Caffeine in Tea

Tea is known to have varying quantities of caffeine, which may or may not be appealing to tea consumers, for a variety of reasons. As a member of the xanthine family, caffeine is odorless and colorless but does have a somewhat bitter taste when submerged in hot water. Caffeine occurs naturally in teas like organic black tea, green tea and other tea blends.

The amount of caffeine in tea varies, so it's important for drinkers to know how much caffeine is in their favorite teas. Caffeine is known to be a mood enhancer, improving alertness and stimulating metabolism, but not everyone can or wants to consume it. Because it’s a mood enhancer, regular tea drinkers may build up a tolerance to caffeine, meaning that they have to drink more of it to get the same effect. Additionally, basic effects of caffeine may be unpleasant for some tea drinkers, and can include restlessness, insomnia and anxiety. For anyone who may be prone to these effects, it’s best to know how much caffeine is in the drinks they choose.

Did you know...? 

  • Caffeine occurs naturally in the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, so all brewed tea contains some caffeine.
  • Hotter water and longer steeping time will draw out more caffeine in brewed tea—think black or oolong tea. Cooler water and shorter steeping time extracts less caffeine—think green or white tea.
  • Tea is the only plant that contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calm and relaxation. It works in synergy with the stimulant caffeine to induce a state of mindful alertness. 
  • Caffeine from tea is thought to absorb more slowly in the body than caffeine from coffee. This gentle release promotes a longer period of alertness without a jittery rush at the start or crash at the end.

How Much Caffeine is in Teatulia®'s Teas?

Tea leaves contain approximately three percent caffeine content by weight; but factors like soil chemistry, type of tea plant and whether the tea leaves are dry or wet can affect caffeine content. 

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White Tea

Contains about one-third the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.
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Green Tea 

Contains about one-third the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.
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Oolong Tea

Contains about one-third the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.
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Black Tea

Contains about half the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.
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Herbals

Naturally caffeine free! Herbals don't contain any tea leaves, instead they come from steeping herbs such as ginger or chamomile.



Organic Tea and their Caffeine Contents

Black tea contains approximately 14 to 61 mg per eight-ounce cup mark, which is significantly higher than any other tea. Next is green tea, which contains approximately 36 mg per eight-ounce cup. White tea offers the lowest amount of caffeine per eight ounce cup at 25 mg.

How to Enjoy Tea while Sensitive to the Effects of Caffeine

Tea lovers who experience caffeine sensitivity can still enjoy their favorite teas from Teatulia. Consider brewing fewer tea leaves and using slightly cooler water, which will extract less caffeine from the tea. You can also choose green and white teas, since they naturally have lower caffeine contents than black tea and have shorter steeping times.

Tea vs. Coffee

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