Is tea gluten-free? Yes, except barley tea and some blends

Yes. Tea is gluten-free: black, green, white, oolong and most herbal teas.

What to check

• Barley tea: Japanese mugicha (麦茶) and Korean boricha (보리차) are made from roasted barley, so they contain gluten. In Japan and Korea it’s often served free with meals, so ask what’s in the jug.
• Blends: some herbal and “coffee-style” teas contain roasted barley, malt or chicory with barley. Read the ingredient list.
• Chai and latte powders: some contain malt or wheat-based thickeners.
• Genmaicha, green tea with roasted brown rice, is made with rice rather than barley; check the blend if you’re unsure.

Keep reading

• The Hidden-Gluten Watchlist: the 15 forbidden names and the ones to check
• Is barley gluten-free?
• Is coffee gluten-free?
• Gluten-free Japan

Sources: Coeliac UK, EU Regulation 1169/2011 and 828/2014, Codex Alimentarius (gluten-free = 20 mg/kg or less). We inform, we don’t diagnose: for medical questions, your doctor or dietitian has the last word.