one aspect: the caffeine content in the two species.
Naturally, Robusta beans contain significantly more caffeine than Arabica beans. That's why if you want a coffee that "hits" faster, Robusta is the option that provides that immediate boost.
But let's also look at the numbers — because they tell the story most clearly.
Arabica vs. Robusta – caffeine in real numbers
-
Arabica
• contains, on average, 1.2% – 1.5% caffeine per 100g of coffee
• per bean: approximately 1.2–1.5 mg (varies greatly depending on size, origin, and density) -
Robusta
• contains approximately 2.2% – 2.7% caffeine per 100g of coffee
• per bean: approximately 2.2–2.7 mg
In other words, Robusta has almost double the caffeine of Arabica — which is why it is sometimes used in blends intended for intense espresso or beverages that require a "strong" profile.
How much caffeine does espresso have? Here's what influences coffee "strength"
We're sure you've heard all sorts of opinions:
that espresso has "the most caffeine," that filter coffee "is weak," that a long coffee "has no effect."
Let's see how things really are — and we promise the truth is much more interesting than the myths.
The amount of caffeine in your cup is not dictated by the type of drink, but by how you prepare it. Each method extracts caffeine differently, because several essential factors are involved:
- contact time between water and coffee
- amount of coffee used
- grind size (fine/coarse influences extraction)
- water temperature
That's why you can get a very intense or very mild coffee from the same origin — it all depends on the method.
What James Hoffmann's experiment shows
James Hoffmann conducted a super interesting experiment:
he compared the caffeine level obtained from two different methods, using exactly the same amount of coffee. The result? The differences are surprising and clearly show that the preparation method has a major impact on the caffeine in the cup.
Espresso vs. pour over — how does caffeine differ if we use the same amount of coffee?
In James Hoffmann's experiment, both espresso and pour-over were prepared with exactly 18 g of coffee. This is where it gets interesting — because the differences do not come from the amount of coffee, but from the water used and the extraction time.
For an espresso, 18 g of finely ground coffee produced a 36 ml beverage, extracted in approximately 25 seconds, under high pressure.
For pour over, the same amount of coffee was extracted with approximately 300 ml of water, slowly, controlled, in about 2 minutes, in pouring intervals every 30 seconds.
In other words: the same beans, identical grammage, completely different extraction.
Key differences between the two methods
- Contact time with water → much shorter for espresso, much longer for pour over
- Extraction speed → espresso extracts quickly, pour over extracts slowly
- Final beverage quantity → a few milliliters vs. a few hundred
- Grind size → fine for espresso, medium for pour over
All these factors influence how much caffeine ends up in the final cup.
And now, the part you've been waiting for: which contains more caffeine?
Experiment results:
-
Espresso (36 ml) → 110 mg caffeine
-
Pour over (300 ml) → 170 mg caffeine
Surprising for some, but perfectly logical:
because the extraction takes longer and the water passes slowly through the coffee, the pour-over method extracts more total caffeine.
✔️ Other methods and their caffeine content
Cold Brew — the caffeine champion
Cold brew is intense not because it's concentrated on the spot, but because:
- it uses large quantities of coffee,
- it steeps in water for 10–20 hours,
- it extracts almost all the caffeine.
Average results:
- 30 ml cold brew → 62.7 mg caffeine
- 150 ml cold brew → 336 mg caffeine
A very high level for a drink known for its "mild" taste.
Moka Pot — between espresso and filter coffee
The amount of caffeine differs depending on how much you pour into your cup:
- 30 ml moka → 65.7 mg caffeine
- 100 ml moka → 219 mg caffeine
French Press — full, yet gentle extraction
As an immersion method, the extraction is generous, but completely different from espresso:
- 30 ml French Press → 22.3 mg caffeine
- 200 ml French Press → 150 mg caffeine
So, how much caffeine do you actually drink?
Now you have a clear picture:
the preparation method dictates the caffeine level, not the name of the drink.
With these benchmarks in mind, you can always adjust the dose according to your day, energy, and mood.
Do you have many tasks?
You already know how many espressos await you.
Having a relaxed weekend?
Pour-over is your friend.
There's no good day without a good cup of coffee. The aroma wakes you up, but the real "engine" is the caffeine inside. And its quantity differs depending on the coffee species (Arabica vs. Robusta) and, especially, on the preparation method you use.
No matter how you prepare it, choose your coffee according to the day you have. And if you need inspiration or want to discover new tastes, we are here — with freshly roasted beans, ready to make your day better.
