To reap the full benefits of tea consumption, choosing the right kind is imperative. âL-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in all ‘true’ teas. This is what differentiates them from herbal teas, which do not contain L-theanineâ, said the president of the US Tea Association, Inc., explains Peter Goggi. “True teas” are teas derived from the Camellia sinensis plant and include (but are not limited to) white, black, green, and oolong. But these four types of tea, according to Goggi, serve as the four richest sources of L-theanine.
To concretize the benefits of drinking this drink, we ask professionals to spill the tea. With the help of a psychopharmacologist and master tea blender, we’ve rounded up the best L-theanine-packed teas, what to consider when buying them (not all teas are created equal, after all), and how to make and enjoy them at home.
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How L-Theanine-Packed Teas Help Improve Focus and Mood, According to a Psychopharmacologist
Leading nutrition scientists recently came together to present the latest data linking the role of tea and its health benefits in the Sixth International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health. We spoke to one of the conference presenters who is a psychopharmacologist and professor of nutrition and behavior at the University of Leeds, Louise Dye, Ph.D.for more information on the connection between consuming L-theanine-packed teas and positive neurological effects over time.
Dr. Dye explains that both cognitive functioning and performance naturally begin to decline as you age. To minimize the effects of this natural decline, Dr. Dye focuses on ways we can work to optimize brain health by consuming teas with L-theanine. “Consuming teas with L-theanine can help maintain attention under stressful conditions and is associated with increased alpha activity, thus a relaxed but alert state,” he says.
In her studies, Dr. Dye found that teas containing both L-theanine and caffeine are more effective when it comes to improving focus and mood. âL-theanine has been shown to reduce cortisol and cardiovascular responses to acute stress in humans,â says Dr. Dye. And caffeine can, of course, help you stay focused. “With these effects on attention, tea is an optimal beverage of choice during a time of heightened stress and exhaustion.”
How a Master Tea Blender Recommends Buying L-Theanine Teas
By sourcing teas packed with this brain-boosting amino acid, master tea blender and founder of tea art, Steve Schwartzfocuses on when the leaves were harvested. âImagine you are going to run, you are running around the block and you have to do it over and over again. Let’s be honest: by the third or fourth time, your runs won’t be as fast,â says Schwartz. “The reason I share this analogy is because it applies to the way tea is made: the Camellia sinensis plant that tea leaves are made from has a number of different blushes.” The flushes, he explains, refer to the number of times the leaves are harvested from the same plant.
When searching for sources, Schwartz recommends looking for the “first wash,” as it will have a more delicate flavor and be richer in many of the tea’s important health benefits, including L-theanine. As more washes are harvested, the nutrient content can decrease, he explains. “The first flush occurs in spring after the plant has been dormant and absorbing nutrients through the roots; the first tea buds coming out of the tough bark produce these soft leaves packed with more amino acids, theanine, caffeine and flavanols.” â, adds Schwartz.
Ready to catch some Z’s? Here is your solution for a good night’s rest:
6 Expert-Recommended L-Theanine-Packed Teas to Improve Mindfulness and Reduce Stress
Green Tea
Art of Tea Ceremonial Grade Matcha Tin â $32.00
Schwartz divides green tea into three categories that offer the richest extractions: Japanese-grown sencha, gyokuro (also known as a type of shaded Japanese green tea), and matcha. He explains that these L-theanine-rich teas are all derived from the same plant but undergo different harvesting methods. However, among the three, he notes that matcha, like this Art of Tea ceremonial-grade matcha, provides the most L-theanine.
Nekohama Ceremonial Matcha 40g â $60.00
âNormally when you make a tea, you steep the leaves, pull them off, and drink the extraction,â says Schwartz. âWhen it comes to matcha, it’s the opposite: with matcha, you have a high-quality pulverized green tea that you churn, foam, and then consume the whole leaf. Therefore, you can get more health benefits from L-theanine.â This ceremonial matcha of kohama it also offers an energy boost without the jitters or crash.
oolong tea
Art of Tea Orchid Oolong Tea â $32.00
âYou can get a lot of L-theanine from Taiwanese oolong because you can get multiple soaks from it. It’s not until the fourth or fifth soak that you not only get a beautiful flavor profile, but you also get even more health benefits because it’s been through a lot of soaking and has extracted the nutrients at a deeper level,â says Schwartz. This Art of Tea Orchid Oolong tea is grown in the hills of Nantou, Taiwan and produces a lilac flavor that is buttery and smooth with a fresh orchid finish.
The Two of Us Nostalgic Oolong Tea â $8.95
This Oolong tea from Both of us It comes in biodegradable corn fiber tea bags that provide a floral and herbaceous aroma. By the way, oolongs are usually obtained from the sides of the plant, they receive less sunlight and grow more slowly. This longer time to develop may make them richer in antioxidants.
black tea
Art of Tea Plum Oolong Tea â $27.00
According to Schwartz, depending on how long you steep a tea, the more caffeine, polyphenols, and flavanols it can release. “Black tea gets more oxidized, cooked, and processed, which may mean higher levels of L-theanine,” she says. Schwartz recommends purchasing high-quality loose-leaf or bagged teas, such as Art of Tea’s tart, fruity Plum Oolong tea. Loose leaf teas can release more nutrient particles to maximize their full potential.
BLK & Bold Peach Loose Leaf Black Tea â $11.99
When it comes to storing teas at home, he recommends avoiding three key elements: light, heat, and humidity. Schwartz stores its teas in airtight containers, away from windows, and avoids moisture that can dilute the tea’s delicate flavors. brands like BLK and bold Peach Loose Leaf Black Tea comes in easy-to-seal bags that can yield up to 43 cups of hot tea for each three-ounce product. That’s a lot of savings!
And to get the most out of any of these beverages, Schwartz recommends taking a few minutes out of the day to hone in on meditation and mindfulness when brewing the tea. A short break to drink this beverage can help improve mental health and engage in what he calls a “digital detox” during stressful times in life.
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