Antioxidants in Tea: What They Are and What They Do

At 23 Gardens, we believe understanding what's in your tea enhances your appreciation of each cup. Tea contains powerful antioxidants that offer natural protection for your body. These compounds are part of what makes tea not just a pleasure to drink, but a thoughtful addition to your daily wellness routine.

Understanding Antioxidants

Your body naturally produces free radicals during metabolism, with more coming from environmental factors like pollution and stress. These unstable molecules can damage cells over time. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating electrons without becoming unstable themselves, helping protect your cells from oxidative stress.

Tea offers a spectrum of antioxidants whose profile changes with processing—each type bringing its own character and benefits to your cup.

 

Types of Antioxidants in Tea

1. Catechins

Found in: Green tea, white tea

What they are: A family of antioxidants preserved in minimally processed teas. EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is the most abundant and studied catechin.

What they do: Neutralize free radicals directly, support your body's natural antioxidant systems, and help regulate inflammation responses.

Why it matters: When you choose green or white teas, you're drinking leaves that retain these beneficial compounds through careful processing. Our white teas, harvested from young buds and leaves, are particularly rich in catechins.

2. Theaflavins & Thearubigins

Found in: Black tea, heavily oxidized oolongs

What they are: Complex antioxidants formed when catechins oxidize during tea processing. Theaflavins create the bright, brisk taste in black tea; thearubigins provide depth and richness.

What they do: These compounds fight free radicals differently than catechins, while also supporting healthy blood vessel function and cardiovascular health.

Why it matters: When you select our black teas, you're enjoying the transformation of one set of antioxidants into another—a testament to tea's remarkable complexity. 

3. Flavonols & Other Polyphenols

Found in: All teas

What they are: Additional antioxidants including quercetin and kaempferol that complement the major groups above.

What they do: Work synergistically with other tea compounds to enhance the overall antioxidant activity. They help strengthen blood vessels and support cellular health.

Why it matters: These compounds contribute to the complete experience of tea, adding layers of protection and subtle complexity.

4. Complex Compounds in Aged Teas

Found in: Fermented oolongs, aged teas

What they are: Compounds developed through the aging or fermentation process.

What they do: Support digestive health, help balance the body's response to stress, and offer a different antioxidant profile than fresh teas.

Why it matters: Our carefully selected aged teas demonstrate how time transforms not just flavor, but also wellness properties.

Extra: L-Theanine: The Calming Compound

Found in: All teas from the Camellia sinensis plant, with higher concentrations in shade-grown teas and some white teas.

What it is: An amino acid unique to tea that crosses the blood-brain barrier. While not an antioxidant itself, L-theanine works alongside tea's antioxidants to enhance overall wellness.

What it does: Promotes alpha wave activity in the brain, creating a state of calm alertness. L-theanine works synergistically with caffeine to provide focus without jitters. It also supports stress reduction and may enhance the body's immune response.

Why it matters: At 23 Gardens, we recognize that wellness encompasses both body and mind. Our carefully selected teas offer a balanced L-theanine content that complements their antioxidant profiles, providing a complete tea experience that supports both mental clarity and physical well-being.

How Processing Influences Antioxidants

At 23 Gardens, we select teas processed specifically to preserve their natural character:

• Green Tea: Heat-treated early to prevent oxidation, maintaining high catechin levels.
• White Tea: Minimal processing preserves delicate antioxidants and natural sweetness.
• Black Tea: Full oxidation transforms catechins into rich theaflavins and thearubigins.
• Oolong Tea: Partial oxidation creates a balanced profile of both catechin and oxidized compounds.

Brewing for Optimal Benefits

To experience the full potential of your tea:

• Temperature: Use appropriate water temperature (cooler for green/white, hotter for black) to protect delicate antioxidants while ensuring proper extraction.
• Time: Follow our recommended steeping times to balance antioxidant extraction with a pleasant flavor.
• Storage: Keep your tea in a cool, dark place in an airtight container to preserve its antioxidant qualities.

A Simple Approach to Wellness

At 23 Gardens, we value tea as a daily practice that nourishes both body and spirit. The antioxidants in our teas aren't additives or enhancements—they're the natural compounds preserved through thoughtful sourcing and processing.

Choose teas you genuinely enjoy, brew them with care, and appreciate the subtle benefits they bring to your daily ritual. Quality tea, properly prepared, offers its benefits naturally—no hype needed.

What Determines Antioxidant Levels

• Leaf Quality: Whole leaves retain more antioxidants than broken leaves (fannings/dust).
• Processing: Heat (in green tea) stops oxidation, preserving catechins. Oxidation (in oolong/black tea) creates new antioxidants like theaflavins.
• Brewing: Water temperature and steeping time extract different compounds. Overbrewing can degrade delicate antioxidants.

Teas with high antioxidant levels from 23 Gardens

The Silver Bouquet
Our Chamomile Silver Needle White Tea combines the exceptional qualities of Silver Needle white tea with delicate chamomile flowers. This thoughtful pairing creates a tea that's particularly rich in diverse antioxidants—from the catechins and polyphenols naturally present in white tea to the flavonoids found in chamomile. Together, these compounds help protect against oxidative stress while supporting skin health and collagen production.

Award Winning YuQian Dragon Well Green Tea
Known for its vibrant green leaves and nutty, vegetal flavor, Dragonwell (Longjing) is packed with catechins and polyphenols that help fight free radicals, reduce inflammation, and support overall skin health. Its high antioxidant content makes it a powerful tea for promoting vitality.

The Dragon Ball "Jasmine Dragon Pearl" Green tea
This fragrant tea combines the benefits of green tea with the calming aroma of jasmine flowers. Jasmine Pearl is loaded with antioxidants like EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which protect cells from damage and promote a radiant complexion.

Gardenia Green
Infused with the delicate scent of gardenia flowers, this green tea offers a subtle yet refreshing flavor profile. It retains the high antioxidant content of green tea, providing a soothing and rejuvenating brew that supports skin health and overall well-being.

Zhenghe White Peony "Bai Mu Dan" White tea
A delicate and floral white tea, Bai Mu Dan (White Peony) is renowned for its high antioxidant levels and light, silky texture. It supports collagen health and helps protect against oxidative stress, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a gentle yet effective anti-aging tea.

 

The Takeaway

Antioxidants in tea are tools, not miracles. Their effectiveness depends on consistency, leaf quality, and how you prepare them. Drink tea you enjoy, brew it properly and let the compounds do their work without overthinking it.