Is there more caffeine in light roast or dark roast coffee?

Is there more caffeine in light or dark roast coffee?

Some coffee drinkers swear that they get an extra jolt from dark roast. Light roast drinkers swear that only their preferred roast gives the coveted energy boost.

So, who is right?

Is there more caffeine in light roast or dark roast coffee?

Well, that depends.

The roasting process itself does not affect the caffeine content of the beans.

Research shows that caffeine is very stable. Whether a bean is roasted lightly or darkly, the original caffeine content of the bean remains the same.

What about once coffee is brewed – does a cup of light or dark roast coffee have more caffeine?

When coffee is roasted, the water in the beans begins to evaporate. The beans lose between 12-25% of their weight. Beans that are roasted longer will lose more moisture, and therefore more weight.

That means that darkly roasted beans weigh less than lightly roasted beans.

What does that have to do with caffeine?

Well, it all depends on how you measure your coffee.

If you measure your coffee by scoop or spoon:

If you measure your coffee by scoop before brewing, a light roast will yield more caffeine. The light roast beans themselves are denser, so each scoop will contain more coffee than a dark roast.

Since caffeine level is unaffected by the amount of roasting, more beans = more caffeine.

If you measure your coffee by weight using a scale:

If you measure your coffee by weight before brewing, the dark roast will yield more caffeine. Since the beans are lighter, it will take more dark roast beans to reach the desired weight than a light roast. More beans = more caffeine.

If you want to maximize your caffeine intake in each cup of brewed coffee:

• Measure your coffee by weight using a scale
• Select a dark roast

If you can’t decide between a light or dark roast, why not try a balanced medium roast?
This Viennese coffee is a blend of South American and Central American beans that offers a refined character, while retaining the attributes of a darker roast. Buy Now