Hot Drinks vs Tea or Coffee
Hot drinks refer to any beverage that is served hot, such as hot chocolate, cider, herbal tea, and hot toddies. Tea and coffee are both made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Tea is brewed from the leaves of this plant and can come in black, green, oolong, white, and herbal varieties. Coffee is made from roasting the seeds of this plant and can come in a variety of different flavors. While both tea and coffee contain caffeine, coffee typically has more caffeine than tea. Mormons are generally discouraged from consuming coffee or other caffeinated beverages.
The primary difference between hot drinks and tea or coffee is that hot drinks may contain a variety of ingredients while tea and coffee only contain the Camellia sinensis plant. Hot drinks will usually be served with added ingredients such as sugar, milk, cream, spices, or flavorings while tea and coffee are usually served plain with only the Camellia sinensis leaves being used to make the beverage.
Mormonism and Decaffeinated Drinks
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is commonly known as Mormonism, does not have any official stance on decaffeinated drinks. Members of the church are free to make their own decisions regarding the consumption of coffee and other caffeinated beverages. However, it is generally accepted that Mormons should avoid or limit their intake of caffeine. The Church encourages its followers to make healthy lifestyle choices, including avoiding or limiting caffeine intake.
Coffee itself is not prohibited by the Church, but hot drinks are discouraged in general. The Word of Wisdom, a health code for Latter-day Saints, states that “hot drinks are not for the body or belly” and does not specifically mention coffee. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to interpret this guidance as they see fit. Some Mormons may choose to abstain from all caffeinated beverages while others may choose to enjoy decaffeinated drinks in moderation.
