Which Bubble Tea Flavors Have Caffeine?

November 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Most bubble tea flavors, especially those with a traditional tea base like black or green tea, do contain caffeine. However, the exact amount can vary significantly based on the type of tea used and the brewing method, with many fruit and herbal options being caffeine-free.

Quick Summary

This guide explains which bubble tea varieties contain caffeine, clarifying that the level depends on the tea base used, such as black, green, or oolong tea. It also covers common caffeine-free options like herbal or milk-based fruit drinks, helping you choose the right beverage for your needs.

Key Points

Caffeine comes from the tea, not the pearls: The tapioca pearls in bubble tea are caffeine-free; the stimulating effects come from the tea base used.
Black tea has the most caffeine: Traditional black milk tea and Thai milk tea, both made with a black tea base, contain the highest caffeine levels among common boba options.
Matcha is a potent green tea option: While green tea has less caffeine than black tea, powdered matcha contains a significant amount because you consume the entire tea leaf.
Many caffeine-free options exist: Bubble teas made with herbal teas, fruit purees, or powders like taro or brown sugar typically contain no caffeine.
Ask your barista for details: When in doubt, ask if a drink is made with a tea base; they can help you select a caffeinated or caffeine-free beverage.
Caffeine content varies by brewing method: Factors like the amount of tea used, steep time, and water temperature can all affect the final caffeine level.

What Determines if Bubble Tea Has Caffeine?

The caffeine content in bubble tea is determined almost entirely by its tea base. Bubble tea, also known as boba, is a Taiwanese drink made with a tea base, milk or fruit flavorings, and chewy tapioca pearls. While the tapioca pearls themselves are made from cassava root and contain no caffeine, the tea component is the primary source of the stimulating compound.

There are a few key factors that influence the final caffeine levels in a boba drink:

Type of Tea: Different teas naturally contain different amounts of caffeine. Black tea typically has the most, followed by oolong, then green tea.
Brewing Method: A longer steeping time or a higher water temperature will extract more caffeine from the tea leaves, leading to a more potent drink.
Serving Size: A larger cup of bubble tea will obviously contain more total caffeine than a smaller one, assuming all other factors are equal.
Additives: Some specialty drinks may include additional caffeine sources, such as coffee, chocolate, or even coffee-flavored jelly.

Popular Caffeinated Bubble Tea Flavors

Several classic and popular bubble tea flavors are known for their moderate to high caffeine content due to their tea base. These include:

Classic Black Milk Tea: Often made with Assam black tea, this is the original and most traditional boba flavor. It typically has a robust, full-bodied taste and a higher caffeine content than other teas. A 16 oz serving can contain approximately 50 mg of caffeine.
Thai Milk Tea: This vibrant orange drink uses a strong black tea base, combined with spices like star anise, cardamom, and condensed milk. Its black tea foundation means it provides a significant caffeine boost.
Matcha Tea: Matcha is a powdered green tea that is whisked into a beverage, meaning you consume the entire tea leaf, not just the brewed liquid. A matcha boba can contain up to 70 mg of caffeine per cup, which is a considerable amount for a green tea-based drink.
Oolong Milk Tea: Oolong tea's caffeine content falls between black and green tea. It offers a unique flavor profile and a moderate dose of caffeine, making it a popular choice for those who want a less intense buzz than black tea provides.
Earl Grey Milk Tea: This version uses Earl Grey, a type of black tea flavored with bergamot oil. As a black tea, it is also a caffeinated option.

Understanding Caffeine-Free Bubble Tea Options

For those sensitive to caffeine or looking for a late-night treat, there are many delicious and refreshing boba options that are completely caffeine-free.

Herbal Tea Bases: Some shops offer herbal tea bases, such as hibiscus, peppermint, or chamomile, which are naturally caffeine-free.
Fruit-Based Drinks (without tea): Many fruit-flavored bubble teas are made with fruit purees or syrups and a milk or water base, rather than a tea base. If the drink does not explicitly list a tea base (like green or black tea), it is likely caffeine-free. Flavors often include mango, lychee, strawberry, or wintermelon.
Taro Milk Tea (if powder-based): The caffeine content in taro bubble tea depends on its preparation. While some versions are made with a black or green tea base, many are made with taro powder and milk, which contains no caffeine. Always ask the barista to confirm.
Brown Sugar Milk: This popular drink features a caramelized brown sugar syrup swirled with milk and tapioca pearls, but typically does not contain any tea. This makes it a delicious, decadent, and caffeine-free choice.

A Comparison of Caffeine Levels in Popular Boba


Type of Bubble Tea	Estimated Caffeine Content (per 16 oz/500ml)	Notes
Black Milk Tea	40–80 mg	Highest caffeine of the common tea bases.
Matcha Milk Tea	Up to 70 mg	Caffeine content is higher than regular green tea because you consume the whole tea leaf.
Oolong Milk Tea	30–50 mg	Moderate caffeine level, between black and green tea.
Green Milk Tea	20–45 mg	Milder caffeine boost than black or oolong tea.
Taro Milk Tea (powder-based)	0 mg	Naturally caffeine-free when made with powder and milk, not a tea base.
Brown Sugar Milk	0 mg	No tea base; relies on brown sugar syrup and milk.
Fruit Tea (with herbal base)	0 mg	Uses herbal teas or fruit purees instead of caffeinated tea.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Bubble Tea Choice

Ultimately, whether a bubble tea has caffeine comes down to its base. Traditional milk teas made with black, green, or oolong tea will contain varying levels of caffeine, while many fruit-flavored and specialty milk-based options are completely caffeine-free. If you are mindful of your caffeine intake, the best strategy is to ask your barista about the ingredients and confirm if a particular drink is made with a caffeinated tea base. With a little knowledge, you can enjoy the delicious world of bubble tea, whether you're seeking a gentle energy boost or a completely caffeine-free treat.

Want to learn more about the different components of bubble tea? Check out this resource from the webstaurantstore.com blog for an in-depth guide to popular boba flavors and ingredients: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/blog/4898/best-boba-tea-flavors.html

Navigating Your Bubble Tea Order

When ordering at a bubble tea shop, you can easily control your caffeine intake. For a higher caffeine drink, opt for classic black or Thai milk teas. For a moderate dose, choose an oolong or green tea base. If you need a caffeine-free option, select fruit purees with no added tea or specialty drinks like brown sugar milk. Many shops will also specify if a flavor is made with a fruit puree versus a green tea base. Don't hesitate to ask your barista for clarification to ensure your drink meets your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all bubble teas have caffeine. The caffeine content depends on the drink's base. If it's made with black, green, or oolong tea, it will be caffeinated. Drinks made with herbal teas, fruit purees, or powders (like taro or brown sugar) and no tea base are caffeine-free.

Taro bubble tea can be either caffeinated or caffeine-free. It's caffeine-free if made from taro powder mixed with milk. However, some shops may add a tea base, such as green or black tea, to their recipe, which would add caffeine. Always ask the barista.

Bubble teas made with a black tea base, such as classic Black Milk Tea or Thai Milk Tea, generally have the highest caffeine content. Matcha can also have a high concentration of caffeine because the entire tea leaf is consumed.

No, the tapioca pearls, or boba, are made from cassava root and are naturally caffeine-free. The caffeine comes from the tea base of the drink.

Brown Sugar Milk, Taro Milk Tea (when made with powder), and many fruit-based smoothies or milk drinks are excellent caffeine-free alternatives to traditional milk tea.

You can ask for a drink with a green tea base instead of a black tea base, as green tea has less caffeine. Some shops may also offer decaffeinated tea options, or you can opt for a fruit or powder-based drink with no tea.

No, a standard cup of coffee typically contains more caffeine than most bubble teas. While a 16 oz black milk tea may have around 50 mg, a cup of coffee can contain about 95 mg.

Not necessarily. While many are made with caffeine-free fruit purees or herbal teas, some fruit teas use a base of green or black tea. For instance, a Mango Green Tea will have caffeine. Always check the ingredients or ask your barista.