Do you like coffee? Do you drink it to get a caffeine buzz? If so, which coffee has the least caffeine? Believe it or not, there is such a thing as a low-caffeine coffee! In this article, we will discuss which coffees have the least caffeine and why. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about caffeine and coffee. Finally, we will give our opinion on which type of coffee is best for those looking for a low-caffeine option.
The short answer is that decaf coffee has the least caffeine in it. Most decaf coffees are 97% caffeine-free. If you don’t want to drink decaf, we recommend watering down dark roast coffee. Dark roast coffee has less caffeine in it compared to lighter roasts.
But there’s a lot more that goes into which coffee has the least caffeine. In this guide, we’ll provide a detailed answer to this question.
Table of Contents
Which Coffee Has the Least Caffeine?
The coffee with the least caffeine is decaffeinated coffee, which is at least 97 percent caffeine-free. For regular caffeinated coffee, the coffee beverage with the lowest caffeine content is a single espresso. A single espresso has 45mg of caffeine whereas a cup of drip filter coffee has 95mg.
you want to know which coffee has the least caffeine, the answer is decaffeinated coffee. Decaffeinated coffee is at least 97 percent caffeine-free. For regular caffeinated coffee, the coffee beverage with the lowest caffeine content is a single espresso. A single espresso has 45mg of caffeine whereas a cup of drip filter coffee has 95mg.
When it comes to which coffee has the least caffeine, it is important to know that the brewing process is one of the most important factors. If you are preparing your coffee cold, there will be more caffeine content in your drink. Additionally, coffee made with lightly roasted beans is more acidic and will have more caffeine, making it a much stronger drink.
The coffee with the least caffeine
Most associate espresso coffee with a high level of caffeine due to how intense and bitter it is, so it may come as a surprise to you that espresso is the least caffeinated of all the different types of coffee beverages.
However, the only reason that espresso contains the least amount of caffeine is because of its small size. A typical single espresso is only around 25ml (0.85fl oz).
Unless you live in Italy, you’re probably more used to a large mug of filter coffee. Because of the amount of ground coffee used to make an entire mug, filter coffee contains a much higher caffeine content.
For a typical 250ml (8.5fl oz) cup of filter coffee, you need around 15g (0.53oz) of ground coffee. For a single espresso, that figure is just 8g (0.28oz). Less coffee, less caffeine.
It’s a little unfair to compare a 25ml beverage with one that’s ten times its size. The correct approach is to compare the two beverages in terms of their caffeine concentration by volume.
| Beverage | Caffeine per millilitre | Caffeine per fluid ounce |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 1.8mg | 53mg |
| Filter coffee | 0.4mg | 12mg |
Looking at the table, we can see that espresso has a caffeine concentration that’s 4.5 times higher than filter coffee.
In order to achieve the same caffeine content as a 250ml cup of filter coffee, you would only need a 55ml serving of espresso.
And if you were to drink 250ml of espresso, you’d consume a whopping 450mg of caffeine, which is more than the daily recommended intake.
So what can we conclude?
From a beverage serving perspective, because espresso is served in small volumes, it contains less caffeine than filter coffee.
But from a volume perspective, espresso has much more caffeine than filter coffee due to its higher concentration.
What is the weakest coffee?
An espresso shot is the weakest coffee you can get in terms of caffeine content. One shot of espresso comes with 60 to 100mg of caffeine while other coffee drinks start with at least 80 to 100mg of caffeine. Though espresso has the most caffeine per volume, it still gives you the least caffeine per drink.
How much caffeine is in a cup of coffee?
Here’s a table comparing the typical caffeine content of the most popular coffee drinks alongside other popular caffeinated beverages.
| Beverage | Caffeine per serving | Caffeine per 100ml | Caffeine per fluid ounce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 45mg (25ml) | 180mg | 53mg |
| Turkish coffee | 63mg (75ml) | 84mg | 25mg |
| Filter coffee | 100mg (250ml) | 40mg | 12mg |
| Red Bull | 80mg (250ml) | 32mg | 9.5mg |
| Instant coffee | 65mg (250ml) | 26mg | 7.7mg |
| Coca-Cola | 33mg (330ml) | 10mg | 3mg |
| Decaf | 6mg (250ml) | 2.4mg | 0.7mg |
Does instant coffee have less caffeine?
Most instant coffees contain less caffeine than coffee made with whole coffee beans. A 250ml (8.5fl oz) cup of instant coffee contains 65mg, and a 250ml cup of whole bean coffee contains 100mg.
| Beverage | Caffeine per 250ml (8.5fl oz) serving | Caffeine per 100ml | Caffeine per fluid ounce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant coffee | 65mg | 26mg | 7.7mg |
The way that instant coffee is made into a concentrate means that less coffee granules are needed to make a full mug.
The instant coffee manufacturing process is absolutely fascinating.
Type of coffee is best for least caffeine
If you’re looking to consume as little caffeine as possible, then decaf instant coffee is the best choice. Also, look out for the more expensive arabica decaf as that will contain around half the caffeine content of other cheaper decaf coffees.
This 100 percent arabica instant decaf by Percol is inexpensive and the perfect choice as you won’t find a coffee lower in caffeine.
If you prefer ground coffee, we recommend this organic 100 percent arabica decaf coffee from Sumatra. Not only is the coffee 99.9 percent caffeine-free, but it also lacks the harsh bitterness you find in most coffees.
What factors influence caffeine content?
The three main factors that contribute to the amount of caffeine in your coffee are:
- Coffee quantity
- Coffee bean variety
- Coffee roast profile
1. Coffee quantity
The amount of coffee you use will have the most significant effect on your caffeine content. The more ground beans that are used, the higher their caffeine levels-the highest being espresso and the lowest being a type of filter coffee called pour over or drip.
The Golden Cup Standard recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association of America is to use 55g (1.94oz) for every litre water (34fl oz). This ratio suits pour over and drip filter coffees best, but it can be matched to one’s taste as well with trial and error.
2. Coffee bean variety
98% of the world’s coffee comes from just two species, arabica and robusta. Arabica is 60-70% of the world’s production and has a superior taste to robusta. Apart from having half as much caffeine than an arabica plant, it also contains different beans within its structure that make it more desirable in certain ways.
If you’re looking to lower your caffeine content (and if you want to enjoy tastier coffee), look at buying 100 percent pure arabica coffee. It’s available as both coffee beans (whole or ground) and instant.
3. Coffee roast profile
Another factor that influences the caffeine content is how dark your coffee has been roasted. For a cup of coffee with less caffeine, look for light roast coffee beans.
Light and dark roast coffee beans contain almost identical caffeine levels; however, dark roast beans are smaller due to moisture loss caused by prolonged roasting.
Although the roasting process affects the size of the bean, it does not affect the caffeine content. The larger light roast beans have the same caffeine content as the smaller dark roast beans.
So, because more dark roast beans are needed to make up a certain weight or volume when preparing coffee, a cup of dark roast contains more caffeine.In fact, if you measure your coffee by spoon or scoop (volume), dark roast coffee has nine percent more caffeine. And if you measure your coffee using weighing scales, dark roast coffee has 32 percent more caffeine.
By the way, measuring your coffee using scales actually improves your cup of coffee.
Which Starbucks coffee has the least caffeine?
The Starbucks coffee drink with the least caffeine is Decaf Pike’s Place Roast. An 8oz (237ml) cup of this variety contains 15mg of caffeine. Next up are solo espresso and Caffè Misto, which both have 75mg. Finally, Starbucks also sells a blonde roast coffee that has less amount of caffeine than others in its lineup: When brewed as a light roast it only has 10-15 mg per 8oz (237ml).
However, despite being a light roast, the blonde roast drink offerings contain higher levels of caffeine due to containing more ground coffee and also because the blend is made up of the highly caffeinated robusta coffee bean variety.
What is the least powerful coffee?
An espresso shot is the weakest coffee you can get in terms of caffeine content. One shot of espresso comes with 60 to 100mg of caffeine while other coffee drinks start with at least 80 to 100mg of caffeine. Though espresso has the most caffeine per volume, it still gives you the least caffeine per drink.
Why Some People Seek to Lower Their Daily Caffeine Intake
In general, caffeine has a lot of health benefits. It can help prevent cancer, boosts energy levels, and is rich in antioxidants.
Yet, some individuals might need to cut down on their caffeine, which results in their search for coffee types with the least caffeine.
Caffeine Allergy and Caffeine Intolerance
While rare, some people are allergic to caffeine. Others suffer from caffeine intolerance, which is a bit more common.
Individuals who are sensitive to caffeine can face the following symptoms.
- Rapid heartbeat
- Jitteriness
- Anxiety
- Upset stomach
- Difficulty to fall asleep
Being allergic to caffeine has more troublesome symptoms. These include:
- An itchy rash that consists of many red bumps, which is also called hives
- Itchy mouth, tongue, and lips
- Swollen lips and tongue
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a coffee with the least amount of caffeine, decaffeinated coffee is your best bet. However, it’s important to note that even decaf coffees can contain small traces of caffeine. For regular caffeinated coffee, a single espresso has the lowest caffeine content. Keep in mind that the caffeine content of coffee can vary depending on the type of bean, brewing method, and serving size. When it comes to caffeine, always use caution and consume in moderation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between decaffeinated and regular coffee?
Decaffeinated coffee is at least 97 percent caffeine-free. Regular coffee is caffeinated coffee, which has a low caffeine content.
How much caffeine is in a single espresso?
A single espresso has 45mg of caffeine.
How much caffeine is in a cup of drip filter coffee?
A cup of drip filter coffee has 95mg of of caffeine caffeine..
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