A bit matcha: Unpredictable differences in high-street cuppa caffeine levels, Which? finds

Some popular high-street hot drinks contain four times the level of caffeine found in rival offerings, Which? reveals, as new research from the consumer champion finds a cup of matcha contains more than a shot of espresso at one coffee shop.

The consumer champion looked at the caffeine content of espresso, cappuccino, filter coffee, latte, americano, flat white and matcha at Caffè Nero, Costa, Greggs, Pret a Manger and Starbucks and found that customers looking for a morning pick-me-up could be getting a much bigger hit of caffeine than they anticipate.

Which? found that Costa offers the strongest medium cappuccino. Its cup contained a generous 325mg of caffeine, which is around the same amount as four cans of Red Bull (80mg per can) and nearly three and a half times as much as a Starbucks cappuccino, which contained just 89mg. 

The second and third-highest cappuccino caffeine levels, Greggs and Caffè Nero, were significantly below Costa at 235mg and 221mg respectively.

Which?’s research found that when it came to a single shot of espresso, Pret a Manger was the strongest with 180mg of caffeine, four times as much as one from Starbucks which had 45mg by comparison.

Meanwhile Costa (100mg), Greggs (75mg) and Caffè Nero (67g) all had varying amounts of caffeine in their single espresso shots.

The Which? research also included popular matcha drinks as part of the study and found some surprising results. While Costa once again had the highest level at 99mg, Starbucks matcha green tea latte contained 57mg  - more caffeine than a shot of espresso at the same chain (45mg). This could be a shock for non coffee drinkers looking for jitter-free energy, especially if they are consuming more than one on an empty stomach. 

Overall, hot drinks from Costa tended to have the most caffeine out of beverages analysed by Which?, while Starbucks had least. 

Meanwhile filter coffee - absent from Nero, Costa and Greggs - is nonetheless the most potent option where available, packing in 210 mg of caffeine at Starbucks and 271 mg at Pret.

Which? found that americanos display the widest caffeine spread across chains. A standard medium size ranges from a gentle 89 mg at Starbucks all the way to a potent 325 mg at Costa Coffee.

For a slightly lighter option, lattes generally hover in a consistent 175 mg to 208 mg range across Nero, Pret, Greggs, and Costa. Starbucks is the clear exception, delivering less than half that amount at just 89 mg per cup.

Those mindful of their stimulant consumption should pay close attention to the stark differences in caffeine levels across various high-street retailers. While customers seeking an energy surge might lean towards the stronger options identified by Which?, individuals sensitive to caffeine or those advised to restrict their intake for health reasons, including pregnancy, should exercise caution and steer clear of the most powerful brews.

Coffee drinkers can also manage their intake by asking for fewer espresso shots when they order. Which? found that a large Costa cappuccino packs four shots, while even a small flat white contains three. For those who enjoy several cups daily, these stimulant levels can add up quickly, particularly when buying from the coffee shops identified at the stronger end of the scale.

Jessica Carson, Which? health and wellbeing expert, said: 

"For many of us, there is nothing quite like a strong cup of coffee to start the day, but Which? found even matcha enthusiasts could be consuming more caffeine than intended.

"Our research shows caffeine content varies wildly from chain to chain. If you drink multiple cups a day or need to cut back for health reasons, pay attention to where you shop and what you order to avoid any unwanted side effects.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors: 

Which? looked at the stated caffeine content of espresso, cappuccino, filter coffee, flat white, americano and matcha lattes from Caffè Nero, Costa, Greggs, Starbucks, Pret a Manger.

• The British Heart Foundation advises that up to 400 mg of caffeine a day is safe and not linked to bad health effects. However, the exact limit depends on your body size, how fast you process caffeine, and your overall health.
• The NHS Pregnancy Advice recommends that pregnant women limit caffeine intake to a maximum of 200mg per day.
• Caffeine is a natural stimulant that affects your brain and nervous system. It makes you more alert, increases attention and has been shown to increase performance in short-term high-intensity and endurance exercise.
• Another factor that can impact caffeine content is the type of coffee bean - there are two main types – Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans contain around half the caffeine of Robusta beans, and there are also variations in taste between the two.

Caffeine content per retailer

Serving sizes vary - Pret espresso shot serving size (50ml) is double the size of the Starbucks shot (24ml)

Why do caffeine levels vary so much between chains?

Several recipe and preparation factors create these vast differences:

1. Bean Choice: Robusta beans contain roughly double the caffeine content of Arabica beans, and blends vary by retailer.
2. Shot Counts & Portion Sizes: Chains use different recipe defaults - a Costa cappuccino uses up to four espresso shots, and Pret's single espresso shot serving (50ml) is double the physical volume of a Starbucks shot (24ml).
3. Brewing Variables: Roast depth, grind size, extraction times, and water temperature all impact how much caffeine is drawn out of the grounds.

Helpful links:

What is matcha?

Can coffee prevent ageing?