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[Tea Myths] You’ve Been Skimming Off the Tea Foam?

Tea News · May 09, 2026

       When brewing tea, the surface of the tea infusion often produces foam due to water agitation—this is tea saponin. Some people compare it to the scum that appears when boiling food, and they skim it off while brewing tea, but this is actually a misunderstanding and a waste.

 


 

Tea saponin is a type of structurally complex glycoside compound. It tastes bitter and pungent, is difficult to dissolve in cold water, is slightly acidic with a pH value between 5.6 and 5.7, and has strong foaming ability that is not affected by water hardness. Therefore, teas with rich foam generally have a more intense flavor.

 


 

Glycoside compounds like tea saponin are widely present in the plant kingdom. For example, ginsenosides in ginseng are antioxidants, and allyl disulfide compounds in garlic and onions also help improve human immunity and have anti-cancer effects.

 


 

What are the health benefits of tea saponin found in tea infusions?

1. Tea saponin has good anti-leakage and anti-inflammatory properties, and can be used to regulate blood sugar, lower cholesterol, prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and relieve cough and phlegm.

2. Tea saponin is not only a good surfactant but also has strong antibacterial activity, especially against skin pathogenic bacteria.

3. Tea saponin also has the dual function of inhibiting gastric emptying and promoting gastric motility, showing remarkable effects in restoring the autonomous functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

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