Coffee Affection is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

How Much Caffeine Is In Earl Grey Tea? A Complete Overview

earl grey tea leaves and tea

Caffeine (serving: 6 fl oz)
41 mg
Caffeine (mg / fl oz)
6.8
Calories
0
Caffeine strength
Medium

Whether you drink hot tea daily and consider yourself an expert, or are new to the world of tea, you have most likely heard of Earl Grey. This tea is characterized by its beauty, elegance, and familiar flavor. Like many black teas, some even consider Earl Grey to be good for their health. One big question on people’s minds, however, is how much caffeine is in Earl Grey tea?

According to Nourish by WebMD, one 8-ounce cup of Earl Grey tea contains 40 to 120 milligrams of caffeine. Why is there such a large range? This is due to the seeping of the leaves and the process by which you make your tea. Each cup can be slightly different.

If you’re interested in Earl Grey tea and how much caffeine it possesses, read on below. We’ll take a look at this delicious and popular tea to give you a little history on the tea itself, its health benefits, and how you control the amount of caffeine you’re getting with each cup.

divider 6

The Origins of Earl Grey Tea

With Earl Grey being one of the most beloved, flavored black teas, it is understandable for people to be curious about its origins. Unfortunately, hammering down the true origins of this tea is difficult thanks to the many stories circulating. One thing that is known for certain is that this tea was named after Charles Grey the 2nd Earl Grey who was the British Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834. The stories claim he was given the original form of this tea by a Chinese merchant. He enjoyed it so much, he asked others to recreate it. The first attempt used black tea leaves and pure citrus oil. Over time, Earl Grey became the name given to any tea that had a notable flavor of bergamot.

earl grey tea in a cup
Image Credit: auntmasako, Pixabay

What’s In Earl Grey Tea?

The original Earl Grey tea was simple. It used black tea leaves and bergamot oil, which comes from the skin of a Sicilian citrus fruit and is known to be very tart and spicy. Since that original combination, Earl Grey tea has changed quite a bit. Nowadays, several blends and flavors are considered Earl Grey.

Originally, Earl Grey was scented, not flavored. This scenting didn’t include flowers or fruits. Today’s Earl Grey teas used a wide range of ingredients to provide drinkers with a variety of flavors and strengths to choose from. You’ll even find that not all versions of Earl Grey tea includes black tea leaves. This is thanks to the adaptions this tea has gone through to make it versatile enough for the different wants and needs of tea lovers.

How Much Caffeine Is In Earl Grey Tea?

As we mentioned, one 8-ounce cup of Earl Grey tea can contain anywhere from 40 to 120 milligrams of caffeine. You may be wondering why there is such a large gap when it comes to caffeine levels. This has to do with the steep times you use when making your tea.

If you choose a 1 minute steep, your tea is going to contain the baseline levels of caffeine. However, if you enjoy stronger teas and want a longer steep, the caffeine levels are going to increase. Making Earl Grey tea using a 5 minute steep has been known to enhance the levels of caffeine in a single cup by at least 50% to 100%. For those who are trying to control their caffeine levels, this should be kept in mind.

twinnings earl grey tea
Image Credit: stux, Pixabay

Is Earl Grey Tea Good for You?

While research is still ongoing when it comes to the health benefits of Earl Grey tea, there are a few results many researchers feel are solid. Let’s take a look at those below.

Heart Health

Black tea, including Earl Grey, has been shown to lower blood pressure. For people who suffer from hypertension, this can be very beneficial and help them maintain a healthier heart.

Lower Cholesterol

Bergamot has been shown bad cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol, and your overall cholesterol in general. With bergamot being a known ingredient in Earl Grey tea, it makes sense that this tea would be beneficial to those with higher cholesterol levels.

Weight Loss

Black tea contains polyphenols. Researchers believe these polyphenols can help promote fat digestion and reduce stress or damage to the body’s cells.

As always, when it comes to the possible health benefits of any beverage, it is best to have a good understanding of your overall health. This will help you determine whether teas, coffees, or other drinks are considered safe for you to consume.

Clipper organic earl grey tea
Image Credit: Miska Sage, Unsplash

Can Earl Grey Tea Be Caffeine Free?

If you love Earl Grey tea but find yourself limiting the amount of caffeine in your diet, you still have options. Like with most teas and coffees, there are decaffeinated versions of Earl Grey on the market. By taking the time to seek out these teas, or herbal versions,  you can drink your tea and avoid any unwanted caffeine in your diet.

How Much Caffeine Is Safe for You?

If you’re a tea lover, you may be curious about the amounts of caffeine you’re allowed to take in daily and be safe. The MayoClinic states that up to 400 milligrams of caffeine can be safely consumed by an adult daily. When it comes to true Earl Grey tea, if you closely monitor the steeps, you should be able to safely drink 5 to 6 cups of tea per day without any issues.

divider 1

In Conclusion

Earl Grey tea is easily one of the most known and popular teas in the world. If you’re a lover of this black tea, but find yourself constantly wondering about the caffeine content, the information above should help you make better choices when it comes to your tea. If you feel Earl Grey has too much caffeine for you, but you can’t do without the great flavor, check into decaffeinated or herbal versions to give yourself another option. Whichever version you choose, remember to sit back and enjoy a great cup of tea when you feel the need.

See Also:


Featured Image Credit: jreika, Shutterstock

divider

Kate MacDonnell

Kate is a lifelong coffee enthusiast and homebrewer who enjoys writing for coffee websites and sampling every kind of coffee known to man. She’s tried unusual coffees from all over the world and owns an unhealthy amount of coffee gear.

Read more

Related posts

Other Categories