Tea Drunk (Cha Zui): What It Is and How to Avoid It

"Tea drunk" (茶醉, cha zui) is the everyday name for feeling unwell after too much strong tea too quickly: shaky hands, a racing or pounding heartbeat, lightheadedness, sweating, sudden hunger or nausea. It's not alcohol-like intoxication. It usually happens in long gongfu sessions with strong teas (young sheng pu-erh especially) on an empty stomach. It's easy to prevent: eat something, drink water, slow down and use less leaf. If you feel chest pain, severe palpitations or faint, stop and get medical help.

What it feels like#

People describe it differently, but common signs are:

• Trembling or shaky hands.
• A racing or pounding heartbeat.
• Feeling lightheaded, dizzy or "floaty".
• Sweating, feeling hot or cold.
• Sudden, strong hunger.
• Nausea or an uneasy stomach.
• Feeling restless or anxious.

Some people use the name for the early stage too: a pleasant, calm, floaty feeling. That's the point to stop, not to keep going.

Why it happens#

Gongfu brewing uses a lot of leaf and many short steeps, so over a long session you can drink much more tea, and more caffeine, than it feels like. Strong teas like young sheng are also rough on an empty stomach. The mix of caffeine, a long session and no food is the usual recipe. More in caffeine in tea.

Tea drunk vs cha qi#

More in cha qi and hui gan.

Which teas are most likely to do it#

How to avoid it#

1. Eat before and during a session: nuts, dried fruit, bread, simple snacks.
2. Drink water alongside the tea.
3. Use less leaf for strong teas, or a smaller vessel.
4. Slow down: don't drink every cup the moment it's poured.
5. Take breaks in long sessions or tasting flights.
6. Know your limit and stop early in the day if caffeine keeps you awake.

See also how to run a tasting flight and how many times you can steep tea.

What to do if it happens#

• Stop drinking tea.
• Eat something simple and drink water.
• Sit down, breathe slowly, get some fresh air.
• It usually passes within an hour or so.
• Get medical help if you have chest pain, a very fast or irregular heartbeat that doesn't settle, fainting or severe vomiting.

How to run a long tasting#

For a tasting of several strong teas, such as five young sheng: use a smaller gaiwan with the same ratio (3 g in 60 ml instead of 5 g in 100 ml), take one sip per cup and pour the rest out, keep bread and nuts on the table and a glass of water per tea, and take a ten-minute break halfway.

Myths#

"Tea drunk is like being drunk on alcohol." It's not intoxication; it's mostly too much caffeine and tea on an empty stomach.

"It only happens to beginners." Experienced drinkers get it too, especially at long tastings.

"Feeling floaty means great cha qi." It may also mean you've had enough.

My honest take#

Being tea drunk isn't a badge of honour. The best sessions leave you clear, warm and happy, not trembling. Eat, drink water, and let good tea do its work slowly.

The bottom line#

Tea drunk means feeling shaky, lightheaded, jittery or nauseous from too much strong tea too fast, usually on an empty stomach. Prevent it with food, water, less leaf and a slower pace. Stop and eat if it happens, and get medical help for serious symptoms. More in my gongfu brewing guide.