Best Caffeine Free Tea For Morning Energy: Top 15 Teas To Try
Are you feeling lonely in the world of caffeine addicts? Caffeine is a reason why many are reluctant to drink real tea regularly, and often desperate when they want to find an energizing alternative for coffee or tea. Regardless if you are intolerant to caffeine, want to reduce a daily intake, pregnant or breastfeeding, there are caffeine free teas that may give you an energy boost you need.
How To Increase Energy Levels Without Caffeine
Caffeine is only a short-term solution to increasing energy, especially in coffee. If you do need caffeine in the morning, a much better option is green tea. The combination of L-theanine and caffeine in green tea will give you sustained energy, without the extreme sudden peak like with coffee. Thats why you might not immediately notice the energy boost from green tea , but will feel more energized throughout the day.
Its difficult to live an energy-full life with no caffeine at all. Exercising, healthy food, general health condition, age, sleeping habits and daily stress will increase or decrease your need for an extra energy. For example, processed foods full of bad fat and sugar may easily make you feel sluggish and reduce energy levels.
Types Of Oolong Tea And Caffeine
Oolong tea goes under partial oxidation. The flavor isnt usually as strong as a black tea and has many fragrant and intriguing tones. Many people compare the flavor of oolongs to flowers or fruit.
A few great blends of this tea include Toasted Nut Brûlée caramel nut tea, Peaches n Cream peach oolong tea, and Currant Conversation best black currant tea.
Oolong tea normally contains about 50 to 75 mg of caffeine per 8 ounce cup.
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Tazo Herbal Citrus Tea Bags
Tazo is one of the biggest names in tea for its consistently high quality and superb blends. This particular example is an herbal variety that is naturally caffeine-free, but it has more than enough flavor to satisfy any drinker. Infused with a rich combination of orange peel, citrus herbs, lemongrass and licorice root, it is among the brightest and most refreshing selections on our list. Though its a great candidate for drinking all on its own, it is also a welcome choice for brewing a novel citrus ice tea perfect for parties and other gatherings.
Courtesy of Amazon
Types Of Honeybush Tea And Caffeine
Honeybush tea is a South African herbal tea made from the leaves of the honeybush plant. The shrub has a honey-like smell which is where the name comes from. To make the tea it undergoes full oxidization, which gives the leaves a red color.
Some delicious honeybush teas include Vista Blend delicious honeybush tea with apricot and lavender and Best Friends Advice St Johns wort and mango tea.
Honeybush doesnt have any caffeine.
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Labor And Consumer Safety Problems
Tests of commercially popular teas have detected residues of banned toxic pesticides.
Tea production in Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda has been reported to make use of child labor according to the U.S. Department of Labor‘s List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor. Workers who pick and pack tea on plantations in developing countries can face harsh working conditions and may earn below the living wage.
Does Hibiscus Tea Have Caffeine Exploring Hibiscus Tea
The beautiful red shades of hibiscus tea and delicious fruity flavor are hard not to admire. Last week on the Zest Tea blog, we explored a wide range of herbal teas and discovered that some of them can contain quite a large amount of caffeine !
So, does hibiscus tea contain caffeine? What other benefits of hibiscus tea are there?
In this guide to hibiscus tea, we’re breaking down the origins, nutrition, health benefits and caffeine levels of this popular herbal tea type.
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So Which Tea Type Has The Most Caffeine
Generally, the tea that steeps the longest will release the most caffeine.
In terms of steeping time, black tea will give you the most caffeine as it steeps the longest. The caffeine has time to remove itself from the tea leaves.
But in terms of actual caffeine content in the leaf, white tea is stronger. You dont hear about it often, because its not steeped for very long, and people tend to miss the caffeine in it.
All this being said, there are many things that affect how much caffeine ends up in your cup of tea. Ill look into what those things are, and how you can extract the most caffeine from your tea.
Caffeine In Tea : Busting The Myths
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I drink Organic White Tea – it really helps me sleep calmly at night as it has low caffeine
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I prefer Green Tea – I was told by my yoga teacher that Green Tea is very calming as it also has low caffeine
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I go for Decaff tea – my friends says this has lowest caffeine amongst all teas
Who is right? And who is wrong?
The question of caffeine content in tea has been one of the most discussed and debated in recent years. Sweeping generalizations, aided by skillful marketing, seem to have created a common consensus among tea drinkers like – White Tea is a low-caff tea but Black Tea has high caffeine.
And there are many more myths and misunderstandings about caffeine in tea.
Join us as we bust these myths by delving deeper into what is caffeine and what effect does it have on the human brain, as we then understand the complex relationship between tea and caffeine.
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Yogi Soothing Caramel Bedtime Tea
Preparing for bed, especially during the hectic workweek, can be a stressful process. Thats precisely why you need something to unwind. This special blend from Yogi was designed to do just that. Caffeine-free with a warm caramel-like flavor, its primary ingredient is chamomile, which has been used for centuries to calm nerves. Its potent effects make it a great choice for sipping on before slipping under the covers or when youre not feeling your best. Organic and Non-GMO Project-certified, everything about this tea will set you at ease.
Courtesy of Amazon
How Old The Tea Leaves Are
I mentioned earlier than tea harvesting uses 3 types of tea leaves.
The tea plant has buds, as any budding plant does.
These contain the most caffeine, since they are prioritized by the plant itself.
Caffeine is the tea plants self-defense mechanism, to keep pests at bay. Younger leaves, or the younger parts of the plant, have the most caffeine so they can get the most protection.
Conversely, older tea leaves will have less caffeine.
This all means that the exact kind of leaves your tea is made of matters very much.
If youre using white tea, thats made of tea buds. it has the potential for high caffeine, but its very often not brewed for long enough to release all of the caffeine and still be bearable to taste.
There are types of black tea that are using a few tea buds, aside from the older leaves. This helps raise the overall level of caffeine.
Still, if you want to have an idea of how much caffeine is in your tea, check the label to see what kind of leaves it uses, or ask the vendor if you can.
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Does Black Tea Have More Or Less Caffeine Than Coffee
Like for like, a cup of coffee has around double the amount of caffeine compared to black tea, with an average of 95mg per cup. Like tea, a lot of factors can influence the caffeine content of coffee including the type of coffee beans, the roasting process and the type of coffee.
For example, a shot of espresso contains about 63mg of caffeine and a cup of instant coffee between 30-90mg.
Drink Hibiscus Tea For Weight Loss
Weight loss is never easy or fast, but there are some properties of hibiscus that can help you reduce your body weight. The study into liver damage above shows one way that hibiscus can reduce abdominal fat, and don’t forget the strong link between hibiscus and reducing ‘bad’ cholesterol.
But there’s more. One study found that polyphenols extracted from hibiscus and lemon verbena modulate appetite biomarkers, which means that they could help dieters avoid the undesirable weight gain that’s often experienced after finishing a calorie restricted diet.11
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Iced Tea: Low Caffeine
At first glance, it looks like Starbucks only has three iced teas containing a lower amount of caffeine: white, green and black.
However, all Starbucks iced teas can be mixed and matched with all sorts of other drinks to make a variety of iced tea drinks.
In fact, heres my Starbucks Iced Tea Guide showing you all the ways iced tea can be customized.
For example, any tea concentrate can be mixed with lemonade, peach juice, guava juice, apple juice or even another tea.
Does Decaf Mean No Caffeine
What Is Decaf Coffee? Decaf coffee is not completely caffeine-free. While USDA regulations stipulate that decaf should not exceed 0.10 percent caffeine on a dry basis in the package, comparison between brewed regular and decaf coffee shows that decaf appears to have at least 97% of caffeine removed .
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Awesome Benefits Of Quitting Caffeine Or Coffee
Billions of people worldwide drink coffee or some form of caffeine every day.
Although caffeine is generally accepted as safe for consumption in moderation, there are some solid benefits to breaking the habit and quitting.
For some its coffee, for others energy drinks, but both tea and many sodas are also caffeinated.
What Determines The Caffeine Content Of Your Tea Leaves
So I mentioned before that caffeine content varies from tea to tea, and no one really agrees on the actual specific content.
There are several reasons for this, and there is one interesting study made on this exact subject.
In the Journal of Analytical Toxicology a few researchers tested out several tea brands from the U.S.
They found that steeping 20 different teas that covered black, green, white, decaf, herbal varieties had no correlation with the caffeine content.
This research used teabags, and not loose leaf teas. So the amount of tea was very similar.
That is, they found green tea with higher caffeine than black, white with higher than green, and so on.
They tested the steeping time 1, 3, 5 minutes and used the same water source and temperature for all teas.
Research concluded that caffeine levels for green, black, and white tea ranged between 14-61 mg of caffeine per serving .
This is very broad and is a good example of how hard it can be to accurately state that one tea type has more caffeine content than the other.
Lets take a look at what can influence the caffeine content of the tea, and how you can keep this info in mind.
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How To Brew Hibiscus Tea
The easiest way to make hibiscus tea is by following this method. Using hibiscus flowers that are whole or sifted and cut is the best way to make it. Hibiscus extract can also be used, but remember that they are highly concentrated and you may not get the same fresh hibiscus flavor.
You will need:
- 1 teaspoon of loose hibiscus flowers,
- A slice of fresh ginger root ,
- Honey or sugar to taste .
To make the tea:
A mug of hibiscus tea twice a day is a good way to relax. You’re unlikely to experience any side effects , and you may even experience some cool health benefits of hibiscus too.
Caffeine Free Immune Boosting Chai Tea
I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article. Full disclosure.This Caffeine Free Immune Boosting Chai Tea is spicy, creamy and absolutely delicious! Packed with immune boosting spices and herbs, this tea is perfect as an afternoon warming drink or served at a holiday gathering.chaibeverages
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Are Herbal Teas Healthy
The specific health benefits of herbal teas will vary depending on their ingredients, but since all are made from plants, they will contain a variety of polyphenols and antioxidants, which have been shown to confer a range of protective benefits.
Consumption of antioxidants has been associated with reduced risk for a variety of ills, and support for overall health. Diets rich in antioxidants may also help to support healthy weight management, a healthy immune system, and healthy blood sugar levels. . Part of a healthy and balanced diet, herbal teas can help to support overall wellness as much as any true tea.
So while you may miss out on L-theanine and epigallocatechin gallate prevalent in true teas, you will still reap the benefits of powerful plant compounds without any exposure to caffeine.
What Causes Caffeine Levels In Green Tea To Change
While 30-50mg is an estimation of how much caffeine is found in most eight-ounce cups of green tea, this amount may change depending on how its steeped.
Heres a look at what alters caffeine levels in green tea:
- The amount of time the tea has been steeped. How long to steep green tea depends on the caffeine content you prefer. The longer it steeps, the higher the caffeine content will be.
- The ratio of green tea leaves to water. Tea bags come pre-packaged with a fixed amount of leaves per bag. Doubling up on tea bags will, of course, double the amount of caffeine. Loose-leaf tea, on the other hand, may be steeped in varying quantities which will cause caffeine levels to go up or down depending on how much is used.
- The temperature of the water used to steep the tea. The hotter the water, the faster the caffeine will be released into the tea.
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Herbal And True Tea Blends Medium Caffeine
This one might be more obvious to some of you, but often herbal teas are mixed with true tea types.
I mentioned earlier about Yaupon being mixed with mint. Likewise, you will possibly come across something like Sencha tea blend. Well, sencha is green tea, so it will be caffeinated.
They do however need to declare this on the packaging. So just be sure to check the label and packaging before purchasing.
What Teas Contain Caffeine
There are three main categories of tea when it comes to caffeine. True tea from the camellia sinensis plant, decaffeinated tea from the same plant, and herbal tea which includes any other plant. Teas without caffeine are either decaffeinated true tea or herbal tea. But there is an exception with caffeinated herbal teas, such as yerba mate. It might sound confusing at first, but well break down all the details so you know exactly what youre steeping.
True Tea
Camellia sinensis is a shrub that was first cultivated in China, and has become globally known as the true tea plant. Since it contains caffeine, all tea varieties made from this plant will contain caffeine. This includes popular teas such as:
- Black tea
- Earl Grey
- Chai
These true teas are varied in taste and appearance, but all have the same main ingredient. The difference in flavor comes from how the tea is grown, harvested, and processed. For example, black tea is fully oxidized which makes it darker and stronger in taste. Pu-erh tea is fermented, giving it a complex flavor profile similar to chocolate or wine. Green tea is unoxidized and usually pan-fried or steamed to preserve its refreshing, vegetal flavor. All of these varieties contain caffeine.
Herbal Tea
- Single herb teas
- Herbal blends
- Root decoctions
- Medicinal infusions
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Caffeine Content In Tea
Because there are a myriad of ways caffeine is measured and when its measured – its hard to say which tea variety has the absolute highest and lowest amount of caffeine. There are literally dozens of factors that make up the caffeine content in tea, and any tea company can seize one aspect and declare that this is the highest caffeine tea you can buy, when it might be taking data from a particular moment in time that is ‘ideal’ but changes later when it is being processed. Another trick to alter the caffeine content in tea, as well as coffee is to simply adjust the serving size.
At the end of the day – drinking black tea will yield the highest caffeine as a rule of thumb, with green and white teas having lower amounts. Will there be enough variation between one type of black tea versus another to make a noticeable difference? Probably not that you will notice. And don’t forget, there are other components in tea that affect how caffeine is processed within your body. EGCG, L-theanine are found in tea in varying amounts – and these too can increase concentration and awareness without giving you a caffeine buzz.
Caffeine Content In Traditional Tea Types
While herbal teas tend to be either caffeine-free or contain quite a high amount of caffeine, traditional teas have varying levels.
Green teas, for example, contain 28mg per 8oz serving on average9, while your usual morning black tea contains 47mg. The caffeine content of white tea, oolong, pu-erh and other more obscure tea types fall around these levels too.
Then there are decaffeinated teas. The key difference between caffeine-free herbal teas and decaffeinated teas is that decaf teas still have caffeine! Even after the tea leaves have been decaffeinated, there’s still a very small amount of caffeine left. This is usually only a milligram or two and not enough for you to feel the effects of caffeine.
To learn more about the amount of caffeine in different tea types, plus how this compares to Zest high caffeine tea and other energy drinks, read our Guide to The Best Tea for Caffeine.
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