Is Thai Tea Stronger Than Coffee? A Complete Comparison

November 7, 2025 •

4 min read

While both offer a caffeine boost, an average 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains approximately 95–200 mg of caffeine, whereas Thai tea typically contains a much lower 20–60 mg, definitively answering the question: is Thai tea stronger than coffee? The difference in caffeine is just the beginning of what separates these two popular beverages.

Quick Summary

Thai tea offers a milder, gradual energy lift due to significantly lower caffeine levels than brewed coffee. Differences in ingredients, flavor, and how the body processes the caffeine result in a unique experience.

Key Points

Caffeine Content: Coffee is consistently higher in caffeine per serving than Thai tea, with an average of 95-200 mg vs. Thai tea's 20-60 mg for an 8-ounce portion.
Energy Boost: Coffee provides a faster, more intense energy boost, while Thai tea offers a milder, more gradual lift due to the presence of L-theanine in black tea.
Flavor Profile: Thai tea is sweet, creamy, and spiced (star anise, cardamom), contrasting with coffee's more robust and often bitter flavor, which varies significantly by roast and bean type.
Key Ingredients: Thai tea uses black tea, spices, and condensed milk, while coffee is primarily brewed from roasted beans.
Health Considerations: The high sugar and condensed milk in traditional Thai tea can negate some black tea benefits, while coffee's high caffeine can cause jitters and potential dependence.
Brewing Matters: Coffee brewing methods like espresso and cold brew can yield very high caffeine concentrations, whereas Thai tea is diluted with milk and ice, lowering its final strength.

The Caffeine Content: A Clear Winner

In a head-to-head comparison of caffeine by volume, brewed coffee is the clear and decisive winner over Thai tea. A standard 8-ounce cup of coffee contains between 95 and 200 mg of caffeine, with the variance depending on the type of beans, roast, and brewing method. For example, Robusta beans have nearly double the caffeine of the more common Arabica variety, and light roasts can have a higher concentration by volume. Meanwhile, an 8-ounce serving of Thai tea, which is typically made from a black tea base, contains around 20 to 60 mg of caffeine.

The reason for the difference in final caffeine content is a combination of factors. The primary black tea used for Thai tea has more caffeine by weight in its dry leaf form than dry coffee beans, but the brewing process for coffee extracts far more of that caffeine. Additionally, Thai tea is diluted with milk and served over ice, further reducing the concentration of caffeine in the final beverage.

The Brewing Process and Its Impact

The method used to prepare each beverage plays a critical role in its final strength. Coffee enthusiasts have many options, each with a different effect on caffeine extraction.

Coffee Brewing Methods and Strength

Espresso: While served in small portions (1-2 oz), espresso has a very high concentration of caffeine per ounce, around 77 mg.
French Press: This immersion method involves a longer steeping time, which can result in a higher caffeine content per serving, averaging around 107 mg for 8 ounces.
Cold Brew: The long steeping time of cold brew can produce a concentrated brew with 200 mg or more per 8-ounce serving, making it one of the strongest coffee options.
Drip Coffee: The most common method, drip coffee, typically yields around 95 mg per 8-ounce cup.

Thai Tea Preparation and Strength

In contrast, Thai tea preparation is relatively consistent, though the final strength can vary based on the initial tea concentrate. The basic steps are:

Steep the tea: Strong black tea leaves are steeped in hot water. This initial brew is where the caffeine is extracted. Some Thai tea mixes include spices like star anise and tamarind.
Add sweeteners: Sugar is added to the hot tea to dissolve completely.
Pour over ice: The sweetened tea is then poured over crushed ice, chilling it and further diluting the concentration.
Top with milk: Finally, sweetened condensed milk and/or evaporated milk are added to create the signature creamy texture and flavor.

The dilution with ice and milk is a major reason why Thai tea's final caffeine content is much lower than coffee's. For those seeking a higher caffeine kick from Thai tea, using a more concentrated brew and less ice would be the way to go, but it will never reach the level of a strong coffee.

A Matter of Flavor and Experience

The choice between Thai tea and coffee often comes down to taste and the kind of energy boost desired.

Thai Tea: Sweet and Creamy Comfort

Thai tea is beloved for its unique and complex flavor profile. The use of black tea provides a robust, earthy base, which is then balanced by a blend of spices. Key flavor notes often include:

Sweetness from sugar and condensed milk.
Warmth from spices like star anise and cardamom.
Creamy texture from the added milk.

It is often served over ice, making it a refreshing and indulgent treat. For many, the gradual energy boost from the moderate caffeine combined with the soothing flavor is a major draw.

Coffee: Bold and Versatile

Coffee, on the other hand, is known for its bold, bitter, and roasted flavor. Its profile varies dramatically depending on the bean's origin, roast level, and brewing style. Coffee's versatility allows for a huge range of tastes, from a strong, dark roast espresso to a milder, flavored latte.

Health Effects and Considerations

Both coffee and Thai tea have their own set of health benefits and drawbacks.

Health Benefits and Drawbacks of Thai Tea

Antioxidants: The black tea base is rich in antioxidants, which can help fight free radicals in the body.
L-Theanine: The presence of L-theanine in black tea promotes relaxation and counteracts some of the jittery effects of caffeine, offering a state of alert calm.
High Sugar Content: Traditional Thai tea is very high in sugar and calories from the condensed milk, which can contribute to weight gain and blood sugar issues if consumed excessively.

Health Benefits and Drawbacks of Coffee

Quick Energy: The higher caffeine content provides a more immediate and potent energy boost.
Antioxidants: Coffee is also a significant source of antioxidants, though the composition differs from tea.
Potential for Jitters: The high caffeine content can cause nervousness, jitters, or anxiety in sensitive individuals.
Acidity: Some people may experience digestive issues due to coffee's acidity.

Comparison Table


Feature	Thai Tea	Coffee
Caffeine (8oz)	~20-60 mg	~95-200 mg
Energy Boost	Gradual, moderate	Faster, more intense
Flavor Profile	Sweet, creamy, spiced	Bitter, bold, roasted
Key Ingredients	Black tea, spices, sugar, condensed milk	Roasted coffee beans, water
Health Perks	Antioxidants, L-theanine effect	High antioxidants, quick boost
Health Drawbacks	High sugar and calorie count	Higher caffeine can cause jitters

Conclusion: Which Drink Is Right for You?

When determining if Thai tea is stronger than coffee, the answer is no, in terms of caffeine content. However, the question of which is better ultimately depends on personal preference and desired effects. If you're looking for a quick, powerful jolt of energy, coffee is the way to go. If you prefer a milder, more gradual lift with a unique sweet, creamy, and spiced flavor, then Thai tea is an excellent choice. Both beverages offer unique experiences and their own health considerations. The best approach is to enjoy both in moderation, adjusting ingredients to suit your dietary needs, and appreciate the distinct character of each. For more information on the comparative health benefits, consult resources like Healthline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Thai iced tea is made with a base of strong black tea, which naturally contains caffeine. The caffeine content is typically lower than a similar-sized cup of brewed coffee, but it is still present.

An 8-ounce serving of Thai tea typically contains between 20 and 60 mg of caffeine. This amount can vary based on the steeping time and how much the tea is diluted with milk and ice.

While the dry tea leaves can be more caffeinated than coffee beans, the brewing process extracts less caffeine, and Thai tea is then significantly diluted with milk and ice. Coffee brewing is more efficient at extracting caffeine and is less diluted.

Thai tea is known for its sweet, creamy, and subtly spiced flavor profile. The black tea base is complemented by spices like star anise and cardamom, along with the sweetness of condensed milk.

The vibrant orange color of Thai tea is often from added food coloring in modern commercial mixes. Historically, some of the color may have come from the black tea base and added spices like tamarind.

Yes, the black tea base contains beneficial antioxidants. Black tea also contains L-theanine, which can promote a state of alert relaxation. However, the high sugar content of traditional Thai tea is a health consideration.

Absolutely. When making Thai tea at home, you have full control over the ingredients. You can reduce or substitute the sugar and use different types of milk to make a healthier version.