Tea or Coffee: Exploring the Facts and Health Benefits of Your Favorite Brew
A common question you’ll hear hundreds of times in your lifetime is…Tea or Coffee? This question can cause many debates when the kettle is boiling- but what do we think at Two Chimps? It will be no surprise that Two Chimps Coffee was founded to roast and distribute, you guessed it, COFFEE! Head Chimps Andy and Laura have always been fuelled by their goal of sharing the joy of single-origin speciality roasts. However, the TC brand has expanded over the past seven years, testing new products and delicious beverages. We currently offer five loose-leaf teas to suit every brew lover; we support all tea drinkers amongst you. Whether you are popping around to your friends or in a work meeting, this question will be asked (we hear it at least once a day at Two Chimps HQ).
Health Benefits and Antioxidants
This is where things get interesting, as both Tea and Coffee have their own set of health benefits in the form of Antioxidants. These help to reduce inflammation and prevent cell damage in the body, which free radicals can cause in your body. Coffee and Tea can battle these due to their varying Antioxidants. They contain different Antioxidants, but both hold many polyphenols, a plant compound. Which one is better for your health specifically? Well, that depends on your body and what you want to focus on preventing. Tea contains L-theanine, an antioxidant which stimulates and calms your brain, specifically stress. However, data supports that coffee could protect against liver disease and depression.
Caffeine Content: Debunking the Myths
Generically, coffee is depicted as being the drink to choose when you need a quick dose of caffeine to get some energy. However, you may be shocked that unbrewed tea contains more caffeine per mg than coffee, with 3.5% compared to 1.1-2.2% in coffee. That’s wild. Well, when you add the hot water, the game changes, as the water extracts the caffeine from coffee beans. At this point, the caffeine content in coffee skyrockets to 80-100mg, whilst tea sits at 45-60. So technically, the generalisation is correct; if you want more caffeine, coffee is the one for you!
The Choice of Decaffeinated Brews
Nowadays, people are finding themselves having to cut down on their caffeine intake. Whether that is due to health factors such as anxiety, insomnia or jitters, people are reaching for drinks with a lower caffeine content. Decaffeinated products’ quality has significantly risen in the past few years, with natural processes like the sparkling water or CO2 method. By not using harsh chemicals to strip the caffeine away, the natural flavours in the tea or coffee remain intact. For those seeking a caffeine-free herbal tea, Delta Q Delight is the perfect drink to enjoy at any time of day. This herbal tea is made with rooibos, strawberry and vanilla, combining the best plants to create beverages with rich flavours and different properties for those more relaxing moments.
Which One Stains Your Teeth More?
Which one will lead to more staining on your teeth? Tannins, known as tannic acid, are polyphenols that cause teeth staining, and they are present in tea and coffee. It may surprise you that Traditional English Breakfast Tea contains more than coffee. So even though coffee is ‘stronger’ than a cup of Tea, it causes more staining. This can be reduced by brushing your teeth twice daily and drinking water after a cup of tea to reduce the amount of tannin left in your mouth.
Comparative Data Overview
- Unbrewed Caffeine Content: Tea (3.5%) vs. Coffee (1.1-2.2%)
- Brewed Caffeine (per cup): Coffee (80-100mg) vs. Tea (45-60mg)
- Primary Health Focus: Tea (L-theanine/Stress) vs. Coffee (Liver health/Depression)
- Teeth Staining Factor: Tea (Higher tannins) vs. Coffee (Lower tannins)
