Coffee vs. Tea

It’s time for the ultimate showdown: coffee versus tea. After all, you can only pick one, right? You’re either a coffee drinker with multiple cups on your desk throughout the day, or a tea drinker, calming down each evening with a soothing cup of chamomile. There’s no in-between. Or is there?

Why not both?

If you are a coffee drinker looking to get into tea, we’re here to help. We have a wealth of suggestions at the ready, especially since we know how important that morning cup of joe can be. And if you’re a tea drinker looking to get into coffee…we probably aren’t the shop for that, because tea is literally in our name. We can, however, give you a rundown on how these two fan-favorite beverages compare and hopefully prove once and for all that there is room in this world for both.

What are they?

At their core, coffee and tea aren’t that different. After all, they’re both made from a single plant (tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and coffee is made from the cherries, or beans, of the coffea plant), and both go through an extensive process from harvest to your cup. For coffee, this usually consists of harvesting, processing, milling, roasting, and grinding, while tea is usually plucked, withered, rolled, oxidized (if necessary), and then dried. The primary difference, then, comes in flavor, popularity, and benefits.

It should be noted that they aren’t exactly next-door neighbors either, at least when it comes to growing regions. Coffee is typically grown in what is known as the “coffee belt,” a geographic region primarily located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Coffee production stretches through South America, North America, Africa, Asia, and even Australia with significant production taking place in Brazil, Vietnam, Columbia, and Ethiopia. Ideal for growing coffea, this region features a tropical climate with ample rainfall, shade to protect plants from the harsh sun, and mild temperatures. Very little coffee is grown outside of this area, so chances are, if you’re drinking a cup right now, it started its journey to you somewhere in the “coffee belt.”

Tea is a bit more complicated. We could talk all day just about the wide variety of growing regions for our favorite blends, but when it comes to true teas like black, green, oolong, and white, the most important consideration is climate. The natural limits of the Camellia sinensis plant lie between latitudes 43 degrees North and 30 degrees South, and since the plant thrives in well-draining, rocky soil and temperatures averaging between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, higher elevations aren’t uncommon. China holds claim as the first producer of the beverage, and the country still reigns as the top producer today, but modern cultivation takes place around the world, including in Sri Lanka, India, Japan, Kenya, and Taiwan.

The Biggest Question: How does the caffeine compare?

If you’re even the least bit familiar with coffee and tea, you’re sure to already know which wins in the caffeine department. On average, coffee is known for having roughly twice as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, but that’s just the short answer.

The more complicated explanation revolves around the production process of tea. Camellia sinensis actually contains more caffeine by weight than coffee does, but because we use more coffee than we do tea when brewing, tea ends up containing less caffeine per cup. To make matters more confusing, the amount of caffeine present in tea differs drastically depending on the type, growing methods, and steep time. The primary difference between greens and blacks, for instance, is oxidation, the same chemical process that turns a cut apple brown. The amount of caffeine present increases with oxidation, which means that black tea (which is fully oxidized) has more caffeine than oolong (partially oxidized) and green (not oxidized). Shade-grown and early season varieties typically also have more caffeine per cup, and steeping your tea for longer, or using additional tea leaves when brewing, can also result in a stronger brew.

When it all boils down, coffee typically features between 80-200mg of caffeine per 8-ounces, while tea sits between 40-120mg per cup. Certain herbal brews, sometimes called tisanes, are naturally caffeine free, while others (such as yaupon and mate) contain more caffeine than black tea. And then there’s matcha, which averages slightly higher levels of caffeine than your typical black tea since you’re consuming the entire leaf. Matcha brews can consist of up to 180mg of caffeine per cup, making it a wonderful alternative for even the most caffeine-dependent coffee drinker.

The biggest difference? How the caffeine is absorbed. Tea has higher levels of L-theanine, an amino acid that has been said to promote focus and clarity. When combined with caffeine, it creates a more natural energy boost with a consistent onset, which means less of a crash later! Tea is also significantly less acidic than coffee, which can also be a bonus when trying to avoid that jittery feeling!

Which is more popular?

The popularity of coffee and tea varies vastly depending on where you are, but it has been said that for every cup of coffee consumed worldwide, that there are three cups of tea consumed at the same time. Tea is, after all, the most-consumed beverage in the world after water.

When it comes to tea, you might be surprised to learn that it isn’t the United Kingdom that tops out the tea-drinking charts, but rather Turkey, where residents consume, on average, nearly seven pounds of tea each year. Ireland takes second place with almost five pounds, and the United Kingdom follows with over four pounds per resident per year. In comparison, the United States, where coffee maintains its grip, ranks 36th in yearly tea consumption with just half a pound per resident each year.

The US is also dwarfed in coffee consumption though, with many European countries consuming more than double the US average of 9.26 pounds per person per year. Finland tops the list with over 26 pounds per resident, but coffee is also significantly heavier than tea, meaning that your typical pound of black tea will yield nearly 100 cups versus the 30 cups in a pound of coffee. Lighter varieties of tea, such as white teas and many herbal varieties, also yield drastically higher amounts.

On average, Americans consume some 85 billion cups of tea each year, most of which is iced, and roughly 146 billion cups of coffee.

Looking to make the switch?

If you’re a coffee drinker and you’re ready to make the transition to tea, you’ve come to the right place! We often say that it isn’t that you aren’t a tea drinker, just that you haven’t found the right tea yet, and we feature over 250 different teas annually, so you’re sure to find one you like! So let us help you find a tea perfect for your palate!

If black coffee is your go-to, we highly recommend Shu Vintage Pu-Erh, Roasted Yaupon, and Houjicha green as caffeinated options. Each features a roasted, rich, earthy flavor that compares well to a straight cup of coffee. If you’re looking for a caffeine-free option, Red Bush Rooibos is a great place to start for the same reasons!

If you love a bit of flavor, we always start by recommending our most popular blend in the store: French Breakfast. This black tea has served as the transitional tea for many, with a slight butterscotch flavor and a smooth, creamy, sweet taste. Its sister tea, Paris Evening, features the same delicious flavor without the caffeine, which makes for a fantastic decaf alternative. Other recommendations include Java Fusion, which actually includes coffee beans in the blend, Hazelnut Mate, which mixes the roasted taste of mate with a hint of chocolate and hazelnut, and our house-blended Mocha Yaupon, featuring a smooth, mocha flavor.

If caffeine is what you’re looking for, matcha is the way to go, and if you’re not a fan of the bold grassy flavor it’s known for, we recommend starting with Vanilla Matcha! Fresa Guayusa and Pep in Your Step are also fantastic options with higher levels of caffeine without the jittery energy or crash that comes with coffee. Black teas like Fudge Brownie, Assam Superior, Coconut Truffle, Chocolate Macaron, and Cinnamon Spice Black are also incredibly popular amongst coffee drinkers, so you have a wealth of options to pick from!