Is Your Chai Giving You Acidity? Here’s the shocking truth (and how to fix it!).

Milk tea, or tea as we love it, is practically a national obsession in India. Whether it’s an early morning crack or a late night pick-me-up, chai is always there to soothe our souls. But amidst all that comforting warmth, many of us battle an unexpected enemy: acidity. Turns out, the way we brew our tea can make all the difference between pleasure and burnout. So, before you swear off your favorite drink, read on to learn how to enjoy your cup without the acidity blues, straight from dietitians and nutritionists.

Also Read: Tea: The Drink That Changed History – Here’s Why It’s More Than Just a Drink

Why does milk tea cause acidity?

Acidity from milk tea isn’t just a myth—it’s a real struggle for many chai enthusiasts. According to nutritionist Trishala, there are three main culprits:

1. Boil milk and tea together

We’ve done it all – let the tea simmer a little longer to intensify the taste. But here’s the thing: Overboiling the milk in tea can break down the protein and lactose, an acidity trigger for some. Dietitian Trishala suggests a simple solution: add milk after the tea cools down a bit. This preserves the goodness of the milk while keeping your tea smooth and cool.

2. Let the tea sit too long

Time flies, but your tea shouldn’t. Steeping your freshly brewed tea for too long can increase its acidity. Sip your tea within 10 minutes of brewing, to savor the freshness and avoid burns. Your taste buds and stomach will thank you.

3. Reheating your cup

Think twice before you microwave yesterday’s tea. According to Trishala, reheating tea, especially with milk, changes its structure and can increase acidity levels. For the best brew every time, prepare only what you drink at once.

How much tea should you drink daily?

While a few cups of tea can be part of a healthy routine, moderation is key. Research from Harvard Sticking to 3-4 cups a day suggests reaping the benefits without overdoing it. If you’re dealing with health concerns, it’s wise to talk to your doctor first.

Foods to go with your tea

Now that you’ve become a chai enthusiast, here are some food pairings to clarify for optimal health by nutritionist and macrobiotic health coach Shilpa Arora.

1. Leafy green

As much as we love our greens, combining them with tea can interfere with iron absorption due to the tannins in the tea. Save your spinach and broccoli for a meal-free chai to get more nutrients.

2. Cold fruit salad

Chai warms you from the inside, so ditch the raw fruit right away. Enjoy fruits after chai to keep digestive juices and acidity low.

3. Lemon

Lemon adds zing to tea, but its acidity may clash with you digestion system, causing possible inconvenience. If you like lemon in your tea, consider enjoying it in moderation to avoid excess acidity.

4. Turmeric

The health benefits of turmeric are stellar, but when paired with tea, it can cause a storm in your stomach. Curcumin in turmeric and tannins in tea can cause gastric problems like acidity or constipation.

5. curd

Cold foods like yogurt do not go well with hot tea. Experts recommend keeping hot and cold foods separate to avoid possible digestive problems.

Also Read: Tea Leaves or Tea Bags: Which is a Healthier Choice?

Remember, enjoying your chai should not have an aspect of acidity. With these tips from experts, you can savor your tea moments while keeping your stomach happy.