The Coffee Conundrum: Quality vs. Quantity
If you’re properly into coffee, someone has probably asked you how much coffee you actually drink.
And when people hear that you write about coffee, they may assume you’re drinking it from sunrise to sunset.
The truth is a little more complicated.
Some coffee lovers do get through impressive amounts of caffeine, while others are far more interested in drinking a smaller number of really good cups. There’s no universal definition of what counts as “a lot” of coffee, either.
For example, you might know someone who drinks more coffee in a day than you drink in an entire week, while someone else might look at your own routine and think you’re the one drinking too much.
So, rather than guessing, let’s look at the caffeine habits of a few serious coffee enthusiasts and see just how different their daily routines can be — if you’re curious how your own workday stacks up, see how much coffee you really need to survive a workday.
My Caffeine Diary
One of the coffee enthusiasts featured in the original diary preferred espresso, although oolong and green tea had also become part of the routine.
A typical day looked something like this:
- 5:45 am – Oolong tea
- 6:15 am – Double espresso
- 7:45 am – Double espresso
- 10:00 am – One can of Coke Zero
- 12:15 pm – Double espresso
- 2:45 pm – Double espresso, on gym days only
- 5:45 pm – Green tea
Reflecting on the Consumption
Spacing caffeine throughout the day can help some people feel energised and focused rather than having everything at once.
The day starts with tea, followed by espresso shots to keep the caffeine coming through the morning and early afternoon. A can of Coke Zero provides another caffeine source around mid-morning, while the additional espresso on gym days adds another boost.
The evening green tea rounds things off with another caffeinated drink.
It’s a good example of how caffeine consumption isn’t necessarily just about counting cups of coffee. Tea and soft drinks can contribute to your total intake too.
Other Coffee Enthusiasts’ Journals
One of the most interesting things about caffeine is how differently coffee drinkers can structure their days.
Here are a few more examples from serious coffee enthusiasts.
Paul Rj Muller
Paul drinks coffee throughout most of the day, although his weekends involve considerably less coffee.
His typical weekday routine was:
- 6:25 am – One mug of black coffee, usually instant
- 7:30 am – One large cup from an on-campus coffee stall
- 10:30 am – One mug of black coffee at the office
- 12:30 pm – Small mug with lunch
- 3:00 pm – One large mug from the same pot as earlier
- 10:00 pm – One large mug of good coffee before writing articles, podcasting and answering emails
That late-night cup is probably the one that stands out, particularly for anyone whose sleep is easily affected by caffeine.
Myron Joshua
Myron prefers French Press coffee and drinks it throughout the day. He also regularly makes coffee for his co-workers.
His routine included:
- 7:00 am – French Press using 7–10 g of coffee
- 9:30 am – French Press
- 1:00 pm – French Press
- 4:30 pm – French Press before heading home
- 7:00 pm – Double espresso or French Press
- 10:30 pm – Double espresso or French Press before bed
That’s a serious commitment to coffee – and quite a late caffeine habit.
Chris Arnold
Chris is a home roaster and regular coffee contributor who tends to drink more coffee over weekends.
His typical weekday routine was:
- 9:00 am – Double espresso at home
- 10:00 am – Cup of filter coffee at work
- 11:00 am – Cup of filter coffee at work
- 7:00 pm – Cup of filter coffee or cappuccino after dinner at home
It’s another example of how coffee can form part of different moments throughout the day, from the first espresso at home to an after-dinner cup.
Ryan Jacobs
Ryan gets most of his coffee in during the morning, with a smaller amount later in the day.
His typical routine was:
- 6:30 am – Two mugs of filter coffee or two double espressos
- 8:00 am – One mug of filter coffee
- 2:30 pm – One mug of filter coffee
Compared with some of the other coffee drinkers, Ryan’s caffeine consumption is concentrated more heavily in the morning.
Alex Scofield
Alex is a fan of the giant mug and drinks substantial amounts of coffee throughout the day.
His routine included:
- 7:00 am – Two giant mugs of filter coffee, with each mug roughly equivalent to four cups as marked on the coffee machine
- 11:00 am – Two large mugs of French Press coffee at the office, with each mug roughly equivalent to three cups
- 6:00 pm – One giant mug of filter coffee at home on a short workday, or from a travel cup at the office when working late
It’s a good reminder that saying “I had three cups of coffee” doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story. Cup sizes can vary dramatically, and a giant mug can contain considerably more coffee than a standard cup.
Practical Tips for Managing Your Caffeine Intake
There’s no single caffeine routine that works for everyone. What matters is understanding how your own body responds and making adjustments when necessary.
Listen to Your Body
Everyone responds to caffeine differently.
If you regularly experience things like jitters, headaches or disrupted sleep after drinking coffee, it may be worth looking at how much caffeine is actually in your coffee and when you’re having it.
Your body can give you useful clues about whether your current routine is working for you.
Balance with Water
Don’t forget about water.
Coffee is often blamed for causing dehydration, although moderate coffee consumption still contributes to your overall fluid intake. Regardless, drinking water throughout the day is a good habit and means you aren’t relying on coffee as your main source of fluids.
So, between those cups of coffee, remember to have some water too.
Know Your Limits
Some people can drink several cups of coffee without much trouble, while others find that even a smaller amount affects their sleep or makes them feel uncomfortable.
Instead of comparing your caffeine intake with someone else’s, pay attention to your own response.
Find the amount and timing that suit you, and adjust your routine if your body starts telling you that you’ve had enough.
Mix It Up
Caffeine doesn’t have to come exclusively from coffee.
Tea can add some variety to your routine, while other caffeinated drinks can also contribute to your overall intake.
Switching between different drinks can keep things interesting, but remember that caffeine from all sources still counts towards your daily total.
Enjoy the Ritual
It’s easy to think about coffee purely in terms of caffeine, especially when you’re trying to get through a busy morning.
But coffee is about much more than the stimulant effect.
There’s the aroma when you open a fresh bag of beans, the sound of the grinder, the brewing process, the flavour in the cup and the few quiet minutes you get to enjoy it.
Taking the time to appreciate those things can make the ritual of coffee just as rewarding as the energy boost.
Join The Coffee Blog Community
At The Coffee Blog, we’re passionate about exploring all the different sides of coffee, from brewing and flavour to the science behind caffeine and the habits of people who genuinely love their daily cup.
Whether you’re someone who enjoys one carefully brewed coffee in the morning or you’re the person with a giant mug permanently within reach, there’s always something new to discover.
Keep exploring the world of coffee with us, and remember that enjoying coffee isn’t just about how much you drink. It’s about finding the flavours, routines and rituals that make each cup worth looking forward to.
