These 4 Teas Are Making You Thirstier – Stop Drinking Them Now!

Not all teas quench thirst—some make it worse! Discover why certain teas leave your mouth dry and how to fix it. Upgrade your tea game today!

Jiang Yitao

3/31/20253 min read

gray stainless steel spoon
gray stainless steel spoon

Ever taken a sip of tea expecting it to be refreshing, only to end up with a dry mouth? Worse, the more you drink, the drier you feel. What’s going on? Shouldn’t tea quench your thirst instead of making it worse?

The truth is, not all teas are created equal. Some teas actually leave you feeling parched instead of refreshed. Let’s break down why this happens and which teas to avoid.

4 Teas That Make You Thirstier – Avoid Them Now

1. Your Tea Has Gone Bad

Ever found an old pack of tea in your cupboard and thought, “It still looks fine. Should be okay, right?” Wrong.

Even if expired tea doesn’t smell off, it can still taste terrible. Take red tea (black tea), for example. Since it’s naturally dark, you can’t tell if it’s gone bad just by looking at it. But the moment you brew it? Boom. Sour, musty, weirdly oily.

Drinking old tea doesn’t just taste awful—it can also cause dry mouth and throat irritation. If your tea smells odd or tastes stale, ditch it. A quick sniff and taste test can save you from an unpleasant experience.

2. Low-Quality Tea Is Ruining Your Experience

We’ve all seen those too-good-to-be-true tea deals online. But let’s be real: If a tea is ridiculously cheap, it’s probably not great.

Cheap teas often have too many stems, broken leaves, and high caffeine content—all of which can cause harsh bitterness and dryness. Some teas are packed with excessive caffeine and tannins, leading to a sharp, lingering bitterness that won’t go away.

A tea should balance bitterness with sweetness. If yours just tastes bitter with no smoothness, it’s time to upgrade.

3. Your Tea Is Too Fresh (Yes, That’s a Thing)

Sounds crazy, right? But hear me out. Some teas, like Wuyi Rock Tea, go through a roasting process. Right after roasting, they still hold a lot of heat and “fire”.

If you drink them too soon, the taste will feel harsh and drying. Instead of the smooth, roasted sweetness that aged rock tea is known for, you get an aggressive, sharp flavor that sucks the moisture right out of your mouth.

Solution? Wait it out. Let these teas rest for a few weeks or months before drinking. Patience = better tea.

4. It’s Not the Tea—It’s You

Sometimes, your body is the issue. If you’ve been eating too much fried, spicy, or greasy food, your mouth and throat might already be irritated. Drinking tea on top of that? It only makes it worse.

Also, drinking too much tea in one sitting can cause dehydration. Tea is a diuretic, meaning it makes you pee more. If you’re chugging tea all day without balancing it with water, your body will start feeling dry.

Fix: Drink tea in moderation and always balance it with warm water. Your body will thank you.

Final Thoughts

Drinking tea should be a smooth, refreshing experience, not a battle against dryness. If you find yourself constantly reaching for water after tea, something is off. It could be:
Expired or low-quality tea
A tea that’s too fresh and needs time
Your body’s condition and what else you’re consuming

And if you’re serious about getting the best tea experience, try brewing with a Yixing Zisha teapot—it enhances the flavor and smooths out harsh edges.

Tea isn’t just about drinking—it’s about drinking right. Now that you know what’s causing the problem, you can finally enjoy tea the way it’s meant to be.

FAQs

1. Can expired tea make you sick?
Not necessarily, but it can taste bad and cause discomfort. Always check for stale or off-putting smells before brewing.

2. How do I know if my tea is low quality?
Look for excess stems, broken leaves, or extreme bitterness with no balance. Good tea should have depth, not just bitterness.

3. How do I fix overly bitter tea?
Try brewing at a lower temperature and for a shorter time. Also, consider aging fresh teas like Wuyi Rock Tea before drinking.

4. How much tea is too much?
If you’re drinking tea all day without hydrating with water, you’re probably overdoing it. Balance is key!