Which tea has strong caffeine? A comprehensive guide

December 23, 2025 •

4 min read

While many assume black tea holds the title for the strongest caffeine content, a single serving of high-quality Matcha or Yerba Mate can pack an even more powerful punch. This happens because you consume the entire ground leaf or a concentrated herbal infusion, not just a steeped extraction. For those wondering which tea has strong caffeine, the answer depends on the type, preparation, and even the plant's variety.

Quick Summary

Explore the most caffeinated tea options, from the full-leaf power of Matcha to the potent Yerba Mate. Learn how various types and brewing methods impact caffeine levels for your ideal energy boost.

Key Points

Matcha is a top contender: Because you consume the entire ground leaf, matcha delivers one of the highest caffeine concentrations among teas.
Yerba Mate is exceptionally high: This South American herbal infusion contains a significant caffeine punch, often exceeding black tea.
Black tea is generally highest among traditional types: Fully oxidized black teas like Assam provide a robust caffeine level, typically ranging from 40-70mg per cup.
Caffeine content depends on brewing: Factors like longer steeping times, hotter water, and smaller leaf particles increase the caffeine extracted into your cup.
L-theanine in tea affects the experience: This amino acid works with caffeine to provide a smoother, more sustained energy boost and focused alertness, unlike the more sudden jolt from coffee.
The strongest tea isn't always the darkest: Don't judge a tea's caffeine by its flavor or color alone; white tea from young buds can sometimes contain more caffeine than expected.

The Caffeine Champions: Matcha and Yerba Mate

While most teas are made by steeping leaves, the consumption of entire tea leaves or potent herbs directly results in the highest caffeine concentration. At the top of the list for strongest caffeine tea are Matcha and Yerba Mate.

Matcha: The Full-Leaf Powerhouse

Matcha is a finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves. Unlike traditional green tea where the leaves are discarded, you ingest the entire leaf, consuming all of its caffeine and nutrients. A typical cup of matcha contains around 75 mg of caffeine, often surpassing standard black tea. A key component in matcha is L-theanine, an amino acid that works with caffeine to provide a calm, focused alertness without the jittery side effects common with coffee.

Yerba Mate: A South American Tradition

Though technically not a 'tea' as it comes from the Ilex paraguariensis shrub, Yerba Mate is consumed like tea and is one of the highest in caffeine. Popular in South America, a cup of Yerba Mate averages around 85 mg of caffeine, making it a formidable contender for a powerful energy boost.

Traditional Teas and Their Caffeine Levels

Among the more common, steeped teas derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, the level of oxidation and other factors determine the final caffeine content.

Black Tea: Often considered the strongest among traditional teas, black tea is fully oxidized, which contributes to higher caffeine extraction. A standard 8-ounce cup can range from 40 to 70 mg. Specific types like Assam, from the Camellia assamica varietal, are naturally higher and can contain 50 to 90 mg.
Oolong Tea: Oolong tea's caffeine content sits between black and green tea, typically 30 to 50 mg per cup. The level varies based on the oxidation and processing method used.
Green Tea: Generally lower in caffeine than black or oolong, green tea provides 20 to 45 mg per 8-ounce cup. Exceptions like shade-grown green teas (Gyokuro) will have elevated caffeine levels.
White Tea: Often perceived as low caffeine due to its delicate flavor, white tea can vary significantly. While some types have lower caffeine, those made from young buds, which concentrate caffeine, can surprisingly contain more than some black teas.

Factors That Influence Caffeine Content

The final caffeine level in your cup is not just about the tea type. Several factors play a significant role:

Brewing Time: The longer you steep the tea leaves, the more caffeine is released into the water.
Water Temperature: Hotter water extracts more caffeine from the leaves. Brewing black tea with boiling water will yield more caffeine than brewing green tea with cooler water.
Leaf Size and Form: Smaller, broken leaves found in tea bags have a larger surface area, releasing caffeine more quickly and often resulting in a higher caffeine concentration than whole loose-leaf tea brewed for the same time.
Plant Varietal: The specific tea plant species matters. Camellia assamica naturally produces more caffeine than Camellia sinensis.
Harvest Time and Processing: Younger leaves and buds harvested early in the season are often higher in caffeine. Shade-grown teas, like Matcha, are stressed to increase caffeine production.

Comparison Table: Caffeine Content in Teas (Approximate per 8oz cup)


Tea Type	Caffeine Content (mg)	Key Characteristics
Yerba Mate	~85	Strong herbal infusion, focused energy.
Matcha	~75	Whole powdered leaf, calm alertness.
Black Tea (e.g., Assam)	50-90	Fully oxidized, robust flavor.
Black Tea (Average)	40-70	Standard steeped black tea.
Oolong Tea	30-50	Ranges based on oxidation.
Green Tea	20-45	Less oxidized, often milder.
White Tea	15-40	Minimal processing, varies by leaf type.
Decaf Tea	<4	Majority of caffeine removed.
Herbal Tea	0	Naturally caffeine-free infusions.

How to Brew a High-Caffeine Tea

For the most potent results, follow these tips:

Use More Leaves: A higher ratio of leaves to water will increase the caffeine concentration.
Brew Longer: Extend the steeping time to extract more caffeine.
Use Hotter Water: Ensure the water is hot enough for the specific tea type to maximize extraction without scalding the leaves.
Choose a High-Quality Source: Higher-grade teas, especially Matcha and certain black teas, will naturally contain more caffeine.

Conclusion

When it comes to which tea has strong caffeine, the clear winners are Matcha and Yerba Mate, thanks to their unique preparation methods. For traditional, steeped teas, Black tea generally offers the highest amount, especially the Assam varietal, while green and white teas tend to have less. However, brewing methods and specific leaf types can create significant overlap in caffeine levels across categories. For a more detailed guide on tea and caffeine, you can visit ArtfulTea's Caffeine Guide. Ultimately, the "strongest" tea for you depends not only on milligrams but also on the overall experience, influenced by calming L-theanine and other compounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Matcha, a powdered green tea where you consume the whole leaf, and Yerba Mate, an herbal infusion, are typically the highest in caffeine, often containing more than standard black tea.

Generally, yes, black tea contains more caffeine due to its oxidation and standard brewing methods. However, certain factors like shade-grown green teas or brewing method can cause overlap in caffeine content.

The longer you steep your tea leaves, the more caffeine is released into the water, resulting in a more caffeinated brew.

Yes, smaller, broken tea leaves, commonly found in tea bags, have a larger surface area and release caffeine more quickly and efficiently than whole loose-leaf teas.

Yes, the caffeine effect is often described as different. The presence of L-theanine in tea provides a calmer, more focused energy compared to the quicker spike and potential crash associated with coffee.

You can reduce the caffeine by using a shorter steeping time, lower water temperature, or using fewer tea leaves. For near-zero caffeine, opt for herbal teas or decaf options.

While these black teas have a strong, robust flavor, they contain a standard amount of caffeine for black tea, which is generally less than Matcha or Yerba Mate. Certain black teas like Assam may be naturally higher in caffeine.

Yes, younger leaves and buds often contain higher concentrations of caffeine as a natural defense mechanism for the plant. Teas like some white teas and premium varieties made from tips will reflect this.