Which Tea Is Best for You? A Complete Guide to Choosing the Perfect Tea
Which Tea Is Best for You? A Guide by Type, Mood, and Goal
Not sure where to start with loose leaf tea? This guide makes it simple. Whether you want energy, calm, better sleep, antioxidants, or just a really good cup, here's how to match what you want to the right tea from our range.
All our teas come from Ilam and Taplejung in Nepal, at 5,000 to 7,000 ft above sea level. The altitude gives the leaves natural sweetness and no bitterness, so every tea on this page will be smooth, whichever you choose.
For Morning Energy, Choose Black Tea
Black tea has the most caffeine of our teas (40 to 70 mg per cup), along with L-theanine for smooth, focused energy without jitters.
- Gold Black Tea ($20/50g): smooth malt, caramel, honey. The most approachable morning black tea.
- Muscatel Black Tea ($10/25g): honey-grape, dried apricot, silky finish.
- Ruby Black Tea ($10/25g): dark cherry, cocoa, full-bodied. The boldest everyday choice.
- Special Black Tea ($11/25g): dark chocolate, dried plum, pine resin. From Taplejung at 6,000 ft.
Best starter pack: Black Tea Lover Pack ($47.40), all 4 black teas, 125g in total.
For Calm Focus, Choose Green Tea
Green tea pairs moderate caffeine (25 to 40 mg) with high L-theanine, for an alert, focused calm without coffee jitters.
- Floral Green Tea ($10/25g): jasmine-like florals, light sweetness, no bitterness. Farmers Tea Co, Ilam.
- Organic Light Green Tea ($20/50g): smooth, light, very low in caffeine. Grown on certified organic land at Farmers Tea Co, Ilam, 5,500 ft.
Best starter pack: Green Tea Everyday Pack ($70), 5 Ć 50g Organic Light Green Tea, 250g.
For Relaxation or the Evening, Choose White Tea
White tea usually has the least caffeine (around 15 to 30 mg) and the most delicate flavour, so it suits late afternoon or the evening without affecting your sleep.
- Floral White Tea ($10/25g): spring blossom, soft rose, peach fuzz, velvety. Farmers Tea Co, Ilam.
- Fresh White Tea ($10/25g): wildflower, morning dew, cucumber, crisp. Farmers Tea Co, Ilam.
Best starter pack: Light Tea Lovers Pack ($46.47), 4 green and white teas, 125g.
For Something in Between, Choose Oolong
Oolong is partly oxidized and sits between green and black tea in both flavour and caffeine. It's excellent for steeping several times.
- Floral Oolong Tea ($10/25g): honey blossom, orchid, soft peach. Lightly oxidized, and re-steeps 3 to 4 times.
- Dark Oolong Tea ($10/25g): stone fruit, roasted honey, bright acidity. Bolder and richer.
Best starter: Welcome Nepal Pack ($46.48), the Sampler Kit plus both oolongs.
To Try Everything First, Choose the Sampler
If you're unsure, start with the Tea Sampler Kit ($30). It has 10 teas, 5g of each, covering all four types from four different farms, enough for 3 to 4 cups of each.
Quick Decision Guide
| Your Goal | Best Tea | Top Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Morning energy | Black tea | Gold Black Tea |
| Calm focus / afternoon | Green tea | Floral Green Tea |
| Low caffeine / evening | White tea | Floral White Tea |
| Coffee replacement | Black tea | Muscatel Black Tea |
| Complex / adventurous | Oolong or Special Black | Special Black Tea |
| Not sure yet | Sampler Kit | Tea Sampler Kit ($30) |
šµ Not Sure? Start with the $30 Sampler
The Tea Sampler Kit ($30) gives you 10 different Nepali teas (5g each) across all four types. Taste your way to a favourite, then buy more of the ones you love. Unopened tea can be returned within 30 days; you cover return shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tea should I drink if I want to replace coffee?
Black tea is the best coffee replacement. Our Muscatel Black (honey-grape, apricot), Ruby Black (dark cherry, cocoa), and Gold Black (malt, caramel, honey) all give you real caffeine, 40 to 70 mg per cup, with L-theanine for smoother, longer-lasting energy. Brew 1.5 tsp of loose leaf at 90 to 95Ā°C for 3 to 4 minutes. There's no bitterness and no harsh aftertaste.
Which tea has the least caffeine?
White tea usually has less caffeine than green or black tea, 15 to 30 mg per cup against 40 to 70 mg for black tea. Our Floral White Tea has the least caffeine of all our teas. Both our white teas, Floral White and Fresh White, come from Farmers Tea Co in Ilam and are grown on certified organic farmland.
What is the best tea for a beginner?
Floral White Tea or Floral Green Tea are the easiest places to start. They're naturally sweet, forgiving to brew, and don't turn bitter even if you over-steep them a little. The Tea Sampler Kit ($30) is the best first purchase: its 10 teas across all four types let you find a favourite before buying a larger bag.
Which Nepali tea is best for health benefits?
All our teas are rich in antioxidants, but green and white teas are highest in catechins, the most studied tea antioxidants. Floral Green and Organic Light Green are best for catechins, and Floral White and Fresh White for unoxidized polyphenols. Black tea's theaflavins are well studied for heart and gut health. In the end, the healthiest tea is the one you'll drink regularly.
Can I drink different types of tea throughout the day?
Yes, and many tea lovers do. A common pattern is black tea in the morning for energy, green tea in the afternoon for focused calm, and white tea in the evening to relax with very little caffeine. The Tea Sampler Kit lets you try every type so you can build your own daily routine.
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