Tea vs. Coffee
Comparing the
health, history, lifestyle, caffeine content and characteristics
of Tea vs. Coffee
has been an eye opening experience
What do you think?
Health benefits
Tea - research shows that green tea may prevent cancer, restrict
blood cholesterol, control high blood pressure, lower blood sugar, suppress
aging, deter food poisoning prevent and treat skin disease, stop cavities
and fight viruses
see health benefits for
more details
vs.
Coffee- no research was found to suggest that coffee may enhance health. Upon reviewing the characteristics of coffee the presence of carbohydrates, minerals, and phenolic acid suggest the possibility of potential health benefits but apparently not substantial enough to be noteworthy
History
Tea - The history of tea began thousands of years ago when Emperor Shen Nung discovered tea in 2700 B.C.
Vs.
Coffee - The history of coffee began much later and is believed to have been first cultivated in Arabia near the Red Sea in 674 A.D.
Caffeine content and effects
Tea - Tea has approximately 55 milligrams of caffeine per cup.
Various teas contain different amounts of caffeine. Green tea contains
the least, about one-third the caffeine as black and oolong about two-thirds
as much. The caffeine in tea is said to increase concentration, and enhance
the sense of taste and smell. The effect of caffeine in tea usually
takes longer to enter the blood stream than coffee therefore, seems gentler
to the system. About 80% of the caffeine in black tea can be removed easily
at home
see tips on removing
caffeine
Vs.
Coffee - Coffee has approximately 125-185 milligrams of caffeine
per cup. The caffeine in coffee is sometimes associated with a lift followed
by a letdown. The effects of the caffeine in coffee are immediate
and sometimes arouse feelings of anxiety known as "coffee jitters". Many
varieties of decaffeinated coffees are available on the market today.
Note: the University of California at Berkley Wellness Letter/1988 that
tea or coffee drunk in moderation (two reported it cups of coffee a day
and four or five cups of black tea) has no harmful effects.
Cost Comparison
Tea - Tea in no longer considered an expensive luxury drink and is actually less expensive per cup than most beverages on the market at about $1.16 per cup.
Coffee - Coffee is approximately $1.47 per cup
Characteristics
Tea - Tea contains tannin, catechin, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Natural fluorine and Polysaccharides. tannin and catechin have been associated with preventing cancer and heart disease
Coffee - Coffee contains caffeine, trigonelline, chlorogenic acid, phenolic acid, amino acid, carbohydrates, minerals, organic acids aldehydes, ketones, esters, amines, and mercaptans. None of the ingredients in coffee have been associated with fighting disease or enhancing health.
Lifestyle
Tea - Tea is a genteel beverage requiring preparation and time to sip. The pace is always slow, calm and tranquil, the beverage soothing.
Coffee - The coffee culture can be fast paced and frantic. Images of people in lines at the drive-through talking into microphones and driving around buildings to pick up huge paper cups of the daily special come to mind.
Summary:
Tea is a beverage that has been around for thousands of years and has always been said to prolong life and enhance health. Tea has less caffeine in it per cup than coffee and is one of the least expensive beverages on the market today. Tea promotes peace and tranquility and requires a degree of ceremony.
Browse, not Pinkies
James Norwood
Pratt:
An Exlusive Interview
"The Art of Tea" Chapter #1
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Tea
