How many shots of espresso are in Café Bustelo?

January 5, 2026 •

4 min read

A standard single shot of true espresso contains 60–80mg of caffeine. The answer to how many shots of espresso are in Café Bustelo is not straightforward, as it depends on the product and brewing method, but it is generally comparable to or stronger than a standard single shot.

Quick Summary

A guide clarifying the caffeine comparison between Café Bustelo and standard espresso shots. It explains the influence of various products and brewing techniques on the final strength and equivalency.

Key Points

Espresso-Style vs. True Espresso: Café Bustelo is 'espresso-style' coffee, finely ground and dark roasted, but not a true high-pressure espresso brewed by a machine.
Instant Bustelo Caffeine: One teaspoon of Instant Bustelo contains 60-90mg of caffeine, roughly equivalent to a single shot of true espresso.
Ground Bustelo Caffeine: A standard 12oz cup brewed from ground Bustelo has about 150mg of caffeine, or roughly two standard espresso shots.
Pods Caffeine: K-Cup pods from Café Bustelo can contain 100-150mg of caffeine per pod, comparable to 1.5 to 2 standard espresso shots.
Brewing Method Matters: The final caffeine strength depends significantly on the brewing method, with moka pots or higher ratios yielding stronger results.
Bean Blend: The standard dark roast Bustelo includes Robusta beans, which contributes to its higher caffeine content compared to 100% Arabica blends.
Final Beverage: The equivalent 'shot' count should consider the full volume of the final brewed beverage, not just the concentration of a single serving size.

Espresso-Style vs. True Espresso: The Crucial Distinction

Before delving into the caffeine content, it's essential to understand the difference between true espresso and "espresso-style" coffee like Café Bustelo. True espresso is a specific brewing method that forces hot, pressurized water through a finely-tamped bed of finely-ground coffee. This process extracts highly concentrated coffee, resulting in a small, intense shot topped with a reddish-brown foam known as crema. This requires a dedicated espresso machine capable of generating nine or more bars of pressure.

Café Bustelo, on the other hand, sells coffee that is dark-roasted and finely ground, which they market as "espresso-style". This fine grind makes it ideal for traditional Latin American brewing methods, most notably the stovetop moka pot. While a moka pot creates a very strong, concentrated brew, it does not use the same high-pressure technique as a true espresso machine. Therefore, while it produces a bold, rich coffee, it is not a technical espresso. The resulting coffee is often the base for drinks like the traditional Cuban cafecito.

The Caffeine Breakdown: By Product and Brew Method

The caffeine content of Café Bustelo is not a single number, as it varies depending on the specific product (ground, instant, pods) and how you prepare it. Here's a look at the approximate caffeine levels and their equivalent to a standard 60-80mg espresso shot.

Café Bustelo Ground Coffee

The most popular product, the ground dark roast, is often brewed in a traditional drip coffee maker or a moka pot. When brewed as a full cup of coffee (for example, a 12oz serving), it can pack a significant punch. According to one analysis, a 12oz cup of Café Bustelo can contain around 150mg of caffeine. This makes a single 12oz cup roughly equivalent to about two standard shots of true espresso.

Café Bustelo Instant Espresso

This product is designed for quick, on-the-go preparation. The company and user reports indicate that one teaspoon of Café Bustelo Instant Espresso contains approximately 60-90mg of caffeine. This means a single teaspoon serving is very close to, or even on the high end of, a true single shot of espresso.

Café Bustelo K-Cup Pods

For users of Keurig machines, Café Bustelo offers K-Cup pods. Caffeine content for these pods is reported to be between 100-150mg per pod. This places a single pod somewhere between 1.5 and 2 standard shots of true espresso.

Brewing Method's Impact on Caffeine Extraction

The final strength of your cup isn't just about the product; the brewing method plays a crucial role. Caffeine is highly soluble in hot water, and the extraction rate is affected by time, temperature, and pressure.

Moka Pot: The pressure from the boiling water produces a highly concentrated coffee. The strength is maximized in this method, and the result is the closest you can get to a traditional espresso experience without a high-end machine.
Drip Coffee Maker: While easy and convenient, this method typically produces a less concentrated, larger volume of coffee. Even though the overall caffeine content per cup is high, it's dispersed over more liquid.
Espresso Machine: While you technically can use Café Bustelo in an espresso machine, it's not always recommended. The grind size is often not fine enough for the high-pressure extraction of a machine, which can lead to a less than ideal shot.

Caffeine Comparison: Bustelo vs. True Espresso Shots


Product	Serving Size	Approx. Caffeine (mg)	Equivalent Standard Espresso Shots (approx.)
Café Bustelo Instant	1 tsp	60-90 mg	1 shot
Café Bustelo Ground	12 fl oz cup	~150 mg	2 shots
Café Bustelo K-Cup	1 pod	100-150 mg	1.5 to 2 shots
True Espresso (Single Shot)	1 fl oz shot	60-80 mg	1 shot

Brewing for Maximum Impact: Tips for a Stronger Cup

To get the most out of your Café Bustelo and maximize its strength, consider these tips:

Use a Moka Pot: For the richest, most concentrated brew, use a stovetop moka pot. Don't tamp the grounds; just fill the basket to the top.
Prepare a Cafecito: To replicate the classic Cuban coffee, whip a small amount of the initial brew with sugar to create a foam (espuma), then add the rest of the coffee. This creates an incredibly rich and intense drink.
Control Your Ratio: When using a drip machine, experiment with a higher coffee-to-water ratio. For instance, use slightly more coffee grounds than the manufacturer's suggestion to increase strength.
Choose the Right Grind: The fine grind of Café Bustelo is designed to maximize flavor extraction in methods like the moka pot, so using a different grind size will alter the final product.
Know Your Beans: Remember that the standard yellow and red can blend contains robusta beans, naturally higher in caffeine than the 100% arabica Supreme version.

Conclusion

In summary, while Café Bustelo does not create true espresso from a technical brewing standpoint, its caffeine content is highly comparable. For instant coffee users, one teaspoon provides the kick of a single espresso shot, while a brewed 12oz cup of the ground coffee delivers the equivalent caffeine of two shots. The final strength is heavily influenced by the brewing method, with moka pots providing the most concentrated flavor and caffeine. Ultimately, Café Bustelo offers a strong, affordable, and versatile alternative for those who love bold coffee without needing a high-end espresso machine. For more detailed information on coffee standards and practices, consider visiting the National Coffee Association website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, true espresso is a specific high-pressure brewing method using an espresso machine. Café Bustelo is an 'espresso-style' coffee, referring to its dark roast and fine grind, not the brewing technique.

A standard 12oz cup brewed from Café Bustelo ground coffee typically contains about 150mg of caffeine, which is roughly equivalent to two standard espresso shots.

One teaspoon of instant Café Bustelo has approximately 60-90mg of caffeine, which is roughly equivalent to a single shot of standard espresso.

Brewing in a moka pot or using a higher coffee-to-water ratio in a drip machine will produce a stronger, richer cup.

Yes, the very fine grind is designed for concentrated brewing in a moka pot, but it can cause problems in high-pressure espresso machines.

Its strength comes from a combination of a dark roast and the inclusion of Robusta beans in its blend, which have a naturally higher caffeine content than Arabica beans.

The standard blend contains Robusta beans for a bolder flavor and more caffeine, while the "Supreme" version is 100% Arabica, offering a smoother taste with slightly less caffeine.

While marketed as espresso-style, it is pre-ground for methods like the moka pot and drip coffee. The grind is typically not fine enough for a true espresso machine and may not produce an ideal shot.