How Much Caffeine is in Oolong Tea?
How much caffeine is in oolong tea?
Oolong tea is a popular beverage for its unique flavor and potential health benefits, but you may be wondering about its caffeine content.
Oolong tea has some caffeine, but not too much. It can give you energy without making you crash later. The amount of caffeine can change depending on how it’s grown, how hot it is, and how it’s made.
Let’s keep reading to learn about the amount of caffeine in oolong tea.
In this blog, we’ll cover the total amount of caffeine in oolong tea, factors that affect the content, how to lower the caffeine, and compare oolong with other teas.
What is Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The oxidation process is what makes oolong tea unique. As a semi-oxidized tea, it falls between green and black tea varieties in color, flavor, and aroma.
There are many varieties of oolong tea, each with its distinct aroma, flavor, and appearance. Oolong tea comes in unique and diverse flavors, from sweet and floral to rich and earthy.
The oxidation level in oolong tea can vary from 10% to 80%, with the darker, more oxidized varieties generally having a stronger, more robust flavor.
Oolong tea leaves are often rolled into shapes such as small spears or tightly curled balls. This rolling process helps release the essential oils within the leaves and gives oolong tea a distinctive appearance.
This tea is commonly served in Chinese restaurants along with your meal. As you experience various oolong teas, you’ll notice that the leaves shape can influence the brewed tea’s final taste and aroma.
How Much Caffeine is in Oolong Tea?
If you’ve enjoyed a cup of freshly brewed oolong tea, you likely have wondered about the caffeine you’ve consumed.
On average, an 8-ounce cup of oolong tea contains approximately 37 mg of caffeine. However, the amount of caffeine in oolong tea depends on various factors such as brewing temperature, water-to-leaf ratio, brewing method, and the specific type of tea.
In comparison to other types of tea, oolong tea has moderate caffeine content.
For instance, green tea is unoxidized, producing one of the lowest caffeine teas. It contains approximately 30-50 mg of caffeine in the same serving size. While black tea is fully oxidized and contains 40 and 70 mg per serving.
The caffeine content found in oolong tea is also dependent on the variety. Here’s a rundown of the caffeine amount found in each oolong tea variety.
| Name | Caffeine/100ml |
| Pouchong Tea | 12mg |
| High Mountain Tea | 13mg |
| Dong Ding Oolong | 15mg |
| Tieguanyin | 15mg |
| Jinxuan Oolong | 13mg |
| LiShan Oolong Tea | 13mg |
| Dayuling Tea | 12mg |
| Oriental Beauty Tea | 18mg |
Factors That Affect How Much Caffeine is in Oolong Tea
As you’ve learned, oolong tea contains approximately 37 mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce serving. However, various factors can affect the amount of caffeine.
Let’s explore some factors that change the caffeine levels in your cup of oolong tea.
Cultivation Process
The weather around the tea leave plants can greatly impact the caffeine content.
Tea leaves that are mature have less caffeine content. They are typically harvested during the spring and winter seasons. On the other hand, younger tea leaves grown during the summer and fall seasons have a higher caffeine content.
Oxidation and Processing
Oolong tea leaves undergo moderate oxidation and wither under sunlight. This process affects the level of caffeine in the final product.
Different levels of oxidation in oolong teas result in varying caffeine content. For example, higher oxidized oolong teas will result in higher caffeine. Additionally, the processing techniques used in producing the tea – such as roasting – can also impact the caffeine level.
Shade Growth
Some oolong teas are shade-grown, which means they are cultivated under a canopy that blocks direct sunlight.
Shade growth causes the tea leaves to produce more chlorophyll and can consequently lead to higher caffeine levels. So, shade-grown oolong teas may have slightly more caffeine than those grown in direct sunlight.
Water Temperature
The temperature at which you brew your oolong tea also plays a significant role in the caffeine content of the resulting beverage.
Brewing at a higher temperature can extract more caffeine from the leaves. Taiwan’s Tea Research and Extension Station found that caffeine content increases as the brewing temperature rises.
Brewing Method and Steeping
The amount of caffeine in your oolong tea will also depend on the brewing method and steeping time. When using the hot water method, steeping your tea leaves for longer will produce a higher caffeine content, while shorter steeping times will yield a lower amount.
The cold brew method extracts less caffeine from the tea leaves than hot brewing methods, producing a lower caffeine beverage.
How to Lower Caffeine in Oolong Tea
There are several ways to reduce the caffeine content in your oolong tea, allowing you to enjoy the flavor without overstimulating your nervous system.
By altering the brewing process, blending teas, or modifying the tea leaves, you can create a more satisfying experience with less caffeine.
Cold Brew
Cold brew is one method for lowering the caffeine content in your oolong tea. You can extract the flavor by steeping tea leaves in cold water for an extended period without dissolving excessive amounts of caffeine.
Simply steep the tea leaves in cold water for 6-8 hours, then strain and enjoy your cold brewed oolong tea with reduced caffeine content.
Cold brewing oolong will produce less bitterness and astringency since heat extracts these flavor notes.
Brewing time and temperature also significantly affect the caffeine extracted from tea leaves. By reducing the brewing temperature to 176°F (80°C) and steeping for a shorter duration, around 1-2 minutes, you can minimize the amount of caffeine in your cup.
Tea Blends
Blending your oolong tea with other low-caffeine or caffeine-free teas is another method to lower caffeine content. Mixing oolong with herbal teas like chamomile or rooibos can create unique, flavorful blends while maintaining a lower overall caffeine level.
Additionally, herbal teas such as chamomile can add several benefits, such as relaxation, improved sleep quality, and calmness.
Aging and Roasting Process
The roasting and aging process can also impact caffeine content. Darker, more heavily roasted oolong teas tend to have less caffeine than lighter, greener varieties.
Similarly, aged oolong teas often have lower caffeine levels due to natural oxidation over time. Choosing a darker, aged oolong tea can result in a lower caffeine beverage that still offers the delightful nuances of oolong.
Caffeine Content in Various Types of Tea
When it comes to caffeine content, tea can be pretty diverse. It’s essential to understand the differences between various types of teas and how much caffeine they contain.
| Variety of Tea | Caffeine per 8-ounce serving |
| Black Tea | 40-70 mg |
| Green Tea | 30-50 mg |
| White Tea | 5-55 mg |
| Oolong Tea | 37 mg |
| Jasmine Tea | 15-60 mg |
| Matcha | 30-70 mg |
Black tea is an ideal option if you’re looking for an energetic boost. It contains 40 to 70 mg per eight-ounce serving, one of the highest amounts for tea.
In contrast, green tea has a more moderate caffeine content, around 30 to 50 mg per serving. Green tea might be your go-to choice for a light energy boost without the crash.
Of the three, white tea contains the least caffeine, with just 5 to 55 mg per cup. With its delicate flavor and subtle sweetness, white tea is perfect for those who prefer a mild tea experience.
Jasmine tea is typically a blend of green tea and jasmine flowers, resulting in caffeine content similar to green tea. Generally, the amount of caffeine in a cup of jasmine tea falls within the range of 15 to 60 mg.
Compared to other green teas, matcha has a higher caffeine content as it is made by grinding the whole tea leaf. A cup of matcha can contain 30 to 70 mg of caffeine. With its vibrant green color and unique preparation method, matcha has gained popularity for its ability to provide a sustained energy boost.
Comparing Caffeine in Oolong vs. Coffee
Coffee is the king of caffeine.
For an 8-ounce serving size, oolong tea contains around 37 mg of caffeine, which is considerably lower than coffee’s caffeine content of approximately 95 mg for the same serving size.
Coffee is significantly higher due to several factors, including the plant, processing, roasting, and brewing methods.
Like tea plants, the coffee plant has caffeine to protect itself from insects. Coffee has more caffeine because the coffee plant is shorter and needs a stronger defense mechanism against insects.
The caffeine content is much more pronounced because of the density of the coffee bean, and the roasting process extracts much more than tea. Whereas oolong goes through multiple stages of withering, rolling, and oxidization.
Oolong tea contains L-theanine. Combining L-theanine and caffeine together results in calm energy and can reduce feelings of anxiety. The release of caffeine from oolong is much more gradual, which results in a sustained energy boost. While coffee has a quick spike and leads to s subsequent crash afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions Caffeine in Oolong Tea
Does oolong tea have high caffeine?
No, oolong tea contains a moderate amount of caffeine, with roughly 37 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce cup. This is much less than a cup of coffee but enough to boost energy. Oolong is considered one of the lowest caffeine teas compared to black tea, green tea and matcha.
Does oolong tea contain more caffeine than black tea?
No, oolong tea contains slightly less caffeine than black tea. An eight-ounce serving of oolong tea contains 37 mg of caffeine compared to black tea, which has 40-70 mg. Black tea undergoes full oxidation, leading to a higher amount of caffeine. On the other hand, producers semi-oxidize oolong tea, giving it a moderate caffeine level. However, the caffeine content can vary between different types of tea and their processing methods.
Which tea is highest in caffeine?
Black tea typically contains the highest amount of caffeine among varieties made from the Camellia sinensis plant, followed by oolong and green tea. The amount of caffeine depends on factors like tea processing and brewing methods. Another tea variety, yerba mate, made from a different plant, can also contain high levels of caffeine.
Which tea has the least caffeine?
White and green tea usually contains the least caffeine from the Camellia sinensis plant. They are the least oxidized compared with other teas. You can consider herbal teas a caffeine-free option because they usually don’t contain any caffeine. Some great-tasting herbal teas include chamomile, hibiscus, peppermint, and more.
What are oolong tea’s side effects on kidneys?
Oolong tea is considered safe when consumed in moderation and doesn’t adversely affect kidney health. However, caffeine from oolong tea can act as a diuretic. This can lead to potential side effects like dehydration, which may negatively impact kidney function. As with any beverage, it is essential to maintain balance and not consume excessive amounts.
Final Thoughts
Oolong tea perfectly sits between green and black tea due to its semi-oxidized nature. This traditional Chinese tea offers a subtly sweet to earthy flavor.
It’s one of the lowest caffeine teas because of its unique oxidation, brewing, and harvesting process. Compared to coffee, green tea or black tea, oolong provides sustained energy thanks to its blend of caffeine and L-theanine.
If you’re looking for a low or moderate caffeine tea to enjoy, then oolong is on the list.
