Caffeine - Comparing Espresso to Coffee and Coca-Cola

Comparison of Caffeine in Espresso Versus Coffee or Coke

Image courtesy of: healingdream / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There is a high probability that you have heard the rumor that an espresso shot is filled to the brim with caffeine. It is true that many people are simply referring to the beverage as "caffeine shots."

Have you ever wanted to find out more about espresso and how much caffeine it contains? Is there any such thing as caffeine-free espresso, a term primarily used for "decaf" coffee? How unhealthy for you is espresso, really? And if espresso is so unhealthy then why hasn't it been taken off the market? All of these are great questions that could come from anyone who would like to know more about the myths surrounding espresso shots and their caffeine content. But there is one thing for sure - that espresso shots are definitely not as unhealthy for you as alcohol shots are.

The whole problem surrounding espresso is the fact that most people have heard that espresso contains so much more caffeine than other beverages that it is deemed almost dangerous to consume. This is a myth and simply isn't true! Even though espresso does contain quite a lot of caffeine in one shot, here is how the caffeine content of espresso compares to other popular beverages:

How Much Caffeine in Espresso and Coffee

When comparing the amount of caffeine in an espresso shot as compared to a cup of coffee, there are many things you should consider. When it comes to espresso, there are as many varieties of espresso as there are of coffee. We will user the term "espresso" to means one plain shot of espresso that has no extra flavor of frills, and for "coffee" we mean a regular black cup of coffee that most people drink at their breakfast table in the morning.

You may be surprised to find this out that a regular black cup of coffee actually has more caffeine than one shot of espresso. It's true that espresso does contain more milligrams of caffeine per ounce, but espresso shots are typically only consumed in 1-ounce shot glasses. Espresso contains about 67 milligrams of caffeine per ounce and coffee contains around 148 milligrams in an average full cup. Most people only consume one shot of espresso at a time, but most people consume multiple cups of coffee throughout their day. If a person only consumes 2 shots of espresso, he/she will take in 14 milligrams more coffee if only one 8 ounce cup of coffee is consumed.

How Much Caffeine in Espresso and Coca-Cola

So what would be the better choice: having a can of Coca-Cola in the morning to jump start your day, or continuing with your espresso routine? As mentioned above, espresso shots usually contain about 67 milligrams per 1-ounce shot glass. On the other hand, a 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola contains only about 35 milligrams of caffeine. It is obvious which beverage has less caffeine. On the other hand, Coca-Cola has sugar or NutraSweet to sweeten it, neither of which is really very healthy for you. In fact, NutraSweet had over 50 things wrong with it when it was released, and the medical profession is advising less consumption of sugar and other refined carbohydrates. So if you are drinking unsweetened espresso, the best "morning boost" would be the espresso shot.

Based on this information, you can see an espresso shot is really doesn't appear to be all that bad for you when compared to a can of soda pop or even a regular cup of coffee. In the whole scheme of things one can probably say that espresso is about average when it comes to the amount of caffeine in a single serving, and now you know just how espresso shots stack up!

Additional Web Resources:

mayoclinic.com Caffeine
FDA 92 symptoms - aspartame
321 Recipes - Aspartame

Buying An Espresso Maker

Buying the Right Espresso Machine

Just as there are many different kinds of espresso flavors and drinks on the market today, there are just as many different ways to make an espresso beverage. The main difference in making an espresso base coffee beverage lies in the machine that is used to make it.

There are multiple types of espresso machines on the market today and buying the right one is crucial to having the best espresso beverage for yourself and for others you have purchased the machine for. Many people use an espresso machine in their business, and coffee shops are the perfect example of businesses that typically invest thousands of dollars in espresso machines.

There are more than five different types of espresso machines and the taste of the espresso will be slightly different when made from each one even though the process of making the espresso is basically the same. Many people purchase a
steam-driven electric espresso machine because of its low cost. The disadvantage is that the espresso that it produces can have a burnt taste due to the high extraction temperature.

Another popular type is the consumer-level pump machine. This delivers coffee that has a better flavor than the low-end steam machine, but not usually as good as the commercial pump machines.


Consumer pump machines are usually a more expensive than the steam machines. A common problem with these units is a tendency of the pump to wear out - usually at the end of the one-year warranty. For this reason, you should try to get one with a good warranty, like the Hamilton Beach unit I blogged about in December of 2010.

Sometimes you will find pump machines in a
combination that is designed to make high-quality coffee as well as pump-driven espresso.

There are others that want what is in the restaurants and coffee shops. The most popular type of espresso machine that is used throughout American coffee shops and breakfast restaurants is the commercial pump-driven espresso machine. This type of espresso machine is interesting because it streamlines the whole espresso-making process and makes the process of getting espresso very simple. Many of these espresso machines are automatic, which means that a single button just has to be pushed in order to get some espresso out of it.

In some countries, espresso drinkers routinely use a
stovetop espresso machine. This is a machine that, as the name states, sits on your stove and produces espresso. This type of machine is a true steam-driven espresso machine. Hot water is heated in the bottom of the machine, which is forced up to the middle of the espresso machine where the actual beverage is made.

When trying to buy the right espresso machine you'll probably first and foremost want to invest in one of the easiest to use espresso machines, which is a fully automatic pump-driven machine. You might even consider purchasing a motor-driven espresso machine. These espresso machines can be quite expensive. Your budget and how enthusiastic you are about your favorite coffee beverage will probably dictate how much money you're willing to spend. For most consumers, an inexpensive espresso machine around $150 may be just the perfect one to start with. Commercial units, like the one pictured above, can run over $15,000.00 - click on the photo to go to a website if you want to price the commercial units.

One thing to consider when buying the right kind of espresso machine is to make sure that it allows you to have the most control over your espresso as possible. For example, does the machine have a built-in grinder? If it does have a grinder does it have different settings for the grinding of the coffee beans? Does the espresso machine that you are interested in contain an automatic whipped cream dispenser, along with a timer for the espresso?

All of these things are important when trying to buy the right type of espresso machine. If you are an avid espresso drinker then you probably will want to invest in an espresso machine that will suit your tastes, desires and budget.

Cool Coffee Recipes #2 - From Dark Roast Coffee

Arabian Coffee

Ingredients:

1/2 liter (about 1 pint) water
3 tablespoons coffee
3 tablespoons (or more) sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Cardamom
1 teaspoon vanilla or vanilla sugar

How To:

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan and heat until foam gathers on top. Do not pass through a filter. Stir it up before you serve it.

I hope you like this recipe. Get more by filling out the form above. Thanks for visiting Dark Roast Coffee - may your next cup be your best!

Cool Coffee Recipes #1 - From Dark Roast Coffee

Alpine Carnival

Ingredients:

2 tbsp Instant coffee
1 tsp Vanilla
2 tbsp Brown sugar
1 tsp Water
1 1/2 cup Boiling water
1/2 cup Whipping cream, whipped

How To:

Divide instant coffee and vanilla evenly between two Spanish coffee glasses. In a small heavy saucepan, dissolve sugar in the teaspoon of water. Over medium heat, stir dissolved sugar until it reaches a full boil. Immediately remove from heat and stir in boiling water. Divide sugar mixture between coffee glasses and top with a dollop of whipped cream.
Makes 2 x 6 oz servings.

I hope you like this recipe. Get more by filling out the form above. Thanks for visiting Dark Roast Coffee - may your next cup be your best!

Organic Yukon Blend by Starbucks Coffee

Review of Organic Yukon Blend by Starbucks

I walked into my local Starbucks today and spotted a bag of Yukon Blend. I know it is too cold in the Yukon to grow coffee, so I thought to myself, "perhaps this is what you need to keep you warm on those cold nights in the Yukon." I just had to check this one out.

Upon further investigation, I discovered that this coffee was created as the result of a request from a sea captain. He wanted a coffee to keep his crew happy, way back in 1971. As a result, Starbucks came up with this multi-region blend that is sure to please you on cold, winter nights.

When I opened the bag and spread a few beans on a plate to photo it, the room quickly smelled of a rich, smoky dark roasted blend. I decided to do a french press of this dark roast coffee, so I ground up some coffee on the coarse setting. Note - always match the grind of your coffee to the preparation method - more on that HERE.

After steeping for 4 minutes, I poured up the french press brew. As you can see in the photo, the coffee was nice, dark and rich.

Get Some >==> Starbucks Coffee 1-lb. Organic Yukon Blend Coffee Beans, Regular Yukon Blend®

The first taste of the unsweetened Yukon Blend hit the back and the tip of my tongue with some great flavor and virtually no bitterness. Because of the short contact time, french press coffee usually has a very slight bitterness, but this was exceptionally clean and free of the bitter I was expecting. The flavor of this coffee, though labeled extra bold, did not seem to be overpowering, and lingered only for about 3 seconds, giving it a very clean finish.

This would be a good dinner coffee, to be served with the meal. It would only enhance a good meal and never steal center stage from the main course.

Starbucks recommends pairing this with a hot bowl of Oatmeal.

I think that after adding sweetener, it would be an excellent desert on its own. If you don't like a sweetener, I recommend you drink it with a nice, rich dessert, such as German chocolate cake.




As always, may your next cup be the best!

Italian Roast by Starbucks Coffee

Starbucks Italian Roast

This dark roast coffee has a very pleasant aroma, not quite what you would expect from a offering that Starbucks says has an "Extra Bold" flavor.

I purchased this as a venti coffee of the day from my local Starbucks. The mouth-feel of the unsweetened coffee is very smooth, indeed. It has a light bitterness and could easily be served to folks who aren't coffee connoisseurs. I always try to note this kind of information because my mother was very used to her "standard blend" coffee and she would rarely drink any of my "gourmet" coffee, but this one is so pleasant to the taste buds, I think it would win her favor.

The overall flavor hits the middle of the tongue with a slight acidity, followed by a nice, deep coffee flavor that is lighter than an espresso or french roast. Italian Roast has depth that is definitely that of a dark roasted blend, but it would be an awesome all-day coffee that would be good to wake up with and it would be just as good at dinner time.

When this coffee cools down to room temperature, it does not gain any additional bitterness, so it is great for busy folks that find themselves finishing a cup after the coffee has cooled down.


=> Get Some Starbucks Ground Coffee - Italian Roast - Extra Bold <= 3 Bags (12 oz ea)

For food pairings, Starbucks recommends Tiramisu, but my personal recommendation is a Ghiradelli Chocolate Square with Caramel Filling - I loved this combination and I hope you do too!

The sweetened brew is not as dessert-like as I expected. The smokiness of the coffee comes out when lightly sweetened. This dark roast would be a great accompaniment with any sweet or by itself.

I hope this review helps you in getting the best coffee you can find. As always, may your next cup be the best!

Recycled and Recyclable Tumbler by Aladdin

Aladdin Blue Recycled and Recyclable Tumbler

The need to recycle is key to sustaining our natural resources. Makers of coffee products are doing their part to help with the recycling effort. Aladdin has some offerings that target consumers that want environmentally sound products. One of their offerings is a coffee mug made from recycled plastic that is also a recyclable product. Unlike a lot of recycled products, the price for this mug is low - in most cases, less than $15, shipped to your door.

Aladdin 16 Oz Blue Recycled And Recyclable Tumbler

I tested this 16 ounce mug for convenience and heat retention. I also looked at the more practical aspects, such as the ability to use it in the microwave and to be washed in the dishwasher.



The mug is made of high-quality recycled plastic. It has a double-wall insulation that is as good as many non-green products out there. The lid is a screw-on type with a quality seal that does an excellent job of keeping the coffee in and bad stuff out. The top has a quarter-turn seal that works reasonably well, although tipping the mug on its side will result in some leakage - the seal just slows it down. It acts more like a dust or debris cover, not a liquid tight seal.



The mug holds temperature fairly well if the liquid that is put in it is above 150°. It holds a good enough temperature for 2 hours, after which, it can be warmed up in the microwave. I strongly recommend you heat it with the lid removed so you don't damage the seal.



This mug is dishwasher safe, which a lot of mugs aren't. Thank you, Aladdin, for thinking of the consumer.

I would rate this mug a 9.5 out of 10. If it held heat longer and had a better seal on the top, it would be a 10, easily. Great job, Aladdin!

I hope this review helps you in getting that perfect cup. As always, may your next cup be the best!

Starbucks Kenya

Kenya Coffee from Starbucks

Starbucks Kenya is labeled by the company as a bold coffee. It is bold, but it is some of the smoothest dark roast coffee that you will ever taste.



When you look at the beans, they remind you of a good, rich, milk chocolate. The beans have a light sheen from the oil that is in them. The aroma of the beans has great depth, letting you know in advance, what to expect from this starbucks offering.



I brewed this coffee as an Americano, and in my drip coffee maker as well. In each case, the coffee is very satisfying.

The first taste of the coffee has a slight earthy quality, and the flavor of it fills your mouth with a slightly bitter, yet pleasant taste. The flavor of Kenya lingers upon the tongue for around 5 or 6 seconds. This is when the pleasant bitter taste can be sensed. As the coffee cools to near room temperature, it does not become more bitter. This is the sign of an excellent roast that is sure to please almost all coffee drinkers.

When it is sweetened, it tastes more like a dessert than a coffee. It could be served after a meal as a dessert, or with some milk chocolate or apple pie as a really great accompaniment to either dessert item. I would also say that this would be a good coffee for serving with a breakfast or dinner meal. It is an excellent all-around coffee that will not disappoint.

I hope this review helps you in your search for the perfect cup. As always, may your next cup be your best!

Review of Java Paradise Dark Roast by Distant Lands Coffee

Distant Lands Coffee - Java Paradise Dark Roast

When I saw this coffee on the store shelf, I thought "Nice package, but is the coffee inside any good?" The apparent price of this dark roasted blend seems rather low when compared to the premium coffees sitting on the shelf beside it. So you look at what appears to be a price that is one dollar or more lower than other brands surrounding it, you think that it might not be a quality coffee. The price is lower for a simple reason - the package of dark roast coffee that they are selling is a 10 ounce size, not the typical 12 ounce or 1 pound one. The price per ounce calculates to be a few cents cheaper than Seattle's Best Coffee that is sitting very close to it.


On the package they refer to it as an Arabica blend that produces, "a bold, yet smooth cup." The coffee that is in this blended coffee is 100% Arabica that is a Rainforest Alliance Certified™ Coffee. For more information on what this means, check out the information on it on the Mother Earth News website. If you are interested in doing the "right thing," for the planet, Mother Earth News is a great place to go - I recommend them highly. In addition, you can find out more by visiting the Distant Lands Coffee web site.

The coffee that I purchased was already ground, so I decided to taste it as a drip coffee. A couple of days later I tried it in my french press. The flavor results were similar, so I decided to report on my findings about the drip coffee that resulted.

Upon opening the bag of ground coffee, I could smell the richness of a dark roast that had a "sharpness" to the the aroma - I personally thing it was due to the acidity of this blend. Once I brewed up a pot, I smelled a slight scent of rubber in the brew. Note - this is more typical of Robusta coffees and not of Arabica blends. I confirmed the aroma that I was smelling by rubbing some of the coffee between my fingers - there is a faint rubbery smell - could be due to a higher caffeine content - I am not sure.

The color of the grounds also looked like a deep medium roast mixed with dark roast, but the first sip definitely was dark roast coffee.

This coffee has a pleasing taste that has a certain earthy quality. The acid level of this blend is a little higher than most, but it is a good coffee to keep on hand and it definitely is good enough for my tastes. The cup it produces is bold, yet not overpowering. I would say the statement that Distant Lands put on the package is correct.

For food pairings, I would say desserts or fruit that is not terribly sweet. I tried it with one of my favorite items, a Snickers bar, and found that it goes well with the blend of chocolate, caramel and peanuts that are present in the candy. Strawberries without chocolate or with a good dark chocolate would be excellent for this brew.

I discovered a couple of nice .pdf information articles on the Distant Lands site, so I thought I would share them:
The Perfect Roast
The Ultimate Cup


I hope this review helps you in your search for better coffee and, as always, may your next cup be your best.