Caffeine is something that probably keeps you going throughout the day. Knowing how the average caffeine content in an espresso shot is important if you are keeping track of your caffeine intake.
The average caffeine in a shot of espresso is about 63.6 g but it can vary. There is no standard number when it comes to the caffeine in an espresso shot. It could be higher or lower, depending on several factors.
In this article, I will talk about the factors that affect the caffeine content in an espresso shot. And, if you are curious which has higher caffeine, a single shot of espresso or brewed coffee, I will also be talking about that!
In this article:
- Caffeine Content in an Espresso Shot
- Factors Affecting Caffeine Content in an Espresso Shot
- Brewed Coffee vs Espresso: Caffeine Content
Caffeine Content in an Espresso Shot
The caffeine content in an espresso shot varies, especially if you order an espresso-based drink at different coffee shops. However, according to the USDA, the caffeine content in 1 fluid ounce (30 g) of espresso is about 63.6 grams.
So, a double espresso will give you about 128 g of caffeine content. But, as I said earlier, the caffeine content can vary depending on several factors.
You could have an espresso-based drink with 45 or 75 g of caffeine. Sometimes it can even be more and that’s just for a single espresso shot.
Factors Affecting Caffeine Content in an Espresso Shot
Let’s look at the factors that can affect the average caffeine content in an espresso.
Type of Coffee Bean
One of the factors that can affect the caffeine content in your espresso is the type of coffee bean used. You can use any coffee beans to make espresso but, Arabica and Robusta are commonly used for espresso.
Between the two, Robusta coffee beans have a higher caffeine content. Robusta coffee beans have a caffeine content of about 2.7% while Arabica coffee beans have about 1.1% of caffeine content.
Robusta grows at a lower altitude and is naturally pest-resistant, and this is said to be because of its high caffeine content. Arabica, on the other hand, grows in higher altitudes which is said to cause a low amount of caffeine.
So, if you want a higher caffeine content, you can use Robusta beans on your next espresso shot.
Number of Shots
A single shot of espresso typically has 7 to 9 grams of coffee and the more coffee beans you use, the higher the caffeine content will be. If you want a quad, then that’s four times the amount of caffeine you will get.
Again, this will also depend on whether you order out or pull your own espresso shots. Coffee chains have different amounts of caffeine in their espresso-based drink.
If you are going to your favorite coffee shop to get an espresso-based drink, you can ask about the amount of caffeine their espresso shots have. You can order a double, or a quad if you want a higher caffeine fix.
Related: Does Espresso Have Calories In It?
Roast Level
Lighter roasts have more caffeine since they are roasted for shorter periods compared to dark roasts. But, how you measure your coffee will have more impact on the caffeine content.
If you use a scoop to measure your coffee beans, then lighter roasts will definitely have more caffeine. However, if you measure by weight, you will end up with a higher caffeine content if you use a dark roast compared to a lighter roast.
This is because lighter roasts are smaller and denser which means your scoop will fit more beans. Darker roasts are bigger so you’ll get fewer beans, thus lesser caffeine if you use a scoop.
Brewed Coffee vs Espresso: Caffeine Content
We all know a single espresso shot can really pack a punch when it comes to caffeine. But, did you know that brewed coffee can have more caffeine than a shot of espresso?
If you brew an 8-ounce cup of coffee, whether using a French Press, Moka Pot, or your regular coffee maker, it has 96 g of caffeine content. You can always go for more espresso shots but the recommended daily caffeine intake is about 400 mg according to the FDA.
That's about 5 to 6 shots of espresso per day but that will still depend on how much caffeine your single shot of espresso has. You also have to take note that coffee is not the only beverage that has caffeine.
Soda, tea, energy drinks, and even food that has coffee has caffeine. So, if you are trying to limit your caffeine intake, try to be mindful of the coffee-based food and drink you consume.
Wrapping Up
The average caffeine content in an espresso shot is about 63.6 g according to the FDA. However, this caffeine content can vary depending on several factors.
As I mentioned in this article, the caffeine content can vary depending on the type of coffee beans used, how many shots of espresso you want, and even the roast level and how the beans are measured.
Even coffee shops can have different caffeine content in their espresso shots. If you want more caffeine, you can ask for a double espresso or just order an 8-ounce cup of coffee. It has more caffeine content than a single shot of espresso!
