How Many Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans Equal A Cup Of Coffee?

A question that we are asked frequently is how many chocolate covered coffee beans equal a cup of coffee?

The best possible answer to this question is that it depends on a number of factors. I’m not trying to drag out this article just for the sake of it – it depends on the type of coffee drink, the type and roast of coffee beans used and the amount of coffee in your drink as well as the brewing method.

If you are in a rush – here is the quick answer – 6 to 12 chocolate covered coffee beans on average will equal a cup of coffee.

Keep reading for the details answer and how many of these sweet treats does it take to be equal to a ristretto, espresso, latte, cortado, flat white and more.

How Many Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans Equal A Cup Of Coffee – The Details!

And now for the detailed answer to the questions posed. The table below assumes an average cup size and for regular coffee beans.

It is too tedious and, quite frankly, there is no need to list all different types of beans, roasts and so on.

The number of chocolate-covered coffee beans has been rounded to the nearest whole bean.

Read: White chocolate covered espresso beans

How Much Caffeine Is In A Chocolate Covered Coffee Bean?

There is on average between 6 and 13.33 mg of caffeine in a single chocolate covered coffee bean.

The wide range of difference is due to different coffee beans containing different amounts of caffeine, also the different type of chocolate, and amount of chocolate used alters the total caffeine content of each.

Dark chocolate contains more caffeine than milk chocolate and white chocolate.

How Much Caffeine Is In A Cup Of Coffee?

The average cup of coffee and how much caffeine it contains varies from 68 mg to as much as 200 mg or more depending on the type of coffee drink, the brewing method and the type of bean used.

Check the table above for the amount of caffeine in a wide range of coffee drinks from ristretto, to espresso, latte flat white and a number of different brewing techniques.

Read: How much caffeine in chocolate covered espresso beans?

How Much Caffeine Is Dangerous

900 milligrams is where caffeine toxicity starts, which I consider to be dangerous. Beyond this, you are in the danger zone for serious palpitations and side effects of consuming too much caffeine.

Side effects of caffeine toxicity include a severe sore stomach, heart palpitations, anxiety attacks and sleeplessness to name only a few.

I strongly advise that you stick to the 400 mg per day limit as suggested by the Food And Drug Administration for healthy adults. The safe limit for pregnant ladies is 200 mg per day.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Many Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans Equal A Cup Of Coffee

How Many Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans Should I Eat?

You should stick to the recommended daily amounts of caffeine intake per day, which is 400 milligrams.

The average chocolate-covered coffee bean has from 6 to 13.33 mg of caffeine per bean. 400 / 13.33 = 30. This gives you a maximum of 30 chocolate-covered coffee beans in a single day. If you have a cup of coffee, reduce this amount by 10 per cup of coffee and 6 per shot of espresso.

This is assuming you consume no other form of caffeine. Caffeine toxicity starts at 900 mg per day – which is the equivalent of 67 coffee beans. Do not eat this many!

Is Eating Coffee Beans The Same As Drinking Coffee?

In terms of taste and caffeine content and effect of the caffeine kick yes, eating coffee beans is the same as drinking coffee. Taste wise, eating roasted coffee beans directly has a strong flavor due to not being diluted with water. Think of them as tasting like a strong ristretto.

The effect of the caffeine in coffee beans is much quicker when you eat them with the effect taking about 3 min to kick in. When drinking coffee it takes approximately 30 mins.

The effect of the caffeine is shorter lasting when eating coffee beans.

There is one area where eating coffee beans is different to drinking coffee and that is the amount of nutrients. There is, for some reason or another, a greater amount of nutrients when you eat coffee beans.

Read: Chocolate covered espresso beans

How Much Caffeine Do You Get From Eating Espresso Beans?

Espresso beans caffeine content falls in the 6 milligrams to 13.33 milligrams per bean. When you eat a dozen espresso beans you will get the effect of drinking a double shot of espresso from Starbucks.

Be careful of the caffeine side effects and a caffeine-infused jittery body and stay within the total caffeine limit of 400 mg per day.

How Many Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans Is Equivalent To A Cup Of Coffee?

Assuming an average cup of coffee and 120 mg of caffeine per cup of coffee, 9 chocolate covered coffee beans are the equivalent of a cup of coffee.

The exact amount will vary depending on the brewing method, beans used and the size of the cup of coffee.

Should I Keep My Coffee Beans In The Fridge?

Yes, storing your coffee beans in your fridge will keep your coffee beans fresh. You should use a professional, purposely designed coffee canister with an airtight lid to prevent odors from getting to your coffee beans and a one way valve to allow carbon dioxide from your beans to escape while preventing air from entering.

Store your coffee canister in your fridge. Do not store your coffee canister in the freezer. Even though coffee beans do not freeze, there is no additional benefit from freezing them.

Do Starbucks Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans Have Caffeine?

Yes, Starbucks chocolate-covered espresso beans have caffeine. When you eat them, your caffeine hit is more immediate, within 3 minutes typically, and thus you get a quicker energy boost than drinking a cup of coffee, from which you need to wait up to 30 min for the effect to kick in.

How Much Coffee Is In A Chocolate-Covered Coffee Bean?

The amount of caffeine that is in chocolate covered coffee beans varies slightly from brand to brand and the type of coffee beans used. The average ranges from 12 mg to 14 mg of caffeine per bean. Another variable to consider is the caffeine content of the dark chocolate as dark chocolate also contains caffeine.

How Many Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans Is One Serving?

The number of espresso bean pieces in a packet of chocolate covered espresso beans varies as they are not sold by number but are sold by weight. On average, you can expect 11 or 12 beans.

Final Thoughts – How Many Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans Equal A Cup Of Coffee

Now that you know how many chocolate covered coffee beans equal cup of coffee you can eat with responsibility and not accidentally have too much caffeine in your system due to over consumption of the sweet treats. 

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Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location