Yes, Bigelow Classic Green Tea Is Caffeinated

December 23, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Bigelow's own 'Caff-O-Meter,' their Classic Green Tea contains between 25 and 50 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce serving. This means that unlike herbal tisanes, the classic blend is not caffeine-free but instead offers a mild energy lift.

Quick Summary

Answering whether Bigelow Classic Green Tea contains caffeine, this article confirms it does, providing a moderate amount per serving. It discusses how brewing affects the final caffeine level, compares it to coffee and other teas, and explores the benefits of its balanced energy boost.

Key Points

Moderate Caffeine: Bigelow Classic Green Tea contains a moderate amount of caffeine, typically 25-50 mg per 8 oz cup.
Brewing Influences Content: The precise caffeine level in your cup is affected by brewing factors like water temperature, steep time, and the form of the tea leaves.
Check the Label: A decaffeinated version of Bigelow Classic Green Tea is also available, so always check the box to confirm you have the right product.
Smoother Energy: The combination of caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine provides a more balanced, calming energy boost compared to coffee.
Decaf Isn't Zero Caffeine: While decaffeinated, the product is not 100% caffeine-free, containing trace amounts (1–8mg) per serving.
Involves Natural Stimulant: The caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in the Camellia sinensis tea plant.

Yes, Bigelow Classic Green Tea Contains Caffeine

Contrary to some herbal teas, Bigelow's Classic Green Tea is not caffeine-free. It is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which naturally contain caffeine. Bigelow specifies that its Classic Green Tea provides approximately 25–50 mg of caffeine per 8 oz cup, offering a gentler lift than a typical cup of coffee. This moderate amount is one of the reasons many people choose green tea for sustained focus without the jitters often associated with higher-caffeine beverages.

How Brewing Affects Caffeine Levels

While the caffeine content falls within a general range, the exact amount in your cup is not a fixed number. Several factors during preparation influence the final caffeine level.

Steeping Time: The longer you steep the tea, the more caffeine is extracted from the leaves. A two-minute steep will result in a lower caffeine content than a five-minute steep.
Water Temperature: Hotter water extracts more caffeine. However, green tea leaves are delicate and boiling water can cause bitterness. For best results, use water between 175°F and 180°F (80°C), which extracts a good amount of caffeine and flavor without scorching the leaves.
Tea Leaf Form: Tea bags, which contain smaller, broken leaves, tend to release caffeine more quickly and efficiently than whole loose-leaf varieties.
Tea-to-Water Ratio: Using more tea leaves per cup will increase the potential for caffeine extraction. Adjusting this can help tailor your brew to your desired caffeine level.

Bigelow's Caffeinated vs. Decaffeinated Options

Bigelow offers both caffeinated and decaffeinated versions of its Classic Green Tea. It's crucial to check the packaging to ensure you select the correct one. A key distinction is that decaffeinated tea is not completely caffeine-free; it has undergone a process to remove most of the caffeine, but trace amounts (typically 1–8 mg per cup) will remain. True caffeine-free beverages, like herbal teas, never contained caffeine to begin with.

Comparative Caffeine Content in Popular Beverages

Understanding how Bigelow's Classic Green Tea stacks up against other popular drinks can help manage your intake. As a rule of thumb, it contains significantly less caffeine than coffee but more than most herbal teas. The presence of L-theanine in green tea also moderates the effects of caffeine, promoting a state of calm alertness rather than a sharp jolt.


Beverage	Average Caffeine (8 oz)	Notes
Coffee	95–165 mg	High caffeine content, can cause jitters in sensitive individuals.
Black Tea	40–70 mg	Higher oxidation and often brewed with hotter water, generally contains more caffeine than green tea.
Bigelow Classic Green Tea	25–50 mg	Moderate caffeine level with L-theanine for a balanced energy boost.
Bigelow Decaf Green Tea	1–8 mg	Trace caffeine remains after decaffeination process.
Herbal Tea	0 mg	Naturally caffeine-free, as it's not made from the Camellia sinensis plant.

The Balanced Energy of Green Tea

For those seeking a mild boost without the common side effects of higher-caffeine drinks, Bigelow Classic Green Tea is an excellent option. Its combination of moderate caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine offers a unique benefit. The L-theanine is known for its relaxing effects, helping to smooth out the caffeine's stimulating properties and promoting a state of focused, calm awareness. This can be particularly beneficial for productivity or for those who find coffee too intense.

Conclusion

To put it simply, yes, Bigelow Classic Green Tea is caffeinated. The final caffeine content in your cup can vary based on brewing methods, but it consistently offers a moderate dose, typically between 25 and 50 mg per serving. This makes it an appealing alternative for individuals looking for a gentle energy lift. By understanding the caffeine variations among different teas and paying attention to brewing techniques, you can enjoy a delicious and customized tea experience that aligns with your personal caffeine preferences. For those who prefer to avoid caffeine altogether, Bigelow also offers a specific decaffeinated version of its classic blend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Bigelow offers a decaffeinated version of its Classic Green Tea. It is important to check the box for the "decaffeinated" label, as it is a separate product from the standard caffeinated blend.

Bigelow Classic Green Tea contains significantly less caffeine than a cup of coffee. A cup of coffee typically has 95–165 mg of caffeine, whereas Bigelow's green tea has about 25–50 mg, offering a much milder boost.

Yes, many people experience a smoother energy boost from green tea. This is because green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, which works with caffeine to promote a state of calm alertness, avoiding the sharp crash often associated with coffee.

Yes, decaffeinated tea is not completely caffeine-free. The decaffeination process removes most of the caffeine, but trace amounts, typically 1–8 mg per serving, will remain.

Decaffeinated tea starts with a caffeinated tea leaf and has most of the caffeine removed through a special process. Caffeine-free tea, such as herbal tisanes, comes from plants that never contained caffeine in the first place.

You can reduce the caffeine by steeping the tea bag for a shorter duration, such as 1–2 minutes, or by using slightly cooler water. Both methods result in less caffeine being extracted into your cup.

Yes, for many individuals, green tea provides improved focus and alertness without causing the jitters that can result from consuming high amounts of caffeine. This effect is largely attributed to the combination of caffeine and L-theanine.