How much caffeine in a cup of green tea?
02.03.2024 | The Tea of East | Tea

How much caffeine in a cup of green tea?

The caffeine content in a cup of green tea can vary significantly depending on factors such as the type of green tea, the brand, how it’s prepared, and the brewing time. However, on average, an 8-ounce (240-milliliter) serving of green tea contains between 30 and 50 milligrams of caffeine. Comparatively, black tea typically contains more caffeine, around 40-70 mg per cup, and coffee contains even more, usually 95-200 mg per cup.

To better understand the caffeine content of the specific green tea you are consuming, it’s advisable to check the package or contact the manufacturer, as the variation can be quite wide. Additionally, brewing time plays a crucial role; steeping tea for a longer period typically increases the caffeine content.

When brewing green tea, the following factors can affect the amount of caffeine extracted:

  1. Type of Tea Leaves: Different varieties of green tea, such as Japanese matcha or Chinese Longjing, have differing amounts of caffeine.

  2. Processing Method: The caffeine content can also be affected by how the tea leaves were grown, processed, and roasted.

  3. Brewing Time: The longer you steep the tea, the higher the caffeine content will be. The suggested steeping time for green tea is typically about 1 to 3 minutes.

  4. Water Temperature: Generally, using boiling hot water to brew green tea will extract more caffeine, whereas cold brewing or using water at a lower temperature (such as 70°C to 80°C) will extract less caffeine.

  5. Amount of Tea Leaves: The more tea leaves you use, the more caffeine there will be in the brewed tea.

Health experts typically recommend a daily caffeine intake of no more than 400 milligrams. It’s unlikely for most people to exceed this limit from drinking green tea, but if you are particularly sensitive to caffeine or have specific health concerns, it’s best to consult a doctor regarding your caffeine intake. As a reminder, if you drink green tea in the evening, it could potentially affect your sleep due to the stimulating effects of caffeine.