Black Coffee Vs Black Tea: Comparing Caffeine Content And More

Should you trade your daily coffee for a cup of black tea? Let’s investigate.

Should you drink a cup of brewed coffee or black tea in the morning? Which one is going to better kickstart your day? Is one a healthier option? As you might suspect, my bias lies toward coffee. Everything else excluded, I just love its full body and rich flavor.

But in the interest of competent journalism, I set my prejudice aside and did a deep dive into the question of black tea vs coffee. Read on for the details.

Black Tea Vs Coffee: The Basics

Coffee is brewed with ground coffee beans, which are actually the dried and roasted seeds of the coffee plant (usually Coffea arabica or Coffea canephora). Approximately 12 billion pounds of coffee are consumed annually around the world.

Black tea is prepared from the leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). The tea leaves are put through an oxidation process that yields their distinctive black color and unique flavor profile. Some people even think it tastes a little like coffee. Black tea accounts for roughly 80% of all tea consumption – roughly 16 billion pounds globally (1).

Does Black Tea Or Coffee Have More Caffeine?

Many of us enjoy these drinks for their delightful energy boost. So which one should you choose to put more pep in your step, or which one is a better option for a late evening drink?

Typically, black coffee contains more caffeine than tea, though in both cases, the brewing recipe and precise brand have a strong impact. An 8-ounce cup of coffee has around 80 to 150 mg of caffeine, whereas the same size serving of black tea has between 45 and 90 mg.

Which Is Healthier, Coffee Or Black Tea?

You’ll be happy to hear that both tea and coffee are incredibly healthy additions to your morning routine, so if you have a favorite, there’s no need to give it up. Both offer significant health benefits due to their caffeine and anti-oxidant content.

Caffeine in coffee is best known for providing an energy boost, increased focus and mental alertness, and improved athletic performance. There is also evidence that it protects against degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s (2). Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others – prone to stomach distress, jitters, insomnia, and anxiety – in which case black tea may be the better choice.

The antioxidants in coffee have been shown to protect against liver cancer and type-2 diabetes. Indeed, large cohort studies have shown that moderate regular coffee consumption leads to an overall lower risk of mortality (3).

Black tea has been linked with better heart health, protection against ovarian cancer, and a lowered stroke risk (4). Unlike coffee, tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that helps you focus while remaining relaxed (5).

How Do Black Tea And Coffee Impact Cortisol Levels?

Cortisol is best known as the body’s primary stress hormone, released in response to perceived danger or pressure, although, it plays many other important roles as well. A 2025 meta-study found that drinking coffee had the greatest impact on cortisol levels, raising them an average of 50% above baseline (6). Tea provided a more moderate jump of 20%, and other caffeinated beverages like sodas fell somewhere in the middle.

These results are attributed to the different caffeine levels in tea and coffee as well as to the calming effect of the L-theanine in tea.

Is Black Tea Or Coffee More Acidic?

Coffee and tea are both acidic, but coffee is generally the more acidic of the two – with the exception of certain herbal teas like lemon tea. On the pH scale used to measure acidity, 7 is neutral, a lower number is more acidic, and a higher number is more basic. Coffee typically falls around 4.8 to 5, while tea is closer to 6.4 to 7.

Note that the pH scale measures the scientific acidity of a substance, which is not necessarily related to a sour flavor.

Is Black Tea Or Coffee Worse For Your Teeth?

Black tea is actually worse than coffee when it comes to staining your teeth due to its tannin content. Additionally, people tend to spend more time sipping a cup of tea, which increases staining. 

However, aside from those aesthetic considerations, tea offers several dental health benefits, including strengthening enamel, reducing cavities, and killing the bacteria that lead to tooth decay. Black coffee has shown similar antibacterial effects but none of the other benefits. Tea is the clear winner from an oral health standpoint – assuming you drink it unsweetened.

Is Black Tea Or Coffee Better For Weight Loss?

Coffee and black tea offer similar benefits for those looking to lose weight. They both contain almost no calories and can help curb appetite. Coffee may be slightly better because its higher caffeine content might power you through a longer workout. While there are claims that coffee or coffee extract can boost metabolism and increase fat burning, there is little in the way of scientific evidence to back them up (7).

You can choose coffee or tea to aid in your weight loss journey, just be sure to go easy on the sugar, cream, or other additives. Black coffee is good for weight loss, but a frappuccino is not.

Final Thoughts

So, is replacing coffee with tea better? It depends on your goals. Ultimately, black coffee and black tea are both delicious beverages with few calories, a modest caffeine content, and a host of beneficial nutrients. 

Consider switching some or all of your coffee to tea if you want to reduce your caffeine intake or are sensitive to acidic drinks. On the other hand, try supplementing your tea habit with a cup of coffee if you want an extra boost for your next workout.