Does coffee tea have more caffeine?

December 22, 2025 •

4 min read

Despite popular belief, tea leaves contain more caffeine by dry weight than coffee beans before brewing. However, the crucial question of whether your prepared cup of coffee or tea actually has more caffeine comes down to numerous important factors beyond just the leaves themselves.

Quick Summary

A typical cup of brewed coffee contains significantly more caffeine than a standard cup of tea, although tea leaves have more caffeine by dry weight. Factors like plant variety, processing, and brewing methods cause this difference.

Key Points

Brewed Coffee is Stronger: An average cup of brewed coffee contains significantly more caffeine (around 95mg) than an average cup of black tea (40-70mg).
Raw Leaf vs. Brewed Cup: On a dry weight basis, tea leaves have more caffeine than coffee beans, but coffee's brewing process extracts a higher concentration into the final drink.
L-theanine's Calming Effect: Tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, which works with caffeine to provide a smoother, more focused energy boost without the jitters associated with coffee.
Brewing Method Matters: Factors like water temperature, steep time, and the ratio of grounds to water dramatically influence the final caffeine content of both coffee and tea.
Matcha is a High-Caffeine Tea: Because the entire leaf is consumed as a powder, matcha contains a much higher dose of caffeine per cup than other traditional teas.
Herbal Tea is Caffeine-Free: Most herbal teas, such as chamomile or peppermint, are not made from the tea plant and contain no caffeine.

The Caffeine Content: A Tale of Two Beverages

While both coffee and tea are globally popular caffeinated beverages, the amount of caffeine in each can vary dramatically. This variation is influenced by a number of factors, including the type of plant, how it is processed, and the final brewing method. The common phrase "Does coffee tea have more caffeine?" points to a widely debated topic, but a closer look at the science reveals the definitive answer hinges on more than just the beverage type.

The Raw Material: Leaf vs. Bean

On a dry weight basis, the leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) actually contain a higher percentage of caffeine than coffee beans. However, this fact is misleading because a significantly smaller amount of tea leaves is typically used to brew a single cup compared to the quantity of ground coffee beans used. This difference in mass, combined with distinct brewing processes, ultimately determines the final caffeine concentration in your mug.

Factors Influencing Caffeine in Coffee

Several variables affect the final caffeine level in a cup of coffee. The most influential include:

Bean Variety: Robusta beans contain nearly double the caffeine of Arabica beans, making Robusta-based coffees and espressos naturally more potent.
Roast Level: Contrary to a common myth, darker roasts do not have more caffeine. Lighter roasts, which are less roasted, actually retain slightly more caffeine by weight. However, the difference is minimal and often negligible.
Brewing Method: Drip coffee, French press, and cold brew all have different extraction rates. Cold brew, for example, typically has a higher caffeine concentration than drip coffee due to its extended steeping time.
Water-to-Coffee Ratio: Using more coffee grounds per volume of water will result in a higher concentration of caffeine in the final brew.

Factors Influencing Caffeine in Tea

Like coffee, the caffeine content of tea is not uniform and is affected by multiple factors:

Tea Type: Black tea generally has the highest caffeine content among traditional teas, followed by oolong, green, and white tea. Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free unless a caffeinated ingredient is added.
Matcha: As a powdered green tea where the entire leaf is consumed, matcha provides a much higher caffeine dose than a steeped green tea, often rivaling a shot of espresso.
Water Temperature: Brewing with hotter water extracts more caffeine from the leaves. This is why black teas, which are brewed with boiling water, typically have more caffeine than green teas, which are steeped at lower temperatures.
Steeping Time: A longer steeping time allows more caffeine to be released into the water, resulting in a more potent cup.
Leaf Grade: Teas made from younger leaves and buds (known as 'tips') often contain higher caffeine levels than teas made from older, mature leaves.

Caffeine Showdown: Coffee vs. Tea Comparison Table

Here is a comparison of the typical caffeine content for a standard 8-ounce serving of popular beverages, based on average brewing methods.


Beverage Type	Average Caffeine Content (per 8 oz / 240 ml)
Brewed Coffee	95 mg
Black Tea	40-70 mg
Green Tea	20-45 mg
Oolong Tea	30-50 mg
White Tea	15-30 mg
Matcha (8 oz serving)	60-80 mg
Herbal Tea	0 mg

Beyond the Buzz: The Role of L-theanine in Tea

One of the most significant differences between the caffeine experience in coffee and tea is the presence of L-theanine, an amino acid found almost exclusively in tea. L-theanine promotes a state of calm alertness by moderating the stimulating effects of caffeine. This leads to a smoother, more sustained energy boost and helps prevent the "jitters" and subsequent crash often associated with coffee consumption. This unique interaction is a key reason many people choose tea for focused productivity.

Choosing Your Brew Based on Your Energy Needs

Your ideal beverage depends on your sensitivity to caffeine and your desired energy effect. If you need a quick, powerful jolt to jumpstart your morning, a strong cup of coffee is likely the right choice. However, if you prefer a gentler, more sustained energy release that promotes focus without the anxiety, tea is an excellent alternative. For those sensitive to caffeine, herbal teas or decaffeinated options offer the ritual of a warm drink without the stimulant effects.

Conclusion

So, to answer the question, "Does coffee tea have more caffeine?" the answer is a resounding 'it depends', but for a typical brewed cup, coffee has significantly more. While raw tea leaves are surprisingly potent, the brewing process for coffee extracts a higher concentration of caffeine into the final drink. The experience is also different, with tea offering a smoother lift thanks to L-theanine. By understanding the different variables and your own body, you can choose the right beverage to power your day.

For more detailed health information, consult reputable sources like the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

While an average cup of coffee generally has more total caffeine, an espresso shot contains a much higher concentration of caffeine per ounce than a typical serving of tea.

This is likely due to the presence of L-theanine in tea, which works with caffeine to create a state of focused calm, reducing the anxious, jittery effects often associated with coffee's more direct and intense caffeine hit.

Yes, you can. To reduce caffeine, try steeping the tea for a shorter time or using cooler water, especially for green or white teas. For no caffeine, choose herbal teas.

Yes, slightly. During the roasting process, coffee beans lose some caffeine. Darker roasts have a negligibly lower caffeine content by weight than lighter roasts, though the difference is minimal.

A standard serving of matcha typically has a lower total caffeine content than a brewed cup of coffee. However, because you consume the entire tea leaf, the caffeine effect can feel very potent, similar to an espresso shot.

For most healthy adults, an intake of up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is considered safe, which is roughly equivalent to three to five 8-ounce cups of coffee.

Yes, hotter water extracts more caffeine from both coffee grounds and tea leaves. Brewing with boiling water, as is common for black tea and coffee, maximizes extraction compared to cooler brewing methods like cold brew tea.