Tea Mistakes You’re Probably Making (And How to Fix Them)

Let’s be real—tea is amazing, but most people are messing it up without even knowing it. You might think you're doing everything right, but some of your habits could actually be ruining the benefits of tea—or worse, harming your body.

I’ve been there. Drinking tea on an empty stomach, thinking a strong cup will fix a hangover, or assuming all tea is the same. Spoiler alert: it’s not.

If you love tea (or even if you’re just getting into it), here’s what you need to know to actually enjoy the benefits—without falling into the common traps.

The Biggest Tea Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

1. Drinking Tea on an Empty Stomach

You wake up, grab a hot cup of tea, and think you're starting the day right. Wrong.

The problem: Tea increases stomach acid production, which can lead to nausea, irritation, and even long-term stomach issues.

✅ The fix: Drink tea at least 30 minutes after a meal. It’ll still give you all the benefits—without the stomachache.

2. Using Tea to Sober Up

Had a few drinks? Think a strong cup of tea will fix it? Big mistake.

The problem: Tea, especially strong tea, contains caffeine, which speeds up your heartbeat and puts more strain on your liver—the exact opposite of what you need after drinking alcohol.

✅ The fix: Instead of tea, drink plenty of water and eat some fruit. Let your body detox naturally.

3. Drinking Tea Before Bed

“Tea is relaxing, right?” Sure—if it’s the right kind.

The problem: Most teas contain caffeine. And caffeine keeps you awake, disrupts your sleep cycle, and leaves you groggy the next morning.

✅ The fix: Avoid black, green, and oolong tea after 3 PM. If you want a night-time tea, go for chamomile, lavender, or rooibos.

4. Brewing Tea in a Thermos

I get it—you want to keep your tea hot all day. But if you’re brewing it in a thermos, you’re ruining the taste and nutrients.

The problem: Tea sitting in a thermos for hours gets over-extracted. This makes it bitter, less nutritious, and sometimes even harmful if it releases too many tannins.

✅ The fix: Brew your tea fresh and drink it within 30 minutes. Use a proper tea vessel—like a Yixing zisha teapot—for the best flavour and experience.

5. Pairing Tea with the Wrong Foods

Some foods just don’t mix well with tea—and they can cancel out its benefits.

The problem:

• Tea + Milk 🥛 = Milk binds with tea’s antioxidants, making them useless.

• Tea + Iron-rich foods 🥩 = Tea reduces iron absorption, which isn’t great if you need more iron.

• Tea + Citrus (sometimes) 🍊 = Good in moderation, but too much acid can upset your stomach.

✅ The fix: Drink plain tea or pair it wisely. If you love milk tea, maybe rethink it—or at least don’t count on the antioxidants.

Final Thoughts

Tea is incredible—but only if you’re drinking it the right way.

• Wait 30 minutes after eating before drinking tea.

• Skip tea when you’re drinking alcohol.

• Avoid caffeine-heavy teas before bed.

• Ditch the thermos, use a proper teapot.

• Watch your food pairings.

Do this, and you’ll actually enjoy the benefits of tea instead of unknowingly wrecking them. No fluff, no myths—just real, better tea-drinking habits.