Everyone in the tea business is asked, at one time or another, whether tea is truly healthful. After all, it has caffeine in it, right? True. Caffeine is the most studied xanthine in medical research. One of the ironies of more than 100 years of research is that the conclusions are always the same: caffeine increases physical stamina and mental alertness in most people and may over-stimulate others to the point of discomfort. The other conclusion is that the quantity of caffeine per cup is higher in coffee than in tea. Consider adapting the following to inform customers on your web site, social media, or in-person discussions.

TEA’S ANTIOXIDANTS PROTECT OUR HEALTH

True tea’s most powerful health benefits rest with its antioxidants such as polyphenols, catechins, and flavonoids. Catechins help sustain good heart health; polyphenols promote good blood circulation by keeping blood vessels healthy and reducing chronic inflammation, and flavonoids protect cells from oxidative damage, preventing diseases like dementia, diabetes, cancer, and heart damage.

These antioxidants also appear naturally in fresh produce, everything from berries to bok choy, so good quantities in your daily diet could help stave off illness and improve and sustain good health for you and your family.

TEA’S ALKALOIDS & AMINO ACIDS INCREASE BRAIN CLARITY, RELAXATION

L-theanine and Theobromine - L-theanine, an amino acid, and theobromine, a xanthine alkaloid, have been intensely studied to determine their impact on humans with the objective of developing medicines to increase alertness in the brain and relaxation in the lungs. What scientists discovered is that both do this on a minor scale when consumed in tea, yet the amounts in the leaves are not enough to be significant by drinking a cup of tea even though, in most people, they increase alertness and they relax the body.

L-theanine works to increase activity in the alpha frequency band in the human brain. That’s why drinking tea can relax the mind without inducing drowsiness. Theobromine, more predominant in the cacao bean and other plants, helps to relax the body, and in pharmaceuticals is often used as a bronchodilator and vasodilator to help lung function. A third and even smaller xanthine in tea is theophylline. Because its appearance is so limited, it is less powerful as a stimulant.

Theophylline, theobromine, and L-Theanine, also part of the xanthine family of alkaloids, are naturally abundant in many plants like coffee beans (Coffea arabica, cocoa beans, aka Theobroma cacao), tea (Camellia sinensis and other of its varietals), and the kola nut (Cola spp). Mateine is prevalent in mates from South America.

CAFFEINE CONTENT IN TEA IS LESS PER CUP THAN COFFEE

Still concerned about the small quantities of caffeine in tea? Don’t be! The math of caffeine quantity may puzzle many customers, but the bottom line is that there is less caffeine per cup of tea than per cup of coffee.

While a pound of tea has more caffeine than a pound of coffee, that pound of tea generates 180-200 cups while the same quantity of coffee provides only 35-40 cups of coffee and requires 2 level tablespoons while tea uses a mere 2 grams. Coffee grounds cannot be re-brewed while fine teas can provide at least two, and up to seven, subsequent cups making any amount of caffeine per cup of tea even less than in additional cups consumed.

One 8-oz. cup (240 ml) of coffee has 47-135 mg of caffeine. This variance is the result of terroir, processing, and brewing technique. Many coffee drinkers consume coffee quantities higher than 8 ounces, often 12-oz. mugs or 16-oz. store-bought cups, increasing the caffeine quantity. One can re-fill a cup, but cannot re-brew the grounds, increasing caffeine consumption once more.

One 8 oz. cup (240 ml) of tea may have 33-38 mg of caffeine, often higher in oolongs and black teas which could be 47-90 mg. Green teas may contain 20-45 mg per 8 oz. or 240 ml although some types of matcha may contain more. Serving tea in Asian style 2-3 oz. cups reduces the caffeine consumption one-half to one-fourth.

HERBALS: DELICIOUS ALTERNATIVES & SALES STARS

Herbals are a great choice for a tea shop inventory. They’re excellent for blending with true teas, taste delicious by themselves, and help you reach a wider audience. All herbals can be served hot or iced.

The benefits of herbals are for digestive issues, (peppermint) or (ginger) relaxation (lavender), especially at bedtime, (chamomile) or to reduce anxiety during the day (hibiscus) and (rooibos.) The South African red bush, rooibos, has many of the benefits in true tea like polyphenols and flavonoids, but no caffeine. It can be drunk plain or blended with flavors for a refreshing beverage.

Herbals are good for health, however, if you have allergies to the flowers, plants or tree bark of an herbal, do not consume infusions made from them. One herbal, Yerba Mate, does contain a natural xanthine, mateine, which is essentially, caffeine from the Yerba Mate plant, a relative of the holly bush native to South America. So if a client is sensitive to stimulants such as caffeine, be sure to suggest other options as this herbal is known for providing lot of energy!

TRUE TEA IS A FIRST AID SOLUTION

In the category of recycle, reuse, and reduce, true tea shines. One can reuse leaves for several cups, recycle and reduce waste by adding spent leaves to nourish plants. Furthermore, tea is a reliable first aid solution. Brewed tea leaves can be used as a poultice to ease the pain of minor cuts and bruises, reduce swelling, and temporarily ease rashes from poison ivy to insect bites. Bathing in a tepid bath of brewed tea can help ease the discomfort from sunburns or athlete’s foot. If any of these irritations or injuries continue longer than a day, consult with your physician.

Looking to learn more about true tea? Check out our free tea educational website TeaClass.com! You and your staff can learn about the differences between true tea and tisanes (herbal teas) and so much more!