Tea is loved worldwide, but many misconceptions persist about its caffeine, quality, and health effects. Let’s set the record straight on five of the biggest tea myths!
Myth #1: Green Tea Always Has Less Caffeine Than Black Tea
One of the biggest misconceptions about tea is that green tea always has less caffeine than black tea. While it’s true that black tea generally contains more caffeine, the actual amount depends on several factors, including:
- The type of tea leaves used – Some green teas, like matcha, have more caffeine than certain black teas.
- How the tea is processed – The way the leaves are dried and rolled can affect caffeine levels.
- How you brew it – Longer steeping times and hotter water can draw out more caffeine.
For example, matcha, a powdered green tea, often contains more caffeine per serving than black tea because you're consuming the whole leaf rather than just an infusion.
The Truth:
Not all green teas have less caffeine than black teas. It depends on the type of tea, how it's processed, and how it's brewed.
Myth #2: Tea Bags Are Just as Good as Loose Leaf Tea
Tea bags are convenient, but they are often made with low-quality tea leaves or "dust and fannings" (tiny broken tea leaf particles). These smaller particles lose their natural oils and flavors more quickly, leading to a weaker and sometimes bitter taste.
Loose-leaf tea, on the other hand, contains whole or larger pieces of leaves, allowing for better flavor and aroma when brewed. It also gives the leaves more space to expand, resulting in a fuller and richer taste.
The Truth:
Loose-leaf tea usually has better quality and flavor compared to tea bags, which often contain broken-down tea particles.
Myth #3: Adding Milk to Tea Kills Its Health Benefits
Many people believe that adding milk to tea cancels out its health benefits, especially antioxidants. However, while milk does bind to some of the beneficial compounds in tea, it does not completely remove them.
Studies suggest that you still get health benefits from tea even if you add milk. The exact impact depends on the type and amount of milk used as plant based milk binds beneficial compounds less compared to cow milk. If you enjoy your tea with milk, there's no need to stop – you can still benefit from its antioxidants!
The Truth:
Adding milk to tea does not completely destroy but lowers it to some extent its health benefits. You can still enjoy the goodness of tea with milk.
Myth #4: Herbal Teas Are True Teas
Many people think herbal teas, like chamomile or peppermint, are "real" tea. However, true tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, which includes green, black, white, and oolong teas.
Herbal teas are actually infusions made from herbs, flowers, fruits, and spices, not tea leaves. They are often called "tisanes" to distinguish them from true tea. While herbal teas can have their own health benefits, they don’t contain the same antioxidants or caffeine found in true tea.
The Truth:
Herbal teas are not real tea but rather infusions of herbs, flowers, and spices.
Myth #5: You Should Only Use Boiling Water for All Teas
Many people think tea should always be brewed with boiling water. However, different teas require different temperatures for the best flavor:
- Green and white teas – Best brewed at 70–80°C to avoid bitterness.
- Oolong teas – Brew at 80–93°C for a smooth taste.
- Black and herbal teas – Can handle boiling water 93–100°C.
Using boiling water for green or white tea can make them taste overly bitter. If you want a better-tasting cup, pay attention to the recommended temperature for your tea type!
The Truth:
Not all teas should be brewed with boiling water. Green and white teas taste better when brewed at lower temperatures.
Tea is a wonderful and complex drink, but myths about it can lead to confusion. Now that these common misconceptions have been debunked, you can enjoy your tea with a better understanding of its caffeine content, brewing methods, and overall quality.
So go ahead, brew yourself a cup, and enjoy it however you like—just make sure you’re doing it based on facts, not myths!
