Foods Highest in Theobromine

4,634 foods ranked by Theobromine per 100 g.

These are the foods highest in Theobromine, ranked by the amount per 100 g of the edible portion. Theobromine is a mild stimulant in the same family as caffeine, found mainly in cocoa and chocolate. It produces a gentler, longer-lasting lift than caffeine and contributes to chocolate's appeal. It is also the compound that makes chocolate dangerous for dogs and cats, who metabolize it very slowly.

Read the full Theobromine guide

Values per 100 g.

Food Theobromine
Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened, processed with alkali 2,634.00 mg
Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, processed with alkali 2,445.00 mg
Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened 2,057.00 mg
Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, plain 1,763.00 mg
Baking chocolate, unsweetened, liquid 1,597.00 mg
Baking chocolate, unsweetened, squares 1,297.00 mg
Dairy drink mix, chocolate, reduced calorie, with low-calorie sweeteners, powder 833.00 mg
Chocolate, dark, 70-85% cacao solids 802.00 mg
Cocoa mix, no sugar added, powder 658.00 mg
Chocolate, dark, 60-69% cacao solids 632.00 mg
Beverage, instant breakfast powder, chocolate, sugar-free, not reconstituted 608.00 mg
Puddings, chocolate flavor, low calorie, regular, dry mix 596.00 mg
Candies, chocolate, dark, NFS (45-59% cacao solids 90%; 60-69% cacao solids 5%; 70-85% cacao solids 5%) 515.00 mg
Chocolate, dark, 45- 59% cacao solids 493.00 mg
Candies, semisweet chocolate, made with butter 486.00 mg
Candies, semisweet chocolate 486.00 mg
Puddings, chocolate flavor, low calorie, instant, dry mix 473.00 mg
Cookies, chocolate sandwich, with creme filling, regular 430.00 mg
Candies, sweet chocolate 426.00 mg
Chocolate-flavor beverage mix for milk, powder, without added nutrients 424.00 mg
Desserts, rennin, chocolate, dry mix 424.00 mg
Coffee and cocoa (mocha) powder, with whitener and low calorie sweetener 390.00 mg
Candies, dark chocolate coated coffee beans 368.00 mg
Cookies, graham crackers, chocolate-coated 363.00 mg
Puddings, chocolate, dry mix, regular 362.00 mg
Cake, chocolate, dry mix, regular 356.00 mg
Malted drink mix, chocolate, powder 345.00 mg
Malted drink mix, chocolate, with added nutrients, powder 345.00 mg
Coffee and cocoa (mocha) powder, with whitener and low calorie sweetener, decaffeinated 324.00 mg
Cocoa mix, powder 323.00 mg

Cocoa, dark and milk chocolate, cocoa powder and, in small amounts, tea. Amounts are per 100 g of the edible portion; your serving may differ.

Theobromine — frequently asked questions

What foods are highest in Theobromine?

Per 100 g, some of the richest sources are Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened, processed with alkali, Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, processed with alkali, Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened, Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, plain and Baking chocolate, unsweetened, liquid. See the full ranking above.

How much Theobromine do I need a day?

There is no Daily Value. Intake is naturally limited by how much cocoa and chocolate you eat; darker chocolate contains more.

What does Theobromine do?

Theobromine is a mild stimulant in the same family as caffeine, found mainly in cocoa and chocolate. It produces a gentler, longer-lasting lift than caffeine and contributes to chocolate's appeal. It is also the compound that makes chocolate dangerous for dogs and cats, who metabolize it very slowly.

Can you have too much Theobromine?

Very large amounts can cause restlessness, headache or nausea in sensitive people. Keep all chocolate away from pets, for whom it is toxic.

Want the full story on Theobromine?

See what it does, how much you need, deficiency and too-much, and more food sources.

Theobromine guide