I wonder about the relationship between caffeine and the near-universal spread of tea and coffee as hot beverages.
I love tisanes, what are informally called herbal teas. I find it striking that there are literally hundreds of plants used to make herbal teas with an incredibly long history - mint, chamomile, dandelion, jasmine, red clover, elderflower, passion flower, hibiscus, etc. etc. But none of them have a tenth of one percent of the popularity of coffee or true tea.
Many people who enjoy tea and coffee enjoy the effects of the caffeine. But I'm surprised at the scale of the difference between the popularity of caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks.
Caffeine in tea, especially green though, produces a wakefulness and alertness more than jitters that coffee produce.
Tisanes are and were popular before coffee and teas spread. A lot of was part of the popular medicines. "Put in these plants in hot water and drink it" was very common.
Not to forget about yerba mate, a caffeineted South American beverage. Very popular (check), not tea and not coffee (check), caffeinated (check). So yes it seems caffeine has a considerable effect in the spread of popularity.
I have few pleasures in life greater than finding a way to answer that question no matter what situation. Sadly, as a result, no-one ever asks me anymore. Thanks for the memories.
I love tisanes, what are informally called herbal teas. I find it striking that there are literally hundreds of plants used to make herbal teas with an incredibly long history - mint, chamomile, dandelion, jasmine, red clover, elderflower, passion flower, hibiscus, etc. etc. But none of them have a tenth of one percent of the popularity of coffee or true tea.
Many people who enjoy tea and coffee enjoy the effects of the caffeine. But I'm surprised at the scale of the difference between the popularity of caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks.