The Best Teas for Energy & Focus (It’s Not Just Green Tea)

Jake Bonneman All About Tea
5 minute read

When it comes to energy and alertness, the average person thinks of coffee rather than tea. But did you know that teas can be highly effective in boosting energy levels, focus, and even long-term memory?

Not all teas have these specific benefits, of course—many herbal teas, like chamomile, are known for having the opposite effect. But there are plenty of teas out there that can give you the energy boost you need to get through your day.

This is by no means an exhaustive list—just some of the best options out there. I'll include links to a few specific teas I recommend as well. If you're searching for a tea that will help you stay energized and focused, here are just a few of the best options:

Green Tea (+ Matcha)

Green tea is one of the most popular teas in the world. It's also one of the best teas for energy. Green tea contains caffeine, of course—but that's not the only energy-boosting component in this verdant beverage.

Green tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that slows the absorption of caffeine. Essentially, this means that—while coffee contains more caffeine—you'll get a more gradual and sustained energy boost from green tea than you do from coffee. (And with less of the jittery side effects.)

Matcha is a type of green tea that's especially rich in antioxidants and nutrients. It's made by grinding up the entire green tea leaf into a powder, then whisking it with water. This results in a more potent (and energizing) cup of green tea than you would get from steeping loose leaves or using a tea bag. Energize Matcha Cranberry & Lime Tea by Twinings of London makes an especially refreshing, energy-boosting cup.

Black Tea

Like green tea, black tea contains caffeine—and it also has a moderate amount of the amino acid L-theanine. Which, for the same reasons given for green tea above, make black tea a perfect choice if you're looking for an energy boost that will last throughout the day.

Out of all the "true" teas, black teas contain the highest caffeine content on average. For a solid energy boosting black tea, check out Super Irish Breakfast by Stash.

Yerba Mate

No list of energy-boosting teas would be complete without mentioning yerba mate. Yerba mate is a grassy herbal tea from South America that contains about 40mg of caffeine—more than a cup of green tea, but less than a cup of black tea. Besides caffeine, it contains theobromine—a compound similar to the L-theanine found in "true" teas.

Many people who drink it believe that it improves their mental focus and alertness more than its moderate caffeine levels normally would—however, more scientific research is needed to prove this definitively. Studies do show that it can increase athletic performance and workout endurance.

Peppermint Tea

This one might surprise you—after all, peppermint is generally more often associated with relaxation than energy. What's more, it doesn't contain any caffeine! What?

How is this possible?

Well, it turns out that peppermint tea can actually help improve your focus, alertness, and mental clarity.

A 2016 study from Northumbria University found that participants who drank peppermint tea scored higher on tests that challenged their cognition skills, working memory, and long-term memory. Furthermore, they found that peppermint enhanced mood as well.

Dr. Mark Moss, Head of the Department of Psychology at Northumbria, said: "We found that those people who had drunk the peppermint tea had better long-term memory. They were able to remember more words and pictures that they had seen. In contrast, the people who had the chamomile were slower in responding to tasks."

(Source: https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/news/24135/peppermint-chamomile-tea-memory/)

So, while it doesn't contain the caffeine found in true teas, peppermint tea can still give you a boost in energy and focus—and research shows it may assist with your memory and recall speed as well. With peppermint and mild vanilla flavors, Peppermint Cheer by Twinings is a delicious option for a naturally caffeine-free, energizing cup of tea.

Whether you're looking for a caffeine-free herbal tea or a true tea, there are plenty of options when it comes to finding a tea that will help give you an energy boost. Want to pick up some tea to boost your energy and focus today? Select from our collection of teas here or use any of the product links included above to find the perfect energizing tea for you!