Ready & Packaged Foods
All →Vegetables & Legumes
All →Desserts & Confectionery
All →Meat & Protein
All →Grains & Bakery
All →Beverages
All →Milk & Dairy
All →
🍵
Loose-Leaf Green Tea Calories
Contains antioxidant polyphenols and catechins; contains caffeine.
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 teaspoon (medium) of Loose-Leaf Green Tea (2 g) has 6 calories. That works out to 296 calories per 100 g. It contains 0.7 g of carbs, 0.5 g of protein, 0.1 g of fat and 0.2 g of fiber. Its 1.4 mg of Manganese covers 59% of the Daily Value. Under the NOVA system it is classified as "Minimally Processed".
Loose-Leaf Green Tea Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 teaspoon (medium) · 2 g
6
KCAL / 2G
Carbs
0.7g
· 0% DV
Protein
0.5g
· 1% DV
Fat
0.1g
· 0% DV
Fiber
0.2g
· 1% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 49% · Protein 35% · Fat 16%
Loose-Leaf Green Tea nutrition facts table · 1 teaspoon (medium) (2 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 6 kcal | |
| Total fat | 0.1 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0.01 g | 0% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 0.12 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 0.7 g | 0% |
| Fiber | 0.2 g | 1% |
| Protein | 0.5 g | 1% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
Log this food in EatBetter
100,000+ people use it
- Get your daily calorie target
- Snap your meal, log it in seconds
- See every vitamin and mineral
📸 Scan the code to get the app free.
How Many Calories in 1 Teaspoon of Loose-Leaf Green Tea?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon (medium) | 2 g | 6 kcal |
| 1 teaspoon (small) | 1 g | 3 kcal |
| 1 serving (small) | 2 g | 6 kcal |
| 1 teaspoon (large) | 3 g | 9 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 3 g | 9 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (medium) | 5 g | 15 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 5 g | 15 kcal |
| 1 ounce (whole) | 28.4 g | 84 kcal |
| 1 pack (whole) | 50 g | 148 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 296 kcal |
| 1 pack (whole) | 100 g | 296 kcal |
Calculated from 296 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Loose-Leaf Green Tea
How do you brew loose-leaf green tea?
Steep loose-leaf green tea in hot, not boiling, water for about 2–3 minutes. Use roughly one teaspoon per cup, then adjust the amount or steeping time to suit your preferred strength.
Can you lose weight by drinking loose-leaf green tea?
No, loose-leaf green tea does not cause meaningful weight loss on its own. Unsweetened tea can replace higher-calorie drinks, but it is not a reliable fat-burning shortcut.
Does loose-leaf green tea have more caffeine than coffee?
Usually not: a cup of loose-leaf green tea generally contains less caffeine than a typical cup of coffee. The amount varies with the leaf quantity and how long you steep it.
Why does loose-leaf green tea taste bitter?
Loose-leaf green tea often turns bitter when brewed with boiling water or steeped for too long. Let the water cool slightly before pouring and shorten the steep to make the cup milder.
Can you steep loose-leaf green tea more than once?
Yes, you can steep loose-leaf green tea leaves again. Later infusions are usually lighter, so drink them soon after brewing rather than leaving wet leaves at room temperature for hours.
Is loose-leaf green tea better than green tea bags?
Not necessarily. Loose-leaf green tea lets you control the amount and often preserves larger pieces of leaf, while bags are convenient. Quality and brewing technique matter more than the format alone.
Can you drink loose-leaf green tea at night?
You can, but its caffeine may make it harder to fall asleep, especially if you are sensitive to caffeine. If it affects your sleep, have loose-leaf green tea earlier in the day.
Is loose-leaf green tea okay on an empty stomach?
Yes, but loose-leaf green tea can cause nausea or stomach discomfort for some people when they drink it before eating. If that happens, have it with or after food instead.
How should you store loose-leaf green tea?
Keep loose-leaf green tea in an airtight container away from light, moisture, heat, and strong odors. A cool, dry cupboard helps protect its aroma and flavor.
Can you cold brew loose-leaf green tea?
Yes. Put loose-leaf green tea in cold water and leave it in the refrigerator for several hours, then strain it. Cold brewing usually produces a gentler-tasting tea than using hot water.
Loose-Leaf Green Tea Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
Vitamin K
17.68µg · 15% DV
Vitamin C
5.6mg · 6% DV
B2
0.03mg · 2% DV
Folate
2.54µg · 1% DV
Minerals
Manganese
1.36mg · 59% DV
Iron
0.28mg · 2% DV
Copper
0.01mg · 1% DV
Phosphorus
8.3mg · 1% DV
Potassium ⭐
36mg · 1% DV
Sodium
0.12mg · 0% DV
How to Burn Off Loose-Leaf Green Tea
To burn the 6 calories in 1 teaspoon (medium) (2 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
What is Loose-Leaf Green Tea?
Loose-leaf green tea is made from the leaves of the tea plant, which are heated and dried soon after picking to limit oxidation. It has deep-rooted traditions in countries such as China and Japan. Unlike tea bags, the larger leaves have room to unfurl as they steep, releasing their flavour into the water.
Its taste can be grassy, fresh and gently bitter. Use hot water that has cooled briefly after boiling, and steep for a few minutes; overly hot water or a long brew can make it harsh. It is enjoyed plain in its countries of origin and by tea drinkers around the world, sometimes with lemon. It contains caffeine and polyphenols. If you prefer a milder cup, use fewer leaves or shorten the steeping time.
How Nutritious Is Loose-Leaf Green Tea?
Nutrient density
Very high
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Satiety score
High
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
Is Loose-Leaf Green Tea Processed?
NOVA 2
Minimally Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Does Loose-Leaf Green Tea Contain Allergens?
No known major allergens
Which Diets Is Loose-Leaf Green Tea Good For?
Vegan
✓ Suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
✓ Suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
✓ Suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Loose-Leaf Green Tea Fat Profile
SATURATED
0.01g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.01g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.04g
Compare Loose-Leaf Green Tea
Foods Similar to Loose-Leaf Green Tea
Have another question about Loose-Leaf Green Tea?
Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.
Scan calories with your camera
Instant AI nutrition analysis
Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.