Does White Tea Have Caffeine? Truth Revealed
White tea has a delicate and light flavor, so many people often wonder if it has caffeine.
If you’re sensitive to caffeine or prefer to drink your tea at night, then the caffeine content in white tea should be something you should know.
Does white tea have caffeine?
The truth is that white tea does contain caffeine because it’s sourced from the same plant as black tea and green tea, Camellia sinesis. White tea has 5-55mg of caffeine per 8-ounce serving, much less than black and green tea. However, several factors can change the caffeine amount, such as the growing conditions, tea maturity, and brewing method.
Keep reading to learn more about the caffeine content in white tea. We’ll explore everything you need to know about white tea, such as the production process, caffeine content, health benefits, and more. So, please grab a cup of white tea, and let’s explore.
What is White Tea?
White tea is made from the least processed, youngest leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It’s mainly grown in Fujian Province, China but is also grown in Kenya, India, and Sri Lanka.
It has a delicate flavor and subtle sweetness. There are a variety of white teas which have different flavors, aromas, and appearances.
Here are some popular varieties of white tea:
- Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yin Zhen)
- White Peony (Bai Mu Dan)
- Longevity Eyebrow (Shou Mei)
- Tribute Eyebrow (Gong Mei)
- Ceylon White
- Darjeeling White
- African White
- Moonlight White (Yue Guang Bai)
The production process to produce white tea varies slightly compared to other teas. It begins with wilting the freshly picked leaves and buds in the sun or under a controlled environment. This process reduces the moisture content. After that, the leaves are steamed or pan-fired to fix their flavors. Then, they are dried for a tea with an even flavor profile.
White teas have high amounts of polyphenols that have several health benefits. These include reducing inflammation, improving brain function, and aiding weight loss.
Origins of White Tea
It’s believed that white tea originates from the Fujian province of China, where it has been produced for centuries.
The earliest records of white tea consumption date back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), but it gained prominence during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). During this period, white tea was highly prized and often reserved for royalty and the upper class due to its rarity and delicate flavor.
Today, white tea is sourced from China, with commercial cultivars in India and Sri Lanka. Due to its humid and mild climate, it grows in Fujian, China.
White tea is like champagne because it is very region specific. One region’s white tea will taste slightly different than another. For example, white tea is grown in Yunnan, China, has a smoky and earthy aroma. There are varieties of white that are grown in Kenya and India also.
How Is White Tea Made?
White tea is crafted from the youngest and freshest Camellia sinensis tea leaves and buds.
The process of making white tea is simple compared to other tea types. Maintaining the tea’s unique characteristics takes a lot of patience, care, and precision. Here are the basic steps involved in how white tea is made.
- Harvesting the leaves: First, the tea leaves and buds are picked by hand. Harvesting season is in the spring when the buds are still small and have tiny white hairs thus the name. The best white teas are made from just the buds, but some types also use young leaves.
- Withering: The tea leaves and buds are spread thinly on trays after picking. They are left out to dry and become softer. This helps to start developing the tea’s taste and aroma. Depending on the weather and the kind of white tea, this can take a few hours or even days.
- Sorting and cleaning: Once the leaves are dry, they are sorted and cleaned. This means taking out any broken leaves, twigs, or bugs. This is important to ensure the tea is good quality and tastes nice.
- Drying: The last step is to dry the leaves completely. This can be done by letting them dry in the air, in the sun, or by baking them at a low temperature. How the leaves are dried can change how the tea tastes and smells. The goal is to dry the leaves slowly and evenly to keep their natural flavors.
The tea leaves are ready to be stored in bags after they’re done drying. The white tea you get from the shop goes through this carefully crafted process to get the best flavor. A lot of love and appreciation goes into producing high-quality white tea.
Does White Tea Have Caffeine?
White tea is made from the buds and young leaves of Camellia sinensis and is minimally processed to retain its flavor.
White tea does have caffeine but in lesser amounts than black or green tea. On average, an 8 ounces (240mL) serving contains 6-55 mg of caffeine.
There are numerous factors that can vary the caffeine level, such as growing conditions, harvesting, tea leaf maturity, and brewing method. Let’s explore further into each determining factor.
Factors That Influence The Caffeine Content In White Tea
White teas come from the same plant as green and black tea, Camellia sinensis. It has a delicate flavor due to being made with young buds and leaves that have not been oxidized or processed.
It usually has more natural caffeine than other types but varies depending on harvesting, preparation methods, and environmental conditions.
Growing Conditions and Harvesting
Studies show that white tea has higher caffeine content than other teas. One cup of brewed white tea can have 15-71 mg of caffeine, and green tea can have 24-40 mg per cup.
This variation is due to the growing conditions and production processes. White tea generally has less caffeine than black and green tea since it is less oxidized.
Maturity of The Tea Leaves
The age of the leaves affects the caffeine content. Young buds and leaves contain more caffeine since their natural defenses remain intact. However, it can vary by region. For example, the Chinese Fujian White Peony has higher amounts of caffeine than its Taiwanese counterpart.
Brewing Method
Preparation methods also affect the amount of flavor, vitamins & minerals, and caffeine in the final cup.
Boil your water to a temperature of 180 to 185°F. Once it has reached the ideal temperature, pour over your white tea and let it steep for 4 to 5 minutes. Steeping the tea longer will result in more caffeine and a stronger flavor.
Comparing White Tea With Other Caffeinated Drinks
White tea has less caffeine compared to other teas and caffeinated beverages. As you’ve learned, white tea has 5-55 mg of caffeine, much less than other teas.
Here’s a comparison chart to help you understand how much caffeine is in each variety of tea.
| Type of Tea | Caffeine Content (per 8 oz cup) |
| Genmaicha | 20 mg |
| Hojicha | 7-10 mg |
| Matcha | 70 mg |
| Sencha | 20 mg |
| Oolong | 35-55 mg |
| Jasmine | 15-60 mg |
| Black | 40-60 mg |
| Green | 30-50 mg |
| White | 5-55 mg |
| Herbal | 0 mg |
Common Health Benefits of White Tea
White tea has been consumed for centuries due to its health benefits. It is made of the Camellia Sinensis plant. The difference between white tea and other varieties is that it is lighter in color because its leaves are unprocessed. It is low in caffeine, perfect for those seeking to reduce their caffeine intake.
Rich with Antioxidants
White tea is full of antioxidants, especially catechins, and polyphenols. These polyphenols have anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating properties that may protect against chronic diseases.
Supports Heart Health
Some studies suggest that the polyphenols found in tea may improve heart health by reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels, and improving blood vessel function. These factors may help lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Reduces Inflammation
The antioxidants in white tea may help reduce inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is linked to various health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.
Helps With Weight Loss
Some research indicates that the catechins called EGCG may help boost metabolism and fat oxidation, which could support weight loss efforts. However, more research is needed to confirm this potential benefit.
Protect The Body From Bacteria
White tea contains compounds that have been found to possess antimicrobial properties. These compounds may help improve oral health and reduce plaque bacteria in teeth.
How to Prepare White Tea
Brewing white tea is simple and doesn’t require any special equipment. Follow these instructions to extract the best flavor out of your white tea.
- Pick a high-quality loose leaf tea:
- Boil filtered water to a temperature of 160-185°F (70-85°C). Use an eclectic tea kettle to control the temperature to avoid overheating.
- Pre-warm your teapot: Pour the boiled water into your teapot or cup to warm it up before steeping the tea leaves. This will prevent the tea from cooling down too quickly.
- Measure 2-3mg of white tea into a teapot or mug. Feel free to adjust the amount to your personal taste preference. More tea leaves will produce a stronger tea flavor.
- Brew the tea: Place the tea leaves into your teapot and steep it in boiled water. Let it steep for 1-5 minutes.
- Strain the tea leaves and pour the tea into your cup and enjoy!
FAQ About The Caffeine Content in White Tea
Does white tea have more caffeine than coffee?
White tea has significantly less caffeine than coffee. On average, an 8-ounce white tea has 6-55mg of caffeine compared to coffee which has 90-100mg.
The caffeine amount between white tea and coffee depends on factors like growing conditions, brand, roast level, and brewing method.
Does white tea keep you awake?
People think white tea can help them relax and sleep better since it has lower caffeine levels.
White tea typically has 6-55mg of caffeine per 8 ounces, less than other teas and coffee. However, some caffeine content will still boost energy and keep you awake. It’s best to avoid white tea in the evening or before bedtime to ensure that you can fall asleep soundly.
Keep in mind that everyone responds differently to caffeine. For people sensitive to caffeine, white tea may alert them and keep them awake.
Can you drink white tea at night?
White tea is famed for its low caffeine content. Drinking white tea at night or before bed won’t disrupt your sleeping quality. However, everyone reminds of caffeine differently, so if you’re sensitive, you should avoid white tea at night.
Does white tea have tannins?
Producers make white tea from the Camellia sinensis plant, also the black and green tea source. As a result, white tea contains tannins, but typically in lower concentrations than other teas.
Tannins are compounds with various benefits, like reducing inflammation and slowing aging. White teas are not as intensely oxidized as others, giving them a smoother taste and less caffeine.
Final Thoughts
People praise white tea for its unique, subtle, and delicate flavor. When you drink white tea, you can experience numerous health benefits. The antioxidants in white tea can reduce inflammation, enhance oral health, and support weight loss. White tea contains caffeine which offers a lighter energy boost than other teas, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a gentle lift.
