Credit:
Reviewed / K.E. Lewis
Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.
Credit:
Reviewed / K.E. Lewis
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
Learn more about our product testing
This green tea provides hours of steady energy without jitters. Read More
This mild tea doesn't have much caffeine, but it still gives drinkers a solid emotional and productivity lift in the morning or afternoon. Read More
Hydration is critical in the hot summer months. Clevr SuperTea has a light flavor with a hydrating effect that can keep you engaged in the morning. Read More
This tea pairs great with desserts, but its probably a bit to mild to drink on its own. Read More
If you can get past its bitter taste, this green tea might help your kidneys, liver, and heart. Read More
A lifestyle of crippling anxiety and loss of focus can be the kryptonite to anybody’s good time. But green tea may be a healthy, helpful addition for those seeking natural ways to combat the troublesome triplets of intrusive thoughts, plummeting productivity, and compromised mood.
According to Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, among other scientific sources, L-Theanine, the amino acid found in green tea’s leaves, is scientifically proven to improve mood and cognition. It may also reduce stress and anxiety from panic disorders (even benefiting those experiencing OCD), linking the regular consumption of green tea to increased focus and better temperament.
Over multiple weeks of testing, we brewed and tasted healthy green teas intended to help tackle stress, anxiety, and a wide variety of health issues—at breakfast, post-lunch, dessert, or a time most appropriate for you. We determined six of the best and listed each of them, their additional benefits, and our experiences garnered, to help determine which tea, or teas, may be right for you.
For example, we love Zest Pomegranate Mojito Green Tea (available at Amazon) as a possible morning beverage for high performers.
This energy-focused green tea from Zest has ingredients to power all-day concentration.
If you need a short burst of energy, Republic of Tea has a great green tea worth trying.
If you want tea that has Liquid I.V. qualities, Clevr Blends has what you seek.
This Adagio tea has a super-delicate flavor, which makes it a great compliment to a sweet treat.
This tea has a bitter taste, but it has big potential for reducing inflammation.
This tea's aroma is as strong as its skin-restorative properties.
Traditionally, green tea is a popular drink among Asian cultures, including China and Japan; in fact, it’s customarily served at Chinese and Japanese restaurants before the meal. However, anyone can buy green tea these days, whether at a specialty store or your local supermarket. It’s popular among consumers looking to improve their health, thanks to its antioxidant properties (more on this in a bit) and its positive affect on the brain and body.
Taste: Green tea has a flavor that is distinct from the more common black tea, and whether or not you’ll like it comes down to personal taste. Many people describe it as grassy and earthy. The temperature of the water used for brewing and the amount of time you leave it in to steep also affects green tea’s flavor. Of course, the more high quality leaves you use, the more refined its notes and aromas.
Caffeine: Many people will ask, does green tea have caffeine? The answer is yes, though the dosage is fairly small. It has around 29 mg of caffeine, which pales in comparison to the 95 mg found in an average cup of coffee. However, labeling on your individual tea often offers more precise information. Excessive amounts of caffeine are not recommended for adolescents, young adults, people with heart disorders, or those who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. High caffeine intake can, in some cases, induce anxiety, disturb sleep patterns, increase headaches, and cause other unpleasant side effects.
Nutrients: Because you boil green tea, a lot of the natural vitamins and minerals that would otherwise be part of its formula are heavily diluted. Some green teas come with added nutrients and supplements. Be sure to check those ingredients, consider your allergens, and steer clear of modified nutrients and chemicals.
Health benefits: Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which are vital for health and wellbeing. It supports weight loss, can stimulate brain function, and can contribute to lower LDL cholesterol levels. Studies like this one from the International Journal of Molecular Sciences highlight green tea for its inclusion of catechins, which may be helpful for treating inflammatory or cancerous conditions. However, green tea is not recommended as a sole fix or a substitute to treat a clinical or medical diagnosis. Please talk with your physician about the potential effects of any prescribed medications or existing health conditions before consuming green tea.
Popular styles: There are several varieties of green tea. Sencha from Japan is very common, while Chinese styles include the smoky Gunpowder and the more delicate Dragonwell. Green tea is often wrapped with flowerbuds for a more floral taste, including lotus tea from Vietnam and jasmine tea from India.
Green tea has a small amount of caffeine, though many of its core nutrients get boiled.
Matcha and green tea come from the same plant, but they are grown and produced differently. While green tea is grown entirely in sunny conditions, matcha is grown in shade for the month before harvesting. This process can change its chemical composition. After harvesting, matcha leaves are ground into powder, while green tea leaves remain intact. When it comes to taste, both are earthy, but matcha is more intense and is often mixed with milk.
Green tea is not a substitute for any medications treating anxiety or panic disorders.
Additionally, green tea has had adverse interactions with some blood pressure and cholesterol medications. Please consult a physician if you are taking any medication to determine if it has any adverse properties when consumed with green tea.
Many studies suggest that, when consumed regularly, green tea can help facilitate modest weight loss. Of course, just drinking green tea every day isn’t going to magically shed pounds, but it may help if you’ve already got a good diet in place.
Each heathy green tea was tested over a number of weeks by our expert tester.
While we lean on established science and studies to show the potential health benefits of these green teas, we personally test each featured tea over the course of several weeks. Each tea is then scored based on instruction quality, brew results, taste, aroma, and general health impact. Notes are also taken to gauge any changes in the tester’s mood during the process.
If any specific health claims are made, the teas are graded based on the clarity of those assertions. The teas are then listed and ranked based on these factors. The results shown above are a reflection of these tests.
K.E. Lewis is the author of Never Take Your Rhino on A Plane, Because of Dads, and is co-author of Underwater: The Storied Ballad of Drowned Towns.
These days he finds himself juggling teaching, writing, and leading socially impactful community projects in museums, blending both teaching and his love for words. K.E. seizes any moment to teach and delight. His joy is grabbing hold of an idea, seeing it to fruition, and getting others to love words just as much as he does.
At Reviewed, Lewis shares his expertise in accessibility, mental health, and fashion.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
Shoot us an email