A medium cappuccino from Costa Coffee contains the highest caffeine content among popular high street hot drinks, with 325mg, according to an analysis by Which?.
This amount is roughly equivalent to four 250ml cans of Red Bull, each containing 80mg of caffeine. The consumer advocacy group examined caffeine levels in drinks from five major retailers: Caffè Nero, Costa, Greggs, Starbucks, and Pret a Manger.
The investigation included various beverages such as espressos, cappuccinos, filter coffees, flat whites, americanos, and matcha lattes. The British Heart Foundation generally advises that up to 400mg of caffeine daily is considered safe for most adults.
Following Costa's cappuccino, Greggs and Caffè Nero offered cappuccinos with 235mg and 221mg of caffeine, respectively. In contrast, Pret's Matcha Latte had the lowest caffeine level recorded, with 28mg in a 355ml serving.
When comparing single espresso shots, Pret a Manger's version was found to be the strongest, containing 180mg of caffeine, which is four times the amount in a Starbucks espresso (45mg).
Makesha lattes also showed variation, with Costa's option containing 99mg of caffeine, while Starbucks' matcha latte had 57mg.
Americanos displayed the widest range in caffeine content across the chains. A medium Starbucks americano contained 89mg, while a Costa americano of the same size had 325mg.
Experts noted that while caffeine is a stimulant that can enhance alertness, excessive consumption can lead to side effects. The British Heart Foundation states that while 400mg daily is generally safe, individuals sensitive to caffeine may experience increased heart rate or palpitations.
A spokesperson for Costa Coffee stated that the company is committed to helping customers make informed choices by providing caffeine and nutritional information across its menus and online, and also offers decaffeinated and non-caffeinated options.