Caffeine (or theine) is a natural constituent in more than sixty plant species. It is present in beverages such as coffee, tea, chocolate and some soft drinks in our daily diet. It is the world’s most widely consumed and socially accepted stimulant substance.
The amount of caffeine in coffee depends on the genetic characteristics of the coffee beans but also on the time and way the coffee is prepared.
The caffeine content of Dolce Gusto coffee pods can vary from 2 to 3 mg per decaffeinated coffee drink, up to 171 mg in the highest caffeine content espresso pods. Cappuccinos, Lattes, and other milk beverage pods are around 90 mg.
How much caffeine can be consumed daily with Dolce Gusto coffee pods?
Moderate coffee consumption, around 400mg daily, is safe for your health. However, there are few studies on coffee pods, as the amount of caffeine varies greatly depending on the manufacturer.
After contacting Nestlé (Nescafé Dolce Gusto), we have compiled a great deal of information on the amounts of caffeine in the different varieties of their coffee pods. This article will summarise all this information so you can enjoy your Dolce Gusto coffee pods without fear of drinking more caffeine than you should.
Are there decaffeinated Dolce Gusto coffee pods?
Different extraction methods have been developed to reduce or eliminate the possible negative effects of caffeine. These methods are carried out on green coffee before roasting and grinding to minimise the loss of aromas and flavours of the coffee. The result is a caffeine-free bean between 97% – 98%.
As for the Dolce Gusto coffee pods, five varieties are labelled “decaffeinated”. These have no more than 3 mg of caffeine once the coffee has been extracted from the pod. Normally, the greater the volume of coffee, the greater the amount of caffeine.
The amount of caffeine in decaffeinated coffee pods is minimal, and you can drink as many coffees a day as you wish without fear of ingesting more caffeine than recommended.
| Coffee pod variety | Amount of caffeine (mg) |
| Decaffeinated Espresso | 1 – 2 mg |
| Decaffeinated Espresso Intenso | 2 – 3 mg |
| Decaffeinated Lungo | 1 – 3 mg |
| Decaffeinated Café Au Lait | 2 – 3 mg |
| Decaffeinated Cortado | 2 mg |
How much caffeine is in Dolce Gusto espresso pods?
We normally associate the caffeine in coffee with its taste, so the more intense coffee is, the more caffeine we think it has. This is partly true. However, this is related to the type of bean used and not the taste itself.
Robusta beans have a stronger flavour and twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans. So when we taste coffees with more intensity, it is because they are blends with a higher presence of Robusta beans. And although there is no direct relationship between flavour and caffeine, we will also find more caffeine in this case.
Dolce Gusto’s espresso pods vary widely, from Café Espresso Guatemala with 72 mg to Espresso Essenza di Moka with 171 mg. But most of their coffee pods, even those not listed in the table below, are around 90-100mg of caffeine per cup.
| Coffee pods variety | Amount of caffeine (mg) |
| Dallmayr Prodomo | 86 – 88 mg |
| Dallmayr Crema D ‘oro | 95 – 99 mg |
| Ristretto Ardenza | 112 mg |
| Espresso | 90 mg |
| Espresso Intenso | 120 – 126 mg |
| Espresso Essenza di Moka | 162 – 171 mg |
| Espresso Guatemala | 72 mg |
How much caffeine is in Dolce Gusto’s Americano and Lungo pods?
Most Dolce Gusto Americano varieties are above 120 mg of caffeine, while the Lungo versions have less than 100 mg. I am also talking about the varieties not included in the table.
It should be noted that the Americano pod requires using all seven bars of the coffee machine’s selector, while the Lungo only requires four bars. This confirms that the longer the water is in contact with the coffee, the more caffeine is extracted.
Depending on the variety, no more than three coffees should be drunk daily to stay within healthy limits.
| Coffee pod variety | Amount of caffeine (mg) |
| Americano | 120 – 128 mg |
| Americano Intenso | 129 – 131 mg |
| Lungo | 86 – 92 mg |
| Lungo Intenso | 90 mg |
How much caffeine is in Dolce Gusto coffee and milk pods?
Dolce Gusto has different varieties of coffee with milk, with some varieties using two pods and others using just one. The caffeine content referred to in the table below is the caffeine content of the final coffee drink, regardless of the number of pods used.
Most Dolce Gusto coffee&milk drinks have less than 100 mg of caffeine, so you can safely drink up to 4 coffees daily.
| Coffee pod variety | Amount of caffeine (mg) |
| Cappuccino | 105 – 110 mg |
| Latte Macchiato | 77 mg |
| Café Au Lait | 89 – 97 mg |
| Cortado | 68 – 71 mg |
How much caffeine is in Starbucks Dolce Gusto coffee pods?
Starbucks Dolce Gusto coffee pods contain coffee blends with a higher amount of Arabica beans, which directly affects the caffeine in your pods. Most latte coffee pods barely exceed 70 mg, while espressos range from 85 to 119 mg.
Thus, you can drink up to five coffees without caffeine problems with most Starbucks Dolce Gusto pods.
| Coffee pod variety | Amount of caffeine (mg) |
| Starbucks Espresso | 72 mg |
| Starbucks Cappuccino | 72 mg |
| Starbucks Latte Macchiato | 72 mg |
| Starbucks Caffé Latte | 30 mg |
| Starbucks Veranda | 111 mg |
| Starbucks Pike Place | 85 mg |
| Starbucks House Blend | 102 – 119 mg |
How much caffeine is in Dolce Gusto tea and chocolate pods?
Dolce Gusto tea pods have just over 30 milligrams of theine in their higher-content varieties. So you will always consume less theine if you drink a Dolce Gusto tea, rather than a Dolce Gusto coffee.
As for chocolate drinks, these do not have caffeine, but they do have theobromine. The level of theobromine is shown in the table as a replacement for the caffeine value.
| Coffee pod variety | Amount of theine (mg) or *Theobromine (mg) |
| Chai Tea | 30 – 38 mg |
| Green Tea | 9 – 11 mg |
| Marrakech Tea | 11 mg |
| Chococino | * 86 – 88 mg |
| Nesquick | * 31 mg |
Related: Caffeine-free coffee: does it exist?
