{"id":2644,"date":"2026-08-24T16:11:40","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T16:11:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jvdbosch.com\/?p=2644"},"modified":"2026-08-27T09:11:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T09:11:48","slug":"costa-starbucks-and-prets-caffeine-compared-with-drink-matching-4-cans-of-red-bull","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jvdbosch.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/24\/costa-starbucks-and-prets-caffeine-compared-with-drink-matching-4-cans-of-red-bull\/","title":{"rendered":"Costa, Starbucks and Pret\u2019s caffeine compared \u2014 with drink matching 4 cans of Red Bull"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t\"Caffeine\t<\/div>
A new Which? study has analysed the caffeine content of various drinks (Picture: Getty Images\/Metro)
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many of us see coffee as a caffeine<\/a> fix, whether it’s first thing in the morning or during the 3pm slump.<\/p>\n

But as a new study shows, not all drinks<\/a> are created equal, and the level of buzz you’ll be left with can vary wildly depending on where you order.<\/p>\n

Consumer watchdog Which? analysed the caffeine content across chains including Caff\u00e8 Nero, Costa, Pret A Manger, Starbucks<\/a>, and Greggs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to the research, Costa was top of the list, with a medium sized capuccino \u2014 which features a mixture of espresso, hot milk, and thick foam on the top \u2014 containing 325 milligrams.<\/p>\n

For context, that’s the same amount of caffeine as four cans of Red Bull,or almost three-and-a-half times the 89mg found in the same beverage from Starbucks.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Greggs’ and Caff\u00e8 Nero’s options featured 235mg and 221mg of caffeine, placing them second and third respectively.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Epsom\t<\/div>
Starbucks uses the least amount of caffeine (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you order an espresso, you might expect a strong hit of caffeine. Arguably, that’s the whole point, right?<\/p>\n

But at Costa, you’re looking at 100mg of the stuff, which again, makes it the most caffeine-heavy shot served by all UK chains. And when it comes to the flat white, a short drink made with three slightly smaller ‘cortissimo’ shots, the 241mg is enough to give you the shakes just thinking about it.<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tHow much caffeine does each UK chain use?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

Espresso shot<\/strong><\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 Nero (67mg)<\/p>\n

Costa Coffee (100mg)<\/p>\n

Greggs (75mg)<\/p>\n

Pret (180mg)<\/p>\n

Starbucks (45mg)<\/p>\n

Cappuccino<\/strong><\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 Nero (221mg)<\/p>\n

Costa Coffee (325mg)<\/p>\n

Greggs (235mg)<\/p>\n

Pret (180mg)<\/p>\n

Starbucks (89mg)<\/p>\n

Flat white<\/strong><\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 Nero (105mg)<\/p>\n

Costa Coffee (241mg)<\/p>\n

Greggs (150mg)<\/p>\n

Pret (180mg)<\/p>\n

Starbucks (89mg)<\/p>\n

Latte<\/strong><\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 Nero (175mg)<\/p>\n

Costa Coffee (200mg)<\/p>\n

Greggs (208mg)<\/p>\n

Pret (180mg)<\/p>\n

Starbucks (89mg)<\/p>\n

Americano<\/strong><\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 Nero (191mg)<\/p>\n

Costa Coffee (325mg)<\/p>\n

Greggs (257mg)<\/p>\n

Pret (180mg)<\/p>\n

Starbucks (89mg)<\/p>\n

Matcha latte (hot)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Caff\u00e8 Nero (N\/A)<\/p>\n

Costa Coffee (99mg)<\/p>\n

Greggs (N\/A)<\/p>\n

Pret (28mg)<\/p>\n

Starbucks (57mg).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

By contrast, Starbucks’ espresso features 45mg, while the 89mg of caffeine in its flat white is almost three times lower than the Costa equivalent.<\/p>\n

The last time Which? carried out a study of this type was 2023, and since then, Caff\u00e8 Nero appears to have seriously embraced the buzz, with its cappuccino now containing double the previous amount, at 160mg.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Pret\t<\/div>
People who are pregnant will usually monitor caffeine (Picture: Jakub Porzycki\/NurPhoto)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In terms of why this is the case, it all depends on the type of bean that’s used, as well as the roasting style, method of brewing, and of course, the cup size.<\/p>\n

According to the Caffeine Informer<\/a> website, a standard espresso contains 80mg, while a latte and an Americano both also have 160mg.<\/p>\n

So if you’re actively looking to reduce your caffeine intake, then Starbucks is your best bet, as the chain generally serves the least amount in its drinks. However, over the last three years, levels have slightly increased.<\/p>\n

It’s also important to keep in mind that while matcha is often touted as a gentler alternative to coffee, it’s not completely caffeine-free.<\/p>\n

In the Which? study, Costa’s hot matcha latte came out with the highest amount at 99mg, while Starbucks measured up at 57mg and Pret 28mg.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson from Costa Coffee tells Metro<\/strong>: ‘We’re committed to helping customers make informed choices. <\/p>\n

‘That’s why caffeine and nutritional information is available across our menu and online, so customers can choose the drinks that best suit their individual preferences and needs.<\/p>\n

‘We also offer decaffeinated coffee and a range of non-caffeinated drinks. Coffee naturally contains caffeine, and levels can vary depending on factors such as the blend, recipe and serving size.’<\/p>\n

Metro <\/strong>has contacted Starbucks for comment.<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tJust how much coffee is too much?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

Registered dietitian Dr Frankie Phillips<\/a> previously revealed the perfect number of cups we should be aiming for to optimise the health benefits of coffee.<\/p>\n

\u2018Drinking moderate amounts of coffee, that\u2019s about three to five cups per day, has been consistently linked to a healthy diet and lifestyle,\u2019 she told Metro<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u2018Studies have shown promising evidence that drinking coffee may bring some health benefits such as lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular (heart) disease, as well as reducing tiredness, increasing attention, mental performance, energy and alertness and even improving some aspects of sports performance.\u2019<\/p>\n

She adds that many of the benefits of drinking coffee can be put down to the caffeine it contains, but there is increasing interest in the antioxidants that might have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects.<\/p>\n

\u2018Coffee also contains small amounts of useful nutrients such as potassium and magnesium,\u2019 says Dr Phillips.<\/p>\n

The caffeine levels of coffee have an impact on how much of it you should be drinking. But how can you tell how much caffeine is in your coffee?<\/p>\n

\u2018The amount of caffeine in an average cup of coffee can vary a lot depending on how you prepare it,\u2019 Dr Phillips explains.<\/p>\n

\u2018Typically, a cup of instant coffee might contain about 65mg of caffeine, a brewed coffee about 85mg and a single espresso shot has about 60mg caffeine. So, if you have your Americano or latte with three shots of espresso, that could be 180mg caffeine at once.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Do you have a story you\u2019d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk<\/strong><\/p>\n


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