English Breakfast Tea is one of the most popular tea blends in the world. This eye-opening black tea boasts a robust flavour profile and can add an essential pick-me-up to a morning routine. In addition to its invigorating taste, the energy-boosting effects of this and other black teas are due to caffeine, a chemical found naturally in popular beverages including black tea, green tea, and coffee.
HOW CAFFEINATED IS ENGLISH BREAKFAST TEA?
Health-conscious tea drinkers may be concerned about just how caffeinated their favourite cup of tea might be, especially if they are restricting their daily consumption of the stimulant. Thankfully, it is easy to gauge how much wake-up power is present in each cup of tea: it’s typically the same amount found in many black tea blends. A standard 8-ounce cup of English Breakfast Tea contains about 42 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, well below the level of 400 mg per day, where most medical professionals recommend adults cap their consumption. It would take around nine cups of black tea to reach that level, so your morning mug -- even refilled once or twice -- gives you a perfectly reasonable and safe nudge into your day.
CONTROLLING CAFFEINE CONTENT IN TEA
Many tea enthusiasts enjoy drinking this beloved beverage because it gives them a little energy boost. But if you're concerned about how caffeinated your tea is, you can take steps to control the level of caffeine you get from your tea. The shorter the steep time, the less caffeinated your tea will be when done brewing, which means you can reduce your caffeine intake to about 14 mg per cup by steeping your English breakfast tea for only one minute. Steep for three minutes and you'll ingest about 22 mg, while a full five-minute steep results in the tea’s usual level of 42 mg.
A perfect cup of English Breakfast for a morning boost of energy.
Leaving tea to steep for longer than five minutes can result in higher levels of caffeine and a more intense flavour than most tea enthusiasts enjoy. Extended steeping is generally not recommended since it can lead to a bitter taste.
Another way to cut back on caffeine in your tea is to consider choosing a green tea blend. Green teas tend to be less caffeinated than black teas due to their steep times and water temperatures. (Steeping green tea for longer than five minutes can indeed raise its caffeine level to that of a breakfast blend, but overstepping also renders it too bitter to drink.)
To eliminate caffeine, choose a decaf breakfast tea blend or a herbal tisane, which is naturally caffeine-free.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF BREAKFAST TEA
English breakfast tea, like nearly all-black tea blends, can offer a wealth of health benefits.* A strong breakfast blend can help prevent the development of cavities and is believed to support overall dental health. Black tea blends are also reputed to promote cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and contributing to balanced lipid and glucose levels. Because they are calorie-free, they can also be an excellent aid to individuals who wish to restrict daily caloric intake. The best way to enjoy all of these health benefits is, of course, in moderation. Raise your next cup of Tea Forte English Breakfast Blend to your health and enjoy a morning boost.
