How Much Caffeine Is in a Shot of Espresso?

Who doesn’t love a little caffeine in the morning? It wakes us up, helps us feel more alert and is generally a delightful start to the day. Most of us have our favorite caffeinated beverage that we reach for upon waking up.

If you’re an espresso lover, you may assume that you’re getting more of a jolt than the brewed coffee lovers. However, you may be surprised to learn that a cup of coffee has more caffeine than a shot of espresso. Let’s break it down. How much caffeine is in a shot of espresso?

Here’s your guide to how much caffeine is in coffee.

Espresso Beans vs. Regular Coffee Beans

Believe it or not, espresso and coffee both are made with the same beans. The only difference is how they’re roasted. Beans used for espresso are roasted longer and are ground more finely. Espresso is also prepared differently than coffee. If you enjoy both, you’ll likely want a coffee maker and an espresso machine.

Now, when it comes down to the caffeine-fueled stats, there are some differences. Ounce-for-ounce, espresso has more caffeine than coffee. However, a single serving of espresso (about one ounce) has about 64 milligrams of caffeine, while a single serving of coffee (eight ounces) has about 92 milligrams of caffeine.

The faster you drink coffee or espresso, the quicker you’ll feel the effects. This may explain why a shot of espresso feels more caffeinated than a cup of coffee. It’s faster to drink such a small amount. Other factors that affect the amount of caffeine in your drink and how quickly you feel it are the brand, type of bean, type of roast, preparation method and volume.

How Many Espresso Shots Are in a Latte?

The amount of espresso in a latte depends on the size of your drink and where you buy it. A latte is made with espresso and steamed milk. The average medium latte has two to three shots of espresso and about 173 milligrams of caffeine.

This is the coffee roast with the most caffeine.

How Many Espresso Shots Are in a Cappuccino?

A cappuccino is a velvety coffee drink made from espresso, steamed milk and milk foam. Like a latte, a medium cappuccino usually has two to three shots of espresso and about 173 milligrams of caffeine.

Is There Caffeine in Decaf Espresso?

There is a small amount of caffeine in decaffeinated espresso and coffee. One shot of decaf espresso has about 0.3 milligrams of caffeine.

Is There a Healthy Amount of Caffeine to Consume?

There are several potential health benefits of caffeine but there is a limit.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends limiting your coffee intake to two to four cups per day. Research shows that consuming up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is safe. However, consuming 500 milligrams is not safe and has been linked to overdoses, so limit your intake to 200 milligrams to be safe. Pregnant people can safely consume up to 200 milligrams of caffeine per day.

Consuming caffeine may raise your blood pressure slightly, so use caution if yours tends to run high. These side effects are not common but possible. Drinking too much caffeine for your body can lead to headaches, migraines and high blood pressure.

As long as you stick with two to four cups per day, you should be good to go. Studies show that drinking a caffeinated beverage each day helps to boost your mood and brain function. It improves alertness and reaction time too.

Now that you know how much, here’s the right time to drink coffee.