MESZ · 2026-09-29

Laboratory comparison of the caffeine content of seventeen espressos

On 11 September 2026, the Hungarian Energy Drink Association (MESZ) bought one espresso at each of 17 locations. The sealed samples were analysed for caffeine in a laboratory using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

The purchased servings contained 44–129 mg of caffeine; the mean per serving was 93 mg after rounding. The results concern the samples purchased.

Of the 17 samples, 11 exceeded the 80 mg comparison value. Two samples contained 79 mg, and four contained less than 79 mg of caffeine.

Serving volumes ranged from 18 to 45 ml. The caffeine concentrations reported in the table ranged from 153 to 497 mg per 100 ml, averaging 280 mg/100 ml after rounding. Caffeine per serving and concentration are different measures.

	Place of purchase	Serving volume (ml)	Caffeine (mg/100 ml)	Caffeine per serving (mg)
1	Angel Station	40	323	129
2	Bite Caffe	23	497	114
3	Star Kebab Török	34	333	113
4	Belozzo	45	240	108
5	Neked készül	27	398	107
6	Caffé Perté Italia	35	305	107
7	The Box Caffe	27	395	107
8	OMV VIVA Café	34	279	95
9	McCafé	42	225	95
10	California Coffee Company	31	303	94
11	Piacetto la selezione barista	30	299	90
	Reference: energy drink label value	250	32	80
12	Fresh Corner MOL	43	184	79
13	Három Tarka Macska	32	247	79
14	Orlen Café	43	175	75
15	Burger King	43	165	71
16	Segafredo Italia	45	153	69
17	Starbucks	18	243	44

The 80 mg reference is calculated from the label declaration for a 250 ml energy drink containing 32 mg caffeine per 100 ml; it is not an energy drink measurement performed in this study. Energy drinks differ in formulation, package size and caffeine content; the reference does not apply to every product.

Only one sample per location was examined on a single day; the survey was not representative. Results at the same location may differ at another time. Location names identify samples; the table does not rate the businesses or constitute a recommendation.

The analysis concerned caffeine content, not coffee flavour, quality or the drinks’ overall physiological effects. It compares measured coffee data with a reference based on an energy drink label; it does not establish that the drinks have identical overall effects.

For healthy adults who are neither pregnant nor breastfeeding, EFSA considers single caffeine intakes of up to 200 mg and daily intakes of up to 400 mg from all sources combined not to raise safety concerns. These are safety reference values, not consumption targets or recommended servings. Individual sensitivity varies.

EFSA · 2015 · doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4102

Corrections: report the data concerned and a verifiable source to info@mesz.org. We review reports and correct verified errors.