Do Tea Have Nicotine? Unpacking the Truth

December 9, 2025 •

2 min read

Trace amounts of nicotine have been confirmed to be present in tea plants, a fact that surprises many tea drinkers. The tea plant, Camellia sinensis, naturally produces this compound, though in extremely low levels, acting as a defense mechanism against insects.

Quick Summary

This article explores the truth about nicotine in tea, detailing the minute quantities present, how they compare to tobacco, and why they pose no addictive risk to consumers. It also covers different tea types and the nicotine content found in each.

Key Points

Trace Amounts Only: Tea plants naturally produce extremely low levels of nicotine, but the amount is negligible and not a health risk.
Not Addictive: Due to the minimal concentration and slow digestive absorption, the nicotine in tea does not create an addiction or trigger cravings.
Significant Difference from Tobacco: You would need to drink over 140 cups of tea to equal the nicotine found in a single cigarette.
Brewing Reduces Nicotine: The steeping process releases only a fraction of the nicotine from the tea leaves into the final brewed beverage.
Nicotine-Free Alternatives: For those who want to avoid nicotine completely, herbal teas are naturally free of the substance.
Harmless for Former Smokers: The trace amount of nicotine in tea is unlikely to interfere with smoking cessation efforts.

Is Nicotine in Tea Harmful?

Despite the discovery that tea plants produce nicotine, the quantity is so small that it is neither harmful nor addictive to humans. Studies have shown that tea samples contain nicotine, but in minuscule amounts ranging from 0.011 to 0.694 μg per gram of dry weight. Only a fraction of this is extracted into your cup of brewed tea.

The Brewing Process Reduces Nicotine

The brewing process minimizes the trace amounts of nicotine that end up in your drink. Brewing tea for five minutes may release only about half of the nicotine from the dried tea leaves into the liquid.

Comparing Nicotine in Tea vs. Tobacco

The nicotine content in tea is thousands of times lower than in a cigarette. {Link: Lab Test https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/does-tea-contain-nicotine}. This significant difference means tea is not addictive and doesn't carry the same risks as tobacco.

How is Nicotine Absorbed Differently?

The body absorbs nicotine from brewed tea slowly through the digestive tract over several hours. Nicotine from inhaled tobacco is absorbed almost instantly through the lungs, providing a rapid, addictive effect. The slow, minimal absorption from tea is insufficient to create dependency or cravings.

Nicotine Levels in Different Tea Types

The nicotine content varies depending on the type of tea and processing. All true teas (Camellia sinensis) contain some amount, but levels differ.

Black Tea: Generally contains slightly higher levels.
Green Tea: Contains less than black tea.
Oolong Tea: Has levels between green and black tea.
White Tea: Typically has the lowest content among true teas.
Herbal Teas: Do not contain nicotine naturally as they are not from the Camellia sinensis plant.

Herbal Tea vs. True Tea

Herbal infusions are made from various plants and do not contain nicotine. True teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant and contain trace amounts.


Feature	True Tea (Black, Green, White, Oolong)	Herbal Tea (Chamomile, Peppermint, Rooibos)
Source Plant	Camellia sinensis	Various plants, flowers, and spices
Contains Nicotine?	Yes, in trace amounts	No, naturally nicotine-free
Caffeine?	Yes	Generally no, unless blended
Addictive?	No, due to minute nicotine levels	No
Examples	Earl Grey, Sencha, Darjeeling	Chamomile, Hibiscus, Ginger Tea

Conclusion: The Final Word on Nicotine in Tea

Discovering that do tea have nicotine may be surprising, but the miniscule, naturally occurring amounts are not cause for concern. They are thousands of times lower than in tobacco and absorbed too slowly to be addictive or harmful. Drinking tea is safe and poses no risk of dependency. Nicotine-free herbal teas are an option for those with sensitivities or former smokers. The health benefits of tea outweigh concerns about its trace nicotine content. {Link: Lab Test https://www.getlabtest.com/news/post/does-tea-contain-nicotine}.

Frequently Asked Questions

Only 'true teas' derived from the Camellia sinensis plant (black, green, white, and oolong) contain trace amounts of nicotine. Herbal teas, made from other plants, are naturally nicotine-free.

No, the nicotine content in tea is far too low and is absorbed too slowly through the digestive tract to cause any addictive effects. Addiction typically requires much higher, more rapid doses.

For most people, the trace amounts of nicotine in tea pose no health risks. The overall health benefits of tea are considered to outweigh any potential concerns related to its minimal nicotine content.

The difference is vast. The nicotine in a single cigarette is thousands of times higher than the amount found in a standard cup of tea. It would take over 140 cups of tea to match one cigarette.

Yes, in most cases, it is completely safe. The minute amount of nicotine is unlikely to trigger cravings or affect smoking cessation efforts. If a former smoker is concerned, herbal tea is a nicotine-free option.

Yes, studies show that the brewing process releases only a fraction of the nicotine from the dry tea leaves. The longer you brew, the more nicotine is extracted, but the total amount remains extremely low and harmless.

The tea plant naturally produces nicotine as a defense mechanism to protect itself from insects and pests.