Does tea have calories? The healthy types of tea for you

Tea is one of the beverages that has been around for thousands of years. It is loved by many people for its gentle flavor and numerous health benefits. However, many people are concerned that tea might contain too many calories, which could affect their health and healthy diet. Is this true? Find the answer to the question "Does tea have calories?" in the article of Zextrasure here. 

1. Does tea have calories?

Before answering the question “How many calories does tea have?” you need to understand that the calorie content in tea can vary depending on factors like the type of tea, added ingredients, and sweeteners used. To help you make the best choice, we’ll analyze the calorie content of different types repetition of tea below.

1.1. Does unsweet tea have calories?

Unsweetened tea, also known as pure tea, is typically made from the leaves, buds, or stems of the Camellia sinensis plant. These parts of the plant contain only a small amount of carbohydrates, so if no sugar, milk, or other sweeteners are added, the tea will have little to no calories.

The answer to the question "Does tea have calories?" is around 2-3 calories for plain, unflavored teas

1.2. Calories in different types of tea

When tea is combined with ingredients like sugar, honey, milk, or other additives, its calorie content can change. Keep reading below for the answer to the question "Does tea have calories?".

The table of calorie content for various popular types of tea, based on a standard 240 ml (8 oz) serving, for easy comparison:

Green, Black, and Oolong Tea

Green, black, and oolong teas are commonly brewed by steeping leaves from the Camellia sinensis in hot water. Since these are pure teas made directly from tea leaves, they contain only 2–3 calories per 240 ml cup. 

However, because their natural taste can be slightly bitter or subtle, many people add sweeteners to enhance the flavor. Adding sugar or honey will also increase the calorie content of tea. For example, adding 4g of sugar can increase the calorie count by 16 calories, or 21g of honey can add up to 64 calories. 

Green, Black, and Oolong Tea, when consumed without added sugar, will have a low-calorie content

Herbal Teas

Herbal teas, made from natural herbs like chamomile, peppermint, or hibiscus, often contain low to zero calories, similar to traditional tea. Since these teas are usually consumed plain and typically aren't sweetened, they are an ideal choice for managing your weight. But If you add sugar it will increase the calorie content.

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Milk Tea

Milk tea is a popular, creamy drink made with a 50-50 ratio of tea and milk. The calorie count for milk tea can vary greatly depending on the recipe. For example, a 240 ml serving with 50% milk typically contains about 75 calories. To reduce the calorie content, try to use skim milk, which provides only about 42 calories for the same portion. 

Tea Lattes

The calorie content in bubble tea is an important factor to consider when exploring the question "Does tea have calories?". Tea lattes, made with tea and a higher proportion of milk (around 25-75), often provide a rich, creamy taste with more calories than standard tea. You’ll frequently find tea lattes available at coffee shops, enhanced with additional flavors like vanilla or syrup, making them a popular choice. For instance, a 355 ml tea latte made with 75% low-fat milk, along with vanilla and syrup, can contain around 140 calories—significantly more than pure green tea.

Bubble Tea with Toppings

Boba tea, also known as bubble tea, is popular for its chewy tapioca pearls and unique textures. These pearls are made from tapioca flour combined with sugar, which adds extra calories to the drink. Additionally, the milk used in bubble tea is often condensed milk, which contains around 122 calories per 30 ml. Some cafes even add extra ingredients like egg custard or fruit juice to enhance the flavor, which further increases the calorie count. As a result, a large cup of bubble tea can range from 200 to 450 calories, similar to the calorie content of a full meal.

Tea Lattes are a type of tea that tends to have a high-calorie content due to the addition of sugar and milk

Thai Tea

Thai tea is another variation of milk tea, it combines the creaminess of milk with the refreshing taste of green tea leaves. A 240 ml cup of Thai tea can provide around 160 calories. This is another type of tea that contains a significant amount of calories, which you should be aware of when learning about the question "Does tea have calories?".

Chai tea

Chai tea, also known as "masala chai" is a rich, flavorful drink made with black tea, heavy cream, sugar, and a mix of spices. Due to the heavy cream content, which is high in fat at around 100 calories per ounce (30 ml), chai tea can be more calorie-dense than other teas.

In addition, it's important to note that since chai recipes vary widely, so does its calorie content. For example, a 16-ounce (480 ml) Chai Tea Latte from Starbucks made with reduced-fat milk contains approximately 240 calories.

Chai tea is also one of the types of tea with a high-calorie content due to the added ingredients like milk, sugar, and spices

3. Way reduce your tea’s calorie count

From the answer to the question "Does tea have calories?", you can see that the calorie content in tea depends on the ingredients that make it up. Therefore, to reduce the calorie count in your tea, you can adjust its components with a few tips below:

• Skip the sweeteners: Adding sugar, honey, or syrups is a quick way to increase your tea's calorie count. For a natural sweetness without the added calories, try infusing your tea with slices of fruits like lemon, orange, or berries. These fruits can enhance the flavor of your tea without compromising your calorie goals.
• Choose low-fat or plant-based milk: If you’re a fan of milk tea, switching to low-fat or skim milk can make a big difference in cutting calories. Plant-based options like unsweetened almond, soy, or oat milk are great choices for reducing calories while still giving tea a creamy texture.
• Opt for unsweetened bottled tea: If you buy pre-packaged or bottled tea, go for unsweetened varieties. Many bottled teas contain added sugars that can quickly increase your calorie intake. 
• Limit topping for tea: Toppings like tapioca pearls or jelly add significant calories to milk teas. If you’re looking to reduce calories, consider minimizing the toppings or skipping them entirely. 
• Enhance flavor with spices: For a flavorful and low-calorie tea, add spices like cinnamon, ginger, or cardamom. It helps you to enjoy a richer taste without added sugar or cream.

Not adding sweeteners to tea will reduce the calorie intake

4. Summary

In summary, the answer to the question "Does tea have calories?" depends on the type of tea and any added ingredients. Most plain teas, such as green, black, oolong, and white, as well as herbal teas, are almost completely calorie-free. However, teas with added ingredients like milk, sugar, or syrup will have a higher calorie content. Therefore, if you're trying to lose weight, it's best to drink unsweetened tea. 

Additionally, if you'd like a slightly sweet taste, you can use healthier ingredients or natural sweeteners from fruits. You should also limit drinking teas with excessive amounts of milk and toppings, as the calorie content of these ingredients is quite high and can affect the total calorie intake in your body.

Here is the complete answer to the question "Does tea have calories?" that we have compiled. As you can see, tea is a healthy, calorie-free beverage if you don't add sugar, milk, or other sweeteners. However, once sugar is added, tea can contain a significant amount of calories. Therefore, you should carefully consider your choices and add ingredients suitable to your needs.