Caffeine in tea: true or false?

What is caffeine?

Caffeine is an alkaloid, ‘invigorating’ substance found in plants that is shaped like crystals and has a bitter taste. Plants synthesise this substance to protect their leaves and stems from insects. Caffeine acts as a stimulant for the nervous system. Therefore, after drinking coffee, you feel a surge of energy and a desire to act right away.

Is there caffeine in tea?

The amount of caffeine in tea depends on a number of factors:

• On the way it is processed. The highest concentration of caffeine will be in tea with minimal processing. For example, in green bud tea, the processing of which focuses only on drying.
• On the region and place where the tea was grown. For example, if the tea grew in a lowland where the ground is depleted, then it will have less caffeine. Highland tea, grown in an ideal, organic place, where the crop is harvested no more than twice a year, will have more nutrients, including caffeine.
• Even the way you are used to brewing your tea can affect the caffeine content of your tea. If you want a mid-afternoon energy boost, brew Curtis “Earl Gray” black tea for a little longer than usual, about 6-7 minutes.
• Young green and white teas, as well as pu-erh from high-quality raw materials, have a greater invigorating effect.

It can be said that each cup of tea is individual: each has unique ingredients and concentration of caffeine. And in the same way, each type of tea has a different effect on our body and mood.

Which has more caffeine: coffee or tea?

A 200 ml green tea will contain 25-50 mg of caffeine, while a cup of black tea of the same volume will contain up to 60 mg. A cup with 200 ml coffee can contain up to 160 mg of caffeine. The difference is enormous, and you do not have to worry about tea being addictive.

Tea contains 2-5% caffeine of the total dry mass of the tea leaves, while coffee contains 0.65-2.7%. But to make one coffee, we need more ground beans than tea leaves to make a drink. This is why a large dose of caffeine enters the bloodstream with coffee. However, note that the caffeine is in its purest form, which ensures that the body reacts instantly to the stimulant.

How does caffeine in tea work?

When our body receives caffeine, it starts producing adrenaline. This is why we get a little excited after tea. Testosterone and dopamine are also released, giving us a good mood and a sense of satisfaction. And adenosine is responsible for blocking fatigue.

Tea has a very rich biochemistry. Theine in its composition is formed by the breakdown of caffeine and tannin, so tea has a milder effect on the body, and can be drunk every day. Tannin also slows down the absorption of caffeine, which means you will feel awake long after you have had a drink.

Theine eliminates fatigue and gives us a ‘second breath’: it stimulates the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. Tea can also give us the opposite effect – relaxation. This is possible due to the content of L-theanine in green tea. Therefore, tea fits perfectly into a balanced diet, while coffee works only as a stimulant.

How to boost energy for the day?

If you wake up in a bad mood, there is a proven way to get in a positive mood; our option is Curtis tea and a few minutes alone.

If you need a quick wake-up drink, brew some Ceylon “Earl Grey Passion” black tea from Curtis. Not only will the caffeine get you out of bed, but also the aroma of juicy citruses! The second option is a cup of “Delicate Mango” green tea with pineapple pieces and the aroma of tropical mango.

This is a time just for you: drink tea with your favourite treats, imagine what your perfect day should be like. And make today just like that! The excitement of wonderful things will charge you even more, and all the peaks will be conquered.