Is ALL Tea Acidic?

[schoonma]

Hi,

Was just wondering if all tea is considered acidic. I like black tea, green tea and I drink other herbal teas.

Thanks!
Mary Ann

May your neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, the Angels protect you and Heaven accept you. (Irish proverb)

[scootsmom]

quote:Originally posted by schoonma

Hi,

Was just wondering if all tea is considered acidic. I like black tea, green tea and I drink other herbal teas.

Thanks!
Mary Ann

May your neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, the Angels protect you and Heaven accept you. (Irish proverb)

Short answer - yes.
Long answer - Tea Acidity
Acidity in tea comes from the tannins in the tea. If a tea is high in acidity, or if it's overbrewed, you can taste the acidity - it leaves a bit of an aftertaste.

Acidity in tea is more of a problem with Black (fermented) teas. Milk cuts down on the acidity, hence, many people add milk to Black teas.

Tea acidity is usually not a problem with Green teas or Oolong teas, unless they're overbrewed.

Tea and Acidity - Least to Most:
Herbal Tea
Green Tea or Oolong Tea (when brewed correctly*)
Black Tea


<center>The difference between try and triumph is a little umph!</center>

[abzoeh]

Acidic maybe but with all these benefits (http://forum.t-tapp.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=927) I wouldn't give up my green tea for the world.

Just take some alfalfa, which is alkaline, to counteract any acidity and no worries.

Just keep Tapping...just keep Tapping...

Ally

[Moxie]

I was taught in culinary school that to brew green tea correctly you don't use boiling water. You use water at around 180 degrees F (if you're heating it in an open pot it's the point at which the water starts to shiver).

Steep the tea for only about 3 minutes. If you use too-hot water or brew too long you'll end up with acidic bitter tea.

Moxie
http://www.askmoxie.org

[Mermaid]

If you're asking for practical advice, here's mine:
I am extremely sensitive to overly acid tea. My test is that if it curdles milk, it's too acid. Mostly I've had this problem with many herbal teas, especially fruity ones.It makes me sick to drink them.

However, I drink black tea every morning, sometimes green tea too, and they never make me sick. They also do not curdle milk in the slightest.