Perhaps you would like to know how iced tea became the drink of the South? In 1904, at the World's Fair in St. Louis, Richard Blechynden, Tea Commissioner of India, could not give away samples of hot, black tea because of the heat. His solution? Pour it over ice. Iced tea was an instant hit and continues to identify one's Southern-icity today.
As most of you know, I am a tea drinker. My mother could never understand why I switched from coffee to tea. She thought I was trying to avoid caffeine and she thought that tea had just as much, or more, caffeine than coffee. Finally, I explained to her that I quit drinking coffee because it bothered my stomach, that tea has less caffeine than coffee, and gave her a caffeine chart so that should could see for herself.
Unfortunately, many people do not realize the truth about the caffeine in tea. The caffeine in tea is digested before it gets into the bloodstream, not absorbed directly into the blood stream like that in coffee. Therefore, while you might get a little pick up from it, it will not give you the jitters like coffee does.
Also, if you want decaffeinated tea, Tea Consultant Susan Teter, from Over A Teacup, says to use a regular tea bag, make a cup of tea, pour it out, and then reuse the bag. The second cup will have the same caffeine strength as using a decaffeinated bag.
Okay, here's your own Caffeine Chart comparing various beverages:
Beverage/Milligrams of Caffeine
Rooibos Tea...........0
Herbal Tea.............0
Decaf Tea...............less than 4
Cocoa.......................4
Decaf Coffee.............12
White Tea.................15
Green Tea.................15
Oolong Tea...............25
Cola...........................35
Yerba Mate...............40
Black Tea....................40
Drip Coffee.................80
Espresso (2 oz.).........90
These values are approximate, depending on the brand and how the
beverage is prepared. They were obtained from a variety of sources.
So, I'm planning to put tea in the gift baskets for the Great Race Giveaway. What kind of tea would you like to win? Any favorites?
Sipping as I type,
Sounds wonderful! Iced tea, with just a scant amount of sugar, is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the people around here put 2 cups of sugar in a gallon of tea! That's too sweet for me. But I guess if we all drank it the same way life would be boring :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the details about caffeine. Mary Hunt with Debt-Free Living, talks about the antioxidant benefits from tea. Believe I'll make a gal. of tea for this eve. :)
ReplyDeleteSo good to see you Saturday, but really would've liked more visiting time! Thanks for your support though!!
Nice to have you comment, Kathy! Maybe you should refer your newly wedded daughter to Everything Home and get a chance in the Race. It was good to see you, too. Everything was beautiful. We'll have to do a longer visit this summer :)
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