Pure Leaf black iced tea carries more total caffeine per serving (54mg per 18.5 oz bottle vs 47mg per 8 oz cup), but ounce for ounce English breakfast tea is actually the stronger drink at about 6mg per fluid ounce against 3. Which one "has more caffeine" depends on whether you measure the container or the concentration.
Pure Leaf black iced tea vs English breakfast tea: the numbers
| Pure Leaf black iced tea | English breakfast tea | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 54mg per 18.5 oz bottle | 47mg per 8 oz cup |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 2.9mg | 5.9mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 7.4 | 8.5 |
Sources: Pure Leaf black iced tea's figure is verified in our Pure Leaf black iced tea caffeine guide against PepsiCo label data (source); English breakfast tea's figure is verified in our English breakfast tea guide against Twinings published figure (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick English breakfast tea when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Pure Leaf black iced tea when you actually need the bigger hit and know your tolerance. If you are stacking either with other caffeinated drinks through the day, run the math against the 400mg reference rather than guessing.
For context, the FDA cites 400mg of caffeine a day as an amount generally not associated with negative effects in healthy adults. Tolerance and health vary, so treat these numbers as information, not advice.
Related reading
- Pure Leaf black iced tea: the full caffeine guide
- English breakfast tea: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
FAQ
Does Pure Leaf black iced tea or English breakfast tea have more caffeine? Pure Leaf black iced tea: 54mg per 18.5 oz bottle versus 47mg per 8 oz cup for English breakfast tea.
Which is stronger per ounce? English breakfast tea, at about 5.9mg per fluid ounce versus 2.9mg for Pure Leaf black iced tea.
Comparing caffeine? The caffeine comparison tool puts hundreds of drinks side by side, and the caffeine curfew calculator can check your cutoff time for tonight.