Caffeine is a stimulant that can affect your mood, energy levels, and overall health. So if you’re a frequent coffee drinker, understanding the caffeine content of your favorite coffee drinks helps you make more informed decisions of your daily caffeine intake.
In this guide, I talk about the caffeine content of three popular beverages: Coffee, Cappuccino and Latte. You’ll also find a section on the calorie intake of each of these coffee beverages, which should give you a clear idea of which coffee drink is best for you.
Does Cappuccino Have More Caffeine than Coffee?
| Aspect | Cappuccino | Coffee (Drip/Espresso) | Latte |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Espresso, steamed milk, and foam | Coffee (brewed from ground beans) | Espresso, steamed milk, and a little foam. |
| Caffeine Content | Medium-High | High | Medium-High |
| Calories | Typically higher than coffee due to milk and foam | Low (almost negligible for black coffee) | Higher than black coffee and Cappuccino due to high milk content |
Please note that the exact calorie count for each drink can vary depending on factors such as the size, the type of milk used, and any additional flavorings or sweeteners. Additionally, the caffeine content may also vary based on factors like the type of coffee beans used and the brewing method.
I know that many coffee drinkers are under the impression that espresso, which is the base of a cappuccino or a latte, is higher in caffeine than coffee. This comes from the fact that espresso is a concentrated shot that has a sharp and strong taste, but when it comes to caffeine content, things are different!
The amount of caffeine in an espresso based drink like a Cappuccino or Latte is generally lower than in a cup of brewed coffee. A typical latte/cappuccino made from one espresso shot has around 63 mg of caffeine, while an 8-ounce cup of coffee can contain between 170 and 220 mg of caffeine.
Amount Of Caffeine In Coffee vs Cappuccino
Whether you’re looking for a caffeine boost, or trying to cut down your caffeine intake, you might be wondering whether cappuccino or coffee is the better choice.
While both drinks contain caffeine, the amount can vary depending on a variety of factors. In this section, we’ll explore the caffeine content of cappuccino, latte and coffee, as well as some related drinks.
| Drink | Caffeine Content (mg) |
|---|---|
| Cappuccino | 63-126 (single shot/double shot) |
| Latte | 63-126 (single shot/double shot) |
| Coffee (8 oz) | 95 |
Amount of Caffeine in Cappuccino
Cappuccino is a popular espresso-based drink that’s made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. Because it’s made with espresso, it does contain caffeine. However, the amount of caffeine can vary depending on the size of the drink and the strength of the espresso shot.
On average, a single shot of espresso contains around 63 milligrams of caffeine. This means that a small cappuccino, which typically contains one shot of espresso, will have around 63 milligrams of caffeine. However, larger cappuccinos, which may contain two or more shots of espresso, can have significantly more caffeine.
Amount of Caffeine in Coffee
Coffee is another popular source of caffeine. The amount of caffeine in coffee can vary depending on the type of coffee bean, the brewing method, and the serving size. On average, an 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains around 95 milligrams of caffeine.
However, it’s worth noting that some coffee drinks can have significantly more caffeine than this. For example, a 16-ounce cup of drip coffee from a popular coffee chain can contain up to 330 milligrams of caffeine.
Amount of Caffeine in Latte
Latte is another popular espresso-based drink that’s similar to cappuccino. However, lattes are made with more steamed milk and less foam than cappuccinos.
The amount of caffeine in a latte is related to how many shots is in your latte. A tall cup of a Latte is usually made with two shots of espresso, which accounts to 126mg of caffeine.
If you want to cut that by half, ask specifically for one shot of espresso instead of two. Or if you’re making your own latte at home, use a single shot of espresso to make your latte.
Does Cappuccino Have More Caffeine Than Coffee?
On average, brewed or filtered coffee can contain more caffeine than a Cappuccino. But again, as I mentioned above, there’s no default answer to this because eventually, it will depend on the size of your beverage.
An average cup of Cappuccino with a single shot of espresso will have less coffee than the average 8 oz cup of coffee.
Cappuccino vs Coffee Taste and Strength
Now that you know that brewed coffee has more caffeine than an espresso based drink. The next question to answer is, which is stronger?
Strong, here, can refer to the taste of the actual coffee drink. But here’s another important fact:
Coffee strength (taste) does NOT necessarily mean more caffeine.
So many things can affect the strength of coffee taste:
Roast level – Origin of the bean and the brew method.
So in reality, you can actually have a strong tasting cup of coffee without it being full of caffeine, and vice versa!
Cappuccino vs Coffee Taste
Coffee is a brewed beverage made from roasted coffee beans. It comes in various strengths and flavors, depending on the type of beans, roast, and brewing method.
Black coffee has a stronger taste than cappuccino, which combines the strong espresso with milk that mellows it down.
If you prefer to add milk to your coffee, then you’ll have equal tasting coffees in terms of strength.
Cappuccino vs Latte Taste
Cappuccino and latte are both espresso-based drinks that contain milk. However, they differ in the ratio of milk to espresso and the amount of foam.
A cappuccino typically has a 1:1:1 ratio of espresso, milk, and foam, while a latte has a 1:3:1 ratio of espresso, milk, and a small amount of foam.
If you prefer a creamy and smoother cup of coffee, you’ll enjoy a latte very much. A cappuccino is a shorter coffee drink with less milk and a denser foam, it’s not as creamy as a latte.
In terms of caffeine content, cappuccino and latte are quite similar. Both drinks contain one or two shots of espresso, which have about 63 milligrams of caffeine per shot.
If you’re wondering if the amount of milk used in the drink affects the caffeine content, it really doesn’t. It does however affect the taste of coffee strength. Cappuccino tends to have a stronger taste of coffee because there’s less milk in it, while a Latte tastes lighter and creamier with less coffee taste due to more milk being used.
Increasing the shots of espresso, while keeping the milk ratio the same, will add both strength and caffeine to your Cappuccino or latte.
Cappuccino vs Coffee Calories
Please note that the calorie content may vary depending on the specific type of milk and sweeteners used.
When it comes to calories, there are some differences between cappuccino, latte, and coffee. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the calorie content of each of these drinks.
| Drink | Calories (per cup) |
|---|---|
| Cappuccino | 80-120 |
| Latte | 120-180 |
| Coffee (8 oz) | 2 |
Calories in Cappuccino
A cappuccino is typically made with espresso and steamed milk, and then topped with a layer of frothed milk. The calorie content of a cappuccino will depend on the type of milk used and the size of the drink. Here’s a breakdown of the approximate calorie content of a cappuccino:
- 8 oz. cappuccino made with whole milk: 80-120 calories
- 12 oz. cappuccino made with whole milk: 120-180 calories
- 16 oz. cappuccino made with whole milk: 160-240 calories
Calories in Latte
A latte is made with espresso and steamed milk, but has more milk than a cappuccino. This means that a latte will typically have more calories than a cappuccino. Here’s a breakdown of the approximate calorie content of a latte:
- 8 oz. latte made with whole milk: 120-180 calories
- 12 oz. latte made with whole milk: 180-270 calories
- 16 oz. latte made with whole milk: 240-360 calories
Calories in Coffee
A plain black coffee has very few calories, but as soon as you start adding milk or other sweeteners, the calorie count can quickly add up. Here’s a breakdown of the approximate calorie content of different types of coffee:
- 8 oz. black coffee: 0-5 calories
- 8 oz. coffee with 1 oz. whole milk: 10-20 calories
- 8 oz. coffee with 1 oz. skim milk: 5-10 calories
- 8 oz. coffee with 1 oz. almond milk: 10-15 calories
- 8 oz. coffee with 1 oz. sugar: 50-60 calories
If you’re looking to keep your calorie count low, a plain black coffee is your best bet. However, if you’re looking for something a bit more indulgent, a cappuccino or latte can be a tasty treat – just be aware of the calorie content and choose a smaller size or a milk alternative to keep the calorie count down.
Which Is Healthier, Cappuccino, Latte or Coffee?
There are two things to take into consideration when it comes to measuring how healthy or unhealthy a coffee drink is:
- The caffeine content of the drink, and whether it goes beyond the allowed intake for a person.
- The added ingredients like milk, sugar, flavors and so on.
When it comes to caffeine content, an espresso based drink like cappuccino or latte is generally considered to be a healthier choice than a large cup of coffee. A typical cappuccino contains around 68mg of caffeine based on one espresso shot, while a regular cup of coffee can contain between 170 and 220mg of caffeine per 8-ounce cup.
However, it’s important to note that cappuccino does contain milk proteins and sugar, which can be problematic for some individuals. If you are lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy, cappuccino or a latte may not be the best choice for you. Additionally, if you are diabetic or following a keto diet, the sugar content in cappuccino or latte may be a concern.
On the other hand, coffee has been associated with a number of potential health benefits. Studies have suggested that regular coffee consumption may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and liver cancer. Coffee is also a rich source of antioxidants, which can help protect the body against free radical damage.
While cappuccino, latte may be a better choice for those looking to reduce their caffeine intake, coffee may offer additional health benefits for some individuals.
Overall, all coffee drinks, either black coffee, cappuccino, latte or any of the many other coffee beverages, are quite safe to consume on daily basis. Given that you are not adding ingredients like syrups or sugar, which can have a negative impact on your health, and it adds in to your sugar and calorie intake.
Cappuccino vs Coffee – Which Is Best For You?
When it comes to choosing between cappuccino, latte and coffee, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs. Here are some key takeaways to consider:
- Espresso based drinks like cappuccino and latte generally contain less caffeine than coffee, with an average of 63mg per cup compared to coffee’s 95mg.
- Cappuccinos/lattes are made with espresso, steamed, and foamed milk, while coffee can be made with any roast of coffee beans and many different coffee brewers.
- Cappuccinos and lattes contain milk proteins and sugar, which may not be suitable for those with allergies or specific dietary restrictions.
- Coffee has more antioxidants than cappuccinos, making it a better choice for those looking for a healthier option.
- Cappuccinos/lattes are often seen as a more indulgent, luxurious drink due to their creamy texture and frothy foam.
The choice between cappuccino and coffee comes down to your personal taste. If you’re looking for a stronger caffeine hit, coffee is the way to go. However, if you prefer a smoother, creamier drink, a cappuccino or a latte may be more up your alley.
