How Much Caffeine Is in Green Tea?
Green tea is renowned for its health benefits and is often seen as a healthier alternative to coffee. But one of the burning questions on consumers’ minds is usually, “How much caffeine is in green tea?” To answer this question, we must look at the tea’s origin and the way it’s processed.
Origin and Processing of Green Tea
All types of tea — including green tea — are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. How it’s processed post-harvest is what determines the difference between green tea, oolong tea, white tea, etc.
Green tea is harvested and then quickly steamed or pan-fired. This step stops the leaves from oxidizing, which allows the tea to keep its classic green color and grassy, vegetal taste.
Where Does Caffeine Come Into Play?
Caffeine is a compound that’s naturally found in the Camellia sinensis plant. So, all types of tea naturally contain caffeine — including green tea.
What makes green tea unique is that because of its steaming process, the number of antioxidants and other compounds remains high.
How Much Caffeine Is in Green Tea?
According to the USDA, a cup of green tea contains 23–35 milligrams of caffeine. To put this into perspective, an 8-ounce cup of coffee usually contains 80–135 milligrams of caffeine. So, green tea naturally contains significantly less caffeine than coffee.
How Can You Reduce the Amount of Caffeine in Green Tea?
If you want to reduce the amount of caffeine in your green tea, there are a few things you can do:
- Go for the shinier leaves: High-quality tea is usually identified by its shiny, flat leaves. The more flat, shiny, and vibrant green the leaves are, usually the less caffeine they have.
- Shorten your brew time: It’s important to note that the longer the tea steeps, the more caffeine it might contain. So, keep your steep time to a minimum (1–3 minutes).
- Choose decaffeinated green tea: If you’re looking for caffeine-free beverages, you can always opt for decaffeinated green tea.
Conclusion
Green tea can be a great option if you’re looking for a healthier alternative to coffee. On average, a cup of green tea contains 23–35 milligrams of caffeine, whereas an 8-ounce cup of coffee contains 80–135 milligrams.
If you want to reduce the amount of caffeine in your green tea, focus on buying tea with shinier leaves and keep the steep time to a minimum (1–3 minutes). You can also opt for decaffeinated green tea if you’re looking for beverages that are entirely caffeine-free.
