There are a couple of different factors but the main factor is actually you and how you make your cup of tea!
Most places will tell you that black tea contains the most caffeine and this is and isn't true, let me explain...
A cup of black tea is normally brewed at a higer temperature and for longer than green and white teas, this means that more caffeine can be extracted from the leaves. If you let your kettle cool off a little before brewing your cup of tea or if you brewed it for less time, then you would automatically get less caffeine in your cup of black tea than even a cup of green tea or white tea.
This can be a good or a bad thing depending on what you're looking for!
The tea harvest can also make a difference, whether it's grown in a high altitude environment or even the variety of tea plant used. Camelia Sinensis var. Sinensis or Cameila Sinensis var. Assamica the assamica variety has a higher level of caffeine and it normally points to tea grown in India (Assam Tea).
Now, back to if the time of year affects caffeine. If you thought yes, then correct, it does.
At the start of the season, springtime, the leaves and buds are smaller so there is a higher concentration of caffeine in these smaller leaves.
Different growing processes are also a factor, take Matcha for an example. The whole leaf is ground into a fine powder which equals more caffeine in your cup than just drinking the infused liquid as with normal tea drinking.
Another one to note is Genmaicha which is a green tea but the leaves are steamed will have a higher amount of caffeine compared to if the leaves were roasted, as this stops fermentation occuring.
Usually made from younger leaves which have a higher caffeine content, they can be roasted or steamed which we now know equals more caffeine.
However, the optimal way of making a cup of green tea is with 80 degree water which will draw less caffeine out of the leaves and it generally isn't brewed for that long. If you do make a cup of green tea and use boiling water, you will get a more caffeinated drink but it will proabaly taste bitter, as this does burn the leaves. (See our other blog for more info!)
As we've mentioned, black tea is normally brewed for a while and with boiling water, this makes for more caffeine in your cup.
Even though older tea leaves are generally used for black teas (less caffeine in these leaves) and normally the Assamica variety is used which also has more caffeine. It does all get balanced out by the longer brew time and water temperature.
Overall, if you want a totally caffeine-free experience then look for blends that say 'infusion' as this means a herbal drink of berries, herbs, spices etc with no tea leaves.
For a higher caffeinated drink, look for Matcha or start steeping your black tea for longer. Tea is such a personal drink and it can be extremely fun finding our your favourite type of tea, whether you prefer to draw out as much caffeine and tannins (can lead to bitterness so be careful!) as possible or if you like a nice and gentle steamed green tea instead! The choice is up to you!
The general rule of thumb is seen at 400mg of caffeine per day which equates to around 4 cups of coffee but 8 cups of tea.
If you'd like a little more info on coffee, tea and their caffeine properties take a look at this article!
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Keeps Your Immune System Strong: Sipping on tea is like giving your immune system a big ol' hug. It's packed with antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, that help keep your immune system in tip-top shape. Green tea (such as our Zomba Steamed Green Tea) is the real star here, thanks to its high concentration of these super-powered antioxidants that protect your cells from free radical damage or a Wild Berry Infusion which is packed full of Viatmin C, you're giving your immune system a little extra support, especially during these cold months when colds and flu run rampant.
Calms Your Mind: Tea is like a warm hug for your brain. Its natural compounds, like theanine, have a calming effect that can reduce stress and improve your sleep quality. So next time you're feeling overwhelmed, grab a cup of tea and take a deep breath. Whether it's the aroma or the warmth of the tea, there's something soothing about enjoying a cup of tea. Infusions like Lavender & Camomile are especially known for their calming properties, especially with a drop of honey.
Boosts Brain Function: Tea can also give your brain a much-needed boost. The caffeine in tea can help you stay alert and focused, while theanine has been shown to improve your memory and cognitive function. Who knew sipping on tea could make you smarter?
Promotes Heart Health: Drinking tea on the regular has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease. The antioxidants in tea, especially green tea, can help lower your blood pressure and keep your heart healthy. So, go ahead and make that second cup!
In conclusion, tea is more than just a delicious drink - it's a powerhouse of health benefits. So why not make it your new daily pick-me-up? Whether you're a green tea fan, a black tea lover, or a herbal tea enthusiast, there's a flavor out there for everyone. Give it a try and see how it can make you feel better, both inside and out, take a look at our blends & try some out!
]]>This will be our fifth year in one of these iconic huts and we can't wait to meet people face to face again, after a good long while of only being online!
We will be showing our new limited Christmas blend tea; the Winter Rooibos which smells like Christmas in a cup and is currently flying off the shelves! You can also use it to create mulled wine or mulled cider (recipe coming soon) so please do come down to give it a try before it's all gone.
We also have Jumbo Tins available, which aren't available on the website. These are the perfect addition to any tea lovers collection, traditional in style but there's nothing boring about the tea inside.
At our Chalet you can buy stunning Christmas gift sets, see our range of hand blended teas and we'll also be doing some tea tastings of our amazing mulled Xmas blend.
We can't wait to see you so please come prepared with all your difficult tea questions to quiz us on!
Our biodegradable pyramids are in essence a flavour bag so why not use it to zhuzh up your recipes?
These posts will hopefully give you some ideas and ways to get a little creative in the kitchen, it might even result in something to show off this Christmas-time.
Our first recipe is a personal favourite, an Earl Grey Old Fashioned.
Think smoky and flavourful whisky with an extra punch of citrus from the bergamot oil in the Earl Grey, coupled with orange bitters and a little sugar = the perfect match.
Ingredients:
The how to's:
Now enjoy yourself!
]]>Now, I have a tea company, I'm going to say it tastes great, right?!
You'd be correct! I do like green tea but only in certain scenarios and only when it's brewed well.
To explain this, it's normally better to put it in coffee terms, it's known not to put boiling water straight onto coffee for fear of burning the beans. Green tea is exactly the same!
If the water is too hot then the leaves will taste bitter and you probably won't enjoy it at all, at too cool water the full flavour will not be released and you'll be left with a weak tasting brew.
To get a little sciency, the flavour profile of green tea is made up of a variety of amino acids, natural sugars and tannins. Tannins contribute to the bitterness aspect and dissolve at a higher temperature (80 degrees) than the amino acids and natural sugars (60 degrees), therefore we need to brew green tea at a lower temperature to make sure that it isn't overpowered by the bitter flavours!
Good point, we have a Zomba Steamed Green Tea which has nothing added but we also have a Jasmine Green Tea as well as a Green Tea with Mint Leaves.
We call the Green Tea with Mint our gateway green tea, as if it has quite a strong mint taste so if you forget about the lower brewing temperature and add boiling water then it won't actually taste bitter at all, making it a perfect starter.
You've probably heard that green tea is super good for you, it's full of antioxidants which are known to have a whole list of healthy benefits, some can be:
- Promoting fat loss
- Improved brain function
- Lowering the risk of heart disease
Green tea in particular (over all other teas) is rich in catechin which is a natural antioxidant and is an extremely powerful compound which has been researched and appears to be what gives green tea it's medicinal qualities.
We also love it after meals as it's known to really help with digestion or as an afternoon pick-me-up, as although it contains less caffeine that black teas there's still enough to give you a boost.
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