The best teas to drink in the morning
From high-caffeine teas to energizing tea blends, here are our top recommendations for teas to kick off your morning routine.
1. Irish Breakfast Black Tea
For those looking for a strong, rich cup of morning tea, Irish Breakfast is a sure-fire winner. Its finely-ground tea leaves pack a punch in terms of flavor and caffeine, and hold up well to the addition of milk and sugar. A classic breakfast tea beloved of tea devotees and novices alike, Irish Breakfast is a wonderful tea to start the day with!
2. English Breakfast Black Tea
English Breakfast is a classic for a reason! This blend usually contains a mix of Indian, Chinese, and African black teas, and has a robust body with notes of malt and spice. English Breakfast is hearty enough to be taken with milk and sweetener, but can also be enjoyed on its own.
3. Assam Black Tea
Assam is a robust black tea with tremendous flavor. This 2nd flush tea has a grade of FBOP (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe). It brews up a rich coppery color with a full body, hints of malt and toast, and moderate astringency. Assam is high in caffeine, containing about half as much per cup as coffee, and is an excellent tea to start the day with!
4. Caramel Pu-erh Black Tea
Even if you’re a regular tea drinker, you may not be familiar with pu-erh tea. An aged, fermented tea with a long history in China, pu-erh tea is a dark, rich tea with a characteristic smoothness and none of the tannic bite of a typical black. We love Caramel Pu-erh with a splash of milk for hearty, slightly sweet morning cup.
5. Matcha
Matcha is very high in caffeine, which makes it a great tea to start the day with. However, it’s also very high in l-theanine, a unique compound that helps to promote calm and relaxation. Together, caffeine and l-theanine work together to improve mental clarity and focus. Choose a classic ceremonial grade matcha to enjoy on its own, or culinary grade matcha to add to a smoothie or latter.
6. Gyokuro Green Tea
Like matcha, Gyokuro is high in both caffeine and l-theanine. A shade-grown tea produced from the leaves of the first harvest, Gyokuro is one of the most prized teas in Japan, and is famed for its savory umami character. Gyokuro tea plants are shaded for at least three weeks prior to harvest, which increases the chlorophyll content in the plants and results in a dark, blue-green tea leaf with a rich, oceanic flavor and a subtle sweetness. Gyokuro is Japanese for “jade dew,” which refers to the bright green color of the brewed tea.
7. Nutty Mocha Mate
If you’re looking for a stimulating, energizing cup with a bright mocha flavor, our Nutty Mocha Mate is sure to hit the spot. While mate does contain caffeine, it’s actually not related to the tea plant, but produced from a species of holy plant native to South America. Popular in countries like Argentina and Chile, mate is traditionally drunk out of a gourd with a metal straw known as a bombilla.
8. Masala Chai Black Tea
In the mood for something spicy and sweet, nourishing and energizing? A cup of Masala Chai with a little milk and honey is a great way to start the day. This traditional chai blend includes cinnamon, cardamom, ginger root, and cloves blended with premium Ceylon tea. Masala Chai has all of the benefits of black tea, in addition to the healthful properties of spices like ginger and cinnamon, and can help to increase energy, soothe inflammation, and boost your immune system.
9. Atomic Gold Herbal Tea
Atomic Gold is spicy and sweet, warm and soothing, the perfect brew to begin your day! A blend of ginger, turmeric, licorice root, lemongrass, and lemon and orange essential oils, Atomic Gold is packed full of healthy properties that set you up for the day ahead. Full-bodied and full of flavor, this herbal blend won’t leave you missing caffeine.
10. Alice’s Peppermint Party Herbal Tea
Start the morning off right with a party in a cup! Alice’s Peppermint Party is a stimulating blend of peppermint, ginger, rose, apple, and almond that will wake you up with its refreshing minty flavor and lingering spice and sweetness. This caffeine-free blend is a great pick for those who are looking to steer clear of caffeine, but still want to enjoy a stimulating, energizing tea blend.
11. Rooibos Chai Herbal Tea
If you’re looking for the characteristic flavor of a chai without any of the caffeine, the Rooibos Chai is a great alternative with a satisfying spice. Blending naturally caffeine-free rooibos with traditional chai spices like ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves, Rooibos Chai is great on its own or with milk and honey.
What is the best tea to drink in the morning?
The best tea to drink in the morning depends on how much caffeine you’re looking for, what flavors you like, and what types of tea you prefer. Teas like matcha, mate, and black tea all tend to be especially high in caffeine, which makes them great choices for coffee drinkers looking to switch to tea. Herbs like peppermint and ginger, while caffeine-free, also contain energizing and stimulating properties.
Benefits of drinking tea in the morning
Some of the benefits of starting your day with a cup of tea include:
- Energizing: Many breakfast blends contain caffeine, which can help to give you a boost of energy. But even herbal ingredients like peppermint and ginger can also help you wake up!
- Boosts brainpower: Ingredients like caffeine and l-theanine can help to boost your brainpower and enhance concentration and focus.
- Hydrating: Starting your day with a cup of tea can help you to stay hydrated.
- A healthy alternative: For many people, tea can be a healthier alternative to coffee or energy drinks.
- A calming routine: With plenty of different blends to choose from, making a cup of tea can be a soothing morning routine that can help you to get your day started on the right foot.
FAQs
Is it better to drink tea or coffee in the morning?
Both coffee and tea can be great ways to start the day. Tea contains about half as much caffeine as coffee on average, which means that it can be gentler on your body. Tea also contains plenty of beneficial ingredients and properties, and there are tons of different blends and flavors to choose from.
Can I drink chamomile tea in the morning?
Chamomile tea is a great choice to start the day with, especially if you’re looking for a soothing, calming blend to help reduce stress. Some of the benefits of chamomile tea include reducing inflammation, aiding digestion, and boosting your immune system.
Can I drink hibiscus tea in the morning?
Hibiscus tea can be another good option for a morning tea. Bright crimson, tart, and full of flavor, Hibiscus is a star ingredient in herbal blends like Blueberry Pomegranate and Chocolate Strawberry. Some of the benefits of hibiscus tea include high levels of vitamin C, iron, and antioxidants.
Is ginger tea good for you in the morning?
Ginger tea can help to wake you up and get you going without any caffeine. Ginger is present in both caffeinated blends, like Masala Chai and Linda’s Lemon Ginger, as well as herbal blends like Atomic Gold and Sing Your Song. Some ginger tea benefits include reducing inflammation, boosting your immune system, and improving cognitive function.
Is green tea good to drink in the morning?
Like other types of caffeinated tea, green tea can be a great choice to wake up with in the morning. If you’re looking for a highly caffeinated cup, try powdered green tea like matcha, or shade-grown green teas like Gyokuro or Kabusecha. If you’re looking for a milder green tea, check out Chinese green teas like Chun Mee or Dragon Well.
