L-Theanine

[Caletara]

I read that green and white tea contain L-theanine, which acts has a calming effect on the body. Does anyone know anything more about this, or if all green teas or Adagio teas contain this?

[peachaddict]

Caletara,

Can't be sure, but a website says "L-Theanine (5-N-ethylguatamine) is a unique free-form amino acid found in green tea. L-Theanine is the predominant amino acid in green tea and makes up 50% of the total free amino acids in the plant."

If you want to see it, the website is one selling L-Theanine that happens to have a little info on it: http://www.evitamins.com/product.asp?pid=6029&joc=yes. Hope this helps in any way .

[Warden Andy]

http://www.web-us.com/l-theanine_anxiety_reducer.htm

So that's what causes the relaxed feeling when drinking green tea. And it wasn't just me when I felt like I could concentrate better in school when I drink green tea instead of black tea or coffee in the morning.

[Rose]

I will use (mod Edit for spam) where I can purchase ?

[toastedtoads]

Just drink Green & White tea.

[Cofftea]

Does anyone know anything more about this, or if all green teas or Adagio teas contain this?

ALL true teas, but only true teas: white, black, green, oolong, and yellow have it.

[Love4TheLeaf]

For some reason, PG Tips gives me a real nice feeling but I don't know if it's the theanine or the caffeine.

[Cofftea]

For some reason, PG Tips gives me a real nice feeling but I don't know if it's the theanine or the caffeine.

It's actually the combination, decaf just doesn't give me the same feeling- but it's MUCH different from drinking caffeinated coffee or soda.

[Sam.]

http://www.web-us.com/l-theanine_anxiety_reducer.htm

So that's what causes the relaxed feeling when drinking green tea. And it wasn't just me when I felt like I could concentrate better in school when I drink green tea instead of black tea or coffee in the morning.

What an old thread! But thanks Warden, very interesting read. I'm sure that if green tea contains L-theanine, then white tea must also, as they're processed similarly. But I wonder if more oxidized teas (black, oolong) or "post-fermented teas" (pu-erh) contain L-theanine and, if so, is it in the same amounts or is the L-theanine altered by the processing.

[murrius]

I love this thread! It refuses to die. You have to admire the sheer tenacity of a thread like this one. The staying power..... the determination....

Brain chemistry and tea. What a combo! I'm suprised that this thread hasn't brought out our chemistry enthusiasts. I remember being quite struck by the mood altering effect of green tea when I first started to drink it. Now I notice it less. Probably because my baseline mind/body is now more in line with the state of mind that drinking tea helped to produce in the first place. It's official - I have tea brain.

[devites]

l-theanine capsules don't work. If your looking for a "high/buzz," matcha is your best bet as far as teas. If your searching to replace somethng
St. John's Wort: herbal chillpills
Kava Kava: The tea gave me a chill feeling, but the pills don't work
Valerian Root: Calming/Drowsy

[Sinister]

So that's why I like Green and White Tea best. Hmph.

It's like the man who found out Lays Potato Chips were laced with cocaine. "No wonder I couldn't eat just one!" ><; But to be honest, I'm not surprised. But I don't know if this calming effect cause by this amino acid is substantial enough to account for the fact that Green and White tea taste good.

[devites]

Initially with matcha I noticed it, but after about 10 times it had little effect. I found myself chasing the dragon . The mouthfeel to me is what is addicting.

[Katmandu]

So is the concensus that all teas in loose form black, oolong,green and white all contain some theanine?

[Salsero]

So is the concensus that all teas in loose form black, oolong,green and white all contain some theanine?

Yes.