In traditional Jain practice, drinking tea is generally discouraged and often avoided, especially by more religious Jains.

Main reasons from a Jain point of view:

1. Ahiṁsā (non‑violence) and microorganisms

- Tea leaves and processed tea can contain many tiny living beings (nigod / bacteria, etc.). - Boiling, storing, and drinking such liquids can increase and then kill these microorganisms, which goes against the spirit of minimizing hiṁsā.

1. Stimulant / addiction

- Tea has caffeine, a stimulant. Jain dharma encourages a calm, controlled mind. - Anything that creates dependence or excitement of the senses (like a daily “need” for tea) is seen as a weakness in self‑control (saiyam).

1. Monks vs. householders

- Jain sadhus and sadhvīs (monks and nuns): Do not take tea or coffee at all. - Lay Jains (shrāvaks, shrāvikās): - Many religious families also avoid tea and coffee completely. - Some modern Jains still drink tea, but it is seen as a leniency, not an ideal.

1. Festivals like Paryushan / Das‑Lakshan

- During these periods of special discipline, Jains are strongly advised to stop tea and coffee and keep food and drink very simple.

Digambar and Shvetambar:

• Both traditions’ monks avoid tea/coffee.
• Among laypeople, practice can vary family to family and Sangh to Sangh, but the “higher” Jain path clearly leans toward not drinking tea.

So, in summary:

• Historically and ideally, Jain people are advised not to drink tea.
• Some lay Jains do drink tea today, but from the viewpoint of strict Jain dharma, not drinking it is better and more in line with ahiṁsā and self‑control.

You can read more here and here .