Does Oolong Tea Have Caffeine?

Does oolong tea have caffeine? Yes. Oolong is made from the leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, the same plant behind black and green tea, so every true oolong contains caffeine. A typical 8 oz cup is commonly cited at around 30 to 50 mg, generally less than a cup of brewed coffee, which averages about 95 mg. Where your cup lands depends on the leaf, how much you use, and how long you steep it. Below, we explain what drives oolong's caffeine, then look closely at three oolongs from our collection, from a bright jade oolong to a dark roasted one, with flavor notes, ingredients, caffeine level and price per cup.

Does Oolong Tea Have Caffeine? The Short Answer

Oolong sits between green and black tea. Its leaves are partly oxidized after picking, and many are rolled or roasted, which is why oolong can taste anywhere from fresh and floral to deep and toasty. That range shows up in the caffeine too.

• Oolong tea: contains caffeine, commonly cited at roughly 30 to 50 mg per 8 oz cup.
• Black tea: contains caffeine, commonly cited at roughly 40 to 70 mg per 8 oz cup.
• Green tea: contains caffeine, commonly cited at roughly 20 to 45 mg per 8 oz cup.
• Brewed coffee: about 95 mg per 8 oz cup.
• Rooibos and herbal blends: caffeine-free, because they contain no leaves from the tea plant.

These are ranges, not fixed numbers. For a side-by-side comparison of every tea category, see caffeine content in black, green, oolong and rooibos tea, our closer look at oolong vs green tea, or the caffeine section of our Learn page.

What Changes the Caffeine in a Cup of Oolong

Two cups of oolong can differ noticeably in caffeine. Oxidation level alone is not a reliable guide; these variables matter more:

• Amount of leaf. More tea per cup means more caffeine. Rolled oolongs are dense, so a level teaspoon holds more leaf than it appears to.
• Steep time. Longer infusions extract more caffeine along with more body.
• Water temperature. Oolong is usually brewed around 195°F. Hotter water extracts more than cooler water.
• Re-steeping. Oolong is prized for multiple infusions. The first steep extracts the most caffeine, and later steeps typically contain less.
• Cold brewing. Steeping in cold water for several hours generally extracts less caffeine than a hot brew of the same strength.
• Serving size. A 16 oz iced tea holds more than an 8 oz cup.

Three Oolong Teas to Try

Each of the oolongs below is one of the dozens of uncommon blends in the Da LBI Tea collection. All three are rated medium caffeine.

Superbloom: Sweet Lemon Oolong Green Tea

Superbloom is the brightest of the three, built on a lightly oxidized green jade oolong. Its creamy lemon aroma opens into citrus blossom and honey, and the leaves unfurl with each infusion to reveal soft floral and mineral notes. It is excellent hot with a touch of honey, and ice brings out a naturally sweet lemon custard character.

Flavor notes: iced lemon cookies and basil flower.

Ingredients: Chinese green jade oolong tea, sweet blackberry leaves, lemon verbena leaves, marigold flowers, orange blossoms, and flavors of lemon, cream and milk. Gluten-free and non-GMO.

Caffeine level: medium. Contains caffeine.

Brewing: 1 teaspoon per 8 oz of water at 195°F, steeped 4 to 5 minutes.

Dark Iris: Peach Pistachio Oolong Tea

Dark Iris pairs Formosa oolong with peach, pistachio and rose. Bright peach and lime lead the first sip, then the cup deepens into the velvety body of roasted oolong. A splash of milk brings out pistachio and white chocolate, and chilling it draws out roasted peach and rose.

Flavor notes: peach, crème fraîche, iris and lime blossom.

Ingredients: Formosa oolong tea, dried peach, Persian pistachio, white chocolate, rose petals, lime oil, and flavors of peach, vanilla and rose. Contains nuts and dairy. Gluten-free and non-GMO.

Caffeine level: medium. Contains caffeine.

Brewing: 1 teaspoon per 8 oz of water at 195°F, steeped 3 to 4 minutes.

Avalon: Burnt Apple Oolong Tea

Avalon is the deepest of the three and a natural choice for fall. Inspired by the French tarte tatin, it layers burnt sugar and caramelized apple over a dark roasted Tieguanyin oolong with a nutty, rain-on-stone aroma. The finish carries a subtle tartness of baked apple peel. It is delicious hot or iced, and a touch of milk makes the caramel even richer.

Flavor notes: baked apples, burnt caramel and petrichor.

Ingredients: dark roasted Chinese Tieguanyin oolong tea, Turkish apple, and flavors of apple and caramel. Gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO.

Caffeine level: medium. Contains caffeine.

Brewing: 1 teaspoon per 8 oz of water at 195°F, steeped 3 to 4 minutes.

Sizes, Prices and Price per Cup

Avalon is available as a 70-cup bag ($44.99, about $0.64 per cup), a 15-cup bag ($14.99, about $1.00 per cup), and a 4-cup deluxe sample ($4.99, about $1.25 per cup).

Dark Iris is available as a 70-cup bag ($44.99, about $0.64 per cup) and a 4-cup deluxe sample ($4.99, about $1.25 per cup).

Superbloom is available as a 70-cup bag ($44.99, about $0.64 per cup).

How to Brew Oolong, Hot or Iced

Hot, 8 oz: Heat water to about 195°F, just below a full boil. Use 1 teaspoon of loose leaf and steep 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the blend. Oolong leaves can be steeped again, often for two or three cups; add 30 seconds to a minute for each new infusion.

Iced, cold brew: Add 2 teaspoons of loose leaf per 8 oz of cold water, refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours, then strain and serve over ice.

For water temperatures and steep times across every style of tea, see our loose leaf brewing chart.

Current Offer

Through October 28, code LAUNCH10 takes 10% off orders of $40 or more. The Tea Trio also takes 10% off any 3 or more teas automatically at checkout, and US orders of $45 or more ship free. A single 70-cup bag clears the $40 minimum on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does oolong tea have caffeine?

Yes. Oolong comes from the tea plant, so it naturally contains caffeine, commonly cited at around 30 to 50 mg per 8 oz cup.

Does oolong have more caffeine than green tea?

Often slightly more, but the ranges overlap. Leaf amount, water temperature and steep time affect caffeine more than the style of tea.

Does oolong have more caffeine than coffee?

No. Brewed coffee averages about 95 mg per 8 oz, while a typical cup of oolong contains less.

Does re-steeping oolong reduce the caffeine?

Yes. The first infusion extracts the most caffeine, and later infusions typically contain less.

Is there caffeine-free oolong?

Not naturally. Any tea made from the tea plant contains some caffeine. For a caffeine-free cup, choose rooibos or an herbal blend; see our caffeine-free tea guide. If you love Dark Iris, it also comes as a black tea in our decaf tea collection.

Which oolong should I try first?

Choose Superbloom for a bright, floral cup, Dark Iris for fruit and cream, or Avalon for a dark roasted, caramel-apple cup suited to fall.