Myths about Coffee - Myth 3: Afternoon Coffee Will Keep You Awake at Night

You’ve probably heard that if you drink coffee in the afternoon, you’ll be up all night! But is it true?

❌️ Myth: Afternoon coffee will keep you awake at night.

✅️ Truth: Our bodies process the caffeine from our afternoon coffee in 4–7 hours (average), so a midday to late-afternoon cup will likely be just fine for you!

In fact, in Ecuadorian culture (and many other cultures around the world), evening coffee is often enjoyed and seems to have no negative effects on a restful night of sleep. In Ecuador, there is a specific term we use for having our “little coffee” (akin to a coffee break): cafecito. Cafecito typically takes place from anywhere in the late afternoon to sometime late in the evening. Vicky and Ramiro, our farm’s owners and coffee producers, frequently relax with their coffee after 9 p.m. without any problems! This is a time to sip and savor delicious coffee, indulge in some kind of pastry or other bakery item, and reflect on the day or just engage in some peaceful conversation. We love cafecito, and it’s a nightly tradition that soothes us before bed rather than keeping us awake.

Of course, this may be different for someone who is sensitive to caffeine or doesn’t metabolize it at the same rate most do, so it’s definitely something to be mindful of. You know your own body best, so only you can decide whether that afternoon cup (or later, if you’re like us…) is a good idea for you or not! If you aren’t used to drinking coffee in the p.m., then you may want to be cautious with experimenting as you learn what works for you.

As for us, you can find us enjoying our coffee at all hours of the day (and night)!

Have you tried drinking coffee in the later hours?

To purchase our specialty coffee, check out our shop. To learn more about our farm, follow us on Instagram.

Our medium-roast specialty coffee shown with some of our coffee gadgets