CAFFEINE IN BEVERAGES & CHOCOLATE

The table below shows the approximate caffeine content of various foods and beverages:

  MILLIGRAMS OF CAFFEINE
ITEM AVERAGE RANGE
Coffee (5-oz. cup)
Brewed, drip method 115 60-180
Brewed, percolator 80 40-170
Instant 65 30-120
Decaffeinated, brewed 3 2-5
Decaffeinated, instant 2 1-5
Teas (5-oz. cup)
Brewed, major U.S. brands 40 20-90
Brewed, imported brands 60 25-110
Instant 30 25-50
Iced (12-oz. glass) 70 67-76
     
Some soft drinks* (6 oz.) 18 15-30
Cocoa beverage (5 oz.) 4 2-20
Chocolate milk beverage (8 oz.) 5 2-7
Milk chocolate (1 oz.) 6 1-15
Dark chocolate, semi-sweet (1 oz.) 20 5-35
Baker's chocolate (1 oz.) 26 26
Chocolate -flavored syrup (1 oz.) 4 4

*Milligrams caffeine in 12 oz serving: Sugarfree Mr. PIBB, 58.8, Mountain Dew, 54.0, Mello Yello, 52.8, TAB 46.8, Coca Cola 45.6, Diet Coke 45.6, Shasta Cola 44.4, Shasta cherry Cola 44.4, Shasta Diet Cola 44.4, Mr. PIBB 40.8, Dr. Pepper 39.6, Sugar-free Dr. Pepper.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration and National Soft Drink Association

Karen Penner, PhD
Extension Specialist, Food Science

10/96 File: CONSUMER FOOD MANAGEMENT/Food Selection/Buying

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