I Did Caffeine Analysis: Some Unexpected Results!

James Hoffmann · 1.7M views · 2022-12-12 · 18:42

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Overview

James Hoffmann runs caffeine analyzer tests comparing filter versus espresso, extraction over time, steep time, instant coffee and light versus dark roast.

On Hacker News

Cited as measured evidence of how brew method affects caffeine content, notably that filter coffee extracts more than espresso.

Recommended by 1 HN people across 1 months · HN mentions 2023–2024

Topics

What people said

Kirby64 · 2024-02 · Recommendation
Prep method matters so much though. For comparison, a standard double shot of espresso is typically 18g of coffee. This would yield approximately 110mg of caffeine. By comparison, the same 18g brewed using a pour over method should yield an 8oz cup of coffee with … likely around 170mg of caffeine. Check out this James Hoffmann video specifically on this topic: [VIDEO]
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aphantastic · 2024-12 · Reference
1 cup filter coffee can be 170mg or more. And LD50 isn’t really relevant here, even LD1 levels are deadly to hundreds of millions of people. It’s entirely possible for what some might consider a “normal” amount of coffee to be deadly to many. See other comment for espresso calculations. [VIDEO]
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FirmwareBurner · 2023-08 · Reference
Not necessarily true, filter extracts more caffeine than espresso at the same soluble extraction levels: [VIDEO] The truth is there is not enough scientific research to compare all brewing methods. Espresso uses high pressure but very short brew times, but filter uses more water and longer brew times therefore the coffee comes out totally different, and that's before we even talk about different grind sizes and roast levels.
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Sources

Video by James Hoffmann, played through YouTube.

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