How Much Caffeine is there in Tea?
Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, but how much caffeine is actually in it? Tea contains a range of levels of caffeine, depending on the type, brewing method and where it has come from.
Types of Tea
There are many different types of tea, each containing different amounts of caffeine. Here is a breakdown of the levels of caffeone in each type:
- Green tea: 25-29 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces
- Black tea: 47-50 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces
- Oolong tea: 37-45 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces
- White tea: 15-20 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces
- Herbal tea: 0 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces
Brewing Method
The brewing method you choose can also affect the level of caffeine in your cup of tea. Generally, the longer you steep the tea, the more caffeine it will have. The other influencing factor is temperature. The higher the steeping temperature, the more caffeine is extracted.
Location of Tea Leaves
The location of where the tea leaves are grown affects the amount of caffeine in the tea. Tea grown in higher altitudes contains more caffeine than tea grown in lower altitudes. Unoxidized teas like green and white tea contain more caffeine than their oxidised counterparts, like oolong and black tea.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a wide array of caffeine levels in different types of tea and it is influenced by the brewing method, temperature, and the location of where it is grown. It is up to the tea drinker’s personal preference how much caffeine they want in their cup of tea and to choose their tea based on that preference.