Caffeine Content in 100+ Drinks and Foods: The Definitive Reference

Complete caffeine content reference for 100+ beverages, foods, supplements, and medications. Organized by category with mg per serving and mg per 100ml values.

Why a Definitive Caffeine Reference Matters

Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance on Earth. Approximately 85% of the U.S. adult population consumes at least one caffeinated beverage per day, according to a 2014 study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology (Mitchell et al., 2014). Globally, average caffeine consumption is estimated at 70 mg per person per day, with some Scandinavian countries exceeding 400 mg per capita daily.

Despite its ubiquity, most people have no idea how much caffeine they actually consume. A "cup of coffee" can contain anywhere from 30 mg to over 500 mg depending on the type, preparation method, and serving size. Energy drinks range from 50 mg to over 300 mg per can. Even foods like chocolate, ice cream, and certain medications contribute meaningful amounts.

This guide provides exact caffeine content data for over 100 drinks, foods, and supplements, organized by category. All values are sourced from USDA FoodData Central, manufacturer disclosures, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2015 Scientific Opinion on caffeine safety, and peer-reviewed analyses.

If you track your nutrition with Nutrola, caffeine values are automatically logged when you scan or photograph caffeinated items, making it straightforward to monitor your daily intake against recommended limits.

Safe Daily Caffeine Limits

Before diving into the data, it is important to understand the established safety thresholds.

Recommended Maximums by Population Group

Population Group Recommended Maximum Source
Healthy adults 400 mg/day EFSA 2015, FDA
Pregnant women 200 mg/day EFSA 2015, ACOG, WHO
Breastfeeding women 200 mg/day EFSA 2015
Adolescents (12-17) 3 mg/kg body weight/day EFSA 2015
Children (3-11) 3 mg/kg body weight/day EFSA 2015
Single dose (adults) 200 mg per occasion EFSA 2015

The EFSA Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine (EFSA Journal 2015;13(5):4102) concluded that single doses of caffeine up to 200 mg and habitual consumption up to 400 mg/day do not raise safety concerns for healthy adults. For pregnant women, intakes up to 200 mg/day do not raise safety concerns for the fetus.

Symptoms of Excessive Intake

Consuming above 400 mg/day or above 200 mg in a single dose may cause insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, stomach irritation, rapid heartbeat, and muscle tremors. Doses above 1,200 mg can produce toxic effects. Lethal doses are estimated at roughly 10 grams (10,000 mg) for adults, though fatalities have been reported at lower doses in sensitive individuals.

Coffee: Caffeine Content by Type

Coffee is the primary source of caffeine for most adults. However, caffeine content varies enormously depending on the bean type, roast level, grind size, brewing method, water temperature, and brew time.

Brewed and Specialty Coffee

Beverage Serving Size Caffeine (mg) mg per 100ml
Drip/filter coffee (Arabica) 240 ml (8 oz) 95 40
Drip/filter coffee (Robusta) 240 ml (8 oz) 170-200 71-83
French press 240 ml (8 oz) 80-100 33-42
Pour-over (V60, Chemex) 240 ml (8 oz) 90-110 38-46
Cold brew concentrate 240 ml (8 oz) 200-300 83-125
Cold brew (ready-to-drink, diluted) 355 ml (12 oz) 150-230 42-65
AeroPress 240 ml (8 oz) 50-70 21-29
Percolator 240 ml (8 oz) 80-135 33-56
Turkish coffee 60 ml (2 oz) 50-65 83-108
Moka pot (stovetop espresso) 60 ml (2 oz) 60-80 100-133
Vietnamese phin coffee 120 ml (4 oz) 100-150 83-125
Instant coffee 240 ml (8 oz) 30-90 13-38
Decaf coffee (drip) 240 ml (8 oz) 2-15 1-6

Espresso-Based Drinks

Beverage Serving Size Caffeine (mg) mg per 100ml
Single espresso shot 30 ml (1 oz) 63 210
Double espresso (doppio) 60 ml (2 oz) 126 210
Ristretto 22 ml (0.75 oz) 60-75 273-341
Lungo 60 ml (2 oz) 80-120 133-200
Americano (double shot) 355 ml (12 oz) 126 35
Latte (double shot) 355 ml (12 oz) 126 35
Cappuccino (double shot) 180 ml (6 oz) 126 70
Flat white (double shot) 180 ml (6 oz) 126 70
Mocha (double shot) 355 ml (12 oz) 126 35
Macchiato (single shot) 60 ml (2 oz) 63 105

Chain Coffee Shops

Beverage Serving Size Caffeine (mg) mg per 100ml
Starbucks Pike Place (Grande) 473 ml (16 oz) 310 66
Starbucks Blonde Roast (Grande) 473 ml (16 oz) 360 76
Starbucks Dark Roast (Grande) 473 ml (16 oz) 260 55
Starbucks Cold Brew (Grande) 473 ml (16 oz) 205 43
Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew (Grande) 473 ml (16 oz) 280 59
Starbucks Espresso Frappuccino (Grande) 473 ml (16 oz) 155 33
Dunkin' Donuts brewed coffee (Medium) 414 ml (14 oz) 210 51
Dunkin' Donuts iced coffee (Medium) 710 ml (24 oz) 297 42
McDonald's brewed coffee (Medium) 473 ml (16 oz) 145 31
Tim Hortons brewed coffee (Medium) 414 ml (14 oz) 205 50
Peet's Coffee brewed (Medium) 473 ml (16 oz) 267 56
Death Wish Coffee (drip) 240 ml (8 oz) 472 197

A key observation: light roasts generally contain slightly more caffeine by volume than dark roasts, because roasting breaks down caffeine molecules. However, dark roast beans weigh less per bean, so measuring by weight reverses this relationship.

Tea: Caffeine Content by Type

Tea is the second most consumed beverage worldwide after water. Caffeine content depends on the tea plant variety (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis vs. var. assamica), leaf maturity, processing method, water temperature, and steep time.

Beverage Serving Size Caffeine (mg) mg per 100ml
Matcha (ceremonial grade) 240 ml (8 oz) 60-80 25-33
Matcha latte 355 ml (12 oz) 60-80 17-23
Black tea (typical) 240 ml (8 oz) 40-70 17-29
English Breakfast tea 240 ml (8 oz) 40-60 17-25
Earl Grey 240 ml (8 oz) 40-55 17-23
Assam black tea 240 ml (8 oz) 50-80 21-33
Darjeeling 240 ml (8 oz) 40-60 17-25
Ceylon black tea 240 ml (8 oz) 50-65 21-27
Oolong tea 240 ml (8 oz) 30-50 13-21
Green tea (typical) 240 ml (8 oz) 20-45 8-19
Sencha 240 ml (8 oz) 20-30 8-13
Gyokuro 240 ml (8 oz) 120-140 50-58
Jasmine green tea 240 ml (8 oz) 15-30 6-13
White tea 240 ml (8 oz) 15-30 6-13
Pu-erh tea 240 ml (8 oz) 30-70 13-29
Yerba mate (traditional gourd) 240 ml (8 oz) 30-50 13-21
Yerba mate (brewed strong) 240 ml (8 oz) 65-130 27-54
Guayusa 240 ml (8 oz) 66-90 28-38
Chai tea latte 355 ml (12 oz) 50-70 14-20
Decaf black tea 240 ml (8 oz) 2-5 1-2
Decaf green tea 240 ml (8 oz) 1-4 0.4-2
Herbal tea (chamomile, rooibos, mint) 240 ml (8 oz) 0 0

A notable surprise: Gyokuro, a shade-grown Japanese green tea, can contain more caffeine per cup than many black teas. The shading process increases L-theanine and caffeine production in the leaves.

Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are a fast-growing category. The global energy drinks market is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2027. Many consumers underestimate the caffeine content, especially in larger cans.

Beverage Serving Size Caffeine (mg) mg per 100ml
Red Bull 250 ml (8.4 oz) 80 32
Red Bull (large) 473 ml (16 oz) 151 32
Monster Energy (original) 473 ml (16 oz) 160 34
Monster Ultra (zero sugar) 473 ml (16 oz) 150 32
Monster Java 443 ml (15 oz) 188 42
Celsius (original) 355 ml (12 oz) 200 56
Celsius Heat 473 ml (16 oz) 300 63
Celsius Vibe 355 ml (12 oz) 200 56
Bang Energy 473 ml (16 oz) 300 63
Reign Total Body Fuel 473 ml (16 oz) 300 63
C4 Energy 473 ml (16 oz) 200 42
Ghost Energy 473 ml (16 oz) 200 42
ZOA Energy 355 ml (12 oz) 160 45
Rockstar Original 473 ml (16 oz) 160 34
Rockstar Punched 473 ml (16 oz) 240 51
NOS 473 ml (16 oz) 160 34
5-Hour Energy (shot) 57 ml (1.93 oz) 200 351
5-Hour Energy Extra Strength 57 ml (1.93 oz) 230 404
Alani Nu Energy 355 ml (12 oz) 200 56
PRIME Energy 355 ml (12 oz) 200 56
Panera Charged Lemonade (large, original) 591 ml (20 oz) 260 44
Yerba Mate (Guayaki brand, can) 473 ml (16 oz) 150 32
BAYA Energy (Starbucks) 355 ml (12 oz) 160 45
Xyience Xenergy 473 ml (16 oz) 176 37
Zipfizz (powder tube in water) 473 ml (16 oz) 100 21

Important Safety Note for Energy Drinks

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and adolescents should not consume energy drinks. Multiple case reports have linked high-caffeine energy drinks to cardiac events, particularly in individuals with undiagnosed heart conditions. The FDA does not regulate caffeine content in energy drinks as strictly as in sodas (which are capped at 71 mg per 12 oz under FDA guidelines for cola-type beverages).

Soft Drinks and Sodas

Many soft drinks contain less caffeine than people assume, though they remain a significant source for those who drink multiple servings daily.

Beverage Serving Size Caffeine (mg) mg per 100ml
Coca-Cola Classic 355 ml (12 oz) 34 10
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 355 ml (12 oz) 34 10
Diet Coke 355 ml (12 oz) 46 13
Pepsi 355 ml (12 oz) 38 11
Diet Pepsi 355 ml (12 oz) 35 10
Pepsi Zero Sugar 355 ml (12 oz) 69 19
Dr Pepper 355 ml (12 oz) 41 12
Diet Dr Pepper 355 ml (12 oz) 41 12
Mountain Dew 355 ml (12 oz) 54 15
Diet Mountain Dew 355 ml (12 oz) 54 15
Mountain Dew Baja Blast 355 ml (12 oz) 54 15
Barq's Root Beer 355 ml (12 oz) 22 6
Sunkist Orange 355 ml (12 oz) 19 5
A&W Root Beer 355 ml (12 oz) 0 0
7-Up 355 ml (12 oz) 0 0
Sprite 355 ml (12 oz) 0 0
Fanta 355 ml (12 oz) 0 0
Ginger ale (Canada Dry) 355 ml (12 oz) 0 0

A common surprise: Diet Coke contains more caffeine than regular Coca-Cola. Pepsi Zero Sugar contains nearly double the caffeine of regular Pepsi.

Chocolate and Cocoa Products

Caffeine occurs naturally in cacao beans. The darker the chocolate, the more caffeine it contains. Theobromine, a related compound, is present in much higher concentrations in chocolate and contributes a milder stimulant effect.

Food Serving Size Caffeine (mg) Notes
Dark chocolate (70-85% cacao) 28 g (1 oz) 22-25 Also ~200 mg theobromine
Dark chocolate (45-59% cacao) 28 g (1 oz) 12-15 Also ~150 mg theobromine
Milk chocolate 28 g (1 oz) 5-8 Also ~60 mg theobromine
White chocolate 28 g (1 oz) 0 No cacao solids
Cocoa powder (unsweetened) 15 g (1 tbsp) 12 Used in baking and hot cocoa
Hot chocolate (mix, prepared) 240 ml (8 oz) 5-8 Varies by brand
Hot chocolate (made with dark cocoa) 240 ml (8 oz) 15-25 Higher if using real cocoa
Chocolate ice cream 120 ml (1/2 cup) 2-5 Minimal amounts
Chocolate-covered espresso beans 28 g (~12 beans) 120-150 Highly concentrated
Chocolate milk 240 ml (8 oz) 2-5 Very low
Nutella 37 g (2 tbsp) 2-3 Trace amounts
Brownie (from mix) 56 g (1 serving) 8-12 Depends on cocoa content
Chocolate cake slice 80 g 6-10 Depends on recipe
Cacao nibs 28 g (1 oz) 35-40 Unprocessed, higher caffeine

Supplements and Medications

Many people do not realize that over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements contribute significant caffeine to their daily total.

Supplements

Product Serving Size Caffeine (mg) Notes
Pre-workout (average) 1 scoop 150-300 Highly variable
Pre-workout (high stim) 1 scoop 300-400 Check label carefully
Caffeine pill (NoDoz, Vivarin) 1 tablet 200 Pure caffeine
Green tea extract (typical supplement) 1 capsule 50-100 Varies by brand
Fat burner supplements (average) 1 serving 100-300 Often combined with other stimulants
Guarana extract (typical) 1 capsule 40-100 Guarana seeds are ~4.7% caffeine
Yerba mate capsules 1 capsule 30-60 Varies by concentration

Over-the-Counter Medications

Medication Per Dose Caffeine (mg) Purpose
Excedrin Migraine 2 tablets 130 Headache/migraine
Excedrin Extra Strength 2 tablets 130 Pain relief
Midol Complete 2 caplets 120 Menstrual symptom relief
Anacin 2 tablets 64 Pain relief
BC Powder 1 packet 65 Pain relief
Bayer Back & Body Extra Strength 2 caplets 65 Pain relief
Weight loss supplements (average) 1 serving 100-200 Varies widely

Surprising and Commonly Overlooked Caffeine Sources

Several foods and beverages that most people would not suspect contain meaningful amounts of caffeine.

Unexpected Sources

Source Serving Caffeine (mg)
Coffee-flavored ice cream (Häagen-Dazs) 120 ml (1/2 cup) 30-45
Tiramisu (restaurant portion) 150 g 30-60
Coffee-flavored yogurt 170 g (6 oz) 30-40
Chocolate-flavored protein bar 1 bar 5-15
Kombucha 355 ml (12 oz) 8-25
Green tea ice cream 120 ml (1/2 cup) 10-20
Decaf coffee 240 ml (8 oz) 2-15
Non-cola sodas (e.g. Sunkist Orange) 355 ml (12 oz) 19
Energy water (e.g., Vitaminwater Energy) 591 ml (20 oz) 50-100
Caffeinated gum (e.g., Military Energy Gum) 1 piece 100
Caffeinated mints 1 mint 40-60

The cumulative effect matters. If you have two cups of drip coffee (190 mg), a chocolate bar (15 mg), and take an Excedrin (65 mg), you are already at 270 mg, which is two-thirds of the recommended daily maximum.

How the Body Processes Caffeine

Understanding caffeine pharmacokinetics helps explain why some people tolerate caffeine better than others.

Key Pharmacokinetic Facts

  • Absorption: Caffeine is rapidly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, reaching peak blood levels within 15-45 minutes of oral consumption.
  • Half-life: The average half-life in healthy adults is 3-5 hours. This means if you consume 200 mg at 3 PM, you may still have 100 mg circulating at 6-8 PM.
  • CYP1A2 enzyme: This liver enzyme metabolizes approximately 95% of ingested caffeine. Genetic variants (CYP1A2*1F) determine whether you are a "fast" or "slow" metabolizer.
  • Pregnancy: The half-life of caffeine doubles to 9-11 hours during the third trimester, which is a primary reason for the lower recommended limit.
  • Smoking: Tobacco use induces CYP1A2, cutting caffeine half-life nearly in half. Smokers metabolize caffeine roughly twice as fast as non-smokers.
  • Oral contraceptives: Extend caffeine half-life by approximately 30-40%.

Genetic Variation in Caffeine Metabolism

Research by Cornelis et al. (2006) published in JAMA identified that individuals with the CYP1A2*1F polymorphism (slow metabolizers) who consume four or more cups of coffee per day have a significantly increased risk of heart attack. Fast metabolizers showed no such risk. This discovery underscores why caffeine tolerance varies so dramatically between individuals.

Caffeine and Exercise Performance

A 2021 umbrella review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (Grgic et al.) analyzed 21 meta-analyses and found that caffeine improves:

  • Muscle strength: 2-7% improvement in 1RM
  • Muscle endurance: 6-7% improvement in repetitions to failure
  • Aerobic endurance: 2-4% improvement in time trial performance
  • Anaerobic power: 3-4% improvement in peak power output
  • Cognitive aspects of sport: Improved reaction time and vigilance

The effective dose for performance benefits is 3-6 mg/kg body weight, consumed 30-60 minutes before exercise. For a 70 kg person, this translates to 210-420 mg.

How to Track Your Caffeine Intake

Given the wide range of caffeine concentrations across beverages and foods, precise tracking requires knowing exactly what you consume and in what quantities. Nutrola simplifies this process: when you photograph or scan a caffeinated beverage, the app logs not only the calories and macros but also the caffeine content, pulling from a verified database of branded products and generic preparations. Your daily caffeine total appears alongside your other micronutrient data, making it easy to stay within recommended limits.

Practical Tips for Managing Caffeine Intake

  1. Set a caffeine curfew: Avoid caffeine at least 6 hours before bedtime. A 2013 study (Drake et al., Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine) found that 400 mg of caffeine consumed 6 hours before bed still significantly disrupted sleep.
  2. Account for all sources: Remember that tea, chocolate, medications, and supplements all count.
  3. Taper gradually: If reducing intake, decrease by 25-50 mg every 2-3 days to minimize withdrawal headaches.
  4. Hydrate adequately: While moderate caffeine intake does not cause dehydration (Killer et al., 2014, PLOS ONE), alternating caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages supports overall hydration.
  5. Read labels on new products: The caffeine content of novel beverages (caffeinated waters, protein coffees, hybrid drinks) varies wildly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much caffeine is in a cup of coffee?

A standard 240 ml (8 oz) cup of drip-brewed Arabica coffee contains approximately 95 mg of caffeine. However, this varies significantly by preparation method: espresso contains about 63 mg per 30 ml shot, French press yields 80-100 mg per 8 oz, cold brew concentrate can reach 200-300 mg per 8 oz, and instant coffee ranges from 30-90 mg per 8 oz. Chain coffee shops often serve larger portions that contain 145-360 mg per medium/grande serving.

Is 200 mg of caffeine a lot?

200 mg of caffeine is a moderate dose, equal to roughly two standard cups of brewed coffee. It is the maximum single-dose amount deemed safe by EFSA for adults, and it is the recommended daily limit for pregnant women. For most healthy adults, 200 mg is well within the 400 mg daily safe limit, though individual sensitivity varies based on genetics, body weight, and tolerance.

Does dark roast or light roast coffee have more caffeine?

By volume (per scoop), light roast coffee has slightly more caffeine because the roasting process degrades a small percentage of caffeine molecules. However, dark roast beans are less dense, so by weight (per gram), the difference is minimal. In practical terms, the brewing method, grind size, and water-to-coffee ratio matter far more than roast level for determining the final caffeine concentration in your cup.

How long does caffeine stay in your system?

Caffeine has an average half-life of 3-5 hours in healthy adults, meaning half the consumed dose remains active after this period. It takes approximately 5-6 half-lives (roughly 15-30 hours) to fully clear caffeine from the body. Factors that extend caffeine's half-life include pregnancy (9-11 hours), oral contraceptive use, liver disease, and carrying the CYP1A2*1F slow-metabolizer gene variant. Smoking shortens the half-life.

Can you overdose on caffeine?

Yes. Caffeine toxicity can occur at doses above 1,200 mg in a short period, with symptoms including vomiting, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmia. Fatal caffeine overdoses have been documented, typically involving caffeine pills or powder rather than beverages. The estimated lethal dose is approximately 10 g (10,000 mg) for adults, though individual thresholds vary. The FDA has warned against pure or highly concentrated caffeine products sold in bulk.

Does caffeine dehydrate you?

At moderate doses (up to about 400 mg/day), caffeine does not cause meaningful dehydration. A randomized controlled trial by Killer et al. (2014) published in PLOS ONE found no significant difference in hydration markers between subjects who consumed moderate amounts of coffee versus water. However, very high doses can have a mild diuretic effect. The old advice to "drink a glass of water for every cup of coffee" is not supported by current evidence at moderate intake levels.

Is caffeine addictive?

Caffeine produces physical dependence, and abrupt cessation after regular use causes withdrawal symptoms including headaches, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and depressed mood. These symptoms typically begin 12-24 hours after the last dose and peak at 20-51 hours. However, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) lists caffeine withdrawal as a diagnosis but does not classify caffeine use as a substance use disorder, because it does not produce the harmful behaviors associated with addictive drugs.

References

  • EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine. EFSA Journal. 2015;13(5):4102.
  • Mitchell DC, Knight CA, Hockenberry J, Teplansky R, Hartman TJ. Beverage caffeine intakes in the U.S. Food Chem Toxicol. 2014;63:136-142.
  • Cornelis MC, El-Sohemy A, Kabagambe EK, Campos H. Coffee, CYP1A2 genotype, and risk of myocardial infarction. JAMA. 2006;295(10):1135-1141.
  • Grgic J, Grgic I, Pickering C, Schoenfeld BJ, Bishop DJ, Pedisic Z. Wake up and smell the coffee: caffeine supplementation and exercise performance. Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(11):681-688.
  • Drake C, Roehrs T, Shambroom J, Roth T. Caffeine effects on sleep taken 0, 3, or 6 hours before going to bed. J Clin Sleep Med. 2013;9(11):1195-1200.
  • Killer SC, Blannin AK, Jeukendrup AE. No evidence of dehydration with moderate daily coffee intake: a counterbalanced cross-over study in a free-living population. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(1):e84154.
  • USDA FoodData Central. Available at: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov

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Caffeine Content in 100+ Drinks and Foods: The Definitive Reference | Nutrola