9 Best Teas To Replace Coffee
Aah, there is no better start to the day than an aromatic cup of freshly brewed coffee! However, many of us are trying to avoid coffee for a variety of reasons, and are turning to tea to kick start our day instead.
Cutting down your coffee intake can have many health benefits, including an improved sleep pattern and reduced anxiety.
But are there any teas out there that can compete with coffee in terms of flavor, or will tea always seem like a poor substitute for our favorite morning drink?
What are the best teas to replace coffee? Luckily, some great teas can be used to replace coffee, and we’ve put together the best options here for you. The best teas to replace coffee include breakfast teas, herbal tea blends, and spicy masala chai.
Want to make the switch to tea instead of coffee but you’re not sure where to start? We’re here to help with our list of the best teas to replace coffee!
Why Drink Tea Instead Of Coffee?
These days many people are taking steps to reduce their coffee intake, and others choose not to include any coffee at all in their daily diet.
There can be many reasons for cutting down or cutting out coffee. The main reason is normally to reduce our caffeine intake.
Generally, it is safe for most of us to consume a moderate amount of caffeine. But, as with many things, too much caffeine is definitely not good for us!
This may be because you are on medication that requires you to avoid coffee, or for health reasons. Children and pregnant women are advised to avoid all products containing caffeine.
People with anxiety disorders, recurrent headaches, or trouble sleeping are often also advised to reduce their caffeine levels or to cut out coffee altogether.
However, caffeine is not the only reason why people consider switching from coffee to tea. Some types of teas have a range of health benefits, such as high levels of antioxidants.
Many herbal tea blends are naturally stimulating, giving a great alternative to the classic caffeine high, and the inevitable slump that follows!
If you are considering giving up coffee, we’d recommend that you make the switch gradually, especially if the aim is to reduce your caffeine intake.
Some teas have nearly as much caffeine as coffee, whilst others are very low in caffeine.
Luckily, there is a whole world of different teas out there for you to experiment with! So while you might be thinking that nothing will ever replace your morning coffee, we think you might be pleasantly surprised.
What Are The Different Types Of Tea To Replace Coffee?
So, whether you are eliminating caffeine altogether, or just want to cut down on your intake, what are your options?
Some teas contain high levels of caffeine, so can work well if you need that boost to get you motivated during that mid-afternoon slump. Others are totally caffeine-free, perfect for anyone trying to cut out this stimulant altogether.
Let’s take a look at the different types of tea, to help you decide:
True Tea
First cultivated in China, all true tea varieties are made from the camellia sinesis plant.
This means that whether you are drinking green tea, black tea, oolong tea, chai, or Earl Grey, they will all give you a caffeine boost.
Herbal Teas
Herbal teas are infusions made from any plant other than true tea, and often include dried fruits, roots, nuts, flowers, and mushrooms.
This means that you will come across a huge range of herbal teas, but you will be surprised to hear that some of these may contain caffeine!
Some herbal tea blends include caffeine-containing herbs, such as guayusa and yerba mate. Herbal teas that contain cacao beans or chocolate will also be mildly caffeinated.
Other herbal teas are completely caffeine-free but have naturally stimulating effects. Some also have additional health benefits and have been used as natural remedies for many centuries.
In modern times, scientific research has begun to research these claims, and evidence is emerging that proves the health-giving properties of herbal teas.
Decaffeinated Tea
Decaffeinated tea is made by removing the caffeine compounds from true tea leaves. These are very similar in flavor to real tea and are a good option if you are seeking an authentic tea flavor without any caffeine.
However, decaffeinated tea does lack some of the beneficial properties of true tea, such as the high levels of antioxidants.
You could drink decaffeinated tea as a caffeine-free alternative to coffee, but we think there are far better options available to try.
The Best Teas To Replace Coffee
Now the good part! Today our mission is to find a satisfactory substitute for coffee to suit every occasion, and we’re pretty pleased with the results.
Here is our list of the best teas to replace coffee that you really should try!
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | Taylors of Harrogate Scottish Breakfast Tea | Rich, full-bodied, caffeinated |
2. | Good Earth Sensorial Blend Ginger Turmeric and Lemon Herbal Tea | Energizing herbal tea, caffeine-free |
3. | Zest Energy Blend Spicy Masala Chai Black Tea | High-caffeine spicy black tea with an earthy flavor |
4. | Teapigs Liquorice and Peppermint Tea Bags | Naturally sweet caffeine-free herbal blend |
5. | Numi Organic Tea Emperor's Pu-erh Black Tea | Distinctive earthy, mellow taste with relaxing effects |
6. | Kiss Me Organics Yerba Mate Tea | A delicious herbal tea with naturally high levels of caffeine |
7. | BOS South African Red Bush Rooibos | Warming and soothing flavor, caffeine-free |
8. | Eco Heed Matcha Organic Green Tea Powder | Highly concentrated green tea for an invigorating caffeine boost |
9. | Anthony's Instant Chicory Root Tea | Caffeine-free drink with a similar flavor profile to coffee |
1. Taylors Of Harrogate Scottish Breakfast Tea
The top pick on our list of teas to replace coffee just had to be a traditional Scottish breakfast tea.
Made with a blend of Assam and African teas, this strong tea is as robust, rich, and full-bodied as your morning coffee.
The single-serve tea bags make it simple for you to brew a hot cup of tea to your exact specifications.
Be aware that this tea does contain a sizable hit of caffeine – great for kickstarting your day, but not ideal if you are avoiding coffee to reduce your caffeine intake!
2. Good Earth Sensorial Blend Ginger Turmeric And Lemon Herbal Tea
For an energizing boost in the morning without the caffeine hit, this combination of lemon, ginger, and turmeric will definitely get you off to a good start!
The zingy lemon and warming turmeric and ginger give this tea a punchy and vibrant flavor, ideal for a caffeine-free substitute for coffee.
3. Zest Energy Blend Spicy Masala Chai Black Tea
This spicy black tea has a rich and full-bodied flavor, that gives all the benefits of coffee without the side effects associated with the acidity of your favorite hot drink.
While this tea has levels of caffeine that are three times higher than standard teas, it also contains amino acids and a blend of herbs and spices that reduce the jittery effects associated with strong coffee.
4. Teapigs Liquorice And Peppermint Tea Bags
While herbal teas have long had a reputation for tasting like dried grass, this licorice and peppermint blend is anything but!
They might not be an obvious combination, but when paired together you get a refreshing drink that is naturally sweet with an intense, deep flavor.
We think this is the ideal drink to get you through a long afternoon at work without reaching for the coffee.
5. Numi Organic Tea Emperor’s Pu-Erh Black Tea
Pu-erh teas are a lightly fermented form of black tea, which creates a deep black color and distinctive mellow, earthy taste.
This is very reminiscent of the flavor of a smooth coffee blend but contains about half the amount of caffeine per cup.
Fans of this tea report that it relaxes both body and mind, so definitely no jittery side effects here!
6. Kiss Me Organics Yerba Mate Tea
Yerba Mata tea is a herbal tea that is almost as high in caffeine as coffee.
It gives a stimulating effect that also helps you to focus, without the jittery side effects of other caffeinated drinks.
Mate tea is traditionally served in a hollowed-out gourd, but this is optional!
7. BOS South African Red Bush Rooibos
Red bush rooibos is rapidly growing in popularity around the world, thanks to its warming, soothing flavor, and antioxidant properties.
Caffeine-free, this South African blend has all the taste and body of black tea, without the stimulant effects of coffee.
This is a great choice for those of you who don’t like herbal teas but want a caffeine-free alternative to coffee or true tea.
8. Eco Heed Matcha Organic Green Tea Powder
Macha is a powdered green tea that is grown and produced in Japan.
It is highly concentrated, giving it higher levels of caffeine than most other teas.
However, most people experience this caffeine buzz differently from coffee, reporting that it is calming, invigorating, and energizing.
9. Anthony’s Instant Chicory Root Tea
Chicory tea was first brewed when there was a shortage of coffee, so it makes perfect sense to use this tea to replace your morning drink!
The root of the chicory plant tastes very similar to coffee, with slight woody undertones.
It is free from caffeine, giving you another option if you are trying to stay away from caffeinated drinks.
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