Caffeine in English Breakfast Tea vs. Coffee
The popularity of tea has been steadily increasing over the past few decades. It’s not uncommon to find a variety of tea varieties in most cafés, grocery stores, and even convenience stores. English breakfast tea, in particular, is a classic that is much beloved. But how does the amount of caffeine in English breakfast tea compare with the amount of caffeine in coffee?
English Breakfast Tea Caffeine Content
The amount of caffeine in a cup of English breakfast tea will vary, depending on several factors. The major contributor to the caffeine content is the type of tea leaves used. The amount of time the tea leaves are steeped in hot water also affects the amount of caffeine extracted from the leaves.
Generally speaking, most English breakfast teas contain approximately 50 milligrams of caffeine per cup. This compares to about 95-165 milligrams of caffeine per cup of brewed coffee.
Other Considerations
While it is true that the type of tea leaves used and the amount of time the leaves are steeped have a direct bearing on the amount of caffeine in the cup of tea, there are other considerations as well. For example, how long you steep the tea leaves can also make a difference.
If you steep your tea leaves for a longer amount of time, you will actually release more caffeine than if you steep them for a shorter amount of time. If you steep your tea leaves for 3-5 minutes, then you are likely to end up with a cup of tea with more caffeine than if you steep them for 1-2 minutes.
Benefits
The main benefit of drinking English breakfast tea instead of coffee is that you will still get a good dose of caffeine but with far fewer side-effects. Caffeine can affect your central nervous system, which can make for jittery feelings and anxiousness. If you opt for a cup of English breakfast tea instead of a cup of coffee, you can get a good dose of caffeine without the side-effects.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, while the amount of caffeine in English breakfast tea will generally be lower than that found in coffee, the difference is not always huge. Plus, English breakfast tea can provide a good dose of caffeine without the unpleasant side-effects associated with too much caffeine. So if you are looking for a good alternative to coffee, English breakfast tea may be just the thing for you!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- English breakfast tea generally contains about 50 milligrams of caffeine per cup.
- Cups of brewed coffee usually contain between 95-165 milligrams of caffeine per cup.
- Steeping tea longer will extract more caffeine from the leaves.
- English breakfast tea can provide a good dose of caffeine without the side-effects.
