How Many Calories Are in a Cup of Coffee?

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. And precisely because many people enjoy several cups of their favorite aromatic brew every day, those who want to watch their weight, are justified in asking, “How many calories does a cup of coffee actually have?”

It's an interesting question that's not as straightforward to answer as you might think – because coffee has several “faces.”  We aim to shed light on whether the cult drink is really suitable for those, who are watching their weight, and to flag where potential pitfalls lie.

Coffee: Loaded With Calories or Zero Calories?

Whether a cup of coffee will help you lose weight or is a real calorie trap depends a great deal on HOW you take your brew. If you enjoy it black, without milk and sugar or other little extras, you're only looking at about two Kcal per 100 ml. Therefore, you have no caloric consequences to worry about.

So, to answer the question: “How many calories are in a cup of coffee?” we need to take a detailed look at the different types of coffee – and their caloric values.

An Overview of the Calorie Traps When Drinking Coffee

When drinking coffee, it's important to be aware of the potential calorie traps. Many people neglect the calorie count of a single cup when trying to reduce their daily caloric intake. After all, it's only a small amount, right?

Yes and no – as a single cup can contain more calories than you might think. As mentioned at the beginning, a cup of coffee, without milk and sugar, has two calories. So far, so good!

However, if you sweeten your coffee, each teaspoon of sugar contains 16 calories. Steamed milk weighs in at 18 calories per 100 ml. And if you add cream or more milk, you can quickly turn your favorite drink into a real caloric bombshell.

Although these caloric values don't seem particularly high at the first glance, they can add up eventually – especially if you drink several cups a day.

Be Wary of Trendy Coffee Drinks

In all honesty – drinking only black coffee every day is hard for many people. After all, the creamy, sweet coffee specialties really tickle the taste buds. Therefore, we took a long, hard look at some of the trendy and popular coffee drinks. Here are the results at a glance:

How Many Calories Are in a Cappuccino?

The caloric content of a cappuccino depends on the amount of milk added: while a cappuccino with low-fat milk contains around 48 per 100 ml, the full-fat variety already contains 64 per 100 ml. Bear in mind that a typical cup holds around 150 ml to 200 ml! Anyone who indulges in a cappuccino numerous times a day, consumes hundreds of extra calories almost without noticing. If no measures are taken to reduce the caloric intake, this can eventually result in a muffin top.

How Many Calories Are in a Latte?

Latte macchiato – the mere word conjures up connotations of vacations, indulgence, and the life of luxury, doesn't it? But the drink itself contains 64 calories per 100 ml – even more, of course, if you treat yourself to the occasional splash of hazelnut or caramel syrup.

How Many Calories Are in an Espresso Shot?

A simple espresso has around two calories – after all, it's simply a strong, black coffee (unless you add milk or sugar!).

How Many Calories Are in a “Frappuccino”?

Frappuccinos are creamy blended coffees that are normally consumed in coffee shops. If you're looking for a calorie traps here, you're sure to strike gold!

That's because Frappuccinos usually contain not only milk, sugar and syrup, but also impressive dollops of cream on top, which transform a simple cup of coffee into a drinkable dessert. And while we're on the subject of dessert – quite a few people like to add a scoop of ice cream to the popular drink.

This, of course, has an impact on the caloric balance. Blended Coffees can contain as much as:

Caramel Café Latte without cream (depending on the size) – approximately 130 calories.

Mocha Frappuccino with cream (depending on the size) – 298 to 407 calories

Café Mocha with cream (depending on the size) – 180 to 405 calories

Sad but true: Frappuccinos and blended coffees are absolutely loaded with calories.

As is apparent, figure-conscious people shouldn't reach for these – admittedly tasty – “naughty” drinks too often. The good news, however, is that you don't have to give up delicious coffee drinks. After all, there are many tricks to make even low-calorie coffee variations a real treat.

Tips and Tricks To Reduce Calories When Drinking Coffee

If you are now convinced that you won't be able to drink anything but espresso for the rest of your life, you are mistaken. Thank God! As it turns out, even small changes can make a big difference.

The first thing to do is take a look at the milk component in your favorite brew – and consider whether a lower-calorie option might be feasible. How about almond milk, for example? It contains only 13 calories per 100 ml, and tastes delicious in coffee drinks. It's safe to say that it varies considerably, how many high the caloric value of a cup of coffee actually is.

Sweet Does Not Necessarily Mean Sugar

In the next step, we'll look at the addition of sugar.  Would you consider dispensing with highly concentrated, refined sugars and use maple or date syrup instead?

If you want to save even more calories, you can try birch sugar (xylitol) or the sugar substitute erythritol, to name but a few. In contrast to many other sugar substitutes, erythritol does not cause elevated blood sugar levels (and thus potentially also cravings), but keeps your blood sugar levels balanced.

By the way, erythritol is a natural, low-calorie, sweetener, similar to carbohydrates, which is contained in certain fruits and vegetables. It is sometimes referred to as erythrulose or sucrose analog. Unlike other sweeteners, it is also completely calorie-free and is very popular with diabetics.

Coffee That Doesn't Need Milk

If you really want to save calories, it's best to start with the right basis: the optimal variety! After all, there are coffee varieties that are so mild, they can be enjoyed completely without sugar, cream, milk, or syrup. A fruity variant with a medium to light body is ideal for this purpose.

Which Coffee Tastes Particularly Good Black and Unadulterated?

If you would like to have a more “pure” cup in future, you should pay close attention to the body of the coffee variety, as already mentioned above. Think of it as being similar to wine. So, it's all about the bouquet and the “mouthfeel".

How this body comes into play also depends on the method of preparation and especially the method of roasting. We believe that our Limu coffee lends itself perfectly to being consumed black.

Our encounter with this coffee led us to found Coffee Annan. It is particularly sought after because, despite its pleasant soft and floral notes, it also offers a full-bodied flavor explosion.

In addition, our Limu features aromatic jasmine and bergamot as well as stone fruit flavors: a culinary experience that true fans should not miss out on!

By the way, our coffee beans are roasted directly in their country of origin, which is a big advantage not only within regard to sustainability.

Coffee Without a Guilty Conscience

Speaking of a guilty conscience in terms of calories – there are a few other factors in coffee production that can definitely cause concern. One of these is fair payment for coffee producers.

Coffee is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, and its production is one of the most important economic sectors in many countries. However, the production of the beans is not only crucial for consumers, but also for producers. It is up to each individual company to ensure that the producers are treated fairly.

More Than Just “Fair” Coffee!

Genuine fairness begins with a commitment to adequate compensation for coffee harvests. Unfortunately, many farmers often receive very low payments for their harvest. And that's something that we desperately wish to change.

At Coffee Annan, this essential mission – as well as producing delicious coffee products – is a matter that is very close to our hearts. With our specialty coffees, we ensure that the majority of the profits remain in the country of origin, thus laying the foundation for an economically stable future.

Delicious coffee with all partners on an equal footing – this is what Coffee Annan stands for!

Would you like to know more about our exciting projects? Then take a look at our website – and see for yourself.

Conclusion

How many calories are in a cup of coffee? As many as you allow, or wish. After all, there's nothing wrong with a little sweet and creamy “coffee treat” every now and again.

However, with a few minor adjustments, you can also make your own Frappucinos and blended coffees that are lower in calories but equally delicious in taste.

Therefore, it's entirely up to you, how many calories are in your coffee. But if you go for delicious, fruity and light varieties like Limu, you can certainly forego milk, sugar, and cream more often!

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