A study in the September Consumer Reports (subscription required) shows that the amount of caffeine found in eight ounces of 12 popular energy drinks ranged from 50 to135mg, with most in the 75 to 80mg range, reports Reuters. That compares to the amount of caffeine in an eight ounce cup of coffee, which ranged from 65 to 120mg, with an average of 85mg, says the National Coffee Association. The study attempts to surprise consumers by proving that many energy drinks have the same caffeine as a similar cup of coffee. What the study didn't highlight, according to Reuters, was exactly how many energy drinks and coffee people consume during a typical day. The likelihood of people drinking only eight ounces of an energy drink, or coffee, is absurdly low.
Visit any Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) or 7-11 store, and consumers will notice that the smallest size cup in most franchises is 12 ounces, and the largest, 24 ounces. Only Dunkin Donuts provides coffee-drinkers with a smaller version.
In contrast, most energy drinks are not found in eight ounce cans: Rockstar's energy drinks come in 24 ounces. PepsiCo's (NYSE: PEP) Sobe No Fear comes in 20 ounce bottles, while Coca-Cola's (NYSE: KO) Full Throttle is sold in 16 ounce cans. The widely know Red Bull energy drink and Hansen Natural's (NASDAQ: HANS) Energy Pro are two of the few smaller versions sold on the market, each with 8.3 ounces.
On average, the cost of purchasing an energy drink is much more than a cup of coffee. A 20 ounce cup of coffee at 7-11 in New York is priced at about $1.69, compared to an 8.3 ounce of Red Bull, which costs $2.50 in the same store. The major exception, of course, is Starbucks, where getting a high-end jolt of caffeine can cost you upwards of $5.
If this study receives wide attention, it's possible that consumers may switch back to non-premium coffee. But, if the popularity of the pricey Starbucks is any indication, that is not likely.
If you're curious to find out what side of the fence your caffeinated drink lands on, check out the list at energyfiend.com, a site that's obsessed with caffeine.
On average, the cost of purchasing an energy drink is much more than a cup of coffee. A 20 ounce cup of coffee at 7-11 in New York is priced at about $1.69, compared to an 8.3 ounce of Red Bull, which costs $2.50 in the same store. The major exception, of course, is Starbucks, where getting a high-end jolt of caffeine can cost you upwards of $5.
If this study receives wide attention, it's possible that consumers may switch back to non-premium coffee. But, if the popularity of the pricey Starbucks is any indication, that is not likely.
If you're curious to find out what side of the fence your caffeinated drink lands on, check out the list at energyfiend.com, a site that's obsessed with caffeine.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-08-2007 @ 1:25PM
Kendra said...
Just wanted to let everyone know, Starbucks does offer an 8 oz hot beverage. If you want your coffee or latte in only 8oz just ask for a short!
8-08-2007 @ 2:03PM
RIOT5000 said...
You should be buying NUAN