Is Black Tea Acidic or Alkaline?

Do you love drinking black tea but wonder "is black tea is acidic or alkaline?" Some people drink black tea to boost alertness and energy. Others believe tea is acidic so they drink tea to help with digestion.

If you love black tea, we understand your curiosity on this topic. Too much acidity in your diet could adversely affect your digestion as well as damage your oral health. For people with acid reflux or GERD, even mild acidity can be enough to trigger symptoms.

Yes, black tea is acidic. But all the teas are mildly acidic with herbal tea being the least acidic. Tea oxidation is the process that turns the tea plant into green tea, oolong tea, or black tea.

Oxidation does not significantly lower the pH of the tea.

Most teas—green through black—still land in that mildly acidic pH 5–6 range.

The mild acidity in tea is partly due to tannic acid in tea, which occurs naturally in tea leaves and contributes to both flavor and astringency. Citric acid is also found in herbal teas and dried fruits.

The level of acidity varies significantly depending on the type of tea leaf. Each type of tea has different degrees of alkalinity and acidity. The older, more tender, and weak tea leaves are more acidic. Black tea is actually less acidic than coffee. 

What is a Safe pH Level in Tea?

Scientists measure acidity on a pH scale. Low pH means high acidity, and high pH means more alkaline. A pH of 7 is considered a neutral level.

This means alkalinity and acidity are balanced. The pH level of most teas is neutral and negligible. However, some tests do reveal that a few types of tea have a pH level of 3 and even below making them quite acidic. In that case, add milk or more water which is neutral and will minimize the acidic effect. 

Average pH Level of Tea:

• Black tea: pH6.37
• Blackberry tea: pH2-3
• Lemon tea: pH3
• Herbal tea: pH6-7
• Green tea: pH7-10

Based on the list above, black tea falls just below the neutral pH zone. 

Because black teas contain more tannins than other teas, the flavor is more astringent which leads people to think black tea is more acidic. A Turkish study showed that fruit teas, which are not bitter, are actually more acidic.

Does tea stain your teeth?

Home-brewed and herbal teas are less acidic than fruit juices. People typically associate tea drinkers with stains on their teeth. Even though black tea is mildly acidic, it isn't always the cause of the discoloration and staining.

Consider the way you are drinking your tea. Do not hold your tea in your mouth letting the tea soak on your enamel. Experts recommend avoiding brushing your teeth for about half an hour after drinking tea. Because more acidic teas can soften the tooth enamel, and brushing immediately could damage the enamel.

The British Dental Journal found that after two minutes of drinking tea, pH levels are restored. That short period really isn't enough time to cause damage to your teeth.

Other factors might be the actual culprit for the stains. Fruit juice or sodas could actually be causing the stains instead of the tea alone. Here are some other factors that can affect your oral health:

• The balance of tea to water
• How long the tea is steeped
• How the tea is consumed
• Frequency of tea consumption
• Ingredients added to the tea such as milk, herbs, or flavoring

Steeping time vs acidity level

The shorter the steep, the lower the acidity level. Most loose leaf teas steep best between 2-5 minutes.

After five minutes, tea will start releasing more acid. After fifteen minutes, the acidity level greatly increases. Loose-leaf brewed teas simply do not require (nor taste best) with that length of steep.

Now that the acidity level of black tea has been revealed, focus on all the health benefits of black tea.

Health Benefits of Black Tea

Relieves Stress

Studies show:

• The amino acid L-theanine in black tea balances out our moods and helps promote relief from stress.
• Black tea improves your focus in a relaxed manner.
• Regular consumption of black tea may help boost your memory function
• Antioxidants, called polyphenols, are known to help block DNA damage caused by tobacco

The caffeine in tea is absorbed in a way to stimulate mental focus and increase your concentration level. Black tea offers the benefits of caffeine—like an increase in energy and alertness. The caffeine in tea is absorbed at a slower, more steady rate than coffee—which avoids the crash.

Lowers Cholesterol

Research has shown that black tea can help lower LDL cholesterol levels. Produced from the Camellia sinensis plant, black tea leaves are fully fermented. Catechins, a type of antioxidant found in black tea, is responsible for lowering cholesterol. The more fermented the tea leaves, the lower the catechin content, and the higher the caffeine content.

Prevents Diseases

Phytonutrients in black tea, called flavonoids, are beneficial for heart health. Studies have found that consuming black tea regularly (1-2 cups per day) may help reduce the risk of:

• Heart disease
• Cancer cell invasiveness. Studies suggest that women who consume black tea more often have a lower risk of ovarian cancer than those who don't drink black tea.
• Reducing the risk of Type2 Diabetes
• Reducing the risk of a stroke

Supports Healthy Bones

Those who consume tea regularly have been found to have healthier bones than the ones who don’t. The phytoestrogen and fluoride present in tea are known to help in maintaining bone mineral density. In addition, the phytochemicals help lower the risk of developing arthritis. Avoid adding sugar to optimize these benefits.

The best combination for your body is a habit of healthy eating and drinking tea. Steep a cup of tea and give your body a boost towards health and happiness.

And please, always remember to consult with your doctor about any medical advice.