Hi there,
Have you ever wondered how much caffeine is in the tea you drink?
Or how you can get more or less caffeine in your cup?
If so, this FAQ is for you.
I see tons of misinformation about caffeine in tea on the internet. So I put together this FAQ so you can have all the answers in one place. It's also posted on our blog here.
How much caffeine is in tea?
In a 10oz cup of August tea, brewed as directed, you'll get 40-60mg of caffeine.
That's about the same as:
• A double-shot of espresso (~30mg per shot)
• 1/3rd or 1/2 a serving of drip coffee or cold brew (~120-200mg per 10oz)
Which tea has the most caffeine?
All “tea” that comes from the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis, contains caffeine. White, green, oolong, and black teas are all made from the same plant, but are processed differently. Herbal teas like peppermint, rooibos, and chamomile are not technically ‘tea’ and are caffeine free.
Is the caffeine in tea the same as coffee?
Yes, but it hits different. The caffeine in tea doesn't hit you all at once like coffee. It gives you a slower lift and a softer landing than coffee does. This is because of an amino acid in tea called L-theanine that slows the absorption of caffeine into your body. It also promotes a feeling of calm alertness.
Are there any teas with moderate amounts of caffeine?
Yes, we have several teas with moderate caffeine. This is because these blends contain a lot of non-tea ingredients, which cuts down on the caffeine content. These teas have generally 20-40mg of caffeine per serving.
Can I reduce the amount of caffeine in my tea?
Yes, shorter infusions can cut down on the amount of caffeine in your cup. Shortening your infusions to 2-3 minutes will extract less caffeine. It will also make the flavor milder. Using less tea leaves will also cut back on the caffeine.
Can I increase the amount of caffeine in my tea?
Yes, add more tea leaves. The more tea leaves you add, the more caffeinated your tea will be.
• With 7 grams of tea leaves (two tea bags) in 10oz of water, you'll get 80-120mg of caffeine.
• With 10.5 grams of tea leaves (three tea bags) in 10oz of water, you'll get 120-180mg of caffeine.
Keep in mind these stronger brews will be intensely flavorful. If they're too bitter for you try adding milk and/or sweetener.
Can I get rich flavor without caffeine?
Yes! Check out Daybreak, our sweet roasted coffee alternative and Silent Night, our chocolate nutmeg rooibos tea.We also have our first decaf black tea coming soon!
I hope you've found this guide helpful. Have more caffeine questions? Just reply to this email.
Warm regards,
Aaron
August Uncommon Tea
Cofounder
