Does Dark Roast Coffee Really Have More Caffeine?

If you’ve ever ordered a dark roast because you wanted “something stronger,” you’re not alone. One of the most common beliefs in coffee culture is that dark roast coffee has more caffeine than light roast. It sounds logical—bolder flavor, darker color, stronger kick.

But the truth might surprise you.

The Short Answer: No

Dark roast coffee does not inherently have more caffeine than light roast. In fact, depending on how you measure and brew it, light roast can actually contain slightly more caffeine.

What Happens During Roasting

Caffeine is a relatively stable compound, meaning it doesn’t burn off easily during roasting. While roasting does cause beans to lose moisture and mass, the caffeine content remains largely intact.

However, dark roast beans are:

• Roasted longer

• Less dense

• Slightly larger and lighter by weight

  
  

Light roast beans are:

• Denser

• Heavier

• Slightly smaller

  
  

This difference in density is where the confusion begins.

Scoop vs. Scale: How You Measure Matters

If you measure coffee by volume (using a scoop), light roast will usually have more caffeine because the beans are denser—more coffee fits into the scoop.

If you measure coffee by weight (using a scale), the caffeine content between light and dark roasts is nearly identical.

So when someone says dark roast is stronger, they’re usually reacting to flavor... not caffeine.

Bold Flavor ≠ More Caffeine

Dark roasts often taste bolder, smokier, or more bitter because roasting breaks down acids and develops deeper caramelized flavors. That intensity can feel stronger, but it doesn’t mean your cup contains more caffeine.

Strength in coffee refers to flavor concentration, not stimulant content.

What Actually Affects Caffeine Levels

Caffeine content is influenced more by:

• Brew method (espresso vs. drip vs. cold brew)

• Coffee-to-water ratio

• Grind size

• Bean variety (Arabica vs. Robusta)

  
  

Roast level plays a surprisingly small role.

Choosing the Right Roast for You

Instead of choosing a roast based on caffeine myths, choose based on what you enjoy:

• Light roasts for brightness and complexity

• Medium roasts for balance

• Dark roasts for richness and depth

  
  

At House of Plenty Coffee, we roast with intention so each coffee expresses its character, not a marketing promise of “extra strength.”

The Takeaway

Dark roast coffee doesn’t give you more caffeine. It just tastes bolder. Once you understand the difference, you’re free to choose coffee based on flavor, not folklore.

And that’s where better coffee begins.

—House of Plenty Coffee