Whether you’re a coffee drinker looking to ditch the beans for some leaves or just want to include tea in your daily routine, this article is for you. If you’re a tea lover reading this, this can come in handy if you want to convert your coffee loving friends. I grew up around coffee drinkers and today I am still surrounded by them. So, over the years I’ve noticed their habits, tastes and preferences when it comes to a caffeine fix. My goal with this list of teas coffee drinkers should try isn’t to show how one beverage is superior over the other. Instead, it is simply to offer a friendly hand into the world of tea. Everyone should experience some good tea!

I’m not here to recommend that a heavy coffee drinker resorts to only matcha or coffee flavoured tea blends. Matcha is known as the “coffee alternative” because it can help you focus and stay alert all without the caffeine jitters you might experience from your cup of joe. However, it really tastes nothing like coffee.

If you’re a coffee drinker just looking for something with similar impact opposed to taste, then give matcha a go though.

As for tea blended with coffee flavouring or beans, quite honestly, they’re not my thing so I won’t recommend something I don’t like.

Instead, I think it’s wise to offer tea options that may have some similar flavour characteristic to coffee. That can make it a bit easier if you’re truly looking to drink less coffee, and more tea.

Best Teas for Coffee Drinkers

Here are five teas that should get your new tea journey off to a great start!

1. Hojicha (green tea)

Although a green tea, hojicha is not green in colour. Hojicha is a Japanese green tea that is roasted, resulting in a brown colour of leaves, stems and liquor. The taste is savoury, smoky with a natural sweetness.

Unlike coffee though, hojicha is low in caffeine. So, if you’re someone looking to replace your afternoon cup of coffee or want to ditch decaf, hojicha may be your best option.

Also, if you’re a fan of lattes or cappuccinos, hojicha is delicious with some frothed milk!

Where to find hojicha: Hojicha Co. (they also offer a dark roast version, which is my personal favourite!)

2. Da Hong Pao (oolong tea)

Oolong is my favourite type of tea, so I really wanted to include one for coffee drinkers. I went with my first thought: Da Hong Pao.

Da Hong Pao is a famous oolong tea in China that is only produced in the Wuyi Mountains. The leaves are long, dark and twisted and they steep a gorgeous red liquor. This oolong is a full-bodied tea with a woody aroma, toasty and charcoal notes.

I have introduced this tea to coffee drinkers in the past, and since it is a roasted oolong, it’s different than what they expect from oolong tea.

I have found that they often are thinking of something more “green”. Something entirely different from their cup of coffee. Therefore, this is definitely a tea you want to bring out if your goal is to surprise and impress your coffee loving friends!

Where to find Da Hong Pao: Zhen Tea or Teavivre

3. Assam (black tea)

My mornings usually always start with a cup of Assam. It’s a black tea named after the region it comes from — Assam, India. I’ve never been a coffee drinker, so I reach for a bold black tea to jump start my day.

Assam is rich, malty with a dark cooper liquor. It also takes to milk very well, in fact, it can sometimes enhance the flavour notes.

Therefore, I think Assam black tea is an excellent choice for coffee drinkers that like milk and sweetener in their cup!

Where to find Assam: Vahdam Tea

4. Russian Caravan (oolong/black tea)

Technically a blend, Russian Caravan is traditionally a mix of oolong, and two Chinese black teas: Keemun and Lapsang Souchong (this tea is smoked over pine wood fire). However, you might find some variations online that use Assam, Darjeeling or Puerh as well.

The traditional cup offers a strong and bold steep, with a mild smoky character. This is because of the Keemun and Lapsang Souchong black teas. Russian Caravan could be great for coffee drinkers that typically enjoy a heavy, dark roast.

I’m personally not a huge Lapsang Souchong fan but I really enjoy a Russian Caravan blend because the oolong tea rounds out the two smoky black teas perfectly. It’s not too overpowering!

You can blend your own: 2 parts Oolong, 1 part Keemun and 1 part Lapsang Souchong

5. Roasted Yerba Mate (tisane)

Yerba Mate is classified as a tisane because it does not involve the tea plant (Camellia Sinensis). However, unlike most tisane/herbal teas, Yerba Mate does have caffeine. It is a plant grown and processed in South America.

Traditionally you drink it out of a mate gourd with a bombilla, but you can also just use an infuser and steep it in a teapot or cup.

When drinking Yerba Mate, my preference is the roasted type and it can also be known as the true coffee alternative. Unlike matcha, that’s because of how it tastes.

When the Yerba Mate leaves are roasted, they develop an interesting coffee-like flavour. It’s smooth and nutty with caramel undertones.

If you’re a coffee drinker looking for something with taste and caffeine comparable to coffee but without the buzz, reached for a cup of roasted yerba mate!

Where to find Roasted Yerba Mate: Westholme Tea

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What are your thoughts tea lovers? Do you have other teas coffee drinkers should try? Add them to this list by sharing in the comments below!