What type of coffee has the most caffeine?

Coffee is one of the UK’s favourite drinks and is a staple in offices, providing a much-needed boost to help you and your team get through the day. Along with the fact that coffee tastes great, it’s also popular for its caffeine content. However, not all coffee is created equal when it comes to caffeine levels.

We take a look at which types of coffee have the most caffeine if you’re looking to get your caffeine buzz on in the office.

There are lots of factors that affect how much caffeine various coffee types will have. From what type of coffee drink you choose, to which bean, blend or brewing process and so on. There’s a lot to unpack so let’s get started.

Firstly, how much coffee should we be consuming?

The British Heart Foundation recommends a moderate amount of coffee is safe, which they suggest is around four or five cups a day. Of course, not everyone will enjoy the effects of coffee and caffeine, and although it boasts many health benefits, it also has its cons.

Generally though, it’s thought that people who regularly drink coffee may be less likely to develop chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and some cancers. A few studies also suggest they are less likely to die from heart disease and other illnesses.

However, if say you’re someone who suffers from digestive issues, insomnia or anxiety, you’ll likely want to limit your intake, switch to decaff, or remove coffee entirely.

Let’s take a look at which types of coffee have the most and least caffeine so you and your team can make informed decisions about your choice of cup.

Coffee beans

There are two main types of coffee beans and both have different flavour profiles and caffeine content. Robusta tends to have a stronger and sometimes bitter flavour. Arabica is considered to be of higher quality and has a more rounded fuller flavour. However, when it comes to caffeine levels, Robusta comes out on top.

*Robusta beans have the highest caffeine level at 2.9 mg per bean. This is about 2.2 to 2.7% caffeine by weight.
*Arabica coffee beans have 1.9 mg of caffeine per bean. This is about 1.2 to 1.5% caffeine by weight.

Extra strong coffee beans

If you’re looking to get a higher caffeine hit, Robusta is the bean to opt for. However, choose your coffee bean carefully as there’s a growing selection of extra high-strength speciality coffees that are hitting the market.

For perspective, an average cup of coffee is said to have around 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine per cup. However, guidance from the NHS advises against consuming more than 400mg of caffeine a day for adults. Some of these new speciality coffees you can purchase online have over 1000mg of caffeine per cup so they do pack a punch!

We recommend that you’re cautious with products like these as they can negatively affect your health and wellbeing if not consumed responsibly. Also due to their high caffeine content, they can often taste bitter. We recommend opting for a bean that offers a flavourful and rounded coffee profile, with an average amount of caffeine.

Cost, quality and flavour

If you’re only interested in caffeine and not a coffee connoisseur, you can get your caffeine in lots of other products. Choose from energy drinks, tablets and even caffeine patches that you can wear on your skin.

Coffee connoisseurs, however, will care deeply about the quality of their coffee and how it tastes, and if you’re responsible for choosing coffee for the office, you’ll likely care about the cost.

Cost

Let’s start with the cost. The cost of your office coffee will vary depending on the type of beans used, the roasting process, and the origin of the beans. Robusta beans are typically less expensive than Arabica beans and are commonly used in lower-quality, instant coffee blends. Arabica beans, on the other hand, are typically more expensive and are used in premium, speciality coffee blends.

It will depend on your team’s specific requirements on what type of coffee you opt for. Lots of bean-to-cup office coffee machines come with dual hoppers so you can offer a choice of beans to your employees. It’s also a good idea to ask your team what they want, to try and keep everyone happy with the coffee choices. If you’re a small team, you can simply chat with them about their requirements. In larger businesses where you may have multiple sites, you could send out a questionnaire to get feedback. If you’re the office or facilities manager responsible for coffee supplies, this will help you make an informed and balanced decision.

Quality and taste

Quality and taste are naturally important factors to consider when choosing your coffee. High-quality coffee is typically made from freshly roasted beans, while lower-quality coffee may be made from beans that have been sitting on a shelf for weeks or even months.

Freshly roasted coffee will ultimately have a better flavour and also a higher caffeine content than older coffee. A bean-to-cup coffee machine is a great way to ensure you and your team get the freshest and best-tasting coffee at work. Plus we know that people really value a quality coffee experience and it shows them you care about them. It’s a small thing that can make a big difference and help to boost productivity, as well as improve your workplace culture and bring people together.

Get in touch

If you’re looking for a premium office coffee experience, look no further. Our coffee machine contracts start from as little as 3 months so you won’t feel tied down if things don’t work out. You can change your plan at any time and upgrade as and when needed.

We also offer a wide range of coffee beans and blends and offer coffee-tasting experiences either at your office or in our London showroom.

To find out more, simply contact our friendly, expert team who are all Speciality Coffee Association trained. Call us on 020 7553 7900 or email hello@freshground.co.uk