What is GABA tea and why is it so special?
At first glance, GABA tea looks like any other tea – small, carefully rolled leaves that unfold when steeped, offering a beautiful color and delicate aroma. But behind this apparent ordinariness lies a small miracle. GABA tea contains increased amounts of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a substance that plays a key role in calming the nervous system in our brains. Thanks to this, the tea acts not only as a refreshing drink, but also as a natural means of relaxation and stress relief. While classic black and green teas or oolongs contain amino acids to a lesser extent, GABA tea leaves undergo a special processing that converts the glutamic acid present in the tea leaves into GABA. This process not only gives the tea unique chemical properties, but also a characteristic delicate, slightly sweet taste with a hint of umami.
High Mountain Gaba
History and origin of GABA tea
The origins of GABA tea date back to the 1980s, when Japanese scientist Dr. Tsushida and his colleagues at the National Tea Research Institute were looking for ways to increase the content of natural substances in tea that have beneficial health effects. At that time, the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the nervous system and blood pressure were being intensively studied in Japan. Tsushida therefore embarked on experiments with tea leaves and began to investigate how their chemical composition changes under different conditions.
In one experiment, where he had tea leaves processed in an oxygen-free environment, he noticed a significant increase in GABA content. It turned out that sealing the leaves in an anaerobic environment triggers natural enzymatic processes in plant cells that convert glutamic acid into GABA. This discovery was a breakthrough in tea research – a new type of tea with unusual properties and a completely unique effect on the human body was born.
Japan thus became the cradle of GABA tea, and in the 1990s, this beverage began to spread to Taiwan and China, where local tea processing masters developed its production into various forms – from green teas to oolongs to darker teas. Gradually, GABA tea has become not only a sought-after “functional” drink in Asia, but is also gaining popularity in the Western world, where it is valued as a natural remedy for calming the mind and relaxing the body.
How GABA tea is made: processing in an oxygen-free environment
The production of GABA tea begins with the careful harvesting of young leaves, which contain the highest amount of amino acids. Tea plants intended for the production of GABA tea are often shaded before harvesting, which increases the content of glutamic acid, the basic raw material for GABA production. This is followed by a key phase – the enzymatic activation of the leaves in an oxygen-free environment. There are two main methods. The first uses nitrogen, where the leaves are placed in closed containers and the atmosphere is enriched with nitrogen, displacing oxygen and creating an anaerobic environment. This process takes several hours at a controlled temperature and allows the enzymatic conversion of glutamic acid to GABA. The second method uses a vacuum, where the leaves are placed in low-pressure chambers, which also creates an oxygen-free environment. The vacuum method allows for a more even chemical conversion of the leaf and reduces the risk of oxidation. Once the desired GABA level is reached, the entire process is stopped by quickly heating the tea leaves. This is followed by the usual rolling, drying, and sorting, similar to classic green or oolong tea. The result is a delicate tea with a characteristic sweet and umami flavor and a significantly higher GABA content than regular teas.
Gaba – calming body and mind
The effects of GABA tea on health and the mind
The effects of GABA are based on the chemical properties of the substances contained in Gaba tea. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter that acts as a natural inhibitor of nerve activity, slowing down nerve impulses and calming the central nervous system. As a result, regular consumption of GABA tea has a positive effect on reducing stress and anxiety, as it activates GABA receptors in the brain and reduces levels of stress hormones, particularly cortisol. GABA tea also promotes quality sleep by increasing the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls relaxation and regeneration of the body. The relaxation of neurons leads to faster sleep onset and deeper sleep.
Have a look at our video about Gaba.
Other benefits are seen in blood pressure and heart function. Activation of GABA receptors in blood vessels causes relaxation of smooth muscle tissue, which can lead to a slight reduction in blood pressure. In addition, the balance of excitation and inhibition of neurons promotes mental clarity, concentration, and memory, as stable nerve activity is essential for optimal brain function. Some studies also suggest that GABA has a positive effect on glucose and insulin metabolism, which contributes to the overall balance of the body. Thanks to these effects, GABA tea is suitable as an anti-stress and relaxing drink for daily regeneration of the body. Its delicate, sweet taste and natural calming properties make it not only a healthy but also a pleasant drink, suitable for your evening routine or during quiet moments of the day.
Calm with Gaba
Tradition and Research
GABA tea is a wonderful example of the combination of scientific research and tea tradition. It was born in a laboratory, but its story continues on plantations in Japan, Taiwan, and China, from where it travels to teacups around the world. It is a tea that not only refreshes but also calms, helping to find balance between body and mind—and therein lies its greatest charm. You can find our range of GABA teas here.
