Organic Tea Guide: Flavors, Caffeine and Brewing

Choosing organic tea is easier when you start with three questions: what flavor do you enjoy, do you want caffeine, and will you drink it hot or iced? Use this guide to compare green, black and herbal teas, then follow the linked brewing guides and recipes for a specific cup.

Start with flavor, not just the tea name

For a grassy or savory cup, explore green tea. For a darker, bolder cup, try black tea. If you want a particular flavor such as mint, tart fruit or warming spice, read the ingredient list on an herbal blend. Two teas with similar names can contain different ingredients and taste quite different.

As a starting point, spearmint has a cool, aromatic character; hibiscus is tart; ginger is peppery and warming; and turmeric adds an earthy note. Milk thistle offers a more seed-like, earthy profile. These are flavor descriptions, not promises of a health effect.

Green tea: vegetal flavor and caffeine

Green tea comes from Camellia sinensis leaves. The cup can taste grassy, vegetal, lightly sweet or savory. It contains caffeine, and the amount in a prepared cup varies with the tea, portion and brewing method.

Start with the water temperature and steeping time on the package. Below-boiling water and a shorter steep are common starting points for green tea. If the cup tastes too bitter, try a shorter steep or slightly cooler water next time rather than adding more sweetener immediately.

Black tea: a bolder, darker cup

Black tea also comes from Camellia sinensis and contains caffeine. More extensive oxidation gives it a darker appearance and often a fuller, maltier taste than green tea. Near-boiling water and a somewhat longer steep are common starting points, but follow the directions for your particular tea or blend.

For a spiced black tea, check whether the blend includes ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger or cardamom. A tea called chai may have a black-tea base, whereas a blend of turmeric, ginger and cinnamon alone is a different drink.

Herbal tea: check every ingredient for caffeine

Herbal teas are infusions of flowers, roots, leaves, seeds or spices. Many are caffeine-free, but 'herbal' is not a guarantee: yerba mate contains caffeine, and a blend may include green or black tea. Look for the product's caffeine information and read the full ingredient list.

For a warming spice profile, read our turmeric ginger cinnamon tea brewing guide. For a more earthy cup, see the milk thistle tea flavor and brewing guide. Each guide includes ideas for adjusting the cup to your taste.

A simple brewing checklist

1. Read the label first. Use the amount of tea, water temperature and steeping time recommended for that product.

2. Use a heatproof cup or vessel and measure the water so your next cup is easy to repeat.

3. Remove the tea bag when the recommended steep is complete, then taste the tea before adding milk, citrus or sweetener.

4. Change one thing at a time. Adjust the water amount, temperature or steeping time gradually and note what you prefer.

If a cup tastes weak, first check that you used the recommended tea-to-water ratio. If it tastes bitter or too intense, a shorter steep or more water may suit you better. There is no single brewing temperature or steeping time that works equally well for every tea.

Choose an iced-tea recipe by flavor

For citrus and ginger, try ginger tea lemonade. For a tart, fruity option, try berry-infused hibiscus tea. For a colorful drink with citrus and mint variations, explore our butterfly pea flower iced-tea guide.

Use the recipe's quantities and preparation steps instead of simply pouring a full-strength hot cup onto a large glass of ice. Ice adds water as it melts, so tea strength and the amount of ice both affect the finished flavor. Follow the package instructions when they differ from a general recipe.

What does organic mean on a tea label?

Organic certification concerns production and handling standards. It is separate from flavor, caffeine content and the suitability of a particular ingredient for you. Learn more in what USDA Organic certification means for food and tea or review the USDA's organic labeling guidance.

Find a tea that fits your preferences

Browse the organic tea collection and compare each product's ingredients, caffeine information and package directions. Start with a flavor you already enjoy, then use the guides above to explore a new style.

Review allergen information and any ingredient-specific precautions. Ask a qualified healthcare professional about pregnancy, medication or health-condition questions before adding a new herbal product to your routine. More background on caffeine is available from the FDA's caffeine guide.