This is truly a battle of the giants and is a very controversial topic. This ongoing debate has been around the block a few times and companies like ours always get stuck in the middle as we in love both beverages.
These two beverages are one of the most consumed beverages in the world. In this world, there are two types of people, tea lovers and coffee lovers! Of course then there is us which are proudly guilty of playing for both sides. While we are drawn to that first caffeine kick in the morning to boost your energy levels through both beverages, their many other benefits that come via these beverages.
First thing is first, let’s get one thing out of the way; Coffee and tea are both very healthy beverages. Though they have similar attributes, they have each their own unique personality that in essence makes them different.
Let’s talk ‘caffeine’, the natural stimulant which we find in these two beverages. The caffeine in tea is often overlooked. Surprisingly for tea, as some enjoy it as a soothing relaxing beverage. This is because its makeup and how it works in tea, is quite different on how caffeine works in coffee.
An average cup of black tea contains an average of around 47mg of caffeine, compared to coffee which is around 90mg of caffeine depending on the brewing method and type of beans of course.
tea caffeine is more gentle and reacts at a much slower pace you don’t necessarily feel it. This is because of it binds with an amino acid called L-theanine. It subtly gives more of a prolonged constant slow-release form of energy.
Coffee caffeine passes right into the bloodstream, and has a very powerful direct effect and quick reaction. It gives you a nice jolt with a relatively short, intense burst of energy. Which is why most people love having coffee in the morning and at work. (please check our previous blog about caffeine and its benefits)
Coffee comes from a seed of a coffee cherry and is dried and roasted hence why it has a dark cup colour while tea is from the leaves of a camelia synesis plant (tea plant) which can be fermented or not fermented which is why is has a more leafy thin cup colour.
Due to its caffeine content, coffee may assist in weight lost and increase the rate which you burn calories by 3-13% . With the tea, tea polyphenols like theaflavin, also seem to contribute a lot to weight loss and burning fat. It also has others like thearubigins, and catechins which assist in many health benefits, while Coffee is rich in flavonoids and chlorogenic acid which is also great for the body. Both tea and coffee are loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties
Both beverages seem to be effective in terms of heart health when taken moderately and tea is known to be protective against quite a number of cancers.
This is only but a few pointers we have in terms of coffee and tea comparisons. At the end of the day the choice is yours and they are both great beverages.