A good cup of quality black tea is something that I personally enjoy the most. Most new tea drinkers will tell you that you can enjoy the taste of black tea whenever you want, from early morning till late evening. But this is not completely true. So, when is the best time to drink black tea?
The best time of the day to drink black tea is during the daytime; an hour after breakfast, in the afternoon, or an hour after or before a meal. Why are these periods of the day recommended for having a cup of black tea? I will discuss it in detail further below.
The Pros and Cons of Drinking Black Tea at Different Times of the Day
To get to the right answer for the best time of day to drink black tea, I need to first explain the pros and cons of drinking black tea at different times of the day.
Black Tea in the Morning
Many people like to drink a cup of black tea first thing in the morning. As we know, black tea is rich in caffeine and can give you an extra boost of energy in the morning to start your day.
Unfortunately, there is one thing to consider; teas are acidic in nature, and having them on an empty stomach can disrupt the acid-basic balance, which can lead to acidity or indigestion. Fortunately, the majority of teas are just moderately acidic.
The pH of all black teas ranges between 4.9 and 5.5. Green tea, for example, has a pH of 7–10, which is less acidic than black tea. Herbal drinks, such as chamomile and mint tea, are quite near to neutral, with pH levels ranging from 6 to 7.
This doesn’t mean that black tea is not a good morning drink. But now that you know this, it is better to have a cup of black tea 45 min.–1 hour after breakfast. If you don’t eat breakfast early in the morning, you can have your cup of black tea with a snack or toast. Try it. You’ll notice the difference.
Black Tea in the Afternoon
If you ask me, this is maybe the best time to drink a cup of black tea in the afternoon. Why? Black tea contains caffeine, which has a different effect on humans than the caffeine from coffee.
If you want to learn more about this, I have a full post regarding the caffeine content of black tea vs. coffee.
In a nutshell, black tea contains caffeine as well as the amino acid L-theanine, which can help with focus and alertness. This amino acid also aids in the gradual delivery of caffeine, so you won’t experience the typical energy spikes and drops associated with coffee drinking.
When compared to coffee or other caffeinated beverages, many people report more consistent energy and improved attention after drinking tea. This is also supported by science. Due to the benefits of L-theanine, several studies have revealed that drinks containing both caffeine and L-theanine have the largest effect on focus.
So, instead of a cup of coffee in the afternoon, a cup of black tea is a great alternative for a longer energy boost as well as greater focus and alertness.
Black Tea in the Evening
Avoid drinking black tea late in the evening or at night. Why? Because, as we previously mentioned, black tea contains caffeine. An 8-ounce (240 ml) cup of black tea contains approximately 47 mg of caffeine. By comparison, an 8-oz (240ml) cup of freshly brewed coffee has around 95 mg of caffeine.
Note: Caffeine levels in different types of black tea and coffee vary depending on many factors. The figures shown here are average.
You’ll note that the caffeine content of black tea is approximately half that of coffee. But still, these caffeine levels may also have a negative impact on your sleep.
What is the significance of this?
There is a term defined as “caffeine-half life.” This is the amount of time it takes for a quantity of a substance to be reduced to half its original amount. Caffeine’s half-life is up to 3–5 hours.
For example, if you consume 10 mg of caffeine after 5 hours, you’ll still have 5 mg of caffeine in your body.
By having a cup of black tea late in the evening, you will ingest caffeine, and your body will not have time to eliminate that caffeine before you go to sleep. So, if you consume a cup of black tea at 7 p.m., you’ll still have half of the caffeine in your system after 5 hours. This indicates that it will disrupt your sleep.
To minimize trouble falling asleep, it is preferable to avoid drinking black tea at night or, at least 6-7 hours before bed.
Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. Caffeine may not have the same effects on everyone, although it is best to avoid caffeinated beverages late at night. It has the potential to affect both the quantity and quality of your sleep.
Black Tea Before or After a Meal
Tea experts suggest consuming black tea an hour before or after a meal. It is not recommended to drink black tea with a meal or shortly before or after a meal. There is a reason for this recommendation.
Black tea is a rich source of a class of compounds known as tannins. They are polyphenolic plant compounds that are recognized for their intense flavors and astringent properties. Tannins are responsible for the bitter taste and dry feeling that you experience after sipping tea. They also give black teas their distinctive dark color.
Let me clear some things up. Tannins provide several health benefits. The most well-known function is that they act as antioxidants. However, they also act as anti-nutrients, preventing and interfering with nutrient absorption.
Tannins, in particular, have been demonstrated in studies to limit iron absorption when ingested close to mealtime. Furthermore, tannins can block protein digestion and absorption.
I should point out that these studies on tannins in tea and their potential side effects use amounts that you would not consume with regular tea consumption.
However, I believe it is best to avoid drinking black tea at mealtime. Not just by the effect of tannins (a cup of tea will not make a huge difference), but you can’t get the full taste and aroma of the tea. It will interfere with your food’s flavor and aroma. So it is better to have a cup of black tea an hour before or after a meal.
The Best Time to Drink Black Tea
Based on the arguments presented above, we can come to the conclusion that:
The best time of the day to drink a cup of black tea is during the daytime, an hour after breakfast in the morning, and in the early afternoon to boost energy and focus. Every time you want to sip a cup of black tea, try to be at least an hour before or after your meal.
It’s not recommended to drink black tea late in the evening due to its caffeine content. Also, it is not recommended to drink it with meals or just before or after mealtime.
Finally, at the end of this post, I want to notice that black tea is a very special and flavorful tea if brewed properly and if you use high-quality tea. Try to sip it during the periods of the day recommended above. I am sure you’ll notice the difference.
In the end, I just want you to remember that it contains caffeine. So consume it in moderation. 2-4 cups a day is enough.
