TEA and CAFFEINE

Aside from the many benefits found in white tea, green tea, and black tea leaves, we have to think about the amount of caffeine and the impact it has on our bodies. Caffeine gets a bad name because many people associate it with coffee and how it affects the body. However, the caffeine found in tea has a different type of effect on the body and is found in lower amounts than as found in coffee. The caffeine in coffee hits harder and faster than it does with tea. The caffeine in tea is absorbed more slowly, contains L-theanine, and produces a calming effect.

In comparing tea to coffee: the average 8-ounce cup of coffee has about 100 – 200 mg of caffeine. Green tea has less than 1/3 of the caffeine as found in coffee.

What is caffeine?

Caffeine is a stimulant which activates the heart and nervous system, providing energy, heightened alertness and increased mental and physical endurance levels. Naturally occurring, caffeine is extracted from the leaves, seeds and fruits of many plants, but most commonly coffee beans, cocoa and tea.

Deciding on which tea to drink: white tea, green tea, black tea, herbal tea? If and when you need that boost that a black or green tea provides, and the caffeine does not have a negative effect on your body, you can choose green or black tea. These teas are better choices for morning or afternoon while white tea or herbals are better for later in the day and night. Many students, truck drivers, or night owls enjoys the extra energy that a green or black tea, or even coffee provides to get through a much-needed study session, project, or work shift.

Jayida Ché Herbal Tea Spot has several green and black tea options. Our tea blends range from subtle to very robust flavors.

Black Teas:

o   Chai Latte … Darjeeling, Cardamom, Ginger, Apple, Cinnamon, Clove

o   Pumpkin Chai … Darjeeling, Cardamom, Pumpkin, Cinnamon, Cocoa, Clove, Ginger (Seasonal Fall Tea)

o   Razzle Dazzle … Earl Grey, Goji Berries, Grapefruit Peel

o   Spice it up … Darjeeling, Clove, Cinnamon, Dried Apple

o   Walking on Sunshine … Oolong, Ginger, Turmeric, Honey Crystals

o   Zingy Blast … Passion Fruit, Lemon Balm, Ginger

Green Teas:

o   Citrus Green … Green Tea, Mint, Lemongrass, Rosehip, Hibiscus, Peel and Essential Oils: Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange

o   Energy Adjustment … Green Tea, Schisandra Berry, Mint, Eleuthero Root, Ginger, Ginkgo, Gotu Kola, Licorice Root, Matcha

o   Fruity Chai … Cardamom, Green Tea, Raspberry Tea Leaf, Mango, Hibiscus

o   Green Jasmine … Green Tea, Jasmine

o   Roobi Who … Green Tea, Red Rooibos, Turmeric, Vanilla

Not sure how your body will react to the caffeine in tea?

To try green or black tea be sure to try them early in the day, and it may also be a good idea to steep it for a short time, less than 2 minutes. This allows for a weaker flavoring but a chance for you to know how your body reacts to the caffeine. If all is well, the next time steep a little stronger if desired. Remember, it is easy to burn green tea leaves when the water is too hot and steeping too long. After, steeping green tea longer than 2 minutes then you'll realize the taste is strongly on the bitter side and amount of caffeine released is increased.