How Many Calories in Tea? Everything You Should Know

Tea is a popular beverage that’s known for its countless health benefits. One of the biggest health benefits is its potential to help with weight loss.

One question that many will ask is, how many calories are in a cup of tea?

The answer to this question depends on a few factors, such as the tea variety, the serving size, and the addition of sweeteners or milk.

Tea is generally a low-calorie beverage. Plain tea without any flavor enhancers or milk is virtually calorie-free. For example, an 8-ounce cup of brewed green tea contains zero calories, while the same amount of black tea has only 2-3 calories.

However, the calorie count can increase if you add sweeteners or milk to your tea. Adding one teaspoon of sugar to your tea can add around 16 calories, while a tablespoon of whole milk can add about 9 calories. If you’re counting calories, just be mindful of what ingredients you add to your cup of tea.

If you’re curious about the total calories in tea, keep reading. This blog covers the total calories in various teas such as herbal, boba, milk, and Thai tea.

How Many Calories in Tea?

Regarding calories in tea, it’s pretty minimal, making it one of the healthiest beverage options. Tea is a low-calorie drink that can be enjoyed hot or cold, with or without milk and sugar. Below are the calorie counts for different types of tea.

Calories in a Cup of Plain Tea

Plain tea is minimally processed and provides roughly 2 calories per cup (240 ml), which makes it nearly calorie-free. Black tea, green tea, oolong tea, and white tea all fall under this category. Since there aren’t many calories, tea is a great option that won’t break intermittent fasting.

Calories in a Cup of Herbal Tea

Herbal teas are made from various plants, fruits, and herbs and come in multiple flavors. Some of the most popular herbal teas include chamomile tea, turmeric, ginger, and hibiscus. Herbal teas are caffeine-free because they don’t come from the Camellia sinensis plant.

According to Nutritionix, a cup (8 fl oz) of herbal tea contains about 2.4 calories. This is a small amount of calories and can be considered virtually calorie-free. However, the exact number of calories in herbal tea can vary depending on the ingredients used to make the tea.

Adding sweeteners to tea will add calories, so be mindful of what you add. 

Calories in a Cup of Boba Tea

Boba tea, or bubble tea, is a Taiwanese tea-based drink usually served with chewy tapioca pearls. The calorie count for boba tea varies depending on the ingredients used. 

According to Nutritionix, a cup (8 fl oz) of boba contains about 278 calories. Most calories come from milk, sugar, and tapioca pearls.

Boba tea is high in calories due to its carbohydrate and sugar content. It’s a nice sweet treat but should be consumed in moderation if you’re trying to lose weight. If you simply can’t resist boba tea’s rich and sweet taste, you can opt for fewer sugar and dairy alternatives to reduce the calories.

Calories in a Cup of Milk Tea

Milk tea is a popular drink made by adding milk to black tea. There are numerous variations of milk tea, such as the classic Hong Kong stocking milk tea or Chai from India.

The calorie count for milk tea varies depending on the type of milk used and the amount of sugar added. 

According to Nutritionix, a cup (8 fl oz) of milk tea contains about 92 calories. The majority of the calories come from whole milk and sugar. There are ways to reduce the calorie count by choosing skim or 2% milk.

A standard serving (8 fl oz) of chai tea contains approximately 62 calories. The total calories can change depending on the amount and type of milk used. 

Calories in a Cup of Thai Tea

Thai tea is a sweet and creamy tea made with condensed milk and various spices. It’s known for its distinct orange color by mixing brewed Assam black tea, condensed milk, and spices. Thai tea isn’t just rich and delicious; the sweetness helps relieve the spiciness of Thai food. The calorie count for Thai tea varies depending on the amount of condensed milk used. 

According to Nutritionix, a cup (8 fl oz) of Thai tea contains about 131 calories. This is a fair amount of calories due to added sugar, condensed milk, and other ingredients. It’s important to know that a cup of Thai tea also contains 15g of sugar.

Avoid overconsuming Thai tea if you’re trying to reduce your calorie and sugar intake. It’s delicious, sweet, and sometimes addictive, but sugar can hinder your weight loss goals.

Calories in a Cup of Sweet Iced Tea

Sweet iced tea is a popular drink in the southern United States. It is made by adding sugar to black tea and serving it cold over ice. The calorie count for sweet iced tea varies depending on the sugar added. 

According to Nutritionix, a cup (8 fl oz) of sweet iced tea contains about 80 calories. Although it doesn’t seem like a lot, the calories come from the sugar content. An average serving contains 20g of sugar, which is a significant amount.

Reduce the amount of sugar to decrease the calories. Additionally, choose a natural sweetener such as honey or agave instead of white sugar for added health benefits.

Calories in a Cup of Matcha

Matcha is one of the most popular forms of green tea due to its health benefits. The big difference between matcha and other green teas is the tea format. Matcha is stone ground into a fine powder that’s a vibrant green. It’s commonly used to make matcha lattes, milkshakes, sodas, and more.

According to Nutritionix, a cup (8 fl oz) of matcha contains zero calories.

Adding milk and sugar to create a matcha latte will also increase the calories. According to Starbucks, 354 ml of iced matcha latte contains 90 calories. It’s important to know that Starbucks matcha powder comes pre-packaged with sugar.

Do Tea Bags Have Calories?

Tea bags are an easy and convenient way to brew tea, but do tea bags have calories? The answer lies within what’s added to the tea.

A standard tea bag contains around 2 to 3 grams of tea. Standard tea bags are nearly calorie-free, providing only about 2 calories per cup. This is because tea leaves are minimally processed, and the calorie content comes from the small amounts of carbohydrates and protein in the leaves.

The calorie count will increase if you add anything to your tea, such as sweeteners or milk. For example, adding a teaspoon of sugar to your tea can add around 16 calories, while a tablespoon of whole milk adds about 9 calories.

If you’re conscious about your calorie intake, then the ingredient labels on your box of tea bags. Some flavored tea bags may have added sugars or other ingredients that increase the calorie count. 

How Many Calories Are In Tea vs. Coffee?

Tea and coffee are two of the most popular beverages in the world. They can be enjoyed in the morning for a nice energy boost, afternoon pick-me-up, or even after dinner. Both coffee and tea have their unique flavors, aromas.

But one common question is, how many calories are in tea vs coffee? Let’s find out.

Calories in tea

Plain tea is a virtually calorie-free beverage, making it an excellent choice for those trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy diet. A cup of plain tea provides roughly 2 calories, which is negligible. However, flavored and sweetened teas can contain added sugars and calories.

Here’s a quick summary of the calorie content of some popular types of tea:

• Black tea: 0-2 calories per cup, depending on whether plain or sweetened.
• Green tea: 0-2 calories per cup, depending on whether it’s plain or sweetened.
• Herbal tea: 0-2 calories per cup, depending on the type and whether it’s sweetened.

Calories in coffee

Coffee is also a low-calorie beverage when consumed in black. A cup of black coffee contains only 1-2 calories. However, the calorie content can increase significantly when creamer, sugar, or other flavorings are added. For example, a cup of coffee with creamer and sugar can contain up to 100 calories or more.

Here’s a quick summary of the calorie content of some popular types of coffee:

• Black coffee: 1-2 calories per cup.
• Coffee with creamer and sugar: 70-100 calories per cup, depending on the creamer and sugar added.
• Latte or cappuccino: 120-250 calories per cup, depending on the size and type of milk used.

Both tea and coffee are low in calories when consumed plain. The calorie content increases when added sweeteners, creamer, or other flavorings are added. A nice matcha latte or cappuccino is one of life’s pleasures. But if you’re trying to reduce calories, it’s best to reduce the sugar and milk.

How Many Calories in Tea When Adding Milk and Sugar?

A plain cup of tea is a delightful tasting experience because each variety has its flavor and aroma. If you want to enhance the tea flabor or mask its astringency, adding milk and sugar will help. However, milk and sugar will add calories, so knowing how much there is is important. 

Adding milk to a cup of tea is a common way to add richness and mellow out the tea’s bitter flavor. Additionally, milk will also increase the calorie count of tea.

Milk or dairy alternatives such as soy, coconut, oat, or almond milk will add a rich and creamy texture. Additionally, they’ll add calories to your tea also. The calorie count of milk can vary based on the type, such as skim, low-fat or whole. 

How many calories are in a cup of tea with milk?

The total amount of calories in a cup of tea with milk depends on how much milk is added and the variety of milk. A general rule for adding milk to tea is a ratio of ¼ milk (or less) for one serving.

A cup (8 fl oz)  of tea with a quarter cup of 2% milk has approximately 26 calories. While a quarter cup of whole milk will add 37 calories.

How many calories are in a cup of tea with skimmed milk?

Skim milk, also known as nonfat milk or fat-free milk, is a dairy product from which all of the milk fat has been removed. It still has the same amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals as whole milk but with fewer calories and no saturated fat. It’s a great option for anyone reducing their calories or overall fat intake.

A cup (8 fl oz) of tea with a quarter cup of skimmed milk has approximately 21 calories. 

Most calories come from skimmed milk’s protein and carbohydrate content rather than fat.

How many calories are in a cup of tea with milk and half a sugar?

The total calories in a cup of tea with milk and half a sugar depends on multiple factors. The amount and variety of milk and sugar can change the calories.

A cup (8 fl oz) of tea with milk and half a sugar contains approximately 34 calories. 

A general rule for adding milk to tea is a ratio of ¼ milk (or less) for one serving. If you’re using 2% milk, then that will add 26 calories. A full teaspoon of sugar is about 16 calories, so half a teaspoon would be approximately 8 calories. 

How many calories are in a cup of tea with milk and 2 sugars

Two teaspoons of sugar contain more calories than a quarter cup of milk. A full teaspoon of sugar is about 16 calories, so two teaspoons is 32 grams of sugar, while 2% milk adds 26 calories.

A cup (8 fl oz) of tea with milk and 2 sugars contains approximately 58 calories. 

Final Thoughts

A plain cup of tea is virtually calorie-free and a great option for anyone looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Since it is calorie-free, a cup of tea won’t break fasting either! Just be mindful that adding milk or sweeteners to tea will increase calories.

Choosing skim milk or dairy-free options can reduce the calorie count. Also, opting for honey, agave, or coconut sugar can add several health benefits without spiking blood sugar levels.