Is brewing tea or coffee chemical physical?

* Extraction: The hot water dissolves and extracts various compounds from the tea leaves or coffee beans. These compounds include caffeine, tannins, and flavor molecules. This process changes the chemical composition of the water and the tea/coffee grounds.

* Chemical Reactions: The hot water also causes chemical reactions within the tea leaves or coffee beans. These reactions can break down complex molecules, changing their structure and creating new compounds that contribute to the flavor and aroma of the final beverage.

Physical changes involve alterations in the form or appearance of a substance but not its chemical composition. Examples of physical changes include melting ice, crushing a rock, or boiling water.

While the process of brewing involves some physical changes (like the water heating up or the leaves/beans changing shape), the core of the process is the extraction and chemical reactions that alter the substances involved.