Caffeine, from bean to cup!

Whether it's because we've become attached to our little habits, or because it's a valuable ally for those tougher mornings, caffeine always sparks a bit of debate. Of course, we want to say it's good for us, since so many of us consume it daily!
Is caffeine good or bad for your health? Is it okay to consume it every day? What's the limit? Do you know how much you consume daily, or do you wait until you get palpitations to stop?

Coffee has proven to have health benefits. Let's not forget that it's a natural source of energy . It stimulates the central nervous system , as well as the cardiovascular system. Caffeine is often appreciated for its effects on mental performance, including alertness and maintaining focus over longer periods. Caffeine can also relieve headaches in some people. However, if you are prone to anxiety, you might feel more agitated after drinking coffee, so this is something to be aware of. People with heart conditions should also be mindful of their caffeine intake.
Therefore, there is no right answer; each situation is different.

But how much caffeine should you consume then?
And what exactly does that represent?

Note that each coffee extraction/infusion method gives a different result in terms of mg of caffeine versus quantity.

Here's a little preview:

*A classic espresso = approximately 120 mg of caffeine per 30 ml

*The Italian coffee maker on the stove = approximately 50 mg of caffeine per 40 ml

*French press = approximately 200 mg of caffeine per 120 ml

*V60 = approximately 90 mg per 120 ml

*AeroPress = approximately 95 mg per 120 ml

*Cold brew = approximately 150 mg per 120 ml

This means that cold brew is the most caffeinated brewing method . A classic short espresso is also quite concentrated; however, it's rare to drink a very large cup of it. Nevertheless, if you make longer extractions, more caffeine will be released into your espresso. So, you could say that the longer the water is in contact with the coffee, the more caffeine is extracted into your cup . All that's left is to choose what suits you best!

Besides the brewing method, we can also say that the coffee plant family , whether Robusta or Arabica, can influence the caffeine content in your cup. Robusta is more caffeinated than Arabica, but it is rarely drunk on its own, as it is often used in blends for the interesting texture it adds or as a filler, since it is less expensive.

Regarding roasting , it's also true that a very dark black coffee will likely contain less caffeine than a lighter roast coffee. However, it also depends, because if you calculate by weight, roasting also changes the density of the beans, which become lighter during roasting. As you can see, questions about caffeine are a bit too complex for a casual chat; the only option left is to experiment and choose what works best for you!

SARAH-EVE ,
Expert barista, trainer & blogger. Meet Sarah-Ève every day of the week at our Limoilou location!

Discover his story here...
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