Chai tea is one of the most beloved drinks in the world, but a common source of confusion among its fans is how much caffeine they’re consuming when sipping their cup of chai. This curiosity can be especially pronounced for those sensitive to caffeine’s effects or simply curious about the health benefits and risks associated with drinking chai tea. In this blog post, we’ll discuss just How much caffeine is in a Chai tea so you can make an informed choice when deciding whether it’s right for you or not.
Contents
What is Chai tea and its history?
Chai, also known as “masala chai” or “spiced chai,” is a hot tea beverage infused with a blend of spices or “masala.” The origins of chai can be traced back over 5,000 years to the Assam region of India.
What is caffeine and its effects on the body?
Caffeine is a stimulant that enhances activity in the brain and nervous system, while also promoting the circulation of chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline throughout the body. In moderation, caffeine can provide a revitalizing and concentration-boosting effect.
Does Chai tea have caffeine?
A standard cup of chai tea, when prepared as directed, contains approximately 40mg of caffeine (based on 4 oz of black tea), which is notably lower compared to the average cup of coffee that contains roughly 120mg of caffeine.
How much caffeine is in a Chai tea?
Chai tea contains approximately 25 to 55mg of caffeine in powdered form and around 30 to 35mg in concentrate. In comparison, a typical cup of coffee contains about 120mg of caffeine. Therefore, if you prefer a more energizing beverage, coffee might be the way to go.

Factors affect caffeine content in Chai tea
Several factors can affect the caffeine content in Chai tea, including the ratio of tea to water, steep time, and proportions of tea to scents, such as the spices used in Masala Chai.
How to determine caffeine content in Chai tea?
To determine the caffeine content in Chai tea, you can assume a half/half ratio of tea to spices. Based on this, a regular infusion of Chai would contain approximately half the caffeine of a regular black tea, which is about 11-24mg.
FAQ: caffeine in a Chai tea
How much caffeine is in chai tea vs coffee?
Chai tea, when prepared from the powdered form, contains approximately 25 to 55mg of caffeine, while in the concentrate, the amount is typically around 30 to 35mg. In comparison, an average cup of coffee contains roughly 120mg of caffeine. Hence, if one seeks a spirited approach, it is advisable to adhere to coffee beans rather than chai tea.
Does chai tea have high caffeine?
A typical cup of chai tea, prepared as directed, contains approximately 40mg of caffeine (4 oz of black tea), which is relatively lower compared to the roughly 120mg typically found in an average cup of coffee.
What has more caffeine chai tea or latte?
A latte made with a single shot of espresso contains approximately 95 mg of caffeine, significantly more than a chai latte. The higher caffeine content in the latte comes from the espresso, which is coffee-based.
If we assume roughly one Indian teaspoon (it is slightly more than regular teaspoon, and often used in Indian homes) is being used per cup of chai tea, then the amount of caffeine is anywhere between 70 and 120mg. Loose leaf chai tea from popular Indian brands like tata tea, wagh bakri etc. tends to contain much more caffeine than western tea bags do, almost double. So assume 70–120mg per cup. Many Indians adopt the “n + 1 spoons” recipe meaning if they are making 3 cups of tea, they put 4 spoons of loose leaf tea. Each spoon is around 100mg, give or take. So if you drink 3 cups, you are likely consuming about 350mg caffeine.
Amount of caffeine per 100gm
Tea (Chai) – 11 mg
Black Tea- 20 mg
Green Tea- 8 mg
If you drink chai continuously 3 times in day for one month you will be addicted of it.
Caffeine occurs naturally in the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, so all brewed tea contains some caffeine. Hotter water and longer steeping time will draw out more caffeine in brewed tea. Cooler water and shorter steeping time extracts less caffeine. The normal caffeine amount in tea is 11mg.
While tea does contain some caffeine, the majority of the stimulant quality comes from l theanine, which is from the same chemical family, methyl xanthins. For some reason severything in this family is refered to as caffeine. Caffeine is not theanine, is not theabromine. They all have different properties. Tea is usually thought of as easier to tolerate than caffeine for those with sensitivities
Caffeine in tea and coffee are similar in that they are both central nervous system stimulants, but there are some differences in the way they affect the body.
Amount of caffeine: The amount of caffeine in tea and coffee can vary greatly depending on the type of tea or coffee and the brewing method used. On average, a cup of brewed black coffee has about 95-200mg of caffeine while a cup of black tea has about 14-70mg of caffeine, but this can vary widely depending on the type of tea or coffee, and how it’s brewed.
Absorption: The caffeine in tea is absorbed more slowly than the caffeine in coffee, which can lead to a more sustained release of energy over a longer period of time. Additionally, the L-theanine, an amino acid, found in tea can also work in synergy with caffeine to reduce some of the negative side effects such as jitteriness and anxiety.
Other compounds: Tea also contains other beneficial compounds, such as catechins and flavonoids, which have been associated with reduced risk of certain diseases such as cancer, heart disease and stroke. Coffee, on the other hand, contains chlorogenic acids, trigonelline and diterpenes, which have been associated with certain health benefits, such as reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
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