The NFM Blog

Does Cacao Have Caffeine? What You Need to Know Before Using It for Energy or Focus

Let’s clear something up. Cacao isn’t coffee. But it does contain caffeine—just not the kind of jolt you’d get from an espresso shot. The caffeine in cacao powder is mild and mellow, making it a great option for people who want smoother energy without the crash.

How Much Caffeine Is in Cacao Powder and What Does It Do?

On average, one tablespoon of raw cacao contains around 10 to 12 mg of caffeine. That’s a fraction of what you’d find in a cup of coffee. So if you’re looking for a clean, steady lift, cacao caffeine can do the job without the wired-overload feeling.

Raw cacao powder being measured into scoop

This is why we include cacao in so many of our blends at Non Fungible Mushrooms. It’s not just for flavor. It’s for function. You’ll find it paired with lion’s mane and cordyceps in our Lift Mushrooms for Energy and Natural Energy Stack, giving you focused energy that doesn’t wear you out by 2 p.m.

The Difference Between Cacao Caffeine and Coffee

So what makes caffeine in cacao powder feel different than caffeine from coffee?

  • It’s balanced with theobromine, a mood-lifting compound

  • It releases more gradually into your system

  • It’s less acidic, so it’s easier on your gut

  • You don’t crash afterward

That combination makes cacao a no-brainer for people who want to stay alert without overstimulation. And if you’re someone who’s ditched coffee but still needs a boost, this is your golden ticket.

Try adding our Pure Raw Cacao to your morning. Mix it with nut milk, adaptogens, or our Mind Powder for a drink that’s energizing and brain-friendly.

Why Cacao Is the Better Energy Choice for Focus and Mood

If you’ve been relying on coffee to get through your day, you know how it goes. Big burst of energy, then the slump hits hard. You’re back to square one, reaching for more caffeine to stay afloat. But the caffeine in cacao powder plays a different game—and that’s exactly why more people are switching over.

Cacao caffeine works with your body, not against it. It gives you focus without tension. Energy without jitters. Alertness without anxiety. It’s the kind of fuel your nervous system actually likes.

At Non Fungible Mushrooms, we use cacao to elevate performance without overstimulating the body. Whether it’s in our Lift Stack or part of your daily brew, the combo of cacao and adaptogens helps you stay clear, calm, and sharp.

Best Ways to Use Cacao Caffeine in Your Daily Routine

Want to make cacao part of your focus toolkit? Here’s how to do it:

  • Start your day with a cacao-based drink instead of coffee

  • Mix Pure Raw Cacao with mushroom powder for extra clarity

  • Use it as a pre-workout base to power movement

  • Pair it with Mind Powder for creative sessions

You don’t need to chug energy drinks or load up on shots of espresso to feel alive. Cacao caffeine gives you enough lift to get moving and stay focused without overclocking your system.

If you’ve tried the Flow State Bundle, you’ve already felt this in action. The clarity hits, but it’s gentle. The energy flows, but it doesn’t spike. That’s what happens when you work with your body, not against it.

Clean Energy Without the Crash

Here’s the bottom line: if you want clean, focused energy that lasts without wrecking your sleep or making you anxious, cacao is your best bet. The caffeine in cacao powder gives you a mild mental lift while the theobromine smooths it all out.

According to research, cacao contains both caffeine and theobromine, and their combined effects result in improved alertness, mood, and cognitive performance—with lower risk of overstimulation compared to coffee.

Why Cacao Caffeine Is the Gentler, Smarter Energy Upgrade

Let’s face it—most of us need a boost. But not everyone wants to rely on high doses of caffeine that leave you jittery, overstimulated, or crashing by noon. That’s where the caffeine in cacao powder offers a real alternative. It’s not overwhelming, but it’s enough to shift you into gear. The best part? You get clarity and stamina, not anxiety.

Morning ritual with cacao latte and notepad

Cacao caffeine works differently than coffee. It hits slower and steadier, and it pairs with theobromine—a natural mood-lifting compound found only in cacao. Together, they create a clean, focused lift. You stay sharp, alert, and balanced.

At Non Fungible Mushrooms, we love cacao not just for what it does, but how it makes you feel. That’s why we built it into products like the Lift Stack and the Natural Energy Stack. You get functional energy from a source your body actually wants to work with.

How Does Cacao Caffeine Compare to Coffee?

The numbers tell part of the story. One tablespoon of raw cacao has about 10 to 12 mg of caffeine. Coffee averages 95 mg per cup. That’s a massive difference—but it’s not just about quantity.

Caffeine in cacao powder is:

  • Slower to absorb

  • Easier on your digestion

  • Less acidic

  • More stable for your mood

Coffee spikes your cortisol. Cacao doesn’t. That alone is why many people find they feel more emotionally balanced after switching.

If you want a way to stay productive without needing four cups of coffee, try our Pure Raw Cacao. You can mix it with Mind Mushroom Powder or Life Adaptogen Powder for full-day flow.

The Added Benefit: Focus Without Crash

Cacao doesn’t just help you stay awake—it helps you stay present. People who swap coffee for cacao often say they feel more focused but less reactive. That’s exactly what we aim for in our Flow State Bundle.

If you’re someone who wants to do more without feeling wired, cacao caffeine might be your new favorite ritual.

Best Ways to Use Caffeine in Cacao Powder Without Overdoing It

The great thing about cacao is that it doesn’t take much to feel the effects. You don’t need to load up on scoops or pair it with sugary junk. A small amount of cacao caffeine goes a long way, especially when combined with functional mushrooms or adaptogens.

At Non Fungible Mushrooms, we’ve fine-tuned that blend in every product. Our cacao-based blends are designed to give you functional energy without adding stress to your body. You’ll find it in our Lift Mushrooms for Energy, and it pairs especially well with lion’s mane for focus and cordyceps for stamina.

Easy Daily Cacao Rituals to Support Focus

Here’s how to make cacao part of your daily routine without overthinking it:

You’ll start to notice better mental clarity, smoother energy, and a lot less of that wired, anxious feeling that comes with standard caffeine sources.

Use Cacao as a Pre-Workout or Work Focus Tool

Want something more performance-driven? Try mixing cacao into your pre-workout or creative work blocks. The cacao caffeine combined with adaptogens in our Complete Wellness Kit gives you physical drive with mental calm.

It’s also perfect for people who get midday crashes. You don’t need to spike your system—just refuel gently and keep going strong.

According to a study, cacao polyphenols paired with theobromine and caffeine may improve cognitive performance and reaction time while reducing perceived fatigue, even at low doses.

If you’re looking for more than energy—if you want clarity, calm, and focus—cacao might be exactly what you’ve been missing.

Can Cacao Replace Coffee for Daily Energy and Mental Clarity?

If you’re wondering whether cacao caffeine can actually stand in for your coffee habit, the answer is yes—especially if you’re looking for something smoother, smarter, and more balanced. The caffeine in cacao powder delivers just enough energy to keep you alert and productive, but without the crash or jitters that usually follow a cup of strong coffee.

This is a huge reason why so many of us at Non Fungible Mushrooms made the switch. We wanted a source of energy that wouldn’t spike our nervous systems. And when we started pairing cacao caffeine with mushroom adaptogens like lion’s mane, the results spoke for themselves. Focus got sharper, moods leveled out, and the mid-afternoon fog disappeared.

Why Cacao Caffeine Feels Different

It’s not just about the amount of caffeine in cacao powder—it’s about how your body processes it.

  • Cacao caffeine absorbs slower than coffee

  • It works with theobromine to create long-lasting focus

  • You avoid the anxiety or overstimulation of high-dose caffeine

  • It doesn’t wreck your sleep if taken early in the day

Caffeine in cacao powder supports more stable energy. That’s why we use it in our Lift Mushrooms for Energy and the Natural Energy Stack. These blends are perfect for people who want to stay productive all day—without bouncing off the walls or needing a nap by 3 p.m.

Try mixing our Pure Raw Cacao with a scoop of Mind Mushroom Powder or Life Adaptogen Powder. You’ll feel the difference after just one cup.

Is Caffeine in Cacao Powder Safe for Daily Use?

Here’s the good news—yes, the caffeine in cacao powder is safe for daily use. In fact, it may be a better long-term choice than most other caffeinated options out there. The natural balance of caffeine and theobromine creates a synergy that’s energizing but not overwhelming.

You won’t find artificial ingredients or synthetic stimulants in our blends. Just cacao, mushrooms, and other natural plant-based compounds designed to support your body without taxing it.

How Much Cacao Caffeine Is Too Much?

Most people can handle up to 300 to 400 mg of caffeine daily. A tablespoon of cacao powder contains around 10 to 12 mg of caffeine. That means you’d have to consume an unreal amount of cacao to even come close to the daily limit.

Cacao powder added to protein smoothie for mental boost

That said, we always recommend listening to your body. Start with small amounts. Try a teaspoon of Pure Raw Cacao in the morning and see how it feels. If you respond well, you can increase gradually. Everyone metabolizes caffeine in cacao powder differently, so experiment and adjust.

You can also build cacao into your daily system without ever getting bored:

Our Favorite Cacao Rituals

We don’t just sell mushrooms—we use them daily. Here’s what our cacao routines often look like at Non Fungible Mushrooms:

This combo gives you clarity, creativity, and calm—all in one ritual.

Research found that theobromine and caffeine in cacao improve alertness, focus, and reaction time, especially when consumed in natural, unprocessed forms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there actually caffeine in cacao powder or is that a myth?

There is caffeine in cacao powder, but the amount is much lower than in coffee or energy drinks. At Non Fungible Mushrooms, we work with raw cacao that contains just enough caffeine to enhance alertness without overstimulating your system.

How does cacao caffeine compare to coffee caffeine?

Cacao caffeine delivers a smoother, more sustained energy compared to the sharp spike of coffee. Non Fungible Mushrooms uses raw cacao for its natural balance of caffeine and theobromine, giving you calm focus without the jitters.

Will the caffeine in cacao powder affect my sleep if I take it late in the day?

It can if you're sensitive, but most people tolerate cacao caffeine better than coffee. Non Fungible Mushrooms recommends using it earlier in the day or pairing it with adaptogens to smooth the energetic curve.

Can I use cacao caffeine as a pre-workout boost?

Absolutely. The caffeine in cacao powder, combined with mood-lifting theobromine, makes it a great choice for physical or mental performance. Our blends at Non Fungible Mushrooms are crafted to fuel productivity without burnout.

How much caffeine is typically in a serving of cacao powder?

Most servings contain between 12–30 mg of caffeine, depending on the cacao’s origin and processing. Non Fungible Mushrooms sources potent cacao with a consistent, functional dose for smooth daily energy.

Does raw cacao contain more caffeine than processed chocolate?

Yes, raw cacao contains more natural caffeine than processed cocoa or chocolate. At Non Fungible Mushrooms, we only use minimally processed cacao to retain both the caffeine and its complementary plant compounds.

Is cacao caffeine enough to replace my morning coffee?

For many people, yes. While the caffeine in cacao powder is lower, it’s supported by other energizers like theobromine and magnesium. That’s why Non Fungible Mushrooms offers cacao-based formulas designed to help you transition off coffee gradually.

Is the caffeine in cacao powder safe for daily use?

Yes, when consumed in moderate amounts. Cacao caffeine is less likely to cause spikes in heart rate or anxiety compared to synthetic caffeine. Our products at Non Fungible Mushrooms are optimized for daily cognitive and physical support.

Does the way cacao is prepared change the caffeine level?

It can. Roasting can slightly reduce caffeine content, while raw cacao retains more. Non Fungible Mushrooms selects raw cacao to preserve its full energizing potential, including its natural caffeine content.

Can I feel a crash from cacao caffeine like I do with energy drinks?

No, not typically. The caffeine in cacao powder is released more gradually and balanced by calming nutrients. Non Fungible Mushrooms formulas are designed to deliver energy that lasts without the crash.

Can I take cacao before a workout for sustained energy?

Yes, cacao is an excellent natural pre-workout option. Its combination of gentle caffeine, theobromine, and antioxidants can support both endurance and mental sharpness during physical activity.

Is cacao safe for people who are sensitive to caffeine?

It depends on the level of sensitivity. While cacao has lower caffeine than coffee, individuals highly reactive to stimulants should start with small amounts and monitor their response.

Does cacao give you mental focus, or is it more for physical energy?

It supports both. Cacao’s unique mix of caffeine, theobromine, and magnesium improves blood flow to the brain, enhances focus, and lifts mood—without the nervous edge of coffee.

Can cacao be combined with other nootropics or adaptogens?

Definitely. Cacao pairs well with mushrooms like lion’s mane and herbs like ashwagandha for balanced energy, sharper thinking, and stress support throughout the day.

How long does the energy boost from cacao usually last?

Most people feel the effects for 3 to 5 hours, depending on the dose and whether it’s taken with food. The energy tends to taper gently rather than end in a crash.