How Much Caffeine Is in Gardenia Tea?

December 24, 2025 •

4 min read

While pure gardenia tea, made from the dried flowers or fruit of the Gardenia jasminoides plant, contains no caffeine, its caffeine content varies widely depending on whether it is blended with traditional caffeinated teas. The gardenia flower itself is naturally caffeine-free and often used for its calming properties.

Quick Summary

The caffeine level in gardenia tea depends entirely on its composition. Herbal varieties using only gardenia are caffeine-free, while scented teas using green, white, or oolong tea as a base will contain varying amounts of caffeine.

Key Points

Caffeine-Free Pure Herbal Tea: Gardenia tea made exclusively from the flowers or fruit of the gardenia plant is naturally devoid of caffeine, making it an ideal herbal infusion for relaxation.
Caffeinated Scented Blends: Many commercial 'gardenia teas' are green, white, or oolong tea leaves scented with gardenia blossoms, and thus contain the caffeine inherent to the base tea.
Read the Label: The only way to know for sure is to check the product label to see if it is a pure herbal infusion or a blend with Camellia sinensis tea leaves.
Varying Caffeine Levels: The amount of caffeine in a scented blend can range from low to medium, depending on the type of base tea used and the brewing time.
Relaxation vs. Energy: Choose pure herbal gardenia for a calming, caffeine-free beverage, or a scented blend for a floral tea with a mild energy boost.
Brewing Influences Strength: The final caffeine content in blended varieties can be managed by adjusting steeping time and water temperature.

Is Gardenia Tea Herbal or Blended?

Understanding the caffeine content of your gardenia tea first requires knowing what type of tea it is. The term "gardenia tea" can refer to two very different beverages: a naturally caffeine-free herbal infusion made purely from the gardenia plant, or a scented or blended tea where gardenia flowers are used to flavor a base of Camellia sinensis tea leaves.

The Pure Herbal Infusion

A true gardenia herbal tea is made exclusively from the flowers or dried fruit of the Gardenia jasminoides plant. Because the gardenia plant is not related to the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), it naturally contains no caffeine. These herbal varieties are prized for their floral aroma and potential health benefits, often promoting relaxation and aiding digestion. When shopping for a caffeine-free option, look for products explicitly labeled as "herbal tea" or check the ingredients list to ensure it contains only gardenia or a mix of other caffeine-free botanicals like chicory.

The Scented Tea Blend

Alternatively, many products labeled "gardenia tea" are actually a green, white, or oolong tea base that has been scented with fresh gardenia blossoms. The scenting process, similar to that used for jasmine tea, involves layering the tea leaves with gardenia flowers to infuse the leaves with their fragrant aroma. Since the tea base itself contains caffeine, the final product will be caffeinated. The amount of caffeine will depend on the type of base tea used, as well as the brewing method and steeping time. For example, a gardenia-scented green tea will have a much different caffeine profile than a gardenia-scented black tea.

How Scenting Influences Caffeine

During the scenting process, the tea leaves absorb the fragrance of the gardenia flowers, but the fundamental caffeine content of the base tea remains. Some brands may market these blends as having a "gentle" or "low" caffeine content, but they are not caffeine-free like a pure herbal infusion. For example, some green tea blends scented with gardenia may contain 15-20 mg of caffeine per cup, which is significantly lower than coffee but still a notable amount for those sensitive to stimulants.

Comparison of Gardenia Tea Types

To better understand the differences, here is a comparison table outlining the key features of the primary types of gardenia tea.


Feature	Pure Herbal Gardenia Tea	Gardenia-Scented Green Tea	Gardenia-Scented Oolong Tea
Caffeine Content	0 mg (Caffeine-free)	Low to Medium (15-60 mg)	Medium (25-55 mg)
Tea Base	Gardenia flowers/fruit	Camellia sinensis green tea leaves	Camellia sinensis oolong tea leaves
Flavor Profile	Sweet, floral, creamy	Bright, fresh, slightly grassy with a floral finish	Floral, complex, robust with fruity and creamy notes
Best For	Evening relaxation, sleep aid	Afternoon boost, mindful sipping	Morning or afternoon energizing
Aroma	Rich, distinct gardenia fragrance	Delicate floral scent	Heady, complex floral overtones

Brewing for Flavor and Caffeine

The final caffeine level is also influenced by how you brew your tea. For blended teas, using hotter water and steeping for longer periods will extract more caffeine. The type of leaves also plays a role; younger, smaller leaves and buds tend to contain more caffeine than larger, more mature leaves. To control your caffeine intake, you can reduce the steeping time or use slightly cooler water. Alternatively, if you want to enjoy the flavor of gardenia without any caffeine, choose a pure herbal infusion made from the flowers or fruit only.

Conclusion

In summary, the question of how much caffeine is in gardenia tea has a nuanced answer: it depends on the ingredients. Pure herbal tea made solely from the gardenia plant is completely caffeine-free, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a calming, floral beverage at any time of day. However, many popular "gardenia teas" are blends using a caffeinated tea base like green, white, or oolong tea, and as such, they do contain caffeine. It is essential for consumers to read product labels carefully to distinguish between a genuinely caffeine-free herbal tea and a floral-scented tea blend. By understanding the composition of the product, you can select the perfect gardenia tea to match your desired caffeine level and enjoy its fragrant and soothing qualities.

Is Gardenia Tea Naturally Caffeine-Free?

Yes, pure gardenia herbal tea is naturally caffeine-free. This applies to infusions made exclusively from the flowers or dried fruit of the Gardenia jasminoides plant.
No, most commercial 'gardenia teas' are not caffeine-free. They are often made by scenting caffeinated green, white, or oolong tea leaves with gardenia flowers, similar to jasmine tea.
The caffeine content depends on the base tea used in the blend. Gardenia-scented green tea will have a moderate amount of caffeine, while a gardenia herbal infusion has none.
Read the product label carefully. Check the ingredients list to confirm whether the product is a pure herbal infusion or a caffeinated tea blend.
Brewing method affects caffeine extraction. Steeping for a shorter time or using cooler water can reduce the amount of caffeine extracted from a blended tea.
Consider a pure herbal infusion for a relaxing, evening beverage. This is the best choice if you are sensitive to caffeine or want a soothing drink before bed.
Opt for a blended variety for a floral pick-me-up. If you enjoy the floral aroma with a mild stimulant effect, a green or oolong tea scented with gardenia may be a good option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pure herbal gardenia tea, made from the flowers or fruit, is naturally caffeine-free. However, many popular varieties are made by scenting caffeinated tea leaves (like green or oolong) with gardenia, meaning the final product does contain caffeine.

A pure herbal gardenia tea is an excellent choice for a night drink because it is naturally caffeine-free and known for its calming properties. Blended varieties that contain green or oolong tea, however, are not suitable for evening consumption if you are sensitive to caffeine.

The caffeine content in gardenia green tea can vary, but it is typically low to medium, often ranging from 15 to 60 mg per cup. The specific amount depends on the type of green tea base, the number of leaves used, and how long it is steeped.

No, gardenia tea is not the same as jasmine tea, though both involve scenting tea leaves with flowers. They come from different plants, and their aroma and flavor profiles are distinct. Gardenia has a creamier, richer floral scent, while jasmine is lighter and more classic.

Yes, you can make your own caffeine-free gardenia tea by simply steeping fresh or dried gardenia flowers or fruit in hot water. This ensures you are drinking a pure herbal infusion with no caffeine added from traditional tea leaves.

No, the gardenia flower and fruit are naturally caffeine-free. The plant is part of the Rubiaceae family, which also includes coffee, but it does not produce caffeine in its flowers or fruit.

To determine if your gardenia tea is caffeinated, check the product packaging. Look for clear labeling that states 'caffeine-free' or 'herbal infusion'. If the ingredients list includes 'green tea', 'black tea', 'oolong tea', or 'white tea', it contains caffeine.