Looking for a natural way to get a plant-powered boost? Our list of energizing teas will be just the thing you need to keep yourself ready for adventure all summer long. Teas have been hailed as one of the best ways to boost your health naturally, as well as reap the additional benefits of caffeination and a fantastic tasting summer drink…but with so many options available, you might not know where to start. Below, we’re going through the top list of energizing teas for the summer, and how you can best enjoy each one.
What makes tea energizing?
Teas feature naturally energizing properties and may have naturally occurring caffeine in their blends. Additionally, there are other compounds and amino acids that can contribute to a naturally awake and alert feeling, such as L-Theanine. These can occur in tandem with caffeinated teas, or in teas that are not caffeinated, and can enhance your drink experience. Sometimes, simply drinking a cool and refreshing beverage in the hot summer months can give you the boost of resiliency that you need to get through the rest of your day more easily.
Below, we’ve listed some of the top energizing teas of the summer, giving you a great starting point to make your own delicious blends and drinks.
1. Black tea
We had to put this classic drink as the first entry on the list. Black tea is packed with caffeine and a deep, clean, naturally full-bodied taste that can’t be beaten, this tea is energizing and can be enjoyed in just about every way possible. You can sip on black tea hot, iced, or cold-brewed, as well as in an infused blend with other types of tea. Black tea also has the added benefit of L-Theanine, which is a naturally occurring amino acid. It has been proven to increase brain activity, which can give you the feeling of being more alert than you otherwise would be.
2. Ginseng tea
Ginseng tea is actually not a traditional tea that is made of leaves, as you normally would find. This tea is made from the roots of the ginseng plant and was used originally as a medicinal tea in Eastern medicine. Beyond its energizing boost and anti-aging properties, you can also enjoy an increased resilience toward physical and emotional stress, giving you a more balanced experience overall.
Ginseng features an initially sharp, herby taste, which fades to a slight bitterness on the tongue. You’ll likely enjoy this tea best brewed over ice, and sweetened with honey or your favorite add-in.
3. Yerba Mate
Yerba Mate is very popular in South America and is an herbal tea that walks the line between tea and coffee. Its caffeination level is more than that of tea and less than traditionally brewed coffee, giving you a pleasant burst of energy without the buzz and jitters you’ll find in more heavily caffeinated drinks. It’s also rich with antioxidants and nutrients, and has even been shown to give drinkers a pleasant mood boost thanks to compounds such as theobromine and theophylline.
Yerba Mate features a strong, earthen taste that is a deeper and more intense experience than green tea. It’s best enjoyed with a splash of your favorite creamer or milk, and a touch of sweetener of your choice. You can also make your own infusion by loose brewing the tea and adding dried fruit or additions, such as an orange peel for extra flavor.
4. Peppermint
Peppermint tea offers a deliciously crisp experience with every drink and is the perfect way to refresh yourself after a day in the summer heat. This type of tea is not considered to be a stimulant, as it is completely free of caffeine. But, you can still get a significant boost of energy thanks to the naturally occurring compounds and oils in the leaves. You’ll love sipping on this beverage to beat the heat, especially served over ice with a squeeze of lemon and sugar to taste. This delicious treat tastes like a peppermint pattie in a glass and can be enjoyed any time you need a boost.
5. Green tea
Green tea has grown increasingly popular over the past few years, becoming available in a variety of forms. It’s no wonder, as this tea is incredibly naturally energizing and offers a variety of other health benefits, including weight loss benefits, antioxidant boosts, and heart health support. This type of tea offers a uniquely herbaceous taste with grassy-sweet notes and can be enjoyed hot or iced. You may also choose to add your favorite creamer, sweetener, or splash of lemon to neutralize some of the deeper-flavored notes.
