Does Jasmine Tea Have Caffeine? Everything You Should Know

Transparent glass cup of light jasmine tea, white jasmine flowers and green leaves to the left, and a wooden background softly lit for a tranquil, refreshing feel.

Table of Contents

What is Jasmine Tea?
     History of Jasmine Tea
How Jasmine Tea Is Made
Does Jasmine Tea Have Caffeine?
Jasmine Tea Caffeine Content based on Base Tea
     Green Tea Leaves
     Black Tea
     White Tea Leaves
     Oolong Teas
     Herbal Jasmine Teas and Caffeine
How Much Caffeine Is in Jasmine Tea?
Brewing Jasmine Tea for Best Flavor and Caffeine: Step-by-Step
     Step 1: Pick Your Tea Base
     Step 2: Measure the Tea
     Step 3: Heat the Water Correctly
     Step 4: Steep the Tea
     Step 5: Strain and Serve
     Step 6: Adjust to Your Taste
     Extra Tips:
Popular Jasmine Tea Drinks
Jasmine Tea Around the World
FAQs
     Does jasmine tea keep you awake?
     What types of tea have no caffeine?
Conclusion

 

Jasmine tea is a popular drink loved for its gentle floral smell and soothing taste. Many people wonder: does jasmine tea have caffeine? The answer depends on the type of tea used as the base and how the tea is brewed. In this article, we will explain what jasmine tea is, how it is made, and share facts about its caffeine content to help you enjoy the perfect cup.

What is Jasmine Tea?

Jasmine tea is made by scenting tea leaves with the pleasant fragrance of jasmine flowers or blossoms. Most often, jasmine tea uses green tea as a base, but it can also be made with black, white, or oolong teas.

All these teas come from the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. Combining dried tea leaves with jasmine flowers creates a unique experience where the light sweetness and floral aroma delight your taste buds. Jasmine tea is commonly available as loose leaf tea, allowing tea lovers to enjoy fresh tea brewed just for them.

History of Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea has a long history of over a thousand years and is closely connected to China. The practice of scenting tea with jasmine flowers started during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD) and became very popular during the Ming Dynasty. The city of Fuzhou in Fujian Province is well-known for producing some of the best jasmine teas because its climate is perfect for growing both tea leaves and jasmine blossoms.

How Jasmine Tea Is Made

The special flavor of jasmine tea comes from a traditional scenting process. Tea makers carefully place fresh jasmine blossoms over dried loose leaf tea leaves and let the flowers release their scent into the leaves overnight. This process is often repeated several times, especially for premium jasmine teas, to make sure the tea absorbs the full floral aroma.

The best time for this is in the late summer evenings when jasmine blooms release their strongest scent. This careful method is an art that tea makers perfect to give jasmine tea its signature fragrance.

Does Jasmine Tea Have Caffeine?

So, does jasmine tea have caffeine? Most jasmine teas do contain caffeine because they use a true tea base from the tea plant. The caffeine amount depends on the type of tea base used. Jasmine teas made with green tea usually have less caffeine than those made with black tea.

White tea bases have the lowest caffeine content, and oolong teas fall in between. Herbal jasmine teas, which do not use tea leaves but instead use herbal infusions mixed with jasmine, usually have no caffeine.

Jasmine Tea Caffeine Content based on Base Tea

The caffeine in jasmine tea changes depending on the tea base. Knowing the caffeine levels helps you pick the right jasmine tea for your energy needs and taste. Here is a summary of common tea bases used in jasmine tea:

Green Tea Leaves

Serene tea setup on a wooden tray with two white cups of jasmine green tea, a bowl of loose leaves topped with a white flower, and a white teapot with a black handle

Jasmine tea made with green tea leaves has a moderate caffeine level, about 25 mg per 8-ounce cup. It gives a gentle energy boost with a balanced floral flavor, making it a favorite for those wanting alertness without jitters. Green tea also contains antioxidants, natural compounds found in plants.

Black Tea

Glass cup of jasmine black tea surrounded by fresh jasmine flowers and loose green leaves

Jasmine tea with a black tea base has more caffeine, about 45 mg per cup—about half as much as coffee. It offers a stronger energy lift with a rich, bold flavor that goes well with jasmine’s floral scent, great for those needing a more powerful pick-me-up.

White Tea Leaves

Delicate cup of pale golden jasmine white tea on a light wooden surface, with slender silver needle leaves and scattered jasmine flowers beside it

White tea leaves have the lowest caffeine among true teas, usually less than 20 mg per cup. Jasmine tea with white tea is light and delicate, ideal for people sensitive to caffeine or wanting a mild boost. Its subtle taste highlights the jasmine blossoms nicely.

Oolong Teas

Cup of warm golden-amber jasmine oolong tea on a wooden tea table, surrounded by semi-rolled loose leaves and fresh jasmine flowers

Oolong teas have caffeine levels between green and black teas, usually 30 to 40 mg per cup. Jasmine oolong tea mixes jasmine’s floral scent with oolong’s complex, sometimes fruity notes, offering a flavorful and balanced caffeine experience.

Knowing these differences helps you choose jasmine tea that matches your preferred caffeine level and taste.

Herbal Jasmine Teas

Cup of light golden jasmine herbal tea on a wooden tea table, surrounded by loose herbal leaves,

If you want to avoid caffeine, herbal jasmine teas are a good choice. These teas do not use tea leaves but blend jasmine with other herbs, making a fragrant, caffeine-free drink. Remember, these are different from traditional jasmine teas, which nearly always contain caffeine because of the tea base.

How Much Caffeine Is in Jasmine Tea?

Curious about how much caffeine is in your jasmine tea? The amount depends on the tea base and how you brew it. Brewing method, steeping time, and water temperature all affect caffeine in your brewed cup.

For example, brewing loose leaf tea longer or with hotter water increases caffeine, while shorter steeping and cooler water lower caffeine.

Here is a quick look at caffeine in an 8-ounce cup of jasmine tea by tea base:

Tea Base

Approximate Caffeine Content per 8 oz Cup

Jasmine Green Tea

About 25 mg

Jasmine Black Tea

Around 45 mg

Jasmine White Tea

Less than 20 mg

Jasmine Oolong Tea

Approximately 30-40 mg

Herbal Jasmine Tea

0 mg (caffeine-free)

This table helps you pick the right jasmine tea for your caffeine needs while enjoying its delicate floral flavor.

Brewing Jasmine Tea for Best Flavor and Caffeine: Step-by-Step

Fragrant golden jasmine green tea being poured from a glass teapot into a ceramic cup on a wooden table, with delicate jasmine flowers

Brewing jasmine tea the right way improves its floral flavor and caffeine content. Whether using loose leaf tea or tea bags, these steps will help you make the perfect cup suited to your taste and caffeine preference.

Step 1: Pick Your Tea Base

Choose the jasmine tea you want to brew. Common bases are green, white, black, or oolong teas, each with different caffeine and flavor. Herbal jasmine teas have no caffeine but a different taste.

Step 2: Measure the Tea

Use about 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea per 8-ounce cup of water. For tea bags, one bag per cup is standard. Adjust if you want stronger or lighter tea.

Step 3: Heat the Water Correctly

Water temperature is key to jasmine tea’s flavor and caffeine:

  • For green and white teas, heat water to about 175 to 185°F (80 to 85°C). Too hot water can make tea bitter.

  • For oolong teas, use 190 to 200°F (88 to 93°C).

  • For black teas, use boiling water at 212°F (100°C) for full flavor and caffeine.

Step 4: Steep the Tea

Steeping time affects flavor and caffeine:

  • Green and white teas: steep 1 to 3 minutes. Short steeping gives lighter flavor and less caffeine; longer steeping gives more.

  • Oolong teas: steep 3 to 4 minutes for balanced flavor and caffeine.

  • Black teas: steep 3 to 5 minutes for strong flavor and caffeine.

Avoid steeping too long to prevent bitterness and too much caffeine.

Step 5: Strain and Serve

If using loose leaf tea, strain leaves after steeping to stop brewing. Pour tea into a cup and enjoy plain or with milk or sweetener if you like.

Step 6: Adjust to Your Taste

Try changing water temperature, tea amount, and steeping time to find your perfect flavor and caffeine level. For less caffeine, steep shorter with cooler water. For more energy, steep longer with hotter water and use stronger tea like black or oolong.

Extra Tips:

  • Use fresh, filtered water for best taste.

  • Warm your teapot or cup before brewing to keep tea hot.

  • Store jasmine tea in an airtight container away from light and moisture to keep it fresh.

Following these steps helps you brew jasmine tea perfectly for your flavor and caffeine needs, whether you want calm or energy.

Popular Jasmine Tea Drinks

Glass of creamy bubble tea with dark tapioca pearls on a marble coaster, a metallic gold straw, and jasmine flowers around it

Jasmine tea is used in many popular drinks. Whether as milk tea or bubble tea, jasmine tea blends add a lovely floral note. Remember, caffeine varies by tea base and preparation, so check ingredients if watching caffeine. Here are some favorites:

  • Jasmine Milk Tea: creamy, fragrant tea with milk and sweetener, smooth and floral.

  • Jasmine Bubble Tea (Boba Tea): jasmine tea with milk, sweetener, and chewy tapioca pearls for fun texture and flavor.

  • Iced Jasmine Tea: cold brew jasmine tea with ice, sometimes lemon or sweetener.

  • Jasmine Green Tea Latte: warm, frothy drink mixing jasmine green tea and steamed milk, comforting and aromatic.

  • Jasmine Tea Lemonade: bright mix of jasmine tea and lemonade, refreshing and lively.

Each drink shows jasmine tea’s floral notes with different flavors and textures to enjoy.

Jasmine Tea Around the World

Jasmine tea has strong ties to places like Fujian Province in China, where tea makers have refined the scenting process for centuries. The cultural importance of jasmine tea is celebrated worldwide. Tea makers keep traditional methods to balance floral notes and caffeine.

Whether enjoyed quietly at home or in cultural rituals, jasmine tea offers a special and flavorful experience.

FAQs

Does jasmine tea keep you awake?

Yes, jasmine tea can keep you awake because it has caffeine, a natural stimulant. Caffeine levels vary by tea base—green, black, white, or oolong teas all have different amounts. If sensitive to caffeine or wanting to avoid staying awake, choose jasmine tea with white tea or caffeine-free herbal jasmine teas.

What types of tea have no caffeine?

Teas with no caffeine are usually herbal teas, which do not come from the Camellia sinensis plant. Herbal jasmine teas mix jasmine with other herbs and contain no traditional tea leaves, so they are naturally caffeine-free. Pure herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, or rooibos also have no caffeine.

Conclusion

So, does jasmine tea have caffeine? The short answer is yes—most jasmine teas contain caffeine because they use tea leaves. But caffeine levels vary depending on whether the base is green, black, white, or oolong tea and how you brew it. For a caffeine-free option, herbal jasmine teas offer the lovely aroma without caffeine.

No matter your choice, jasmine tea invites you to enjoy its enchanting floral notes and savor a perfect cup made just for your energy needs.

Ready to find your perfect cup of Jasmine tea? Visit our online tea store today and explore our selection of premium teas to suit every taste. 

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.