How Much Caffeine Does Green Tea Have?
Caffeine is a well-known favorite as a pick-me-up or energy boost. Green tea is a great drink for anyone looking for something to give them a lift that doesn’t contain lots of added sugar. But just how much caffeine does green tea have?
Caffeine Content of Green Tea
The caffeine content in green tea can vary significantly depending on the type of green tea you are drinking. Generally, green tea contains less caffeine than other popular drinks such as coffee, but it still has a noticeable amount.
- Sencha Green Tea: 30-70 mg of caffeine per 8 ounce cup.
- Matcha Green Tea: 35-70 mg of caffeine per 8 ounce cup.
- Genmaicha Green Tea: 12-50 mg of caffeine per 8 ounce cup.
- Houjicha Green Tea: 2-30 mg of caffeine per 8 ounce cup.
These figures may vary minutely, but they give a good indication of the amount of caffeine you can expect in a cup of green tea. It is therefore important to choose the right type of green tea depending on how much caffeine you’re looking for.
Does Decaffeinated Green Tea Have Caffeine?
It may come as a surprise, but decaffeinated green tea can still contain small traces of caffeine. Decaffeination is not a perfect process, so it is impossible to guarantee reduced caffeine levels without impairing the taste too much. It is typically impossible to detect the small amount of caffeine in decaffeinated green tea, but it’s worth bearing in mind when assessing your daily caffeine intake.
Caffeine in Green Tea Compared To Coffee
Green tea is dramatically lower in caffeine compared to other popular drinks. An average 8 ounce cup of coffee contains between 95 and 200 mg of caffeine, whereas a cup of green tea – even matcha green tea, which has the highest caffeine content – contains only 35 to 70 mg.
Green tea is therefore a great alternative for anyone looking for a caffeine boost without the additional sugar associated with other drinks. It is also ideal if you are trying to monitor your caffeine intake more closely, as you know exactly how much caffeine you’re getting in each go.
Conclusion
In conclusion, green tea contains less caffeine than other popular drinks, but it’s still a decent source of energy. The amount of caffeine in green tea can vary, so pick one that gives you exactly the right amount of caffeine to suit your needs. Decaffeinated green tea can still contain small traces of caffeine, although these are usually too small to be detected.