pH of Tea Around

Northeastern &
Insulation of Various
Coffee Cups
Christopher Balino
Alberto Diaz
Ramon Sanfeliu
Problem Statement
Evaluate pH levels of
various types of tea available
at Northeastern
Dunkin Donuts
Argo Tea
Starbucks

Which is closest to the pH level in the human

body

Determine which disposable cup has best

insulation amongst different establishments
Background pH

What is pH?
Measurement of acidity/alkalinity of a solution
Hydrogen/Hydronium Concentration
pH = log[ + ]
pH Scale
Background Health Effects

Ideal pH level for blood around 7.365-7.42

Imbalance can increase risk for:
Tooth Decay
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Balanced pH: Cancer Prevention
Background Teas
Researching Black, Green, and Chai Tea
Come from Camellia Sinensis plant
Black Tea: Most Oxidized Tea Leaves
Stronger Flavor & Darker color
Green Tea: Least Oxidized Tea Leaves
Subtler flavor & Lighter/Green Color
Chai Tea: Black Tea with Aromatic Spice Mix
Dark color, usually mixed with Milk
Equipment
EcoTestr pH 2 (0.1) [Factory Calibrated & Lab Calibrated]
Amprobe IR608A IR Thermometer (3.5F or 2C)
Omega Liquid in Glass Thermometer (1C)
Omega K-Type Thermocouple ( 2.2C or 0.75%)
Experimental Setup Field
Went to Dunkin Donuts Argo Tea Starbucks
Order all 3 teas at the same time (only black & green at
Dunkin Donuts). No Sugar.
Measure initial serving temperature in Cup using IR
Pour 50mL into beaker & measure temperature with
Liquid in Glass Thermometer
Measure pH at the same time
Experimental Setup Lab
Used 4 computers with LabVIEW and 4 Thermocouples
Bring water to boiling temperature in 2 large beakers
Prior to pouring water into cups, start data logging.
Fill cups with boiling water and cap with thermocouple
mounted through the drinking hole
Run for about 3hrs (stabilization)
Calibration
Thermocouple Calibration Data

120
Station 1 Calib.
y = 0.9836x + 2.1718
100
Station 2 Calib.
y = 0.9834x + 3.1917 Station 1
80
Station 2
Station 3 Calib.
y = 0.9852x + 1.4626 Station 3
60 Station 4
Station 4 Calib. Linear (Station 1)
y = 0.9825x + 3.4813
Linear (Station 2)
40
Linear (Station 3)
Linear (Station 4)
20

0
-20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Key Results pH Measurements
Averages and Standard Deviation

pH Values of Teas Measured

8.0
7.07
7.0 6.6 6.5
6.3 6.2
5.8 5.8 6.0
6.0
5.5
5.0 Dunkin Donuts
pH Value

4.0 Argo Tea

3.0 Starbucks
SBUX w/ Soy Milk
2.0
1.0
0.0
Black Tea Green Tea Chai Tea

Store Tea Type Average St. Dev

Black 5.83 0.121
Dunkin Donuts
Green 6.33 0.082
Black 5.47 0.052
Argo Green 6.15 0.055
Chai (w/ Soy) 6.50 0.089
Black 5.80 0.089
Green 6.55 0.055
Starbucks
Chai (No Milk) 6.02 0.075
Chai (w/ Soy) 7.07 0.208
Key Results pH Measurements
pH Values of Teas Measured
8.0
7.07
7.0
6.3 6.2 6.6 6.5
5.8 5.8 6.0
6.0
5.5

5.0
Dunkin Donuts
pH Value

4.0 Argo Tea

Starbucks
3.0 SBUX w/ Soy Milk

2.0

1.0

0.0
Black Tea Green Tea Chai Tea

Most Acidic: Argo Black Tea

Dunkin Donuts & Starbucks Black Tea about the same
Green Tea generally more neutral (on its own)
Adding (Soy) Milk neutralizes acidity, but
high variation
Key Results Disposable Cup
Insulation

Test Subjects:
Starbucks Tall w/ Sleeve
Argo Tea Small w/ Sleeve
Dunkin Donuts Medium (Styrofoam)
Dunkin Donuts Small (No Sleeve)
 Key Results Disposable Cup
Insulation

Starting Temp at Time to Time to Time in

Temp. 10min 68.3C 51.7C Ideal Range
(C) (C) (min) (min) (min)
DD Foam 97.0 86.7 39.5 83.3 43.8 min
DD Paper 96.0 74.4 14.5 37.4 22.9 min
Argo Tea 96.0 82.7 25.9 55.5 29.5 min
Starbucks 96.7 81.4 23.6 55.0 31.4 min
Room Temp = 21C
 Key Results Disposable Cup
Insulation

Starting Temp at Time to Time to Time in

Temp. 10min 68.3C 51.7C Ideal Range
(C) (C) (min) (min) (min)
DD Foam 97.0 86.7 39.5 83.3 43.8 min
DD Paper 96.0 74.4 14.5 37.4 22.9 min
Argo Tea 96.0 82.7 25.9 55.5 29.5 min
Starbucks 96.7 81.4 23.6 55.0 31.4 min

1 Minute Moving Average

Best insulation Dunkin Donuts Styrofoam
Starbucks & Argo Paper Cups similar
Small Dunkin Donuts Paper least insulated
No Sleeve & Thinner Lid
Discussion/Conclusion
Most neutral tea was Chai Tea with Milk or Green Tea
from Starbucks
Depends on if you add milk to your tea (subjective)
Typical pH Values
Milk: 6.5-6.7
Soy Milk ~7.0
Does teabag shape has an effect?
Best cup = Dunkin Donuts
Styrofoam
Worst = Dunkin Donuts Paper
Discussion/Conclusion
Sources of Error Improvements
pH Measurement Increase sample size
Varies by barista Different types of
herbal teas
Steeping Time
Citrus varieties
Amount of Milk Added
Variety of climates
Nonuniformity of Tea and/or seasonal
Temperature variation
Iced Tea vs. Hot Tea?

Temp. Measurement
Room Temperature
Idealized Situation
Ambient environment