Caffeine - Comparing Espresso to Coffee and Coca-Cola

Comparison of Caffeine in Espresso Versus Coffee or Coke

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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!