Chai tea is a very popular choice of tea. It's popular because it's delicious and flavorful, not to mention the fact that it provides extensive health benefits. The two most popular types of chai are black tea and green tea, both of which are quite healthy. Given their popularity and their health benefits, it is easy to see why many people ask themselves "does chai tea have caffeine?".
Our tea blog has the answer to your question. Read on to find out more.
Does Chai Tea Have Caffeine?
The short answer is yes. The long answer is that whether or not chai tea has caffeine depends on how you make it. Black Chai or Masala Chai contains caffeine while Green Chai does not contain caffeine.
Brewed black tea has between 30-80mg caffeine per 8 ounces depending on brewing time; green tea has around 25mg per 8 ounces. By comparison, coffee contains around 100-150mg per 8 ounces.
How Come Only Black Chai Tea Has Caffeine?
The tannins in black tea are what cause this caffeine content whereas green tea has nitrogen-fixing bacteria that have come into contact with the leaves. These bacteria contain no caffeine so there is none present in the final product, unlike black chai where caffeine occurs naturally.
So should you avoid it if you want to sleep? Not necessarily. If you use milk, sugar or honey to sweeten your chai then the case becomes different as both of these ingredients will provide an energy boost for a certain period of time and can make it harder for you to fall asleep at night if consumed too late in the day.
Likewise, if you have blood pressure problems, you might want to avoid all products that contain caffeine (which includes black Chai tea as well). However, it is also very important to check with your doctor about this.
Chai Tea Health Benefits
As mentioned in the beginning, there are numerous health benefits to drinking chai tea. Some of the most popular ones include the following:
- Relief from common colds
- Relief from headaches
- Lowering of blood pressure levels (in the case of green Chai tea)
- Improved circulation throughout the body, especially in cases where there is poor blood flow to the hands and feet.
- Better digestion
Aside from these benefits, chai tea is also believed to help with weight loss both because it has diuretic qualities and because it increases the metabolism of fats.
So is Chai Tea Healthy?
If you are thinking about drinking chai tea for its health benefits, you're in for a treat. The question of "Does chai tea have caffeine" should not be taken from just the perspective of chai tea's caffeine levels, but also how much caffeine it has compared to other products, as well as what other health benefits it can provide.
Of course, as with anything, moderation is key. Drinking too much chai can cause you to suffer from jitters and other unpleasant side effects so try not to drink more than three cups a day (unless you are drinking Green Chai). It is also important that you don't add sugar or milk unless you want to negate all the positive health benefits that come with it. Related articles: Authentic Indian Recipes Fruit Wine Making Resources Healthy Food Preparation
Chai Tea FAQs
How to make chai tea with milk?
To make chai tea with milk, you have to heat the milk, empty the contents of two English Tea teabags in there, and then add spices (nutmeg, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and cloves. Sweeten this drink with a bit of light brown sugar, and then leave it to infuse. Strain the tea and enjoy!
What does chai tea taste like?
Chai tea is robust and earthy, but also very spicy and sweet.
Is chai tea caffeinated?
Yes, chai tea is caffeinated, but it contains much less caffeine than other drinks (coffee, for example).
