A Guide to Healthy Tea: Types, Benefits, and How to Choose
In this Tea 101 guide, we break down the most common types of tea, what health benefits they may offer, and how to choose options that fit your health goals.
Green Tea

Flavor profile: Light with grassy notes and a subtle natural sweetness
How Green Tea Is Made
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green Teas We Love

Tea Forte Jasmine Green

Pique Jasmine Green
This organic jasmine green tea is made from concentrated tea crystals that dissolve instantly in hot or cold water. A smooth, lightly floral tea, this tea is ideal for convenient antioxidant support and calm energy without jitters.
Black Tea

Flavor profile: Strong but smooth, with subtle notes that can range from earthy to brisk or even lightly sweet, depending on the variety
How Black Tea Is Made
Health Benefits of Black Tea
Black Teas We Love

Vahdam India English Breakfast

Twinings English Breakfast
Oolong Tea

Flavor profile: Smooth with notes that range from floral and lightly sweet to toasted or nutty, depending on the oxidation level
How Oolong Tea Is Made
Health Benefits of Oolong Tea
Oolong Teas We Love

Bigelow Oolong Tea

Teapigs Tung Ting Oolong Tea
Chai

Flavor profile: Warm and spiced with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves over a black tea base
How Chai Is Made
Chai is a spiced blend traditionally made with black tea and spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper. The spices are either blended with loose-leaf black tea or added during brewing.
Health Benefits of Chai
Chai Teas We Love

Numi Golden Chai

Nepal Tea Collective Chai
Turmeric Tea

Flavor profile: Earthy and warming with a peppery finish; often combined with ginger or cinnamon
How Turmeric Tea Is Made
Turmeric tea is an herbal infusion made from turmeric root, either fresh or dried. It’s typically prepared by simmering turmeric root or powder in hot water, sometimes with added spices like ginger or black pepper to enhance both flavor and absorption of beneficial compounds.
Health Benefits of Turmeric Tea
Turmeric Teas We Love

Rishi Turmeric Ginger

Republic of Tea Organic Turmeric Single Sips
Ginger Tea

Flavor profile: Warm and slightly peppery with a natural spice that intensifies the longer it steeps
How Ginger Tea Is Made
Ginger tea is a naturally caffeine-free herbal tea brewed from fresh or dried gingerroot. It’s typically prepared by steeping sliced fresh ginger or dried ginger pieces in hot water, sometimes alongside lemon or honey to balance its spiciness.
Health Benefits of Ginger Tea
Ginger Teas We Love

Traditional Medicinals Ginger Tea

Pukka Three Ginger
Chamomile Tea

Flavor profile: Light, floral flavor that’s gently sweet, often compared to apples or wildflowers
How Chamomile Tea Is Made
Chamomile tea is a floral herbal tea made from dried chamomile blossoms, most commonly German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Because it’s an herbal infusion, it’s naturally caffeine-free. The flowers are steeped in hot water to make the relaxing tea.
Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea
Chamomile Teas We Love

Bigelow’s Chamomile Vanilla

Numi Chamomile Lemon
Rooibos Tea

Flavor profile: Smooth and naturally sweet with vanilla and earthy flavors
How Rooibos Tea Is Made
Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea

Tahmina Tea Saffron Rooibos

Palais Des Thes Tahitian Rooibos (Rooibos Des Vahines)
What to Consider When Shopping for a Healthy Tea
Here’s what to consider when you’re searching the aisles for a healthy tea:
- Your Health Goals “Look for a tea that matches your preferences for taste, caffeine content, and your overall health goals,” says Mitri. What, if any, benefit do you hope to get from your tea? This might be energy and focus, calm and sleep support, digestive comfort, or daily antioxidant intake.
- Caffeine Content Teas vary widely with regards to caffeine. Matcha, black tea, and chai are higher in caffeine, green tea and oolong are moderate, and herbal teas like chamomile or rooibos are naturally caffeine-free. “If you are sensitive to caffeine, you may want to choose herbal tea options that are caffeine-free,” says Mitri.
- Loose-Leaf vs. Tea Bags Loose-leaf teas may offer better flavor and quality, but tea bags are more convenient. However, some research suggests that certain plastic-based teas can release small amounts of microplastics into hot water. Microplastics may have long-term health risks, as research suggests they contribute to inflammation and cellular stress in the body. “In general, choosing loose-leaf tea is your best bet if you are concerned about microplastics or other potential contaminants in commercial tea bags,” says VenHuizen. “Thankfully, many high-quality companies are now using plant-based alternatives to avoid those issues, but read up on your favorite brand to make sure.”
- Organic or Ethical Sourcing Mitri suggests looking for organic teas, which can help limit exposure to pesticides, while certifications like Fair Trade may signal more ethical and sustainable farming practices.
How We Chose the Healthiest Teas
Our recommendations are based on a combination of hands-on testing by our tea-loving editors and writers, and expert input from registered dietitians, including:
We considered ingredients, taste, evidence-based health benefits, and brand integrity to bring you the best options.
What Are the General Health Benefits of Tea?
As VenHuizen notes, tea (especially green tea) can be compared to so-called superfoods, offering a concentrated source of protective plant compounds similar to those found in berries, seeds, and whole grains. When enjoyed consistently and without added sugars, tea can be an additional tool in an anti-inflammatory diet.
Are Caffeinated Teas Healthy?
That said, everyone responds to caffeine differently. Some people find caffeinated tea improves concentration and productivity, while others are more sensitive and may experience jitters. “While caffeinated tea is perfectly fine to drink daily, you’ll want to be mindful of your overall caffeine intake and not drink it too late in the day, or it will disrupt your sleep cycle,” Durston recommends. If you are sensitive to caffeine or struggling with sleep quality, choosing lower-caffeine teas earlier in the day or switching to herbal teas in the afternoon or evening may be a better choice.
Can Tea Help You Sleep Better?
Tea can help support better sleep, as long as you choose the right kind. “Because teas tend to be warm and soothing, they are a great choice for an evening wind-down to promote good sleep,” says VenHuizen, but she emphasizes that caffeine content matters.
FAQs
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Caitlin Beale, MS, RDN
Author
Caitlin Beale, MS, RDN, is a registered dietitian and freelance health writer with experience in clinical nutrition, education, research, and private practice. Caitlin’s special interests include women's health, gut health, autoimmunity, and reproductive health. Committed to the belief that health information should be accessible to all, she is passionate about empowering individuals to make positive changes for their well-being. Caitlin holds advanced training certificates in women's health and integrative and functional nutrition.
Caitlin was born and raised in northern California, where she resides with her family. An avid lover of sunshine and the outdoors, she finds joy in activities such as visiting the beach, exercising, cooking, and indulging in a good read. You can find Caitlin’s writing in a variety of outlets and brands, including Motherly, Nourish, Signos, Greatest, Pure Encapsulations, Abbott, and Clue, among others.

Julie Cunningham, MPH, RDN, LDN, CDCES
Medical Reviewer
Julie Cunningham is a registered dietitian-nutritionist and a certified diabetes care and education specialist.
Cunningham received a bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University in North Carolina. She subsequently completed a master's degree in public health nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Cunningham has worked in women's and children's health, cardiology, and diabetes. She has written for Abbott Nutrition News, Edgepark Medical HealthInsights, diaTribe, Babylist, and others. She is also the author of 30 Days to Tame Type 2 Diabetes.
A resident of beautiful western North Carolina, Cunningham is an avid reader who enjoys yoga, travel, and all things chocolate.

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Fact-Checker
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De Guzman is a longtime health and fitness enthusiast who is interested in nutrition, diet, and mental health. He participates in endurance sports and cross-trains in several traditions of martial arts from Southeast Asia. De Guzman is interested in how the progressively complex movements of martial arts training can improve cognition and mental well-being, especially for those with PTSD and for those approaching middle age and beyond.
De Guzman has a dual B.A. in communications and international studies from the University of Washington in Seattle. He is committed to factual storytelling and evidence-based reporting on critical choices that affect our planet.

Katie Tuttle
Editor
Katie Tuttle is an editor and writer specializing in food, nutrition, and product testing. Her work has appeared in EatingWell, Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats, and Real Simple. She has written about meal kits, kitchen tools, fitness, and wellness, and has tested and reviewed a wide range of products, with a particular focus on meal delivery services and their impact on nutrition and convenience.
Beyond food, Katie has covered fitness and wellness topics, drawing from her own experience as a powerlifter and an occasional runner. She’s always interested in how products and services can make healthy living more accessible and practical.
When she’s not researching or writing, Katie is usually surrounded by houseplants or spending time with a foster dog. She firmly believes there’s no such thing as too many books or too much coffee.
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