It then makes sense that the teas with the highest caffeine levels are those made from the bud and first two leaves of the tea bush, especially when harvested during the spring flush (Takeda, 1994). This means, leaves and buds so they don’t get eaten (Ye NaiXing, 2010).Ĭaffeine is the world’s most widely consumed legal psychoactive drug (New Scientist)Īs the tea leaves grow and mature, their caffeine levels drop (as they don’t need the same level of protection any more). That bitterness is pretty essential as in plants, caffeine is an antioxidant produced to fend off pests, as they don’t like eating bitter leaves.ĭuring the spring growing season (or flush), the tea plant produces caffeine and sends it to its tender young shoots in particular because these are the most vulnerable and most important. Other “alkaloids” include nicotine and morphine, so this is definitely a drug! (Britannica, 2020).Ĭaffeine in its pure form is a bitter white powder, It has a half-life of between 1.5 and 9.5 hours, where the body metabolises it and it loses its potency (IMCMNR, 2001). Caffeine occurs in tea, coffee, guarana, maté, kola nuts, and cacao - Britannica, 2021 So what are we talking about here? Why is caffeine even a thing?Ĭaffeine, nitrogenous organic compound of the alkaloid group, substances that have marked physiological effects. What is Caffeine? Why do tea plants have caffeine? And it is easy to understand why: when you look at a nice cup of white tea, or take a sip, it is lighter and less tannic than, say, a black tea, and feels calming (Mcbane, 2021).Ĭalming, though, is not the same as naturally decaf! At the end of this article we’ll look at why this thinking still continues. It’s been a pervasive myth in the tea world for decades that white tea has lower caffeine than black or green tea, with even large tea companies claiming white tea was/is practically decaf (Rate Tea, 2018). Why does the white tea caffeine myth continue?.Caffeine in different types of white teas.Caffeine comparison: levels of different teas and popular drinks.How brewing determines your “ caffeine in the cup” & why white tea’s caffeine content isn’t so simple.What “caffeine” actually is & how it makes tea good for calm focus.Quitting cold turkey can worsen withdrawal symptoms and is associated with a higher failure rate.There is a huge mix up regarding the caffeine contents of white tea compared to other teas like black and green, with a shocking number of tea ‘experts’ claiming white tea is basically caffeine free. If you feel you need to cut back or make a change, Iroku suggests doing so slowly to set yourself up for success. If you want to cut back, go slowĪs a starting point, the Food and Drug Administration suggests a maximum of 400 milligrams of caffeine a day for the average person – that's roughly the amount of caffeine in four, 8-ounce cups of coffee. And it's also possible to misuse caffeine – just like any other drug – by consuming inappropriate levels.Īnd there are specific populations who should consume far less or abstain entirely, like children and teenagers, pregnant people and people with certain medical conditions. If that happens, you'll need to keep ingesting more to get the same kick, and without it, you might experience withdrawal symptoms. You can, however, build up a physical tolerance to, or dependence on, caffeine. It's common to think about your "need" for your morning coffee or tea as an addiction, but experts say the potential risks associated with caffeine dependence don't rise to the level of an addictive substance. Life Kit Busting 5 common myths about water and hydration Caffeine is not considered an addictive substance
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