The Real Battle Between Tea vs Coffee – Which Is Better?

Introduction

We all know the classic debate between tea vs coffee. Most people have a preference for one or the other, but which is better? Let’s take a closer look at the battle between tea vs coffee.

Coffee is typically made with roasted beans, while tea is made with brewed leaves or dust. Coffee has more caffeine than tea, which gives it a boost of energy. 

Tea has less caffeine content and is rich in antioxidants that can improve your health.

So, which drink is better for you? Read the entire blog to find the answer for this long time battle.

The real battle between tea vs coffee

Tea vs coffee has been a centuries-long battle for supremacy over the beverage world. Both tea and coffee created their ways and impacted everyday lifestyles. 

Both drinks are slightly similar in some aspects. Both have the quality of energizing and providing various health benefits, but when it comes to which is better, there comes a question mark.

In this blog, let’s look at the real battle between tea and coffee and how they differ regarding taste, nutrition, health benefits, and much more. 

The origin

TEA	COFFEE
Originated from China.	Originated from Ethiopia.

Origin of tea

Tea has a long and storied history, dating back to ancient China. The first recorded use of tea dates back centuries. Once Shen Nung, a Chinese emperor who was also a herbalist, decided to drink water served by his servant in which leaves fell off accidentally. 

It was a tea leaf, and once it dropped, it was well-infused, so when Shen Nung sensed the aroma decided to give it a try. Thus how the history of one of the most favourite drinks evolved.

Tea drinking became an important part of Chinese culture when it spread to the general public, and the tea ceremony developed as a heritage among people. 

Tea reached Japan in the early 9th century through a Japanese priest who was sent to China to learn about the flourishing tea culture, and thus he brought it back to Japan and soon became popular. 

Tea plays a major role and greatly impacts Indians as well as the country. India is one of the largest tea manufacturers and producers in the world. More than 70 per cent of adults in India consume tea every day. 

The majority of parts of India cultivate tea and export it in huge quantities. Some popular states producing tea are Assam, and Darjeeling in West Bengal and Ooty in Tamil Nadu.

Origin of Coffee

Most of us believe that coffee originated in Arabia, but history drives us differently. 

Coffee has a long and detailed history, taking us back thousands of years to Ethiopia. It all started when a person in Ethiopia named Kaldi discovered that his goats were becoming more energetic after eating coffee berries.

Only then coffee made its way to Arabia, and it became popular among Sufi scholars and poets. 

Back then, coffee was considered the drink of choice for intellectuals and artists. And today, coffee is consumed worldwide and has become an important part of our lifestyle.

In India, we can trace the history of coffee, and it all started when a Sufi saint named Baba Budan introduced coffee in India. 

Then the cultivation of coffee flourished. Some of the southern states in India play a major part in coffee cultivation. Coorg is one of the most popular places for coffee cultivation in India.

The health benefits

It is no mystery and doubt that both tea and coffee have health benefits. Both beverages contain antioxidants and other nutrients that can improve your health. 

TEA	COFFEE
Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and stroke.	Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular disease, developing type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Health benefits of tea

• Tea has lower caffeine content than coffee, which means it will not give you the jitters or keep you up at night.
• Tea is a good source of flavonoids. Flavonoids have been linked to lower risks of cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
• Tea has also been shown to boost metabolism and promote weight loss.

Health benefits of coffee

• Coffee can do more than just wake you up. Coffee has been shown to provide a number of health benefits. It lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
• It also decreases the risk factor of cardiovascular disease, developing type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
• Coffee contains caffeine, a natural stimulant that can help you feel more awake and improve your focus. Caffeine has also been shown to boost energy and act as a great refreshment.

Did you know? Not only coffee, but also tea, helps to burn fat and aid in weight loss.

The nutrient facts and caffeine content

TEA	COFFEE
A 250-ml cup of tea contain approximately 102 calories. A cup of tea contains 47 mg of caffeine on average.	A 250-ml cup of coffee contains approximately 180 calories. A cup of coffee contains 63 mg of caffeine on average.

Nutrient facts and caffeine content in tea

• Tea improves mental alertness and cognitive function and increases metabolism and fat burning.
• Interestingly, the health benefits of tea are largely due to its high concentration of antioxidants. Antioxidants boost metabolism, promote weight loss, and protect against heart disease and cancer.
• One serving cup of an average of 250 ml of tea contains approx. 102 calories.
• An average cup of tea contains 47 mg of caffeine content.

Nutrient facts and caffeine content in coffee

• Coffee have various nutritional values. It’s a good source of caffeine, which can improve mental alertness.
• Coffee also contains small amounts of potassium, niacin, and magnesium.
• One serving cup of an average of 250 ml of coffee contains approx. 180 calories.
• An average cup of coffee contains 63 mg of caffeine content.

The pros and cons

Variety	Pros	Cons
TEA	Lower caffeine content. Tea contains antioxidants. Wide variety of flavours.	May cause insomnia. High levels of fluoride. Can cause acidity and nausea.
COFFEE	Caffeine content in coffee can instantly boost energy. Can be consumed hot or cold. Reduce the risk of a variety of illnesses and health-related issues.	Coffee sometimes dehydrates you. Coffee may stain your teeth and give you bad breath. Coffee may lead to increased anxiety levels and blood pressure.

Pros of tea

• Tea is lower in caffeine than coffee, so it’s a gentler way to start your day or get a mid-afternoon wake-me-up.
• Tea also includes antioxidants, which can aid in cell protection.
• Tea comes in a wide variety of flavours, so you can always enjoy the flavours you prefer or like the most.

Cons of tea

• Tea, sometimes for many, causes insomnia and other sleep problems.
• Some tea can contain high levels of fluoride, which can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.
• Consuming too much tea may create acidity and nausea to many.

Did you know? According to a study, the fluoride levels in tea are high, and individuals who consume a lot of tea may develop skeletal fluorosis as a result of these high levels.

Pros of coffee

• Coffee generally contains caffeine, which can instantly boost energy.
• Coffee can have a variety of flavours and can be enjoyed hot or cold.
• Many people find that coffee helps them focus and stay awake, which can be beneficial in certain situations.
• Coffee has been shown to reduce the risk of a variety of illnesses, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It also lowers the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.

Cons of coffee

• Too much consumption of coffee may dehydrate you.
• Drinking too much coffee may stain your teeth and give you bad breath.
• It also disrupts sleep and upset your stomach if you drink it too often.
• Continuous consumption of coffee may lead to increased anxiety levels and blood pressure in some cases.

The Different Types of Tea and Coffee

Different types of tea

There are many varieties of tea, and here are the most common and popular forms of tea around the world. White tea, green tea, black tea, oolong tea, and herbal tea are the most common varieties. 

• White tea contains the least amount of processing and has a delicate taste.
• Green tea is slightly more processed than white tea and has a slightly more robust flavour.
• Black tea is the most processed of all the teas and has a strong flavour.
• Oolong tea falls somewhere in between green and black tea in terms of processing and flavour.
• Herbal tea, which is made of natural flowers and herbal ingredients.

Different types of coffee

There are many varieties of coffee and regular coffee is your typical cup of joy that contains caffeine and next is decaf coffee, espresso, and cold brew coffee. There are many other varieties of coffee like latte, and cappuccino which are made in different ways and different flavours using espresso as their base.

• Decaf coffee is coffee in which most of its caffeine content is removed.
• Espresso is made with highly concentrated coffee beans and has a strong flavour.
• Cold brew coffee is made with coffee powder from the grounded coffee beans and as the name suggests it is usually served chilled.

Did you know? The cream is added to the top of the coffee to keep it warm for much longer.

The key difference between tea and coffee

Aspects	TEA	COFFEE
Origin	Originated from China.	Originated from Ethiopia.
Health benefits	Lower the risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke.	Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. It also lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.
Nutrient facts	A 250-ml cup of tea has about 102 calories.	A 250-ml cup of coffee has about 180 calories.
Caffeine content	On average, a cup of tea contains 47 mg of caffeine.	On average, a cup of coffee contains 63 mg of caffeine.
Pros and cons	Pros Low caffeine content. Tea has antioxidant content A wide range of flavours. Cons Insomnia may be caused by over consumption. Fluoride levels are really high. Can cause acidity and nausea.	Pros Coffee’s caffeine level can give you an instant energy boost. It may be consumed hot or cold. Reduce your risk of a number of illnesses and health problems. Cons Coffee might dehydrate you at times. Coffee may stain your teeth and cause bad breath. Coffee may cause an increase in anxiety and blood pressure.

Tea vs coffee- which is better

Are you curious and too eager to know which is better and the winner of this real battle? Which do you think will win and stand out in the real battle? It is challenging to state the winner of this battle as both are equally good in terms of taste, health benefits, and much more.

Still, when it comes to the battle there must be a clear winner. And in this battle, health benefits, varieties and many other factors make coffee too stand out and win.

Reap the benefits of coffee

Levista coffee offers superior and premium coffee grounds for the true flavour of south Indian filtered coffee. You may enjoy the most delicious flavour while also reaping the benefits of coffee. You can get all varieties of coffee grounds, from dark roast to light roast at Levista. Visit our website to order and enjoy our premium coffee.

Conclusion

After going deep into the roots of coffee and tea, various factors determine whether tea or coffee is better for you. Coffee wins the battle because it has various health benefits and other factors. 

Yet ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, health condition and lifestyle when deciding which is better.