In today's fast-paced world, many of us rely on a daily cup of coffee to kick-start our mornings or stay energized throughout the day. However, excessive caffeine intake can lead to caffeine-dependence, disrupted sleep patterns, and various other health issues. If you're considering a change, switching from coffee to tea can be a wonderful alternative. In this blog, we'll explore the benefits of quitting coffee and offer some practical tips on transitioning to tea as your go-to beverage of choice.

L-Theanine is a deciding factor.

Before discussing the procedure or the steps of quitting coffee and welcoming tea, we have to understand what the requirements are to do that. Coffee contains a higher amount of caffeine. An average cup (237 ml) of coffee contains almost 90–100 mg of caffeine. Caffeine is a good source of instant energy. If your body demands an instant energy boost, it can be beneficial for you. The more caffeine you consume, the more energy you will absorb. This is the reason people prefer coffee over tea.

But coffee has some side effects. It may boost your energy instantly and keep you energetic for 45–50 minutes. But when the caffeine wears off, you will start feeling lethargic. This feeling can last for hours, depending on the body, and you may need another cup of coffee to re-boost the body. It’s important to keep in mind that excessive caffeine intake is harmful to your health.

Whereas, tea contains a lower amount of caffeine. An average cup of tea contains almost 50–60 mg of caffeine, though the caffeine content in matcha is higher than in other tea leaves. Natural tea leaves contain L-Theanine. It is an amino acid that alleviates the side effects of caffeine, including the jittery feeling. Research shows that L-Theanine has some other health benefits, like-

• Relax the body and mind.
• Reduce drowsiness.
• Increase immunity.
• Keeps the heartbeat normal.

Why should you choose tea over coffee?

Coffee may provide an immediate energy boost, but it also comes with its fair share of downsides. Here are some compelling reasons to switch to tea:

• Lower caffeine content: Coffee is not a good beverage option for caffeine intolerants. The regular caffeine intake of a human body should not be more than 400 mg. But for a caffeine-intolerant person, only a cup of coffee can cause a jittery feeling or a sudden crash.

• Insomnia and depression: Caffeine is harmful for insomniacs. Drinking coffee can lead an insomniac to develop chronic depression. Coffee can’t be caffeine-free, whereas herbal tea can be completely caffeine-free. Even herbal teas like chamomile and hibiscus actually help cure insomnia.

• Gentle energy withdrawal: The withdrawal of caffeine energy after drinking coffee is very sudden. It can give some people a drowsy feeling. Whereas, tea provides a more gradual and sustained energy withdrawal due to the presence of L-Theanine, which promotes relaxation and mental focus.

• Source of antioxidants: Tea is enriched with antioxidants, minerals, and other vitamins. These are the reasons behind the numerous health benefits of tea. All these properties help us protect against cell damage, boost the immune system, and potentially lower the risk of chronic diseases.

• Tea vs. coffee taste: Taste is an important factor in choosing any food or beverage item. Comparatively, coffee has a stronger aroma and flavour than tea. Not all beverage lovers are fond of strong aromas. Those who have a regular caffeine requirement in their body but do not like the strong flavour of coffee can easily switch to black tea or matcha.

Varieties in the world of tea.

The world of tea is full of varieties. Though all tea leaves come from the same leaf, Camellia sinensis, the aroma, flavour, taste, texture, and colour differentiate one tea from another. Based on all these factors, tea can be categorized as-

• Black Tea: Black tea, with its powerful flavour profile, is ideal for people who like a stronger flavour. It has a moderate amount of caffeine.

• Green tea: Known for its light, grassy flavour, green tea is a powerhouse of antioxidants and a calming source of energy. 

• White tea: White tea is a fantastic option for tea connoisseurs due to its delicate and subtle flavour and high antioxidant content.

• Herbal tea: Herbal teas are available in a variety of flavours and don't contain any caffeine because they aren't made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Some well-liked choices are lavender, spearmint, hibiscus, and chamomile.

Switching from coffee to tea.

Switching from coffee to tea may require a bit of adjustment. Here are some tips to help you make a smooth transition:

• Gradual reduction: Start by gradually reducing your coffee intake over time, replacing one cup coffee with a cup of tea each day will help you to form a habit of drinking tea. 

• Adjustments with the changes: Decreasing the caffeine intake in the body can lead to mood swings and changes in the body like drowsy and jittery feelings, feeling sleepy all the time, etc. But these side effects are temporary. You just need to adjust to these feelings for a few days.

• Experiment with flavours: Drinking any sort of beverage is a habit. Depending on its impact on health, it will decide whether it is a bad or good habit. The world of tea offers various flavours of tea. Choose any of the natural flavours and replace coffee with this.

• Morning tea: Morning tea is a good habit. The purpose of having a cup of tea in the morning is to boost the body with instant caffeine energy. Black tea and matcha are the finest options to add to your morning tea routine. Replace your morning coffee with a calming cup of Japanese Ceremonial Matcha or English Breakfast Black Tea.

• Infusing tea meditation: Tea meditation is a mindful practice that gradually promotes the wellness of mind and body. It is one of the best possible ways to adopt the habit of drinking tea. Infusing tea meditation into your daily life can bless you with good mental and physical health over a longer period of time.

Making the conscious decision to give up coffee and switch to tea can improve your wellbeing. You can effectively make the changeover by being aware of the advantages, investigating various types of tea, and implementing useful transitional advice. Giving up on coffee and adopting the tea drinking habit is a mindful choice. Cheers to a more flavourful and healthy way of life!