A reader asks: “Hi, is there any way to know the caffiene content in chocolate compared to a cup of coffee? I am very sensitive to caffiene, but I love chocolate. Does anyone make decaffienated chocolate?” Decaf chocolate? I have never heard of such a thing and believe it or not, there is some question as to whether or not chocolate contains caffeine at all.

The general wisdom is that chocolate does contain caffeine in small amounts. In the 1989 book Bowes and Church’s Food Values of Portions Commonly Used, (by Anna De Planter Bowes, 1989. Pages 261-2: Caffeine), 1 ounce (28gr) of unsweetened chocolate contains about 30mg of caffeine —compare this with a 6 ounce cup (1/4 of the size of a Venti at ‘bucks) of coffee with between 90 and 150mg of caffeine.

Because people rarely eat unsweetened chocolate, they don’t get this much caffeine in the chocolate they eat - and keep in mind that the caffeine would be in the cocoa powder, not the cocoa butter.

Other studies indicate that there is ABSOLUTELY NO caffeine in chocolate at all. According to an article in The Biochemist, (Apr/May 1993, p 15) chemical composition tests were performed that distinguished between caffeine and theobromine (another alkaloid (methlyxanthine) in chocolate). The tests regularly turned up up to 1.3% by weight of theobromine as well as other pharmacologically active compounds including up to 2.20% phenylethylamine, up to 1.54% tele-methylhistamine, and between .6% to 5.82% serotonin. These tests detected no caffeine at all. The reason is that caffeine and theobromine are very similar in chemical structure and it is easy to mistake one for the other.

Which one is true? What matters is what’s true for you. You may be sensitive to the alkloids in chocolate, whatever they are called. If it’s an issue for you, you can eat smaller amounts of chocolate or chocolates that are lower in cocoa solids content to stay within a comfort zone.

Previous Questions and Answers:

1. Where can I locate Bavarian Mint Meltaways with SOFT center & mint pieces(?) inside, NOT House of Bauer but REALLY close. Bought them for my wife 13 years ago, and I can't find them for her. I've already tried Fannie Farmer and House of Bauer, etc. with NO success.
   Posted by  on  10/02  at  03:48 PM
2. I am looking for a drinking chocolate which I first purchased in Basel, Switzerland at Galerina. The label says "Couverture dunkel de Cru" Edelkakao CRIOLLO, 65% Kakao from Maracaibo, Veneuela. I just had the last cup from the bag of lovely dark disks and am already going into withdrawl. Can you help me find this? Please, oh please.
   Posted by  on  10/14  at  08:14 AM
3. It's worth adding that theobromine does indeed provide a "buzz"! In fact, despite being a chocolatier, I cannot consume any (dark--the only kind I like) chocolate after around 6pm or I experience insomnia! I have the same reaction to coffee. That's really interesting about the possibility of chocolate not containing ANY caffeine! I, too, would LOVE to be able to consume de-caf (/de-theo'ed?) chocolate along with a de-caf espresso in the evenings! I wonder to what extent these alkaloids contribute to flavor. The one distinction I will note re caffeine v. theobromine is that I find that the stimulation from chocolate (and let's assume theobromine primarily) is of a "mellower", i.e. less jittery, nature than that from coffee/caffeine. I would almost compare it to a cross beween caffeine and, say, ginseng (hope I'm not being too obscure) in its effect--quite pleasant really. Ahhhh...I guess it's about the only drug I haven't outgrown in middle age...!
   Posted by Chocodisiac  on  10/23  at  02:57 PM
4. I have grown cocoa beans at my family's plantantion since last century and the century before the last two century...do the math...we do not have the mixed strains from africa and south america, like the one infiltrating the market...our beans are fully organic, i know because in the evening when you want to go out of the hut and pee, you just run into the cocoa plantation and "go!" i live in the the pacific and our plantation is heavenly...too bad scharffenburger sold out...i was hoping they maintain the uniqueness of the cocoa bean...i guess with some help from you folks...I can give hershey a run for there money..or beans...there is still something missing however with scharfenburger and hershey...the delivery of the chocolate dance instituted to certain families 3ooo years ago...hmmmm
   Posted by  on  02/01  at  12:11 AM
5. Where can I find a good chocolate bar that has no artificial flavorings, such as vanillin?

   :: Candie:
   You can find these bars at any local health food or gourmet store. Just look at the label 
   for the ingredients. Most of the brands mentioned here contain natural vanilla unless
   otherwise stated.
   
   :: Clay
   

   Posted by Candie  on  07/31  at  11:58 AM