Tea by intention
Focus tea
Focus is entirely important for marking the day with productivity. The teas in this category are known for their ability to improve a person’s presence of mind. Some of these teas are caffeinated and some are herbal. All work to sharpen a person’s ability to think.
Featured focus teas
8 teas
Brewing with intention
Brewing tea for a steady lift
Which teas bring the most energy
If you want a noticeable lift, start with the naturally caffeinated teas. Black tea and breakfast blends are the most familiar; matcha delivers the most per serving because you drink the whole powdered leaf; and yerba mate, a South American holly, brews a grassy, robust cup with a caffeine level closer to black tea. Green tea and oolong offer a gentler middle ground, and chai combines black tea with warming spices.
Timing your cups
Caffeine stays in the body for several hours, so many people find it helps to enjoy their strongest cups before early afternoon and switch to green tea, white tea or caffeine-free blends later on. Spacing two moderate cups through the morning tends to feel smoother than one very strong one. Drinking a glass of water alongside your tea keeps you hydrated, too.
Getting the brew right
More steeping time draws out more caffeine — but also more bitterness. For a stronger cup, increase the leaf rather than leaving it for 10 minutes. Matcha should always be whisked with water below boiling to keep it smooth.
Pairing your cup
What you eat alongside your tea shapes how it feels. A strong black tea or matcha on an empty stomach can feel sharp for some people, so many prefer it with breakfast or a snack. Chai with milk is naturally gentler, and a squeeze of lemon brightens a midday green tea. If you are moving away from coffee, try a breakfast blend brewed for the full five minutes with a splash of milk: it is the closest tea gets to that familiar, robust morning mug.
| Tea | Water | Steep | Leaf | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black & breakfast blends | 95–100°C | 3–5 min | 2–3 g | Moderate–high |
| Matcha | 70–80°C | Whisk 15–20 s | 1–2 g / 70 ml | High |
| Yerba mate | 70–80°C | 4–5 min | 3 g | Moderate–high |
| Green tea | 70–80°C | 1–3 min | 2–3 g | Low–moderate |
This information is for general interest only and is not medical advice. Our teas are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant or nursing, take medication, or have a health condition, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding herbal teas to your routine.
Frequently asked questions
Which tea has the most caffeine?
Per serving, matcha is usually highest, followed by black tea and yerba mate. Green, white and oolong teas typically contain less, though it varies by leaf and brewing.
How does tea compare to coffee?
A cup of black tea generally has about half the caffeine of brewed coffee. Many tea drinkers also enjoy that tea contains L-theanine, which some find makes the lift feel smoother.
How much caffeine is too much?
Health Canada suggests most healthy adults limit caffeine to about 400 mg per day, with lower limits for pregnant people and children. Check the guidance that applies to you.
Can I re-steep tea for a second boost?
Yes. Second infusions of black, green and oolong tea still contain caffeine, though less than the first.
Is yerba mate a tea?
Yerba mate is not from the tea plant. It is made from the leaves of a South American holly, Ilex paraguariensis, but it is naturally caffeinated and brewed much like tea, with water just below boiling.
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