Energy drinks are everywhere — but so are the side effects
If you've ever slammed a can of energy drink before a gaming session and found yourself shaky, anxious, or crashing an hour later, you're not alone. The jitters are one of the most common complaints about conventional energy drinks — and they stem directly from their ingredient makeup.
Energy tea is increasingly being mentioned in the same breath as energy drinks, so the question is fair: does energy tea give you the jitters too? The short answer is: not if it's formulated well. Here's why.
What actually causes the jitters?
The jitters are caused by a rapid spike in caffeine without anything to moderate it. Most mainstream energy drinks deliver 80–300mg of caffeine in one hit, often alongside high sugar content that causes a secondary blood sugar spike. The result: your nervous system goes into overdrive, your heart races, your hands shake, and then — inevitably — you crash.
Caffeine itself isn't the villain. It's the speed and volume of the hit, and the lack of anything to balance it out.
What's different about energy tea?
The key difference in a well-made energy tea is L-theanine — an amino acid found naturally in tea leaves. L-theanine has been shown in research to work synergistically with caffeine: it takes the edge off the stimulation while preserving (and often enhancing) focus and alertness. The result is often described as "calm energy" — alert without being wired.
Energy tea also tends to release caffeine more gradually than a carbonated drink you consume in minutes, which smooths out the curve further.
Energy Tea vs Energy Drinks: a quick comparison
| Energy Drinks | Energy Tea | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine delivery | Fast spike | Gradual release |
| L-theanine present? | Rarely | Yes (naturally) |
| Sugar content | Often high | Low to none |
| Jitter risk | Higher | Lower |
| Crash risk | Higher | Lower |
| Flavour options | Synthetic | Natural botanicals |
Not all energy teas are created equal
It's worth pointing out that some "energy teas" on the market are little more than green tea with added caffeine powder — giving you similar jitter potential to an energy drink. Quality matters enormously.
At XP Brew, we've built our range around natural botanicals and balanced caffeine levels, so you get real, sustained focus without the crash. Each flavour is designed with gamers and focus-driven people in mind:
- Carry Me Cranberry — a sharp, refreshing blend to keep you dialled in during long sessions.
- Spicy Passion Power-Up — bold and warming, for when you need to level up your focus.
- Dark Choc Cherry — rich and smooth, perfect for late-night streams.
- Gamer's Tears — our fan favourite, designed for the long haul.
- Ghostkai's Midnight Cherry — a limited collaboration blend, dark and intense.
Not sure where to start? Our Mana Mix Taster Pack lets you try several flavours before committing to a full bag.
The verdict
Energy tea, done right, is significantly less likely to give you the jitters than a conventional energy drink. The combination of naturally occurring L-theanine, lower sugar content, and more gradual caffeine release creates a smoother, more sustained energy curve — exactly what you want for a gaming session, a work sprint, or anything else that demands real focus.
If you've been put off energy drinks by the shaky, anxious feeling they cause, energy tea is absolutely worth trying as an alternative. Your hands will thank you on those clutch plays.