Many of us can’t start our day without a hot cup of coffee, or a shot of espresso. Indeed, caffeine, naturally present in the seeds from which this drink is made, is known for its energizing properties. According to legend, it is for this reason that Kaldi, a Yemeni shepherd, began to cultivate this plant, after observing its energizing effects on his goats. Even today, the effects of coffee continue to appeal to the late risers among us and they are not the only ones.
Which coffee bean contains the most caffeine?
Before passing under the radar the techniques for preparing the famous hot drink, we must start at the beginning, namely, the different types of seeds. Indeed, the caffeine present in the seeds differs considerably depending on the variety, but also the origin or even the plantation. There are currently two varieties used for the production of coffee drinks. The robusta coffee tree produces powerful seeds, with a more bitter taste, and therefore richer in caffeine. The latter represents on average 2 to 3% of the weight of a dry coffee bean. Conversely, Arabica is characterized by finer flavors, less concentrated in caffeine, representing on average only 1% of the total weight of the bean.
Which coffee has the most caffeine?
Although robusta seeds, the most consumed worldwide, contain a higher quantity of caffeine, the concentration of the final drink also depends on the method of preparation. Naturally, the dose of caffeine will depend on the amount of water added, but also the infusion time. At the same dose, an espresso coffee will therefore be more concentrated than a filter coffee. But in practice, the volume of espresso traditionally consumed is much lower than that of filter coffee. Thus, a 3 to 5cl espresso will contain between 80 and 100mg of caffeine, unlike 135 to 150mg for a cup of filter coffee of around 20cl. If the espresso is more concentrated, the total amount of caffeine ingested will be less than that of a filter coffee.
A different reaction for everyone
It is recommended not to exceed the dose of 400 mg of caffeine per day for a healthy adult, which corresponds to approximately four shots of espresso. Consumed in large quantities, caffeine can have undesirable effects on the body such as tremors or an increase in heart rate. It’s also important to note that there are, either way, different sensitivities to the stimulating effects of caffeine to consider when making your drink.
