Caffeine and theine in tea
Many people reach for tea at any time of the day, but is it right? It’s a beverage known for its health properties, its taste, but we rarely realize that it contains caffeine, which can be salutary in the morning, but consuming it in the evening is not exactly advisable. Is caffeine different from theine? The answer is no, it’s exactly the same substance, but it’s accepted that the one from tea is called theine, and the one in yerba mate, for example, is called matein. Their effects are almost identical, the differences are caused by additional substances contained in these plants. Thanks to the L-theanine contained in tea, the theine is absorbed more slowly, so you don’t feel a sudden surge and drop in energy. What affects the content of this stimulating substance in tea? First of all, the season of harvesting; an infusion made from leaves from an early spring harvest will be more stimulating than one from an autumn harvest. Additional factors will still be the amount of dried leaves used, the brewing time and, of course, the type of tea we drink. Roasted hojicha tea, for example, has no theine, but powdered matcha, could successfully replace coffee. Drinking green tea at night may not be the best idea, then it is worth betting on warm water or herbal infusions.
Which teas should be avoided before bedtime?
Maintaining proper sleep hygiene is very important for the health of the body, it helps us to concentrate, prevent diseases and even lose weight…. Caffeine intake is one of the things you need to pay attention to. Teas rich in theine, such as sencha, gyokuro or matcha, should be consumed in the morning or early afternoon. Their stimulating effect in the evening, can make it difficult to go to bed or disturb the quality of sleep. Drinking green tea at night is not recommended, all the more so if you are concerned about getting a good night’s sleep. However, it should not be completely disregarded, as its properties are great for the morning hours. Powdered matcha tea is a great substitute for coffee, but after drinking it you don’t feel such a sudden drop in energy. The tea leaves from which matcha is made are shaded three weeks before harvesting, resulting in a higher content of nutrients, chlorophyll and theine. Gyokuro is grown in a similar way, only it is drunk as an infusion. Sencha, the most popular green tea in Japan and beloved around the world, is also famous for its higher theine content. While drinking something warm before bed is advisable, it’s worth making sure it’s not a stimulating tea.
What teas can you drink at any time?
Since many teas have a stimulating effect, how do you choose ones that don’t interfere with sleep hygiene? Safe are any herbal infusions with a calming effect, such as lemon balm or chamomile. Rooibos and any fruit teas are also caffeine-free. If you nevertheless want to reach for green tea at night, you should try hojicha. Unlike other teas, it does not contain caffeine due to the roasting process. It is characterized by a sweetish taste, a nutty-smoky aroma and a lack of theine. It can be confidently drunk in the evening. If one likes the combination of tea and milk, there is also a powdered version of hojicha, which when mixed with milk or a vegetable drink makes a delicious hojicha latte – see the recipe. It will work great as a substitute for decaffeinated coffee or low-calorie cocoa if weight loss is in the plans. It’s worth trying hojicha powder in desserts, such as in delicious hojicha bars.
Properties of green tea
While drinking green tea at night may not be the best idea, you can enjoy its properties during the day. According to studies, it has been proven that regular drinking of green tea can positively affect:
- Skin
- Blood system
- Immune system
- Lowering cholesterol levels
- Concentration
And that’s not all the wonderful properties of green tea anyway. In addition, it has many appreciated taste qualities, and can be drunk hot or cold if you are looking for refreshment. Such tea as matcha is drunk with milk or added to desserts. The world of green tea is extremely rich, you just need to explore it.
