How Much Caffeine Is In Instant Coffee?
Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages across the world, with many people favouring instant coffee due to its ease and affordability. However, a common misconception is that instant coffee has a lower amount of caffeine per serving compared to other forms of coffee, which in turn can lead to overconsumption or negative health impacts.
Understanding Caffeine And Instant Coffee
Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It’s often used to increase energy levels and improve mental alertness and can be found naturally in various plants and seeds including cacao beans, tea leaves and buds, Yerba mate and most popularly, coffee beans.
Instant coffee powder is made by brewing coffee beans into liquid and then freeze-drying it into a concentrated powder. It first gained popularity in the early 1900s and has since remained a popular choice across the world due to its quick and convenient preparation.
The amount of caffeine in instant coffee varies from brand to brand, but on average, a 1-gram an 8 ounce serving of instant coffee contains approximately 30-90 mg of caffeine.
Factors Affecting Caffeine Content In Instant Coffee
The level of caffeine content in instant coffee depends on a few factors, including the type of coffee beans used, the roasting process, and the strength or method of the brew. The brand and serving size can also affect how much caffeine is in each cup, so it's important to be aware of recommended serving sizes and labels to understand the amount of caffeine you’re consuming.
Typical Caffeine Content In Instant Coffee
A standard 240 ml cup of instant coffee contains approximately 63 mg of caffeine, on average, varying slightly from brand to brand. However, how much caffeine in instant coffee also depends on the serving size of instant coffee powder or the ratio of coffee to water.
How much caffeine is in a teaspoon of instant coffee?
Amount per teaspoon depends on the consumer and how much if packed onto the teaspoon. However, on average, one teaspoon of instant coffee contains approximately 30-90 milligrams of caffeine.
How much caffeine is in a tablespoon of instant coffee?
Similarly, consumer preference can alter the amount of caffeine in a tablespoon depending on how much coffee is added. But, on average 90-180 mg. That’s quite a difference!
Comparison With Other Types of Coffee
Instant coffee generally has a similar caffeine content than an average latte or or cappuccino served at your local shop, which consists of one shot of espresso, containing about 63 mg of caffeine, topped up with milk.
Some coffee shops, however, serve their takeaway espresso-based drinks with a double shot of espresso, raising the caffeine content to 126 mg per serving.
A similar sized cup of drip coffee contains around 95 mg of caffeine, while cold brew coffee can contain up to 200 mg of caffeine due to its longer brewing process.
Health Effects of Caffeine Consumption
Caffeine, when consumed in moderation, has been shown to be beneficial in improving cognitive function and may even reduce the risk of certain diseases. However, when consumed in excess caffeine could lead to side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, and increased heart rate.
Individual factors such as age, weight, and health status can affect the body's tolerance to caffeine, meaning it’s important to be aware of your own personal tolerance levels .
2 Tips For Moderating Caffeine Intake
If you’re looking to cut back on the amount of caffeine you consume, you don’t have to cut out coffee altogether.
1. Choosing decaf coffee beans or half-caf options, as well as being mindful of serving sizes can help to reduce caffeine intake.
2. Another helpful option might be to alternate every second coffee with a tea using coffee syrup, or chai latte using chai latte powder for a similar energy boost without the high caffeine content (see: our how much caffeine is in chai latte powder article for more.)
Instant coffee is a convenient and affordable option for many, but it’s important to pay attention to serving sizes and labels in order to understand the caffeine content. Moderating caffeine intake and being mindful of individual factors can help to ensure a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
