Coffee Myths Busted: Separating Fact from Fiction

By Jeremy, Co-Founder of Freedom Forged Coffee Company

Debunking the Biggest Coffee Myths—What’s True, What’s Not, and What Actually Matters

When you run a coffee company, you hear a lot of opinions about what makes a good cup. Some are spot on, others are, well… a little questionable. Zack and I have had more than a few discussions over coffee myths, and after talking with Justin (our roaster) and countless coffee lovers, I can tell you—there’s a lot of bad info out there.

I used to believe some of it myself. Back in the day, I was convinced dark roast had more caffeine and that keeping coffee in the fridge kept it fresher. Turns out, a lot of what we think we know about coffee just isn’t true. So, let’s clear the air and set the record straight on some of the biggest coffee myths floating around.

Dark Roast = More Caffeine? Not Exactly.

This one gets people all the time. The logic seems sound: darker roasts taste bolder, so they must have more caffeine, right? Nope. The longer coffee is roasted, the more caffeine is actually burned off.

But before you switch to light roast expecting a huge caffeine boost, here’s the catch—the difference isn’t as big as people think. The real impact on caffeine content comes down to how you measure your coffee. If you scoop your coffee with a tablespoon, dark roast has less caffeine because the beans are larger and less dense. But if you measure by weight, it evens out.

Moral of the story? Don’t pick your roast based on caffeine content—go for the flavor you love.

Espresso Has More Caffeine Than Drip Coffee? Yes… and No.

Espresso is strong and concentrated, so it makes sense to assume it’s the caffeine powerhouse of the coffee world. And per ounce, that’s true—espresso has about 63 mg of caffeine per ounce, compared to around 12 mg per ounce in drip coffee.

But here’s the twist: most people drink an entire cup of coffee, not just a single ounce. A standard 8-ounce cup of drip coffee has more total caffeine than a single shot of espresso.

So if you’re drinking coffee for the caffeine kick, drip coffee is actually the bigger hitter. But if you need a quick, concentrated boost, espresso is the way to go.

Does Coffee Dehydrate You? Not Even Close.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard this one. The old-school belief was that coffee, being a diuretic, pulled water from your system and left you dehydrated.

Here’s the reality: coffee is 98% water. Yes, it can make you hit the bathroom a little faster, but research has shown that moderate coffee consumption does not dehydrate you. In fact, it counts toward your daily hydration just like water does.

So unless you’re drinking coffee instead of water all day long, your morning cup isn’t drying you out.

Storing Coffee in the Freezer? Think Twice.

I get it—on paper, freezing coffee sounds like a great way to keep it fresh. And technically, if you vacuum-seal beans in small, single-use portions and never let them thaw before brewing, it can work.

But here’s why I don’t do it:

• Condensation is the enemy. The second frozen beans hit room temperature, moisture can form on the surface. And moisture? That’s a one-way ticket to stale flavors and possible grinder damage.
• My Breville is family. No way am I running frozen beans through the burr grinder in my Breville Barista Express—a machine I’ve had since 2017 and treat like a member of the household. The risk of introducing even a little moisture into that grinder? Not worth it.
• Coffee is a sponge. Unless it’s perfectly sealed, coffee absorbs surrounding odors like crazy. If you’ve ever had a cup that tastes vaguely like freezer burn… you know what I mean.

If you must freeze coffee (like if you’re stocking up for months), vacuum-seal it in small portions and only take out what you need. But for everyday storage? Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place—not the fridge or freezer.

Pre-Ground Coffee Is Just as Good as Whole Bean? Not Quite.

Look, we sell pre-ground coffee, and for a lot of people, it’s the best option for convenience. But if you really want the best flavor, whole bean is the way to go.

Why? Because the second coffee is ground, it starts losing freshness. Grinding exposes more surface area to oxygen, speeding up flavor loss. Whole beans hold onto their natural oils and aromas much longer.

If you use pre-ground coffee, that’s totally fine—just store it properly and try to use it within a couple of weeks. But if you’ve never tried grinding fresh? Give it a shot. You’ll taste the difference.

Is Coffee Bad for Your Health? The Science Says No.

For years, coffee got a bad rap—people blamed it for everything from heart disease to stunted growth. But modern research tells a different story. Studies now link coffee to:

• A lower risk of Type 2 diabetes
• Improved brain function and memory
• Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
• Antioxidants that fight inflammation

And here’s something even more interesting—longevity experts now claim that drinking black coffee without added sugars and artificial ingredients can contribute to a longer life. So if you’re looking for a way to cut the junk and keep your morning cup as beneficial as possible, drinking it black might be the way to go.

As with anything, moderation is key—downing six sugar-loaded lattes a day probably isn’t doing your body any favors. But in its pure form? Coffee is actually one of the healthiest drinks out there.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Fall for the Myths

Coffee is personal. You should drink what you love, how you love it. But knowing the facts helps you make better choices—whether it’s picking the right roast, storing your beans properly, or understanding how caffeine really works.

At Freedom Forged Coffee, we’re all about doing coffee right. That means roasting in small batches, keeping things fresh, and busting bad coffee myths along the way.

Have you heard any crazy coffee myths before? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear them (and maybe bust a few more).