When trying to cut back on caffeine, coffee lovers everywhere start hunting for new ways to get their fix. It’s no surprise that many turn to foods with coffee extract as a source of the good stuff. But is there really caffeine in the coffee extract? Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances in the world, which is why so many are slowly cutting down on their intake of it by switching to more natural sources like coffee beans and tea leaves. But does that mean you can also cut out the middleman and just eat those instead? You might be surprised, but there is indeed caffeine in the coffee extract. While raw or fresh coffee beans don’t have any measurable amount of caffeine, green or roasted ones definitely do. In fact, one serving (about 5 grams) contains about 5 mg of caffeine. Caffeine is a type of alkaloid substance found in various plants such as cocoa beans, tea leaves, and cola nuts. Although some people claim they experience adverse side effects after drinking caffeinated beverages like soda or energy drinks, this effect is more likely due to artificial sweeteners and other additives than the presence of natural caffeine itself.
Does Coffee Extract Have Caffeine?
Yes, the coffee extract does have caffeine. Both instant coffee and ground coffee both have caffeine in them, as they both come from the same plant. Rather than instant coffee being decaf, it simply is already ground up and has less water content, so it takes less time to brew.
Why Does Coffee Extract Have Caffeine?
1. Coffee Extract Is Made From Coffee Beans
The reason why coffee extract contains caffeine is because of the beans. Coffee beans are a source of caffeine in coffee. In fact, there is more caffeine in a cup of brewed coffee than there is in a cup of tea. If you want to avoid caffeine, you should probably avoid drinking coffee or tea.
2. Coffee Extract Is A Natural Source Of Caffeine
There are two types of natural sources for caffeine: plants and animals. Plants that contain caffeine include cocoa, tea leaves, and cola nuts. Animals that contain caffeine include bees, ants, and termites (who would have guessed?). However, these animals don’t produce enough caffeine for us to drink them as a source of natural caffeine; however, they can be used as sources for making drugs from their bodies (like cocaine).
3. Coffee Extract Contains The Same Amounts Of Caffeine As A Cup Of Coffee
If you’re worried about the amount of caffeine in coffee extract, you don’t need to worry. There is approximately the same amount of caffeine in a cup of brewed coffee as there is in a cup of brewed coffee extract. If you want to avoid caffeine, you should probably avoid drinking coffee or tea.
4. Coffee Extract Contains Caffeine From The Coffee Beans It’s Made From
The beans are the source of caffeine in coffee, so naturally it will also be in the extract. So if you were worried about the amount of caffeine in coffee extract, there’s no need to worry!
5. Coffee Extract Is A Natural Source Of Caffeine
Coffee is a natural source for caffeine because it comes from actual beans. The beans are the source of caffeine and there is more caffeine in a cup of brewed coffee than there is in a cup of brewed coffee extract. If you’re worried about the amount of caffeine in coffee extract, there’s no need to worry!
Where Can You Find Coffee Extract?
- You can get coffee extract from freshly roasted coffee beans. Roasting the beans will make the beans black in colour. The resulting beans are called ‘dark roast’ or ‘full-city roast’. The darker the roast, the more caffeine is present in the coffee.
- You can also get coffee extract from freshly brewed coffee. The brewed coffee has a brown colour, and it has a strong taste. This is because of the natural acids and acids that are produced during brewing process.
- Another way to get coffee extract is by using instant coffee powder as a substitute for freshly brewed coffee (in recipes). Instant coffees have a lot of caffeine that is dissolved in water, and this makes them very bitter when compared to freshly brewed or dark roasted coffees
- Coffee extracts are also available as an ingredient for making spiced tea blends and other kinds of tea beverages.
- You can also get coffee extract from coffee beans that have been roasted and ground into a powder (like brown sugar). Coffee grinders are usually used to grind the coffee beans into a fine powder. This is then used as an ingredient in various food products, including iced coffee drinks, baked goods, and even alcoholic beverages.
- You can also get coffee extract by using a special machine called ‘coffee percolator’. This machine is similar to a French press or espresso maker, except it does not use water to brew the brewed coffee. The brewed coffee is extracted from the ground beans by boiling water in this machine, which causes the extraction of caffeine from the brewed coffee.
- Coffee extracts are also available as an ingredient for making tea blends and other kinds of tea beverages
- You can also get coffee extract from instant coffees that have been ground into a powder (like brown sugar). Instant coffees have a lot of caffeine that is dissolved in water, and this makes them very bitter when compared to freshly brewed or dark roasted coffees.
How To Back On Caffeine With Coffee Beans
Understand the caffeine content in coffee beans
The caffeine content in coffee beans is influenced by many factors, such as the type of coffee bean, the soil and climate it was grown on, the way it was roasted, and how it was brewed. Coffee beans grown at higher altitudes usually have more caffeine than those grown at lower altitudes, and Robusta beans tend to have more caffeine than Arabica beans.
Find out how much caffeine is too much for you
If you’re completely new to caffeine, it’s important to know how much caffeine is too much for you. This can vary from person to person, as some people may metabolize caffeine faster than others. Caffeine is generally considered safe for most adults when consumed in moderation. The recommended daily caffeine intake for adults is 400 mg, or approximately 2-3 cups of coffee.
Change your roasting process
Most coffee beans are roasted at temperatures between 320 to 380 degrees Fahrenheit, but darker roasts are roasted at higher temperatures. Roasting coffee beans longer creates stronger and darker brews, so if you want to reduce the caffeine in your coffee, you should consider roasting your beans for a shorter amount of time. Coffee roasted at lower temperatures is generally less caffeinated than coffee roasted at higher temperatures, so you can lower your caffeine intake by roasting your coffee beans for a shorter amount of time.
Switch to a darker roast
Coffee beans roasted longer are generally darker in color and more bitter. Coffee roasted at lower temperatures and darker roasts contain less caffeine than coffee roasted at higher temperatures. If you roast your coffee beans at lower temperatures, you can significantly lower the amount of caffeine in your coffee. A darker roast will have less caffeine than a lighter roast, so if you want to lower your caffeine intake, try switching to a darker roast.
Try a blend with low-caffeine beans
Some roasters sell coffee beans that are blended with low-caffeine beans to create caffeine-free blends. If you can’t find a coffee blend that naturally has low caffeine, you can always buy separate bags of beans and blend them together at home to create your own blend. Blending coffee beans that have lower caffeine amounts with coffee beans that have higher caffeine amounts will help you control your caffeine intake while still enjoying a good cup of coffee.
Change your brew method
The brewing method you use to brew your coffee can also play a role in how much caffeine you consume. For example, brewing your coffee with a French press requires a coarser grind since the coffee grounds will remain in the coffee press. Brewing your coffee with a manual drip coffee maker or an automatic drip coffee maker, however, generally requires a finer grind since you will be using a filter to separate the coffee grounds from the coffee. Blending beans with lower caffeine amounts with beans with higher caffeine amounts will also help you control your caffeine intake when brewing coffee.
Try espresso roasts
Espresso roasts are roasted at high temperatures, so they generally have less caffeine than other roasts. If you love drinking espresso and you want to reduce your caffeine intake, consider trying an espresso roast instead. Espresso and espresso blends have less caffeine than other roasts, and they also have a darker and more intense flavor. If you normally drink caffeinated espresso and you want to reduce your caffeine intake, try drinking decaffeinated espresso instead.
Try Kenyan and Tanzanian roasts
Some coffee beans naturally have lower caffeine than others, so you may want to consider trying a coffee bean that has naturally low caffeine. If you want to lower your caffeine intake without sacrificing flavor, you can try a coffee bean that has low caffeine.
Final Words
Coffee extract has long been used as an alternative to coffee beans because it is easier to distribute and store. In addition to being more convenient, coffee extract also has less caffeine than coffee beans, making it a good option for those who want the taste of coffee but don’t want the extra caffeine kick. When purchasing coffee extract, look for brands made from 100% coffee beans. If you have a sugar allergy or are on a low sugar diet, be sure to purchase sugar-free extracts as well.
