How much caffeine do your products contain?

FAQs

Caffeine occurs naturally in coffee, tea, and to some degree, cocoa beans. However, cocoa beans contain a very small amount of caffeine (0.2-0.4%) compared to coffee which contains 1.2-1.4%.

Theobromine is also found in cocoa beans (1.5-3%). Theobromine is a molecule from the same family as caffeine and is a mild stimulant and is said to contribute towards the typically bitter taste of cocoa. Theobromine is commonly confused with caffeine, but it has a ten fold less stimulating effect on humans than caffeine does.

Levels vary greatly in chocolate products depending on the amount of cocoa solids. More cocoa is used in darker chocolate therefore the level of theobromine is higher the darker and higher cocoa solids chocolate you buy.

White chocolate which uses only cocoa butter from the cocoa bean contains only small traces of theobromine since it is not carried in the cocoa butter.

The only chocolate that does contain a relative percentage of caffeine is our Espresso chocolate which contains 5% real coffee.

Our Organic Espresso Chocolate bar contains 23mg of caffeine per serving and 48mg of theobromine per serving (40g).

Our Organic Dark 70% Chocolate bar contains 6 mg of caffeine and 48mg theobromine per serving (40g).

Our Organic Milk Chocolate bar contains 3mg of caffeine and 24mg theobromine per serving (40g).

Assuming our drinks are made up according to the label instructions:–

Our Organic Fairtrade Cocoa Powder will contain 0.7mg of caffeine and 5mg theobromine per cup (~190g)
Our Organic Hot Chocolate will contain 2mg of caffeine and 18mg of theobromine per cup (~190g)

By way of comparison, here are the caffeine contents of some other drinks:

tea ranged from less than 1 mg to 90 mg of caffeine per serving (mean 40 mg)*
instant coffee ranged from 21 mg to 120 mg of caffeine per serving (mean 54 mg)*
ground coffee ranged from 15 mg to 254 mg of caffeine per serving (mean 105 mg)*

*Values taken from April 2004 Food Standards Agency Survey
Per serving = per cup 190g or per mug 260g

New data published in November 2008 by the British Medical Journal revises the levels of caffeine advised for pregnant woman to 200mg per day. We would advise you to consult your doctor or visit the Food Standards Agency Eat well, be well website for more information on caffeine consumption during pregnancy.