How Much Caffeine Is in Your Coffee?

Oct 21, 2025Apostle Coffee

Which Coffee Brewing Method Has The Most Caffeine? | The Real Difference Between Espresso, French Press, and Everything In Between

If you’ve ever wondered why your third espresso hits differently than your morning filter brew — or whether cold brew really packs “more caffeine” — science finally has an answer.

Researchers from the University of Florence tested eight popular coffee brewing methods, all made from the exact same beans, to see how the extraction method changes what ends up in your cup — especially caffeine.

The results? Let’s just say not all coffee is created equal.

☕ The Eight Brewing Methods Tested

They started with a single Ethiopian Arabica coffee and brewed it every way possible:

Classic Espresso (EC) – your standard café espresso.
Specialty Espresso (ECS) – brewed slower, using more coffee.
Caffè Firenze (ECF) – a patented, pressurised espresso chamber.
Moka Pot – the Italian stovetop classic.
French Press – steeped coffee pressed through a mesh filter.
V60 – the hand-poured filter coffee.
Aeropress – modern, air-powered filter brewer.
Cold Brew – brewed slowly over several hours at room temperature.

☕ How They Measured It

Instead of focusing on flavour, the researchers looked at caffeine concentration, total dissolved solids (strength), and the amount per cup.

To make it relatable, we’ll skip the milligrams per millilitre talk and translate their numbers into everyday coffee terms — how much caffeine you actually drink.

💥 Caffeine Content per Cup (Rounded Averages)

Brewing Method	Typical Serving Size	Approx. Caffeine per Cup	What That Means
Cold Brew	120 ml	150 mg	Stronger than it tastes — more caffeine than a double espresso.
Classic Espresso (EC)	30 ml	120 mg	Tiny but mighty — one shot equals half your daily caffeine limit.
Specialty Espresso (ECS)	18 ml	75 mg	Slightly smaller, a bit less caffeine per serving.
V60 Filter	120 ml	90 mg	Smooth and balanced — still packs a caffeine punch.
Aeropress	120 ml	90 mg	Similar to a V60 but with a fuller body.
French Press	120 ml	60 mg	Milder on caffeine, though it feels rich and heavy.
Moka Pot	40 ml	50 mg	Despite its intensity, not as high as espresso.
Caffè Firenze (ECF)	30 ml	43 mg	Lightest in caffeine among espresso-style drinks.

⚖️ So Which Coffee Packs the Biggest Punch?

If we’re talking pure concentration (mg per millilitre), espresso wins hands down — it’s the most caffeine-dense liquid.

But if we’re talking total caffeine per drink, cold brew takes the crown thanks to its large serving size and long steep time.

A single 120 ml glass of cold brew can contain as much caffeine as two espressos — even though it tastes smoother and less bitter.

☀️ The Surprising Takeaway

Your daily caffeine intake depends less on how strong your coffee tastes and more on how much you drink.

Here’s an easy way to picture it:

One espresso ≈ two cups of French press
One cold brew ≈ two espressos
Three V60s ≈ one tall café latte (if made with double espresso)

So next time you’re debating another pour, remember: that gentle-tasting cold brew could be quietly powering a rocket launch.

🧠 Bonus: The Science Bit (Simplified)

Caffeine is water-soluble and extracts quickly under heat and pressure — which is why espresso is so concentrated.

Cold brew, on the other hand, makes up for its cooler temperature with time: steeping for six hours or more allows almost the same total caffeine to dissolve.

Meanwhile, immersion methods like the French Press are mellow because they never reach the same extraction power as pressurised systems or long steeps.

🚀 Final Thoughts

There’s no “best” way to brew coffee — just different personalities in a cup.

Espresso: short, sharp, efficient energy.
Cold Brew: smooth operator with serious stamina.
V60/Aeropress: balanced and nuanced, ideal for daily drinkers.
French Press/Moka: comforting classics with gentler caffeine hits.

According to the FDA, the safe daily limit for most adults is up to 400 mg of caffeine — so whether that’s three espressos, two cold brews, or five V60s, you’re free to pick your potion.