If you’ve been wondering, “Does Chai tea latte have caffeine?” the answer is yes. Read on to find out how much caffeine and whether this poses a health risk.
Apart from being a trendy and hip drink, chai tea has a reputation for being healthy since it is rich in antioxidants. Does chai tea latte have caffeine, though?
If you’ve been opting for a chai tea latte because you think it’s a caffeine-free beverage, you may be surprised to learn that it does contain caffeine. Per standard cup, chai tea latte contains about 50 milligrams of caffeine. To find out whether this amount of caffeine poses any health risks, read on.
What Is Chai Tea Latte?
A chai tea latte is a hot beverage that brings together the west and the east in a cup. In India, chai is a staple beverage consumed by a large percentage of the local population daily. In fact, in India, “chai” is the word for “tea,” which means that when we say “chai tea” in the west, we’re actually saying “tea tea.”
Also known as masala tea, chai is a wonderfully fragrant tea made with black tea, milk, sugar, and spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamon. A “latte,” on the other hand, is a hot beverage consumed in the west. It is short for “caffe latte,” a drink made with espresso and steamed milk.
Over the last few decades, many new variants of the latte have gained popularity in the U.S., including chai tea latte. In essence, a chai tea latte is a chai and steamed milk, with a creamy layer of microfoam on top.
You might also be wondering is chai tea hydrating.
Does Chai Tea Latte Have Caffeine?
The caffeine in chai tea latte comes from the black tea that forms the base of the drink. Contrary to popular belief, tea leaves contain more caffeine than coffee beans do. However, since we use a lot of coffee beans to produce coffee, coffee beverages typically have far more caffeine than tea beverages.
An average eight-ounce cup of black tea provides around 47 mg of caffeine, while an average cup of coffee contains approximately 80 to 100 mg of caffeine. A single shot of espresso provides about 63 mg of caffeine, which means you consume around 80 mg of caffeine when you order a double.
However, one thing to note when it comes to the caffeine content in tea is that the steeping time does matter. The longer it steeps, the more caffeine will land up in your cup. If you liked this post, you might be interested in learning if chai lattes are vegan.
Are Chai Tea Lattes Unhealthy?
Although chai tea lattes contain caffeine, this is not necessarily a bad thing. As in most things in life, moderation is key.
Because of its stimulating effects, caffeine provides many benefits, such as mental alertness, mood elevation, and a faster metabolism. Since caffeine constricts blood vessels, it can also soothe minor headaches.
In addition to caffeine, tea also contains tannins, which produce that slightly bitter taste in tea. However, tannins provide multiple health benefits.
Firstly, these compounds act as antioxidants by scavenging and neutralizing free radicals. In addition, tannins also fight inflammation and have antibacterial effects on the body.
Also, don’t forget about the spices that get added to chai tea lattes. Ginger, for instance, is another powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
What’s more, ginger can help improve your digestion and alleviate stomach troubles. Other spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, and cardamon, also offer multiple health benefits.
If you love chai tea, check out our vanilla chai tea guide.
