While I am not a medical researcher or a gastroenterologist, I can only provide a general guide based on research and studies that I have come across about the acidity in tea. Needless to say, those with serious or chronic gastric ailments need to check with qualified physicians and specialists.
Before we go on to the key question – is tea acidic, let us quickly have a look.
The chronic name of stomach acidity is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD, also known as Acid Reflux. Stomach acidity, commonly known as acid reflux, occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing discomfort such as heartburn or indigestion. Certain foods and beverages, including acidic drinks like coffee and citrus juices, can exacerbate acid reflux symptoms. Other symptoms of Acid Reflux include Bloating, Burping, Hiccups, Nausea and Dry Cough.
Acidity is determined on the pH scale. The neutral point in the pH scale is 7. Pure distilled water is 7 on the pH scale. Lemon is around 2 on the pH scale, indicating it is highly acidic.
Fortunately, most teas are very mildly acidic. All Black Teas are between 4.9-and 5.5 on the pH scale. However, there are some teas where the acidity falls as low as 3 on the pH scale. It would also be important to remember that the exact acidity level in each tea will depend on several factors like the type of tea, the region where it was grown and the season when it was harvested. Green Tea, for example, is known to be less acidic than Black Tea, with a pH of 7-10. Herbal Teas like Chamomile Tea, Mint Tea and Fennel Tea are very close to neutral, ranging between 6-7 on the pH scale, while Fruit Teas like Blackberry and Rosehip are very acidic, ranging between 2-3 on the pH scale.
Understanding the pH of popular teas can help individuals make informed choices about their beverage preferences.
TEA | pH Scale Average |
Black Tea | 4.9 – 5.5 |
Green Tea | 7 – 10 |
Herbal Teas (Chamomile, Mint) | 6 – 7 |
Fruit Teas (Blackberry) | 2 – 3 |
In comparison, pure fruit juices have pH between 3-4, while fizzy drinks (regular or diet), sports drinks and other energy drinks have pH between 2-3.
If you still want to make your tea less acidic, here are simple ways to do this:
As a general rule, brewing tea for a shorter duration, using lower water temperatures, or opting for certain tea varieties can help mitigate acidity.
Most teas also are only mildly acidic.
Tea is a religion in the art of life.