I recently obtained a box of ‘Dark Chocolate Espresso Beans‘ from a friend because of their potent caffeine and chocolate powers.
Apparently, the small amount of sugar in the dark chocolate and the mild ‘caffeine’ in the espresso bean should curb my sleepiness after my lunch time ‘food-coma’.
Does this really work or are the amount of sugar and caffeine too nominal to have any adverse effects to my sluggish afternoon?
So, I researched, and researched and I discovered something SHOCKING! Well, not really shocking, but very enlightening.
Coffee Beans
Everyone knows that espresso beans has overall less caffeine than regular roasted coffee beans because the roasting process of the beans (that gives the espresso roasts it’s robust flavor) actually burns off the caffeine in the bean (this fact irked me when a employee at Pottery Barn was dishing incorrect information when he was trying to sell an espresso machine to a customer). However, because of this flavor, candy companies created ‘chocolate covered’ coffee beans because it’s flavorful and the chocolate does a great job making the bitter coffee bean more palatable (less like dirt). But how much caffeine is in a serving of chocolate covered espresso beans?
Here are the cold hard facts:
- 30 Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans = 200 mg of Caffeine
- 1 Cup of coffee (regular roast) = 104-192 mg of Caffeine (this depends on the quality of coffee bean and how it was roasted)
- 1 Shot of Espresso = 100mg of Caffeine (about 20+ espresso beans ground finely)
- 1 Can of Red Bull = 80 mg of Caffeine
While I enjoy my cup of coffee with cream and sugar, I can’t help but to wonder how other people are trying to curb the after lunch food-coma.
For more reading on caffeine, you can visit a few sites on the internet by Google/Bing-ing ‘caffeine in food’.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Although the 30 beans do deliver the most caffeine but I think I would just drink an after lunch cup of coffee or even a cold coffee drink to keep from nodding. I experienced this very thing today while I was in a training class. One trip to the coffee pot before the afternoon session and I was wide awake. Now I am exhausted. Thanks for the facts and great blog.
Honestly, I would prefer a cup of joe if at all possible, but getting a decent cup of joe is hard to come by because a) you get some recycled coffee grounds at the local 7-11, b) you spend about $4+ on a fancy store like har-bucks, or c) you end up using cheap coffee that might not taste so good.
I usually brew my own cup of coffee so that I can control the coffee making process. You should always buy cheap coffee but don’t buy ‘cheap coffee’. Coffee should be affordable but still possesses some quality in taste and flavor.
Hmm, I don’t even think a cup of coffee affects me at all anymore! Honestly, I think I drink only because I like the taste. Energy drinks are what gets me going now, even though I should be careful with those.
By the way, if you really enjoyed dark chocolate espresso beans, you should try Endangered Species Chocolate’s “Dark Chocolate w/ Espresso Beans.” I have a feeling you might love it. Like I said, I like the taste of coffee, so that chocolate bar is one of my faves!
Amanda Chau
Endangered Species Chocolate
I go with Dave..a cup of coffee after lunch always gives touching feel. It’s not only keeping from nodding. It is more than that. Ideas, spirit, and confidence just come up soon after I have a cup of coffee. From Condo Staging Professional
As long as coffee is enjoyed in moderation, it is the best refresher during a day. The beans also sound like a very enjoyable idea