Does Taro Have Caffeine?

Taro is a root vegetable that is starchy and nutty in taste. Due to this, people love to make tea out of it. But that’s not it. The grainy texture of the root also makes the time of drinking it really enjoyable. However, health-conscious people are wary about this beverage, and one of the leading concerns is that they think there might be too much caffeine in it.

So, what do they think is true or not? No, Taro root does not contain caffeine at all. Also, if the tea is made using natural ingredients only (and no other tea leaves), there won’t be any caffeine in the beverage. But if you add tea leaves, then Taro becomes caffeine-laden.

Wondering whether it will be healthy or not? Then stay till the end. First, it is important to know some important details.

When Does Taro Have Caffeine And How Much? Here’s What You Should Know

If you add black or green tea, then expect caffeine in the beverage. Generally, it is still less than 30 mg per cup (which is a lot less than a cup of coffee).

But if you make it in a natural way without adding any other tea, then it will stay caffeine-free. It will also feel like a mixture of bubble tea and smoothies.

People used to make tea from this vegetable root in the past without adding any caffeine ingredient. Yep, Taro is not new to the world. It has been used for medicinal and drinking purposes for centuries.

Its plant is considered to be one of the oldest species on earth. Experts think that it originated more than 10,000 years ago. Now, the Taro root is loved by thousands of people, and the reason is solely its tea. And as mentioned above, this tea can or cannot be caffeine-free, depending upon how you make it.

How To Make Caffeinated Taro Tea?

To make Taro tea, you will have to buy Taro roots from the market. You can also purchase processed Taro powder from any nearby store if you want.

However, one thing you should know is that the processed powder will be less nutritious than the raw root itself. Plus, the Taro root is large in size and is also used less. Therefore, only a one-inch cube is sufficient to make a cup of tea.

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Here’s how you can make a Caffeinated Taro Tea:

  1. First, you should boil the Taro cube as it is quite firm by nature. Making it a bit mushy will allow it to transfer the taste and aroma into the tea. To check whether it is soft or not, poke a pin or fork into it. If it goes in, then Taro is ready to make some delicious tea.
  2. Next, add water and tea leaves to a pot. Out of all the tea leaves, people love to make Taro tea by mixing black tea because it has a high potency effect. 
  3. Allow it to warm and then slightly cool to a lukewarm temperature.
  4. Then, add soft Taro, sweeteners, or any additives you like into the pot. Pour some boba pearls, too, and your tea is ready.

Most people drink this caffeine-containing Taro Tea. Want to know whether it is even healthy? Then keep reading. 

Does The Caffeine Content Make Taro Tea Unhealthy?

No, caffeine content does not make Taro tea unhealthy of any kind.

According to the FDA, the caffeine content in the right quantity is good for health. It is the overdose on this substance that is super bad for you.

The FDA recommends consuming no more than 400 mg per day for healthy adults. That’s the limit. Crossing it will be detrimental to your body.

Want to know how much caffeine is in Taro tea?

Well, there is good news for Taro lovers. The caffeine in a serving of Taro tea is around 30-40 mg only. Yep, it’s true. Drinking even three cups of Taro a day won’t affect your health in any way.

However, those who are sensitive to caffeine should restrain themselves from drinking more than one or two cups per day. If they do, then headache and stomach disorders occur, causing frustration and irritation.

But overall, Taro is a super healthy beverage to drink.

While we are on the caffeine subject, let’s discuss some of the health benefits of this stimulant.

Health Benefits of Caffeine

Caffeine in the right dose is extremely beneficial. How?

Here are some of the effects this stimulant can cause if you don’t “abuse” it:

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Increases Memory

According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, taking the right quantity of caffeine every day improves long-term memory. One group was given caffeine, and the other wasn’t given any substance. The group which consumed caffeine had a better memory in the end.

Wait. There’s more.

This substance also affects Adenosine receptors in the central nervous system to enhance brain functioning.

Prevents Type-II Diabetes

Drinking caffeinated beverages have been shown to prevent the occurrence of Type-II diabetes in people. Experts believe that caffeine preserves beta cells which are crucial for insulin production. Thus, those on the verge of diabetes should start drinking Taro tea straight away.

May Lead To Weight loss

We all know that caffeine content boosts energy in the body. So, drinking Taro or any caffeinated drink prompts a person to do some physical activity. As a result, weight loss becomes easy.

Also, you should drink Taro for at least half an hour before working out. Doing this will improve the chance of you being more active in the gym, and working out will also become a piece of cake.

Kills Depression

You might be surprised to learn this but drinking Taro tea reduces depression. Yep, no kidding!

A study was conducted on 200,00 people in which it was concluded that those who consume caffeine have a very low chance of committing suicide than those who drink non-caffeine drinks.

Another study was conducted in which a group was given caffeine daily. The result showed that the depression and anxiety rate fell by 8 percent.

 Stop Cancer Spread

The antioxidants of caffeine make sure there is no uncontrolled spread of cancerous cells in the body. This spread is caused by free radicals, which are one of our biggest enemies. Lucky for you, the antioxidants kill these free radicals and allow us to remain in top health.

So, are those all of the benefits? Nope. Those were the benefits of just the caffeine part of the drink.

Why Is Taro Tea Healthy? Exploring Some More Reasons

In addition to caffeine content, there are also some more components that make Taro a must-have drink.

Nutritional Value of Taro

16 ounce serving of Taro contains the following things:

Calories270
Fat0.6g
Protein1.2g
Carbohydrates65g
Sugar28g
Sodium270 mg

Calories- The calories in Taro milk tea are lower than most Starbucks beverages. For example, a cup of Frappuccino has 420 calories, while one cup of Taro tea only has around 280 calories.

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Sugar- When it comes to sugar, Taro tea is also ahead on the health chart. The sugar content in one serving of this tea is almost half that of sugar in a can of soda.

Fat and Sodium- The saturated fat and sodium content is also less in a Taro tea. So, it is considered a heart-healthy option.

In addition to this, vitamin C, E, potassium, magnesium, and many other nutrients are present in a cup of Taro tea.

Who Should Not Drink Taro Tea?

Despite all of the health benefits, there are still some people who should not drink Taro tea because of the caffeine and sugar content.

These are:

  1. Pregnant women
  2. Those trying to be pregnant
  3. Women that are breastfeeding
  4. Children
  5. Diabetics
  6. Caffeine sensitive individuals

What Happens If I Drink Too Much Caffeinated Taro Tea?

Drinking three cups of Taro tea won’t induce any harmful effect on health. But if you don’t stop drinking it more, then get ready to face some complications.

Some of the problems you face after drinking lots of cups of caffeinated Taro tea are:

  1. Insomnia
  2. Rapid heartbeat
  3. Anxiety
  4. Irritability
  5. Nausea
  6. Headache

If you consume more than 1200 mg of caffeine in a day, then the chances of seizures are high as well.

Thus, add tea leaves in an appropriate amount and drink the tea in the recommended quantity to continue living a healthy life.

Final Words

So, does Taro have caffeine?

Taro is a vegetable root that is popularly used to make. Whether in raw or processed powder form, Taro does not contain any caffeine in it. However, the caffeine can become part of the drink if you add other tea leaves to it (like black or green tea).

If you use natural ingredients only and no tea leaves, then there is no chance you will find caffeine.

But the best part is that you will experience a bundle of health benefits after consuming the Taro tea. These are increased brain functionality, prevention of cancer, help in losing weight, and many more.

So, drink Taro tea at least once as soon as possible and then gradually include it in your daily diet plan.