Sweet Tea and Caffeine
Do you love sweet tea, but find yourself wondering if it contains caffeine? Fortunately, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no—it actually depends upon how you make it.
Caffeine in Sweet Tea
Sweet tea is traditionally made by combining brewed tea with sugar and other flavors. Depending on the amount of tea that is used, it could contain anywhere from no to a moderate amount of caffeine.
Brewed Tea and Caffeine
To make sweet tea, brewed tea is the most important ingredient. Some tea varieties, such as green tea and black tea, contain caffeine. On the other hand, caffeine-free herbal teas are available, such as chamomile or peppermint.
How Much Caffeine Does Sweet Tea Contain?
The amount of caffeine in your sweet tea will depend on the type of tea that is used and the brewing process. Generally, if you are using a tea bag, you can expect your tea to contain 40–90mg of caffeine per 8 ounces (about 240 mL). Loose-leaf tea, on the other hand, typically contains more caffeine, with 12–30mg of caffeine per teaspoon (about 2.6 grams).
Caffeine-Free Sweet Tea
It is possible to make caffeine-free sweet tea. The simplest way is to use a tea that is already naturally caffeine-free, such as rooibos tea. Additionally, you can also reduce the caffeine content of a tea by using fewer tea leaves than usual or by brewing the tea with cold or lukewarm water instead of hot water.
Summary
In summary, whether or not your sweet tea contains caffeine depends on the type of tea you use and how you brew it. Tea bags typically contain 40–90mg of caffeine per 8 ounces (240 mL), while loose-leaf tea contains 12–30mg of caffeine per teaspoon (2.6 grams). If you are looking for a caffeine-free sweet tea, you can use naturally caffeine-free rooibos tea, or you can reduce the caffeine content of other teas by adjusting the brewing process.
