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Strongest high street coffees revealed from Costa to Starbucks
A Which? study of high street coffee chains has found significant variation in caffeine content, with Costa's cappuccino containing 325mg, nearly three and a half times the amount in the same drink at Starbucks. The consumer group advises customers to 'pay attention' to these differences, particularly for health reasons.
Coffee drinkers may be getting more or less caffeine than they anticipated, with levels varying "wildly" between popular high street chains, a new study by Which? has found. The consumer group analysed caffeine content in a range of drinks from Caffe Nero, Costa Coffee, Greggs, Pret A Manger and Starbucks, revealing significant differences between chains and between drinks.
Key findings
A medium cappuccino from Costa contains 325mg of caffeine, almost three-and-a-half times as much as the same drink at Starbucks, which has 89mg. The caffeine content of Costa's cappuccino is equivalent to around four cans of Red Bull. The second and third-highest cappuccino caffeine levels were found at Greggs and Caffe Nero, at 235mg and 221mg respectively.
Costa also tops the list for other drinks, with its espresso shot containing 100mg of caffeine per serving and its flat white containing 241mg. In contrast, Starbucks's espresso shot has 45mg of caffeine per serving, and its flat white has 89mg.
The study also looked at matcha drinks, which have grown in popularity in recent years. Costa's hot matcha latte contained the highest caffeine content at 99mg, followed by Starbucks at 57mg and Pret at 28mg.
Changes since 2023
While Costa's caffeine content for cappuccinos and single-shot espressos has not changed since Which?'s last study in 2023, Caffe Nero's has noticeably increased, with its cappuccino now containing around double the level of caffeine than before. Starbucks continues to serve the least caffeine overall across its drinks, but its caffeine levels have increased in its espressos, cappuccinos and filter coffees over the past three years.
Expert advice
Which? said its research showed customers should "pay attention" to the differences in caffeine levels across high street retailers, particularly for those who are advised to restrict their intake for health reasons, including pregnancy. Jessica Carson, a Which? health and wellbeing expert, noted that caffeine content varies widely from chain to chain and advised customers to be mindful of where they shop and what they order to avoid unwanted side-effects.
How each outlet told it
LBC
Framing: Headline emphasizes potential unexpectedness of caffeine levels ('may be getting more or less caffeine than anticipated'), focusing on the variability rather than a single chain. — Informative and advisory, framed with health-warning caveats ('may be getting more or less caffeine than they anticipated').
Facts Included:
Which? analysed caffeine content in drinks from Caffe Nero, Costa Coffee, Greggs, Pret A Manger and Starbucks.
A medium cappuccino from Costa contains 325 mg, almost three-and-a-half times as much as the same drink at Starbucks (89 mg).
Costa's cappuccino caffeine is equivalent to around four cans of Red Bull.
Second and third-highest cappuccino caffeine levels were at Greggs (235 mg) and Caffe Nero (221 mg).
Costa's espresso shot has 100mg caffeine per serving; its flat white has 241mg.
Starbucks has 45g of caffeine per serving in its espresso shot, and 89mg in its flat white.
Costa's caffeine content for cappuccinos and single-shot espressos unchanged since 2023; Caffe Nero's noticeably increased to around double.
Starbucks continues to serve the least caffeine overall, but its levels have increased in espressos, cappuccinos and filter coffees over three years.
Matcha drinks vary significantly; Costa's hot matcha latte highest at 99mg, followed by Starbucks at 57mg and Pret at 28mg.
Which? advises customers to 'pay attention' to caffeine differences, especially for health reasons such as pregnancy.
Quotes from Jessica Carson, Which? health and wellbeing expert.
Costa provided a statement about offering information and decaf options; Starbucks has been contacted for comment.
Framing: Emphasizes the consumer comparison of strongest high street coffees, name-checking Costa and Starbucks, and notably omits the broader context of variable caffeine levels or health advice. — Curious and consumer-focused, highlighting surprising comparisons ('contains more caffeine than FOUR cans of Red Bull').
Facts Included:
Which? analysed caffeine content in drinks from Caffe Nero, Costa Coffee, Greggs, Pret A Manger and Starbucks.
A medium cappuccino from Costa contains 325 mg, almost three-and-a-half times as much as the same drink at Starbucks (89 mg).
Costa's cappuccino caffeine is equivalent to around four cans of Red Bull.
Second and third-highest cappuccino caffeine levels were at Greggs (235 mg) and Caffe Nero (221 mg).
Costa's espresso shot has 100 mg caffeine per serving; its flat white has 241 mg.
Starbucks has 45g (sic, presumably mg) of caffeine per serving in its espresso shot, and 89mg in its flat white.
Costa's caffeine content for cappuccinos and single-shot espressos unchanged since Which?'s 2023 study; Caffe Nero's noticeably increased, now around double the level.
Starbucks continue to serve the least caffeine overall, but its levels have increased in espressos, cappuccinos and filter coffees over three years.
Matcha drinks vary significantly; Costa's hot matcha latte had the highest at 99mg, followed by Starbucks at 57mg and Pret at 28mg.
Which? said customers should 'pay attention' to differences in caffeine levels, especially for those advised to restrict intake for health reasons including pregnancy.
Quoted Jessica Carson, Which? health and wellbeing expert, noting caffeine content varies 'wildly' and advising to pay attention to avoid side-effects.
Costa and Starbucks have been contacted for comment.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimWhich? analysed the caffeine content in drinks sold by Caffe Nero, Costa Coffee, Greggs, Pret A Manger and Starbucks.
ClaimA medium cappuccino from Costa contains 325 mg of caffeine, almost three-and-a-half times as much as the same drink at Starbucks, which has 89 mg.
ClaimWhich? said its research showed customers should pay attention to differences in caffeine levels across high street retailers, particularly for those advised to restrict intake for health reasons including pregnancy.
ClaimJessica Carson, Which?'s health and wellbeing expert, said caffeine content varies wildly from chain to chain and advised paying attention to where you shop and what you order to avoid unwanted side-effects.
ClaimA spokeswoman for Costa said the company is committed to helping customers make informed choices, provides caffeine and nutritional information across its menu and online, and also offers decaffeinated coffee and non-caffeinated drinks.