Can You Boil Tea to Get Caffeine?

Unless the packaging of tea leaves specifically says "caffeine free," then boiling tea leaves will produce caffeine. Different teas produce different amounts of caffeine. Boiling stronger tea leaves produces higher levels of caffeine.

Black Tea

Black teas, like Earl Grey and Irish Breakfast, produce the highest level of caffeine when boiled.

Oolong Tea

Chinese oolong tea has the second highest caffeine level when boiled.

Green Tea

Boiling the leaves of any brand of green tea produces the third highest level of caffeine among types of tea.

White Tea

White tea has the lowest caffeine level of most caffeinated teas when boiled.

Herbal Teas

Herbal and fruit-based teas generally have no caffeine when boiled. However, teas that combine caffeinated tea leaves with herbal tea leaves will contain some level of caffeine.

Fun Fact

All teas when boiled have less caffeine than a cup of coffee.

References

• Stash Tea: Caffeine Information on Tea