Tea lovers are as passionate about their hot, rejuvenating beverage as coffee enthusiasts are about theirs. The aroma, taste, and flavors that tea offers are beyond words – but a single sip of freshly brewed tea transports you to a world of comfort and tranquility, making it an experience unlike any other.
If you drink a few cups of tea a day, you must already know your favorite kind. Yet, there is one thing you might not know about: the caffeine content. The reason for your restless sleep or boost of energy may actually be linked to the tea you consume.
This article explores how much caffeine tea has and whether it affects you the same way coffee caffeine does. So, brew your favorite cup of tea and keep reading!
Key Highlights
- There are 5 main categories of teas: black, green, white, herbal, and oolong.
- Black tea is the most caffeinated tea, containing roughly 64-112 mg per 8-ounce serving.
- White tea is the least caffeinated tea among all, with only 32-37 mg per 8-ounce serving.
- Herbal teas have no traces of caffeine.
Categories of Tea
Before you jump into exploring the caffeine content in tea, let’s first list all kinds of tea there are. Each category of tea has its own properties, processing, and brewing techniques. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Black tea: Black tea is the most consumed tea in the world, making up about 75% of the total tea consumption. Its rich, dark color comes from oxidized tea leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant that are thoroughly wilted and crushed.
- Green tea: Green tea is undoubtedly the second most consumed tea, accounting for about 20% of global tea consumption. Its leaves are not oxidized, yet they are slightly withered and pan-fried or steamed. Green tea is typically made from Camellia Sinensis leaves that are quickly dried after processing before turning brown.
- White tea: White tea is made from young tea leaves and dried shortly after harvesting. The leaves are not oxidized and have a delicate, even floral or grassy, flavor profile when brewed.
- Herbal tea: Herbal tea is the most versatile type of tea made from different dried or fresh flowers, fruit, and leaves. The flavor profile of the herbal tea depends on the ingredients you choose and can range from fresh peppermint to sourish hibiscus and delicate chamomile or a balance of all the herbs brewed together.
- Oolong tea: Oolong tea leaves undergo semi-oxidation and are sometimes roasted after drying to release the nutty flavor. Their hues resemble either black or green tea, but they fall between the two. The taste of oolong is also quite distinctive, ranging from sweet to fruity notes, and offers a balanced combination of other aromas.
While we mention only the 5 main types of tea, there are over 1,500 varieties – describing each one would take forever. Instead, there is another way to explore them: through tasting. With Angelino’s most popular organic tea pods, you get to experience flavors from every corner of the globe. What better way to explore the world of tea?
Type of Tea with Highest Caffeine
Most tea classifications that are made from the Camellia Sinensis plant contain caffeine, but what determines the percentage of caffeine is when and how the leaves are processed. Without the Camellia Sinensis, we wouldn’t have aromatic black tea, soothing green tea, fruity white tea, and fresh oolong tea.
Let’s see how these organic tea types rank in terms of caffeine content:
|
#1 Black tea |
Between 64 and 112 mg of caffeine per 8-fl oz serving |
|
#2 Oolong tea |
Between 29 and 53 mg of caffeine per 8-fl oz serving |
|
#3 Green tea |
Between 24 and 39 mg of caffeine per 8-fl oz serving |
Black tea has the most caffeine, so think twice before brewing another cup of your favorite beverage before sleep.
Oolong tea is the second most caffeinated beverage, and it is not a great option to drink in the evenings, either.
Green tea, on the other hand, has a lower caffeine content than oxidized alternatives and offers great health benefits such as reduced inflammation and improved cognitive abilities.
Which Tea Has the Least Caffeine?
|
#4 White tea |
Between 32 and 37 mg of caffeine per 8-fl oz serving |
|
#5 Decaffeinated tea |
Contains less than 12 mg of caffeine per 8-fl oz serving |
|
#6 Herbal tea |
Contains zero mg caffeine per 8-fl oz serving |
The lowest-caffeine tea? Surprise, it’s herbal tea! Who knew, right? But seriously, if we're getting technical, decaf tea takes the crown for the lowest caffeine content.
White tea is another safe choice for tea lovers who want to enjoy a cup of hot beverage without incurring sleep problems.
If you are looking for teas without a trace of caffeine, we recommend brewing chamomile or hibiscus tea, among other herb-based beverages.
How Much Caffeine Is in One Cup of Tea?
How much caffeine your tea contains depends on multiple factors:
- The type of tea you brew
- How many leaves you brew
- How much water you add
- How long you brew the tea
Hence, the caffeine amount we will present below is just an average and may vary. These are the estimated amount of caffeine per one 8 fluid ounce cup:
- Black tea: 64-112 mg of caffeine
- Oolong tea: 29-53 mg of caffeine
- Green tea: 24-39 mg of caffeine
- White tea: 32-37 mg of caffeine
- Decaffeinated black and green tea: Less than 12 mg of caffeine
Does Decaf Tea Have Caffeine in It?
Contrary to popular belief, decaffeinated tea is not caffeine-free. However, it does contain considerably less caffeine than a regular cup of tea. As a rule, decaf tea has about 2 mg of caffeine per 8-fl oz cup—however, this amount may be higher, reaching 7 mg per cup or sometimes even more.
Some people opt for decaf tea due to health concerns or the risks associated with caffeine. Whatever your reason, decaf tea still packs plenty of antioxidants and retains much of the intense flavor you love.
Is Tea Caffeine Different from Coffee Caffeine?
The most caffeinated tea packs a maximum of 112 mg of caffeine, while a cup of brewed coffee can have up to 140 mg of caffeine per the same serving. Surely, if you need a morning pick-me-up, coffee is your best friend. What we want to clarify is whether the caffeine in tea and coffee affects consumers in the same way. Here is what we found out:
You don’t need to be a scientist to know that caffeine is a stimulant that keeps you agile and alert. When you wake up in the morning, barely keeping your eyes open, a cup of coffee (or even its aroma) can bring you to your senses quickly. Can we say the same thing about caffeine in tea?
Well, not really. Although the caffeine molecule interacts with the brain in the same way, the L-theanine amino acid found in tea makes all the difference.
L-theanine affects how caffeine interacts with the brain. When drinking coffee, the energy burst is sudden. In contrast, tea provides a more gradual energy boost. This is because the amino acid slows the energy flow, delivering a calmer, more sustained energy without causing anxiety.
Wrapping Up
Tea offers a diverse range of flavors and caffeine levels, making it a versatile and enjoyable beverage for everyone.
Whether you prefer the energizing kick of black tea or the calming effect of herbal tea, there is a perfect cup for every occasion. We hope our article has helped you understand the caffeine content of each tea type, making it easier for you to pick the perfect tea to match your needs.
So, brew a cup, relax, and savor the rich world of tea with Angelino’s tea pods.
Further Details on Caffeinated Tea
Does Black or Green Tea Have More Caffeine?
Black tea generally has more caffeine than green tea. The caffeine content in tea depends on several factors, including the type of tea leaves, how they are processed, and brewed.
Black tea is fully oxidized, which tends to increase its caffeine content. An 8-ounce cup of black tea contains about 64-112 mg of caffeine, while green tea has about 24-39 mg.
However, these values can vary based on brewing time and the specific tea blend.
How Much Caffeine Is in White Tea?
White tea has the least amount of caffeine among true teas. On average, an 8-ounce cup of white tea contains about 32-37 mg of caffeine. The low caffeine content is due to the minimal processing that white tea undergoes.
How Much Caffeine Is in Iced Tea?
Typically, iced tea made from black tea will have around 60-80 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce serving, similar to hot black tea. Iced tea made from green tea will contain less caffeine, roughly 30-45 milligrams per 8-ounce serving.
Sources:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/which-tea-has-the-most-caffeine#caffeine-free-teas
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/caffeine-in-tea-vs-coffee
