THEOBROMINE AND CAFFEINE CONTENT OF CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Commercial chocolate products were analyzed for theobromine and caffeine content by High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Levels in 22 samples of chocolate liquor averaged 1.22% theobromine and 0.21% caffeine. Commercial cocoas contained, on the average, 1.89% theobromine and 0.21% caffeine. Sweet chocolate averaged 0.46% theobromine and 0.07% caffeine, while milk chocolate averaged 0.15% theobromine and 0.02% caffeine. Hot cocoa (chocolate) beverages averaged 65 mg of theobromine and 4 mg of caffeine per 5 ounce serving and chocolate milk prepared from a variety of cocoa‐sugar mixes averaged 58 mg of theobromine and 5 mg of caffeine per 8 ounce serving. Theobromine and caffeine levels varied widely in individual samples within the product categories examined. Also, the ratio of theobromine to caffeine varied widely among different chocolate liquors ranging from a low of 2.5:1 to a high of 23.0:1.