Coffee Time - Which Coffee Should I Drink At What Time? (2024)

FAQs

At what time should I drink coffee? ›

So, when's the best time to have that cuppa? There's no scientific evidence that supports a “best time.” But a mid- to late-morning cup between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. may help you reap the most coffee benefits. That's when cortisol levels start to dip, and you'll get the biggest bang from the effect of caffeine.

For most people, cortisol levels tend to be highest when they first wake up. Waiting until mid-to-late morning, around 9:30 to 11:30 am, when cortisol levels start to drop, can help you benefit more from the stimulating effects of coffee.

Latte. The latte is known as the classic beverage drunk first in the morning by many and there is good reason for this too. The latte is one of the milkiest coffees that are often paired with dark roasts. A classic latte consists of steamed milk that is added to espresso and can either be served hot or cold.

Generally speaking, the mid-morning is the best time to enjoy a cup of joe (10am-11am). Research indicates that 10am is the optimum coffee-sipping time, which might be a surprise to those who depend on a cup of coffee to get their head off the pillow!

If you want to have a good night's rest, experts suggest you stop drinking caffeine within six to eight hours of your bedtime. So if you typically hit the hay around 10 p.m., you'll want to plan your last cup of coffee between 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

It's best to hold off drinking coffee until mid-morning, a few hours after waking up, when your cortisol levels are lower. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can cause digestive issues and worsen symptoms of IBS. This is because coffee's bitterness can trigger the production of stomach acid.

Overall, lighter roasts generally have less caffeine and more antioxidants than darker roasts. The type of bean can affect the caffeine content, but both Arabica and Robusta beans can give you the full health benefits of coffee.

If you're looking for antioxidants, stick with hot-brewed coffee. It has more because it takes a certain amount of heat to extract antioxidants from the bean. But if it's caffeine you're after, cold brew will give you a stronger jolt. Cold brew is also lower in acid, and a better choice if you have acid reflux.

In general, drinking coffee on an empty stomach shouldn't cause any issues. So if, after making adjustments, a person is still having gastrointestinal discomfort, it may be best to simply avoid coffee altogether, said Jortberg and Allison.

When you wait at least 60-90 minutes after waking up to drink coffee, your body's cortisol levels have time to peak and start to drop. This means that when you do finally sip that delicious coffee, it works in tandem with your body's rhythms rather than against them.

How long should I wait to drink coffee after waking up? ›

Many people -- including, as just one example, Houston wellness dietitian Knubian Gatlin -- suggest waiting. "Although it helps wake us up," Gatlin says, "I often recommend waiting to have your first cup of coffee until about an hour or two after waking up.

“For most people, moderate coffee consumption can be incorporated into a healthy diet.” Hu said that moderate coffee intake—about 2–5 cups a day—is linked to a lower likelihood of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver and endometrial cancers, Parkinson's disease, and depression.

“The best time to drink coffee would typically be mid-to-late morning when your cortisol is a lot lower and you start to feel that energy slump,” she said. “But of course, not too late in the afternoon — as it could affect your sleep.”

The degree and pace of caffeine's effects varies based on a number of unique factors, Stewart says. But as a general rule, “caffeine starts working in as quickly as five minutes,” Largeman-Roth says, with effects typically hitting their peak starting about 45–60 minutes after consumption.