Every cup tells a story. At Dehing Tea, we believe it should be one that's kinder to the planet too.
For many of us, the day begins with a comforting hot drink. Whether it's a strong cup of Assam tea or a freshly brewed coffee, that daily ritual feels small—but its environmental impact isn't.
When scientists examine the full life cycle of our favourite beverages—from cultivation and processing to packaging, transport, brewing and disposal—they consistently find that tea generally has a lower carbon footprint than coffee.
What Is a Carbon Footprint?
A carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout a product's life cycle. For a cup of tea or coffee, this includes growing the crop, processing it, packaging, shipping, boiling water, adding milk or sugar, and disposing of any waste.
Why Tea Has a Lower Carbon Footprint
1. Less Raw Material Per Cup
A typical cup of tea uses around 2 grams of tea leaves, while coffee generally requires several times more roasted beans per serving. Less raw material means lower agricultural emissions.
2. Simpler Processing
Coffee beans go through harvesting, pulping, fermenting, washing, drying, roasting and grinding. Tea processing is generally less energy intensive, resulting in a lower overall environmental impact.
3. Lower Overall Lifecycle Emissions
Life-cycle assessments consistently show that tea produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than coffee. While exact numbers vary by farming methods and preparation, tea remains one of the most climate-friendly hot drinks.
Small Changes That Make a Big Difference:
Much of the footprint of a cup comes from how we prepare it.
- Boil only the water you need.
- Brew loose leaf tea where possible.
- Compost used tea leaves.
- Reuse suitable leaves for a second infusion.
- Try plant-based milk if you usually add dairy.
Why Assam Tea Matters?
Assam produces some of the world's finest teas. When responsibly sourced, Assam tea combines exceptional flavour with a relatively low carbon footprint while supporting tea-growing communities and sustainable farming practices.
Every Cup Counts:
At Dehing Tea, sustainability begins with thoughtful choices—from sourcing quality Assam tea to encouraging mindful brewing at home.
Choosing tea over coffee won't solve climate change alone, but millions of small daily choices can make a meaningful difference.