The best hot drink for getting more energy isn’t coffee, say nutritionists (Image: Getty)
If you’re one of those people who feels like they can’t get through the working day without at least three cups of coffee, there might be an alternative hot drink for more energy that you’ve never considered. But a nutritionist has told that black tea doesn’t just provide a caffeine kick but also boasts nutritional pluses that can boost your energy, focus and mood.
Standing proudly at the top of the tea hierarchy in terms of caffeine content, black tea’s levels vary based on the variety and how long it’s brewed. An English Breakfast blend offers around 30-60mg of caffeine per eight-ounce cup, while an Assam variant might pack between 60-100mg.
And unlike coffee and energy drinks, black tea typically avoids triggering jitters thanks to the L-theanine amino acid, which softens caffeine’s harsher effects. Registered dietitian Kristin Draayer praised L-theanine, saying: “L-theanine works synergistically with caffeine to promote calm alertness and enhance focus and cognitive function.”
Research even suggests that caffeine combined with L-theanine could heighten memory, concentration and attention span, potentially reducing cognitive decline risks — welcoming news for devoted tea aficionados.
Black tea, a potent source of antioxidants, is celebrated for its myriad health benefits. These include combating chronic inflammation and shielding against certain persistent diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
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The roots of black tea are believed to date back to the mid-17th century in China, during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Before this, only green and oolong teas were consumed in China, with a legend detailing how black tea came into being.
The creation of black tea is attributed to a fortunate incident in China’s Fujian province. According to the legend, an unplanned army stay at a tea factory led to a delay in production, causing longer than usual oxidation of tea leaves.
To salvage the batch, a farmer dried the leaves over a pinewood fire, resulting in the first black tea, known as Lapsang Souchong. Black tea also featured in another historical event when 342 chests of tea, weighing 92,000 pounds, were dumped into the harbour in Boston, Massachusetts as part of a protest.
The Boston Tea Party, which took place on December 16, 1773, was a response to the Tea Act, which allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies, bypassing colonial merchants. While black teas weren’t the only type destroyed, those that were included the varieties Bohea, Congou and Souchong.
Black tea has become a beloved beverage in around 40 to 50 countries worldwide, with China, India, and Sri Lanka being key producers — the latter renowned for its distinctive Ceylon varieties such as the acclaimed Ceylon black tea. In Britain, it’s the undisputed champion of hot drinks, leading tea sales throughout the nation.
Draayer suggests allowing black tea to steep for three to five minutes to unlock its full flavour, aroma, and healthful properties, adding: “A longer steep time extracts more caffeine but can also make the tea more bitter.”
This method is ideal for those who prefer their brew strong. More than just a drink, black tea also served as a form of currency, with bricks of it being traded until the 19th century across Mongolia, Tibet, and Siberia.
Initially a luxury for European elites, black tea’s popularity boomed in the 18th century, giving rise to traditions like afternoon tea in Britain and Masala Chai in India — both now deeply embedded in social and everyday life. This age-old beverage is woven into the cultural tapestry of Britain, with Yorkshire Tea, Tetley’s Tea, and Twining’s English Breakfast among its iconic brands.
In British pop culture, tea has played a pivotal role over the years. It was an essential feature in Jane Austen’s novels, with ‘Pride and Prejudice’ alone mentioning tea 15 times.