Wondering what the best coffee to drink in the morning is? Let’s see what the coffee community had to say. We ran an online survey to find out which type of coffee was the most popular morning drink.
Based on the results of a survey of over ten thousand people, espresso is the best coffee to drink in the morning. It has caffeine levels similar to a full cup of coffee but is consumed in much smaller volumes, which helps avoid bloating.
Espresso has bold flavors matched with delightful crema, which make the drink smooth and creamy. Certainly a fantastic choice for your wake-up call.
Drip coffee, also known as automatic filtered coffee, came in second place. Convenience is the reason why drip coffee is so popular, especially for a morning cup of joe.
Check the survey below to find out where your favorite way of brewing your morning coffee landed.
What is the Best Coffee to Have in the Morning? Survey Results
We asked over ten thousand people what they thought was the best coffee to drink in the morning, and here are the results.
- Espresso (Single, Double Shot of Espresso) 24%
- Drip Coffee (Automatic Coffee Machine) 20%
- Manually Brewed (French Press, Pour-Over) 16%
- Pod (Keurig, Nespresso) 15%
- Cappuccino 12%
- Latte 4%
- Instant 4%
- Other (Cold-Brew, Iced-Coffee) 5%
This was an open online survey with participants from the United States and Canada.
Clearly, most people like to have an espresso or drip coffee as their first-morning pick-me-up.
Not too far behind were the manual coffee brewing methods such as the French press and pour-over, followed by one-touch coffee machines that use pods.
Out of the remaining options, the popularity of a cappuccino might be a bit of a surprise. Although, all milk-based coffee drinks like cappuccinos, lattes, and flat whites are common morning coffee drinks in Europe.
It’s worth knowing that most milk-based espresso drinks are heavier on the stomach and are often more enjoyable in the morning rather than after a meal.
We grouped all the small volume answers such as cold-brew, iced-coffee, americano, and Turkish coffee into one category called other.
Now, let’s see which of these types of coffee has the most caffeine.
Caffeine Content Compared
Knowing which coffee was the most popular was a great start. We wanted to compare the caffeine levels of each result to get more information.
The numbers you see above are provided by caffeine informer and represent an average of hundreds of different types of beans tested.
It’s important to remember that the caffeine content of any coffee is impacted by the origin of the coffee beans, the degree of the roast, and the brewing technique.
Now, notice how espresso only has half of the caffeine of a cup of coffee? That’s because an average shot of espresso is only 1.5 ounces. That’s only about 3 sips of coffee.
Does that make espresso stronger than drip coffee? Not necessarily. A full serving of black coffee, regardless of how it was prepared, has more caffeine than a single shot of espresso.
So, if espresso isn’t stronger than drip coffee, why did so many people say it is the best coffee to drink in the morning? Let’s find out!
Reasons Why Espresso is the Best Coffee to Drink in the Morning
First and foremost, espresso is the best coffee to drink in the morning because of its incredibly unique quality.
The flavor, texture, and aroma of a shot of espresso are perfect for individuals who’d rather start their day with quality over convenience.
To learn more about the coffee or how to make a perfect espresso, tap the icon or the link below.
Benefits
- Quality coffee
- Potent caffeine content
- Avoid bloatedness
- Mix with milk for latte or cappuccino
Drawbacks
- Takes effort to make
- Only makes 1 or 2 portions at a time
The obvious drawback of having espresso as your morning coffee is the labor it takes to pull a shot. Unlike most coffee machines, which you can set and forget, you need to be present in the espresso-making process.
The positive spin on making espresso at home is that it usually takes 20-30 seconds to pull a shot. That’s a lot faster than the 3-5 minutes it takes for a coffee machine to brew a pot of coffee.
If you’re ready to start your espresso journey or want to learn more about your favorite coffee, take a look at my guide to the perfect espresso.
After years of experimenting with different beans and espresso machines, I put together a list of the best equipment and coffee beans you need to know about to make great espresso at home!
Reasons Why Drip/Filtered is the Best Coffee to Drink in the Morning
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the reason so many people choose drip/filtered, or automatic coffee, as their morning drink is due to the convenience of brewing a relatively good cup of joe with a push of a button.
Automatic coffee machines are a staple in every household on our continent, maybe even the world. Is a house really a home without a coffee machine?
Other than convenience, drip coffee offers the most variety as you can brew any coffee beans in a coffee machine.
Benefits
- Convenience
- Variety
- Brew a whole pot instead of single portions
Drawbacks
- Lower quality results
- Generic coffee
A drip coffee maker is perfect for households that need to brew more than one cup of coffee at a time.
You are sacrificing a bit of quality and a whole lot of personality when you choose to use a coffee machine to make your morning cup of joe.
If you want to learn more about filtered coffee and how it compares to other brewing methods, take a look at my page dedicated to drip coffee makers.
Reasons Why Pour-Over/Pressed is the Best Coffee to Drink in the Morning
The main reason some people choose to spend around 5 minutes at the start of their day brewing a cup of coffee is that manual brewers make uniquely personalized.
When making a cup of joe with a pour-over or a French press you’re in control of the grind size, the temperature of the water, the duration of the brewing process, and a few other variables that go into making a coffee completely personalized to your liking.
Benefits
- High-quality coffee
- Personalized
- Full control over brewing variables
Drawbacks
- Takes longer than most brewing techniques
- Tricky for beginners
If you’re wondering how coffee made with a French press compares to filtred coffee, or if you’re interested in trying the brewing technique yourself, you’ll find all the information you need about the French press here.
Another common way of making coffee manually requires a pour-over. It makes coffee that’s vibrant and smooth. The main difference between the two manual coffee makers is the need for a paper filter when using a pour-over.
Summary
By now, you should have an idea of what the best morning coffee is and why.
Clearly, most people who took part in the survey value the quality of coffee even when a lot of individuals made a strong case in the importance of a convenient experience, especially in the mornings.
If you’re tired of the generic cup of joe from your coffee machine, I suggest you give espresso a shot! On the other hand, if you want to take a break from brewing coffee manually, consider other options such as cold-brew or good old drip coffee!
Related Questions
Should You Drink Coffee First Thing in the Morning?
University researchers suggest that the best time to drink coffee is after 10 a.m. for morning coffee lovers and after 2 p.m. for everyone who needs a pick me up after lunch.
If you want to know more about the subject, take a look at my article about the best time for a cup of coffee.
Which Has More Caffeine Coffee or Tea?
Statistically, tea leaves contain 3.5% caffeine, while coffee beans have 1.1–2.2%. However, the coffee brewing process uses hotter water, which extracts more of the caffeine from the beans, meaning coffee has more caffeine than tea.
Here is a whole article dedicated to which has more caffeine and why!
I’ve always seen coffee as a way of bringing people together. Everywhere I go people seem to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and that’s what drives my passion. There’s always a new brew to master, and there’s always a new face to enjoy it with. Hitch a ride with me on a coffee-fueled adventure to find a perfect cup.
