Does Oolong Tea Have Caffeine?

Here at Art of Tea, we believe in the magic of a simple cup of tea to elevate your day. That’s why we hand blend and custom craft the finest organic teas and botanicals from carefully selected direct growers around the world. We’re pleased to offer an extensive collection of nearly every type of tea imaginable—from green and black to white and oolong—along with our award-winning curated blends and herbals. If you’re just discovering the world of tea, you may be familiar with oolong, but want to know more about this unique and flavorful tea. Keep reading to learn about oolong tea caffeine, where it comes from, and how it is processed.

What Is Oolong Tea?

Originating in China, oolong tea leaves are withered and semi-oxidized in the sun shortly after picking, before drying in the shade. After this process, the leaves are basket-tossed to break down their surface cells, and then wok-fired to stop the oxidation process. This creates a unique flavor that is between the brightness of green tea, and the dark maltiness of black tea. As the final step, oolong tea leaves are rolled or coiled into crispy shapes that eventually find their way into your teacup. The leaves have a long, black, curled appearance. They are a bit larger than green and black tea leaves as they unfurl in your cup. Read more on our Tea 101 section about What is Oolong Tea?

Perhaps you’re wondering: does oolong have caffeine? The short answer is yes, oolong tea does contain caffeine. The leaves are semi-oxidized to a level between that of green and black teas. Oolong tea caffeine content is a bit higher than that of green tea, and a bit less than black—typically about 50-75 mg of caffeine per 8 oz. cup. As a comparison, an 8 oz. cup of coffee holds about 91 mg of caffeine. Keep in mind that the longer your tea is steeped, the higher the caffeine content will be. Each time the tea is re-steeped, the caffeine content will lessen.

Whether you are new to oolong teas or simply looking for an exceptional blend to add to your collection, Art of Tea offers a wonderful oolong selection to suit any need. We invite you to shop our oolong teas today or contact us with any questions. It’s always a perfect time for tea!

Learn more about various teas and their caffeine levels here.