Types of Tea: A Guide to Brewing Temperature and Caffeine
Good tea rewards a little understanding. This guide covers the main types of tea, the right brewing temperature for each, and caffeine in tea, with examples drawn from dozens of uncommon Da LBI Tea blends.
Black, green, oolong, white and herbal Brewing Temperature
Water temperature and steep time Caffeine in Tea
Plus caffeine-free picks Iced & Cold Brew
Smooth glasses all year
Types of Tea: Black, Green, Oolong, White and Herbal
Black, green, oolong and white tea all come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The difference between the types of tea lies in how the leaves are processed after picking. Green tea is heated soon after harvest to keep its fresh, grassy character. Black tea is fully oxidized, which deepens its color and gives it a malty, full body. Oolong tea is partly oxidized and sits between the two, often with roasted, floral or creamy notes. White tea is the most lightly handled and brews into a soft, delicate cup.
Herbal tea is made from other plants: flowers, fruit, roots, grains and spices. Rooibos tea, from a South African red bush, is a popular herbal base with a smooth, naturally sweet flavor. Because herbal blends contain no tea leaves, they are naturally caffeine-free.
Black, green and oolong compared
Green tea tastes fresh and vegetal, oolong layered and roasted, black tea malty and bold. Try one of each to find your style:
- Black tea: The Library, a malty Assam with buttered toast, brown bread and almond notes
- Green tea: Combray, vanilla and cardamom over Chinese green tea
- Oolong tea: Dark Iris, Formosa oolong with peach and rose
- White tea: Know by Heart, pai mu tan with almond and orange blossom
- Rooibos tea: Negroni, bittersweet orange and gentian
Read more: Black Tea vs Green Tea vs Oolong vs Rooibos: Caffeine and Flavor Compared
To see how oolong and green tea differ in flavor and brewing, read our guide to oolong vs green tea.
Tea Brewing Temperature by Type of Tea
Water temperature shapes the cup more than any other variable. Use these settings as a starting point, with about one teaspoon of tea per 8 oz of water:
| Tea type | Water temperature | Steep time |
|---|---|---|
| Black tea | 212°F (full boil) | 3–5 minutes |
| Oolong tea | about 195°F | 3–4 minutes |
| Green tea | about 175°F | 2–3 minutes |
| Herbal and rooibos | 212°F | 5–7 minutes |
These are general starting points. Flavored blends may steep longer, so check each tea's page for its exact time and temperature.
Give the leaves room to open in a teapot or roomy infuser, then strain fully when the timer ends. Each product page lists the exact settings for that blend. Useful tools: the One Cup Infuser, Two Cup Glass Teapot and Precision Scale.
For the full step-by-step method, from measuring to straining, read How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea: Temperature and Steep Time for Every Tea.
Caffeine in Tea: A Simple Guide
Every tea made from the tea plant contains caffeine. In general, black tea is at the higher end, oolong and green tea in the middle, and white tea toward the lower end, though the blend and steep time also matter. Each Da LBI Tea product page states whether a blend contains caffeine.
Wondering about chai? See does chai have caffeine.
Caffeine-free teas for the evening
Herbal and rooibos teas are caffeine-free because they contain no tea leaves. Decaf tea starts with tea leaves and has most of the caffeine removed, so a small amount remains.
- Caffeine-free: Silent Night (chocolate nutmeg rooibos), Capri (honeydew mint), Cult of Demeter (roasted barley)
- Decaf: Decaf Dark Iris
- Very low caffeine: Mojave
- Sampler: Top 10 Caffeine Free Teas Sampler (nine caffeine-free blends plus Mojave, which is very low caffeine)
Read more: Best Caffeine-Free Teas for Fall
New guide: Caffeine Free Tea: A Guide to Rooibos and Herbal Blends
Fall is here, so explore cozy fall blends like pumpkin and apple in our Fall & Halloween collection, available in 15-cup and 70-cup bags.
Iced Tea and Cold Brew
Most blends make good iced tea, and cold brewing overnight in the refrigerator gives a smooth, naturally sweet glass. Fruit-forward teas such as Superbloom and caffeine-free Olympus are good places to start. The ratios, timing and recipes are in 5 Easy Iced Tea Recipes with Loose Leaf Tea (Cold Brew & Hot Brew).
Types of Tea FAQ
What temperature should water be for tea?
Use 212°F for black, herbal and rooibos tea, about 195°F for oolong, and about 175°F for green tea.
What is the difference between oolong and green tea?
Both come from the same plant. Green tea is heated soon after picking to keep a fresh, grassy taste; oolong is partly oxidized, giving it a rounder, roasted or floral flavor.
How much caffeine is in tea?
It varies by type: black tea is generally highest, oolong and green tea moderate, white tea lower, and herbal and rooibos teas have none. For oolong specifically, see does oolong tea have caffeine?
Which teas are caffeine-free?
Herbal and rooibos teas are caffeine-free because they contain no tea leaves. Black, green, oolong and white teas all contain caffeine; decaf teas contain a small amount.
Can you re-steep loose leaf tea?
Yes. Many loose leaf teas can be steeped two or three times; each infusion is lighter and may show different notes.
How should loose leaf tea be stored?
Keep it sealed and away from light, heat, moisture and strong odors.
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