Gauging Caffeine Intake from Coffee
When many Americans wake up to begin their work day, a fresh, aromatic cup of coffee is the only thing on their minds. From the rousing fragrance to the hot, slightly bitter feel of coffee in one’s mouth, everything about the experience is energizing and invigorating. Sometimes it’s even possible to go overboard with coffee. Not everyone knows when to quit when it comes to an early morning caffeine infusion. In some cases, too much highly caffeinated coffee can make one jittery and unable to concentrate.
Other times – such as an after-dinner coffee situation with guests – barely any caffeine is desired at all. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the caffeine content in several popular beans and blends. Paying attention to this guide could help you gain control over your caffeine intake and learn what time of day to drink certain brews. Robusta, the type of blend often used as a base for Italian roasts and espresso, has about twice as much caffeine as Arabica coffee made in automatic espresso machines.
The cultivar, or coffee plant responsible for yielding a certain consistent type of bean, determines how much caffeine will be found in the final product. Some believe that the duration and intensity of the roast has some effect on caffeine content, but this is patently false. Bear in mind that a person’s individual response to caffeine could differ greatly from that of others. Some people will barely be affected by a strong espresso while others will be bouncing off the walls from a bit of Arabica.