Which Tea is Good for Celiac Disease? A Comprehensive Gluten-Free Guide

January 13, 2026 •

3 min read

With approximately 1% of the global population affected by celiac disease, finding safe beverages is a critical part of maintaining health. So, which tea is good for celiac disease, and how can you be certain your favorite brew won't trigger an immune reaction? The answer lies in knowing the source and ingredients of your tea.

Quick Summary

Pure, unflavored teas like black, green, and white are naturally gluten-free. Potential risks arise from flavored blends and cross-contamination during processing, so reading labels carefully is essential.

Key Points

Pure Teas are Safe: Unflavored black, green, white, and oolong teas from the Camellia sinensis plant are naturally gluten-free and safe for celiac disease.
Check Herbal Blends Carefully: Some herbal teas and blends can contain hidden gluten from ingredients like barley malt or roasted grains.
Watch for Cross-Contamination: Gluten contamination can occur in shared manufacturing facilities or even via some tea bag glues, so brand transparency is key.
Certified is Best: For high sensitivity, choose brands with a recognized gluten-free certification logo for maximum safety.
Read All Ingredients: Beware of generic terms like "natural flavors" and always check the full ingredient list, especially with blended or flavored teas.
Avoid Barley Tea: Specifically, avoid roasted barley tea (mugicha), as it is explicitly not gluten-free.

Understanding Tea: Pure vs. Flavored

For those with a gluten-free diet, the primary distinction in tea is between pure, unflavored varieties and flavored or herbal blends. Pure tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant and is naturally gluten-free. Black, green, white, and oolong teas are safe in their pure form. The risk of gluten typically comes from added ingredients, processing, or cross-contamination.

Naturally Gluten-Free Tea Varieties

Pure Camellia sinensis Teas

Green Tea: Pure green tea, whether loose-leaf or bagged, is safe. Pure matcha powder is also gluten-free unless additives are included.
Black Tea: Pure black tea is safe, but be cautious of flavored varieties. Standard English Breakfast and Earl Grey are generally safe if they contain only black tea leaves.
White Tea: As a minimally processed tea, white tea is naturally gluten-free and consists solely of young leaves and buds.
Oolong Tea: Another tea from the Camellia sinensis plant, oolong is safe when free from additives.

Safe Herbal Teas (Tisanes)

Many herbal infusions are gluten-free, but blended varieties require careful checking. Safe options include:

Chamomile: Made from dried flowers.
Peppermint: A common digestive aid.
Ginger: Often used for upset stomachs.
Hibiscus: Naturally gluten-free.
Rooibos: A South African herbal tea unrelated to gluten grains.

Teas and Ingredients to Approach with Caution

Individuals with celiac disease should be wary of certain ingredients and blends:

Barley Tea (Mugicha): This tea is made from barley and contains gluten.
Flavored Teas: "Natural flavors" can sometimes contain barley malt, a hidden source of gluten.
Barley Malt: A sweetener and flavoring derived from barley, unsafe for a gluten-free diet.
Chai Latte Mixes: May contain gluten-based thickeners; check labels.
Matcha Blends: Some blends might include wheat flour. Opt for 100% pure matcha.

The Risk of Cross-Contamination in Tea Production

Even naturally gluten-free tea can be contaminated during production. This can happen through:

Shared Equipment: Facilities processing both gluten and gluten-free items without strict cleaning can lead to cross-contamination.
Packaging: Although less common now, some tea bags have historically used wheat-based glues.
Third-Party Blending: Using blenders who also handle gluten increases contamination risk.

The Safest Choice: Certified Gluten-Free

Choosing products with a gluten-free certification logo is the most reliable way to avoid gluten and cross-contamination. Certifications from organizations like GFCO or Coeliac UK ensure products meet strict standards (less than 20 ppm gluten). Brands processing in dedicated gluten-free facilities offer maximum safety.

Reputable Gluten-Free Tea Brands

Brands known for gluten-free safety include:

Bigelow Tea
Numi Organic Tea
The Republic of Tea
Stash Teas
Yogi Tea (verify current packaging)

Safe vs. Unsafe Tea Ingredients for Celiac Disease


Feature	Safe for Celiac	Unsafe for Celiac	Celiac-Safe Recommendation
Pure Tea Leaves	Black, green, white, oolong	Flavored or blended varieties	Always choose pure or certified gluten-free
Herbal Blends	Peppermint, chamomile, ginger, rooibos (pure)	Teas containing barley malt or roasted grains	Read ingredient labels thoroughly
Flavors	No artificial or "natural" flavors added	Barley malt, malt flavoring, undisclosed natural flavors	Stick to pure, unflavored tea or certified products
Tea Bags	Staple-closed, heat-sealed bags (typically safe)	Bags sealed with wheat-based glues (less common now)	Choose certified brands or loose-leaf tea
Processing	Dedicated gluten-free facilities	Shared manufacturing lines with gluten products	Opt for brands that clearly state their gluten-free status and processing safety

Conclusion: Enjoying a Safe Cup of Tea

Managing celiac disease and enjoying tea requires vigilance, but it is entirely possible. By recognizing naturally gluten-free pure teas and identifying risky blends, you can make safe choices. Always check ingredient labels, and for the highest confidence, select certified gluten-free products. You can safely enjoy your preferred tea, whether it's black, herbal, or matcha. For more on living with celiac disease, consult resources like the Celiac Disease Foundation.

A Simple Checklist for Celiac-Safe Tea

Is it a pure tea? (Black, green, white, oolong)
Is it unflavored?
Are all ingredients listed and verified?
Is it certified gluten-free? (Look for GFCO or similar mark)
Is the brand reputable and transparent about its processes?

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all herbal tea is safe. While many herbal ingredients like chamomile and peppermint are naturally gluten-free, some blends contain added flavorings or fillers derived from gluten-containing grains, such as barley malt. Always read the ingredient list carefully.

Barley tea (mugicha) is a beverage made from roasted barley. Because barley is a gluten-containing grain, barley tea is not safe for individuals with celiac disease and should be avoided.

While pure, unflavored tea leaves are naturally gluten-free, uncertified brands carry a risk of cross-contamination if they are processed on equipment that also handles gluten-containing products. For those with high sensitivity, a certified brand is the safest option.

Some tea bags in the past used a wheat-based glue to seal them, which posed a risk. While this is now less common, cross-contamination within manufacturing facilities remains a risk, so seeking certified or reputable brands is recommended.

Loose-leaf tea often carries a lower risk of hidden ingredients or contamination related to bag processing. However, the risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing still exists, so always buy from a trusted supplier that guarantees their products are gluten-free.

Pure, 100% matcha powder is naturally gluten-free. However, some lower-quality or blended matcha products may contain wheat or other fillers. Always purchase pure matcha from a trusted source and check the label.

When ordering out, there is a high risk of cross-contamination from shared utensils, containers, or powdered mixes that may contain gluten. The safest option is to bring your own certified gluten-free tea bag and ask for a cup of hot water.

Pure black tea made only from Camellia sinensis leaves is gluten-free. The risk comes from flavored black teas, such as some spiced or caramel varieties, which may use gluten-containing additives like malt.