What is the Best Tea to Drink in the Morning?

Tea has been a morning staple in Asia and Europe for centuries due to its health benefits and gentle caffeine boost.

While coffee remains popular worldwide, more people are turning to tea as a healthy and unique alternative.

Although I love coffee, my wife is a tea drinker, and I have grown to appreciate a good cup of tea in the morning as much as my usual coffee or espresso.

Each type of tea offers unique health benefits, and many find tea’s stimulating effects easier to tolerate than coffee or energy drinks.

For those sensitive to caffeine, any of the eight teas listed above are excellent alternatives to coffee.

Even if you usually avoid caffeine in the morning, these teas provide a moderate stimulant with numerous health benefits.

After just a few days of starting your morning with a hot cup of tea, you’ll likely find it becomes a cherished part of your daily routine.

If you’re new to tea, don’t worry—there’s a wide variety of caffeinated and non-caffeinated options to choose from.

Read on to discover the eight best teas to kickstart your morning!

1.) Green Tea

Green tea is one of the most popular teas globally, known for its delicate flavor and impressive health benefits.

Made from unoxidized leaves, green tea is less processed than black and oolong teas, retaining more antioxidants and beneficial polyphenols.

A typical cup of green tea contains between 30mg and 50mg of caffeine, making it a gentle stimulant.

Green tea is renowned for its ability to boost metabolism, improve brain function, and provide various cardiovascular benefits.

Starting your morning with a cup of green tea can help enhance mental clarity and overall health!

2.) Matcha Tea

Matcha green tea is a fine powder made from specially grown and processed Japanese green tea leaves.

The unique growing process involves shading the plants for about three weeks before harvest, increasing the production of theanine and caffeine.

Also, the stems and veins are removed during processing, resulting in a higher concentration of beneficial compounds.

Matcha contains 30mg to 40mg of caffeine per cup, but its theanine content provides a calming, sustained energy boost.

The combination of theanine and caffeine produces an energizing effect without the jitters, making matcha an excellent choice for a morning beverage.

If you want to try matcha tea in the morning, I suggest the brand MatchaDNA:

3.) Yerba Mate Tea

Yerba mate is a South American tea made from the ground leaves and stems of the yerba mate plant.

It is rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

Interestingly, yerba mate contains significantly more antioxidants than green tea, making it a powerhouse of health benefits.

The larger caffeine content in yerba mate (70mg to 90mg per cup) provides a strong yet gentle stimulation.

Yerba mate also improves metabolism, helping the body use carbohydrates more efficiently, which means you get more energy from the food you eat.

If you do intermittent fasting and want to drink a cup of tea first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, yerba mate is a great option because of its metabolism-boosting and weight-loss inducing effects.

These factors make yerba mate one of the best teas to drink in the morning for a balanced energy boost.

4.) Oolong Tea

Oolong is a traditional semi-fermented Chinese tea made by drying and oxidizing tea leaves under the sun before they are picked and twisted.

Oolong tea contains more caffeine than green tea but less than black tea, making it a moderate option for caffeine intake.

Typically, oolong tea contains between 50mg and 75mg of caffeine per cup.

Rich in antioxidants, oolong tea offers a relaxing experience due to its aromatherapy properties and rich flavor.

It’s a blend of green and black tea, providing the combined health benefits of both.

Oolong tea is mostly known for its weight loss properties, with several scientific studies highlighting its effectiveness in supporting weight loss.

5.) Black Tea

Black tea is a fully oxidized tea that offers a robust flavor and higher caffeine content than green or white tea.

A cup of black tea contains about 40mg to 70mg of caffeine, making it a stronger option for those who need a substantial energy boost in the morning.

Rich in antioxidants, black tea is known for its potential to improve heart health, reduce cholesterol levels, and support digestive health.

Its bold flavor pairs well with honey or a slice of lemon, making it a versatile and satisfying morning beverage.

6. White Tea

White tea is the least processed of all teas, made from young leaves and buds that are simply steamed and dried.

This minimal processing helps retain a high level of antioxidants, making white tea exceptionally beneficial for health.

With only 15mg to 30mg of caffeine per cup, white tea provides a very mild stimulant effect, perfect for those who are sensitive to caffeine.

White tea is known for its delicate, subtle flavor and numerous health benefits, including improved skin health, enhanced immunity, and reduced risk of heart disease.

7. Pu-erh Tea

Pu-erh tea, though less known in Western cultures, is an impressive fermented tea from the Yunnan province of China.

The unique fermentation process of Pu-erh tea involves microbial fermentation and oxidation of dried and rolled tea leaves, which improves with age, much like fine wine.

This tea contains between 60mg and 70mg of caffeine per cup and is packed with health benefits, making it an excellent choice for starting your day.

The fermentation process enhances its health properties, and Pu-erh tea is even used as a medicinal tea in many countries.

8. Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey is a black tea flavored with the oil of bergamot, a type of citrus fruit.

This unique combination gives Earl Grey its distinctive flavor and aroma, making it a favorite among tea enthusiasts.

Containing between 40mg and 70mg of caffeine per cup, Earl Grey offers a robust energy boost.

The addition of bergamot oil adds potential health benefits, including improved digestion, reduced anxiety and enhanced oral health.

Enjoying a cup of Earl Grey in the morning can provide both a refreshing taste and a substantial energy lift.