How the Tea vs Coffee Debate Started in 18th-Century Europe

When tea first arrived in Europe, people weren’t sure if it was a miracle drink or a slow poison. Some praised its health benefits, others warned it was as addictive and harmful as coffee. The debate wasn’t just academic—it sparked one of the earliest recorded experiments to test which beverage was truly safer.

In 18th-century Sweden, King Gustav III settled the question in the most direct way possible: he used two identical twins sentenced to death as test subjects. One drank five cups of tea daily, the other five cups of coffee—every day for life. The result? Both outlived the king, with the tea drinker living to 87 and the coffee drinker to 83.

The Original Tea vs Coffee Experiment

King Gustav III ruled Sweden during the late 1700s, a time when tea was newly popular but controversial. Some viewed it as a healthful Eastern elixir; others feared it was addictive like coffee, which was already widespread. To resolve the debate, the king devised a human experiment using two condemned twin brothers. He commuted their death sentences in exchange for lifelong participation: one would drink five cups of tea per day, the other five cups of coffee. The king monitored their health until their natural deaths. The tea-drinking twin lived to 87; the coffee drinker to 83—both far exceeding the king’s own lifespan.

How the Tea-Coffee Rivalry Spread

This royal experiment helped normalize tea drinking in Sweden and, by extension, across Europe. As tea grew more accepted, coffee simultaneously spread eastward into traditional tea-drinking cultures. But the competition didn’t end there. In regions where tea had long dominated, coffee faced resistance. The cultural tug-of-war between tea and coffee continued globally, with each beverage vying for dominance in homes, cafes, and markets.

The "White Tea Marries Coffee" Campaign

In more recent times, China’s tea industry—led by Anji white tea brands like Shiji Mingyuan—launched a provocative campaign called “” (pronounced “Báichá qǔ fēi”), a phonetic pun meaning “white tea marries coffee” but actually advocating “white tea replaces coffee.” The campaign framed white tea as a potential successor to coffee, emphasizing its health benefits and cultural roots. While no outright replacement occurred, the campaign highlighted the ongoing symbolic and cultural competition between the two beverages.

What This Historical Rivalry Means Today

Tea and coffee represent more than drinks—they symbolize East versus West, tradition versus modernity, calm versus energy. Neither has fully replaced the other, and likely never will. Instead, their centuries-long “intimate contact” has encouraged consumers to explore what each offers: the meditative ritual of tea or the bold stimulation of coffee. Understanding their histories fosters greater appreciation for both beverages—and the cultures behind them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was King Gustav III, and why did he test tea and coffee?

King Gustav III of Sweden ruled in the late 18th century and was curious about the health effects of tea and coffee, which were then subjects of public debate. To settle whether tea was a beneficial drink or as harmful as coffee, he used two twin prisoners as test subjects, assigning one to drink tea and the other coffee daily until death.

What were the results of the king’s tea and coffee experiment?

The twin who drank five cups of tea daily lived to 87 years old, while the one who drank five cups of coffee daily lived to 83. Both outlived King Gustav III, suggesting neither beverage was visibly harmful under those conditions.

Did the tea and coffee experiment prove one drink was healthier than the other?

Not definitively. The experiment showed that moderate daily consumption of either tea or coffee did not prevent long life, but it wasn’t a controlled scientific study by modern standards. It did help shift public perception of tea in Sweden.

What was the “white tea marries coffee” campaign in China?

The “” (Báichá qǔ fēi) campaign, led by Chinese white tea brands like Shiji Mingyuan, was a marketing push suggesting white tea could replace coffee. It played on cultural rivalry and positioned white tea as a healthier or more modern alternative, though it didn’t succeed in replacing coffee.

Why is there a cultural rivalry between tea and coffee?

Tea is often associated with Eastern traditions and calm, while coffee is linked to Western productivity and energy. Their global popularity has led to a long-standing cultural and symbolic competition for dominance in social, economic, and personal spheres.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Tea & Coffee Lovers

For those exploring the tea-coffee cultural divide, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for bright floral notes reminiscent of fine teas, or their Yirgacheffe for juicy acidity and citrus undertones. Both single origins highlight the delicate complexity tea drinkers often appreciate, while still delivering coffee’s signature roast profiles. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.