How to Use the Tea Caffeine & Antioxidant Comparison Calculator
Not all tea is created equal when it comes to caffeine and antioxidants. Green, black, and oolong tea all come from the same Camellia sinensis plant, but different oxidation and fermentation levels change their caffeine and catechin content, while herbal teas like chamomile and rooibos aren't made from tea leaves at all and contain no caffeine. This calculator takes your tea type and how many cups you drink per day to calculate your total caffeine intake and a combined antioxidant score.
Green tea is prized for its high catechin (EGCG) content, earning it the top antioxidant score here, while providing only about 30mg of caffeine per 8oz cup — far less than coffee. Pu-erh tea, on the other hand, tends to have relatively higher caffeine and a lower antioxidant score due to its fermentation process. If you're sensitive to caffeine or want a cup in the evening, caffeine-free options like chamomile or rooibos are the better choice.
Most health guidelines suggest healthy adults keep daily caffeine intake under 400mg. This calculator also shows what percentage of that guideline your selected tea and cup count add up to, which is useful for tracking your total caffeine intake alongside coffee and other caffeinated drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most healthy adults, staying under 400mg of caffeine per day is the general guideline. If you also drink coffee, add its caffeine to your tea total to see your full daily intake.
This calculator's antioxidant score is a simplified 1-10 rating based on relative polyphenol content, mainly catechins (EGCG). Actual levels vary with how oxidized the leaf is and how the tea is steeped, including time and temperature.