When you think of caffeine, coffee immediately comes to mind. Why not? They’re the constant pick-me-up to kickstart your day and ensure that you have enough stored energy for the day. However, caffeine is a stimulant present in over 60 plants, so it may lurk unexpectedly in our food. This is important to note for people who are sensitive to this stimulant. Today, we’re bringing you 10 surprising foods with caffeine content.
10. Decaf Coffee
Surprise, surprise, there’s still caffeine content found in Decaf Coffee. While decaffeination removes most caffeine from beans and tea leaves, it’s not completely zero. For instance, an 8-ounce cup filled with decaf coffee can still contain 2 to 15 milligrams of caffeine. Large quantities of decaf could still add up throughout the day.
9. Chocolate
Yup, that includes Chocolates in all forms. It gets its caffeine content from the cacao plant, which varies depending on the type of cocoa. With this, dark chocolate receives more caffeine since it contains a higher percentage of cacao solids. In contrast, milk chocolate has a lesser amount, with only a quarter.
8. Soda
If you’re avoiding caffeine by opting for a Soda instead of coffee, here’s a news flash for you. Soda still contains caffeine, even its counterparts. For instance, a 12-ounce can has 54 milligrams of caffeine. Even flavored sodas do not lessen the caffeine content, as they could increase it.
7. Matcha
We hate to break it to you, but Matcha isn’t the drink for a good night’s sleep. While they brew tea from finely ground tea leaves, they’re the exact reason for its caffeine production. A single teaspoon of Matcha powder gives 70 milligrams of caffeine, just a bit less than coffee. So no, it’s not an alternative.
6. Energy Bars
They’re called Energy Bars for a reason, so they contain caffeine. They come from various sources such as chocolate, coffee beans, or extracts. However, the caffeine content can vary in amount. It’s especially noticeable in individuals who consume the bars regularly as meal replacements.
5. Kombucha
Even Kombucha, a fermented tea beverage, isn’t for a good night’s sleep. Its health benefits and probiotic content gained popularity, but it naturally has caffeine. An 8-ounce cup serving can have 10 to 15 milligrams of caffeine. While it’s lower than any other from this list, consuming multiple cups reveals the caffeine content.
4. Chewing Gum
Bet you don’t know this one, but Chewing Gum contains caffeine. There’s a reason why we’re made to chew gum when we’re feeling sluggish. They’re designed through oral absorption, containing 20 to 100 milligrams of caffeine in just a piece.
3. Ice Cream
A scoop of vanilla ice cream cannot keep you up at night, but it may contain caffeine, depending on the flavor. Note that chocolate, coffee, and especially matcha still contain caffeine, so you might want to reconsider vanilla if you’re sensitive to caffeine.
2. Yerba Mate
Yerba Mate is a kind of herbal tea that is slightly bitter. It’s a popular tea choice in parts of South America and among Latin communities. It has a good caffeine hit of about 80 milligrams per brewed cup, slightly less than a cup of coffee.
1. Medication and Supplements
One of the most surprising sources of caffeine is through your over-the-counter medication and supplements. Pain relief and headache medication includes caffeine as an active ingredient, combined with aspirin. Caffeine is added as it can enhance the pain-relieving effects of the other ingredients.