A little tea mind...

[plunkybug]

Something interesting for you tea drinkers out there like myself...



Dear Citizen Heather!

5/5/2006 6:51:30 PM You have posted the question to our website.

Question:

I think that I read on a website somewhere, not too long ago, that the caffeine in tea is different than the caffeine in coffee, in that it is fat soluble as opposed to water soluble, and that because it is fat soluble, the energy from it is sustained longer and gentler (ie less jittery) than the up and down of the water soluble caffeine from coffee. I haven't found this information again to verify it, so I was wondering if there was any truth to this, and where I might find the information. I have checked all the tea sites I visit, including RoT, and done many google searches, and come up empty-handed. Can the Ministers consult the wisdom of the tea leaves on this and provide an answer for me?



Answer:

Dear Citizen Heather,
You are correct! Here is the story...The caffeine in tea (all formerly named teine) is bound very tight to other compounds in tea and, therefore, dissolving slower in the human body. It has a gentler and longer effect than caffeine in coffee. Caffeine in tea can be named a central nervous system stimulant, whereas the caffeine in coffee (unbound) is a heart stimulant with a quick and strong effect, but also very harsh and with the danger of leading people to some kind of addiction. They would need the next coffee caffeine intake after about an hour due to the fact that the effect is gone that fast. The smooth stimulating effect of caffeine in tea on the central nervous system can last a few hours.

We hope you soar to your dreams...Sip by Sip!
The Minister of Well-Being

If you have a follow up response to this answer or wish to post an additional question please revisit http://www.republicoftea.com/query

Comments

[intotheraw.livejournal.com]

I think I'm falling in love :)

[plunkybug.livejournal.com]

You have found your long lost love? :)

[elphaba20.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I still don't think I am making the switch to tea just yet... or perhaps jumping onto that tea wagon as it were... but interesting and worth noting. Thanks for posting. Steph =)

[plunkybug.livejournal.com]

You don't have to switch, per se, but having tea in addition to coffee wouldn't be so bad.

[ahloren.livejournal.com]

Very interesting! I drifted away from tea drinking when I left the island and my favorites were no longer easily available. I've always hated coffee and soda makes me prone to headaches I believe. Thank you for the information. If all else fails I can get my brother to mail me tea from home.

My thanks again,

Hai

[plunkybug.livejournal.com]

What island, and what were your favorites?

[ahloren.livejournal.com]

The Garden Isle of Kauai is the place I call home. And my favorite was Nanni Tea. It was a tea made by my friend's Granni "Nanni" and thus named. It was some family thing and she refused to share the recipie. She said she'd write it in her will haha... how healthy she is, she might outlive me. It was strong and a bit sweet and she dropped a lemon wedge in the bottom of the cup. I'm not really picky or anything. I've tried Earl Grey, Peppermint, etc... the list goes on. But I just sorta drifted away from that living here. Tea isn't popular here and the store offers little variety. Lipton's ice tea or lipton's hot lemon tea *twirls finger* But next time I drive into town, I will stock up at the big grocery store ^_^

[plunkybug.livejournal.com]

The Nanni Tea sounds intriguing. You can always order good tea online. There are tons of websites available. If you like what you see at Adagio Teas (http://adagio.com), I can email you a $5 gift certificate. You can do better than Lipton. :P