Is Starbucks coffee high in caffeine? This question is on the minds of many food and beverage aficionados alike. While some say that Starbucks coffee is brewed from light roast, arabica beans, others stand firm that its coffee blends contain more caffeine than most. For many, understanding the contents of Starbucks coffee is just as important as appreciating its great flavor.
Since its foundation in 1971 and exponential success since becoming public in 1992, Starbucks has become one of the most iconic coffee companies around the globe. The franchise currently operates in over 28,000 locations in over 72 countries, with estimated annual revenue of over $15 billion dollars. Currently, they serve an array of drinks and snacks, with coffee being their most popular beverage.
The contents of Starbucks coffee are often found to be in question by many. To answer this particular query, the caffeine content of Starbucks coffee hugely depends on the type of coffee that you order. Some of the most popular blends served by Starbucks consist of a combination of arabica beans, which are naturally slightly sweet and considerably lighter in caffeine content than other types of beans.
On the other hand, a more traditional blend may consist of both arabica and robusta beans. Since robusta beans have an incredibly high amount of caffeine content as compared to arabica beans, the combination of both of these may result in a relatively high caffeine content.
That being said, research conducted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest in May 2020 shows that the light roasted coffee from Starbucks contains approximately 198 milligrams of caffeine per 16 ounces. Compared to the regular coffee from Dunkin Donuts, this number is quite low, as it contains approximately 310 milligrams per 16 ounces.
In addition to their coffee blends, Starbucks also serves a variety of pre-coffee drinks and smoothies, most of which contain considerably less caffeine. For example, their Green Tea Smoothie contains only 50 milligrams of caffeine per 16 ounces, while their Salted Caramel Mocha frozen beverage contains 40 milligrams of caffeine per 8 ounces. With more and more people particular about their caffeine intake, products like these can prove extremely helpful.
Expermenting with different types of Starbucks drinks is the best way to learn more about the caffeine content of the beverages. Trying out different coffees, teas and smoothies will give you a better understanding of which ones suit your caffeine needs better. Furthermore, customizing your own drinks can also prove to be beneficial, as you can ask for fewer espresso shots or no added syrups, thereby reducing the overall caffeine content.
Coffee-Based Beverages
Coffee-based beverages such as lattes, macchiatos and cappuccinos are the most popular drinks served by Starbucks. Espresso shots are added to the mix in order to provide a strong, yet smooth flavor. An 8-ounce cup of latte contains between 75 to 100 milligrams of caffeine, while a 16-ounce cup may contain up to 200 milligrams. Depending upon whether espresso shots are added or not, the caffeine content may also vary depending on the size of the cup and the type of drink.
Frappuccinos are among the the most popular drinks served iced by Starbucks. Classic Frappuccinos which do not contain espresso shots consist of coffee, ice, sweetener and milk. These particular drinks contain around 95 milligrams of caffeine per 16 ounces, making them slightly stronger than their latte counterparts.
Not to mention, Starbucks also serves iced tea beverages, most of which contain only 50 milligrams of caffeine or less.Their selection also consists of lower-caffeine green teas like the Detox Elixirgreen with pear or the Citrus Mint Elixir. However, their fruity mango, Strawberry Acai and Berry Hibiscus drinks may contain up to 80 milligrams or even more of caffeine per 16-ounce cup.
Brewed Coffee
Traditional coffee brewed from medium or dark roasted coffee beans contains between 75 to 110 milligrams of caffeine per 8 ounces. This number can also considerably increase depending upon how many coffee beans are added to the mix. For example, brewing a double-shot of coffee, i.e roughly two times the amount of beans as used normally, may increase the amount of caffeine significantly.
Apart from their coffee blends, Starbucks also serves Clover brewed coffee, which is an organic, relatively light roasted coffee. The team at Starbucks brews each 7 gram scoop of Clover coffee for 5 minutes, in order to extract the maximum amount of flavor and aroma. Since the beans used in this coffee are roasted lighter than those used in traditional coffee, the caffeine content is also considerably less. It is estimated that an 8 ounce cup contains only 40 to 65 milligrams of caffeine.
Finally, Starbucks also serves decaffeinated coffee, which is brewed with coffee beans that have been specifically processed to remove caffeine. While some question how much caffeine is truly removed, a common estimate is that an 8-ounce cup contains less than 10 milligrams.
Cold Coffee
Besides hot coffees, Starbucks also serves various iced coffees and cold brews. Cold brews are slow-steeped for 12 hours in cool water before being served chilled. Since cold brew doesn’t have to be heated, it contains approximately sixty percent less acidity than that of hot coffee. This also means that the caffeine content for a 16-ounce cup may contain up to 160 milligrams of caffeine.
On the other hand, iced coffees contain approximately 75 to 150 milligrams of caffeine per 16 ounces, depending upon whether espresso shots are added or not. Introducing espresso shots is also one of the best ways to increase the caffeine content of an iced coffee. For example, an Iced Caramel Macchiato that contains one or two espresso shots may contain up to 230 milligrams of caffeine per 16-ounce cup.
In conclusion, there is a vast range of Starbucks drinks that vary in their caffeine content. Understanding the contents of these drinks can help you make better decisions as to which one to choose next time you’re at Starbucks. As always, you should always customize your own drinks, double-check the ingredients list, and ask the barista as many questions as necessary in order to guarantee that you’re purchasing something that fits your caffeine needs.
Light Roast or Dark Roast
Light roasted and dark roasted beans have different amounts of caffeine content. When hot water is poured onto light roasted beans, it extracts more caffeine, whereas dark roasted beans contain a slightly lower content. Since Starbucks traditionally serves coffees using Arabica beans, the majority of their blends consist of lightly-roasted beans. However, if you’re after a caffeine-kick, ask for a dark-roast or a double-shot.
Although dark roasted coffees tend to be stronger in intensity, that doesn’t necessarily equate to a higher caffeine content. A popular misconception is that a darker-roasted coffee bean is higher in caffeine, but what happens in the actual process is quite the opposite. When a coffee bean is heated to a greater density, its caffeine content drastically reduces. Additionally, the higher heat during the process of dark roasting may cause certain flavor notes to be masked by a stronger, bitter taste.
Therefore, if you’re looking to order a stronger-tasting coffee, choose a dark-roast, whereas if you’re after a caffeine-hit, opt for a light roast or a double shot.
Health Benefits of Caffeine
It’s long-been known that caffeine provides the body with increased energy and improved alertness. Studies suggest that moderate amounts of caffeine (up to 400 milligrams per day) can be considered healthy. It’s known to increase focus, elevate mood, reduce fatigue, boost cognitive function and even aid with exercise performance. Indeed, if consumed in moderation, caffeine can yield some health benefits.
Not only that, but research suggests that caffeine may also reduce certain health risks. For instance, it can increase HDL (good) cholesterol, decrease inflammation, improve sleep and even aid with weight loss.
In addition, some scientific studies have hinted at the possibility of caffeine consumption helping to lower the risk of some diseases such as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s and even certain types of cancer. While these studies remain somewhat inconclusive, more research merits further investigation into these links.
Risks Associated with Caffeine Over-Consumption
Although the health benefits of caffeine consumption can be quite impressive, it should be noted that it isn’t without its risks. If caffeine is consumed in large amounts, it can lead to side-effects including jitters, nervousness, rapid or irregular heart rate, insomnia, restlessness and nausea.
Additionally, pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as anyone with a caffeine sensitivity, should be especially vigilant when it comes to caffeine consumption. Furthermore, if consumed alongside certain prescription drugs, caffeine can lead to serious health issues.
Therefore, it’s essential to be conscious about not over-indulging in caffeine. This means knowing exactly what you’re purchasing from Starbucks and being mindful of the amount of caffeine that you’re consuming daily.
Green Coffee Beans
Starbucks coffee is brewed from Arabica beans, the majority of which are light-roast. However, prior to being roasted and becoming the golden-brown beans that we’re used to seeing, coffee beans come from the coffee plant as green beans.
These green coffee beans are considered to be more beneficial to health than roasted coffee beans, as they contain more polyphenol antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid, which is known to reduce the risk of certain illnesses. Furthermore, they are also thought to be an effective weight loss supplement.
So, although Starbucks serves traditional roasted coffee, their organic and lightly roasted coffees are brewed with green beans, making them a healthier alternative to their stronger variants.
