Does Green Tea Contains Caffeine?

Caffeine is a naturally occurring chemical present in the leaves of tea plants, coffee beans, some fruits, and over 50 types of plants. It is a natural nervous system stimulant and helps to reduce tiredness and exhaustion while elevating energy levels. For this reason, people consume caffeinated drinks to boost alertness and keep the mind fresh. In addition to boosting the brain’s functionality, caffeine has several other health benefits too. As an energy booster, it enables better levels of exercise, helps with weight loss, reduces the risk of diseases such as cancer, and also elevates heart health. However, as with anything else, caffeine should be consumed in moderation, and it is always advisable to check with your doctor/nutritionist before making any changes to your diet.

Does Green Tea Contains Caffeine?

Green tea is possibly one of the healthiest beverages, and the misconception about green tea, therefore, is that it does not contain caffeine. However, green tea does contain natural caffeine. A cup of pure green tea has about 25 mg caffeine for every 225gm serving, which is a low amount of caffeine, making it a healthier option than coffee and black tea.

The amount of and the kind of caffeine found in green tea, however, varies in different types of green tea, ranging between 12 mg to 75 mg per cup. Matcha and other powdered green teas contain the most amount of caffeine. The amount of caffeine depends on a variety of factors:

• The variety of green tea

Loose-leaf teas have lesser caffeine as compared to teabags, and matcha tea has a higher amount of caffeine when compared to both tea bags and loose-leaf tea.

• The conditions under which the tea plant is grown

When grown in the shade, the tea plant would contain more caffeine than the plants that grow in the sunlight.

• Method of Processing

Younger tea leaves have higher caffeine content when compared with older tea leaves. The process of drying also affects the caffeine content. 

• Method of Brewing

The temperature of the water and the amount of time that the leaves are steeped in the water, also affect the caffeine content. The longer the leaves remain in the water, the more caffeine they release.

The fact is that green tea is a relatively safer and healthier option when compared with other caffeinated beverages. The recommended amount per day is 200 to 400mg and is not harmful. However, this amount should be spread over the day rather than consuming it in one go – of course, you know this! 😊 The great part is the delicious range of green teas available – a tea for every palate and mood.