Investigatory Project
Caffeine and Tea
Caffeine Content Comparisons
Approximate caffeine content of various beverages: Milligrams of Caffeine:
Item Per serving Range Per ounce* Coffee (5 oz. cup) 80 40 - 170 16.00
Cola (12 oz. can) 45 30 - 60 3.75
Black Tea (one tea bag) 40 25 - 110 5.00
Oolong Tea (one tea bag) 30 12 - 55 3.75
Green Tea (one tea bag) 20 8 - 30 2.50
White Tea (one tea bag) 15 6 - 25 2.00
Decaf Tea (one tea bag) 2 1 - 4 0.50
Herbal Tea (one tea bag) 0 0 0.00
* Assumes 8 ounces of water per tea bag
Caffeine content varies. This chart provides a general guideline.
History of Caffeine in Tea
Caffeine was first discovered in tea in 1827, and was named theine. It was later found in mate and various other plants. Eventually it was shown that the theine of tea was identical with the caffeine of coffee, and the term theine was then dropped. (Ref.: All About Tea by William H. Ukers)
Does Tea Contain More Caffeine Than Coffee?
While coffee and tea are both sources of caffeine, the amounts of caffeine in any single serving of these beverages varies significantly. An average serving of coffee contains the most caffeine, yet the same serving size of tea provides only 1/2 to 1/3 as much.(Ref.: Caffeine by The Institute of Food Technologists' Expert Panel on Food Safety & Nutrition.) One of the more confusing aspects of caffeine content is the fact that coffee contains less caffeine than tea when measured in its dry form. The caffeine content of a prepared cup of coffee is significantly higher than the caffeine content of a prepared cup of tea.
Herbal infusions & Caffeine
All real tea comes from the same botanical, Camellia sinensis, which contains caffeine. Herbal infusions are made from botanicals not related to Camellia sinensis, and they are naturally caffeine free. Chamomile and Peppermint are examples of herbal infusions (herbal tea).
What Determines Caffeine Levels?
The amount of caffeine in coffee or tea depends on a number of factors,
Caffeine Content Comparisons
Approximate caffeine content of various beverages: Milligrams of Caffeine:
Item Per serving Range Per ounce* Coffee (5 oz. cup) 80 40 - 170 16.00
Cola (12 oz. can) 45 30 - 60 3.75
Black Tea (one tea bag) 40 25 - 110 5.00
Oolong Tea (one tea bag) 30 12 - 55 3.75
Green Tea (one tea bag) 20 8 - 30 2.50
White Tea (one tea bag) 15 6 - 25 2.00
Decaf Tea (one tea bag) 2 1 - 4 0.50
Herbal Tea (one tea bag) 0 0 0.00
* Assumes 8 ounces of water per tea bag
Caffeine content varies. This chart provides a general guideline.
History of Caffeine in Tea
Caffeine was first discovered in tea in 1827, and was named theine. It was later found in mate and various other plants. Eventually it was shown that the theine of tea was identical with the caffeine of coffee, and the term theine was then dropped. (Ref.: All About Tea by William H. Ukers)
Does Tea Contain More Caffeine Than Coffee?
While coffee and tea are both sources of caffeine, the amounts of caffeine in any single serving of these beverages varies significantly. An average serving of coffee contains the most caffeine, yet the same serving size of tea provides only 1/2 to 1/3 as much.(Ref.: Caffeine by The Institute of Food Technologists' Expert Panel on Food Safety & Nutrition.) One of the more confusing aspects of caffeine content is the fact that coffee contains less caffeine than tea when measured in its dry form. The caffeine content of a prepared cup of coffee is significantly higher than the caffeine content of a prepared cup of tea.
Herbal infusions & Caffeine
All real tea comes from the same botanical, Camellia sinensis, which contains caffeine. Herbal infusions are made from botanicals not related to Camellia sinensis, and they are naturally caffeine free. Chamomile and Peppermint are examples of herbal infusions (herbal tea).
What Determines Caffeine Levels?
The amount of caffeine in coffee or tea depends on a number of factors,