Differences Between Coffee and Tea

So just what are the main differences between coffee and tea? Some people talk about one vs. the other almost as if they are talking about the Yankees and Red Sox. But there are many others who don't feel the rivalry, and who really enjoy both coffee and tea, depending on the occasion. And there shouldn't be any reason why we can't have our cake, or in this case coffee, and tea, too. But understanding the differences will at least let us speak more intelligently about each beverage.  

Let's talk caffeine. Most people know that 1 cup of coffee has more caffeine than 1 cup of tea. But the differences go beyond this. Yes, 1 cup of coffee has about 80 - 185 mg per 8 ounce cup, depending on the brew and the type of roasted coffee used. A cup of black tea contains 40 - 60 mg, or just about half that of a regular cup of brewed java. Green tea is 15 - 30 mg per cup, and white tea contains between 6 and 25 mg. Green and white teas are significantly lower than coffee as they are brewed at lower temperatures for less time. The reason many people get the "jitters" when drinking coffee is that the caffeine is absorbed almost immediately into their blood stream. With tea drinkers, the high levels of antioxidants in tea actually slow down the body's absorption of caffeine, so it is less a roller-coaster ride and more of a smooth, alert ride with no crash at the end.

Black Coffee and Tea with Milk and Sugar

Speaking of antioxidants, tea is full of them. Tea contains Tannin and Catechin, which have been associated with preventing cancer and heart diseases. It also contains vitamins C and E. Not to mention tea can help reduce plaque buildup, help lower blood sugar levels, keep your body from absorbing fat, lower bad cholesterol and help clear your skin. Coffee contains caffeine, trigonelline, chlorogenic acid, phenolic acid, amino acid, carbohydrates, minerals, organic acids, aldehydes, detones, esters, amines and mercaptans. Some of the antioxidants in coffee have been associated with fighting disease or enhancing health, and coffee is said to help during an asthmatic attack by helping relax the airways in the lungs.

Health benefits or not, and caffeine or not, in the end we're going to drink what tastes good to us. As a coffee and tea drinker, I'v also found there are certain times that beg for coffee and others that beg for tea. When I am on vacation, or in a region of the world that is known for their coffee, I indulge. But for the most part, tea is my everyday go-to beverage when I'm not drinking water. I feel better drinking tea personally and like that I don't crash like I can with coffee. There are so many flavors and varieties of tea, that I can spice it up depending on my mood, or choose a calming herbal tisane or rooibos to end the night. Which do you drink? When and why?

Scented Leaf's Raspberry Rose Petal Herbal Over Ice