Tea is available that has been decaffeinated but unfortunately the quality is compromised. It is very difficult, perhaps impossible, to remove caffeine from tea without degrading its quality.
Does drinking tea during pregnancy affect the baby?
Questions surrounding caffeine intake and risk of miscarriage and health of the fetus continue to be raised by pregnant women.
A study published in the journal of American Medical Association found no evidence that moderate caffeine use increases the risk of spontaneous abortions, growth retention or account for other factors. Another seven-year epidemiological study on 1,500 women examined the effect of caffeine, during pregnancy as well as on subsequent child development.
Caffeine consumption equivalent to approximately 3 ½ to 5 cups of tea per day had no effect on birth weight, birth length and head circumference of the baby. A follow-up examinations at age’s eight months, four and seven years also revealed no effect of caffeine consumption on the child’s motor development or intelligence.
A number of factors influence the metabolism of caffeine and the individual’s response to caffeine indigestion. These include pregnancy, age, sex, body weight, diet, exercise, and stress smoking and alcohol consumption.
Pregnancy hampers caffeine metabolism. For example, in non pregnant women the break-down of half of the caffeine takes an average of 2.5 – 4.5 hours, 7 hours during mid-pregnancy and 10.5 during the last few weeks of pregnancy. As caffeine retention is longer during pregnancy, women sensitive to caffeine may be affected. As a result a moderate consumption of approximately 3-4 cups a day, is recommended for women during pregnancy.
Does green tea have caffeine? How much caffeine compared to black tea or coffee?
Green tea, as well as oolong, white tea, & black tea, are the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis. Caffeine is naturally occuring in the Camellia sinensis, however the caffeine (or theine in tea) is a third to a half the amount found in a standard coffee. Black tea has more caffeine than green tea, and green tea has more than white tea varieties. White tea has minimal caffeine. Oolong has between green and black teas in caffeine content.
Modern barista made coffee, especially in large keep cup may even contain 3 or even 4 times the caffeine in black tea!
Unlike the rush and crash from the caffeine in coffee, it is claimed that 80% of the caffeine in tea remains unabsorbed by the human body, yet it can have a number of benefits such as stimulating the nervous system & improving circulation.
It is recommended that people avoid consuming drinks containing caffeine after 3pm as the caffeine can prevent people falling asleep and having a restful night.
Whilst people may believe that tea containing caffeine is a diuretic, some evidence shows that the net effect of drinking tea is beneficial, with positive hydration. However, choosing a lower caffeine option such as green tea or white tea would be more hydrating. We believe that swapping any tea over a strong coffee, or soft drinks laden with sugar, is the way to go!
Another benefit of green tea is high quality leaves contain Theanine. The theanine in green tea may improve mental cognition, lift a person’s mood, and increase brain serotonin and dopamine levels.
Drink more green tea today! Try our Tasmanian grown green teas too.
What is caffeine?
Caffeine is a stimulant drug found in tea as well as in many other natural substances. Coffee is better known as a dietary source of caffeine (and the source of the name ‘caffeine’), but tea contains a significant amount of the drug.
How do I make iced tea?
Iced tea is a staple of American Southern life; it is very popular throughout much of the United States , enough so that it is now being marketed in cans and bottles.
Good iced tea uses a decent brand of black tea which is then cooled (either in a refrigerator or by being poured over ice). Some people add sugar others don’t. Some people also like to add lemon.
Iced tea is very easy to make. Infuse a strong concentrate of tea (i.e. much less water than you would use for that amount of leaves) and add it to cold water to the right proportions. The better the quality of the tea, the better the iced tea will taste. It’s probably a good idea to use a strong-tasting tea that can stand up to the cold. Assam , for example, makes terrific iced tea.
Should I put milk in my tea?
If you like!
The classic additions to black tea are honey, milk, sugar and lemon.
You should NOT add anything to green or oolong tea; they are meant to be consumed as is.
