Sweet tea is, without a doubt, one of the most delicious drinks there is. If you enjoy this Southern delicacy, you’ve probably thought about how much caffeine it contains, especially if you’re trying to cut down on your caffeine intake.
So, we’ll give you the answer and provide some fascinating tea-related facts!
How Much Caffeine Is in Sweet Tea?
A regular tall glass of sweet tea contains a moderate amount of caffeine because it is typically made with black tea.
Each fluid ounce contains about 2.56 milligrams of caffeine, which means that a standard sweet tea serving of 16 oz contains close to 41 mg of caffeine (8.66 mg of caffeine per 100 ml). Home-brewed sweet tea typically contains black tea, water, sugar, and baking soda, though honey or agave syrup can replace the sugar in some variations of this tasty drink.
For comparison, McDonald’s sweet tea contains about 3 mg of caffeine per ounce, so there is 51.2 mg of caffeine in sweet tea served in a 16-ounce cup. Similarly, a 16-ounce serving of Chick-fil-A sweet tea contains 61 mg of caffeine, whereas a 12-ounce serving of Milo’s sweet tea contains up to 43 mg of caffeine.
5 Sweet Facts About Tea to Make You Want More
Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, second only to water, as it can be consumed any time of year, hot or cold. Consider this: it is present in nearly 80% of all US households! Every day, over 150 million Americans drink tea.
Impressed much? Let’s find out some more!
1. In the United States, iced teas make up 75%-80% of all tea consumption.
(Tea Association of the U.S.A.)
Americans consumed more than 85 billion servings, or more than 3.9 billion gallons of tea, in 2021 alone. According to research conducted by the Tea Association of the U.S.A., 84% of all tea consumed was black tea, while 15% was green tea.
In terms of sweet tea vs iced tea consumption, it’s noteworthy to remember that sweet and iced tea are oftentimes considered equal, so the above includes sweet tea too.
2. On June 10th, Americans celebrate Iced Tea Day.
(National Today)
However, you do not have to wait until that date to enjoy this Southern classic. Although it’s usually made with black tea leaves, this old sweet tea recipe calls for two pints of boiling water and two teaspoons of green tea. Brewing sweet tea is a simple process, and it is recommended that the tea be made ahead of time to allow it to cool.
When ready to serve, strain the tea over the ice and sugar that have been added to the serving glasses. Two teaspoons of sugar per glass should be enough, but feel free to adjust the amounts to your liking. Top with a squeeze of lemon for the best results.
3. A gallon of homemade sweet tea typically contains at least one cup of sugar, which equals 25 grams of sugar per 16-ounce glass.
(My Southern Health)
We’re not ready to abandon sweetened ice tea as a tradition. Still, given the amount of sugar it contains, it may be a good idea to mix it occasionally with some unsweetened iced tea.
On the other hand, black tea and green tea contain antioxidants that help lower total cholesterol levels. Furthermore, one study discovered that unsweetened tea might help prevent periodontal disease and tooth loss.
4. Drinking more tea is associated with a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease, stroke, and ischemic heart disease.
(World Tea News)
Moreover, people who drank two or more cups of tea per day had a 9%-13% lower risk of dying from any cause than those who did not drink tea at all, according to a new UK study. The findings also suggest that black tea, even in higher doses, can be part of a balanced and healthy diet, allowing you to enjoy your glass of sweet tea.
5. The FDA states that healthy adults can consume up to 400 mg of caffeine daily, which is equivalent to four or five cups of coffee.
(FDA)
Caffeine sensitivity and metabolic rates vary greatly among people. Additionally, medications and health issues can also increase a person’s sensitivity to caffeinated drinks. If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, breastfeeding, or have any health concerns, decaffeinated tea may be a good option to consider, but it’s advisable to consult your doctor first.
Conclusion
Many people have been enjoying this Southern beverage since its origins in South Carolina, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of sweet tea. Surely, the caffeine content isn’t as high as that of an espresso or a Monster energy drink, but it’s still adequate and can give you that energy boost you’ve been craving for. The exact amount of caffeine varies based on how the tea leaves and coffee beans were processed, as well as how the drink is made. So when it comes to caffeine in sweet tea vs. coffee, a cup of Joe has far more caffeine than sweet tea. After you remove tea bags and squeeze them, home-brewed sweet tea contains approximately 41 milligrams of caffeine per 16 fl oz. According to scientists at the FDA, an 8-ounce cup of black tea contains an average of 50 milligrams of caffeine, while a plain cup of coffee contains between 80 and 100 milligrams. It all depends on the tea you’re comparing Coke with. An 8-oz can of regular Coke contains around 22 milligrams of caffeine, while Diet Coke has a higher amount of around 30 milligrams. This means black tea has higher caffeine levels than Coke, and even green tea, with around 28 milligrams per cup, has more caffeine. Now that we know the amount of caffeine in sweet tea, we can see that the caffeine levels are highest in black and pu-erh teas, followed by matcha tea, green tea, and white tea. Of course, the caffeine content of brewed tea will depend on several factors. For example, the longer the tea bags are submerged in hot water, the more caffeine is released.FAQ
Does sweet tea have more caffeine than coffee?
Which has more caffeine — tea or Coke?
Which tea is highest in caffeine?
