How do I take my tea? Standardized.

Today marked the release of a CP article extolling the virtues of tea, and its ability to help prevent Alzheimer's and Parkinsons disease. This is the latest in a seemingly endless parade of recent studies which claim that tea consumption can do pretty much anything. Currently, the literature seems to indicate that tea will improve your memory, densify your bones, shield you from cancer, help you lose weight, make you more attractive to the opposite sex, and allow you to jump slightly higher than usual.

The catch with all these studies is that the positive effects are only statistically significant with fairly high consumption levels, on the order of 3-5 cups per day. My initial reaction was "Sweet, an excuse to consume more caffeine". But then I wondered, what exactly constitutes a "cup"? Are they talking one Imperial cup? Does my large Tea Room Hojicha count as one cup? Two? Four? Man, healthy tea consumption is hard.

ISO Standard 3103 to the rescue! Yes, there is indeed an international standard for the brewing of tea. Not only that, but the standard even allows for "Large" (380ml) and "Small" (200ml) cups of tea! Furthermore, a large cup of tea should be presented in a serving vessel weighing 200g (±20g), while small cups should weigh 105g (±20g). In addition, cups or bowls must be white or glazed earthenware. Finally, it should be ensured that a ratio of "2 grams of tea (measured to ±2% accuracy) per 100ml boiling water" is used. 2% accuracy! ISO3101 is a ruthless taskmaster.


Fig. 1: Scientifically admissible tea vessels.


Fig. 2: I can't even begin to describe how wrong this is.