You love tea. You have several cups a day, and you’re always looking for the best way to save money and time while sampling new flavors and never compromising on a delicious brew. Instant tea powder is an excellent solution, but which ones are the best, and how do you choose? Check out our list below for some of our favorite instant tea powder blends, and you’ll be off to a great start!
If you’re willing to try some of instant coffee too, we won’t judge!
At a Glance: Best Instant Tea Powder
What is Instant Tea Powder?
A refreshing mug of tea is one of life’s simple pleasures, but standard brewed tea is not without its drawbacks.
What about iced tea? It can take hours to boil, brew, steep, and cool your tea enough to pull together a nice cold pitcher of iced tea, so if you don’t prepare it beforehand, you’re out of luck.
Plus, tea can get expensive, especially if one teabag only goes as far as one or two cups of tea. The cost can add up if you’re having several cups a day, and you may quickly find that your daily tea habit is eating into your wallet.
If you want to prepare a budget-friendly cup of tea without the hassle of boiling water, or you want to whip up a quick pitcher of iced tea in just seconds, then instant tea powder is the solution.
How Is It Different from Regular Tea?
If you’ve never had instant tea before, you may wonder if it’s any different than the regular tea leaves you get at the store. The difference is in how the tea leaves are prepared.
Loose leaf tea is air-dried, leaving the leaves mostly intact. Instant tea powder is made by using low pressure to extract the liquid from the fresh tea leaves. Once dried out, they’re freeze-dried and ground up into a fine, concentrated powder.
The most significant advantage instant tea has over regular tea is that you don’t need to brew the tea in boiling water. Instead, mix the lightweight powder mix into the water of any temperature, hot or cold, and you’ll have tea in a matter of seconds!
It’s the perfect solution for travelers, campers, and those who want a quick glass of iced tea without going through the entire brewing process.
Is Instant Tea Healthier than Brewed Tea?
The brewed tea is bursting with antioxidants which can help your cells fight off free radicals and help you feel your best. But does powdered tea have the same health benefits as regular brewed tea?
Unfortunately, no. According to the USDA, up to 90% of the antioxidants in tea are removed during the freeze-drying process. So, if you’re drinking tea for the antioxidants and health benefits, you’re better off drinking regular brewed tea instead.
How to Make Instant Tea:
The biggest advantage of instant tea powder is that it’s so quick and convenient to make! All you need is a water bottle and your powder, and you’re good to go, no matter where you are!
Simply dissolve the tea powder into either hot or cold water (ice is fine) according to the package instructions, right in your cup. Each brand will have a different ratio, but you can also measure the tea to your own personal taste.
Feel free to even double the amount of tea you use, depending on how strong you like your brew!
Be sure to stir the powder thoroughly to break up any clumps. The tea powder will dissolve at any temperature so that you can brew iced tea with this method, but it will dissolve more easily in hot water.
You can add any milk or sweeteners you like, depending on your personal preferences and the kind of tea that you’re drinking (milk is a must with chai and matcha powders!).
Quick Summary: Best Instant Tea Powder
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Our Top Choice
Waka Quality Instant Tea — Unsweetened Kenyan |
Check on Amazon → |
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Waka Quality Instant Tea — Unsweetened Green Tea | Check on Amazon → |
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TEAki Hut Instant Black Tea Powder | Check on Amazon → |
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ONE ORGANIC Instant Tea Powder | Check on Amazon → |
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Kiss Me Organics Matcha Green Tea Powder | Check on Amazon → |
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Blue Lotus Chai - Traditional Masala Chai | Check on Amazon → |
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Lipton Black Iced Tea Mix | Check on Amazon → |
The Best Instant Tea Powder
Waka Coffee Quality Instant Tea – Black Tea
Waka Coffee is a favorite name when it comes to instant coffee powder, but you might not have known that they’ve also dipped their toes into the tea market.
There’s no doubt that Waka knows what their customers want regarding tea – sustainably and ethically sourced leaves, eco-friendly packaging, and bold, fresh taste.
Their black tea is harvested in Kenya from a single source and provides that rich, dark taste that you want when you reach for a cup of tea.
Things We Like:
- You know what you’re getting with Waka tea: 100% single-origin black tea sourced from Kenya. The transparency is a huge plus!
- The packaging with its resealable zipper pouch keeps your tea fresh for longer.
Things We Don’t Like:
- The provided tea to water ratio is very weak, and you’ll probably have to double the amount of powder you use to achieve the taste you want.
- The powder is slow to dissolve if you’re using cold water for iced tea, and you may want to use a little hot water to help it along.
Waka Coffee Quality Instant Tea — Green Tea
Another favorite on our list comes from Waka. This time it’s their instant green tea powder. It’s a blend made from leaves harvested in Kenya and China and produces a tea with a delicious, soft flavor that’s not too bitter.
It’s a great base to mix flavors and sweeteners to create your own custom drink! The best part? Just a little goes a very long way, so it’s sure to last quite a while.
Things We Like:
- You get about 135 servings in each bag, so one bag will last quite a long time, even if you use extra tea for added strength.
- This tea’s flavors are light and refreshing, and it makes the perfect base for mixed tea drinks and flavored iced beverages since the green tea flavor won’t overwhelm the rest of the flavors.
Things We Don’t Like:
- The flavor is pretty mild, so it may be suitable as an iced beverage on its own, but you may not enjoy it as much as a hot drink.
- The packaging could get a bit messy, so you have to be careful when opening the bag not to lose product.
TEAki Hut Instant Black Tea Powder
TEAki points out that their tea is cholesterol and low-caffeine alternative to coffee or sugary drinks. So if you’re looking to cut back on the caffeine or sugar, you can still enjoy the deep, robust flavor of Teaki Hut’s black tea as a morning pick-me-up.
Things We Like:
- There are no artificial ingredients, colors, fillers, preservatives, or flavors of any kind, so you know that you’re getting an all-natural beverage with all the goodness of tea and nothing you don’t want.
- The flavor is light, fruity, and floral as an iced beverage. It’s a great summertime beverage or refreshing post-workout drink.
Things We Don’t Like:
- This tea is much better cold than warm, so it’s not as versatile as it could be.
ONE ORGANIC Black Tea Instant Powder
For some, it’s important that they’re only eating and drinking the best quality products that they can. If premium, organic, quality ingredients are a priority for you, you’ll love One Organic and their line of instant tea powders.
You can enjoy all the convenience of instant tea while knowing that you’re consuming USDA-certified organic tea that was grown without the use of GMOs, pesticides, or antibiotics.
Things We Like:
- One Organic takes its food safety standards seriously and subjects its tea to rigorous inspection and testing, so you know that the end product is high quality and well-made.
- This powder is versatile and can be used for a variety of milk tea recipes and even baking! Get creative and try different recipes out for yourself!
Things We Don’t Like:
- This powder doesn’t dissolve as well as we’d like when mixed with ice water. If you’re craving a cold glass of iced tea, mix your powder in just a little bit of warm water first, let it dissolve, and then add your ice and cold water.
Kiss Me Organics Matcha Green Tea Powder
Matcha tea powder has been a staple part of Japanese cuisine for over a thousand years, and now it’s a favorite flavor around the world!
We love its soft, earthy taste and warm aroma that pairs perfectly with milk and just a little bit of sweetener. It’s no wonder that matcha is used so often in shakes, smoothies, baked goods, and more!
Kiss Me Organics offers a delicious and versatile way to enjoy matcha however you like while still receiving the focus and energy benefits that matcha tea powder provides.
Things We Like:
- The unique combination of caffeine, theobromine, theophylline and L-Theanine mean you get the same energy-boosting and concentration benefits as a cup of coffee, without all the jitters.
- Matcha is an incredibly versatile drink. Drink it plain or mix it in lattes, smoothies, chia bowls, or even use it in baking! The sky is the limit!
Things We Don’t Like:
- This matcha green tea powder is not ceremonial grade, and it may not be ideal for a traditional cup of matcha. Try a ceremonial blend if you’re looking for more umami and sweetness in your Japanese green tea.
- You may find that this matcha tea powder has a bitter aftertaste, so if that’s the case, be sure to use sweeteners and milk when preparing your latte or smoothie.
Blue Lotus Chai
Want a delicious cup of authentic chai in a matter of seconds? With Blue Lotus Chai powder, all you need is some hot water, some milk, and whatever sweetener you like.
With no additives or sweeteners, you can trust that you’re getting the taste of bold and aromatic spices without mystery ingredients or preservatives.
Things We Like:
- The package comes with a bamboo scoop so you can portion out the exact amount of powder you want!
- It’s an authentic chai powder with rich, bold, comforting flavor and spice. It will go perfectly with your choice of milk, honey, or other sweeteners!
Things We Don’t:
- The spices in the drink tend to settle to the bottom of the cup, so you have to continue to stir and mix the beverage as you drink it.
Lipton Decaffeinated Black Iced Tea Mix
No more time spent brewing dozens of tea bags to get a pitcher of iced tea! Lipton is a huge name in the tea world, so you know that when it comes to their instant tea offering, you’ll get the same bold, classic black tea flavor you’re familiar with, but with all the convenience of a concentrated powder.
Things We Like:
- Since the flavor isn’t particularly strong, this tea powder makes an excellent base for flavored milk and bubble teas.
- This tea is packaged in glass jars, which is a big plus for eco-minded buyers!
- It’s an economical and widely available decaf tea, which is great for those looking to cut back on their caffeine intake.
Things We Don’t Like:
- If you’re drinking this tea without any additives or sweeteners, you may find the flavor a bit weak. We recommend upping the amount of powder you use per 8-ounce cup of water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Instant Tea Powder Contain Caffeine?
Just like regular tea, instant tea powder does contain a marginal amount of caffeine, though the actual amount will vary by the brand and kind of tea.
It won’t have as much as coffee, but enough to affect those who are sensitive to caffeine. If you’re looking to avoid ingesting too much caffeine, there are decaf tea powders available, which will have a smaller amount of caffeine than the standard powder tea does.
Can You Alter The Strength of Your Instant Tea?
The great thing about instant tea powder is that it’s completely customizable, something that you don’t get with tea bags or loose-leaf tea. You can certainly alter the strength of your tea by adding more powder into your drink, or less if you want a weaker flavor.
Just be aware that the more powder you add to your water, the harder it will be to dissolve it all if you’re using cold water. You may want to dissolve some of it in hot water first.
Is Instant Tea Powder Bad for You?
There’s no reason to believe that instant tea powder is bad for you. Sure, instant tea powder doesn’t contain the same amount of antioxidants as brewed tea, so you may not get all the health benefits associated with regular brewed tea, but it certainly won’t cause any harm.
All the same, be careful not to inhale the fine powder, especially when opening the tea packaging or measuring out the powder since it’s never a good idea to get the fine powder into your lungs.
What Can You Use Instant Tea Powder For?
Instant tea powder is a convenient and practical way to get your cup of tea or glass of iced tea without waiting for steeping or boiling water, but it also has other uses. Instant tea powder can be a great way to bring the rich flavors of your tea to your smoothies and shakes, as well as baked goods. It works exceptionally well with more robust-flavored instant teas like matcha and chai.
Conclusion
With instant tea powder, you can enjoy a refreshing glass of tea wherever you are, as long as you’ve got water and a cup! But there are so many different kinds of instant tea powders out there to choose from. So, it’s important to know what you want (but stay open to trying new things!).
The best tea powder will depend on what you want to get out of your beverage. Love bold, strong flavors? Go with Blue Lotus Chai or TEAki Hut Instant Black Tea Powder.
If you’re looking for decaf tea or options that won’t leave you feeling jittery, we recommend Lipton Decaf tea powder or Kiss Me Organics matcha powder. If you want a tea that serves as a base for flavored tea drinks, go with the Waka black or green teas.
That said, there’s really no correct answer when it comes to the best instant tea powder since it’s all down to personal taste.
The instant tea powder you choose will depend on the kind of tea you want (matcha, chai, green, black, etc.), whether you use it for iced or hot tea if you plan on using it when you travel, and if you want to add milk or sweeteners. Feel free to experiment to find that perfect blend for yourself!
