Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, enjoyed by millions of people on a daily basis. It is rich in antioxidants and has numerous health benefits, making it the perfect drink to have with your meals.

However, there are certain foods with which tea should not be eaten. These unlikely pairings can harm your digestive system and negate the health benefits of tea, so it is important to avoid them. Here are some of the foods that you should not eat with tea:.

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are high in vitamin C, which is essential for good health. However, when consumed with tea, they can cause digestive discomfort and heartburn.

This is because the acid in the citrus fruits reacts with the tannins in the tea, making it difficult for the body to absorb the nutrients in both the tea and the fruit. If you want to enjoy citrus fruits with your tea, it is best to consume them separately.

Milk Chocolate

Milk chocolate is a popular snack that many people enjoy with their tea. However, this is not a good pairing as the fat in the chocolate can coat the tongue and prevent the taste buds from fully appreciating the delicate flavor of the tea.

Additionally, the sugar in the chocolate can overpower the bitterness of the tea, making it less enjoyable. If you must have chocolate with your tea, opt for dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, which has less sugar and can be a better pairing with tea.

Spicy Foods

Spicy foods such as chili peppers and curry are not good pairings with tea as they can irritate the digestive system.

This is because the capsaicin in the spicy foods can stimulate the production of acid in the stomach, leading to heartburn and indigestion. Additionally, the heat from the spices can overpower the subtle flavors of the tea, making it less enjoyable. If you want to enjoy spicy foods, it is best to consume them separately from your tea.

High Fat Foods

High-fat foods such as fried foods and fatty meats are not good pairings with tea as they can slow down digestion. This is because the fat in these foods can coat the stomach and prevent the tea from being absorbed properly.

Additionally, the rich flavors of the high-fat foods can overpower the delicate flavors of the tea, making it less enjoyable. If you want to enjoy high-fat foods, it is best to consume them separately from your tea.

Cheese

Cheese is a popular snack that many people enjoy with their tea. However, this is not a good pairing as the fat in the cheese can coat the tongue and prevent the taste buds from fully appreciating the delicate flavor of the tea.

Additionally, the rich flavors of the cheese can overpower the subtle flavors of the tea, making it less enjoyable. If you must have cheese with your tea, opt for a mild-flavored cheese that will not overpower the tea.

Nuts

Nuts are a common snack that many people enjoy with their tea. However, this is not a good pairing as the oils in the nuts can coat the tongue and prevent the taste buds from fully appreciating the delicate flavor of the tea.

Additionally, the rich flavors of the nuts can overpower the subtle flavors of the tea, making it less enjoyable. If you must have nuts with your tea, opt for a small amount of plain, unsalted nuts.

Red Meat

Red meat is a high-protein food that many people enjoy with their tea. However, this is not a good pairing as the protein in the meat can interfere with the absorption of the health benefits of the tea.

Additionally, the strong flavors of the red meat can overpower the subtle flavors of the tea, making it less enjoyable. If you want to enjoy red meat, it is best to consume it separately from your tea.

Sweets

Sweets such as cakes and cookies are often enjoyed with tea. However, this is not a good pairing as the sugar in the sweets can overpower the bitterness of the tea, making it less enjoyable.

Additionally, the high fat content of some sweets can coat the tongue and prevent the taste buds from fully appreciating the delicate flavor of the tea. If you must have sweets with your tea, opt for plain, unsweetened cookies or biscuits.

Junk Food

Junk food such as chips and candy are not good pairings with tea as they are high in sugar and fat. This can overpower the subtle flavors of the tea, making it less enjoyable.

Additionally, the artificial flavors and additives in junk food can have a negative effect on your health. If you must have junk food, it is best to consume it separately from your tea.

Cold Drinks

Cold drinks such as iced tea and soda are not good pairings with hot tea. This is because the body has to work harder to regulate its temperature when consuming cold drinks with hot tea, which can have a negative effect on digestion.

Additionally, the sugar and additives in cold drinks can overpower the subtle flavors of the tea, making it less enjoyable. If you want to enjoy a cold drink with your tea, opt for water or a low-sugar cold drink.