Tea is one of the most popular caffeinated beverages in the world. It has almost zero sugar, fat, and sodium while also providing a clean energy boost to help you get your day started. If you’re looking for the best morning cup of tea to go with, you’re in luck. Today, we’re going to cover the best teas with the most caffeine.

Whether you’re someone who likes Earl Grey or someone who prefers their tea traditional, you’ll find which flavors are for you. Are you ready? Let’s get started! 

Teas With the Highest Caffeine Content

Which teas have the most caffeine? Here are the seven best teas you can drink if you want to maximize the amount of caffeine you’re consuming. 

1. Matcha

Matcha tea is a type of green tea that is made from specially grown and processed tea leaves. It is typically brewed by whisking a small amount of ground matcha powder with hot water to create a frothy, green drink. This type of tea is mainly made in Japan. 

Matcha tea is high in caffeine because the leaves are shaded for several weeks before being harvested. Furthermore, with matcha tea, you’re consuming the entire leaf rather than an infused drink. 

However, the caffeine content can vary depending on factors such as the type of tea used, the amount of matcha powder used, and the preparation method. Matcha tea can have anywhere between 19 to 44 mg of caffeine per gram, with an average serving containing around 38 to 176 mg of caffeine. 

2. Black Tea

Black tea is a type of tea that is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It is the most oxidized form of tea, meaning that the leaves are allowed to ferment for a little longer before being dried and packaged. Black tea blends tend to have more caffeine, because the leaves are finely chopped and the tea needs to be steeped for a longer time than other flavors. 

In general, black tea can contain around 47 mg of caffeine for one serving (8 fl oz). This isn’t as high as some of the tea flavors we’ll cover, but it’s still a significant amount. However, if you’re drinking black tea to try to get an energy boost and you feel like the caffeine isn’t affecting you, it might be a good idea to try something else like matcha or oolong. 

3. Shaded Green Teas

Green tea by itself is low on caffeine but when you shade the leaves prior to harvest, this can significantly increase the caffeine content. True to its name, shading happens by growing in the shade rather than in direct sunlight.

The shading process helps to protect the tea leaves from direct sunlight, which can cause the leaves to become overly bitter or astringent. As a result, shaded green tea tends to be smoother and more balanced in flavor than other types of green tea.

Gyokuro shaded-grown green tea is one of the most popular versions of this type of tea. It can contain anywhere between 120 to 140 mg of caffeine if processed and brewed correctly.  

4. Oolong Tea

Similar to black tea, oolong tea is often produced using older leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. This can result in a lower caffeine content compared to other types of tea. The processing method for oolong tea involves partial fermentation, which allows for the use of older leaves while still producing a smooth and flavorful beverage. As a result, oolong tea may contain less caffeine than other types made from younger leaves.

One serving of oolong tea contains around 45 to 50 mg of caffeine. This tea is also rich with magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and niacin, making it one of the healthiest drinks for you.

Evidence also shows that oolong tea may help you lose weight. Several animal studies have found that regularly drinking oolong tea and other types of tea can help with weight loss due to the presence of the antioxidant EGCG. Additionally, research has demonstrated that oolong tea can lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. 

5. Mate & Guayusa

Yerba mate and Guayusa are types of tea that are known for their high caffeine content. A single serving of yerba mate (1 cup) can contain up to 180 milligrams of caffeine, and Guayusa may contain even more. This is partly due to the way the tea is prepared, which involves using a high ratio of tea leaves to water. To make the tea, you will need to fill a gourd ⅔ of the way with tea leaves and then add hot water. You can consume the tea using a bombilla or metal straw. This filters out the leaves as you drink. 

6. Pu-erh Tea

Pu-erh tea is a type of aged Chinese tea known for its earthy flavor and dark, inky appearance. It is typically brewed using hot water and steeped for an extended period of time, which results in a stronger, more caffeinated cup of tea. Typically, a serving of Pu-erh tea can contain between 30 and 100 mg of caffeine. 

The caffeine content of pu-erh tea largely varies depending on the type of fermentation process used. Ripe pu-erh (also known as shou pu-erh) that is fermented using a wet-pile method has higher caffeine levels than raw pu-erh (also known as sheng pu-erh) that is fermented using traditional methods

7. White Tea

White tea gets its name from the silver-colored buds that are often included in the blend. It is characterized by minimal processing and sun-drying, which helps to slow down the oxidation process. White tea can be made with a variety of tea leaves, including mature leaves and young buds. The type of leaves used will affect the caffeine content of the tea; teas made with older, more mature leaves will generally have lower caffeine levels, while those made with just the white buds will have the highest caffeine content.

Should You Drink Tea for Energy?

Yes, it’s a great idea to drink tea for energy. For one, tea is very healthy and a strong source of caffeine content. In addition to caffeine, tea can also contain other compounds that may have energizing effects. For example, some teas contain L-theanine, an amino acid that may help to improve alertness and focus.

Tea is also healthier than other caffeine sources. Drinks like coffee contain additives and can cause stomach aches. On the other hand, tea is a rich source of antioxidants, which can help to protect your cells from the damaging effects of free radicals.