How much caffeine is in one orange Pekoe tea?

November 2, 2025 •

3 min read

According to manufacturers like Tetley, a standard 6-ounce cup of orange Pekoe tea can contain approximately 34 to 35 mg of caffeine. However, this is only an average, and the actual amount of caffeine in one orange Pekoe tea can vary significantly depending on several factors.

Quick Summary

The caffeine content in orange Pekoe tea, a grade of black tea, ranges between 34 to 55 mg per 6- to 10-ounce cup, influenced by brewing methods, tea grade, and brand. This is significantly less than coffee but provides a moderate energy lift.

Key Points

Moderate Caffeine: A standard 8-ounce cup of Orange Pekoe tea typically contains 35 to 55 mg of caffeine, less than a cup of coffee but more than most green teas.
Brewing Affects Potency: Longer steeping times and hotter water temperatures increase caffeine extraction, while shorter, cooler infusions result in less caffeine.
Grade and Leaf Size Matter: Higher grades with more leaf buds can contain more caffeine, and broken leaves in tea bags release caffeine faster than larger loose leaves.
L-Theanine Balance: Orange Pekoe contains L-theanine, an amino acid that smooths the effects of caffeine, providing a balanced, focused energy without the jitters.
Decaf Alternatives: For those who are sensitive to caffeine, decaffeinated versions of Orange Pekoe are available with only trace amounts of caffeine.
Orange Pekoe is a Grade: The term 'Orange Pekoe' refers to the size and quality of the tea leaves, not the flavor or the presence of orange fruit.
Numerous Variables: The exact caffeine content is not fixed and is influenced by factors like the tea's origin, cultivar, and processing methods.

What Determines the Caffeine in Your Orange Pekoe?

Orange Pekoe is not a type of tea but a grade of black tea, meaning it refers to the size and quality of the leaves, not the flavor itself. The precise caffeine content is a complex subject, influenced by many variables. The tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, the same source for all true teas, and the caffeine is naturally present in the leaves.

Tea Grade: The grade of Orange Pekoe can affect the caffeine level. Higher grades, like Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (TGFOP), include more tea buds, which typically contain higher concentrations of caffeine than mature leaves. A standard Orange Pekoe (OP) grade consists of medium-quality whole leaves, affecting the release of caffeine during brewing.
Brewing Method: Your preparation can drastically alter the final caffeine level. Using hotter water and steeping for a longer time will extract more caffeine from the leaves. Conversely, a shorter, cooler steep will result in a milder cup with less caffeine.
Tea Form: Loose-leaf tea typically consists of larger, whole leaves, which release caffeine more slowly than the smaller, broken leaf particles found in most tea bags. Therefore, a cup made from a tea bag will likely be more caffeinated than a similarly brewed cup of loose-leaf tea.
Growth Conditions: Environmental factors like climate, soil, and even altitude can impact the tea plant's caffeine production. For instance, tea grown in specific regions or shade-grown varieties may have naturally higher caffeine levels.

Comparison: Orange Pekoe vs. Other Caffeinated Drinks

To put the caffeine in Orange Pekoe into perspective, it's helpful to compare it with other popular beverages. While it offers a stimulating effect, it's generally a gentler experience than coffee, often tempered by the amino acid L-theanine, which promotes a state of calm alertness.


Beverage	Serving Size	Approximate Caffeine Range	Notes
Orange Pekoe Tea	8 oz (250 ml)	35-55 mg	Caffeine levels fluctuate based on grade and brewing method.
Drip Coffee	8 oz (250 ml)	95-200 mg	Significantly higher caffeine content and faster absorption.
Green Tea	8 oz (250 ml)	20-45 mg	Generally less caffeinated than black tea, but varies by type.
Espresso	1 oz shot	~63 mg	Very concentrated; caffeine per ounce is high.
Decaffeinated Tea	8 oz (250 ml)	2-12 mg	Contains trace amounts of caffeine due to processing.

How to Control the Caffeine in Your Cup

If you are mindful of your caffeine intake, you can take steps to customize your cup of Orange Pekoe tea to your needs.

Monitor Steeping Time: A shorter steep of 2-3 minutes will extract less caffeine. A longer steep of 5 minutes or more will increase the caffeine content but may also result in a more bitter taste.
Adjust Water Temperature: While black tea is typically brewed with boiling water, using slightly cooler water (around 200°F) can reduce the amount of caffeine released.
Opt for Loose Leaf: Since loose-leaf tea has larger, less broken leaves, it infuses more slowly and can produce a brew with less caffeine than a tea bag steeped for the same amount of time.
Consider Decaf: If you need to eliminate caffeine almost entirely, decaffeinated Orange Pekoe options are available and contain only trace amounts.

A Note on L-Theanine

One unique aspect of tea is its pairing of caffeine with L-theanine, an amino acid that can promote relaxation and enhance focus without the jitters associated with higher caffeine consumption. This synergy provides a balanced energy boost, which many tea drinkers prefer over the more abrupt spike from coffee.

Conclusion

While the specific amount of caffeine in one Orange Pekoe tea is not a fixed number, a typical 8-ounce cup contains an average of 35 to 55 mg. This moderate level is influenced by factors including the tea's grade, how long and hot it is steeped, and whether you use loose leaves or a tea bag. Understanding these variables allows you to control the caffeine strength and tailor your tea experience. For most people, Orange Pekoe offers a satisfying and less intense caffeine alternative to coffee, while for those sensitive to stimulants, decaf options or modifying brewing methods are effective strategies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Orange Pekoe tea contains significantly less caffeine than a standard cup of coffee. An average 8-ounce cup of Orange Pekoe has about 35-55 mg of caffeine, whereas the same amount of drip coffee can contain 95-200 mg.

Compared to green or white tea, Orange Pekoe (a type of black tea) has a medium caffeine level. However, when compared to other beverages like coffee or energy drinks, its caffeine content is considered moderate.

Yes, you can control the caffeine by adjusting your brewing method. To lower the caffeine, use slightly cooler water and steep the tea for a shorter duration (2-3 minutes).

Yes, the brand can influence the caffeine content. For instance, different brands like Tetley and others report slight variations due to specific blends, leaf sourcing, and processing.

Yes, steeping time is a key factor. The longer you steep the leaves, the more caffeine is extracted. For a lower caffeine cup, steep for a shorter time.

Yes, many brands offer a decaffeinated version of Orange Pekoe. These teas have been processed to remove almost all the caffeine, leaving only trace amounts.

All true teas, including Orange Pekoe, come from the Camellia sinensis plant, which naturally contains caffeine. The processing of black tea leaves simply results in a higher caffeine content than green or white teas.

Orange Pekoe tea has significantly less caffeine than most energy drinks. A typical 8-ounce cup has about 35-55 mg of caffeine, whereas many energy drinks contain upwards of 80-150 mg per serving.