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Tea library: types, caffeine and brewing

The type of tea decides more than flavour: it also shapes the caffeine. Here are the seven most common types with ranges, brewing and sources, followed by six more infusions and variants, including caffeine-free ones.

From less to more caffeine

Types are ordered by average caffeine per cup. Ranges overlap, so a particular cup can differ.

Type	How it is made	Caffeine per cup	Water, °C
Oolong tea	Partly oxidised tea	4–29 mg	85–95
White tea	Minimally processed tea	6–31 mg	75–85
Green tea	Unoxidised tea	11–29 mg	70–82
Pu-erh tea	Microbially fermented tea	13–40 mg	95–100
Black tea	Fully oxidised tea	14–48 mg	95–100
Matcha	Shade-grown, whole-leaf powdered tea	38–89 mg	80–90
Yerba mate	Not tea: leaves of Ilex paraguariensis	54–80 mg	70–80

Black teaFully oxidised teaUsually fuller in flavour and darker than green tea; it is the most common tea in teabags.Green teaUnoxidised teaUsually lighter, fresher and grassier; water that is too hot or steeping that is too long makes it more bitter.Oolong teaPartly oxidised teaA wide range, from light and floral to richer and roasted, depending on oxidation and roasting.White teaMinimally processed teaLighter than most green or black teas, with a pale yellow cup.Pu-erh teaMicrobially fermented teaYoung raw pu-erh is often strong, bitter and astringent; well-aged it turns smoother and earthy. Ripe pu-erh has a fermented, earthy taste.Yerba mateNot tea: leaves of Ilex paraguariensisLike an infusion of vegetables, herbs and grass, somewhat like some green teas; often bitter when steeped in hot water.MatchaShade-grown, whole-leaf powdered teaA strong umami flavour, which is mostly attributed to amino acids such as theanine.

More types and infusions

Types and infusions where we cannot give one number from our own measurements: from caffeine-free drinks to Japanese green teas and flavoured teas. Where a source gives no number, we show none.

RooibosNot tea: a caffeine-free herbal infusion0 mg Herbal teasNot tea: infusions of herbs, flowers, spices or fruitmost 0 mg, but not all SenchaJapanese steamed green tea20–30 mg per cup (estimate)HojichaRoasted Japanese green teaabout 20 mg / 100 ml (producer data)Yellow teaLightly oxidised tea from China and Koreano reliable figure found Earl GreyBlack tea flavoured with bergamot oilas the base tea: 14–48 mg

Caffeine in tea and theanine

Tea also contains L-theanine. A review in Nutrition Reviews (2008) says tea taken at regular intervals may help maintain alertness and focused attention, and that theanine together with caffeine may improve attention switching. General information, not medical advice.

Recipes and rituals Tea brands Drink comparisons Caffeine calculator Tea finder quiz

Sources

Brewing temperature and time are typical: manufacturers' instructions may differ. Data checked 2026-10-24. General information, not medical advice.

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