Coffee vs Tea: Which Beverage Has More Caffeine?

Do you like to drink coffee or Tea? Or maybe you enjoy both beverages. Regardless of your preference, knowing which one has more caffeine is essential. After all, caffeine is a stimulant that provides energy and can improve alertness.

Tea and coffee both have caffeine, but the amount can vary depending on the ingredients and how the drink is prepared. And too much caffeine can be harmful, so it’s best to know how much is in each glass.

In this article, we will compare the caffeine content of Tea and coffee and explore which beverage is better for you.

What you Need to Know About Caffeine

What is Caffeine?

Before comparing Tea and coffee, it’s essential to understand caffeine. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant found in coffee, Tea, energy drinks, chocolate, and some medications.

Accordingly, caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter that makes you feel sleepy. By blocking it, caffeine prevents drowsiness and keeps you awake.

Caffeine can also increase alertness, improve mood, and boost energy levels. That’s why it’s often consumed in the morning to help wake people up. However, too much caffeine can cause side effects like anxiety, jitters, and insomnia.

Caffeine in Tea vs Coffee

How Much Caffeine is in Tea and Coffee?

Now that we know what caffeine is let’s look at how much it is in Tea and coffee.

The caffeine content of coffee varies depending on the type of bean and how the drink is prepared. For example, a brewed coffee has 95-200 mg of caffeine. Meanwhile, a cup of instant coffee has 27-173 mg, and a cup of decaf has about 12 mg.

Regarding Tea, the amount of caffeine also varies depending on the type and preparation. For example, a cup of black Tea has 47-90 mg of caffeine, while green Tea has 24-45 mg.

So, which beverage has more caffeine? It depends on the drink, but coffee has more caffeine than Tea. However, it’s essential to remember that the amount can vary depending on how the drinks are prepared.

For a better understanding, various teas and coffees, preparation methods, and caffeine content are below.

Caffeine Content of Different Tea and Coffee Variations

1. Herbal Tea

Herbal Tea is a good choice if you want to avoid caffeine. That’s because herbal teas don’t contain any, and they’re also naturally calorie-free. Chamomile, ginger, and lavender Tea are some of the best options.

This type of Tea has a wide range of flavors, depending on the herb used. For example, chamomile tea has a sweet and fruity flavor, while ginger tea is spicy.

Preparation Method: Tea bags or loose leaves are placed in hot water, and the Tea should be steeped for about five minutes. After this time, the Tea will have no more flavor.

Caffeine Content: Herbal Tea does not contain caffeine because it is made from herbs, fruits, and spices.

2. Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is a type of black Tea that’s semi-oxidized. This process gives the Tea a unique flavor between green and black Tea. This Tea is also known for its many health benefits, including weight loss, improved mental alertness, and lower cholesterol levels.

Preparation Method: Tea leaves are placed in hot water and are steeped for three to five minutes.

Caffeine Content: Oolong tea has 37-55 mg of caffeine per cup, depending on the leaf type and preparation.

3. Green Tea 

Another popular type of Tea is Green Tea. This Tea is made from Camellia sinensis leaves and has many health benefits, including weight loss, improved brain function, and lower cancer risk.

Accordingly, green Tea also has less caffeine than other types of Tea.

Preparation Method: Green Tea leaves are placed in hot water and steeped for two to three minutes.

Caffeine Content: Green Tea has 24-45 mg of caffeine per cup, depending on the leaf type and preparation.

4. White Tea 

White Tea, on the other hand, is a tea made from young Camellia sinensis leaves. It has a delicate flavor and is less bitter than other teas.

Moreover, white Tea is also rich in antioxidants and has several health benefits, including improved heart health and weight loss.

Preparation Method: Tea leaves are placed in hot water and allowed to steep for three to five minutes.

Caffeine Content: White Tea has 15-30 mg of caffeine per cup, depending on the leaf type and preparation.

5. Decaf Coffee

Decaf coffee is a type of coffee with most of its caffeine removed. From the name itself, this coffee is decaffeinated.

However, it still contains some caffeine but is much lower than regular coffee. Decaf coffee has many health benefits, including improved heart and weight loss.

Preparation Method: Coffee beans are placed in hot water. It should be brewed for about four minutes.

Caffeine Content: Decaf coffee has about 12 mg of caffeine per cup.

6. Dark/Medium Roast Coffee

Another type of coffee mainly used and prepared is Dark roast coffee. This coffee is roasted for a longer time, which gives the beans a darker color and a more robust flavor. Dark roast coffee also has more caffeine than other types of coffee.

Preparation Method: Coffee beans are placed in hot water. They can also be brewed for about four minutes.

Caffeine Content: Dark roast coffee has about 96 mg of caffeine per cup.

7. Light/Blonde Roast Coffee

Light roast coffee is a type of coffee roasted for a shorter time and gives the coffee beans a more golden color and a more delicate flavor. This type of roast coffee also has less caffeine than other types of coffee.

Preparation Method: Like how you prepare coffee, the Coffee beans are placed in hot water or maybe brewed for about four minutes.

Caffeine Content: Light roast coffee has about 63 mg of caffeine per cup.

8. Gold Roast Coffee

Lastly, Gold roast coffee is a type of coffee that’s roasted until the beans are a golden color. This gives the coffee a smooth and mellow flavor. Gold roast coffee also has less caffeine than other types of coffee.

Preparation Method: Golden Roast Coffee beans are placed in hot water. They are best served iced or cold brew.

Caffeine Content: Gold roast coffee has about 54 mg of caffeine per cup.

Which One Should You Drink?

As you can see, there is a big difference in the amount of caffeine in each drink. Tea has less caffeine than coffee, but the type of Tea and how it is prepared makes a big difference.

If you are looking for a caffeinated beverage, coffee is the way to go. However, if you are sensitive to caffeine or want to avoid it, Tea is a better choice. There are also many decafs and caffeine-free herbal teas.

FAQs

Conclusion

Now that you know the caffeine difference between Tea and coffee, you can decide which drink is right for you. It is also best to research how to properly prepare each drink (interesting coffee facts) and enjoy its full flavor and benefits. Tea and coffee are delicious beverages that can be enjoyed any time of day.