When it comes to imbibing tea, there are so many options to choose from, and the most common questions we receive here at Magic Hour are around the caffeine content of each tea and proper tea preparation. Which blends contain more or less? And how should each tisane be prepared for maximum potency and flavor? Let’s explore the details of each blend.
The most important thing to remember as we begin is that tea caffeine is uniquely different from coffee caffeine. Tea caffeine contains an amino acid called L-theanine, a relaxant which supports the brain and provides more sustained, focused energy. Think of it as an expansive amino ally, helping to cultivate a caffeinated balance in our bodies, instead of the jitters, jolts and afternoon crash-ola that comes with coffee. You may notice that the caffeine in tea comes in slowly, and it exits slowly, creating a long, clear, joyful journey. Our master blender Zhena always says, “coffee gives me courage, but tea sustains me.” And it’s so true!
Black Tea
Black tea contains the most caffeine of any teas, so if you’re looking for a morning alternative to coffee, this is the perfect choice, with about one third to one half the caffeine content of a cup of coffee. Many of our black teas are alchemically brewed with other ingredients, such as flowers (like delicate roses), delicious fruit, and spices, which creates a slightly lower caffeine content, at around 30mg per cup, per blend. Straight black tea, like luscious and pristine puerh, will offer 40-50mg. For comparison, a traditional cup of coffee is around 120mg. We have a variety of luxurious black tea blends to choose from, including Bohemian Breakfast, Coconut Chai, Raspberry Earl Grey and our Rise and Shine Chaga Chocolate Puerh.
Oolong
Oolong is a bit of a hybrid between a green and black tea, and it contains the second highest caffeine content, around 30mg as well if it’s not blended. It supports calm mental alertness as well as a wealth of other beautiful benefits. Our Magic Hour oolong varieties include Ti Quan Yin, a prized tisane containing enlivening scents of orchid, peach and cherry blossom and hints of lotus & fresh rain, as well as Renewal, our Peach-Goji-Rose blend.
Green tea
While green tea contains lower amounts of caffeine than black or oolong teas, (typically around 25mg per 8oz. serving), it actually contains higher levels of L-theanine, as well as EGCG, a unique plant compound with its own wealth of health benefits (helping fire up our metabolism and igniting our liver into action). You may even notice that a “green tea high” can create an even greater sense of elevation and stimulation, and this is why! We’ve got such an incredible variety of green teas to choose from in our collection, including Organic Ceremonial Matcha, Almond Matcha, and our exclusive April Chakra Collection blend, Happy Heart.
White tea
White tea is delicate, cooling, and contains a feminine yin energy to its essence. Its leaves are alkalizing and provide the most relaxing form of caffeine, encouraging feelings of clarity and bliss. It contains around 15-25mg of caffeine, and most of our white teas, including Silver Moon and Lotus Mind which are blended with delicate blue flowers, enhancing its exquisite steeping color and enhancing its earth flavor. Harmonize and Raspberry Earl White are two additional White Tea blends not to be missed!
Herbal teas
Unless the herb you are choosing to steep comes from Yerba Mate or another caffeine-containing herb, herbal teas by and large are caffeine free, though not to be confused with containing decaffeinated tea leaves. Herbal teas are primarily composed of flowers and herbs, and provide nourishing, grounding benefits for the body, mind and spirit. Our Child’s Pose blend, for example, is a delicious sleep-time tea. Lucid Dreams, Citrine Cleanse, Mantra Mint and Ruby Moon are exquisite as well, hot or iced.
The Best Temperatures to Steep your Teas:
When you order a Magic Hour tea, either in one of our violet glass apothecary jars or in our sleek and slender pouch, the back of our label will provide information on how long to steep your tea and its ideal temperature. If it’s a black tea, you’ll steep it at 200-212 degrees (boiling), if it is an oolong, steep it at 195, green enjoys 170-175 (feel free to experiment with this, as you don’t want to it to burn), white tea at 170 degrees, and matcha, being more delicate, desires a 160 degree steep. Herbal blends are akin to black tea, and can be steeped for 3-5 minutes in boiling water to extract the essential oils and medicinal components of the herbs.
We always encourage you to notice what your body is telling you when it comes to caffeine. Some of us have a higher threshold than others and some of us are much more sensitive to this potent energy, so be mindful which selection of tisanes (and their caffeine levels) are best for you! We’ve got ample options for you to choose from, to support your wellness from the inside out (and give you a gentle lift with a boost of yummy endorphins, too).
P.S. We’re excited to share that all upcoming Magic Hour orders will now come with a handy Caffeine Content Card, so that you can keep track of all these details corresponding to each blend, and have the tools you need to prepare the perfect cup, every time. We hope this was a helpful guide, as you continue to explore and enjoy every cup that you brew. Let your tea be a ceremony of connection to your deepest desires, and may our blends continue to uplift your sacred, valuable spirit, one sip at a time.
