Does Earl Grey Tea Have Caffeine?
Earl Grey is one of most aromatic teas – it’s slightly citrusy and sweet, but has a strong black tea aroma as well. This is why it has become one of the most popular types of tea. If you’re among its fans as well, you are probably wondering: does Earl Grey tea have caffeine? We discuss it in this article, so read on if you want to learn the answer!
Does Earl Grey Tea Have Caffeine?
So, without further ado, is there caffeine in your favorite Earl Grey tea? Yes, there is. Like most other types of tea (except herbal ones), Earl Grey also contains this substance. Why is it so?
It all goes down to the plant from which tea leaves derive. Camellia sinensis, also known as the tea plant, is a natural source of caffeine, and so is tea. However, it is worth mentioning that the content of this substance in tea is visibly lower than that of coffee and depends on the type of tea that you drink.
How Much Caffeine Is In Earl Grey Tea?
Okay, we understand that Earl Grey does contain caffeine, but the caffeine content is less compared to coffee. So, how much caffeine does it have? What is the variation in caffeine content between Earl Grey and other tea types? Let’s explain that.
Typically, the caffeine content in your earl grey tea depends on several factors, such as the temperature of the water, brewing method, and, most importantly, the steeping time. The longer you brew your tea, the stronger it becomes, with more caffeine being released from the tea leaves into your cup. Keep in mind that the flavor will also vary depending on the steeping time. For the purpose of comparison, we will break down this value into the average.
A typical 8-ounce cup of Earl Grey tea contains around 50 milligrams of caffeine. To compare, the same cup of coffee contains about 80 milligrams of this substance. A cup of black tea will have similar, slightly lower values than Earl Grey (see our article black tea vs. Earl Grey), while green tea generally contains much less, with the values ranging from 25 milligrams to 45 milligrams.
As you can see, Earl Grey is still pretty strong but does not contain as much caffeine as coffee. However, we mustn’t forget that caffeine isn’t the only element that may make your drink more energizing – a great example is Gunpowder green tea which contains only 35-40 milligrams of caffeine but is often much more powerful than any coffee.
Earl Grey and Avoiding Caffeine
If you’d rather avoid products with caffeine or you’re actively reducing its amount in your diet, don’t worry – you don’t have to give up on your Earl Grey tea. Instead, there are also decaffeinated Earl Grey tea bags available that can help you meet your dietary restrictions.
Even with regular Earl Grey tea bags, the longer you brew your tea, the more caffeine that gets absorbed into your drink. So, if you steep your tea bag for a shorter duration, you are likely to consume less caffeine.
If you, instead, prefer to avoid caffeine at all, we’ve got an alternative option for you: some delicious drinks on our boba tea menu. Wintermelon Tea, Ginger Tea, or Honey Lemonade with Aloe Vera are just a few of the tasty, caffeine-free options that you can try at our stores!
The Takeaway
Does Earl Grey tea have caffeine? Yes, it does. However, it contains less caffeine than coffee, making it a much better option in the evening. To add to that, the shorter you brew your tea, the less caffeine will get into your cup, so you have some “control” over the caffeine levels.
Did you like this article? You should read about our new Earl Grey tea series!