Green tea is great, but it’s not for everyone.
Some simply don’t like the taste.
Others might feel nauseous after drinking it. Or even suffer an allergic reaction.
Luckily, there are plenty of great green tea alternatives available.
Some are also made from the tea plant, but simply offer a different flavor profile.
Others are made from completely different plants.
What all the alternatives to green tea listed below have in common is that they are also healthy and delicious. So let’s take a look!
Table of Contents
Green Tea Alternatives
We wanted to offer you a number of alternatives to green tea here. Some are also made from the tea plant (matcha, black tea, oolong tea), which means any negative reactions you may have to green tea will be the same for those teas. they won’t be a good alternative for you.
In that case, you’ll want to go with one of the herbal teas or another alternative made from something other than the tea plant. But if it’s just the flavor of green tea you don’t like, those other teas can make a great option. Except for matcha, which is just a different version of green tea.
Matcha Tea
Yes, matcha is a type of green tea. But it is different enough that our list of the best alternatives to green tea has to start with matcha.
Matcha is a powdered green tea. It is healthier than green tea because you consume the entire tea leaf. This is not the case with regular green tea, where you discard the tea leaves after steeping.
Matcha tea is also packed with antioxidants. Studies have shown that matcha contains ten times more antioxidants than regular green tea. This is why matcha is so beneficial for reducing inflammation in the body.
Taste wise, matcha has a stronger, more bitter, and earthier flavor than green tea. Of course, matcha’s flavor depends on how it is cultivated and brewed.
Some people do not like matcha’s grassy or vegetal taste and may prefer green tea as it has a lighter and more refreshing taste. Some even say matcha has a fishy flavor.
Of course, you can always drink matcha with milk. Matcha lattes are delicious and healthy as well. Nevertheless, if you are looking for an alternative to green tea because you do not like the flavor, matcha is probably not the way to go.
Similarly, if green tea makes you nauseous or if drinking green tea causes an allergic reaction, matcha will do the same. Check out some other alternatives below instead.
Herbal Teas
Many varieties of herbal teas provide healthier alternatives to green tea. Some of these teas are even caffeine-free. Here are some of the best herbal teas to choose over green tea.
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is a sweet-sour tea with a brilliant red color. Made from hibiscus flowers, this tea offers many beauty benefits. It is packed with antioxidants and promotes hair growth.
Hibiscus tea is also antibacterial and known to prevent infections and boost immunity. It also supports heart health. Regular consumption of hibiscus tea is great for weight loss (when you combine it with a healthy diet and exercise regime).
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is a better option than caffeinated green tea if you are looking for a beverage to drink before bedtime. This relaxing and calming tea reduces stress and improves sleep quality thanks to its antioxidant apigenin. Chamomile tea is also rich in heart-healthy flavonoids. It is also good for diabetics, because it regulates blood sugar.
Peppermint Tea
Some people experience nausea after consuming green tea. This is because of the caffeine content, which can trigger acid reflux and heartburn in people who are more sensitive to caffeine.
Switching to peppermint tea as an alternative can curb the nausea and also ease digestive issues like gas and bloating.
Peppermint tea has a refreshing minty taste, which helps freshen bad breath. The tea is also wonderful for relieving migraines and tension headaches. Women can drink peppermint tea to ease menstrual symptoms, like cramps.
Kombucha
Kombucha tea is made by fermenting green, black, oolong, or white tea leaves. It is one of the oldest and healthiest beverages, consumed since circa 221 BCE.
Kombucha tea is rich in probiotics, B vitamins, and antioxidants. The dairy-free tea is beneficial for gut health, promotes healthy digestion, and helps fight diseases and infections. Compared to green tea, kombucha tea has greater LDL (bad) cholesterol-reducing effects.
Plain kombucha has a unique fizzy, sweet, and tart flavor. These days, you can also get it in floral, fruity, and herbal flavors.
Black Tea
Green tea and black tea are both made from the same plant: Camellia sinensis. The difference between green and black teas lies in how the two teas are processed.
Despite their differences, both teas have similar health effects on the heart and brain. Also, both teas contain L-theanine and caffeine, which provide a focused sense of alertness and a boost of calm energy.
Black tea has a stronger astringent taste than green tea. Brewed black tea contains twice the amount of caffeine as green tea. Black tea is also rich in tannins, which are antioxidants that fight inflammation and also provide antibacterial effects.
Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea can be a healthier alternative to green tea, because it is caffeine-free and low in oxalates. Oxalates result in kidney stones, so drinking rooibos tea could be healthier for people susceptible to kidney stone formation.
That said, not all true teas are high in oxalates. It is mostly black tea and pu’er tea you need to worry about White and green tea can actually help prevent kidney stones.
Rooibos tea is also rich in antioxidants like aspalathin and nothofagin. It also contains a variety of minerals like calcium, iron, and zinc.
Rooibos tea is known for its unique flavor profile: sweet, nutty, caramel-like, or honey-like, though there are differences in flavor between green and red rooibos teas. If you are looking for a delicious, caffeine-free, and healthy alternative to green tea, rooibos tea could be a great choice.
Oolong Tea
While both green and oolong tea varieties are excellent for people looking to lose weight, oolong tea contains more antioxidants than green tea. According to experts, oolong tea also has stronger antimutagenic effects (reducing the effect of mutation, which results in aging, etc.) than black and green teas.
Oolong tea is also beneficial for diabetics, because it helps lower blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance. The polyphenols in oolong tea also lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Studies have also shown that oolong tea could aid in calorie burning and help with weight management. Furthermore, oolong tea could reduce the risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive decline.
Flavor-wise, oolong tea is considered mid-way between green and black tea. Its taste is described as floral, grassy, earthy, and toasty. Our articles comparing oolong tea and green tea and oolong tea and black tea go into more detail.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is a great alternative to green tea, because it contains more calcium (7 mg per 100 grams), potassium, and vitamin C. The caffeine-free beverage is also high in electrolytes. This makes it a great choice for active people looking for healthier alternatives to sugary sports drinks for hydration.
Green tea, on the other hand, is a diuretic and helps the body get rid of excess fluid buildup. People who do not like green tea’s bitter taste may love coconut water for its naturally sweet and refreshing taste.
Aloe Vera Juice
According to researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, aloe vera juice is a healthy, caffeine-free, and low-sugar drink that has many health benefits. First, it is a hydrating beverage that supports a healthy skin barrier.
It’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties also help reduce acne. Aloe vera juice also provides roughage to reduce constipation.
A 2015 study showed that aloe juice is a better choice than green tea for people with heartburn. Many tea drinkers experience acid reflux after drinking green tea. Aloe juice alleviates some of the acid in the stomach.
Also, aloe juice contains beta carotene which supports eye health. It is packed with vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium, which reduce muscle aches and improve immunity. Aloe juice has a slightly bitter taste so do consider adding some flavoring to enhance it.
Alternatives To Green Tea: Final Thoughts
Go ahead and try some of these green tea alternatives. You might find the perfect beverage to suit your taste and health preferences, if green tea just isn’t doing it for you.
Whether you opt for the rich antioxidants of matcha, the calming effects of chamomile tea, or the hydrating properties of coconut water, there’s a world of options to explore.
Embrace the variety and benefits of these alternatives to green tea, and elevate your daily beverage choice to support your overall well-being. Cheers to discovering new and delightful drink options!
Leave a Reply