In the course of writing about tea, I’ve come across many research studies. Most appear to be thoughtful and well-constructed, even to a layperson. However, every so often, a few emerge that are a bit more unusual.
Rather than saving the most unusual for last, let’s begin with one involving Chinese black tea and hair growth. Yes, really. According to this study on Chinese black tea extract and hair growth in laboratory mice, researchers found that topical application significantly promoted hair growth in certain test subjects after two weeks. The key detail, of course, is that the experiment was conducted on mice rather than humans.
Another curious line of inquiry asks whether one can determine if milk or tea was added first—simply by taste. This question dates back to the famous experiment by statistician R.A. Fisher, first described in his 1935 book The Design of Experiments. More recently, it has been revisited in this modern study referencing the classic “lady tasting tea” experiment, which itself is summarized in this overview of the statistical experiment involving tea preparation methods. In at least one test, the subject correctly identified the preparation method in every trial.
Then there is the intriguingly titled The Effects of Bathing in Hot Springs on the Absorption of Green Tea Catechins. As described in this study on how hot spring bathing influences catechin absorption, researchers in Japan found that bathing in hot springs may enhance the body’s ability to absorb beneficial compounds found in green tea varieties rich in catechins and antioxidants.
Finally, there is research into what happens after tea has been brewed. This study on using spent green tea leaves for wastewater treatment suggests that used tea leaves can help remove color from raw textile industry wastewater. While the technical details are complex, the takeaway is that tea waste may have practical applications beyond the teacup.
While many tea studies focus on health and consumption, these more unusual examples highlight just how wide-ranging—and sometimes unexpected—tea research can be.
See more of William I. Lengeman’s articles in this archive of tea-related writing by the author.
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