Question

Is tea acidic or basic?

Answer 1

Hint: Whether a substance is acidic or basic is determined either by the pH scale or by litmus test. Beverages like tea contain many flavoring agents which give it the color as well as the taste and this is what helps to differentiate between different species of tea.

Complete answer:
First let us understand what pH scale is. pH denoting potential of \[{\text{hydrogen}}\] is a scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Acidic solutions, which contain higher concentration of \[{H^ + }\] are measured to have lower pH values than basic or alkaline solutions. A strong acid or base completely ionises in the solution. pH scale ranges from zero to fourteen, with seven being neutral. pH of less than seven indicates acidity, whereas pH of greater than seven indicates alkaline or basic.
When a pH test is conducted for different species of tea the pH value comes out to be less than seven. Therefore we can say that most of the tea are acidic in nature. The strength of acidity varies, some tea can be mildly acidic while some are more acidic. Also since there are different types of tea their pH values are different.
This study doesn’t mean that tea is harmful for your health. The type of tea we intake, often we drink it, what are the additives or flavouring agents and the quantity of tea one consumes. Most of us do not drink enough acidic tea which can damage our health.

Note:
Depending upon the type of tea, pH varies, for example pH value of black teas is around five, flavoured tea like mint have around seven pH value which is neutral and lemon tea’s pH value is around three as lemon itself contains citric acid.