Is There Any Caffeine In Tea?
Caffeine is widely used as a natural stimulant, and its popularity is unrivaled. It is present in over 60 plant species and is widely consumed across the world, particularly in coffee, chocolate, and tea. The caffeine level of a beverage varies based on the components and the method of preparation.
While caffeine is generally regarded harmless, excessive use may cause some worry. This article analyzes the caffeine levels of various teas and coffees and discusses which drink to select.
Why Is Caffeine In Tea A Concern?
An estimated 80% of the world’s population consumes a caffeinated product on a regular basis. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) both define safe caffeine intake as 400 mg per day, 200 mg per single dosage, or 1.4 mg per pound (3 mg per kg) of body weight.
Caffeine has been linked to health advantages such as greater alertness, better athletic performance, higher mood, and increased metabolism due to its stimulating effects. However, taking large quantities, such as single dosages of more over 500 mg, may cause some worry.
Caffeine has been linked to anxiety, restlessness, and trouble sleeping at high amounts. Furthermore, some studies show that drinking it on a daily basis, even in little doses, might induce persistent headaches and migraines. Caffeine is also regarded slightly addictive, and certain people may be more prone to establishing a dependency.
Caffeine Content Varies By Beverage Type And Preparation
The quantity of caffeine in tea or coffee varies greatly depending on its origin, variety, and preparation. Caffeine content of tea leaves is 3.5 percent, while coffee bean caffeine content ranges from 1.1 to 2.2 percent. The coffee brewing method, on the other hand, employs hotter water, which extracts more caffeine from the beans. For a drink, you typically need more coffee beans than tea leaves. As a result, 1 cup (237 ml) of brewed coffee has more caffeine than a cup of tea.
Tea varieties
The leaves of the same plant, Camellia sinensis, are used to make black, green, and white teas. What distinguishes them is the time of harvest and the amount of oxidation of the leaves. White and green tea leaves are not oxidized, but black tea leaves are. This imparts a distinctive robust and harsh flavor to black tea and boosts the amount to which caffeine from the leaves penetrates hot water.
A typical cup (237 ml) of black tea has 47 mg of caffeine, although it may have up to 90 mg. Green teas contain 20–45 mg per cup, whereas white teas have 6–60 mg (237 ml). Another high-caffeine beverage is matcha green tea. It is typically available in powder form and has 35 mg of caffeine per half-teaspoon (1-gram) dose.
Similarly, yerba mate, a South American tea prepared by steeping the twigs and leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant, typically contains 85 mg of caffeine per cup (237 ml). It’s also worth noting that, although being advertised as caffeine-free, one mug of herbal tea can still contain up to 12 mg of caffeine. However, this is regarded as an insignificant sum.
Tea preparation
The caffeine level of tea is strongly influenced by the way of preparation. Teas steeped in boiling water for a longer period of time make a more powerful cup. After 1 minute of steeping in 6 ounces (177 ml) of water heated to 194–203°F (90–95°C), a mug of Tazo Earl Grey has 40 mg of caffeine. After 3 minutes, this quantity climbs to 59 mg. Stash Green Tea, on the other hand, provides 16 mg of caffeine after 1 minute of steeping under the identical conditions. This more nearly doubles to 36 mg after 3 minutes of steeping.
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