Light or Dark Roast: Which Has More Caffeine?

Many people pick a dark roast in the morning because it tastes "stronger". It's one of the most common coffee myths: a bolder taste doesn't mean more caffeine.

The short answer

Light and dark roasts contain almost the same amount of caffeine. Caffeine is very stable during roasting, so the difference is small. What changes is how you measure your coffee.

• Measured with a scoop: a light roast gives slightly more caffeine, because its beans are denser and heavier.
• Measured on a scale: the difference is minimal. A dark roast can even have a tiny bit more per gram, because the bean loses more water and mass.

So why does dark roast taste stronger?

That intensity comes from the roast itself. Longer roasting develops roasted, chocolatey and smoky notes and a heavier body, while reducing the bright, fruity acidity of the bean. Your taste buds read it as "strong", but it's flavour, not caffeine.

What really changes the caffeine in your cup

• The bean: robusta has about twice the caffeine of arabica.
• The dose: more grams of coffee, more caffeine.
• The method and time: a long infusion like cold brew extracts more.

How to choose your roast

Choose for taste, not for caffeine. Like bright, fruity and floral cups? Go lighter. Prefer chocolate, caramel and a round body? Go darker. At Karbur, each totem has its own roast profile designed to bring out the best of its origins.

Not sure which one matches you? Take the Find Your Totem quiz, and read our guide on caffeine in coffee vs espresso.