Is black tea acidic? 🤔🍋
We’re going to settle this once and for all.
In this guide, we’ll look at the pH level of black tea to understand whether it is acidic, alkaline, or neutral. We’ll also compare its acidity to other common drinks like green tea, coffee, and soda, and explain what actually causes black tea to taste and feel the way it does.
Let’s get started.
Is Black Tea Acidic? The Short Answer
So is black tea acidic? Black tea has a pH of 4.9-5.5 which makes it slightly acidic. It is less acidic than cola, orange juice and coffee but more acidic than green tea.
If you want to see how green tea stacks up, you can read our article 👉 Is Green Tea Acidic?
How acidity is measured
Acidity is measured with the pH scale according to how many hydrogen ions are in a liquid. The scale runs from 0-14 (0 is most acidic, 14 is most alkaline and 7 is neutral), and it is logarithmic, not linear.
For example, a liquid with a pH of 5 is 10x more acidic than a liquid with a pH of 6. This means there are actually significant differences between the pH of black tea and coffee.
So, is black tea acidic or alkaline?
As we said in the introduction, with a pH of 4.9-5.5, black tea is acidic, not alkaline.
Why Black Tea Has Acidity
The mild acidity in black tea comes primarily from tannins, specifically compounds called theaflavins and thearubigins.
These compounds form during oxidation, the process that turns fresh green tea leaves into black tea. As the polyphenols in the leaf oxidise, they transform into these tannins, giving black tea its darker colour, drier mouthfeel, and slightly acidic character.
This oxidation process is also what differentiates black tea from green tea.
Going green
Because green tea is unoxidized, it is far less acidic. To create a green tea, the producer will apply heat to the tea leaves, which deactivates the enzymes that cause oxidation.
Early harvest shincha teas like Tanegashima Kuritawase are especially gentle, making them ideal for sensitive stomachs.
This allows the leaves to maintain more of their polyphenols, and it’s why green teas have a fresh vegetal flavor and a green color.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of green tea, you should read this article here.
Is black tea acidic compared to other drinks?
So we know black tea is acidic, but how does it compare to other popular drinks? Let’s break down each drink and see how it compares on the pH spectrum.
Cola: 2.5 pH
How acidic is black tea compared to cola? Cola is very acidic, mostly due to the phosphoric acid. Cola is 500 times more acidic than black tea.
Orange juice: 3.3 - 4.2 pH
Orange juice is acidic, thanks to citric acid. Orange juice is 50-100x more acidic than black tea.
Coffee: 4.8 - 5.5 pH
Is black tea less acidic than coffee? Yes, but just barely. Coffee is 1.5x more acidic than black tea.
Black tea: 4.9 - 5.5 pH
Is black tea acidic or basic? The acidity of black tea is somewhere between coffee and green tea, although it is closer to coffee
Green tea: 6.0 - 7.0 pH
Is black tea more acidic than green tea? Green tea is less acidic and can be close to neutral, especially when brewed gently. Green tea is 20x less acidic than black tea.
If you’re looking for something smoother than black tea but more robust than green tea, Japanese oolong offers a well balanced middle ground worth exploring.
Side Effects of Black Tea Acidity
So how does the acidity of black tea affect you? While it isn’t the worst offender in the drink aisle, it still can lead to some side effects. Let’s go through a few things you may want to watch out for when it comes to the acidity of a black tea.
Tooth enamel
Because black tea is mildly acidic, it can slowly soften tooth enamel over time. Remember that grade school science fair project where a tooth dissolves in soda? As discussed earlier, cola is 500 times more acidic than black tea, but it still adds up.
Drinking black tea with meals and rinsing your mouth with water afterward can help minimize this effect. Also, you should avoid putting lemon in your black tea, as this will make it even more acidic.
Tummy Troubles
If you’ve ever gotten a stomachache after drinking black tea, it could be because of the acidity. You’ll want to avoid drinking excessive amounts of black tea, particularly on an empty stomach. Drinking black tea after eating or switching to a gentler brew can help reduce stomach irritation.
Dry mouth
The same tannins that give black tea its mild acidity can also create a dry, puckering sensation in the mouth. This isn’t harmful, but it can feel unpleasant if the tea is brewed too long or made with boiling water. Shorter steep times and lower leaf quantities can significantly reduce this effect.
How to change the acidity in black tea?
If you find that your black tea is too acidic but you still want to enjoy the flavor, you have a few options.
Shorter brewing
The longer you brew the leaves, the more tannins will be extracted. If you are sensitive to the acidity in your black tea, you may want to shorten the brewing. 1-2 minutes should be enough to extract a lot of flavor from the leaves, while still leaving some of the tannins locked inside.
If you want to brew tea like a pro, you’ll want to read our guide how to brew sencha green tea
Cooler water
Tannins are extracted at higher temperatures, so if you keep your water below boiling, you should be able to reduce the amount that are extracted. This will leave you with less acidity in your black tea.
If you want to go even further, you can try cold brewing your tea. You can find a complete guide on that here.
Loose leaf over tea bags
There are many reasons to avoid using tea bags, but the acidity might be yet another. The tea in tea bags is ground into finer particles which release acidity into the water more quickly. Larger loose leaf teas not only release better flavor, but also less acidity.
If you want to know the other reasons why you should avoid tea bags at all costs, you can read this article Are tea bags bad for you? Yes. Read this to learn why
Avoid lemons
Lemon juice is far more acidic than black tea, so if you’re adding it to your daily cup you are making black tea even more acidic.
Adding milk
Is black tea with milk acidic? While we’re normally opposed to adding anything to tea, you can’t argue with the facts. Milk can bind with tannins and reduce the acidity of the black tea. If tea with milk is something you enjoy, it can also reduce the acidity of your black tea.
If you want a naturally low-acidity option without changing your brewing habits, genmaicha is one of the gentlest teas you can drink.
Is Black Tea Acidic? The Final Verdict
So, is black tea acidic?
Yes, but only mildly.
If acidity is a concern, switching to green tea like Shincha Asatsuyu or adjusting how you brew can make a noticeable difference. With thoughtful brewing and moderation, black tea can be enjoyed comfortably as part of a balanced routine.
For those who still want caffeine with minimal acidity, gyokuro offers an exceptionally smooth and umami-rich alternative.
If acidity is a concern, switching to green tea or adjusting how you brew can make a noticeable difference. And if you want to explore high-quality, pesticide-free green teas from Japan, browsing a curated selection is a great place to start.
