20 Best Teas You Can Drink, According to Nutritionists (2024)

Black tea is one of the most popular varieties in the United States, making up approximately 84% of all tea consumed in the U.S., according to the Tea Association of America. Earl grey is a top pick within this variety. This choice from The Republic of Tea is non-GMO verified, certified gluten-free and according to the company website, it contains less than half the amount of caffeine per cup than in a similar-sized coffee. Our experts commented on the "light and floral taste with perfectly balanced notes of orange from the oil of bergamot."

The tea is sourced from Ceylon and Kenya and the bergamot oil from Italy. Our testers reported, "this tea tastes great with milk, alternative milks or a squeeze of lemon and served hot or cold." One tester claims this is her go-to when she is trying to cut back on caffeine because "it has less caffeine than coffee but still provides a pick-me-up while also being satisfying due to its bright and robust notes." Another tester commented, "I love using this earl grey tea to make infused baked goods; it lends a unique and unexpected flavor. It is also great to use when steaming chicken and fish to give it a floral punch."

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Lipton tea is one of the most recognizable tea brands in the world and likely the best-selling tea in the Unites States in 2022, according to data analytics. It was one of the first companies to sell tea in a tea bag. Known for their straight forward black tea, the majority of fans prefer to drink this iced, although it's just as good hot.

A favorite iced tea amongst our testers, one says, "it's the perfect thirst quencher with lots of fresh squeezed lemon and ice added." Available in many different forms including iced, sweetened, flavored, in gallon size bags and K-cup pods, among others, our testers prefer the original tea bag version. Lipton is a sponsor of the American Heart Association's Life Is Why Program, a campaign to encourage heart health through a healthy diet and lifestyle, including the benefits of drinking unsweetened brewed tea.

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Founded by Bala Sarda and headquartered in India, this tea sources directly from farmers, eliminating the middle man, allowing the farmers to retain more of their profits. "VAHDAM India directs a minimum of 1% of its revenue towards the education of our tea growers’ children," Sarda says. Vahdam is also climate neutral, certified plastic neutral and the company is moving toward plastic-free packaging. The teas are USDA-certified organic and non-GMO verified.

Out of a broad portfolio of varieties within this brand, we chose to highlight the turmeric ginger tea which is made from the spice turmeric and not from actual tea leaves. "No matter how long you steep this tea, it still tastes smooth with a slightly spicy bite of ginger," according to our experts. Testers commented, "this is the least bitter turmeric tea I've ever tasted." Turmeric, or more specifically, curcumin, the active ingredient, is a powerful antioxidant, known for its health benefits including being used as an effective anti-inflammatory.

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Yogi tea started more than 30 years ago with an herbal tea blend based on Ayurveda, thought by many to be the oldest form of functional medicine. It now offers over 40 tea blends with green tea being among the most popular varieties. The majority of Yogi teas are USDA certified organic or made with organic ingredients; they are also non-GMO certified. Our testers love the smooth taste of this green tea and reported "it has subtle mint and lemony flavors; the tastes all come together with a drop of honey." It contains caffeine, although at a very low amount: 15 mg versus approximately 90 mg found in an eight ounce cup of coffee.

Green tea is a rich source of the amino acid L-theanine, with tea being the only food source of L-theanine. A recent study showed that L-theanine may improve working memory and possibly executive function and attention. Additional studies have shown that when L-theanine is combined with caffeine, it may help to reduce anxiety, along with improving cognition and brain function.

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Tea Forte takes the headache out of measuring loose tea with their single steep, pre-portioned loose leaf tea pouches. They come in a variety of flavor profiles and combinations all beautifully packaged in gift sets or in canisters. They are also known for their signature pyramid infusers which are essentially tea bags in the shape of a petite pyramid. Our experts rave about the presentation and "subtle but perfectly flavored teas that are never overwhelming." Our testers agreed, "the teas are presented so beautifully. They are the perfect gift for any tea lover; they have a very zen and spa-like feeling to them."

They have limited-edition sets such as collections inspired by the 250 acres of the New York Botanical Gardens with a percentage of proceeds supporting NYBG's work in plant research and conservation, horticulture and education. Tea Forte also offers stunning holiday sets and wellness-focused tea collections that are USDA certified organic and inspired by luxury spas.

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Chamomile tea comes from the chamomile flower and is not a tea in the traditional sense but rather an herbal beverage. It may have many medicinal properties and antioxidant powers, according to research, such as helping with an upset stomach. It may also contain antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Our experts appreciate that the sole ingredient in this tea is chamomile and that it has a "soothing, light flavor." One of our testers reported, "Instead of a night cap, I prefer to drink this tea and it's my go-to when I'm feeling under the weather." This may be a good choice to stock up on during cold and flu season.

Expert tip: "You don’t have to limit tea to just a sipping beverage," Sassos says. "I like swapping in chamomile or apple cinnamon herbal tea for water in my morning oatmeal for depth of flavor without added sugar."

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Numi was founded by brother and sister team Ahmed Rahim and Reem Hassani in 1999. The company carries many notable certifications including USDA organic, fair trade and fair labor certified, among others. While Numi offers many blends to choose from in every tea category, including unique offerings such as flowering teas and pu-erh teas, they also offer multiple herbal blends, including a line of turmeric teas.

While it was difficult to choose a favorite from this brand, our experts loved the strong yet smooth taste of the mint tea made with Egyptian tea leaves. One reported this is their "go-to after dinner treat." Also, peppermint is widely know as a digestive aid, specifically peppermint oil, and can be helpful with gas, bloating or other IBS symptoms. It should be avoided in individuals that suffer from GERD as it can be a trigger.

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Green tea has long been associated with multiple health benefits. Studies show that consuming about three to five cups of green tea per day or the equivalent of 200 to 300 mg of catechin EGCG (a potent antioxidant found in green tea) may have the most health benefits. This matcha choice provides 51 mg EGCG per serving and our experts appreciate that it is certified USDA organic and approved by Consumer Labs, a third-party verification group.

With matcha, since the tea leaves are ground into a powder form, you are consuming the entire leaf instead of brewing a bag and then tossing out the leaves. This means that you’re likely ingesting more antioxidants per serving. Our experts like that this matcha mixes easily and can be added to a smoothie for an extra dose of antioxidants. Our testers reported, "this matcha mixes better than most; it is smooth with a bright green color and subtle grassy flavor." Matcha contains the amino acid L-theanine, which is known for its calming effect and possibly counteracting the caffeine “jitters,” making it a potentially better choice than coffee for individuals that are caffeine sensitive.

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Chai tea is traditionally made with a combination of black tea and spices and TAZO takes the combination up a notch by adding vanilla and caramel flavors. This pick is lower in caffeine than coffee but still provides a nice caffeine boost. "This tea is an elegant balance of flavors; it's not too overwhelming as some chai teas can be, and it's very easy to drink," according to testers. Our experts appreciate that it is non-GMO verified.

Expert tip: You can sub in chai tea for water or milk in pumpkin bread and other winter loafs for a unique twist, says Sassos.

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FGO, which stands for From Great Origins, offers a wide selection of teas and superfoods. All of their products are USDA organic and non-GMO certified and the tea bags are made from hemp fiber and are free of dyes, glues and bleach. We like this pick because it comes from 100% raw organic hibiscus flowers and has a smooth and delicious flavor. Our experts report this tea is slightly tart and sweet at the same time, saying it's "similar to cranberry with a beautiful deep pink color." Our testers reported, "It tastes great with a drop of honey, a squeeze of lemon or iced with cut up fruit added." This flavor is also available in K-cup pods and iced tea pitcher bags.

Expert tip: "In the summer months, try making frozen popsicles from a tart tea like hibiscus and throwing in some pieces of fruit," Sassos says.

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Founded in 1945 by Ruth Campbell Bigelow, this tea brand offers over 50 varieties of teas and Constant Comment remains its most popular blend to date and the one that launched the company. It is based on a secret family formula and the recipe remains unchanged since it was first introduced. A blend of black tea with orange and spices, it is non-GMO and comes in compostable foil-lined tea bags.

This tea can be enjoyed hot or cold and with or without milk. Our experts appreciate the subtle notes of orange and cloves. Testers commented, "it is spicy and fragrant and tastes close to mulling spices. It is reminiscent of the holidays, especially with a drop of honey added." Another tester exclaimed, "I love that it is a family business that has focused on making great tasting teas at affordable prices."

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A new and exciting entrant into the tea landscape, Firebelly Tea was founded in 2021 by David Segal of DavidsTea and Harley Finklestein, co-founder of Shopify. Segal designs the teas (and has been doing so for over a decade) together with the help of a tea blender. "It’s particularly tricky in our case to get the right balance of ingredients to achieve the desired flavor because we don’t use any flavorings — artificial, natural or otherwise," Segal says. "Turns out that those flavorings all contain unlisted preservatives, so we only use pure, high quality ingredients. Often, we’ll have to go back and forth many times and adjust to get the tea blend just right."

According to the company, each cup of tea provides an average of 37 grams of caffeine, although brewing time can alter the strength. Top flavor varieties include No Ordinary Joe which the company describes as a great coffee substitute. Good news for mocha latte lovers looking to trade out coffee for tea because this one tastes just like mochaccino although it's made with yerba mate tea. Our experts raved, "this pick tastes like a touch of hot chocolate added to tea, just delicious!"

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Known as the oldest tea house in the world, Twinings, a traditional British brand, has been steeping tea since 1706. Notably, it has been a royal warrant holder since Queen Victoria's reign. A team of master blenders and herbalists that collectively have over 250 years of experience choose the flavor profiles and combinations. Twinings is committed to investing in the lives of the people who make the tea possible. The company "pioneers a Sourced with Care program, which strives to improve the lives of its growing communities by empowering women and youth, improving access to water and sanitation, enhancing livelihoods and protecting the land,” says Rishi Deb, Twinings Master Blender.

Glow+Tea, a newer flavor in the brand's Superblends category, combines white tea and a fruity peach flavor profile with biotin (vitamin B7) to promote good skin health. Our testers loved the "light and fruity flavor." White tea is made from the tea buds and leaves. It is a rich source of antioxidants, specifically polyphenols, and research suggests it may have similar antioxdiant and anti-inflammatory benefits as green tea.

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DAVIDSTea is committed to environmental sustainability and giving back to the communities it sources from. For example, in South Africa, they have worked with their rooibos tea producer to develop a homework facility to provide a safe environment for children of tea farmers. Headquartered in Canada, DAVIDsTEA now has over 240 stores throughout Canada and the US. The company offers over 150 types of tea, including organic, limited seasonal collections, infusions, loose leaf and bagged teas. Best-sellers include Cream of Earl Grey, Nepal Black, Orang Pekoe, Cold 911 and S'more Chai, among others.

Our experts are big fans of the multiple green tea varieties with one expert claiming the coconut matcha, "turned me from a coffee drinker into a tea lover. It's creamy without having a grassy or vegetal flavor. It also has a very smooth and light mouth feel."

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Tea Runner stands out because it is a customizable tea subscription service. Subscribers can sample award-winning teas delivered to their door monthly. There are four boxes to choose from and each box can be customized with over 30 tea flavors. Monthly, bi-monthly and tri-monthly delivery options are available. Loose leaf teas, tasting notes and brewing instructions are included with all orders. If you don't want to commit to the full subscription, you can shop the brand's individual teas, which include rare and award-winning varieties.

Our testers loved the herbal tea box with one exclaiming, "I love that I can try teas I normally wouldn't without this service." While another tester reported, that they loved the "unique combination of herbs and spices."

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