Which coffee brewing method has the most caffeine?

Our morning coffee ritual is our wake-up call, pumping us with the caffeine we need to feel full of beans (excuse the pun) and ready for the day. And while many variables can affect the taste of your morning cuppa, did you know that the way you brew your coffee can affect the amount of caffeine in your cup? 

If you’re not clued up – we’re here to help break it down for you so you can be sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck! 

French Press – 80 to 100 milligrams per cup

The brewing process that packs the most caffeine clout is the French press, delivering 80-100mg of caffeine in an average cup of coffee. This is due to the aggravation that the grounds experience as they are plunged and pressed and the length of time that they are steeped in hot water. 

Beware though, while you may be tempted to over-steep your grounds to get a punchier brew, you may get a bitter-tasting coffee. If this doesn’t bother you – then French press will be your best friend.

Filter Coffee – 60 to 100 milligrams per cup

Filter coffee systems produce 60 to 100mg of caffeine per cup because they slowly extract the coffee over a longer period. The general rule of thumb is that the finer the grounds used in the filter, the greater the amount of caffeine that will be extracted – so bear this in mind when choosing your grind settings.

AeroPress – 50 to 70 milligrams per cup

Coming in third place is the AeroPress which gives you between 50 and 70mg of caffeine in your cup. The AeroPress works in a similar way to a French press and uses air pressure to push water through your grounds and a sieve. If you leave your coffee to brew longer than the recommended 30 seconds, you will get a more concentrated brew but, again, don’t leave them too long. 

Espresso – 30 to 50 milligrams per cup

Woah – we know – who’d have thought it? Espresso coming in at the lower end of the scale. It’s not surprising you might be shocked at this – given the name espresso has for itself as the ultimate wake-up call. But remember - it’s designed to be delivered as a shot. So, if you want a bit more bang in your cup - why not go for a double?! 

So there you have it – a breakdown of which brewing methods you’ll need depending on your preferred caffeine intake. Each has its use and we love them all equally! 

Know what else we love? Experimenting with all things coffee! If you’d like to be in the known and keep up to date with the new bits and pieces we’ve discovered - sign up for our latest coffee news here.

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