Debunking 3 Common Coffee Myths

How Much Do You Really Know About Your Coffee?

Coffee. One of the most widely consumed beverages in the world with the average American drinking about “3 cups per day,” according to the National Coffee Association (2025). It gives those a much-needed boost to start their day or stay awake at night. With a range of flavor profiles, roasting options, and brewing styles, consumers have a variety of combinations to choose from before they land on their favorite cup. However, how much do coffee consumers actually know about the dark liquid swirling in their mugs? Here are 3 common misconceptions about coffee:

Myth 1: Dark roasted coffee has more caffeine than other roasts.

Dark roasted coffee typically creates a richer, more intense flavor. For those who prefer chocolatey, nutty, or even smokey notes in their coffee, dark roasted coffee is probably their drink of choice. Yet, some consumers may drink dark roasted coffee after their belief that “the bold flavor equates to an increase in caffeine.” This is not true. In fact, lighter roasted coffees may tend to have slightly more caffeine after the roasting process.

During the roasting process, the green coffee, or unroasted, raw coffee beans, is roasted at high temperatures, extracting moisture and causing the beans to become less dense. Since dark roasted coffee is exposed to the heat for a prolonged period, they “expand more and become more porous,” whereas “light roasts retain more density and moisture” (Cho, 2024). Hence, dark roast coffee has slightly less caffeine than light roast coffee when measured by volume rather than weight. Flavor has nothing to do with the level of caffeine—caffeine is dependent on the roasting process impacting the volume of the beans.

Myth 2: “Espresso” is only a brewing method.

WRONG. Espresso is not only the highly concentrated shot you use in various drinks, like lattes and americanos, but it is also a roasting style. In line with light, medium, and dark roasts, another roast is “espresso.” Typically a medium to dark roast, this style enhances specific types of coffees to prepare them for espresso and espresso-based drinks. According to Corner Coffee Store, “In a nutshell, espresso roasts are more roasted than normal coffee beans to reduce the acid in the beans and increase the body of the coffee" (MacDonnell, 2025).

Myth 3: It is best to brush your teeth DIRECTLY after drinking coffee.

With its acidic nature, it is recommended for coffee drinkers to brush their teeth to prevent staining; however, brushing directly after drinking a steaming cup of coffee is more harmful to your teeth. According to Alma Dental Care, “If you brush your teeth right after drinking coffee, you can wear down your tooth enamel and increase your cavity risk” due to the drink’s acidity (2023). The source suggests coffee drinkers to simply rinse their mouths with water and wait about 30 to 60 minutes before brushing their teeth. This way, their saliva has a chance to rebalance the acidity. Otherwise, coffee drinkers may consider brushing their teeth before drinking coffee to eliminate any plaque the dark liquid can latch onto (Corner Coffee Store, 2025).