At first glance, answering how much caffeine is in coffee beans seems like an easy question, but surprisingly, caffeine content varies more than people expect. The type of bean, brewing method, and preparation all matter in determining the caffeine content. In this post, we’ll break down caffeine in different serving sizes.
What Affects Caffeine Levels in Coffee Beans?
In the next section, we’ll discuss what factors affect caffeine levels in coffee beans, including the kind of bean, the roast level, and the brewing method.
Bean variety: Arabica vs. Robusta
There are over a hundred different kinds of coffee plants, but two of the most common coffee tree species are arabica and robusta. Let’s discuss the individual beans that come from these coffee tree species.
Arabica
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The most common coffee bean, making up more than 60% of the world’s coffee production
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More expensive because of the required growing conditions
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Less caffeine than Robusta beans
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Grows slowly at high altitudes (2,600 - 8,000 feet)
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Versatile and can develop sweet, sour, spicy, and fruity aromas. They are usually milder and have a higher acidity than Robusta beans.
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Almost twice the amount of sugar
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Arabica-producing countries include Brazil, Colombia, and Ethiopia
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Larger bean size with elongated and flat shape with lighter color.
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More susceptible to disease
Robusta
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30% of the world’s coffee production
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Less expensive
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Grown at low altitudes (sea level to 2,600 feet)
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Most specialty coffee uses Arabica, but commercial blends often include Robusta for strength
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Double to triple the caffeine content of Arabica
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Bolder flavor with more pronounced bitter and nutty notes
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Robusta-producing countries include Vietnam, Indonesia, and Uganda
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Smaller and round coffee beans that are usually straight with a darker color.
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Resilient against harsh weather, pests, and diseases
Roast level and caffeine retention
The difference between roast levels (light, medium, dark) and their caffeine retention is mostly negligible despite claims about significant differences. Rather, caffeine content levels in light and dark roasts is more determined by how the coffee is brewed, and is only minorly affected by how you choose to measure the caffeine.
Light Roast (1.13%)
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When measured by weight (vs. volume), slightly more caffeine because of the density of individual beans
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Retains more moisture and antioxidants than darker roasts
Medium Roast (1.17%)
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Slightly higher caffeine content than light roast and dark roast.
Dark Roast (1.08%)
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Due to their larger size, dark roast beans have slightly less caffeine than a scoop of light roast.
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The more you roast the beans, the more they dry out
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To have a consistent amount of caffeine, measure your coffee by weight
These differences are minor and won’t make a difference in your energy level, but sensitive drinkers may want to be aware of these discrepancies.
Brewing method and caffeine delivery
Your brewing method will have a bigger effect than roast level. Let’s talk about a few different brewing methods and their caffeine delivery:
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Espresso - Quick and intense. More caffeine per oz, but less overall in serving
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French Press - Longer steeping time for more caffeine extraction.
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Drip Coffee - Balanced extraction time with moderate caffeine levels
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Cold brew - Long steeping at cold temperatures extracts a high amount of caffeine
Other variables that can affect caffeine extraction during brewing include:
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Grind size
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Finer grinds = faster and more efficient caffeine extraction
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Coarser grinds = milder and less efficient extraction
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Brew Time - The more time the coffee and water sit together, the more caffeine
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Pressure - If higher pressure in a short time, larger caffeine content
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Water Temperature - Hotter water enables more caffeine extraction
For all your extraction needs, explore the many high-quality, precision tools that Pesado offers.
How Much Caffeine Is in Coffee Beans by Serving
In the next section, we’ll discuss how much caffeine is stored in different amounts of coffee beans.
How much caffeine is in one coffee bean?
A single Arabica bean has about 6 mg of caffeine, while a single Robusta bean has about 10-12 mg of caffeine. Keep in mind that eating a single bean would deliver far less caffeine than any brewing method. But with this measurement, you can track caffeine micro-doses and avoid overdoing it.
Caffeine per gram, tablespoon, or cup
Caffeine content varies per gram, tablespoon, or cup. Let’s talk about each serving size:
Caffeine Per Gram
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Arabica coffee beans have about 12 mg of caffeine per gram
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Robusta coffee beans have about 22 mg of caffeine per gram
Caffeine per Tablespoon (15 g)
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Arabica coffee beans have about 180 mg of caffeine per tablespoon
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Robusta coffee beans have about 330 mg of caffeine per tablespoon
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A tablespoon of ground coffee can be from 180-220 mg, depending on the type of brewing
Caffeine Per Cup (8 oz)
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A cup of Arabica coffee has about 100 g of caffeine
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A cup of Robusta has about 184 g of caffeine
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A cup of ground coffee has 95 to 200 g of caffeine
Green coffee extract, used grounds, and other forms
Being able to roast your own high-quality Arabica and Robusta beans is ideal, but you will often have to make do with green coffee extract or used coffee grounds, even if they may lose some flavor and caffeine content.
Green Coffee Extract
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Less caffeine, more concentrated
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One cup has about 95 mg of caffeine
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Often used in supplements as they’re a source of antioxidants
Used Coffee Grounds
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Less caffeine than unbrewed grounds or whole beans because some caffeine dissolves into water during the extraction
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Between 4 and 8 mg of caffeine per gram
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Coffee made with used grounds can taste overly bitter
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Tie-in opportunity: accurate dosing tools (like Pesado baskets) help dial in strength
When trying to dial in the potency of your brew, accurate dosing tools can help you achieve the best possible extractions.
Brew Smarter, Caffeinate Smarter
You cannot guarantee the caffeine content of your coffee, but you now have a better understanding of how bean type, roast, weight, and method of brewing all affect that level. If you want to ensure consistent caffeine intake, consider tracking your caffeine by weight rather than volume.
When you need the most accurate brewing and better extraction, Pesado’s premium, ergonomically designed tools can give you more control over your coffee-making. With competitive pricing and superior customer service, you’ll be in the hands of experts who know the joy and satisfaction of making the perfect brew.
