Do All Teas Have Caffeine in Them? A Comprehensive Guide

November 14, 2025 •

3 min read

Over 60 plant species worldwide contain natural caffeine, and it is a common misconception that all teas fall into this category. The truth is that whether a tea contains caffeine depends entirely on its source plant, with only 'true teas' derived from the Camellia sinensis plant naturally containing the stimulant.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the difference between true teas, which contain caffeine, and herbal teas, which are typically caffeine-free. It explores the caffeine levels found in various true teas like black, green, and white tea, and discusses factors affecting potency, such as brewing method and processing.

Key Points

Source Matters: Only "true teas" (black, green, oolong, white), which come from the Camellia sinensis plant, naturally contain caffeine.
Herbal Teas are Caffeine-Free: Herbal infusions, or tisanes, are made from other plants and are naturally caffeine-free (with exceptions like yerba mate).
Decaf Isn't Zero Caffeine: Decaffeinated tea is not completely caffeine-free; it has undergone processing to remove most, but not all, of its natural caffeine.
Matcha is High in Caffeine: As powdered whole green tea leaves, matcha contains significantly higher caffeine levels per serving than standard green tea.
Brewing Affects Potency: Factors like water temperature, steep time, and leaf size can all influence the final caffeine content in your cup.

True Tea vs. Herbal Tea: The Fundamental Difference

To answer the question, "Do all teas have caffeine in them?" you must first distinguish between 'true tea' and herbal tea, also known as a 'tisane'. True teas—black, green, oolong, white, and pu-erh—are all made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which naturally contains caffeine. On the other hand, herbal teas are infusions made from other plants, including herbs, spices, fruits, and flowers, and are naturally caffeine-free unless otherwise blended.

The Impact of Processing on True Tea Caffeine Levels

The processing method used on Camellia sinensis leaves determines the type of tea and can influence the amount of caffeine. For example, black tea leaves are fully oxidized, a process that can make caffeine more readily available for extraction during brewing. Green tea leaves are heated to prevent oxidation, while oolong is partially oxidized, and white tea is minimally processed. These differences in processing lead to the general variations in caffeine levels seen in the final brewed cup.

Decaffeinated Tea: Not a Caffeine-Free Solution

It is important to understand that decaffeinated tea is not the same as naturally caffeine-free herbal tea. Decaf tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant but undergoes a process to remove most of its caffeine. Even after decaffeination, small, trace amounts of caffeine often remain, typically around 2-4 milligrams per cup. This is an important distinction for those with a high sensitivity to caffeine or who are seeking to eliminate it entirely.

Methods of Decaffeination

There are several methods for removing caffeine from tea leaves, including:

CO2 Process: Considered one of the safest and most effective methods, this process uses pressurized carbon dioxide to bond with and extract the caffeine molecules, leaving most flavor and health compounds intact.
Ethyl Acetate Process: A chemical solvent is used to remove caffeine. While effective, it is often a less desirable method for maintaining flavor integrity.
Methylene Chloride Process: Another chemical-based process, this method uses a solvent to bind and remove the caffeine.
Water Process: The tea leaves are steeped in hot water to remove caffeine and flavor compounds. The water is then filtered to remove the caffeine before being returned to the leaves.

Comparison of Caffeine Content by Tea Type

To provide a clearer picture, here is a comparison of average caffeine ranges for different types of tea. It is important to remember that brewing time, water temperature, and leaf size can all affect the final caffeine level.


Tea Type	Source Plant	Average Caffeine (per 8oz cup)	Processing Notes
Black Tea	Camellia sinensis	40-70 mg	Fully oxidized; often brewed with hotter water for longer steeps.
Matcha (Green Tea)	Camellia sinensis	60-70 mg (per 2g serving)	Shade-grown, powdered green tea where the whole leaf is consumed.
Oolong Tea	Camellia sinensis	30-55 mg	Partially oxidized; caffeine levels can vary depending on oxidation level.
Green Tea	Camellia sinensis	20-45 mg	Minimally oxidized; typically brewed with cooler water.
White Tea	Camellia sinensis	15-40 mg	Minimally processed young leaves and buds; generally lower caffeine.
Yerba Mate (Herbal)	Ilex paraguariensis	30-85 mg	Herbal infusion, but contains natural caffeine.
Herbal Tisanes	Various Plants	0 mg	Includes chamomile, peppermint, rooibos; naturally caffeine-free.
Decaffeinated Tea	Camellia sinensis	< 4 mg	Processed to remove most caffeine, but trace amounts remain.

Conclusion

In summary, the assumption that all teas contain caffeine is a common misconception rooted in the broad use of the word 'tea'. The truth is that only brews from the Camellia sinensis plant—the source of black, green, oolong, and white teas—naturally contain this stimulant. Herbal infusions, made from other plants, are inherently caffeine-free, providing a variety of flavorful options for those seeking to avoid caffeine entirely. For those who enjoy the taste of true tea but want less caffeine, options exist, including decaffeinated varieties that contain only minimal trace amounts. Your choice of tea should ultimately depend on your individual preferences and sensitivity to caffeine, but you can rest assured that many completely caffeine-free beverages offer a relaxing and flavorful experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, green tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant and contains a moderate amount of caffeine, typically ranging from 20-45 mg per 8-ounce cup.

Most herbal teas, or tisanes, are naturally caffeine-free. However, some, like yerba mate, contain naturally occurring caffeine and should be checked if you are avoiding it.

Decaf tea has been processed to remove most of its original caffeine, leaving trace amounts. Caffeine-free tea comes from plants that never contained any caffeine to begin with.

White tea is generally considered to have the lowest caffeine content among the true teas, with an average of 15-40 mg per 8-ounce cup.

Yes, a longer brewing or steeping time will typically result in a higher concentration of caffeine being extracted into your cup.

Matcha is made from powdered whole tea leaves, meaning you ingest all of the caffeine. For regular green tea, you only drink the water infusion, which contains less caffeine.

Yes, rooibos is an herbal tea made from the South African red bush and is naturally caffeine-free.