Tea has been a beloved beverage for centuries, cherished for its diverse flavors and potential health benefits. However, theres often confusion surrounding its acidity level. Many people believe that tea is acidic, but the reality is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Lets delve into the science behind teas acidity and debunk some common misconceptions.
While I am not a medical researcher or a gastroenterologist, I can only provide a general guide based on research and studies that I have come across about the acidity in tea. Needless to say, those with serious or chronic gastric ailments need to check with qualified physicians and specialists.
Before we go on to the key question – is tea acidic, let us quickly have a look.
Yes, black tea is acidic. But all the teas are mildly acidic with herbal tea being the least acidic. The acid that is present in tea leaves is known as tannic acid.
pH of Popular Teas
|
TEA |
pH Scale Average |
|
Black Tea |
4.9 – 5.5 |
|
Green Tea |
7 – 10 |
|
Herbal Teas (Chamomile, Mint) |
6 – 7 |
|
Fruit Teas (Blackberry) |
2 – 3 |
In comparison, pure fruit juices have pH between 3-4, while fizzy drinks (regular or diet), sports drinks and other energy drinks have pH between 2-3.
How To How To Make Tea (Yet Less) Acidic
If you still want to make your tea less acidic, here are simple ways to do this:
- For Black Tea – steep your tea for less than the recommended time
- For Black Tea – use a lesser quantity of tea leaves per serving
- Go for more neutral teas like Green Tea or Herbal Tea
- Use jaggery instead of sugar to sweeten your tea
- Avoid lemon in your tea
- Store teas properly in an air-tight glass jar and keep the jar away from light.
- Generally, home-brewed teas are less acidic
As a general rule, brewing tea for a shorter duration, using lower water temperatures, or opting for certain tea varieties can help mitigate acidity.
Most teas also are only mildly acidic.
So, go on and keep drinking your favourite Darjeeling or Assam, Earl Grey or English Breakfast Tea, Matcha or Muscatel…and many more!
ketan desai | chief educator | [email protected]
Ketan Desai is the Chief Educator at VAHDAM India. After a brief stint with the family tea business, Ketan went on to work with some of the top tea planters, tasters, blenders and marketers across India, Sri Lanka, Russia and the CIS countries, the UK, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Africa. A seasoned tea-taster and blender, and a passionate raconteur, Ketan conducts tea workshops and events, regaling participants with amusing stories while explaining the finer nuances of tea during live tasting sessions. Ketans favorite tea is Darjeeling First Flush, which he prefers to have without milk or sugar. He can be contacted at @ketdes on twitter, @teatotaller on instagram or here on LinkedIn
- Will drinking tea cause tooth decay?
- Will drinking tea cause acid reflux?
- Will drinking tea cause stomach acidity?
Tea has been a beloved beverage for centuries, cherished for its diverse flavors and potential health benefits. However, theres often confusion surrounding its acidity level. Many people believe that tea is acidic, but the reality is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Lets delve into the science behind teas acidity and debunk some common misconceptions.
While I am not a medical researcher or a gastroenterologist, I can only provide a general guide based on research and studies that I have come across about the acidity in tea. Needless to say, those with serious or chronic gastric ailments need to check with qualified physicians and specialists.
Before we go on to the key question – is tea acidic, let us quickly have a look.
Stomach Acidity or Acid Reflux
The chronic name of stomach acidity is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD, also known as Acid Reflux. Stomach acidity, commonly known as acid reflux, occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing discomfort such as heartburn or indigestion. Certain foods and beverages, including acidic drinks like coffee and citrus juices, can exacerbate acid reflux symptoms. Other symptoms of Acid Reflux include Bloating, Burping, Hiccups, Nausea and Dry Cough.
Acidity is determined on the pH scale. The neutral point in the pH scale is 7. Pure distilled water is 7 on the pH scale. Lemon is around 2 on the pH scale, indicating it is highly acidic. Any food below 4 on the pH scale is considered to be highly acidic and is very likely to have a detrimental effect on digestion and cause Acid Reflux as well as tooth decay.
Fortunately, most teas are very mildly acidic. All Black Teas are between 4.9-and 5.5 on the pH scale. However, there are some teas where the acidity falls as low as 3 on the pH scale. It would also be important to remember that the exact acidity level in each tea will depend on several factors like the type of tea, the region where it was grown and the season when it was harvested. Green Tea, for example, is known to be less acidic than Black Tea, with a pH of 7-10. Herbal Teas like Chamomile Tea, Mint Tea and Fennel Tea are very close to neutral, ranging between 6-7 on the pH scale, while Fruit Teas like Blackberry and Rosehip are very acidic, ranging between 2-3 on the pH scale. Understanding the pH of popular teas can help individuals make informed choices about their beverage preferences.
Is Tea Alkaline or Acidic?
FAQ
Which tea is most alkaline?
Is green tea more alkaline than black tea?
Which is more alkaline coffee or tea?
Is black tea less acidic than black coffee?
Is black tea acidic or alkaline?
However, the acidity of tea can vary depending on factors such as the type of tea, how it’s harvested, processed, and brewed. Black Tea: Tends to be more acidic. Green Tea: Typically has a more neutral pH compared to black tea. Silver Needle White Tea: Tends to be more alkaline.
What are the benefits of drinking black tea?
Black tea has antioxidant properties, boosts heart health, lowers LDL cholesterol, improves gut health, reduces blood pressure and the risk of stroke, lowers blood sugar levels, reduces the risk of cancer.
How to make tea more alkaline?
One option would be to brew a weaker cup of tea. This means that you would reduce the steeping time of the tea leaves or the tea bag. The other choice would be to add more water to your tea once it has been brewed. Since water has a neutral pH, it can help to make the tea more alkaline.
Does brewing black tea affect pH?
We used pH test strips for both cases and compared them. Black tea made with one tsp of black tea using Toronto tap water has a pH of about 7. Black tea made using two tsp of black tea using Toronto tap water has a pH closer to 6. So the tea quantity you brew impacts its acidity!