Cocoa Powder > Composition > Caffeine & TheobromineCaffeine & Theobromine
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant naturally found in cocoa beans as well as in coffee beans and tea. The amount of caffeine present 
in chocolate and cocoa-based products differs depending on the type and amount of chocolate ingredients. Cocoa powder contains the highest amount of caffeine followed by unsweetened baking chocolate. Dark chocolates will vary considerably in the amount of caffeine. Most people are surprised to find out that milk chocolate contains relatively low amounts of caffeine. For example, a 1.55 ounce HERSHEY’S milk chocolate bar contains about 9 mg of caffeine – the amount of caffeine in about 3 cups of decaffeinated coffee. A serving of HERSHEY’S chocolate syrup contains about 5 mg of caffeine. These amounts are much less than the amount of caffeine typically found in most coffee, tea, and cola beverages.
Theobromine
The cocoa bean is nature’s most concentrated source of theobromine, a compound closely related to caffeine. But unlike caffeine, 
theobromine has only a mild stimulatory effect on the central nervous system, but it has a slight diuretic action similar to caffeine. Preliminary research suggests that theobromine may even act as a cough suppressant, although the level tested was much higher than what is found in a typical dark chocolate.[1]
Due to its natural occurrence in cocoa beans, theobromine is also a component of all chocolate products, though the amount will vary depending on how much and which ingredients are used. Dark chocolates, unsweetened baking chocolate, and cocoa powder contain more theobromine than milk chocolates and chocolate syrups. For example, a 1.55 ounce (43 g) HERSHEY’S milk chocolate bar contains about 64 mg of theobromine. In comparison, the same weight of HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK chocolate contains about 176 mg of theobromine.
Caffeine and Theobromine Content of HERSHEY’S Products
| Product | Serving (g) | Caffeine (mg) a | Theobromine (mg) a |
| DAGOBA Organic Dark 59% Semisweet Chocolate | ½ bar (40 g) | 25 | 216 |
| DAGOBA Organic Milk Chocolate (37% Cacao) | ½ bar (40 g) | 9 | 53 |
| HERSHEY’S Cocoa | 1 tbsp (5 g) | 8 | 100 |
| HERSHEY’S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates | 9 pieces (41 g) | 9 | 61 |
| HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate | 1.55 oz (43 g) | 9 | 64 |
| HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Bar with Almonds | 1.45 oz (41 g) | 7 | 50 |
| HERSHEY’S Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips | 1 tbsp (15 g) | 7 | 55 |
| HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa | 1 tbsp (5 g) | 8 | 96 |
| HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Mildly Sweet Chocolate Chips | 1 tbsp (15 g) | 7 | 65 |
| HERSHEY’S Syrup | 2 tbsp (39 g) | 5 | 64 |
| HERSHEY’S Unsweetened Chocolate Baking Bar | 1 block (14 g) | 17 | 157 |
| REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups | 2 cups (42 g) | 4 | 26 |
| REESE’S PIECES Candy | 51 pieces (40 g) | 0 | 0 |
| SCHARFFEN BERGER 41% Cacao Milk Chocolate | ½ bar (43 g) | 17 | 139 |
| SCHARFFEN BERGER 62% Cacao Semisweet Chocolate | ½ bar (43 g) | 30 | 252 |
| SCHARFFEN BERGER 82% Cacao Extra Dark Chocolate | ½ bar (43 g) | 42 | 367 |
| SPECIAL DARK Mildy Sweet Chocolate | 1.45 oz (41 g) | 20 | 176 |
a The amount of caffeine and theobromine will vary naturally due to growing conditions and cocoa bean sources and variety.
Caffeine Content of Beverages
| Source | Serving | Caffeine (mg)a |
| Coffee | | |
| Brewed, Drip Method | 1 cup (240 mL) | 65-120 |
| Instant | 1 cup (240 mL) | 60-85 |
| Decaffeinated | 1 cup (240 mL) | 2-4 |
| Teas | | |
| Brewed, includes major U.S. brands | 1 cup (240 mL) | 20-90 |
| Instant | 1 cup (240 mL) | 24-31 |
| Iced | 1 cup (240 mL) | 9-50 |
| Some soft drinks | 1 cup (240 mL) | 20-40 |
aInternational Food Information Council
For more information on theobromine and your pets: Your Pets and Candy
Reference List
[1] Usmani OS, Belvisi MG, Patel HJ, Crispino N, Birrell MA, Korbonits M, Korbonits D, Barnes PJ. Theobromine inhibits sensory nerve activation and cough. FASEB J 2005;19(2):231-3.