Comparison Of The Amount Of Caffeine Among Teas - From Energizing Black Tea To Calming Herbal Tea

In 1827, caffeine called theine was initially discovered as an element of tea. Both coffee and tea contain the substance in various content amounts. While tea contains more of the element when unprepared, coffee has 50% more amounts than tea after water is added. The total amount of this bitter alkaloid is derived from various factors. Type of tea leaf, growth location, cut of leaf, method of brewing and even the specific location of the tea leaf on the larger plant play a part in determining the level of chemical elements.

The levels of caffeine within specific types of teas also vary. Smaller tea leaves and greater times of leaf fermentation result in more chemical content. The largest amount of the alkaloid is found in the first and second leaves of the tea plant, estimating at 3.4% content. There have been various studies on potentially detrimental health effects commonly thought to be associated with the drug; however, no conclusive evidence has ever been generated which suggest its use is damaging to an individual's health. Consuming up to 300 mg per day is commonly agreed to be a safe and healthy limit for intake.

Black tea ranges from 25 - 110 mg of caffeine (alkaloid) per 8 ounce serving, but its average amount is 40 mg. Western tea such as Lipton is 55 mg per cup on average. Varieties of Oolong tea contain 12 - 55 mg and average 30 mg per cup. Green teas range from 8 - 30 mg but typically contain 20 mg per serving. White tea contains anywhere from 6 - 25 mg with an average content of 15 mg. Herbal teas, Rooibosand and Dokudami tea, which is an ancient Chinese herb used in a medicinal tea form, contain no alkaloids. These teas are generally not made from tea leaves but rather herbs and spices.

Additionally, commercial or pre-packaged teas also have a wide range of caffeine content. A Starbucks Chai Tea Latte contains 75 mg and Snapple bottled iced tea contains 18 mg in a 16-ounce serving. Whether sweetened or unsweetened, Nestea provides 17 mg of alkaloid in a 12-ounce serving. Sobe green tea contains 14 mg of the drug per 8-ounce drink. Lipton Brisk lemon-flavored iced tea produces only 10 mg in every 12-ounce serving. Decaffeinated teas are not free of the drug. Decaf teas range from 1 - 4 mg per serving and average 2 mg per drink.