The Great Caffeine Myth: Does Espresso Really Have More Caffeine Than Drip?
It's one of the most persistent beliefs in the coffee world. That tiny, intense shot of espresso must have dramatically more caffeine than your standard cup of drip coffee. It tastes stronger, it feels faster. But does it?
Let's break down the myth by looking at the numbers. Spoiler: It's mostly an illusion.
While it's true that a typical cup of drip coffee contains more total caffeine than a standard shot of espresso, the confusion all comes down to one thing...
Concentration vs. Total Volume
This is the key.
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Espresso: A single 1-ounce (30ml) shot of espresso is highly concentrated. It contains around 63mg of caffeine. Because you consume it in one go, you feel that jolt immediately.
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Drip Coffee: A standard 8-ounce (240ml) cup of drip coffee, by contrast, contains more total caffeine—typically around 95-120mg.
So, while the espresso is more concentrated (a whopping 63mg per ounce!), the serving size of your drip coffee is 8x larger, giving you a higher total dose.
How Brewing Changes Everything
The "why" is simple. The brewing methods are complete opposites:
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Espresso is fast and furious. It uses intense pressure to force water through fine grounds in about 30 seconds.
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Drip Coffee is a long, slow saturation. Hot water slowly drips through coarser grounds over 3-4 minutes.
More water plus more time equals a higher total extraction of caffeine, even if the final drink is less concentrated.
The Final Showdown: Latte vs. Mug
So, if you’re concerned about your total caffeine intake, remember that volume is the key factor.
That double shot of espresso (approx. 126mg) in your large latte might still have less caffeine than the 12-ounce (approx. 140mg+) brewed coffee you're sipping on all morning. The jolt you feel from espresso isn't a bigger caffeine hit; it's just a more concentrated one.
And, of course, if you want all the complex flavour without the math, don't forget there are now incredible specialty decaf options. Ours undergo a natural decaffeination process—better for the environment and designed to retain the coffee's full character. Just without the buzz.
