Does Milk Tea Have Caffeine?

Introduction

Milk tea is a glorious combination of milk and tea. It is the favorite drink of many people across the world. You would not have thought of the varieties and certainly not about its caffeine content. Let’s explore different types of milk teas and answer this question: Does milk tea have caffeine?

What is milk tea?

A milk and tea beverage can be hot or cold, sweet or savory, simple or complex. It can suit any mood, taste, or occasion.

It has many shapes and flavors, each with its history and culture. From the British convention of adding a splash of milk to a cup of black tea to the Taiwanese invention of bubble tea with chewy tapioca pearls to the Indian spiced chai with aromatic herbs and spices, it depicts the diversity and creativity of its makers and drinkers.

Facts and figures about milk tea

  • The most popular drink in the world after water is the fan favorite, milk tea. Close analysis suggests that only Americans drank 39 billion gallons of tea in 2021, and most of them sipped the trending iced tea.
  • 90% of all milk tea is made out of black tea as a base—one of the most popular teas in the world. Again, Americans are leading as they drink 90% of the tea out of black tea. Young people are more fond of milk tea than any other one due to its great taste.
  • Tea is a big business. It was worth 78.7 billion US dollars in 2020, growing even more. China is the biggest producer of tea in the world. India and Japan are next. More and more people are using organic tea without GMOs to make it a healthy drink.
  • The British drink about 265 liters of tea per person per year, about 3 cups daily. They started adding milk to their tea in the 18th century.
  • There are more than a thousand types of tea divided into six groups, mainly white, green, yellow, oolong, black, and dark. Each group has its color, smell, and taste.

Tea types For Milk Tea

What kind of tea can you use? Here is a description of the main types:

  • Black tea: is one of the most widely used and darkest kinds of tea. It has the most splendid harmony with milk and sugar. China, England, and Sri Lanka are significant producers and users of Black tea. Other alternative names for Black Tea are Assam, Ceylon, Darjeeling, English Breakfast, and Earl Grey.
  • Green tea: The lighter and fresher, yes, of course, the green tea. Type of tea. Green tea got its name from its green grassy color and taste. You can make it more flavorful by adding fragrant flowers and fruits. You can get your tea anywhere, like China, Japan, and Korea, where they produce this tea in large amounts. You don’t have to wonder if someone who offers you green tea, such as Sencha, Matcha, Jasmine, or Longjing, types of the same tea.
  • Oolong tea: A type of tea somewhere between black and green tea. It has various hues and flavors, from simple and fruity to intense and roasted. You can get it in China and Taiwan. If someone asks you for the names of oolong tea, they are Tie Guan Yin, Milk Oolong, Da Hong Pao, and Dong Ding.
  • White tea: Yes, simple and sweet tea, produced from the young parts of the tea plant; the only difference is that they are just dried. The beautiful yellow color and fruity taste are the specialty of white tea. You can get it quickly in China. If you go somewhere and ask for the names of white tea, they are Silver Needle, White Peony, and Bai Mu Dan.
  • Pu-erh tea: known as one of the famous fermented teas. Refreshed or ripe, the taste depends on how long it is fermented. It stands out from other teas with a light brown color and an earthy flavor. Yunnan, China, is the primary producer. Some other names of pu-erh tea are Sheng Pu-erh, Shou Pu-erh, and Pu-erh Tuo Cha.
  • Yellow tea: This rare and expensive tea is similar to green tea but revives its color after steaming the leaves. Goes fantastic with a Yellow color and a simple flavor. Found mainly in China. Some names of yellow tea are Junshan Yinzhen, Huoshan Huangya, and Meng Ding Huangya.
  • Herbal teas: Teas extracted from other plants, fruits, flowers, or spices. It comes in various colors, tastes, and health benefits. Popular places of origin are Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa. If you are eager to know, other names of herbal teas are chamomile, peppermint, ginger, rooibos, and hibiscus.

What is milk tea made of?

There are some essential ingredients to create this delightful concoction, let’s see what these are:

  • Tea: The type of tea affects the caffeine content somewhere. It also modifies the drink’s flavor. Various varieties are used to make milk tea.
  • Milk: To add creaminess and sweetness to tea, You can use whole milk, condensed milk, or evaporated milk. Non-dairy milk, such as coconut, almond, or soy, is also a good option. How much milk you add varies with the type of tea you use.
  • Sweetener: Sugar, honey, or flavored syrups are usually the sweeteners for tea. Add sweetness according to your taste. Flavored syrups, such as vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut, also enhance the flavor and aroma of the tea.
  • Toppings: Tapioca pearls, jelly strips, pudding, cream, or cheesy foam are valuable additions to your tea. These toppings give texture and fun to the tea. You can choose your favorite toppings for every type of tea.

Does boba milk tea have caffeine?

Boba tea is one of the famous milk teas. The caffeine content in your drink can come up to 0 to 65 mg per 8 oz. cup. There is more caffeine in milk tea than green and fruit-based tes. Herbal mixtures generally don’t have caffeine in them. For example, Thai milk tea has about 50 mg of caffeine, while strawberry Boba milk tea has 0 to 28 mg of caffeine.

Tea milk calories

The calories in a drink vary with the ingredients and the preparation method, but usually, a 16-ounce serving comes with 200 to 400 calories. If you are anxious about what brings more calories to your tea, these can be from the sugar, milk, and tapioca pearls. All these ingredients are high in carbohydrates. Calories in some common ingredients are:

Boba pearls

Tapioca pearls, aka boba pearls, are made from starch extracted from the roots of a plant called cassava and cultivated mainly in Nigeria. Tapioca balls are a rich source of carbohydrates.

  • Plain black tea: 0 calories
  • Whole milk: 74 calories per cup
  • Skim milk: 30 to 50 calories per cup
  • Sugar: 16 calories per teaspoon
  • Honey: 64 calories per tablespoon
  • Tapioca pearls: 272 calories per cup

Whole milk adds 74 calories per cup, and skim milk adds 30 to 50, a moderate increase.

The caffeine content of Thai milk tea

This liquid is a sweet delight with spices, milk, and sugar. It has a bright orange color.

Caffeine in the black tea leaves is used as the base in Thai milk tea. When you brew the drink, the amount may vary by the brew, but roughly twenty milligrams per cup.

How much caffeine does taro milk tea contain?

Taro milk tea is prepared with a starchy root vegetable known as Taro. Many Asian countries enjoy this traditional drink. The ingredients for this tea are taro powder, milk, sugar, and black tea. You can also use tapioca pearls as a topping. If you ask for the flavor, it is nuttier, vanilla-like. It’s often called a purple treat.

The amount of caffeine varies if you use black, green, or oolong tea, but there is no caffeine in herbal tea. Brands offer a different caffeine content, but approximately 10 to 50 mg in a cup.

How many calories are in tea and milk?

When you are talking about tea, don’t overlook how many calories they have

It is usually prepared by steeping the leaves in hot water for a few minutes. Here is the list of different teas, milk, and mixes to choose the appropriate drink according to your calorie requirements.

  • Plain tea: 0-2 calories
  • Tea with a low-calorie sweetener: 5 calories
  • Tea with sugar: 30 calories
  • Tea with milk: 23 calories
  • Tea with milk and sugar: 40 calories
  • Herbal tea: 0-2 calories
  • Iced tea: 90 calories
  • Whole milk (3.25% fat): 152 calories
  • Reduced fat milk (2% fat): 122 calories
  • Low-fat milk (1% fat): 102 calories
  • Skim milk (0% fat): 83 calories

7 Amazing benefits of milk tea

Comparison of different milk teas
Type of teaCaffeine (min)Caffeine (max)
Thai tea2060
Genmaicha1015
Pearl tea2080
Strawberry tea028
Royal tea4050
Jasmine tea2030
Matcha tea1968
Almond tea030
Taro tea025

Which tea has no caffeine?

You can have teas made with fruit-based flavors or herbal teas that do not contain any caffeine. However, some tea shops may use different ingredients. 

Tea types

All teas (black, white, green, yellow, or oolong), excluding Tissani and Herbal teas, are extracted from the same plant called Camellia Sinensis. The difference comes in the selection and processing of leaves and oxidation type.

  • Caffeine-Free Chai
  • Strawberry milk tea
  • Almond milk tea
  • Caffeine-Free Chai
  • Hibiscus 
  • Chamomile
  • Ginger 
  • Lemon balm
  • Raspberry leaf
  • Cinnamon
  • Rooibos
  • Coconut milk tea
  • Mango milk tea
  • Lavender
  • Cinnamon 

FAQ: Does milk tea have caffeine

Is milk tea safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women?

Pregnant or breastfeeding women are advised to limit their use of caffeine, which is a component of every base tea. It can cross the placenta and affect the baby’s heart rate and breathing.

What is extraordinary about tea?

Tea contains vitamins, minerals, and sugar, giving you a quick energy boost. Antioxidants and unique components like L-theanine help relieve stress and anxiety by relaxing muscles and improving blood circulation.

What is orange milk tea?

Orange is the color that milk tea gets. The color is usually the result of steeping leaves in boiling water.

Conclusion

To answer the question, does milk tea contain caffeine? The entire discussion shows that the amount of caffeine depends on the base tea. A cup of milk tea prepared with black tea constitutes 65 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces. The calories that add to your belly depend on how it is prepared. It can range from light to heavy. If you have plain milk tea, You have only 2 or 3 calories to claim, but if you add sugar or honey, calories can jump to 16 or 65 quickly.

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