What has more caffeine, black tea or Earl Grey?

January 13, 2026 •

3 min read

While black tea is known for its moderate caffeine kick, its variant, Earl Grey, typically contains a similar amount of caffeine because it uses black tea as a base. The key difference in caffeine levels often comes down to brewing technique rather than the tea blend itself. Both derive their caffeine from the Camellia sinensis plant, with the addition of bergamot oil giving Earl Grey its signature flavor without altering the caffeine content.

Quick Summary

An 8-ounce cup of black tea and Earl Grey tea typically contain similar caffeine levels, generally ranging from 40 to 70 milligrams. Factors like steeping time, water temperature, and tea leaf size have a greater impact on the final caffeine content than the bergamot oil added to Earl Grey. The average black tea and Earl Grey offer a moderate boost, milder than coffee.

Key Points

Caffeine content is similar: Traditional Earl Grey is made from black tea leaves, meaning their standard caffeine levels are comparable.
Brewing matters most: Steeping time and water temperature are the biggest factors influencing how much caffeine is released into your cup, for both teas.
Bergamot doesn't add caffeine: The citrusy bergamot oil in Earl Grey adds flavor but not caffeine.
Base tea type is key: An Earl Grey blend using a strong Assam tea base will have more caffeine than a plain black tea using a milder Darjeeling leaf.
Effects can differ slightly: Some research suggests bergamot may slightly accelerate caffeine absorption, causing a faster energy boost, but without increasing the total amount.
L-theanine moderates effects: Both teas contain L-theanine, which provides a calm, focused energy boost that lessens the jitters associated with caffeine.

The Core Comparison: Black Tea vs. Earl Grey

At its heart, the question of whether black tea or Earl Grey has more caffeine is based on a misunderstanding of what Earl Grey actually is. Traditional Earl Grey is not a different type of tea but a blend of black tea leaves flavored with oil of bergamot, a fragrant citrus fruit. Because of this, their caffeine content is fundamentally similar. The difference is akin to comparing a regular cup of coffee to one flavored with vanilla—the flavor additive doesn't change the caffeine content of the base ingredient.

The Role of Tea Varietals

Different types of black tea used as the base for Earl Grey can influence the final caffeine level. For example, a blend using robust Assam tea will generally have a higher caffeine content than one made with a milder Darjeeling tea. This highlights that the base black tea's properties are the primary determinant of caffeine, not the bergamot flavoring.

The Impact of Brewing Method

Several brewing factors are far more influential on caffeine extraction than the tea variety itself. By controlling these variables, you can customize the caffeine strength of your brew, whether it's plain black tea or Earl Grey.

Steeping Time: The longer you steep the tea leaves, the more caffeine is released into the water. A five-minute steep will result in a more caffeinated and robust cup than a two-minute steep.
Water Temperature: Hotter water extracts caffeine more efficiently. For black teas, this usually means using near-boiling water, which maximizes caffeine extraction.
Tea Leaf Size: Loose-leaf teas with larger, whole leaves tend to release caffeine more gradually. Tea bags often contain smaller, broken leaf particles (fannings), which have a larger surface area and release caffeine more quickly.

Average Caffeine Content (8 oz. serving)


Feature	Black Tea	Earl Grey Tea
Caffeine (approx.)	40–70 mg	40–70 mg
Bergamot Oil Added?	No	Yes
Flavor Profile	Varies by origin (malty, earthy, robust)	Citrusy, floral, aromatic
Primary Factor for Caffeine	Leaf type, processing, brewing	Base black tea's properties

The Bergamot Effect: More Than Just Flavor

While bergamot oil itself contains no caffeine, it does offer some notable benefits. The oil, sourced from the rind of a citrus fruit primarily grown in Italy, contributes to Earl Grey's distinctive aroma and taste. Beyond flavor, bergamot is also associated with a calming, antidepressant property that can help balance the effects of caffeine. Some research also indicates that bergamot may accelerate caffeine absorption, potentially leading to a faster, albeit similar, energy boost compared to unflavored black tea. However, the overall caffeine amount remains the same.

Types of Earl Grey and Other Variations

Modern Earl Grey variations further complicate the caffeine question. While traditional Earl Grey is black tea-based, it can be made with other types of tea, leading to significantly different caffeine levels. For example:

Green Earl Grey: Uses green tea as the base, resulting in a much lower caffeine content.
Rooibos Earl Grey: Uses the naturally caffeine-free South African red bush tea, offering the bergamot flavor with no stimulating effects.
Decaf Earl Grey: Specifically processed to remove most of the caffeine, though a tiny amount usually remains.

The Synergy of Caffeine and L-Theanine

Both black tea and Earl Grey contain not only caffeine but also the amino acid L-theanine. This compound works in synergy with caffeine to promote a state of relaxed alertness and focused energy, effectively mitigating the jitters and crash often associated with coffee. This is another key factor in why the energy boost from tea feels different from coffee, regardless of the exact caffeine measurement.

Conclusion

Ultimately, neither black tea nor Earl Grey has definitively more caffeine than the other. Because Earl Grey is simply a flavored black tea, its caffeine content is determined by the properties of its black tea base, in conjunction with brewing variables like steep time and water temperature. For a purist, a strong, unflavored black tea might have a higher caffeine potential, but a deeply steeped Earl Grey could easily surpass a lightly brewed black tea. The addition of bergamot oil to Earl Grey tea affects the flavor and potential absorption rate but not the overall caffeine quantity. For those seeking to control their caffeine intake, a focus on brewing method and base tea selection is far more effective than choosing one over the other based on the label alone.

For additional information on the chemical compounds in tea, the Tea Association of the USA provides further resources on the subject.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, traditional Earl Grey is a flavored black tea. It is made by adding bergamot oil to black tea leaves, giving it its distinct citrus flavor and aroma.

The caffeine content is similar, as both use black tea as their base. However, the specific blends and brewing methods will ultimately determine which cup has slightly more caffeine.

No, adding milk or lemon does not change the amount of caffeine extracted from the tea leaves. It only alters the flavor and dilution of the drink.

Yes, caffeine-free versions of Earl Grey are available. These are either made with a naturally caffeine-free base like rooibos or use decaffeinated black tea leaves.

An average 8-ounce cup of black tea typically contains between 40 and 70 milligrams of caffeine, though this amount varies widely based on brewing method and tea type.

Caffeine levels vary based on several factors, including the specific varietal of the tea plant, the size of the leaves, and the brewing time and temperature.

Not necessarily. Tea bags often contain smaller, broken leaves that release caffeine more quickly. However, loose-leaf tea often uses higher-quality, whole leaves, which can release caffeine more gradually.

The caffeine molecule is the same, but its effects can feel different. Tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes a calmer, more sustained energy boost compared to coffee.