Does Any Tea Have More Caffeine Than Coffee?

January 9, 2026 •

4 min read

Before brewing, tea leaves actually contain more caffeine by weight than coffee beans, though this doesn't typically hold true for the final brewed beverage. So, does any tea have more caffeine than coffee in your mug? The answer is nuanced, depending on the type of tea and preparation methods.

Quick Summary

This article explores the variations in caffeine content between different teas and coffee, examining how preparation methods can alter the final concentration. It compares standard brewed coffee to high-caffeine teas like Matcha and Yerba Mate, revealing exceptions where certain teas can offer a comparable or even stronger caffeine kick.

Key Points

Pre-Brewing vs. Brewed: Tea leaves have a higher caffeine percentage by weight than coffee beans before brewing, but standard brewed coffee typically has a higher concentration per cup.
Matcha as the Exception: As you consume the entire ground leaf, a serving of Matcha can contain a comparable or higher amount of caffeine than an average cup of coffee.
Potent Teas: Certain varieties like Yerba Mate and strongly steeped black tea can pack a significant caffeine punch, sometimes exceeding a standard cup of coffee.
L-Theanine's Effect: Tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, which creates a 'calm alertness' and sustained energy, countering the jitters often associated with coffee's caffeine.
Brewing Controls Caffeine: Factors like water temperature, steep time, and the ratio of leaves to water can drastically change the final caffeine content of your tea.
Overall, Coffee Dominates : Despite a few powerful exceptions, a typical cup of brewed coffee remains the more consistently caffeinated beverage.

Understanding the Caffeine Equation: Brewed vs. Leaf

Many assume coffee is always the most potent choice for a caffeine boost, but this oversimplifies the science of beverage preparation. The key lies in understanding that caffeine content is affected by several factors, including the type of plant, processing, and brewing technique.

Why Brewed Coffee Usually Wins

For a standard 8-ounce cup, brewed coffee typically contains between 95 and 165 mg of caffeine, often twice the amount of black tea. This is because more coffee grounds are used, and the hotter water and longer brew time extract a higher concentration of caffeine from the beans. The typical brewing process for most teas, which involves a shorter steeping time and often lower water temperature, results in a less concentrated final product.

The Tea Exceptions to the Rule

While the average cup of black or green tea has less caffeine than a cup of coffee, there are specific teas that can rival or even surpass coffee's stimulating effects. These exceptions challenge the conventional wisdom and offer strong alternatives for those seeking a powerful buzz without the characteristic coffee crash.

Here are some of the most prominent exceptions:

Matcha: Unlike regular green tea, where the leaves are steeped and removed, Matcha is a finely ground powder of shade-grown green tea leaves that is whisked directly into water. Because you consume the entire leaf, you ingest all of its caffeine and nutrients. A typical 8-ounce serving of Matcha can contain 60-80 mg of caffeine, and using a higher powder-to-water ratio can increase this significantly, putting it on par with or above many types of coffee.
Yerba Mate: This South American beverage, made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant, is a powerful energizer. With an average of 85 mg of caffeine per cup, it is more caffeinated than many black teas and can deliver a noticeable and sustained energy lift.
Strongly Brewed Black Tea: The caffeine content of black tea is highly dependent on brewing time and water temperature. Steeping a robust black tea, such as Assam or English Breakfast, for five minutes or more in boiling water can result in a caffeine level that rivals or even exceeds that of a weaker cup of coffee.

Comparison Table: Caffeine in an 8-oz Serving


Beverage	Average Caffeine Content (mg)	Notes
Brewed Coffee	95-165	Varies significantly by bean type and brewing method.
Matcha	60-80+	A finely ground powder of whole green tea leaves; higher concentrations are possible.
Yerba Mate	~85	A traditional South American herbal infusion with high caffeine.
Black Tea	40-70	Influenced heavily by steep time and leaf size.
Oolong Tea	30-50	Less caffeinated than black tea, but more than green.
Green Tea	20-45	Known for a milder, calmer boost due to L-theanine.
White Tea	15-30	Minimal processing results in a low caffeine content.
Herbal Tea	0	Naturally caffeine-free infusions.

Factors that Influence Caffeine Levels

Beyond the type of beverage, several variables directly impact the final caffeine concentration in your cup:

Leaf/Bean Variety and Age: Different plant species and even varieties of the same species have varying inherent caffeine levels. For example, Robusta coffee beans have nearly double the caffeine of Arabica beans. In tea, young buds often have higher caffeine concentrations than older, mature leaves.
Brewing Temperature: The temperature of the water is a primary driver of caffeine extraction. Hotter water extracts caffeine more efficiently. This is why black tea, typically brewed at or near boiling, usually contains more caffeine than green tea, which is brewed at a lower temperature to prevent bitterness.
Brewing Duration: The longer the steeping time, the more caffeine is released into the brew. Extending the brew time for a black or green tea can dramatically increase its caffeine content.
Serving Size and Ratio: The amount of tea leaves or coffee grounds used relative to the water volume makes a difference. A stronger brew, made with a higher ratio, will have more caffeine. The overall size of the serving also determines total caffeine intake.

The Role of L-theanine: More than Just a Buzz

It's also important to consider the qualitative difference between caffeine in tea and coffee. Tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, which is known for its calming, focus-enhancing effects. This compound works synergistically with caffeine to provide a smoother, more sustained energy boost and heightened mental alertness without the jitters, anxiety, and eventual crash associated with high-dose coffee. Coffee, which lacks L-theanine, delivers a faster, more intense spike in energy.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

In most day-to-day scenarios, a standard cup of coffee does have more caffeine than a standard cup of tea. However, the blanket statement that "coffee always has more caffeine than tea" is a myth. High-caffeine teas like Matcha and Yerba Mate, and black teas that are strongly brewed, can contain caffeine levels comparable to or higher than an average cup of coffee. For those seeking an alternative to coffee, these options provide a powerful, yet often smoother, energy boost. The ultimate choice depends on your desired caffeine intensity and sensitivity to its effects, as moderated by factors like L-theanine.

Authoritative Source

For more in-depth information on caffeine and its effects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides helpful guidelines and safety recommendations on daily caffeine intake. Learn more at the FDA

Frequently Asked Questions

Matcha, a powdered green tea, generally has the highest caffeine content among teas because you consume the entire tea leaf. Yerba Mate and some strongly brewed black teas, like Assam, are also very high in caffeine.

The presence of the amino acid L-theanine in tea is the key difference. It works with caffeine to create a state of calm alertness, providing a smoother energy boost. Coffee lacks this compound, causing a more rapid and intense caffeine spike that can lead to jitters.

Yes. To increase the caffeine in your tea, you can use hotter water, steep the leaves for a longer period, or increase the amount of tea leaves relative to the water volume.

Herbal teas, or tisanes, are naturally caffeine-free as they are not made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Popular herbal teas include chamomile, peppermint, and rooibos.

Generally, from highest to lowest caffeine content (among true teas) the order is: Matcha, Black, Oolong, Green, and White tea. Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free.

Yes, but in very small amounts. The decaffeination process removes most, but not all, of the caffeine. It is not completely caffeine-free.

Matcha is often cited as the best option for a powerful but sustained energy boost. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine provides high mental alertness without the rapid crash.