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Green Tea, Black Tea, White Tea, Herbal Tea, & Rooibos Tea: Which have caffeine and which don’t?

What's in a "sleep tea"? Which tea varieties do not contain any caffeine? We’ll show you what’s in a cup of green, white, black, rooibos, and herbal teas so you can figure out which teas are sleep friendly and which aren’t, and decide what to brew and when!

Caffeinated Teas

Earl Grey is a caffeinated black tea blend

Black Tea is the most caffeinated tea

Black tea has about 30% as much caffeine as one cup of coffee. Black tea generally has a high concentration of caffeine, due to longer infusion time compared to green tea, along with higher steeping temperatures, typically boiling. Since black tea is oxidized, more caffeine is extracted from the leaf versus other teas. 

Is Oolong Tea caffeinated? Oolong Tea has about 25% as much caffeine as one cup of coffee

Oolong tea is partially oxidized - usually between 20% and 80% oxidized. Because there’s a wide range of possible oxidation, there are many types of oolong teas with myriad characteristics. Tea masters carefully watch over the production process, creating lighter oolongs with less oxidation and darker oolongs that are more thoroughly oxidized. Producers consider the production process for oolongs to be a fine art and often keep certain aspects of their process a secret. Tea connoisseurs value the subtle differences in taste and aroma that can be found across a sampling of oolongs. Overall, Oolong tea caffeine content is fairly strong.

Light Caffeine Teas

Green Tea has caffeine too but only about 15% as much as a cup of coffee

Green tea is made from leaves that are unwilted and unoxidized. The leaves are immediately steamed or heated after picking to destroy the enzymes that cause oxidation. They are then rolled and dried. The minimal processing involved in making green tea keeps an abundance of the tea’s beneficial chemicals undamaged. Green teas are characterized by a lighter color, fragrant and delicate flavor. Green tea contains less caffeine than black or oolong teas. Jasmine tea caffeine content is also light, as it is based on green tea.

White Tea has close to the same amount of caffeine as green tea - about 15% as much as a cup of coffee

The name "white tea" derives from the fine silvery-white hairs on the unopened buds of the tea plant, which gives the plant a whitish appearance. White tea undergoes the least processing of any "true" tea. Tea buds are picked before they are even ripe and opened. They are sun-dried and that's it! There is no rolling or oxidation. White tea is produced in smaller quantities relative to other types of tea.

Caffeine Free Teas

Herbal infusions are naturally caffeine free

Herbal Teas are naturally caffeine-free, and can be enjoyed at any time of the day

Herbal teas, sometimes called herbal infusions or herbal infusion tea, are made from the infusion or decoction of dried fruits, herbs, flowers, spices, or other plant material in hot water. Herbal infusion teas may offer different health benefits based on their ingredients. They are calorie-free. Tantalise your taste buds with our unique selection of herbal tea infusions!

Rooibos Tea does not contain caffeine

That’s because Rooibos Tea is made from a completely different plant than a black tea or green tea. Rooibos, also known as red tea, red bush, or South African bush, is a caffeine-free delight. This full-bodied, aromatic red brew has a smooth, sweet taste (due to its low tannin content). A significant amount of recent research has discovered the noteworthy healing properties of rooibos. Among its numerous benefits, rooibos is rich in antioxidants and minerals, soothes the stomach and aids in digestion, reduces insomnia, and promotes healthy skin.

Scale of caffeine content in different types of tea compared to coffee

Comparison of caffeine content in different tea types

Find more in these tea collections by Paromi:

 

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