Beverages
Black Tea
Overview
Why drink black tea?
Black tea is essentially flavored water with a lift: a cup carries about 2 kcal and no sugar or fat, while delivering caffeine and the plant compounds that give the brew its color and briskness. It is an easy way to stay hydrated and replace sweetened drinks without adding calories.
Good to know: Tannins in tea can reduce absorption of iron from plant foods, so if your iron is low, drink it between meals rather than with them.
Virtually calorie-free hydration
At roughly 2 kcal per 1 cup (8 fl oz) and 0.7 g of carbohydrate, unsweetened black tea counts toward daily fluids without adding meaningful energy.
Gentle caffeine lift
Each cup supplies about 47 mg of caffeine, enough to sharpen alertness and reduce the feeling of fatigue, but well below a typical mug of coffee.
Polyphenols and trace minerals
Brewed tea carries flavonoids linked in studies to heart health, plus small amounts of potassium (88 mg) and magnesium (7 mg) per cup.
Overview drafted with AI from USDA FoodData Central figures. For education, not medical advice.
Nutrition facts
What’s in black tea?
Calories
1kcal
Protein
0g
Carbs
0.3g
Fat
0g
Fiber
0g
Sugars
0g
Minerals
- Iron0.02 mg0%
- Magnesium3 mg1%
- Phosphorus1 mg0%
- Potassium37 mg1%
- Sodium3 mg0%
- Zinc0.02 mg0%
- Copper0.01 mg1%
Vitamins
- Riboflavin (B2)0.01 mg1%
- Folate5 µg1%
Other compounds
- Caffeine20 mg
- Theobromine2 mg
% Daily Value is based on FDA reference amounts for adults. Bars cap at 100%.
Side by side, per 100 g
Black Tea vs Green Tea
| Nutrient | Black Tea | Green Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 1 kcal | 1 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g | 0.22 g |
| Saturated fat | <0.01 g | 0 g |
| Iron | 0.02 mg | 0.02 mg |
| Magnesium | 3 mg | 1 mg |
| Potassium | 37 mg | 8 mg |
| Caffeine | 20 mg | 12 mg |
| Theobromine | 2 mg | 0 mg |
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Source: USDA FoodData Central, “Beverages, tea, black, brewed, prepared with tap water” (SR Legacy, FDC ID 173227).View the USDA record ↗ (opens in a new tab).