Have you ever felt lightheaded, calm yet energized after several cups of tea?
This phenomenon, often called tea drunk — or cha qi in Chinese tradition — fascinates tea lovers worldwide.

Some claim it comes from theophylline, a compound found in tea leaves. But the truth is different: theophylline is almost absent in tea infusions, and science points instead to a synergy of caffeine, L-theanine, and ritual practice.

In this article, we explore what tea drunk really means, why the theophylline theory is a myth, and how culture and chemistry together create this unique experience.