Welcome to a new era in coffee culture. It's not just about the beans or the brew anymore but also about caffeine, and a greater understanding of how it affects our bodies and how much we want of it in our daily lives.
Caffeine comparisons
Whether its anxiety, jitters, trouble sleeping, or just the realisation that our bodies don't handle caffeine the way they used to, many of us are rethinking our coffee habits.
And by rethinking, we’re not thinking of quitting.
Caffeine conscious coffee lovers are switching up their daily routines so enjoyment doesn’t come at the cost of health or sleep.
Recent studies, like the one from Accademia del Caffè Espresso in Italy, reveal how much caffeine in is our favourite brews.
The findings?
- Espresso is the caffeine king, with over 120 milligrams per shot.
- Filter coffee packs about 20-27 milligrams per cup.
- French press has between 23 to 60 milligrams depending on pour.
- Moka pot has between 60-70 milligrams per shot.
Over a coffee loving day, the consumption of caffeine is markedly dependent on your brew of choice. It’s not as simple as the number of coffees anymore, and drinkers are making choices based on caffeine, alongside flavour or style.
Anecdotally, I’m hearing more of ‘an espresso in the morning, a French press at work and a decaf in the afternoon’ or variations thereof, because of a desire to reduce caffeine consumption.
Decaf: Afterthought to Main Attraction
Given this awareness, it’s no surprise that decaf is no longer just the sad, lonely option for the caffeine-averse. We're seeing a serious glow-up.
Coffee roasters are taking decaf seriously, focusing on quality and flavour rather than treating it as an afterthought. Today’s decaf options are crafted with care and drinkers are seeking specialty options.
Decaf drinkers want the same experience, flavour and choice. They want to know origins of the beans, how it’s roasted and by whom. Decaf is no longer a compromise.
The Bigger Picture Coffee
This shift towards caffeine awareness, and the rise of decaf, is about more than drinking coffee. It’s about listening to our bodies and about making choices that make us feel better.
Coffee is still the comfort drink we know and love, but now, we are drinking it on our own terms. It's no longer the caffeine fix. In this new era of coffee, it’s all about choice, balance and feeling good.