Kratom Tea

Kratom Tea vs Other Types of Tea

There are so many varieties of tea, each with its own set of properties, flavors, and benefits. Even though kratom tea is not as widely known or available, it’s still just another type of tea. Recognizing how kratom tea compares to other types of more popular herbal teas, can help you identify if it’s something you want to try.

Camellia Sinensis Teas

Despite the many different varieties of tea on the market, most teas that are properly named come from one plant: Camellia sinensis. This small evergreen shrub grows in Asia, and the different harvesting and processing methods offer the unique flavor profiles we expect from black teas, green teas, oolong teas, and white teas. Each of these varieties has various homeopathic and traditional uses.†

Green tea

Possibly the most popular tea worldwide, green tea also often contains the most caffeine. The tea is “green” because it is derived from freshly-harvested leaves which do not undergo withering or oxidation before use. Green tea has a subtle, bitter, astringent taste. It can be notably bitter if brewed too long. Because the tea leaves are fresh, green tea varieties often have more chlorophyll, minerals, vitamin C, and tannins than other types of tea. Green tea is well-understood to have health benefits.† It is rich in polyphenols and catechins, which may play a beneficial role combating cancer, genital warts, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.† Compared to kratom tea, green tea offers less of a mood boost.†

Black tea

Black tea is another common caffeinated tea typically used in iced teas in the United States. Black tea is often used to create other brews, such as with bergamot oil to create Earl Grey tea, or with spices and milk to create Chai. The flavor of black tea can vary significantly, and be light and sweet with notes of honey, or stronger and peppery with notes of floral, caramel, coffee, or chocolate. Poor-quality or badly brewed black tea can be particularly bitter. Research indicates that black tea has antioxidant properties, and it may boost heart health by reducing blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and the risk of stroke.† Black tea may also improve GI health, mental focus, and reduce both blood sugar levels and the risk of cancer.† Compared to kratom tea, black tea has a milder flavor with fewer mood boosting effects.†

Oolong tea

Oolong tea, a favorite among tea aficionados, is a nice compromise for someone who likes both black and green teas. The oolong tea production process is similar to that of black tea, but it requires careful attention to the timing of the firing and oxidation stages. Some oolong teas are light in color, with a fresher, greener taste. Others have a more roasted, woodier flavor, or they might offer an almost floral, sweet taste and aroma. In general, darker color corresponds with a deeper, nuttier flavor. The health benefits of oolong tea are similar to those of black or green tea, including benefits to bone, brain, dental, and heart health.† Oolong tea may also protect against certain types of cancer, decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and boost the metabolism.†

White tea

White tea is made with the youngest leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant family, which are harvested and dried without any oxidation or additional rolling or processing. White tea leaves are named for the small silvery-white hairs that cover them, and they generally have less caffeine than other varieties. White tea has a light, delicate taste that is slightly sweet and grassy, and it should never be bitter. Avoid consuming white tea with food because it can overpower the subtle flavor and light aroma of the tea. White tea is rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, and catechins, and research indicates it may help improve oral health, prevent and fight cancer, help the immune system defend against infections, and improve bone and skin health.† Compared to kratom tea, white tea is very delicate tasting, much lighter in appearance, and has almost no mental effects.

Matcha Tea

Because of the similarities in appearance, you may wonder if matcha powder and kratom are comparable. However, other than being green powders that people use to make tea, they have little in common. Matcha contains l-theanine and caffeine, whereas kratom contains two alkaloids of interest: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Daily servings of matcha typically won’t exceed 150mg of caffeine and 120 to 240mg of l-theanine. Kratom mixes well with both matcha and coffee, and many users enjoy the added effects of the caffeine. Similarly, many users pair kratom tea with green tea, guayusa, or yerba mate. The l-theanine in green tea is especially useful for those with anxiety as it can counteract jittery feelings brought on by caffeine.† However, although there is some mythology out there about vendors substituting matcha powder for kratom and making the swap on unsuspecting consumers, this is unlikely. For one thing, matcha powder is actually more expensive than most kratom products! The myth probably springs from unscrupulous importers mislabeling kratom powder as “matcha” to avoid trouble with customs.

Herbal Teas

Herbal teas don’t come from the Camellia sinensis plant, so they are not true teas and lack some of the antioxidants of the classic teas. However, by brewing chamomile, or fruits like lemon, hibiscus, kratom, mint, rooibos, and more, you can open up an interesting world of new herbal teas—many of which offer their own benefits. In addition, herbal teas often lack caffeine, which is ideal for many consumers. Plenty of herbal teas offer natural remedies for common issues. For example, research supports that ginger tea and peppermint tea may help reduce nausea.† Lavender tea and chamomile tea are both well-suited for nighttime use and relaxation. And yerba mate tea is a perfect pick-me-up in the morning if you need an energy boost. Herbal teas are more similar to kratom tea in that none are made from the actual tea plant. However, the kratom plant is very unique, and each plant’s tea has its own properties.