There are numerous misconceptions people have about coffee and, by far, the most common one that I encounter is that dark or bold roasts contain higher levels of caffeine. Well, I’m here to squash that notion by shedding a bit of sense on the issue.

The pure fact is that to get bold and dark blends, the coffee beans must be roasted for longer. This means that it will contain less caffeine because of that extended exposure to heat and, thus, means less of a jolt for the consumer. It’s a bit of a sacrifice if you like your coffee with a strong body and flavor, but it’s not a deal-breaker as you will still feel alert and awake regardless of the roast. However, if you’re an avid coffee drinker, it’s best to know the qualitative differences.

So, the next time you walk into your coffee shop and your intent is to order coffee with the highest level of caffeine, keep in mind that the mild or medium roast is the one that fits that bill.

Mild or medium roasts typically include: Guatemalan, Colombian, and other Latin American blends.

Dark Roasts: French, Sumatra, and most Asia-Pacific and African blends.