Caffeine: Are you drinking too much or not enough?

I started The Tea Crowd based on having to give up my cherished morning coffee and find alternatives that didn't trigger gut issues. While I can no longer tolerate coffee strength levels of caffeine, I'm still conscious of the amount I'm consuming in my mixed menu of tea I have throughout the day and night.

For some, caffeine has zero effect on the body and mind (lucky you!) and for others it can alter sleep and relaxation and potentially cause anxiety and digestive upset. Caffeine can work in positive ways by increasing your mental alertness and focus and give a small boost of energy.   

 

So what are the caffeine levels in tea? Read on for the easy guide of the least to the most.

Herbal Tisane
Caffeine level: 0mg per 8oz/250ml
Caffeine rating: N/A
Drink to your hearts content with herbal tisanes! As it contains no Camellia sinensis (tea leaf) and made from a variety of herbs, fruits and plants it is naturally caffeine free.

 

White Tea
Caffeine level: Approximately 5-30mg per 8oz/250ml

Caffeine rating: Low

This is the least processed tea leaf and only has a slight oxidation. It's super high in antioxidants and made from young leaves and buds.

 

Green Tea
Caffeine level: Approximately 20-45mg per 8oz/250ml
Caffeine rating: Moderate

Green tea is unoxidised and most closely resembles the original plucked tea leaf.

 

Oolong Tea
Caffeine level: Approximately 30-50mg per 8oz/250ml
Caffeine rating: Moderate

Oolong tea is semi-oxidised using mature tea leaves falling between green and black tea in terms of flavour and strength.

 

Black Tea
Caffeine level: Approximately 40-70mg per 8oz/250ml 
Caffeine rating: High

Black tea is fully oxidised with rich flavours that develop during processing. It has a higher caffeine content than green and oolong but is still less than half of what you would find in a typical cup of coffee.

Matcha
Caffeine level: Approximately 70 mg or more per 8oz/250ml 
Caffeine rating: Highest

Since matcha involves consuming the whole tea leaf in powdered form, it can have a higher caffeine concentration.

 

Coffee
Caffeine level: Approximately 95 mg or more per 8oz/250ml 
Caffeine rating: Highest

Like tea, coffee can fluctuate in caffeine strength depending on the processing method.

 

Caffeine levels for tea can change depending on how long you brew your tea. As a general rule, the longer you brew your tea leaf the higher in caffeine content it will be.