Brews made from coffee pods can contain anywhere from 65 to 170 mg of caffeine per serving. The brand, line, and coffee type all affect the strength of a coffee pod.
In this article, you'll find out how much caffeine is in coffee pods from a variety of brands, including brands for Keurig coffee maker, Nespresso machine, L'Or, Dolce Gusto, Espresso Point, and Senseo.
Caffeine Levels in Coffee Pods Compared
Different brands manufacture different coffee pods. These pods all have varying levels of caffeine.
Check out the table below to see how coffee pods from different brands compare:
|
Coffee Pod Brand |
Average Caffeine Content |
|
Keurig K-Cup Coffee Pods |
75–150 mg |
|
Nespresso Coffee Pods |
50–200 mg |
|
L'OR Coffee Pods |
60–120 mg |
|
Dolce Gusto Coffee Pods |
50–200 mg |
|
Lavazza Espresso Point Coffee Pods |
40–90 mg |
|
Senseo Coffee Pods |
60–90 mg |
How Much Caffeine in Keurig Coffee Pods?
Keurig coffee makers use pods called “K-Cups.” Each pod contains a single serving of coffee that's brewed as the machine forces hot water through the grounds. Keurig K-Cups are available in a range of formats. You'll find varieties of arabica, robusta coffee, and blends in a variety of roast levels. You'll also find pods from chains such as Starbucks coffee and Dunkin’ Donuts.
The caffeine level of a K-Cup varies depending on the roast, blend, and brand. However, the average pod contains 75 to 150 mg of caffeine.
Here are some popular K-Cups and their caffeine content:
- Starbucks Pike Place — 130 mg
- Dunkin’ Donuts Original Blend — 120 mg
- Green Mountain Breakfast Blend — 75 mg
- Death Wish Coffee — 295 mg
- McCafé Premium Roast — 100 mg
How Much Caffeine in Nespresso Coffee Pods?
Nespresso pods are aluminum capsules containing finely ground coffee for making espresso-based beverages. The caffeine level per Nespresso pod varies depending on the blend, serving size, and roast. However, the average pod contains between 50 to 200 mg of caffeine.
Here are the most popular Nespresso pods and their caffeine content:
- Nespresso Ristretto — 75 mg
- Nespresso Arpeggio — 83 mg
- Nespresso Voltesso — 85 mg
- Nespresso Stormio — 170 mg
- Nespresso Diavolitto — 150 mg
How Much Caffeine in L’OR Coffee Pods?
L'OR produces a range of luxury coffee pods compatible with the L'OR Barista and Nespresso (original) machines. The brand has a ton of pods available in a range of blends and intensities, each with a different level of caffeine. However, the average pod contains between 60 and 120 mg of caffeine.
Here are the three most popular L'OR coffee pods and their caffeine content:
- L'OR Espresso Ristretto — 75 mg
- L'OR Espresso Forza — 120 mg
- L'OR Espresso Supremo — 110 mg
How Much Caffeine in Dolce Gusto Coffee Pods?
Dolce Gusto pods are pre-filled plastic capsules used to make espresso and espresso-based specialty brews such as cappuccino coffee and coffee Americano. The caffeine levels in these pods range from 50 to 200 mg, depending on the coffee or beverage type selected.
Here are the three most popular Dolce Gusto pods and their caffeine content:
- Dolce Gusto Espresso Intenso — 130 mg
- Dolce Gusto Cappuccino — 120 mg
- Dolce Gusto Americano — 50 mg
How Much Caffeine in Espresso Point Coffee Pods?
Espresso Point coffee pods are single-serve coffee pods made for Lavazza Espresso Point machines. As the machine’s name suggests, the pods brew authentic Italian espresso with minimal preparation or cleanup.
Like the other brands, the caffeine levels in these pods vary depending on the blend and roast level. Most fall between 40 to 90 mg of caffeine per pod.
Here are a few popular Espresso Point pods and their caffeine content:
- Lavazza Espresso Ricco — 60 mg
- Lavazza Espresso Intenso — 90 mg
- Lavazza Crema & Aroma — 50 mg
How Much Caffeine in Senseo Coffee Pods?
Rather than encasing ground coffee in hard capsules, Senseo makes soft pods that resemble circular tea bags. Unlike most pod machines, Senseo machines operate via immersion rather than pressurized water. The result is a brew similar to a French press or pour-over setup.
Most Senseo soft pod products fall between 60 and 90 mg of caffeine per pod.
Here are the three most popular Senseo pods and their caffeine levels:
- Senseo Classic — 75 mg
- Senseo Strong — 85 mg
- Senseo Extra Strong — 90 mg
Caffeine Levels in Different Brews
How do the caffeine levels of coffee pods compare to freshly brewed coffee?
Here are some popular coffee formats and their average caffeine levels per 8 oz (240 mL) serving:
- Drip Coffee — 80 to 100 mg
- Espresso — 60 to 80 mg (per shot)
- French Press — 100 to 37 mg
- Pour-over — 90 to 160 mg
- Aeropress — 80 to 100 mg
- Instant Coffee — 80 to 160 mg
- Cold Brew — 100 to 200 mg
- Latte — 60 to 120 mg
- Cappuccino — 60 to 120 mg
- Mocha — 50 to 150 mg
- Vietnamese Coffee — 66 to 130 mg
FAQs: Caffeine in Coffee Pods
If you want to learn more about the caffeine in coffee pods and other types of coffee, check out the answers to the frequently asked questions below:
1. How Much Caffeine in a Keurig K-Cup?
The average Keurig K-Cup contains 75 to 150 mg of caffeine per 8 oz (240 mL) serving. The exact caffeine content varies depending on the type and brand of K-Cup used.
2. Are Coffee Pods Stronger Than Regular Coffee?
Most coffee pods produce brews with roughly the same caffeine as regular drip coffee. However, some pods — especially those from Nespresso — are much stronger than regular coffee.
3. Can You Make Iced Coffee With Coffee Pods?
Yes, you can make iced coffee with any coffee pod, regardless of the brand or whether your machine has a chilled beverage function. To do so, simply brew a coffee pod over ice, add milk, and stir.
4. How Much Caffeine in Starbucks K-Cups?
Starbucks K-Cups for the Keurig coffee maker contain 130 to 155 mg of caffeine per serving, but the exact caffeine levels vary depending on the pod selected.
5. Is Real Espresso Coffee Stronger Than Nespresso Coffee?
A true espresso has more caffeine per milliliter than an espresso. However, because of volume differences, a single serving of espresso (one cup) often contains more caffeine than one shot of espresso.
6. Can You Make a Latte With a Keurig Coffee Maker?
Although you can't make a true latte without an espresso machine, you can make a very similar beverage using a Keurig. You can brew coffee and milk capsules designed for lattes using your Keurig machine. You can also brew an espresso pod and use a Keurig milk frother to create velvety, smooth microfoam milk to make a more authentic drink.
7. Can You Make a Cappuccino With a Nespresso Machine?
Yes, you can make cappuccino with a Nespresso machine. You can do this by brewing an espresso pod and frothing warmed milk with a Nespresso milk frother such as the Aeroccino.
8. How Much Caffeine Is in a Regular Cup of Drip Coffee?
A regular cup of drip coffee made with arabica beans contains around 80 to 100 mg of caffeine. A cup of drip coffee made with a blend or 100% robusta can contain anywhere up to 180 mg of caffeine.
9. Is Coffee Pod Coffee Fresh?
Freshly ground, whole-bean coffee is much fresher than the coffee inside coffee pods. With that said the coffee inside pods from the likes of Keurig and Nespresso is surprisingly fresh due to advancements in the materials and manufacturing process. The pods keep the coffee in an airtight environment that prevents the grounds from oxidizing.
10. Can You Refill Coffee Pods?
You can't refill regular coffee pods because they’re one-use. However, brands like Keurig and Nespresso offer refillable pods that can be filled with freshly ground coffee. The pods are usually dishwasher-safe and can be used over and over again.
