Earl Grey tea typically contains caffeine because it is made from black tea leaves, which naturally have caffeine. The amount of caffeine in an 8-ounce cup of Earl Grey tea generally ranges from about 40 to 120 milligrams, depending on factors such as the steeping time, water temperature, and the amount of tea leaves used
- A common estimate is around 50 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce cup, which is less than the approximately 80-90 milligrams found in the same amount of coffee
- Steeping time significantly affects caffeine content: a short steep (about 1 minute) results in lower caffeine, while longer steeping (up to 5 minutes) can increase caffeine levels by 50% to 100%
- Different brands and blends may vary; for example, Twinings Earl Grey has been measured to contain roughly 19-29 mg of caffeine per 6-ounce cup depending on steep time
- Decaffeinated Earl Grey teas still contain a small amount of caffeine, usually around 5 to 10 mg per cup
In summary, a typical cup of Earl Grey tea contains roughly 40 to 120 mg of caffeine, with an average around 50 mg, influenced mainly by brewing conditions and tea leaf quantity