Similarities Between Tea & Coffee

• Despite the caffeine, coffee and tea have health benefits. Two isolated cups of coffee. image by Saskia Massink from Fotolia.com
  

  Most people are either devoted coffee drinkers or die-hard tea lovers. However, there are more similarities between the two beverages than meets the eye. Both beverages are rich in history, have many varieties, and may even be beneficial to your health.

Cultural Significances

• Coffee and tea each play a role in the day-to-day lives of people and their cultures. The Japanese tea ceremony is an elaborate ritual that is intended to create a sense of tranquility. Tea is a mainstay in English culture as "afternoon tea," bridging the gap between lunch and dinner. Coffee is a booming industry in the United States, with coffee shops and cafes located throughout the nation, many of which are open 24 hours a day. Coffee is a top export for many countries including Brazil and Columbia, making its cultivation an important commodity.

Variety

• Coffee and tea are available in different variations. Either one can be served hot or cold, sweetened or unsweetened, regular or decaffeinated, and with cream or without. Variations also exist in the type of coffee beans or tea leaves used. These variations exist due to the region of growth, additives, and the practices of how the beans or leaves are cultivated or roasted. Some tea varieties include green, black, white and chai. Some coffee varieties from around the world include Arabica, Jamiacan Peaberry, Kona and Monsoon Malabar. Once brewed, syrups, creamers, milk, sweeteners and other additives can be mixed with both tea and coffee.

Health Benefits

• While both coffee and tea should be consumed in moderation, a healthy consumption of either beverage can be beneficial to your health. Both contain antioxidants which may reduce the risk of cell disease, cancer and heart disease. Caffeine can make coffee and tea consumers more alert and give them a boost of energy.