Coffee and tea are daily staples for millions. Yet, a groundbreaking National Coffee & Tea Survey by Koffie & Thee Nederland—with 1,433 Dutch participants—reveals significant knowledge gaps among drinkers. As experts in beverage nutrition, we've analyzed the results: time to clear up the misconceptions and highlight the facts.
Key Survey Highlights:
FACT: Black coffee aligns perfectly with the Wheel of Five.
Only 14% of coffee drinkers knew that black coffee*, like tea, fits into the Nutrition Center's Wheel of Five.
These beverages support a healthy lifestyle. They're sensible, nutritious choices. Black coffee has under 1 kcal per 100 ml, and the Nutrition Center endorses their proven health benefits.
FACT: Coffee doesn't dehydrate you.
Contrary to popular belief, just 31% recognize this truth.
That water glass beside your espresso? It's to cleanse your palate for optimal flavor—not to rehydrate. Coffee contributes to the recommended 1.5–2 liters of daily fluids per the Wheel of Five.
FACT: Black tea is as healthy as green tea.
A striking 57% of tea drinkers assume green is superior. Not so!
Both come from the same plant. Black tea leaves are fermented (oxidized), altering color and taste but not health impacts, per the Nutrition Center.
FACT: Green tea contains caffeine.
Only 26% of Dutch tea drinkers know this.
In tea, it's called theine—a natural stimulant for energy. Tea has 2–3 times less than coffee, varying by brew (e.g., filter coffee has more than espresso). Note: 41% correctly know black tea has more theine than rooibos, which has none, like herbal teas, since rooibos isn't from the tea plant.
*Black coffee includes freshly ground beans, paper-filtered, percolator, pads, capsules, instant, or machine-brewed. Excludes boiled or cafetière.
Additional Insights:
After water, coffee and tea top Dutch consumption:
82% drink coffee weekly, 67% daily.
71% drink tea weekly, 40% daily.
The average Dutch drinker enjoys:
4.1 cups of coffee daily.
3.2 cups of tea daily.
Younger people (16–24) are least aware of benefits, drinking less coffee daily (27%) than seniors (88% for 65+).
