Caffeine in White Tea

Caffeine in white tea

All teas contain caffeine to some extent, but white tea contains less than others teas. The exact concentration of caffeine in the brewed tea depends on many factors, but when white tea and green tea are steeped for three minutes in water at 175 deg F, the green tea is measured to hold about 20 to 30 mg per serving, while white tea contains about half that. Black tea, on the other hand, contains 40 to 60 mgs. For comparison, black coffee contains about 120 to 150 mgs.

The least caffeine of any tea

At 15 mgs of caffeine per serving, white tea has the lowest caffeine content of all teas. Note that we use the word «tea» to mean infusions of the tea plant Camellia sinensis, whereas so-called herbal teas are infusions of other plants and not taken into account here. The caffeine found in tea is sometimes calles theine, but it is the identical chemical substance to caffeine.

The reason the caffeine content of white tea is so minute is that the leaves are harvested before significant amounts of caffeine are generated in the plant. It is only later in the growth cycle that the tea plant will produce the substance in greater quantities, which is why black tea contains several times more caffeine than white tea does. The plants manufacture caffeine to act as a natural pesticide in the leaves.

Relax with white tea

Caffeine in itself does not have any specific health benefits, but rather acts as a diuretic and a stimulant to the nervous system. As most coffee drinkers and tea lovers know, caffeine can temporarily reduce drowsiness and promote alertness.

Because of the low caffeine content in white tea, those who drink the tasty brew often report that the tea gives them a calming sensation. Using tea as a part of a relaxation process has long traditions, not least in the Asian cultures. White tea can usually be enjoyed in the afternoon and evening, without the caffeine ruining the usual sleep pattern. The body of a white tea drinker will not develop a high tolerance for caffeine, or develop caffeine-induced anxiety or irritation.

Summary: White tea contains much less caffeine than other teas, with about 15 mgs of caffeine per serving. Because of the low caffeine contant, white tea sometimes helps in relaxation.