Coffee guide
Which coffee has the most caffeine?
Short answer: of the two main coffee beans, Robusta has the most caffeine. Green Robusta beans hold about 1.2 to 2.4% caffeine by dry weight, against 0.9 to 1.5% for Arabica. In your cup, the total also depends on the dose, the brew and the serving size: the FDA lists 113 to 247 mg for a 12-ounce brewed coffee.
| Coffee bean | Caffeine in the green bean (dry weight) |
|---|---|
| Robusta | about 1.2 to 2.4% |
| Arabica | about 0.9 to 1.5% |
Sources: Olechno et al., Foods, 2021; FDA, 2024.
A better way to compare
What changes the caffeine in your cup?
There isn’t one number that describes every cup. Open a factor to see why the coffee type, serving and brew all matter.
01The coffee bean
Robusta generally has more caffeine than Arabica by weight. Coffee type is one part of the picture.
02The serving size
Espresso is concentrated, but served in a smaller volume. Drip coffee is less concentrated by volume and is often served in a larger cup.
03The way it’s brewed
Dose, grind, water and brew time all affect the cup. The total caffeine depends on the coffee and the amount you drink.
Start with the bean
Robusta generally contains more caffeine than Arabica by weight. That is a useful starting point, but it does not tell you exactly how much caffeine is in a prepared drink. If you want more caffeine, our 100% Robusta coffee is grown and roasted on our family farm in Chikmagalur.
Espresso or drip?
Espresso is concentrated, but it is usually served in a small portion. Drip coffee is less concentrated by volume and often served in a larger cup. The total caffeine depends on the coffee dose and the size of the drink.
The brew matters
Bean variety, roast, grind, water and brewing time can all affect what ends up in your cup. That is why a simple “espresso has more” or “drip has more” answer can be misleading.
Choose for taste as well
If caffeine is a concern, pay attention to serving size and how your body responds. People vary in their sensitivity, and the FDA says 400 mg a day is an amount not generally associated with negative effects for most adults; it is not a target for everyone.
From our farm in Chikmagalur
Navees 100% Arabica Coffee
Our medium-dark roast has floral, citrus and nutty notes. Choose whole beans or the grind that suits your brewer on the product page.
Medium-dark roast · Floral · Citrus · Nutty
Choose your coffee and grind