People looking for a pick-me-up are getting a very different jolt of caffeine depending on where they buy their coffee, according to new research in the U.K.
The study by consumer group Which? found that Starbucks Corp.’s SBUX, +0.68% single-shot espresso and cappuccino contained less caffeine than similar offerings from rivals Caffè Nero, Costa (Signature blend), Greggs and Pret. Starbucks’ 25-milliliter (0.85 fluid ounce) single-shot espresso contained 35 milligrams of caffeine, compared with the 180 milligrams of caffeine in a 30-milliliter (1 fluid ounce) single-shot espresso at Pret.
While Pret delivered the most caffeine in a single-shot espresso, Costa was packing the biggest cappuccino punch, according to the research. A 362-milliliter (12.2 fluid ounces) cappuccino contained 325 milligrams of caffeine, the research said, whereas a Starbucks 350-milliliter (11.8 fluid ounces) cappuccino had 66 milligrams.
“If you regularly buy coffees from high-street chains you could be getting much more – or less – than you bargained for,” said Which? nutritionist Shefalee Loth, in a statement. “Our research revealed that some coffee chains may leave you feeling short-changed, while others could be giving you an unexpectedly strong coffee buzz.”
MarketWatch has reached out to Starbucks with a request for comment on this story.
Starbucks’ stock fell 0.2% before market open Wednesday. The stock has risen 11.7% in the last 12 months, compared with the S&P 500 Index’s SPX, +1.46% decline of 11.2% over the same period.
