How Much Caffeine in Green Tea?
FDA daily safe limit: 400 mg adults, 200 mg pregnancy (ACOG), 100 mg adolescents (AAP). For multi-drink stacking with sleep impact, see the full caffeine calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much caffeine is in green tea?
About 28 mg per 8 oz cup at a 3-minute steep. Stronger steeps (5+ minutes) push this to 35 mg. Specific varieties vary: shade-grown Gyokuro…
About 28 mg per 8 oz cup at a 3-minute steep. Stronger steeps (5+ minutes) push this to 35 mg. Specific varieties vary: shade-grown Gyokuro and powdered Matcha both have around 70 mg per 8 oz — much higher than standard green tea.
Is matcha higher caffeine than green tea?
Yes — about 2.5× higher. Matcha is the powdered form of shade-grown green tea, drunk whole-leaf rather than steeped and discarded. A typical 8 oz…
Yes — about 2.5× higher. Matcha is the powdered form of shade-grown green tea, drunk whole-leaf rather than steeped and discarded. A typical 8 oz matcha contains 70 mg of caffeine; an 8 oz steeped green tea contains 28 mg.
Does green tea help you sleep?
Decaf green tea, yes. Regular green tea contains 28+ mg of caffeine per cup, which can affect sleep if consumed within 8 hours of bedtime.…
Decaf green tea, yes. Regular green tea contains 28+ mg of caffeine per cup, which can affect sleep if consumed within 8 hours of bedtime. The L-theanine in green tea has mild relaxation effects but does not counter the caffeine's wakefulness.
How much green tea is too much?
Up to 14 cups (around 400 mg of caffeine) stays within the FDA daily limit. Pregnant women should keep to 7 cups (200 mg ACOG…
Up to 14 cups (around 400 mg of caffeine) stays within the FDA daily limit. Pregnant women should keep to 7 cups (200 mg ACOG limit). Polyphenols in green tea are beneficial in moderation but extremely heavy intake (10+ cups daily) has been linked to liver issues in some studies.
Does green tea have antioxidants?
Yes — green tea is rich in catechins, particularly EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which is widely studied for its antioxidant properties. Green tea has higher catechin…
Yes — green tea is rich in catechins, particularly EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which is widely studied for its antioxidant properties. Green tea has higher catechin content than black tea because the processing is shorter and less oxidative. Brewing temperature affects extraction — 80°C is optimal for catechins.