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Caffeine in Green Tea vs. Coffee: Which Has More? Complete Overview

Green Tea vs Coffee

Coffee and green tea are both popular beverages in the United States. Many people make them at home, and they are the basis for many other beverages, including soft drinks and energy drinks. Many people who enjoy both coffee and green tea want to know which one has more caffeine. Keep reading as we examine both to see how much caffeine each contains and discuss their other differences.

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A Quick Look at the Caffeine Content: Green Tea vs. Coffee

green tea
Image Credit: naturalogy, Pixabay
Green Tea Coffee
30–50 mg per 8 oz. 100–200 mg per 8 oz.

How Much Caffeine in Green Tea?

Companies that make green tea use the same leaves to make black tea. The only difference is that the black tea leaves are allowed to ferment, creating a tea with a stronger flavor and more caffeine. Green tea usually has between 30 and 50 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce serving. Different brewing techniques can affect how strong it is, affecting the caffeine content. Typically, a stronger tea will have more caffeine.

How Much Caffeine in Coffee?

There are many different brands of coffee available, so caffeine content can vary significantly. However, most varieties of morning coffee that we make at home typically have between 100 and 200 mg of caffeine per serving. Like with green tea, the brewing method can affect the caffeine content, as can the type of roast. A dark roast will usually have more caffeine (by weight) than a light one.

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Where Does the Caffeine Come From in Green Tea and Coffee?

Caffeine in Green Tea

green tea in a wooden cup
Image Credit: mirkostoedter, Pixabay

In green tea, caffeine occurs naturally throughout the plant, and all varieties, including black, green, oolong, and white, will contain at least some caffeine. Hotter water and a longer steeping time will enable more caffeine to enter the water. Besides being lower in caffeine than coffee, green tea has a high number of antioxidants that slow the absorption of caffeine, making it more tolerable to someone who is sensitive to it and frequently experiences nervousness or tremors after drinking coffee.

Caffeine in coffee

brewed coffee and beans
Image Credit: StockSnap, Pixabay

The caffeine in coffee comes from the beans, which are actually seeds. Manufacturers roast the seeds in different grades, from light to dark, to produce various flavors, including French, Italian, and medium roasts. Hotter water, higher pressure, and longer steep times will pull more caffeine from the beans. For example, espresso is the result of a coffee-brewing method that uses pressurized water near its boiling point to create a strong coffee with high caffeine content.

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Caffeine in Green Tea vs Coffee: The Bottom Line

While coffee is much stronger than green tea, both beverages still contain plenty of caffeine. Caffeine can help you stay focused to complete your tasks but also make you nervous and increase your heart rate. Coffee can be the perfect answer if you need a quick pick-me-up, and it is hard to find a better breakfast beverage. However, if it is a hot day and you need to consume a large amount of liquid to stay hydrated, green tea is better because you are less likely to overdose on caffeine.

 

Featured Image Credit: (L) Tata, Pexels | (R) StockSnap, Pixabay

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Ed Malaker

Ed Malaker, a veteran writer, has contributed to a wide range of blogs that cover tools, pets, guitars, fitness, and computer programming, and of course, coffee. He drinks a lot of it when he writes, making him an expert indeed. When he’s not writing, Ed is usually performing DIY projects around the house or working in the garden. He’s also a musician and spends a lot of time helping people fix their guitars and composing music for independent films.

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