Coffee Vs Tea: Unravelling the Health Benefits and Differences

Some people love coffee. Some people like tea. We love both (that’s why we stock coffee and tea here). No matter what camp or team you’re in, you may have wondered what benefits each may have or if one is better than the other. 

That’s understandable. We all like to believe that we’re drinking the best brew for our health in the morning.. or noon… or night (if you really hate sleep). So, let’s not dilly-dally. Let’s get right into coffee vs tea!

Key Difference: The Taste

Let’s get the most obvious difference out of the way and talk about taste. Coffee is typically and uniquely bitter, sweet, and acidic. The aroma is simply delicious! It can bring floral and fruity notes, but it’s not as prominent as tea. Speaking of…

Tea is a little different when it comes to taste. It does vary based on the herbs, florals, and spices found in the blend. Ginger lemon tea will have a spicy taste, matcha tea will be earthy, and peppermint tea will have a minty flavour. It is what it is. While tea is also aromatic, it will tend to have a lighter one compared to freshly brewed coffee.

We know you’re familiar with this already. We can get into the next topic then!

Caffeine In Tea Vs Coffee

Does tea have more caffeine than coffee? No, it does not. Coffee has more caffeine than tea. It just does. But let’s dig a little deeper here - how much caffeine does each actually have?

One cup, as in one literal cup of 8fl oz., of coffee contains about 95 mg of caffeine. In comparison, a cup of tea generally has about 27 mg of caffeine. 

If you really need that caffeine kick, coffee may be the best. If you still want to stick to tea, go for black tea. That does bring the most caffeine out of all of them at around 48mg (half-ish of what coffee has). 

We should also take this time to remind you that this can affect your sleep if you drink it later in the day. You can always get decaf (which still has the teensiest amount of caffeine at 2mg) or grab a naturally caffeine-free tea like chamomile if you still want to grab a late-night cuppa. And do skip adding sugar for this occasion. That will definitely mess up your sleep!

Also Read - What is Decaf Coffee? Everything You Need to Know

Which is Healthier: Tea or Coffee?

Is tea better than coffee when it comes to health benefits? Not quite! Each has its own benefits and both are actually healthy. If added to a balanced diet, it can actually be very beneficial! 

Here are some fun facts. Tea can actually help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and diabetes. Green tea itself can help reduce cancer risk as well. Tea, like black tea, is also chock-full of wonderful antioxidants and may aid in reducing inflammation, too!

How about coffee? Well, that also contains a whole lot of antioxidants! Coffee is also naturally low in calories and gives off better energy than your sodas. An unlikely benefit is that coffee could help with cavity prevention and even kill bacteria inside your mouth. The trade-off? It may stain your teeth and make it look a little yellow!

In short, both are naturally healthy. Stick to either one or enjoy them both. They’ll be good for you.

Coffee vs Tea: Additional Need-To-Knows

The type of tea and coffee you drink greatly affects its nutritional profile and benefits. Your typical fast-food iced tea doesn’t even begin to compare and is definitely not healthy - no matter how much marketing they spend on convincing you that it is. The same can be said with those premixed sachets of instant coffee. Those don't hold a candle to the real deal.

We touched a bit on coffee being low in calories. Some folks actually look to drinking coffee instead of other caffeinated drinks when they’re going on a diet or looking to lose weight. That’s true to a certain degree. And that all depends on if you skip adding sugars, milk, and creamers to your brew (and the same goes for tea).

How Much is Too Much?

No matter where you’re at in the coffee vs tea debate, it’s worth noting that too much is bad for you. Since coffee comes more caffeinated, you can only allow yourself to drink four to five cups a day (which would equate to 400 mg, the max you can have). 

As for tea, it really depends. Some would suggest only drinking one or two cups a day while some can even go for three to four. Too much would likely lead to headaches and tummy troubles. 

If you’re unsure, the best way to gauge how much you should drink a day is to play it by ear. If you feel a little off after drinking a cup, then stop. You know yourself better than anyone else!

Spilling Beans and Sipping Tea

We’ll do you a real solid and let you in on a little secret. The best place to get your coffee and tea is right here at Portfolio Coffee. No matter what brew you’re in the mood for, we’ve got it for you.

At our coffee store, we recognize the unique charm of each drink. If you're seeking quality, explore our wide range of coffee subscription options. For those interested in wholesale coffee, we've got you covered too. Embrace the rich flavors of coffee or the soothing essence of tea – whatever your choice, make it a delightful experience every time.