Cha Chaan Teng Coffee Contains More Caffeine

In Hong Kong, millions start their day with a strong cup of coffee from a local cha chaan teng—but how much caffeine are they really drinking? A joint study by the Consumer Council and the Centre for Food Safety reveals that your neighborhood diner’s brew may deliver a much stronger jolt than you expect.

The key finding: tea restaurant coffee contains significantly more caffeine per cup than coffee from specialty shops. Five samples from cha chaan tengs contained over 300mg of caffeine in a single serving—more than the daily recommended limit for pregnant women.

What the Testing Found

Researchers tested 80 coffee and milk tea samples from various types of restaurants across Hong Kong. The results showed clear differences in caffeine content based on where the drinks were purchased. On average, tea restaurant coffee had markedly higher caffeine levels compared to coffee from specialty cafes.

Of particular concern, five individual tea restaurant coffee samples were found to contain more than 300mg of caffeine per cup. For context, health authorities recommend that pregnant and breastfeeding individuals limit their daily caffeine intake to between 200–300mg to avoid potential risks to infant development.

Caffeine in Milk Teas

The study also looked at milk teas. Thirty tea restaurant milk tea samples averaged 170mg of caffeine per cup. Taiwanese-style milk teas, while generally lower, still averaged 130mg of caffeine per serving. These figures show that both coffee and milk tea from these venues can contribute substantial caffeine to your daily intake.

Why Caffeine Levels Vary

Although the report does not detail specific brewing methods or bean origins used in each establishment, the significant difference in caffeine content likely stems from variations in brew strength, portion size, and preparation techniques. Tea restaurants often use stronger, more concentrated brews to cater to local taste preferences, which can result in higher caffeine levels per cup.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much caffeine is in a typical cha chaan teng coffee?

The study found that tea restaurant coffee generally has higher caffeine content than coffee from specialty shops. Specifically, five samples exceeded 300mg of caffeine per cup, though the exact average across all tea restaurant coffee samples was not disclosed in the article.

Is 300mg of caffeine a lot?

Yes. Health guidelines state that pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should limit daily caffeine intake to 200–300mg. Drinking just one cup of the highest-tested cha chaan teng coffee would reach or exceed that limit.

What about milk tea caffeine levels?

The average caffeine content in 30 tea restaurant milk tea samples was 170mg per cup. Taiwanese-style milk tea averaged 130mg per cup. Both are significant sources of caffeine.

Are coffee shop drinks safer during pregnancy?

Coffee from specialty shops had lower caffeine levels in the test, but any caffeinated drink should be consumed with awareness of daily limits—especially for pregnant or breastfeeding people.

Why do cha chaan teng coffees have more caffeine?

The report does not specify exact reasons, but differences likely come from stronger brews, larger serving sizes, or different preparation methods commonly used in cha chaan tengs to meet local preferences for bold flavor.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Strong Brews

For those who enjoy bold, high-caffeine coffee similar to traditional cha chaan teng brews, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend for a balanced yet robust profile with chocolate and caramel notes, or the Black Cocoa Blend for deeper, darker tones with hints of cocoa and roasted nuts. Both are well-suited for strong, everyday coffee. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.