How much caffeine is in Nescafé Espresso Concentrate?

2 tbsp of Nescafé Espresso Concentrate (black) has 80 mg of caffeine.

That's about three quarters of a cup of brewed coffee, and 20% of the 400 mg a day the FDA cites for most healthy adults.

Source: nescafe.com · checked 10 Nov 2026

When did you have it?

Had at 3 pm, about 28 mg is still in you at an 11 pm bedtime. That should not affect most people’s sleep.

Bedtime

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Sizes

Size	Volume	Caffeine	mg per fl oz
2 tbsp, black shown above	1 fl oz (30 ml)	80 mg	80
2 tbsp, flavored	1 fl oz (30 ml)	90 mg	90

Source: nescafe.com · checked 10 Nov 2026

Latest time to drink it

For an 11 pm bedtime, most people should finish 2 tbsp of Nescafé Espresso Concentrate (black) by about 7:05 pm. The table works it out for other bedtimes and for how sensitive you are: it is the latest time to start one so that the caffeine left stays under the line all night.

Bedtime	Very sensitive under 25 mg	Average under 50 mg	Not very sensitive under 100 mg
9 pm	12:05 pm	5:05 pm	Any time
10 pm	1:05 pm	6:05 pm	Any time
11 pm	2:05 pm	7:05 pm	Any time
Midnight	3:05 pm	8:05 pm	Any time
1 am	4:05 pm	9:05 pm	Any time

For 2 tbsp of Nescafé Espresso Concentrate (black), average clearance (half-life 5 h), 8 hours of sleep. "Any time" means even one at bedtime stays under the line.

How long it lasts

The caffeine from 2 tbsp of Nescafé Espresso Concentrate (black) peaks in your blood about 75 minutes after you start it, at roughly 68 mg. Half of it is gone in about 5 hours for an average adult; that ranges from roughly 3 to 7 hours, and longer in pregnancy or with some medicines.

Time after	3 hours	6 hours	9 hours	12 hours
Still in you	56 mg	37 mg	24 mg	16 mg

So one had at 3 pm leaves about 28 mg at 11 pm. How long caffeine lasts explains the curve.

How it compares

Nescafé Espresso Concentrate is stronger than 43% of the 22 coffees made at home we track, by caffeine per serving.

Per fluid ounce (80 mg) it is stronger than 100% of them.

To reach 400 mg in a day you would need about 5 of these.

Less caffeine

Nespresso Original Espresso 50 to 100 mg, 1 espresso
Nespresso Vertuo Espresso 50 to 100 mg, 1 espresso
Iced Coffee 74 mg, 8 fl oz cup

More caffeine

Mocha 82 mg, 8 fl oz cup
Macchiato 85 mg, 1 espresso cup
Cappuccino 86 mg, 8 fl oz cup

FAQ

Is Nescafé Espresso Concentrate high in caffeine?

It is moderate. 2 tbsp of Nescafé Espresso Concentrate (black) has 80 mg, which is 84% of the 95 mg in an 8 fl oz cup of brewed coffee.

How much caffeine is in 2 tbsp, flavored of Nescafé Espresso Concentrate?

2 tbsp of Nescafé Espresso Concentrate (flavored) has 90 mg of caffeine, 10 mg more than 2 tbsp of Nescafé Espresso Concentrate (black).

Can I drink Nescafé Espresso Concentrate at night?

Earlier is better. Had at 7 pm, it leaves about 49 mg in an average adult at an 11 pm bedtime. The latest time for an 11 pm bedtime is about 7:05 pm.

How long does the caffeine in Nescafé Espresso Concentrate last?

It peaks about 75 minutes after you start it. Of the 80 mg, about 37 mg is still in you 6 hours later and 16 mg after 12 hours, for an average adult with a 5-hour half-life.

Does Nescafé Espresso Concentrate have more caffeine than Red Bull?

About the same. 2 tbsp of Nescafé Espresso Concentrate (black) has 80 mg; an 8.4 fl oz can of Red Bull has 80 mg.

Method and limits

The caffeine figure comes from nescafe.com; recipes, brewing and batches vary, so a real serving can differ. The curves use a standard one-compartment model with an average 5-hour half-life and a sleep-friendly line of 50 mg; your own body may clear caffeine faster or slower. How it works has the details.

These are estimates for information, not medical advice.