Does dark chocolate have caffeine? You may have heard that chocolate can boost your mood or energy levels.
These claims are not just hearsay.
Chocolate contains a chemical called phenylethylamine that is associated with feelings of arousal and excitement.
The feeling of endorphins and serotonin that adrenaline triggers in the body is also associated with eating chocolate and this can help to improve mood and give a boost in energy levels.
Chocolate is a food that has been enjoyed for centuries and the question of whether it contains caffeine has been debated.
Some claim that cocoa beans contain caffeine and others say that chocolate contains no caffeine.
This article will explore if it contains caffeine.
Does Dark Chocolate Have Caffeine?
Dark chocolate is a type of chocolate that contains cocoa solids and cocoa butter as its main ingredients. The cocoa solids give dark chocolate its characteristic bitter taste, while the cocoa butter gives it a smooth texture.
Caffeine is found in cocoa solids, but not in cocoa butter.
And when it comes to chocolate, the darker the better.
Dark chocolate is high in caffeine, while milk chocolate contains very little. The darker the chocolate, the more cocoa solids it contains. More cocoa solids mean more caffeine.
This increases the amount of caffeine it has per ounce. Since white chocolate contains only cocoa butter and no cocoa solids, it has zero caffeine.
In recent years, white chocolate has been marketed as a low-calorie, low-fat substitute to dark chocolate.
However, this is not the case.
Dark chocolate contains higher amounts of cocoa solids and cocoa butter whereas white chocolate contains only cocoa butter with no cocoa solids. This means that white chocolate has a higher amount of fat and sugar per ounce than its darker counterpart.
And it has no caffeine. The lack of cocoa solids, which have caffeine, means that white chocolate has zero caffeine.
The amount of caffeine in chocolate products can vary, especially if additional caffeine is added in order to provide an energy boost.
Added caffeine can be found in energy bars and other products that also contain chocolate.
Caffeine is a stimulant that can provide an energy boost, but it can also make some people feel jittery and anxious.
The amount of caffeine in chocolate products varies because the natural amount varies from one person to another and some manufacturers add additional caffeine to give the product an extra boost. This is a case of energy bars.
How Much Caffeine in Dark Chocolate 85
The amount of caffeine in dark chocolate depends on a number of factors including the type of chocolate, the cocoa content, and whether or not it has been processed.
In other words, the darker the chocolate has more caffeine in it.
Data from the USDA shows the following:
- 70-85% dark has 80 mg caffeine per 100 g chocolate.
- 60-69% dark has 86 mg caffeine per 100 g chocolate.
- 45-59% dark has 40 mg caffeine per 100 g chocolate.
Does White Chocolate Have Caffeine
There is a commonly-held belief that white chocolate contains caffeine. However, there has been no evidence to show that this is actually the case.
The reason behind this fact is that caffeine is found in cocoa solids, but not in cocoa butter.
And because white chocolate does contain only cocoa butter and no cocoa solids, it has zero caffeine.
White chocolate contains cocoa butter but it also contains milk, sugar, and emulsifiers which are necessary to give it its characteristic taste.
Caffeine in Chocolate vs Coffee
As we already mentioned, chocolate, dark chocolate not milk or white chocolate, contains caffeine, but it has less caffeine in it than most drinks like coffee or soda.
You can expect to get around 95 mg of caffeine from an average cup of coffee.
So, what about chocolate?
According to Healthline:
- Dark chocolate contains 12 milligrams of caffeine per ounce (27 grams).
- Milk chocolate contains 9 milligrams of caffeine per 1.55 ounces (43 grams).
- White chocolate contains zero caffeine.
Conclusion
Not only caffeine can be found in dark chocolate. It does also contain theobromine, which gives dark chocolate its bitter taste. Caffeine and theobromine both contain naturally occurring substances that can stimulate the central nervous system.
Caffeine is a great stimulant found in coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, or chocolate. It can be helpful for people who are tired or need to focus on the task at hand.
However, caffeine has effects on everyone differently. People who are sensitive to its effects may experience increased blood pressure, anxiety, and heart rate.
Caffeine is also not recommended during pregnancy because it can cause miscarriages.