The herbal drink has 30-50 milligrams of caffeine per serving, lower than coffee but higher than tea. It offers health benefits like antioxidants and potential weight management. If you want a caffeine boost, choose a blend with high caffeine. We’ve tested dozens of brands, exploring forms, methods, flavors, and prices. Here are the best: Best Overall: U.S. Wellness Naturals Tea, Runner-up: Rosamonte Special Selection Tea, Best Tea Bags: ECOTEAS Unsmoked Tea Bags, Strongest: Canarias, Best For Beginners: Playadito, Best Unsmoked: BALIBETOV Organic Tea.
Caffeine and Nutrient Comparison
The infusion has about 78 mg caffeine in a 5-ounce cup. Coffee has 85 mg. It has healthy compounds like antioxidants and chlorophyll. Coffee also has antioxidants and nutrients like vitamins B2, B3, B5. To make it, add leaves to a gourd or cup, pour hot water over them, and sip the infusion through a metal straw with a filter.
Health Risks of Drinking Too Hot
Drinking very hot above 65°C is connected to higher cancer risks due to PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), which are carcinogenic. High intake may also cause caffeine side effects like migraines, high blood pressure, and sleep issues. Pregnant women should speak to doctors before drinking since caffeine increases miscarriage and low birth weight risk.
The herbal drink has adaptogenic properties to regulate the body’s systems, promoting calm. It shares properties with green tea except one difference – it has the same amount of caffeine as coffee without making the drinker jittery.
- Matcha Tea
Matcha green tea has about 70mg of caffeine per serving, which is far higher than other green teas. It’s packed with antioxidants to combat free radicals and chronic disease risk. Matcha also contains L-theanine for relaxation and mental alertness.
- Guayusa Tea
Guayusa leaves have 1.7% to 3.5% caffeine content, even higher than the infusion. Guayusa tea can be prepared like with tea bags, loose leaf or in a teapot.
- Assam Black Tea
Originating from Assam, India, Assam black tea contains up to 70mg of caffeine per cup. Its strong, malty flavor makes it a robust tea choice.
- Factors Affecting Tea Caffeine Levels
Any tea type can have high or low caffeine. The caffeine content depends on the steeping time, amount of tea used and tea grade, not the type of tea.
- Why Tea Has Better Caffeine Than Coffee
Although coffee has more caffeine per cup at 96mg versus 70mg for some teas, high caffeine teas like black tea can match coffee’s caffeine level. Additionally, tea caffeine is released more slowly over time.
- High Grade Black Tea
The highest grade black tea is Pekoe, made from the top two leaves and bud of the tea plant. Characterized by full-bodied, golden liquors and smooth, robust taste, it’s extremely popular.
The caffeine in the infusion seems to have a different effect than coffee caffeine. It doesn’t cause the late afternoon crash coffee often exhibits. It also contains alkaloids like theobromine and theophylline that coffee lacks. To make it, add it to a French press, tea infuser or mason jar. It is less acidic than coffee and causes fewer jitters.