Black tea vs Pu-erh tea: which has more caffeine?
Black tea and pu-erh tea have similar caffeine per cup (a difference of under 20%).
Per 100 ml the caffeine is similar.
| Black tea | Pu-erh tea | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per cup | 14–48 mg | 13–40 mg |
| Volume | 237 ml | 237 ml |
| mg / 100 ml (average) | 13.1 | 11.4 |
| Cups to reach 400 mg a day (adult) | 12 | 14 |
Frequently asked questions
Which has more caffeine: Black tea or Pu-erh tea?
Black tea and pu-erh tea have similar caffeine per cup (a difference of under 20%).
How many cups of pu-erh tea equal one cup of black tea?
Using average values, one cup of black tea (31 mg) equals about 1.1 cups of pu-erh tea (27 mg). This is a guide, since both drinks vary by batch and preparation.
Which is better in the evening?
Pu-erh tea has less caffeine per cup (about 27 mg versus about 31 mg for black tea). After 6 hours roughly half to a third of what you drank remains, but sensitivity varies a lot.
Try it
Sources and method
- Ayakdaş & Ağagündüz, Foods 2025;14(13):2313 (68 tea samples)
- Mayo Clinic: Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more
- Caffeine Informer: brewed tea (lab averages and brew-time tests)
- EUFIC: EFSA opinion on the safety of caffeine (2015)
Data checked 2026-10-24. Ranges are shown because studies report different numbers. General information, not medical advice.