Caffeine levels of Ceylon teas vary depending on few factors like brewing time, type of tea and tea grade. Generally tea typically contain 20-60mg of caffeine per cup. So a Ceylon Tea is a beverage with moderate caffeine levels compared to Coffee according to studies. eg: Caffeine content of Brewed Teas.
Ceylon tea caffeine amount varies significantly across different Ceylon tea types from Sri Lanka. Ceylon black tea contains the highest levels at 20-60mg per cup, while Ceylon green tea offers 20-40mg. Leafy grades of Ceylon black teas like Pekoe grades made from younger leaves and buds may contain more caffeine. While tea grades made with mature, coarser leaves and stems may have lesser caffeine content. Also some flowery black tea grades with younger tea leaves and buds might have higher caffeine levels.
The way teas are brewed also affects the the caffeine level in a serving. Brewing time and water temperature affects caffeine extraction while brewing, steeping for more than 3 minutes maximizes caffeine content extraction, while shorter steeping time reduces it. Also the age of the tea, fermentation process and harvested season also known to affect these levels.
Caffeine may help to enhance mental alertness and physical performance as a stimulant. But also it has it’s own side effects and it can be addictive like a drug. So if you want to control the caffeine content of your Ceylon Tea cup without affecting the tea’s other properties, you can adjust the brewing time and the water temperature. Reduce the brewing time to below 3 minutes and reduce the water temperature to 180°F/80C. With these changes to the brewing process, you can reduce caffeine extraction in your tea cup while preserving Ceylon tea’s distinctive flavor profile and antioxidant benefits.