Coffee + Tea in One Cup? Here’s What Happens, And No, It’s Not a Caffeine Overdose
So here’s the scene:
It’s 8:00 AM. You’re bleary-eyed, standing in front of your kitchen counter. On your left? The comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. On your right? A fragrant cup of tea you started steeping and forgot about while trying to remember your Wi-Fi password.
And suddenly, boom, you have the idea.
“What if I just... combined them?”
Before you panic at the thought of committing some kind of caffeine crime, let me tell you: coffee plus tea is a real thing. And yes, it actually has a name (a few, in fact). In Hong Kong, it’s called Yuenyeung, a blend of milk tea and coffee, wildly popular and served both hot and iced. In Ethiopia, coffee and tea are sometimes brewed together as part of a traditional hospitality ritual.
But one of the most common questions I get when people try this at our tasting bar is:
“Wait… am I just doubling the caffeine?”
Let’s talk about it.
First: The Caffeine Question
Here’s the short answer:
Not quite—but almost.
Caffeine levels vary depending on brew strength, bean type, and tea variety. A typical 8 oz cup of:
Black coffee has about 95 mg of caffeine
Black tea ranges from 40–70 mg
Green tea sits around 25–45 mg
So yes, if you’re mixing a strong cup of coffee with a full cup of black tea, you could be pushing 150–160 mg in a single drink. That’s roughly equivalent to a grande Starbucks blonde roast (which, by the way, is the most caffeinated drink on their menu).
But here's the thing: it’s not just about the number. The way coffee and tea interact in your body, and your tastebuds, is different.
My First Coffee-Tea Combo
I first tried this on accident. No, really.
It was during a particularly chaotic Saturday, our team had just finished setting up for a community brunch pop-up, and I was running on three hours of sleep and a very long to-do list. I had a strong pour-over in one hand, and a nearly forgotten cup of spiced chai in the other.
Instead of choosing between the two, I poured them together. I figured if it was awful, I’d toss it and start over.
But the result? Surprisingly delightful.
The warmth and spice of the chai mellowed the sharpness of the coffee, and the caffeine hit felt... smoother. Not the jittery spike of back-to-back espressos, but more like a slow rise with no crash.
What Kind of Tea Works Best with Coffee?
Not all teas play well with coffee. Here are a few that do:
Chai: The spices (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom) blend beautifully with dark roasts or espresso. Think of it as a spicy mocha without the chocolate.
Earl Grey: The bergamot in this tea adds citrusy depth to a bold coffee, especially great with a splash of steamed milk.
Matcha: Earthy and vibrant, matcha adds a layer of umami to lattes. It’s a bit of an acquired taste, but fans love the creamy, grassy finish.
Jasmine Green Tea: A delicate option that balances acidity in lighter roasts, best served iced in summer.
I even had a customer once mix cold brew with a floral hibiscus tea. He called it a “sunset sipper” and swore it was the best thing to get him through humid Atlanta afternoons.
Why People Love This Combo
Beyond the fun of experimenting, there’s something a little deeper here:
Coffee and tea are rituals. When you combine them, you’re not just mixing beverages, you’re blending traditions, routines, even moods.
Coffee is bold, grounding, and strong.
Tea is calming, nuanced, and delicate.
Together, they create something unexpected. A drink that’s both energizing and comforting.
One of our regulars, Jen, told me she started mixing coffee with rooibos tea during her postpartum days because she needed the lift of caffeine without the crash, and a sense of control when everything else felt wild. “It became my moment,” she said. “That one cup that was just for me.”
Want to Try It? Here’s How to Start
If you’re curious, start with small batches and mild blends. Here’s an easy beginner recipe:
Simple Coffee + Chai Latte
Brew 1/2 cup of strong coffee
Steep 1 chai tea bag in 1/2 cup of hot water
Combine both, add milk or sweetener if desired
Stir, sip, smile
Try different combinations and see what works for your palate. There are no hard rules, only delicious discoveries waiting.
Final Thoughts
Combining coffee and tea isn’t about doubling your caffeine, it’s about doubling your joy, your creativity, and your connection to the ritual of your daily cup.
So go ahead, be curious. Brew boldly. And if you create a new blend that surprises you (or makes your morning 10% better), I want to hear about it. Shoot me a message, I’d love to share your story in a future post.
Because here, we’re not just coffee drinkers.
We’re a community of creators, one curious sip at a time.
