5 Reasons Tea is better than Coffee
On this auspicious day, National Coffee Day, we have decided to celebrate the most delicious drink on earth, the second most widely consumed beverage in the world. We are of course, talking about tea!
We aren’t shy about our love of tea here at The Tea Makers of London, and so we want to share our top 5 reasons that tea is better than coffee.
1. Health benefits
Tea is full to the brim of health benefits!
Tea is rich in polyphenols, a type of antioxidant which is produced naturally in plants. Antioxidants have been linked with a range of health benefits, from improving cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, potentially lowering the risk of cancer. Tea is considered by many to be beneficial for weight loss and is a good alternative to sugary drinks.
Whether it’s ‘true’ tea or an herbal tea, our teas are made from natural ingredients which can help improve your health one sip at a time.
2. Gentler release of caffeine
All teas made from the Camellia Sinensis plant, such as black tea and green tea, naturally contain caffeine. Many of us simply cannot do without a caffeinated kick first thing in the morning, but one of the best things about tea is that contains a lower amount of caffeine and offers a much gentler release in comparison to coffee. This can help avoid many of the things that people don’t enjoy about caffeine, the jitters, racing heart, the spike in energy and the inevitable crash later.
Even the most caffeinated tea, matcha, is much less likely to cause these issues. For people looking to minimise their daily caffeine consumption, tea is a great way to go.
3. Calming Effect
While simultaneously providing energy for the day, tea is also known for its calming properties.
L-Theanine is the main chemical responsible for helping people to relax, a naturally occurring amino acid, found most notably in tea leaves.
Studies have shown that L-Theanine interacts with brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, which are responsible for regulating mood and relaxation in the human body. By lowering the stress levels of the human body, L-Theanine has been linked to potentially lowering blood pressure and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Many herbal teas are completely caffeine-free and are known for their calming properties. Chamomile is a popular go to for an evening brew, having been used for centuries to calm the mind and encourage sleep. Peppermint leaves are great after dinner to encourage digestion for those who don’t like to sleep on a full stomach, and for those who prefer a milky tea, caffeine-free Rooibos is a perfect brew.
All-in-all, this makes tea a perfect beverage at all times of day.
4. Greater variety of flavours
We may be somewhat biased on this one, but we think that the range of flavours tea offers, from the umami notes of Japanese Sencha, the crisp floral taste of Natural Jasmine Green Tea, the intensely citrus flavour of Supreme Earl Grey to the rich maltiness of a Breakfast Assam, is simply beyond compare in this regard.
Tea offers such a huge range of flavour profiles, so that just by changing the processing method, the same plant can produce an astonishing range of distinct infusions that taste nothing like each other. With all these options, there is a tea for everyone.
5. Promotes Oral Health
Green tea naturally contains fluorine, a chemical that is used in many dental hygiene products, and one study found green tea to be more effective than both breath mints and chewing gum in eliminating mouth odours, making it preferable to the coffee breath that some find themselves with after a cup of java.
In Vietnam and other southeast Asian countries, Jasmine green tea is commonly drunk as a non-alcoholic chaser after a cup of coffee, to cleanse the palate and reduce potential mouth odour.
With its numerous health benefits, gentle caffeine release, calming effects, diverse flavour profiles, and oral health advantages, tea proves time and again to be a wonderfully versatile beverage, which, while it may forever be contested, we wholeheartedly believe is better than coffee.
Whether you’re seeking a moment of tranquillity with a soothing Chamomile or a vibrant boost from a robust Assam, there’s a tea for every palate and occasion.
So, as you sip on your favourite brew today, take pride in knowing you’re making a choice that supports not only your health but also your taste buds.
At The Tea Makers of London, we wholeheartedly believe that tea isn’t just a drink; it's an experience that can enhance our well-being and enrich our lives.
