Here’s The Truth: Is Tea Acidic?

Drinking tea is a delightful and flavorful experience, but you’ve likely tasted an astringent flavor. Or you felt your mouth getting dry after a few sips of tea.

Although the astringent flavor is an important reason why the flavor of the tea is unique, you may have wondered if it’s acidic.

So, is tea acidic? Most teas are considered to be alkaline, but they can cross over to be slightly acidic. This is because they are sourced from the Camelia sinensis plant, which has natural acids. The acidity level of tea depends on a few factors, such as origin, elevation, and brewing time.

If you’d like to learn more about the acidity level of tea, what causes it to change, and how much acid there is, read on. We’ll review why each tea has a different acid level, compare it to coffee, and provide tips on making your cup of tea less acidic.

What is Acidity?

If you’ve ever had lemon juice, you likely puckered your lips because of how sour it was. That’s because lemon has a high level of acidity.

Acidity is described as how sour or tart something tastes. It’s an important factor in how food or drinks taste. A hint of acidity can add vibrant flavors and unique aromas to any food or drink. 

To understand the acidity level, you use the pH scale. This scale goes from 0 to 14. The lower the number, the more acidic something is. The higher the number, the less acidic it is. Anything that has a pH of 7 is considered neutral. Anything below 7 is acidic, while anything above 7 is considered alkaline.

For example, water has a pH of 7, which makes it neutral. While wine is a 4, making it acidic, and baking soda is 9, so it’s alkaline.

Is Tea Acidic?

Tea comes from the leaves of a plant called Camellia sinensis. There are many types of tea, like green tea, black tea, and oolong tea. 

Is tea more alkaline or acidic? Most teas are considered to be alkaline, but they can cross over to be slightly acidic. This is because they are sourced from plants that have natural acids. The acidity level of tea depends on a few factors, such as origin, elevation, and brewing time.

Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea all have a pH level between 4 and 6, meaning they are only slightly acidic. Herbal teas can have different pH levels depending on the ingredients, but most are considered neutral.

Green tea has the least acidity of the three varieties. It is unfermented and unprocessed, containing catechins – powerful antioxidants which bring many health benefits. As fermentation doesn’t occur, green tea has lower tannic acid levels than black or oolong.

Black tea is fully oxidized, giving it its dark color, higher caffeine content, and stronger flavor than other teas. Oxidation increases its tannin content, which affects bitterness and acidity. It has high caffeine levels, so it gives a good energy boost when just water is used – however, adding creamer or milk can mellow out the acidity.

Are Herbal Teas Acidic?

Herbal teas can be either acidic or alkaline, depending on the variety used. Since herbal teas have various plants, fruits, and spices–it depends on which blend.

Herbal teas containing dehydrated fruit, such as raspberry tea, can be slightly more acidic. Fruits such as berries tend to have a naturally lower pH level.

While herbal teas containing ingredients such as chamomile, peppermint, and ginger are either neutral or alkaline.

Suppose you’re curious about the acidity of a specific herbal tea. In that case, you can look for information on the tea’s packaging or contact the tea company to ask about the pH level.

Is Tea More Acidic Than Coffee?

As we’ve learned, acidity is measured by using the pH scale. Coffee is more acidic than tea, and here’s why.

Most blends, such as green tea, black tea, and oolong tea, range from 4-7 on the scale, meaning they’re either slightly acidic to neutral. On the other hand, coffee has a pH level of around 6, which means it’s slightly more acidic than tea. Keep in mind that different types of coffee are more acidic than others.

When comparing matcha vs. coffee for acidity, matcha is less acidic than coffee since it has a high pH level.

The roast of the coffee will determine the level of acidity. Dark roast coffees are less acidic than light roast because they contain few compounds that make your stomach produce acid.

Why Does Tea Have Different Acidity Levels?

Tea is influenced by many factors, such as its origin, growing environment, processing, and brewing method. These all affect the acidity and taste of your tea.

Green tea contains more polyphenols than black tea. This gives it a light and astringent taste. Black tea usually has the same amount of tannin but contains flavonoids like catechins. This makes back tea more acidic due to its tannins.

The brewing time and temperature also affect the amount of acid. Typically black tea requires boiling water at a higher temperature and a longer steeping time. Boiling water will increase tannins and make the drink more acidic. For a less acidic taste, steep for 1-2 minutes.

How Does Acidity Affect Taste?

Acidity affects the taste of your team for the better. It can make your tea taste more astringent, an important part of the flavor. 

The acidity in tea isn’t very strong, like lemon juice. It’s quite mild and is more of an undertone in flavor. The astringent and bitter taste of tea combines with the subtle sweetness. This balance of flavors is what makes drinking tea a delightful experience. 

Some people like this taste, while others don’t. If it’s too acidic, reduce the steeping time or use fewer tea leaves.

Is Drinking Acidic Tea Good or Bad for You?

It’s completely fine to drink tea, even slightly acidic. Some of the acids in tea help give it that distinct astringent flavor. Drinking tea has many health benefits, which makes acidity less of a concern.

Tea has a great array of micronutrients and antioxidants that benefit overall health. Whether you want to improve your digestive system, reduce bloating, or boost your cognitive functioning, drinking tea in your daily routine will benefit your body. Tea has catechins that help keep you strong, boost the immune system, and protect the body from cell damage.

However, drinking acidic tea might make you feel uncomfortable if you have a sensitive stomach or acid reflux. In that case, you can try drinking herbal blends that are less acidic or add a splash of milk to help. But tea is a tasty and healthy choice, even slightly acidic for most people.

Tips for Making Less Acidic Tea

Many teas can be slightly acidic, which some people don’t like. But you can still enjoy tea without too much acidity if you know how to make it right. If you’re concerned about acidity in your tea, here are several tips to reduce the amount.

• Go for high-quality, low-grown teas. High-grown teas are more acidic, while low-grown teas are usually milder.
• Brew your tea for less time. Avoid overstepping your tea leaves for an extended time because it’ll make them more acidic.
• Cold steep your tea to reduce acids and tannins, bringing a more mellow flavor.
• Add milk or creamer to your tea. This balances out flavors and makes your tea’s flavor much smoother. Teas that have a robust flavor such as black tea work well with milk. While adding milk to green tea can overpower the delicate tea flavor.

FAQ About The Acidity in Tea

What kind of tea is the least acidic?

Herbal teas such as chamomile, peppermint, or ginger tea tend to be the least acidic and can even be alkaline. They typically range between 6-7 on the pH scale. Green tea is also known to be less acidic than other popular blends, such as black tea and oolong tea. It has a pH level of 7-10, which means it’s either neutral or slightly alkaline.

Is chamomile tea acidic?

Chamomile tea is close to neutral because it ranges from 6-7 on the pH scale. This means chamomile tea is not acidic. Chamomile tea is great for dealing with acid reflux symptoms and has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce upset stomachs. 

Is milk tea acidic?

Milk tea is slightly acidic because of all of its ingredients combined. The tea contains catechins and tannins, giving it a bitter and astringent flavor. Milk is also considered slightly acidic because it ranges between 6-7 on the pH scale. Brown sugar is typically used to sweeten milk tea. It has a pH level of around 7, making it fairly moderate. 

Is black tea acidic?

Black tea is acidic and ranges from 4-6 on the pH scale. It’s slightly acidic, so you’ll taste a bitter and astringent flavor in black tea. It also contains more tannins than other teas as well. The acidity level of black tea will depend on a few factors, such as the region where it’s grown, the harvest season, water temperature, and brewing time. Steep your tea for less time, or use fewer leaves to make it less acidic.

Final Thoughts

Most teas are alkaline, but steeping the leaves for too long can make them slightly acidic. Although tea can lean towards acidic, there’s nothing to worry about. Drinking tea on a daily basis has numerous health benefits, such as boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation. So, it outweighs any of its acidity. Drinking tea is a delicious experience, and the astringent aftertaste makes the flavor unique.