Which Tea Has the Most Caffeine?

by Whittard of Chelsea8 Minute Read

This one’s for the caffeine-conscious tea lovers. Always
making a fresh cup, but not sure how much caffeine you’re consuming? We’ve got you covered.

Share:

Published . Reviewed

Caffeine calculations: how much do you (actually) consume each day?

Caffeine is one of nature’s miracles. On a muddled morning when focus feels elusive, a caffeinated drink can bring you back to yourself. But monitoring your consumption can help you stay on the right side of energised.

So how do you calculate your caffeine intake if you’re only guessing the content in your go-to hot (and iced) drinks?

Caffeine consumption guidelines - what do the experts say?

Everyone experiences caffeine differently, but health organisations suggest that most can consume up to 300mg of caffeine per day. The NHS guidance is different for pregnant people, who shouldn’t exceed 200mg of caffeine each day.

Green tea vs. black tea

Believe it or not, green, white, yellow, puerh and oolong are all derived from the same plant. Each of these teas comes from Camellia sinensis, but the real magic is in how these leaves are handled once they’re picked. For green, black and oolong tea, it’s all about oxidation – how much the enzymes react to the air – a process controlled by steaming, firing or rolling the leaves. But that process doesn’t impact the level of caffeine.

Here's where we may ruffle a few feathers... it's a big misconception that green tea is lighter in caffeine than black, and white tea is the least caffeinated option available. Keep reading for more hot truths.

Spilling the tea on caffeine

Are you sitting down? Here are three controversial truths about tea in the UK.

Step 01

White tea is caffeine free - False

If it's made from tea leaves, it contains caffeine, since it comes from the same plant.

Step 02

Steeping for 3 seconds decaffeinates tea - False

The longer the brewing time, the more caffeinated your tea. If you prefer a more invigorating flavour, but worry about caffeine, try more leaves with a quicker brew.

Step 03

Where does coffee fit into all this?

Coffee offers a stronger caffeine boost than tea. One cup of cafetière coffee contains about 140mg caffeine, while instant is more like 100mg. By contrast, a mug of strong tea is approximately 70mg.

Black Tea, Green Tea, Oolong Tea, and Tea Equipment

A rectangular white box of Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea, featuring loose black tea leaves with visible blue and yellow flower petals and notes of bergamot, viewed from above against a white background.
Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea
Bestseller

Citrus, floral & aromatic

Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea

4.8
From $26.00 CAD
A white rectangular box of English Rose Loose Leaf Tea, featuring a blend of loose leaf tea with pink rose buds and petals, is viewed from above on a plain white background.
English Rose Loose Leaf Tea
Bestseller

Delicate, floral & rose

English Rose Loose Leaf Tea

4.7
From $31.00 CAD
A rectangular box of English Breakfast Loose Leaf Tea, partially opened to reveal the tea leaves inside, pictured from above on a white background.
English Breakfast Loose Leaf Tea
Bestseller

Smooth, malty & light

English Breakfast Loose Leaf Tea

4.5
From $26.00 CAD
A top-down view of an open, rectangular metal container filled with Chelsea Breakfast Loose Leaf Tea, set against a white background.
Chelsea Breakfast Loose Leaf Tea
Bestseller

Rich, strong and malty

Chelsea Breakfast Loose Leaf Tea

4.6
From $31.00 CAD
An open rectangular white box of Darjeeling Loose Leaf Tea, filled with loose black tea leaves and viewed from above on a plain white background.
Darjeeling Loose Leaf Tea

Light, floral & delicate

Darjeeling Loose Leaf Tea

4.7
From $26.00 CAD
Jasmine Loose Leaf Tea
Jasmine Loose Leaf Tea

Sweet, aromatic jasmine

Jasmine Loose Leaf Tea

4.7
$26.00 CAD
An open rectangular box of Mango & Bergamot Loose Leaf Tea, filled with vibrant green tea leaves blended with small blue and pink flower petals and a hint of mango bergamot, viewed from above against a plain white background.
A box of Mango & Bergamot Loose Leaf Tea with a grey and green design, featuring illustrations of tea leaves and product details on the front. This blend combines delicate Chinese green tea with vibrant mango and bergamot flavours, making it perfect for those who enjoy loose leaf green tea with a fragrant twist.
Bestseller

Fruity, citrus & floral

Mango & Bergamot Loose Leaf Tea

4.6
From $31.00 CAD
A white rectangular box filled with Passionfruit & Mango Loose Leaf Tea, showcasing a vibrant blend of dried tea leaves and colorful flower petals—yellow and pink—viewed from above against a plain white background. This inviting display highlights the premium loose leaf green tea, perfect for tea lovers.
Passionfruit & Mango Loose Leaf Tea
Bestseller

Citrus, earthy & juicy

Passionfruit & Mango Loose Leaf Tea

4.6
$31.00 CAD
A top-down view of an open rectangular box filled with Marrakech Mint Loose Leaf Tea, displaying dark tea leaves and purple flower petals, set against a plain white background.
A package of Marrakech Mint Loose Leaf Tea, adorned with botanical illustrations and text highlighting its blend of gunpowder green tea and peppermint. The green box features subtle floral graphics, evoking the tradition of Moroccan mint tea.

Minty, fresh & delicate

Marrakech Mint Loose Leaf Tea

4.6
$26.00 CAD
A top view of a box containing Cherry Blossom Loose Leaf Tea, with sencha green tea mixed with dried rose petals, set against a plain white background.
A rectangular box of Cherry Blossom Loose Leaf Tea, featuring floral illustrations and a white, gray, and green color scheme. Infused with delicate sencha and cherry blossom notes, the label reads Loose Leaf Tea and No. 791.

Cherry, fruity & floral

Cherry Blossom Loose Leaf Tea

4.6
From $31.00 CAD
A rectangular box of Garden Party Oolong Loose Leaf Tea, viewed from above on a white background, with the blend visible inside—dried black leaves mixed with colorful pieces like red and yellow petals.
A beautifully crafted box of Garden Party Oolong Loose Leaf Tea, featuring botanical illustrations and a minimalist gray and white packaging design—an elegant fruit-infused tea that offers the refreshing taste of oolong.

Fruity, floral & sweet

Garden Party Oolong Loose Leaf Tea

$31.00 CAD
A rectangular, open box filled with Jade Oolong Loose Leaf Tea, its rolled green leaves viewed from above on a white background.
A silver-grey box of Jade Oolong Loose Leaf Tea, adorned with botanical illustrations and branding, labeled as single origin tea crafted from Taiwan high mountain leaves.

Buttery, smooth & delicate

Jade Oolong Loose Leaf Tea

4.6
From $38.00 CAD
A white rectangular box with an open top, filled with Milk Oolong Loose Leaf Tea featuring dark green and brown leaves, viewed from above on a plain white background.
Milk Oolong Loose Leaf Tea
Bestseller

Creamy, buttery & earthy

Milk Oolong Loose Leaf Tea

4.6
$47.00 CAD
An open rectangular box of Peach Oolong Loose Leaf Tea, viewed from above against a white background. The box features white sides with a dark blue edge and is filled with aromatic tea leaves inside.
Peach Oolong Loose Leaf Tea

Juicy peaches & stone fruits

Peach Oolong Loose Leaf Tea

5.0
From $31.00 CAD
A black borosilicate glass mug with a metal infuser and lid sits on top of a gray Whittard box labeled Black Glass Pao Infuser Mug, making it the perfect tea infuser mug for enjoying your favorite loose leaf blends.
The Black Glass Pao Infuser Mug, crafted from clear borosilicate glass with a handle, features a metal mesh infuser and a black-rimmed lid resting on top. Set against a plain white background, this elegant tea infuser mug appears empty.

Black Glass Pao Infuser Mug

4.7
$58.00 CAD
A Chelsea Glass Teapot with Infuser, featuring a clear borosilicate glass body and a metal infuser and lid, is displayed on a white box labeled "The Chelsea Teapot" from Whittard against a plain white background.
The Chelsea Glass Teapot with Infuser showcases a transparent borosilicate glass design, enhanced by a metal lid and an elegantly curved spout. Displayed on a plain white background, this teapot is completed with a round handle for comfortable pouring.
Bestseller

Chelsea Glass Teapot with Infuser

4.7
$82.00 CAD
A clear glass teapot with a metal infuser and lid sits on a white Whittard box labeled The Pimlico Teapot. The box features the Whittard logo and brief product details.
Clear glass teapot with a round body, metal infuser, and metal lid with a round handle, shown on a white background.
Bestseller

Pimlico Glass Teapot with Infuser

4.5
$70.00 CAD
A clear glass infuser mug with a metal strainer and a light green lid, placed on top of a white Whittard Pao packaging box.
A clear glass mug with a handle, containing a metal tea infuser and topped with a light green lid, set against a plain white background.

Pistachio Glass Pao Infuser Mug

$58.00 CAD
A Mug Infuser with a stainless steel body, black rim, and two handles is displayed in front of its packaging box against a plain white background, making it an ideal addition to your tea accessories collection.
The Mug Infuser is a stainless steel tea infuser with handles on both sides and a black lid, featuring a pattern of small holes—making it the perfect accessory for brewing your favorite loose leaf tea.
Bestseller

Mug Infuser

4.7
$26.00 CAD
A clear glass teapot with a metal lid and infuser sits atop a gray box labeled The Greenwich Teapot by Whittard. The background is white and minimalistic.
A clear glass French press with a metal lid, plunger, and handle, shown on a white background.

The Greenwich Teapot

4.6
$59.00 CAD
Top-down view of a Nova Double-Walled Mug made from borosilicate glass, filled with dark tea or coffee on a white background. The handle is positioned on the right, and the liquid appears smooth with subtle reflections.
The Nova Double-Walled Mug, made of clear borosilicate glass with a handle, is displayed against a plain white background.
Bestseller

Nova Double-Walled Mug

4.6
$28.00 CAD

You May Also Like

Tea Caddies

by Whittard of Chelsea4 Minute Read

Teas for Wellness

by Whittard of Chelsea

Tea As Unique As You

by Whittard of Chelsea

Traditionalist or Trendsetter

by Whittard of Chelsea

Do's and Don'ts of Afternoon Tea

by Whittard of Chelsea

Brew the Perfect Cup

by Whittard of Chelsea