Caffeine.. The Good, The Bad, The Unhealthy.

Caffeine is an important topic when discussing the drink that we all know and love: coffee. Caffeine has been a part of coffee for centuries and has been used to boost energy and alertness, making it an important part of our modern lives. But despite its popularity, many still don’t know the facts about how much caffeine is in coffee or the effects it has on our bodies. 

In a typical cup of coffee, there is an average of 110mg of caffeine. This can vary slightly depending on the kind of coffee you are drinking and how it is prepared. For example, an espresso will contain less caffeine than a regular cup of coffee. Recent studies show that the immersion time directly effects the amount of caffeine in the cup. When brewing 18g of coffee two ways in this study’s case Espresso 110mg vs Automatic brewer 145mg was the result. The conclusion was that immersion time was the key factor with the amount of caffeine extracted. Though after the initial saturation the amount of caffeine plateaus until there isn’t any left in the sample to extract. This is why you do not see much change after pour over down to French press or even cowboy coffee (Grounds in the water with out a filter)

Though there are potential benefits that come with drinking coffee, it is important to be mindful of the amount of caffeine we consume daily. Too much caffeine can lead to unpleasant side effects like headaches, sleeplessness, and a racing heart rate. Research has also shown that excessive caffeine consumption can increase our risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, so be cautious with your caffeine intake.

If you are someone who needs to cut down on their caffeine intake, there are plenty of options available to still get your coffee fix. Decaffeinated coffee typically contains about 3mg of caffeine, which is about the same amount found in a cup of hot cocoa. Other low-caffeine alternatives include herbal teas, decaffeinated energy drinks, and caffeine-free types of soda.

Overall, caffeine can be a beneficial part of our lives when used in moderation. Though it can provide us with the energy boost we need, it’s important to remember that too much of it can be dangerous to our health. If you’re looking for a low-caffeine alternative to coffee, there are plenty of options. Highwood Coffee offers our Foothills Medium roast Decaf blend. Decaffeinated by the CO2 process be rest assured it still tastes amazing.