Source-backed comparison
Costa vs Starbucks Latte Caffeine: UK Comparison
Compare the published UK caffeine figures for a Costa Medium Signature Blend Latte and Starbucks Grande Caffè Latte with source provenance.
Dated Costa reference: the recorded guide covers 30 April–26 August 2026. A newer recipe has not been verified; confirm the current menu before relying on an exact amount.
Dated Starbucks UK reference: these records use the Spring 2026 guide. Newer seasonal guides are available; current recipes have not yet been reconciled with this snapshot.
| Measure | Costa Signature Blend Latte | Starbucks UK Caffè Latte |
|---|---|---|
| Named serving | Medium | Grande |
| Market | UK | UK |
| Caffeine per serving | 200 mg | 89.1 mg |
| Caffeine per 100 ml | Not available from source | Not available from source |
| Value basis | Calculated from manufacturer table | Manufacturer listed |
| Estimated after 5 hours | 100 mg | 44.5 mg |
| Absolute difference | 110.9 mg | 110.9 mg |
| Difference vs lower serving | 124.5% | 124.5% |
How to interpret the comparison
- Costa’s Medium Latte estimate is 200 mg, derived by combining its published two-shot recipe with its published two-shot caffeine value.
- Starbucks UK directly lists 89.1 mg for its standard Grande Caffè Latte.
- The named sizes are not asserted to have equal volumes. This is a standard-menu serving comparison, not a concentration comparison.
Guide updated 2026-09-24
Compare coffee orders, not chain names
The short answer
There is no single caffeine value for a coffee chain. Choose the recipe, market and serving before comparing two orders.
Dated Costa reference: the recorded guide covers 30 April–26 August 2026. A newer recipe has not been verified; confirm the current menu before relying on an exact amount.
Dated Starbucks UK reference: these records use the Spring 2026 guide. Newer seasonal guides are available; current recipes have not yet been reconciled with this snapshot.
Inspect the documented servings
These values come from the linked catalogue records. A source-backed record is not a measurement of your drink or a guarantee of a current recipe.
| Drink / market | Serving | Caffeine | Per 100 ml | Evidence / action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Signature Blend LatteUK | Small, drink in | 100 mg | Not documented | Calculated from manufacturer tableVerified source record · Reviewed 2026-08-23Use this dose · Compare |
| Costa Signature Blend LatteUK | Small, takeaway | 200 mg | Not documented | Calculated from manufacturer tableVerified source record · Reviewed 2026-08-23Use this dose · Compare |
| Costa Signature Blend LatteUK | Medium | 200 mg | Not documented | Calculated from manufacturer tableVerified source record · Reviewed 2026-08-23Use this dose · Compare |
| Costa Signature Blend LatteUK | Large | 325 mg | Not documented | Calculated from manufacturer tableVerified source record · Reviewed 2026-08-23Use this dose · Compare |
| Starbucks UK Caffè LatteUK | Short | 44.6 mg | Not documented | Manufacturer listedVerified source record · Reviewed 2026-08-23Use this dose · Compare |
| Starbucks UK Caffè LatteUK | Tall | 89.1 mg | Not documented | Manufacturer listedVerified source record · Reviewed 2026-08-23Use this dose · Compare |
| Starbucks UK Caffè LatteUK | Grande | 89.1 mg | Not documented | Manufacturer listedVerified source record · Reviewed 2026-08-23Use this dose · Compare |
| Starbucks UK Caffè LatteUK | Venti | 133.7 mg | Not documented | Manufacturer listedVerified source record · Reviewed 2026-08-23Use this dose · Compare |
| Costa Signature Blend espressoUK | 1 shot | 100 mg | Not documented | Manufacturer listedVerified source record · Reviewed 2026-08-23Use this dose · Compare |
| Costa Signature Blend espressoUK | 2 shots | 200 mg | Not documented | Manufacturer listedVerified source record · Reviewed 2026-08-23Use this dose · Compare |
| Costa Signature Blend espressoUK | 3 shots | 325 mg | Not documented | Manufacturer listedVerified source record · Reviewed 2026-08-23Use this dose · Compare |
| Costa Signature Blend espressoUK | 4 shots | 400 mg | Not documented | Manufacturer listedVerified source record · Reviewed 2026-08-23Use this dose · Compare |
| Starbucks UK EspressoUK | Single | 44.6 mg | Not documented | Manufacturer listedVerified source record · Reviewed 2026-08-23Use this dose · Compare |
| Starbucks UK EspressoUK | Doppio | 89.1 mg | Not documented | Manufacturer listedVerified source record · Reviewed 2026-08-23Use this dose · Compare |
Bars use the selected measure; numbers remain visible in both units. No bar is drawn for an undocumented concentration. Per 100 ml = serving caffeine × 100 ÷ documented volume.
Equal names are not equal portions
Medium and Grande are brand-specific size names. Where the source does not document millilitres, no concentration comparison is invented. The table compares the actual recorded serving, not an assumed equal cup.
Separate listed and calculated figures
Starbucks records transcribe named UK recipe values. Some Costa records combine its shot-count and caffeine tables. Both can be useful, but a calculation should remain labelled as a calculation. Source dates below are not refreshed merely because this explanation was updated.
Sources and scope
- Costa Coffee UK store guideGuide applies 30 April–26 August 2026. Source reviewed 2026-08-23.
- Starbucks UK Nutrition & Allergen GuideCore beverage guide version 16 April 2026; Espresso table. Milk substitutions and other customisations can change the finished drink. Source reviewed 2026-08-23.
Educational information, not medical advice. Published, calculated and approximate values have different limits. Check the current product label or recipe when an exact amount matters.
Calculated five-hour timeline
This table applies the same exponential half-life equation to both starting amounts. It does not show measured blood levels or predict which drink will affect a particular person more.
| Hours after serving | Costa Signature Blend Latte | Starbucks UK Caffè Latte |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 200 mg | 89.1 mg |
| 3 | 132.0 mg | 58.8 mg |
| 5 | 100 mg | 44.5 mg |
| 8 | 66.0 mg | 29.4 mg |
| 10 | 50 mg | 22.3 mg |
| 12 | 37.9 mg | 16.9 mg |
Sources
- Costa Coffee UK store guideGuide applies 30 April–26 August 2026.
- Starbucks UK Nutrition & Allergen GuideCore beverage guide version 16 April 2026; Espresso table. Milk substitutions and other customisations can change the finished drink.
Find lower-caffeine alternatives to Costa Signature Blend Latte or compare drinks against a bedtime target.