Onnit’s Whole Spice Matcha Chai Latte (click for best price) is a nootropic beverage and a great complement to the brand’s caffeine-free nootropic, Alpha Brain (read our review of Alpha Brain). With a reputation for producing high-quality and earth-grown supplements, Onnit drew inspiration from Ayurvedic medicine to produce a unique, mild nootropic in an easy-to-make powdered tea form.
Spoiler alert, in case you couldn’t tell from the intro: We loved it (well, most of us). We were excited to give Onnit Whole Spice Matcha Chai Latte a try, especially since we got the product at the start of Pumpkin Spice Latte Season. Read on and see what our testers thought of this nootropic beverage.
Onnit Matcha Chai Label & Ingredients
The Ingredients
Organic Matcha Green Tea
Matcha Tea contains both caffeine and L-Theanine. L-Theanine is an amino acid that’s becoming an increasingly common ingredient in nootropics. It promotes relaxation without being a sedative, and research suggests it also helps the brain deal better with stress. Often paired with caffeine, l-theanine’s effects appear complementary to the world’s most popular stimulant. It may also increase brain activity and memory. Caffeine, the world’s most popular stimulant, actually works by preventing adenosine from acting on adenosine receptors in the brain. This inhibitory mechanism reduces feelings of drowsiness and sedation.
Caffeine is a well-researched, well-known, and common ingredient in many brain supplements, and a big reason coffee is one of the world’s most in-demand commodities. Research suggests caffeine and l-theanine pairings boost alertness and cognitive performance. Caffine and theanine are naturally paired in matcha, making it a naturally occuring way to counter the negative effects (jitters, etc.) off caffeine. Basically, a smoother buzz. Onnit says the caffeine content of their Matcha varies from batch to batch, but they’ve tested it at around 28 mg per serving – so it’s less than most coffee, and we’ll be experimenting with pairing this with other nootropic stacks and maybe even some additional caffeine in the near future.
Organic Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice with potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to its antioxidative powers, there is some promising research regarding the root’s positive effects on the immune system and its ability to reduce neuroinflammation. However, one of its key anti-inflammatory compounds, curcumin, isn’t super absorbable in most dietary forms.
Other Ingredients: Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Coconut Nectar, Organic Sunflower Lecithin, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Ginger, Organic Cloves, Organic Cardamom, Organic Pepper, Organic Stevia (natural sweetener)
Usage Guidelines
Mix one scoop of Onnit Whole Spice Matcha Chai latte with 8-10 ounces of hot water. Stir and enjoy.
What Our Testers Say
“I had a cup of the Chai in the morning, and it gave me a clean, non-jittery boost that lasted longer than I expected. Also, I liked the taste. There was no crash, and I even had an additional cup in the afternoon, with none of the usual caffeine side-effects I usually get from coffee. I will be drinking a lot of this in the colder months and pairing it with some different nootropic stacks.”
“I love this stuff – it is so much tastier than the coffeehouse (Starbucks, cough cough) chai. Just make sure you are using hot water instead of boiling, otherwise you will scorch it. I added a little extra coconut cream to mine too, and I’ve been reaching for it every time the afternoon slump hits me.”
“I really wanted to love this. I’m a big fan of both matcha and Chai, so this sounded like the perfect combination; but the stevia is a bit too much for me. It’s a bummer, because I felt alert but relaxed, and would definitely consume this daily if it weren’t that sweet.”
“This stuff is delicious, and it makes me feel pretty great. I took this in the morning before heading to the gym, and I like the extra energy I got from coconut fat. I took this with Alpha Brain, and felt like it really kicked up the already great effects I felt on Alpha Brain alone.”
BrainWiz Tips
- Most of our testers enjoyed the taste and mild effects of this nootropic, with no side effects and no jitters.
- This is not the best product for those who are sensitive to the taste of stevia. While Onnit has alluded to plans of replacing stevia in all of their products, it is not clear whether the Whole Spice Matcha Chai Latte will be available unsweetened or with an alternative sweetener in the near future.
- Make sure to mix it with hot, and not boiling water. This product mixes well with additional coconut milk or cream.
- Stack this beverage with Alpha Brain to enhance both of their effects.
Supplement Summary
Onnit Whole Spice Matcha Chai Latte Tea contains both caffeine and L-theanine, along with some other neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and energy-sustaining ingredients. It’s first and foremost a delicious coffee replacement, be it in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up, and secondly a mild nootropic in its own right.
The Whole Spice Matcha Chai Latte is a mild nootropic when used on its on, and a great product to stack with caffeine-free supplements, like Alpha Brain. Our testers reported experiencing clarity, sharper focus, and a calm alertness even with a pretty mild caffeine content.