It can be tough to get through the day without feeling drained or foggy. You've tried drinking coffee, but it makes you jittery and you tend to crash about an hour later.
Caffeine from coffee and energy drinks is definitely a popular option many of us turn to for an instant BOOST, but that doesn't mean they're necessarily the BEST option and often backfire... especially for those who may be sensitive to caffeine and don't know their limits.
Luckily, true teas from the Camellia Sinensis plant, as well as yerba mate tea, also contain caffeine (in lesser amounts than coffee) along with other compounds that help to synergistically increase energy AND focus!
Tea Vs. Coffee And Energy Drinks
One of the main reasons true teas trump coffee is because tea contains L-Theanine, an amino acid that has been shown to help improve cognitive function, reduce anxiety, and even improve sleep quality.
When combined with caffeine, L-Theanine helps to balance out the energy boost, leading to longer-lasting energy and way less of a crash.
And while many energy drinks have L-Theanine as one of their ingredients, the amount of caffeine and other additives and stimulants in energy drinks can make them a... let's just say, "not so healthy"... option for many people, ESPECIALLY in comparison to tea!
Overconsumption of coffee and energy drinks can lead to a host of negative side effects such as jitters, anxiety, trouble settling down before bed, and even an increased risk for adrenal fatigue. Ain't nobody got time for THAT, right?
Best Tea For Focus AND Energy
If you're looking for a tea that will benefit you both in the energy AND focus departments both, caffeinated tea is the way to go! But some herbal teas work too!
Caffeinated Tea
As mentioned above, TRUE teas made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant all contain L-Theanine (the focus-enhancing component) as well as caffeine (the energy-giving component) and include:
- White Tea
- Green Tea/Matcha Powder
- Oolong Tea
- Black Tea
- Pu-erh Tea
Herbal Teas
But don't count herbal teas out completely! With so many health benefits that feed and energize us on a cellular level, those sensitive to caffeine can still find a boost in energy and FOCUS by drinking one of the following herbal teas:
- Peppermint Tea
- Ginger Tea
- Turmeric
- Ashwaganda
- And MORE!
The Goods
Best Teas For Energy And Focus
Masala Chai
Brew a perfect pot of classic Masala Chai black tea with this 16oz organic loose-leaf tea from Positively Tea Company
The "Addictive" Details
Looking for a delicious and healthy way to get your caffeine fix without all the jitters coffee and energy drinks bring to the party? If so, Organic Positively Tea Company Masala Chai is perfect for you!
This black tea-based masala chai is chock-full of antioxidants, polyphenols, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and L-Theanine!
Not to mention, it has a lovely spiced vanilla flavor that will warm you up from the inside out. Best of all, this loose-leaf tea is USDA-certified organic, so you know you're getting the best quality possible. It really is like Christmas in a cup y'all!
Officially "Hooked"
"Positively the best masala chai I have ever had: Amazing. I use this to make iced lattes. It has a very nice spice level. I brew the tea strong, per package directions, then mix with milk and ice. To me this is better than coffee shop chai lattes because it is more spicy. It is exactly what I was looking for." -Amazon Reviewer
The "Addictive" Details
Looking for an authentic Japanese matcha powder that's rich in brain-function-boosting antioxidants and natural energy? Well, you are in for a treat!
This ceremonial-grade powder is made from 100% USDA-certified organic green tea leaves, grown without pesticides or harmful fertilizers.
Plus, this powder is shade-grown, which means it has a higher chlorophyll content- making it even healthier for you! With a money-back guarantee, there's really no risk involved. Start drinking green tea matcha powder today and feel the difference!
Officially "Hooked"
"Very good taste: Right now I can't go to Starbucks which is where I used to go to get matcha tea latte I got this and honestly it's better and more affordable taste just like the Starbucks stuff." -Amazon Reviewer
Yerba Mate
U.S. Wellness Naturals, Organic Yerba Mate Tea(16Oz), HI-CAFFEINE, SUPER-GREEN
The "Addictive" Details
Looking for a little boost? Something to help you power through your day? Yerba Mate has you covered. This 100% certified organic loose-leaf yerba mate is heavy on the CAFFEINE but doesn't give you crazy jitters, making it the perfect pick-me-up for when you need it most.
In addition to the caffeine, yerba mate also contains THEOPHYLLINE and THEOBROMINE. These two compounds work together to boost mental energy and make you feel good - perfect for when you need that extra edge.
And because it's low in acidity, it's easier on your stomach than coffee, so you can enjoy it without any negative side effects. Yerba mate for the win, right!?
Officially "Hooked"
"Yerba Mate More Energy: This product is amazing. More powerful than coffee without edgy feeling. It gives me constant energy. I was drinking more than 10 cups of coffee a day for energy. Now with YerbaMate I feel more energized and alert. On the plus side, it takes away my hunger." -Amazon Reviewer
Blue Lady Black Tea
Zest Tea, 150mg High Caffeine Energy Leaf Blend, 20 Tea Bags
The "Addictive" Details
Looking for an alternative to coffee that will give you a sustained energy boost without the jitters or crash? Look no further than Zest Blue Lady Black Tea! This delicious tea was voted Top New Product at the World Tea Expo for its unique energy-boosting properties.
And with three times the caffeine levels of traditional black tea, it's no wonder these tea bags are said to hold the strongest tea on the market! Not to mention, it's also keto-friendly for those on a low-carb diet.
If you're looking for a steady and prolonged surge of alertness, ditch the coffee and switch to Zest Tea for a naturally delicious and energizing cup of tea that will keep you going all day long!
Officially "Hooked"
"Great Taste, Clean Energy: Zest Tea BlueLady flavor (orange-lemon-hibiscus) is the best-tasting tea I've ever had—especially iced! Plus, it's loaded with 3X the caffeine of regular black tea and L-Theanine to remove or reduce the negative effects of caffeine. This can and should replace any nasty energy drinks in your life (it did for me)." -Amazon Reviewer
The "Addictive" Details
If you are looking for a Pu-erh tea that is both earthy and robust, congrats! You've found it!
This organic Puerh loose leaf is produced from large, broad tea leaves from Zhengwan in Yunnan province, and undergoes an accelerated method of fermentation that makes it perfect for immediate consumption or able to be kept in your tea rotation for many years.
Pantenger Pu-erh has a "round in the mouth" feel and is refreshing and perfect for any time of day.
Plus, it comes in airtight decorative tins to protect the tea from moisture which makes them perfect for everyday personal use OR as a fun gift to give to your favorite fellow tea lover.
Officially "Hooked"
"Great Organic Pu-erh Tea: Pantenger Puerh Tea was a great experience from start to finish. I love the rich earthy taste of Puerh in the morning as an alternative to coffee. Also, I appreciate the fact that is USDA-certified organic to make sure the tea is as clean as possible." -Amazon Reviewer
The "Addictive" Details
Looking for a delicious and healthy tea that will help you relax and rejuvenate? Introducing Numi Organic Orange Spice White Tea!
White tea is the least oxidized and processed of all teas, meaning it retains more of its natural antioxidants and nutrients.
Caffeine levels are also low, making it the perfect choice for those looking to avoid jitters or sleeplessness.
With this Orange Spice tea, you're getting full-leaf quality tea with no dust or fannings!
Their plant-based tea wrappers and hemp tea bags allow this eco-friendly cup of tea to taste EXTRA soothing! Give it a try! You're gonna love it!
Officially "Hooked"
"Light & Versatile Tea: This tea is exactly what I was looking for - it's lightly sweet and tastes good with or without added sweetener. The orange flavor is not overpowering and is well-balanced by the spices. It tastes good hot or cold and is quite pleasant to have on hand throughout the workday." -Amazon Reviewer
Final Thoughts
So if you're looking for an alternative to coffee or energy drinks that will give you a balanced and longer-lasting energy boost and better cognitive function, tea is definitely the way to go!
Not only do true teas contain caffeine and L-Theanine, but they also come packed with antioxidants and other health benefits that work together to improve focus and energy.
And herbal teas are still a great option for those who want all of the benefits of tea without any caffeine. So whichever type of tea you choose, drink up and enjoy the energizing effects! Cheers! And thanks for reading!
