Do Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans Have Caffeine?
Are chocolate-covered espresso beans caffeinated? Each bean contains caffeine from both the espresso bean and the chocolate coating, making them a quick source of energy.
It gives you caffeine from 1-2 cups of coffee based on what type of chocolate and bean you are working with. On average, each bean contains about 6 to 12 milligrams of caffeine.
These snacks have a delicious taste and bite-sized shape. They are the perfect mix of sweet and a crunchy burst of caffeine.
- Chocolate-covered espresso beans deliver the rich taste of fresh roasted coffee blended with smooth chocolate, a crunchy, pick-me-up treat.
- These deliciously rich chocolate covered espresso beans are loaded with a double shot of caffeine to give you the boost you need. Have fun with them for a nice energizing pick me up!
- A single chocolate-covered espresso bean will typically have less caffeine than a cup of coffee. If you consume a handful of beans, the caffeine can add up fast.
- Although they are safe for the majority of consumers, excessive use can result in symptoms including the jitters, insomnia, or an upset stomach. Like with all good things in life, moderation is the key to enjoying all their benefits without discomfort.
- Homemade chocolate-covered espresso beans allow for customization, cost savings, and the use of high-quality ingredients, making them a fun and rewarding DIY project.
- Enjoy these flavor-bursting, versatile snacks straight out of the bag! Or, use them as dessert toppings, or fold them into inventive recipes for a deliciously different spin.
What Are Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans?
Chocolate-covered espresso beans are a fantastic treat! They’re an amazing blend of the strong, full-bodied taste of coffee and the creamy sweetness of chocolate. These little morsels pack a punch and marry two of our favorite ingredients.

The outcome? Specially roasted to create a smooth, rich flavor and satisfying crunch that will please any coffee lover or chocoholic. They are incredibly delicious and fun to eat. Additionally, they pack a serious caffeinated punch, which makes them the perfect go-to treat for anyone who needs a little extra energy fast.
Definition and Description
At their most basic, chocolate-covered espresso beans are simply roasted coffee beans covered in chocolate. The espresso beans are the foundation, bringing an explosive coffee taste that’s dark, rich and a touch bitter.
When combined with chocolate, the outcome is a delightful contrast of sweetness and deep, luscious richness. Dark chocolate provides the perfect touch of bitterness that espresso lovers crave. At the same time, milk and white chocolate provide a creamier and sweeter option, making them favorite options too.
Their rich, crunchy texture may be their most delicious aspect! The outer chocolate coating is silky and melts like velvet texture in your mouth. At the same time, that crunchy espresso bean on the inside is a pleasant surprise in its contrast.
This combination of textures, along with the interplay of sweet and bitter flavors, makes each bite a unique and enjoyable experience.
Ingredients Involved
The primary ingredients in chocolate-covered espresso beans are simple yet essential: espresso beans and chocolate. They handcraft each batch in small quantities, roasting the coffee beans to absolute perfection to bring out their natural flavor.
Meanwhile, the chocolate coating is an area where quality can vary greatly. The best chocolate to use is a high-quality chocolate, usually made with a higher cocoa percentage for a rich, decadent flavor.
You can mix in optional ingredients like sugar or vanilla into the chocolate. This way, you can control the sweetness and develop complex, layered flavors. Some even come with toppings of cocoa powder, sea salt, or caramel for added decadence.
Even with these differences, the quality of the underlying ingredients—particularly the chocolate—is the best route to attaining a great flavor and texture.
Popularity and Uses
Chocolate covered espresso beans have become a wildly popular trend in recent years as a fun, convenient, versatile snack. They’re super lightweight, pop-in-your-mouth, easy-to-eat fun.
That’s why they tend to disappear in offices, usually gone in about an hour if put out for sharing. Plus, their energy-boosting properties make them super attractive. Just a single serving of 11 beans packs almost 150 calories and the equivalent of two cups of coffee in caffeine!
They can be used for more than just snacking. Many coffee houses use them as dessert toppings, or pair them with a beverage for an additional sweet treat.
They serve as great gifts, particularly during the holidays, when their mix of indulgent and utilitarian make them especially thoughtful. Arabica beans account for 60% of the coffee market. Their smooth taste and universal palate make them one of the most popular options with coffee lovers.
Do Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans Have Caffeine?
After reading this article, you’ll know exactly how much caffeine chocolate-covered espresso beans pack. This caffeine comes from two primary sources: the espresso bean itself and the chocolate that coats it. These tasty little nuggets are full of caffeine!

With a double dose of caffeine, they’ve made their way into many peoples’ pockets for a convenient pick-me-up. To consume caffeine responsibly, you need to understand where it’s found. Knowing how much is packed in each bean can make all the difference.
Source of Caffeine in Beans
The espresso bean itself is the primary source of caffeine in chocolate-covered espresso beans. Espresso beans are simply coffee beans roasted a little longer and at a little higher temperature. This method is what gives them their deep, robust flavor.
The roasting process doesn’t lower their caffeine content all that much. In reality, coffee beans contain caffeine naturally, which serves as a natural insect repellant. That means that on average, one coffee bean contains roughly 6 mg of caffeine.
This number can differ a bit depending on the bean type and the roast process. With a high concentration of caffeine, coffee beans really do pack a powerful punch. That’s because they’re actually so potent that they stimulate your energy levels to help you feel awake and alert!
Caffeine in Chocolate Coating
The chocolate coating contributes an extra dose of caffeine to these beans. The total amount of caffeine in the chocolate is going to vary depending on the type you use. Because dark chocolate has a higher percentage of cocoa beans, it tends to have more caffeine than milk chocolate.
We know that an ounce of dark chocolate contains approximately 12 milligrams of caffeine. In comparison, milk chocolate has just 3 to 6 milligrams per ounce. White chocolate has no caffeine whatsoever.
It’s technically called white chocolate because it’s made from cocoa butter, which contains no cocoa solids. This means that the type of chocolate used in the coating can affect the total caffeine content of the treat.
Combined Caffeine Content
So we know chocolate-covered espresso beans have caffeine in them. Once you add the chocolate coating, you’ve got the perfect, tasty, bite-sized energy source! In general, one chocolate-covered espresso bean has around 12 milligrams of caffeine.
A typical cup of coffee has around 95mg of caffeine. That’s why a regular serving of these beans, about 8 to 10 beans, provides a caffeine kick comparable to that of a cup of coffee. The amount of caffeine in each bean can vary, depending on the brand and size.
On average you can assume each bean has about 5-10 mg of caffeine. This makes them a convenient and delicious way to experience a quick energy boost, particularly when on-the-go during a hectic day.
That said, it’s important to keep in mind that eating too many at a time could result in a high caffeine consumption. You could eat as many as 30 beans and still be well within the FDA’s suggested daily limit of 400 milligrams. Just be sure that you aren’t consuming other caffeinated drinks!
How Much Caffeine Do They Contain?
Chocolate-covered espresso beans pack a big caffeine punch! Though, we know the amount varies greatly depending on a myriad of factors. Knowing how much caffeine they have can help you keep your intake in check and enjoy them in moderation.
Let’s dig into this a little more to understand how much caffeine they actually contain and what drives their caffeine content.
1. Factors Affecting Caffeine Levels
Chocolate-covered espresso beans can pack a big punch, particularly when considering the type of coffee bean used. Espresso beans are usually rich in flavor and caffeine, with Arabica coffee beans containing slightly less caffeine than their Robusta counterparts. The choice of chocolate coating is also crucial; dark chocolate espresso beans typically have higher caffeine levels due to a greater cocoa percentage.
Another important factor is the processing method, as some caffeine is lost during production. However, much of it remains since the beans aren’t brewed. The caffeine in the roasted coffee bean is carried over into the finished product, making chocolate-covered coffee beans a delicious treat.
Lastly, serving size significantly impacts your caffeine intake. It doesn’t take much to exceed moderate caffeine levels, and it can be easy to lose track while enjoying these tasty beans as a snack.
Being aware of these factors can help you enjoy your chocolate varieties responsibly while savoring the rich flavors of espresso blends.
2. Average Caffeine Content Per Bean
That’s how much caffeine they have? On average, a chocolate-covered espresso bean has around 12 milligrams of caffeine. This varies from 5 to 10 milligrams based on the brand, bean size, and type of chocolate just to name a few variables.
For reference, one typical cup of coffee has roughly 95 milligrams of caffeine. That’s the equivalent caffeine amount of one cup of coffee in just eight to ten beans.
If you like eating these beans like jelly beans, you can quickly go over the recommended daily limit of caffeine. One serving of dark chocolate-covered coffee beans delivers the same amount of caffeine found in one cup of coffee.
That’s right, an entire pouch might have as much as 150 milligrams of caffeine, the same as a tall brewed coffee! To make this a little clearer, a pound of these beans contains the caffeine equivalent of 16 cups of coffee.
3. Comparing to Other Caffeinated Foods
Here’s a simple comparison to visualize how chocolate-covered espresso beans stack up against other caffeinated items:
Item | Caffeine Content |
Chocolate-Covered Espresso Bean | ~12 mg per bean |
Standard Cup of Coffee | ~95 mg per cup |
Energy Drink (8 oz) | ~80 mg per can |
Dark Chocolate (1 oz) | ~20 mg per ounce |
Of these, chocolate-covered espresso beans are probably the most portable and powerful source of caffeine. Contrary to coffee, which you may drink, these beans are typically consumed in greater doses.

They really do make an awesome, convenient choice for a boost of energy!
Are They Safe to Eat?
Chocolate-covered espresso beans are safe to eat for most people when eaten in moderation. They combine two all-time favorite sources of caffeine—coffee beans and chocolate—creating a deliciously indulgent treat with a serious kick.
It’s important to know about their nutritional benefits, what risks they can pose, and how to consume them safely to prevent going overboard. Here’s what you need to know. Below, I’ll unpack the biggest factors so you can decide how to best enjoy these treats without worry.
Health Benefits of Espresso Beans
As are all coffee beans, espresso beans are particularly high in antioxidants. These compounds have been shown to lower inflammation, as well as protect your cells from oxidative stress.
These antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid, are known to help promote good health. When you pair chocolate with dark chocolate, you up the nutrient ante. This mix provides additional magnesium and iron, boosting their nutritional profile even further.
Plus, they’re a convenient source of caffeine to give you that extra energy kick whenever you need it. Microdoses, like that of a single chocolate-covered espresso bean (12 mg caffeine), are just enough to boost focus and alertness.
If you’re dealing with a busy commute, a few of these beans can provide an energy boost to power you through anything. They do miracles in the middle of the day slump! The amount of caffeine will depend on which chocolate you select, either milk chocolate or dark chocolate. The coffee bean itself is important, with Arabica beans being a sought-after choice.
Potential Risks of Overconsumption
Though the health benefits are certainly enticing, there are some negative effects of overindulging on chocolate-covered espresso beans. Consuming too much caffeine can lead to negative effects such as jitters, restlessness, increased heart rate, or insomnia.
For instance, if someone eats 30 beans in one sitting and drinks a cup of coffee, they could easily exceed the recommended daily caffeine limit of 400 mg. Equally important is to identify your own personal tolerance to caffeine.
It is an individual matter and some people will be sensitive to even small doses of caffeine, while others will tolerate it better. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, don’t eat these beans later in the day. They can throw off your internal clock and the ability to relax in the evening.
Safe Consumption Tips
If you want to safely enjoy chocolate-covered espresso beans, it all comes down to moderation. A safe serving size is usually around 5-10 beans, particularly if you’re drinking other caffeinated drinks during the day.
For those who want to treat themselves a bit more, you can eat a max of 30 beans. Simply ensure that you aren’t getting caffeine from other sources. Beginning with a low dose allows you to test your tolerance and avoid taking too much at once.
Another important tip is to pair these beans with food. Consuming them with a meal or snack can delay caffeine absorption, making it less likely that you’ll experience side effects such as jitters.
If you’d like to get a good night’s sleep, eat them in the daytime. This ensures that you won’t be tossing and turning when it’s time for bed.
What Happens If You Eat Too Many?
Chocolate-covered espresso beans are one of the best snacks you can enjoy, providing a delightful combination of chocolate varieties and caffeine. They come with a hefty dose of caffeine that can sneak up on you, especially if you’re sensitive to it. Understanding how the body responds to excessive caffeine and recognizing the signs can help you enjoy these chocolate-covered coffee beans in moderation.
Signs of Excessive Caffeine Intake
If you consume more caffeine than your body can handle, it will usually signal you in no uncertain terms. Restlessness is the most common symptom, and you might experience an inability to sit still or unwind. Other symptoms, such as headaches, may arise from dehydration or overstimulation of the nervous system. For those who enjoy dark chocolate espresso beans or chocolate covered coffee beans, the effects can vary significantly based on individual tolerance levels.

In contrast, someone with a lower caffeine tolerance may feel jittery after just a few roasted coffee beans. The severity of these symptoms can differ drastically, and a regular coffee drinker should be able to manage a handful of beans without issue. It is crucial to listen to your body and recognize when to stop, honoring your own limits. Eating 11 of these espresso bean pieces can hit you like drinking two cups of strong coffee, which can be quite intimidating for many Americans!
Understanding your caffeine consumption and its effects is essential. The intensified effects of consuming espresso blends can be surprising, especially if you are accustomed to more moderate caffeine levels. For some, the experience of enjoying a chocolate espresso bean blend jar becomes a delightful challenge rather than a simple treat.
Short-Term Effects on the Body
The short-term side effects of overindulging on chocolate-covered espresso beans are mainly related to the caffeine and sugar. The temporary energy and alertness caffeine provides is one reason so many people love these little delights for a quick pick-me-up. While caffeine is great for increasing your energy, overdoing it can increase your heart rate.
Like most things, it can induce anxiety when eaten in excess. The sugar contributes to the initial energy spike but will lead to a crash later on as your body works to process all that sugar. Digestive upset is the other possible short-term effect. If you eat a lot of beans in a single sitting, it can upset the stomach, particularly if it’s a high-speed empty stomach.
For people who are more sensitive to caffeine, it doesn’t take much to start feeling jittery or just a little “on edge.” To prevent these nasty side effects, stick to around 5-10 magic beans a day. Just don’t forget to take into account the other sources of caffeine in your diet!
Long-Term Health Implications
While acute overconsumption might have momentary effects on the body, the long-term impacts of chronic overconsumption of caffeine are more serious. Sleep is frequently among the first to go. Moreover, caffeine is notorious for messing with your ability to both fall asleep and stay asleep, if taken further into the day.
Day after day, week after week, month after month, it contributes to fatigue and other health concerns. Save chocolate-covered espresso beans for an afternoon treat. This way, you won’t have to break your sleep cycle. Anxiety can be worsened by daily consumption of large doses of caffeine.
This is especially true for those who are naturally more anxious, as caffeine tends to increase those anxious feelings. As with all things, moderation is key. Enjoying beans in high doses once in a while is perfectly safe. When overconsumed, they can overstimulate your nervous system and zap your energy and health.
How to Make Homemade Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans
Home production is a much more gratifying process. Now you can make your own customizable, caffeinated treat that suits your palette to a T. Best of all, you’ll save some dough over buying it from the store!
The whole process is simple, turning it into a fun kitchen project for coffee and chocolate lovers of all ages.
Choosing the Right Chocolate
For the best experience, it’s very important to use premium chocolate. Choose high-quality chocolate with a minimum of 60% cacao content so that your beans are coated well with a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate.
Dark chocolate adds a rich, deep flavor that’s perfect with these little espresso nuggets. Milk chocolate gives them that yummy extra-creamy sweetness.
In comparison, white chocolate has a much sweeter, more buttery taste. The decision is all up to your tastes, and you can even do a combination of varieties to get some of each.
Selecting the Best Coffee Beans
Since that’s the main flavor ingredient, the taste of your chocolate-covered espresso beans really comes down to your coffee beans. I highly suggest using fresh roasted whole bean espresso, as they provide the most intense rich aromatic flavor.
Arabica beans, with their smooth, nuanced taste, contrast with the stronger, more caffeinated Robusta beans. If you’re feeling daring, play around with the different blends to discover an awesome flavor combo that you love.
Of course, making sure the beans are roasted (not raw) is key, as this makes them crunchier and more tasty.
Step-by-Step Preparation Process
It’s easy and fun to make these popular caffeinated treats at home. Here’s how you can do it:
- Roast the Beans: If your chocolate covered espresso beans are not roasted … do something about it! Roast them in an oven or on the stovetop until they’re fragrant and toasty brown.
- Put the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Put it in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir vigorously, and then in 15-second increments until fully melted.
- Or, for better control, melt the chocolate with a double boiler.
- Coat the Beans: Using a fork, drop the roasted espresso beans into the melted chocolate. Grab a fork or a skewer to help make sure each bean gets a nice even coat.
- Move the coated beans one at a time onto parchment paper, making sure to keep them apart to avoid sticking. Allow them to set at room temperature for several hours or quicken the process by putting them in the fridge.
After you finish creating these delectable homemade treats, make sure to keep them in an airtight container. You can store them at room temp or in the fridge for about a week.
A 1-ounce serving packs a potent punch of caffeine, with about 227 milligrams. This makes it the perfect energizing snack that punches above its weight!
Tips for Enjoying Your Homemade Treats
Chocolate-covered espresso beans are the perfect treat that combine the sweetness of chocolate with the intensity of espresso. They’re delicious, easy to customize, and the perfect pick-me-up. Whether you’ll be enjoying them straight from the jar or using them as an ingredient, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy these goodies.
Here are a few pointers to help you take your experience to new heights.
Pairing Ideas for Flavor Boost
Pairing chocolate-covered espresso beans with other complementary flavors can really elevate their taste. Pair with a freshly brewed cup of coffee to bring out the espresso’s natural boldness. This pairing perfectly counteracts the sweetness of the chocolate.
To mix things up, add roasted nuts such as almonds or cashews to the seed mixture. They’ll provide you with a lovely crisp texture and a rich nutty taste. Dried fruits such as cherries or apricots work wonderfully with the beans, providing a nice, secondary tart flavor to oppose the chocolate’s richness.
You can even add a dash of cinnamon or cayenne for a warm spicy kick. Try using different kinds of chocolate such as milk, dark or white chocolate. This can expand the flavor base and provide anything from milky smoothness to robust chocolate flavors.
Storing for Freshness and Longevity
Following these simple storage tips will help you get the most enjoyment out of your chocolate-covered espresso beans! To keep them from going stale and losing their great crunch, keep them in an airtight container. This protects against moisture and air, ensuring that the beans’ crunch and the chocolate’s quality are both preserved.
Store the container in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or cupboard, to prevent melting or loss of flavor. In a perfect world, keep them under 70°F to preserve their deliciousness. If stored properly, they will keep for weeks, if not months.
This gives them an advantage of being a super easy treat to have on hand! Don’t forget, for peak flavor, we suggest enjoying them within the first few weeks of bringing them home.
Creative Uses in Recipes
Chocolate-covered espresso beans are more than just a great snack, though—add them to your favorite recipes for a surprising twist! Crushed beans can serve as a unique, beautiful crunchy topping for creations like cheesecakes or brownie bites.
Throw them into yogurt for a simple, energizing breakfast on the go! Or, incorporate them into trail mixes with nuts and dried fruits for an easy, on-the-go treat. Get creative by throwing them into smoothies for a tasty mocha-inspired recharge!
You can get more creative, too, and mix them into your go-to baked treats, from cookies to muffins. If you’re really daring, start sprinkling them on savory dishes. Experiment with them on roasted vegetables or salads to introduce an unexpected burst of flavor!
Conclusion
Chocolate-covered espresso beans are a crunchy, sweet caffeinated treat that delivers a big burst of caffeine with tons of flavor in each bite. They’re a fun snack to have on hand when you’re craving something sweet but a little pick-me-up. Now you know the caffeine content behind chocolate covered espresso beans makes them an excellent pick-me-up! Simply be sure not to go overboard on servings so you don’t overdo it! Whether you pick up a bag from the store or make a DIY batch, they’re an awesome snack. Whatever you decide, they make for a super sharable or solo snack!
If you’re interested in taking a chance, making them at home can be a fun endeavor. They’re easy, and you can make them as sweet as you want them. So dive in, savor the rich taste, but always bite better.
Frequently Asked Questions
The short answer is yes, chocolate-covered espresso beans do contain caffeine. With caffeine sourced from both the coffee bean and the dark chocolate, these chocolate espresso beans serve as a delicious and quick energy booster.
The caffeine content of chocolate covered coffee beans varies by size and type, with a good average being around 6-12 milligrams of caffeine per bean. Notably, dark chocolate espresso beans tend to have a higher caffeine content compared to those covered in milk chocolate.
So, are chocolate-covered espresso beans safe? Consuming these delicious treats in excess can lead to caffeine-related side effects such as jitters or insomnia. It’s wise to limit yourself to just a few dark chocolate espresso beans per day.
They offer the same caffeine kick as a cup of coffee, just in a more concentrated form. A small handful of dark chocolate espresso beans can take the place of a cup of coffee for a quick energy boost.
Excessive consumption of chocolate covered coffee beans and dark chocolate espresso beans can cause adverse effects. You’ll feel jittery, have an increased heart rate, and upset stomach from their high caffeine and sugar levels.
Melt the chocolate varieties (your choice of dark chocolate or milk chocolate), coat the espresso bean pieces, and allow them to set up on parchment paper. Homemade coffee bean treats are healthy, fresh, and more cost-effective.
Yes, dark chocolate varieties contain less sugar and are higher in antioxidants than milk chocolate. Pairing it with chocolate-covered coffee beans creates a delicious, healthy energy-boosting snack.