Tea and Caffeine
Tea is one of the oldest and most widely consumed beverages in the world, and for this reason, it’s often associated with increased levels of alertness.
Tea does contain caffeine, but it can also be enjoyed without it. In this article, we’ll discuss how much caffeine is found in different types of tea and how you can reduce your caffeine intake.
Types of Tea Containing Caffeine
Tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant and generally has caffeine levels ranging from 2-60mg per cup. Of course, different types of tea will contain different levels depending on the processing and brewing methods.
The highest caffeine levels are found in:
- Black tea, which contains about 47mg of caffeine per 8-oz cup.
- Oolong tea, which contains about 48mg of caffeine per 8-oz cup.
- Matcha, which contains about 70mg of caffeine per 8-oz cup.
On the other hand, some types of tea (such as white tea, green tea, yellow tea, and pu-erh tea) have low caffeine levels, typically containing around 2-15mg per cup.
Reducing Your Tea Caffeine Intake
While having some caffeine in your tea is fine in moderation, it’s important to be aware of how much caffeine you are consuming. If you are looking to reduce your caffeine intake, there are a few tips you can follow:
- Use the lowest possible temperature for brewing.
- Brew for a shorter amount of time.
- Go for a lighter-style tea (such as white tea, green tea, yellow tea, and pu-erh tea).
- Mix your tea with other herbs and spices to dilute the caffeine content.
By following these tips, you can enjoy your tea without over-consuming caffeine.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tea does contain caffeine, with the highest levels found in black, oolong and matcha teas. To reduce your caffeine intake, you should opt for a lighter-style tea, such as white, green, yellow or pu-erh tea, and use the lowest temperature for brewing. You can also mix your tea with other herbs and spices to reduce the caffeine content.
