Many coffee drinkers eventually hear the call of tea. Sometimes it’s a desire to reduce caffeine, sometimes it’s curiosity about new flavors, and sometimes it’s simply a need for variety.
One challenge, however, is knowing where to begin. With so many different styles of tea available, making the switch can feel overwhelming. Here are a few suggestions to help coffee drinkers find their way into the world of tea.
A spiced chai can be an excellent coffee alternative, especially for those who enjoy milk-based coffee drinks.
Cutting Down on Caffeine
Some coffee drinkers want to reduce their caffeine intake without eliminating it entirely. While caffeine levels vary by tea type and brewing method, many teas contain less caffeine than a typical cup of coffee.
Breakfast blend teas are often a comfortable starting point. Popular options include English Breakfast tea, Scottish Breakfast tea, and Irish Breakfast tea. These blends are typically built around robust black teas from Assam, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and occasionally teas such as Keemun black tea.
Great Flavor Variety
For some people, switching from coffee is less about caffeine and more about exploring new flavors. While tea is sometimes dismissed as bland, its range is remarkably diverse.
Tea categories include white tea, green tea, oolong tea, black tea, and pu-erh tea. Beyond those categories are countless flavored blends, creating nearly endless possibilities.
Many newcomers find Earl Grey tea to be an approachable introduction. Its citrus-forward bergamot aroma is distinctive without being overwhelming.
Matching Tea Flavors to Coffee Preferences
If tea feels too different at first, try choosing teas with flavor characteristics similar to the coffees you already enjoy.
A flavorful spiced chai tea blend is often an excellent choice, particularly for those who enjoy flavored coffees or milk-based coffee drinks.
Other options include:
For those who enjoy darker, bolder coffee profiles, Lapsang Souchong is often recommended because of its distinctive smoky character.
Others find that Genmaicha Japanese green tea with toasted rice shares some of the nutty, roasted qualities found in certain coffee varieties.
Coffee-to-Tea Pairings
- Kenyan, Zimbabwean, or Ethiopian Harrar coffees → Earl Grey tea
- Brazilian or Kona coffees → China Rose Petal tea
- Sumatran coffees → Jasmine tea or Ti Kwan Yin oolong
- Guatemalan or Sulawesi coffees → Keemun black tea
- Tanzania Peaberry or Ethiopian Sidamo coffees → Premium Assam tea
- Puerto Rican Yauco Selecto or Papua New Guinea coffees → Formosa Oolong or China Gui Hua tea
- Espresso → Imperial Gunpowder green tea or Lapsang Souchong
Ready to Make the Switch?
You don’t have to abandon coffee overnight. Start by incorporating a tea or two into your daily routine and see what appeals to your palate.
An even better option may be to explore a tea sampler collection, which allows you to compare several styles and discover what suits your taste best.
Enjoy the journey—and happy tea drinking!
See more of A.C. Cargill’s articles in this archive of tea lifestyle, brewing, and tasting articles.
© Online Stores, Inc., and The English Tea Store Blog, 2009–2014. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Excerpts may be used with proper credit and links to the original content.
Tea Blog 
Leave a comment