In general, when talking about theine and caffeine, it is thought that two different substances are being mentioned. Find out what is true about it.
Does tea have caffeine and theine?
A recurring question among tea consumers is whether tea has caffeine and theine or whether both caffeine and theine are the same or not. The answer, despite the misinformation that exists, is clear: they are the same molecule.
Caffeine was actually isolated in 1819, however at the time tea was thought to contain a similar but different substance: theine.
But further analysis revealed that they were the same substance. Perhaps what is difficult to understand is that more than a century later the confusion persists among the majority of people.
What is caffeine?
Caffeine is an alkaloid found naturally in different foods such as coffee, tea, cocoa, guarana and yerba mate.
Polyphenols present in large amounts in tea slow down the absorption rate of caffeine, so its effect is slower but longer lasting in tea than in coffee.
It is important to clarify that both coffee and tea have many more molecules than caffeine, and that they all interact with each other and compensate, attenuate or tone down their effects. Unfortunately, very little is still known about the vast majority of them, with the exception of the antioxidants in caffeine and tea, mainly catechins. That is why much of the news about the effects of a certain component of the tea does not necessarily have to be extrapolated from the effects of the tea drink itself.
Properties of caffeine and medical uses
Stimulates physical and mental activity
Increase mental concentration
Develop mental acuity
Helps you lose weight
yellow tea
To consume 200 milligrams of caffeine it is necessary to ingest:
0.7 kg of milk chocolate
0.5 liters of drip coffee (through filter paper)
0.15 liters of espresso, if the coffee is robust (normal in bad coffee shops)
1.18 liters of black tea
1.77 liters of soft drink (variable amount depending on the soft drink)
2.36 liters of green tea
11.82 liters of decaffeinated coffee
Of course, theine also has its adverse effects or contraindications.
Caffeine concentration in coffee and tea
Caffeine concentration varies greatly depending on the type of coffee or tea and how it is prepared. Within coffee, Robusta coffee has a significantly higher concentration of caffeine than Arabica coffee.
Between the teas the concentration varies a lot and it is not easy to determine which type contains less than another, since the intuition usually fails. There are no tea dyes that have a higher concentration in all cases than those of another color, depending on a specific type of tea.
It must also be taken into account that not only the concentration of this substance is decisive for knowing the effects of caffeine and theine, but also its combination with other components.
Camellia sinensis teas, which contain very little caffeine, are Bancha green tea, Kukicha green tea.
Instead, other teas, such as guarana, have their own combination of components. So they produce different effects.
Infallible trick to reduce the theine in your tea
A trick to reduce the theine in your tea, without suffering the adverse consequences of the theine, is the following: since caffeine dissolves quickly in hot water when infusing it, leave the tea in the hot water for 30 seconds.
Then throw out the water and put hot water back on. In this way, you can greatly reduce the dose of caffeine consumed.
Another tea option without theine is Rooibos. Although it has the taste, appearance and properties of the varieties that come from Camellia Sinensis, Rooibos tea is not properly a tea. And that is why it does not have the contraindications that the teas themselves have.
Caffeinated Drinks and Smoothies Recipes
Tea and coffee, taken as a hot drink, are not the only ways to benefit from caffeine. Learn about other healthy and delicious options.
This frozen version of the cappuccino can easily be eaten as a dessert. You can do it with ice, with whipped cream and even with ice cream. Delicious!
Coffee granita. This is another alternative to the frappuccino, which will also delight you with the taste of iced coffee. The difference is that this is not just cold coffee, you have to prepare it with a lot of ice to give it the consistency of “frozen”.
Black tea and fruit compote. Choose the seasonal fruits that you like the most and prepare this easy compote in a few minutes. You can take it warm or cold, to enjoy a delicious and nutritious light dessert.
tea cakes You have several options to make these delicious muffins, ideal for when you want to liven up a visit that comes to your house for tea. You can prepare them with red tea, Earl Grey, Matcha or the variety you prefer.