How Much Caffeine Is in an Americano Caffe Drink?

Black coffee and Americano are not the same drink. In Hong Kong, black coffee usually means drip coffee, which has no milk and a higher caffeine concentration at roughly 80 mg in a small cup, 120 mg medium and 160 mg large. Adults are advised to stay under about 400 mg of caffeine a day.

Milk does not lower caffeine. A cappuccino and a latte both carry about 80 mg in a small or medium cup and 120 mg large, close to a double espresso, while a mocha adds chocolate and sugar. Is latte bitter? Not necessarily, but sweetness and milk content should not be mistaken for a milder caffeine load.

Hong Kong people love drinking coffee, and some can't go a day without it. But overseas research reminds us that the upper limit for adults' daily caffeine intake is about 400 milligrams, equivalent to around four cups of coffee; excessive intake may cause insomnia or high blood pressure. Many people think coffee with milk is gentler, but it actually doesn't contain less caffeine. This article breaks down the caffeine content of black coffee, cappuccino, latte, mocha, and espresso, and includes healthy drinking tips, such as avoiding drinking in the afternoon, reducing sugar, cleverly using cinnamon powder, and choosing organic coffee, while also introducing related products from the Front Street brand.

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Many Hong Kong people are especially fond of coffee, even to the point of addiction—going a day without drinking it leaves them feeling out of sorts. Using coffee to refresh oneself and satisfy cravings is not a problem in itself, but overseas research reminds us that adults' daily caffeine intake should preferably not exceed 400 milligrams, roughly equivalent to 4 cups of coffee. Consuming too much caffeine may trigger health risks such as insomnia and high blood pressure.

Below is a rundown of several coffees that Hong Kong people commonly drink. Many of them seem rich and creamy or full of chocolate flavor, making people mistakenly think they have little to do with coffee, but in fact their caffeine content is not low at all and requires extra attention.

Text/Anne

Drip Coffee (black coffee): Caffeine content: 80 mg/small cup, 120 mg/medium cup, 160 mg/large cup

What Hong Kong people commonly call black coffee is actually drip coffee. It adds no milk or milk foam, has a higher caffeine concentration than ordinary coffee, and is also relatively inexpensive.

Cappuccino: Caffeine content: 80 mg/small or medium cup, 120 mg/large cup

The most popular cappuccino is made up of espresso, a small amount of hot milk, and a large amount of milk foam. Don't think that because milk makes it smoother it has no kick—its caffeine content is actually equivalent to a double espresso.

Latte: Caffeine content: 80 mg/small or medium cup, 120 mg/large cup

Another popular choice, latte, is made by pouring espresso into hot milk and then topping it with a little milk foam, giving it a smooth mouthfeel. When you think you're drinking milk rather than coffee, its caffeine content is actually considerable too. A cup of latte is definitely the real deal coffee, not a "milk beverage."

Mocha: Caffeine content: 80 mg/small or medium cup, 120 mg/large cup

Mocha is latte with chocolate added, and the caffeine content of the two is similar. Usually chocolate syrup and cocoa powder are first added to espresso, stirred well, and then milk and milk foam are poured in. Some shops add a piece of chocolate to enhance the flavor, but this often makes the calories and sugar higher, so those worried about weight gain should be careful.

Espresso: Caffeine content: 40 mg/shot

An espresso usually has a volume of only about 30 milliliters and tastes bittersweet. If you want a stronger flavor, you can order a double espresso, and your caffeine intake will naturally double.

Coffee tips:

Avoid drinking coffee after 2 p.m. to avoid affecting sleep.

Add as little sugar as possible, and do not choose coffee containing saccharin.

Adding a moderate amount of cinnamon powder can help control blood sugar and lower cholesterol and triglycerides.

Ordinary coffee beans may contain residual pesticides, so choosing organic coffee is safer.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.