A new study finds caffeine levels vary “wildly” across popular UK high street coffee chains, leaving many drinkers unaware of what they are actually consuming.
Research from consumer group Which? examined caffeine content across drinks sold by Caffe Nero, Costa Coffee, Greggs, Pret A Manger, and Starbucks (SBUX).
A medium cappuccino from Costa contains 325mg of caffeine, almost three-and-a-half times more than the same drink at Starbucks, which contains just 89mg.
Which? noted that Costa’s cappuccino caffeine level is roughly equivalent to consuming around four cans of Red Bull in a single sitting.
Greggs and Caffe Nero ranked second and third for cappuccino caffeine content, recording 235mg and 221mg respectively in the study’s findings.
Costa also leads across other drink categories, with its espresso shot containing 100mg per serving compared to just 45mg in a Starbucks espresso shot.
Costa’s flat white contains 241mg of caffeine per serving, while the equivalent drink at Starbucks comes in considerably lower at 89mg.
Caffe Nero’s cappuccino caffeine content has notably increased since Which? last conducted this research in 2023, with its levels now approximately double what they previously were.
Starbucks remains the lowest-caffeine option overall across its menu, though its caffeine levels in espressos, cappuccinos, and filter coffees have risen over the past three years.
Matcha drinks, which have surged in popularity in recent years, also show significant variation, with Costa’s hot matcha latte containing 99mg, Starbucks at 57mg, and Pret at just 28mg.
Which? health and wellbeing expert Jessica Carson said: “Our research shows caffeine content varies wildly from chain to chain.”
Carson also warned: “If you drink multiple cups a day or need to cut back for health reasons, pay attention to where you shop and what you order to avoid any unwanted side-effects.”
Which? emphasised that people advised to limit caffeine intake for health reasons, including during pregnancy, should take particular note of these differences between chains.
A Costa spokeswoman said: “At Costa Coffee, we’re committed to helping customers make informed choices,” adding that nutritional information is available across its menu and online.
The spokeswoman also noted that “coffee naturally contains caffeine and levels can vary depending on factors such as the blend, recipe and serving size,” highlighting the complexity behind each cup.
