Does Tea Have Calories? Your Brew Explained

Table of Contents

Understanding the Calories in Your Cup of Tea
 Green Tea Calories
 Black Tea Calories
 Oolong Tea Calories
Herbal Tea Calories
 Peppermint Tea Calories
 Chamomile Tea Calories
 Hibiscus Tea Calories
Specialty and Iced Tea Calories
 Chai Tea Calories
 Matcha Calories
 Bubble Tea Calories
 Unsweetened Tea Calories
 Sweet Tea Calories
Tips for Reducing Tea’s Calorie Count
FAQ
 Can I Drink Tea Instead of Eating?
 Should I still Count Tea in My Calories?
 Will Tea Break My Fast?

Plain tea has no calories, making it perfect for those watching their intake. Ingredients like milk, sugar, or syrups add calories. The tea itself contains almost no calories. These additions increase the calories in an otherwise calorie-free drink.

Tea leaves, whether loose or in a tea bag, add negligible calories. Understanding how common additives affect tea calories helps you manage your overall calorie intake while enjoying your favorite drink. The total calories in a cup of tea depend on the type and amount of additives you add.

This article explores calories in tea from different types, popular additives, and practical tips. You will learn how to enjoy delicious low-calorie tea while benefiting from the tea itself.

Understanding the Calories in Your Cup of Tea

Good news for tea lovers: tea itself contains almost zero calories. The Camellia sinensis plant produces plain tea. Brewing loose tea leaves or tea bags creates a drink with almost no calories.

A standard 8oz cup of plain tea has about two calories. This amount is minimal and will not affect your daily calorie intake.

Additives like milk, sugar, and syrups cause the real increase in tea calories. Adding sweeteners such as sugar or honey raises the calorie content significantly. Tea and tea-based drinks range from 0 to over 400 calories depending on the tea and added ingredients.

Below, we break down popular teas, their calorie content, and nutritional facts.

Green Tea

Green tea has low calories and offers many benefits. An 8oz cup has 2 calories. It suits those reducing calorie intake.

Green tea contains antioxidants, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). These support overall health and cognitive function. Drinking green tea regularly boosts metabolism and helps with weight loss.

Whether hot or iced, green tea is a low-calorie drink that fits a healthy lifestyle.

Nutritional Facts of Green Tea (per 8 oz cup)

Black Tea

Black tea contains just 2 calories per 8oz cup when plain. It offers a robust flavor and stays a low-calorie option. Black teas provide health benefits, rich nutrition, and antioxidants.

They may support cognitive function. Adding sugar, milk, or honey increases calories. For example, a teaspoon of sugar adds 16 calories. Milk adds more depending on type and amount.

Minimizing additives lets you enjoy black tea’s flavor without raising tea calories.

Nutritional Facts of Black Tea (per 8 oz cup)

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea sits between green and black tea in oxidation and flavor. An 8oz cup has 2 calories.

It undergoes semi-oxidation and slight fermentation. These processes help digestion and alkalize the digestive tract.

Some varieties like GABA Oolong contain high gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This supports nervous system function.

Oolong tea offers a flavorful, low-calorie option that fits a balanced diet. Choosing plain oolong tea avoids extra calories from sweeteners or milk.

Nutritional Facts of Oolong Tea (per 8 oz cup)

White Tea

Minimal processing preserves white tea’s floral and fruity notes. It contains 2 calories per 8oz cup, like other traditional teas.

White tea retains many antioxidants and compounds. These may help with fat breakdown and weight management. Some studies suggest white tea supports fat metabolism, aiding weight loss.

Enjoying white tea offers a soothing, calorie-conscious way to unwind while gaining benefits.

Nutritional Facts of White Tea (per 8 oz cup)

Herbal Teas and Their Calorie Content

Herbal teas come from dried herbs, flowers, fruits, and other plant materials excluding the Camellia sinensis plant.

They do not come from the tea plant and are not ‘real tea.’ Real teas come from Camellia sinensis leaves, while herbal teas are infusions of other botanicals.

Often caffeine-free, they provide diverse flavors and therapeutic benefits.

Most herbal teas have negligible calories, typically 0 to 3 calories per cup. This makes them great low-calorie options.

Calorie content varies slightly depending on ingredients. Some herbal teas with dried fruit contain trace amounts of natural sugars. Adding sweeteners increases calories.

Enjoy them plain for the lowest calorie intake.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is caffeine-free and has 2.4 calories per cup. Its digestive soothing properties make it suitable for multiple daily servings without calorie concerns.

Made from dried peppermint leaves steeped in hot water, it is minimally processed and has almost no calories.

This makes it great for flavorful, guilt-free hydration.

Nutritional Facts of Peppermint Tea (per 8 oz cup)

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is popular for calming effects and sleep support. It has minimal calories, 2 calories per 8oz cup.

It offers anti-inflammatory benefits from antioxidants and contains no caffeine.

This allows multiple cups daily without affecting sleep.

Drinking chamomile tea is a relaxing, low-calorie choice that fits a healthy lifestyle.

Nutritional Facts of Chamomile Tea (per 8 oz cup)

Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea has slightly more calories due to natural sugars but remains low-calorie. Known for its tart flavor and red color, it offers potential health benefits like lowering blood pressure.

Despite slightly higher calories, hibiscus tea is a flavorful, healthy low-calorie choice.

Nutritional Facts of Hibiscus Tea (per 8 oz cup)

Specialty and Iced Tea Calories

Specialty teas like chai, matcha, and bubble tea have more calories. They contain added milk, sugar, and syrups.

Using skimmed milk instead of whole milk reduces calories without losing creaminess.

Iced teas vary widely in flavor and calories.

Unsweetened iced tea remains a popular low-calorie choice with near zero calories. It has little to no added sweeteners.

Specialty tea drinks can have calorie counts similar to or higher than coffee-based lattes, depending on ingredients.

For example, a chai latte or milk tea from a café contains about 184 calories or more.

These calories mainly come from whole milk and sweeteners.

Knowing how add-ins contribute to tea's calorie count helps you make healthier choices.

Chai Tea

Chai tea blends black tea with spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom.

When prepared with whole milk and sugar, it can contain about 70 calories per cup.

Switching to skimmed milk or unsweetened plant-based milks and low-calorie sweeteners like stevia lowers chai tea calories significantly.

This keeps it flavorful yet low-calorie.

Nutritional Facts of Chai Tea (per 8 oz cup, prepared plain)

Matcha

Matcha powder has about 3 calories per gram. It remains a low-calorie option in pure form.

Matcha lattes and drinks including milk, sweeteners, and flavorings increase calories significantly. Sometimes up to 184 calories per serving.

To keep matcha drinks low-calorie, enjoy plain or with unsweetened milk alternatives like almond, soy, or oat milk.

This way, you get matcha’s antioxidants and unique flavor without extra calories.

Nutritional Facts of Matcha Tea (per 1 gram powder)

Bubble Tea

Bubble tea or boba tea has high calories due to tapioca pearls, milk (whole or skimmed), and sweeteners like sugar or syrups.

A 16-ounce serving contains 200-450 calories depending on ingredients and portions.

Tapioca pearls provide carbohydrates and often come sweetened, adding significant calories.

Milk tea bases add calories. Whole milk has more calories and fat than skimmed or plant-based alternatives.

Sweeteners like sugar, honey, or flavored syrups also increase calorie content.

Nutritional Facts of Bubble Tea (approximate per 16 oz serving)

Unsweetened Tea

Unsweetened tea, hot or iced, contains almost no calories—about 2 calories per cup or less.

You make it by steeping tea leaves in hot water. This extracts flavor and beneficial compounds without calories.

Since plain tea has negligible calories, it suits those seeking a refreshing, low-calorie beverage.

It supports health goals without added sugar, milk, or flavorings.

Nutritional Facts of Unsweetened Tea (per 8 oz cup)

Sweet Tea

Sweet tea, especially iced sweet tea, contains added sugars increasing calories significantly.

Tea calories depend on sugar amount added during preparation.

A standard 8-ounce cup with one teaspoon of sugar has about 16-20 calories.

More sugar or syrup increases calories accordingly.

For fewer calories, choose unsweetened or lightly sweetened versions without sacrificing taste.

Nutritional Facts of Sweet Tea (per 8 oz cup, with 1 tsp sugar)

Tips for Reducing Tea's Calorie Count

To enjoy tea with fewer calories:

• Drink tea plain without additives to keep calories minimal.

• Make tea at home to control ingredients and portion sizes. This avoids unnecessary calories from milk and sugar.

• Use skimmed milk or unsweetened plant-based milk alternatives instead of whole milk.

• Replace sugar and honey with low-calorie sweeteners like stevia.

• Avoid high-calorie café teas containing syrups and creams.

• Monitor how many cups you drink daily, especially if adding milk or sweeteners.

Conclusion

Tea is a versatile, enjoyable beverage fitting a healthy lifestyle. Plain tea from the Camellia sinensis plant contains almost no calories. Additives like milk and sugar increase calorie content.

By knowing calories in tea and making mindful ingredient choices, you can enjoy favorite teas without compromising health goals.

Whether you prefer green, black, herbal, or specialty teas, follow tips to reduce calories and enjoy your drink guilt-free.

Ready to sip smarter and support your health goals? Explore our curated collection of weight loss teas and find the perfect blend to elevate your wellness journey—one cup at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Drink Tea Instead of Eating?

Tea has low calories and can suppress appetite but lacks nutrients. Use it to complement a balanced diet, not replace meals.

Should I Count Tea in My Calories?

Plain tea has almost zero calories. It usually does not affect daily calorie count. Additives like milk and sugar should be counted for accurate tracking.

Will Tea Break My Fast?

Plain tea has virtually zero calories and does not break a fast. Adding milk or sugar introduces calories that may interrupt fasting benefits. Unsweetened tea works best during fasting periods.