Caffeine

It is virtually impossible to make definitive claims about caffeine in tea (or the lack thereof). A plethora of factors affects the amount of caffeine in your cup. First, the choice of leaf plucked determines the caffeine content; the younger the leaf, the more caffeine it contains. Second, the plant's growth cycle at the time of harvest affects caffeine content in the leaves. Third, water temperature plays a part; generally hotter water extracts more caffeine and cooler water extracts less. Finally, brewing time counts. Further infusions or extended brewing release other elements that mix with the initial release of caffeine to actually reduce the net amount of caffeine in your cup. With so many variables, it's hard to say how much caffeine is in a particular cup of tea. All we can say for sure is that tea does contain caffeine. And if it didn't, you can bet tea would not have evolved over the centuries into the civilized beverage we enjoy today.