Caffeine is the most-used stimulant in the world. There are over 60 different types of plants that contain this molecule. From cacao to guarana berries to yerba maté, there are many ways to get your caffeine on. However, the most popular of the bunch is coffee beans and green tea leaves. Consuming caffeine in green tea vs coffee are different experiences with unique benefits to each. Let’s determine how much caffeine is in green tea vs coffee so you can decide which beverage is right for you.
Why You Should Know How Much Caffeine is in Green Tea vs Coffee
We all love the perks of a fresh cup of caffeine deliciousness. As quick as 20 minutes in, and you’re feeling the many benefits of caffeine. However, there’s always such a thing of going overboard.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests that people can safely consume up to 400 mg of caffeine per day. Once we exceed these amounts, we run the risk of increased anxiety, involuntary muscle movements, and interrupted sleep patterns.
Not to mention, some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. So, if you’re the type of person who feels the lingering effects of caffeine from one cup of coffee all day long, you’re probably sensitive to this stimulant. There’s plenty of others out there that need four cups just to get going!
Our relationship with coffee is an ever-evolving journey. So, finding that sweet spot of the perfect amount of caffeine isn’t the same for everybody. That’s why you should know how much caffeine in green tea vs coffee.
There is a difference in the amount of caffeine in green tea vs coffee. You might need to switch up your routine a bit. In fact, you might even find yourself switching back and forth between the two. Let’s explore the caffeine coffee vs green tea debate.
How Much Caffeine in Green Tea vs Coffee?
Determining green tea caffeine content vs coffee isn’t as cut and dry as differentiating between tea leaves and Arabica beans. Many interchanging parts can alter the overall caffeine content of both beverages. With that being said, a cup of joe will typically have more caffeine content than green tea.
The USDA hypothesizes that the average cup of coffee contains approximately 95 mg of caffeine. Whereas, green tea caffeine content hovers between 30 mg and 50 mg. That’s why it’s so important to know how much caffeine is in green tea vs coffee.
For some, two cups of coffee might be too much of a jolt. However, one cup isn’t doing it for you. Been there before? Perhaps then they should substitute for green tea. The difference of caffeine in green tea vs coffee might be that sweet spot for optimal alertness, focus, and functioning.
What Can Change Green Tea vs Coffee Caffeine Content?
Determining the exact amount of caffeine in green tea vs coffee isn’t an exact science. Well, it can be if you are a scientist in a lab. However, you’re probably someone who brews their own coffee or tea at home. So, for you figuring out how much caffeine is in green tea vs coffee in your kitchen, this isn’t an exact science! With that being said, here are some factors that can alter how much caffeine in coffee vs green tea.
Brew Time
The longer you allow your beverages to steep, the more caffeine will be infused into your drink. One study looked at the caffeine levels of STASH green tea that was steeped at different time intervals.
After one minute of allowing green tea to sit in hot water, the beverage contained a modest 16 mg of caffeine. In just three minutes, the caffeine content hit 59 mg. That’s a 269% increase in only two minutes!
Heat
How long your beans or leaves sit isn’t the only determining factor for determining how much caffeine in green tea vs coffee. The temperature of that water plays a pretty significant role, as well. The hotter the water is, the more of a buzz you’re going to get.
Hot water causes stress on plant matter. The abrasiveness of the heat causes the exterior of coffee beans being brewed to burst, releasing more caffeine into the brew. Same can be said for tea. Heat causes tiny hairs on leaves to break open. In turn, the beverage gets enriched with more caffeine.
Adding more credibility to a cup of joe in this green tea vs coffee debate, coffee usually gets heated to higher temperatures than its counterpart. Coffee tastes best brewed between 195–205°F. Whereas, green tea runs the gamut of 160-180°F. This discrepancy in ideal temperature is dependent on the type of green tea you’re consuming.
Types of Drink
Just as there is a difference in the amount of caffeine in green tea vs coffee, no two coffee or green tea brands are the same either. For instance, Caffeine & Kilos coffee has 50% more caffeine than the average cup of joe!
There are many factors at play that will determine how much caffeine is a bean or leaf. The conditions that the plant was grown in will have a monumental impact. Not to mention, the variety of the bean or leaf itself.
Benefits of Green Tea vs Coffee
We keep talking about green tea vs coffee. However, this section will be more about green tea and coffee. Both of these caffeinated beverages come with a load of benefits that can improve our day-to-day routine.
Instead of pitting them against each other, let’s celebrate the two. Here are some of the benefits of green tea vs coffee. Seeing where they overlap can serve as a great inspiration to incorporate both of these beverages into your regimen.
Reduce Your Risk of Death
A recent study found that people who drank four cups of coffee per day had a 64% less chance of dying. Those who drank two cups had a 22% less chance. While there aren’t as many statistics about the benefits of green tea, one study found that consuming this popular beverage can reduce risks of mortality.
Type 2 Diabetes Care
Benefits of green tea vs coffee overlap when it comes to preventing type 2 diabetes. One analysis found that drinking three cups of joe per day can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 42%.
Another study found that supplementing green tea with glutamic acid helped improve diabetic cases. They did note that glutamic acid was necessary for optimal benefits. So, this research might put a tally in the coffee column in the benefits of green tea vs coffee debate.
Improve Immune System
Let’s face it. A ton of things we consume does a number on our immune system. After all, it’s constantly fighting off the additives in our food, sugar in our beverages, or hormones in our meat. Drinking coffee and green tea can help give your body the boost that it desperately needs.
Coffee and green tea have a load of polyphenols and antioxidants. These unique compounds help fight off free radical growths that can cause cancer, viruses that perpetuate the flu, or bacteria that promote infections.
If you’re more concerned with nutritional value than the amount of caffeine in green tea vs coffee, then green tea might be the better option for you. Green tea has more antioxidants than coffee. So, if you feel a cold coming on, grab a teabag!
Tips for Getting the Most out of Green Tea vs Coffee
No matter whose side you’re on between green tea vs coffee, there is one thing we can all agree upon. How you drink these beverages matters. Many of us will go overboard with adding things to our brews. If you need to mask your drink, then you’re drinking the wrong stuff.
Many bottled green teas are laden with syrups, sugars, and other unnatural flavors. Brew your own green tea at home with brands that use organic tea leaves.
The same goes for your coffee. When you buy your coffee out, it’s being dummied down with sugars and dairy. You’re breaking your bank and your belt loop!
Brew your coffee at home. Only add a splash of creamer and try to stay away from sugars. Like we said, you should pick something that requires very little dressing up. Let’s discuss the best types of green tea vs coffee for optimal health...and flavor.
Choosing A Winner in Green Tea vs Coffee Caffeine Debate
If you came into this article just to find how much caffeine is in green tea vs coffee, then this was an easy debate to witness. Hands-down, coffee takes the cake in caffeine content. However, there was much more to this story than finding your optimal buzz.
There are many benefits of green tea vs coffee that you can reap. Instead of choosing one over the other, integrate these beverages with each other. Green tea is an excellent way to cut back on your caffeine intake. It still offers a suitable amount of jolt without pushing you to your jittery max.
In the same breath, you can’t always rely on green tea in moments where you need to get the job done. Coffee has a much higher caffeine count and packs the punch necessary to crush some of the most agonizing tasks.
During those moments, the quality of your coffee is what matters most. You want something with low acidity, high caffeine levels, and a smooth taste. Go bold with Caffeine & Kilos Night Train Blend. With 50% more caffeine, our Night Train Blend has all-natural energy that will blow any green tea out of the water.