Don’t Let the Name Fool You
I think the following quote provides the best context. “Disrupting the status quo interests us … We live to rebel against blah beans…” This quote is from the introduction in the Death Wish Team page on their website.
Death Wish coffee itself isn’t dangerous, but it does have a very high caffeine content. As long the total daily caffeine limits (which can vary among individuals) aren’t exceeded, it’s completely safe to drink this coffee.
Quite a bit of coffee is potentially dangerous to drink, as I will be mentioning later. When comparing Death Wish to those, it’s clear why many can see past the menacing name and recognize that it is perfectly healthy to drink.
Image Source (of the larger original): Wikimedia Commons
It’s Strong in Taste and Effect, So Proceed With Caution
A single cup can do what even 2-3 cups of many other brands cannot. Drinking Death Wish is a serious sensory experience.
You’ll want to avoid the temptation to overindulge, though. Caffeine in moderation is your friend, but past a certain amount in a day things can go in the opposite direction.
The Amount of Caffeine in Death Wish Coffee
Death Wish has approximately 60 milligrams of caffeine per ounce when brewed using conventional methods. That’s significantly more than most other brands of coffee.
Let’s now compare the caffeine content per ounce of Death Wish coffee (as described above) to that of coffee with average caffeine content made with an espresso machine. The difference in caffeine content per ounce is much less.
Those who drink espresso know to keep the amounts they drink relatively low, because coffee made with an espresso machine is relatively high in caffeine content per ounce.
The same principle should apply when drinking other coffee with high caffeine content, such as Death Wish.
For Those Considering Trying Death Wish
Knowing that Death Wish has 60 milligrams of caffeine per ounce, most people will want to drink no more than 6 ounces in a day. The math is pretty simple. That way the daily maximum recommended by the FDA (400 milligrams) won’t be exceeded.
Keep in mind that this recommended maximum isn’t going to apply to everyone. People with above average sensitivity to caffeine or with certain medical conditions, for example, will want to consider consuming much less or even abstaining completely.
There may be those who can safely consume more than 400 milligrams of caffeine in a day, though I am not encouraging anyone to do it. I believe that after one 6 ounce cup of Death Wish, most people aren’t going to feel like they’re short on caffeine anyway.
I Don’t See the Danger in Drinking Organic Coffee
Pardon the sarcasm, I’m just trying to get the attention of those who are still stuck on the name. I know some are still asking themselves, “how could coffee with a name like Death Wish not be dangerous?”
The fact is that not drinking coffee like Death Wish can be dangerous.
The vast majority of coffee worldwide is produced using conventional farming methods.
Such methods expose soil and coffee plants to a variety of harmful chemicals. These chemicals are harmful even in low concentrations.
Death wish is certified organic by the USDA, and that to me means that it’s the opposite of dangerous.
Resulting Behavior Can Be Unusual, but Don’t Worry
Even considering that it’s possible to enjoy Death Wish coffee while still remaining below the recommended daily caffeine maximum, behavior isn’t always going to be entirely predictable.
From my personal experience and from what others have shared, it’s fortunate that behavior usually changes in a good way.
Unfinished projects have been known to suddenly get done, courage that had been missing has been reported to magically appear, and extreme introverts have let it be known that interacting with others has come easily.
These are among the more sane results. I kid you not, if you’re skeptical I encourage you to read the reviews by the many pleasantly surprised customers.
Death Wish can Seem Civilized Compared to Some Others
Sticking with coffee for now, Death Wish has created some monsters. It’s not the company’s fault, in my opinion. It’s just that now some other companies feel like they have been dared to say, “so you think your coffee is the strongest …”
It’s not just the caffeine content, which is crazy enough on its own. Names like Devil’s Brew, High Voltage, Black Insomnia, and Biohazard give you a good idea of what these companies decided to put in a bag of coffee.
The content of some of these coffees is over 100 milligrams per ounce! I don’t know about other people, but I’ll gladly stick to 60 milligrams per ounce in my cup of coffee.
Don’t Let Your Death Wish Mix With Other Cravings
It should be pretty clear by now that with the proper knowledge and precautions, drinking Death Wish is not to be feared. Having looked at this in isolation, let’s now consider the big picture.
Typically, people tend to consume other things besides coffee that contain caffeine. There’s a pretty long list of such things. Soda, chocolate, tea, energy drinks, and even some medications are a few examples.
If you drink a 6 ounce cup of Death Wish coffee, just one of these things containing even a moderate amount of caffeine can put you over the recommended maximum amount of caffeine in a day.
One Final Consideration (Maybe as You Stay Awake All Night)
To conclude, I would encourage others to enjoy their Death Wish safely. I have only briefly mentioned the topic of the recommended maximum daily caffeine consumption a few times. To be completely responsible, I feel compelled to mention at least a bit more.
There are a number of places where ample information on this topic can be found. For example, this article about the caffeine content in coffee covers quite a bit about this subject.
In this article, several resources are also provided for those who are interested in obtaining further information.
Knowing the basics of caffeine consumption is highly recommended. It can be the difference between Death Wish being a welcome indulgence and becoming the unintended object of a true life threatening mental lapse.
Hi George, love the title “Is Death Wish Coffee” dangerous. I learned a ton, thank you. Although I am not a coffee drinker, I do use a Pre-workout prior to hitting the gym. There is usually some caffeine along with a few other energy boosters. Knowing how this gives me a definite uptick in energy for my workout, I can only imagine what 60 mg or even 100mg of caffeine might do, wowzers…
Death Wish is a serious rush, William! You might want to treat it like espresso at first, and only drink a 2 ounce shot. Though if you want to go with a full cup from the start, just make sure you set aside some extra time. You’ll have a hard time trying to keep from doing some extra sets.
George
Thanks for this article it definitely changed my mind on this type of coffee.
At first just off hearing the name it sounded too risky to try, however after getting to know more about it, it seems just like the usual coffee except with a little extra punch!
I personally may have to avoid it as I am a caffeine sensitive person, just one mug usually sets my symptoms off however I’m still tempted to try this out!
It always makes sense to have some healthy respect for coffee with high caffeine content, Sariyah! I personally drink a very small cup of this type of coffee, and it still gives me plenty of energy.
George.
Caffeine can feel like a lifeline in a busy world, but it is important to realize that excess caffeine in your diet can precipitate or worsen anxiety.
Don’t be afraid by the name “Death Wish” coffee. To me it says- hey, I am strong, be careful when you scoop up your amount not to overload your body with caffeine.
It is a well written article introducing a quality brand of coffee to help your day with the amount you should use to stay safe and enjoy the benefit of the product.
So. how much caffeine is safe before it becomes problematic?
Most studies show that less than 100 mg of caffeine has little or no effect on anxiety.3 For between 100 mg and 400 mg per day, the results are mixed; and above 400 mg a day, the majority of studies show a significant increase in anxiety.
400mg in a day also is FDA limit.
For those who enjoy caffeine, limiting consumption to well under 400 mg per day is better. To put this in context, one Starbucks venti (20 ounces) puts you over the daily limit (475 mg) by itself, so it is important to adjust amount of intake based on concentration of caffeine in a given bran.
Very well said, Anusuya! This is a very solid and complete take on the topic of caffeine and daily recommended amounts. I personally don’t like getting too close to the 400 milligram daily recommended maximum.
The mixed results you mentioned between 100 and 400 milligrams daily are so true, and not just among different persons. Some days I seem fine with around 300 milligrams, other days it seems too much.
That’s great advice regarding the amount relative to the caffeine content. With coffee such as Death Wish, it’s definitely a good idea to keep the amounts relatively low!
George
I am one of those few people out there that cannot consume caffeine without having sever consequences. Most people are fine with caffeine. But I love the taste of coffee, even though my adrenal glands will not allow me to consume caffeine. I am looking for a truly 100% caffeine coffee? I know that Death Wish Coffee seems to be the opposite of this… But your website seems to be an authority on the topic of coffee and caffeine. I will recommend Death Wish Coffee to my caffeine loving friends after reading your post! Man, I wish I could have some! If anyone knows of a truly caffeine free coffee option for me, please let me know! Love this website!
Thank you for comment and for the kind words. I’m happy to hear that you have found some useful information here. I wish you had the chance to try this coffee, but I understand perfectly that caffeine isn’t safe for everyone.
As far as caffeine free coffee, I’m not sure that any exist. I do know that, in Europe, standards require decaf coffee to be pretty close to caffeine free, so you might want to inquire with some European brands for exact numbers.
Here in the US, decaf is hardly caffeine free. As long as standards allow for it, we can be pretty sure that US brands won’t change their ways.
A couple of friends have shared that they really liked Death Wish coffee. So, I decided to research. Thank you for mentioning the amount of caffeine in it. And I see why this crazy race for having the strongest coffee has begun. Of these alternatives, I have only heard about High Voltage. But I would not want to go too extreme with the amount of caffeine.
Thank you for your comment, Paolo. You’re welcome, I’m glad you found the article so you could wisely read about Death Wish and its caffeine content. Death Wish is about as gung ho as I get with coffee high that’s high in caffeine content, and even then I only drink it sparingly. I’ll leave High Voltage and similar coffees to the hardcore thrill seekers.
George